I work at Mr. Thornhill’s Mill. I been working there since I was little and me Ma before me. Me sisters as soon as they’re old enough, they’ll work here too. It’s not bad, to be honest. It’s hard work but Mr. Thornhill’s a fair man and he treats us well enough.
Sometimes, he comes in here and walks about, inspecting our work. He’s tall and very handsome. I’m sweet on him. Ma tells me to remember meself. She said a gentleman like Mr. Thornhill wouldn’t set his cap for me. She’s wrong. The bairn growing inside me proves that.
100 Words
This was written for the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields For more details, visit Here. To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit Here.
Notes to Women 
she may be in for a rude awakening
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You’re right about that. Ma was right.
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I hope Mr. Thornhill still takes kindly on her once that bairn begins to show… (Not holding my breath)
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I hope so for her sake but I too am not holding my breath. She should have listened to Ma.
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What a harsh world it was then! We sometimes complain about today, but so many things are better and more humane.
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Yes, the world was harsh back then. Whenever I watch the period dramas and see how the working class and the poor were treated and what life was like, I’m always grateful that I wasn’t alive then. We do complain but when you think of how life was for many then and still is for many now in some parts of the world, we should really be thankful.
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Dear Adele,
I love the voice in this story. Mr. Thornhill sounds like a harsh man to work for. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m happy that you liked the MC’s voice. She says that Mr. Thornhill is a fair man and that he treats the workers well enough. Let’s see if she will sing his praises when she tells him that she’s having his child. Thanks 🙂
Shalom,
Adele
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I suspect Mr Thornhill is going to let her down very badly… Well written story, good sense of realism.
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I suspect you’re right, Iain. And thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂 I wanted it to come across real.
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He may well be willing to plant his seed but that does not mean he’ll acknowledge it…
Time will tell but I won’t hold my breath.
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I agree with you, Dale. Her nice Mr. Thornhill may not be so nice when he finds out that she’s pregnant and most likely, he may not acknowledge or admit his paternity.
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I’m thinking he won’t…
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I’m thinking you’re right.
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To tell or not to tell? Interesting times ahead for Mr T!
My FriFic tale!
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Interesting times ahead for both of them.
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Excellent voice.. I have doubts about her reasoning ability though.. Good luck with Mr. Thorhill….
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Thanks, Violet. I agree with you about her reasoning. And she will need more than luck with Mr. Thornhill.
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So innocent and naive. She’ll be fired, and live a hand-to-mouth existence while Mr. T continues to thrive and impregnate his star-struck young employees.
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That’s a perfect description of her, Linda–innocent and naive. I think you’re right. Mr. Thornhill will dismiss her. And who knows how many other girls he will be setting his cap for.
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Thornhill is an evil man. Nice potrayal of character of a ruthless capitalist.
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Yes, he is. Thanks, Abhijit 🙂
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I enjoyed your story. Perfect last line.
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Thanks, Ted 🙂 Am delighted you enjoyed it. I wanted the last line to be the clincher.
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I’m sure that kind of thing has happened many a time. Well-told story!
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I’m sure it did too. Thanks, Jade 🙂
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Love the naivete in her voice. You say alot, but not out loud.
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Thank you 🙂
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