Hetty Feather's Diary: Sisters

My name's Hetty Feather - and this is my diary.

Agnes and Lizzie are sisters! I can’t believe Agnes kept it secret for so long but I can understand why.

When you’re a servant to a family like the Calendars, you might not be as rich as they are but you can’t bring them any shame; being a servant is a respectable position! Even though it doesn’t feel like it when you’re emptying smelly chamber pots at half-past-five in the morning – but it is. And though being a servant is hardly the job of my dreams, I have to be thankful that I’m not begging on the streets or in the workhouse. I’ve seen what it’s like out there.

Life in the workhouse is hard and miserable. At least here, I’m fed and clothed and have a roof over my head - even though Sheila keeps me awake when she snores after she’s had a hard day! Still, I think it’s called being thankful for what you have. And though I might not be a writer – yet! – at least I write each day in my diary and not only does it mean I’m practising for the job of my dreams, it also makes me proud of who I am.

I’m a Foundling, and nothing can change that. But to become lady’s maid to Miss Emily, Agnes would have done anything – even deny her own family! Why couldn’t Agnes be honest about who she is? She works hard and should be proud of that.