“Joan was trying to hide she was pregnant, so she invented the farthingale.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are you pregnant?”
“Absolutely not.” The hors d’oeuvres were offered but Abigail could not reach the tray to take one.
“You’re crinoline is far too broad Abbi. Why have you made it that big?
The waiter returned holding the tray with a pair of fire tongs. Abigail took one, then a second for just in case.
“Well why?” Prunella insisted.
“If you must know. Lord Skank told me he would dance with me but I want to keep my distance.”
In response to Rochelle Wiseoff-Field for Friday Fictioneers with thanks to Dale Rogerson for providing the photo for the prompt.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
The very name indicates caution. An inventive way of achieving that protection!
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Yes at one point in history the width of the dresses became so wide that it became difficult to do anything except ensure that personal space was not invaded.
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Lord Skank!? I would stay away too! 🙂
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LOL. Skank is not a word we use in Australia but it obviously has the meaning I wanted to convey but perhaps none to subtlety.
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Unfortunately the Lord Skanks of this world may not let a little detail like a crinoline to put them off. Unless Lady Skank is watching, of course.
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LOL. She is hoping it will allow minimum contact.
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Wonderful story! Love the humor and the creation story.
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Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it, I had fun writing it.
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Oh, I love this, Irene! Lord Skank, indeed. If his name is representative of his personality, maybe she needs a deflector shield too 😉
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Haha. Thanks Dale. She thinks she is fairly well protected.
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Ha!!! This is truly fun. Abigail certainly knows what’s up!
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Thanks Alicia. Or keeping whats up out.
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That IS one advantage to a hoop. Forces a man to behave like a gentleman,,,, well, mostly…
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I think most men would have still tried. There was something to having a chaperone in those days as well.
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Yes, there was. I remember dating with a chaperone. I think that is one thing that could be re-instituted and cut down on so much…
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She’ll suffer because of the dress, but I’m guessing it is still going to be more bearable than Lord Skank’s dance moves 🙂
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LOL. I think that’s what she is hoping.
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This is too funny. Lord Skank is in for a disappointment. And I didn’t know that these things were used to hide pregnancies.
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Thanks. It is rumoured that the woman, the Queen Consort Joan of Portugal, who invented the forerunner of the crinoline did so to hide an illegitimate pregnancy. I don’t know that they were widely used for that purpose or if it was anything other than rumour.
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Oh, I didn’t have a clue who Joan was, thanks for the info!
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You’re welcome.
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Great fun story. You caught me with the twist, Irene!
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Clapping hands with glee.
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Enjoyed this write. Very innovative.
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Smart lady, especially in the presence of Lord Skank! I would think that a farthingale might be the perfect thing to hide a pregnancy or already wide hips!
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This was a most enjoyable short story, Irene.
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Glad you enjoyed it Robbie.
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Hilarious, Irene! Fun interpretation of the photos as well as the reasons behind the fashion tend of hoop skirts.
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Thanks Charli. I think this was my fun silly for this week – so far I’m bereft of ideas for the 99. Hopefully at the last minute something will come to me.
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Abigail is a smart lady.
Wonderfully written, Irene.
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thank you Moon. Much appreciated.
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Very practical for somethings, but how does she sit?
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I’ll bet they had some type of special chair that was fashionable at the time. If you bent forward the dress would rise at the back – perhaps enough to get a stool under.
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Dear Irene,
Lord Skank? Sounds like he must live up to his name. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle.
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Very creative and very fun.
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Thanks Lisa.
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Very creative story, I really enjoyed! =)
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Thank you Brenda. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Lord Skank. Oh, my word. 🙂
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We don’t use that word here so I just hope I got its meaning correct.
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Yes, you did. Perfect.
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Lol….good story!
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Thanks Dawn.
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Smart girl! Loved your story Irene 🙂
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Thanks Dahlia. Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun writing this one.
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