Disclaimer: This story is based on the BBC television series Keeping Up Appearances written by Roy Clarke, which as far as I know, is the property of the BBC. No infringement is intended.

Chapter 1: Woman of the Year

"Come along, Richard! Come along!" Hyacinth Bucket fussed at her poor husband Richard. "We mustn't be late! We don't want to miss Violet's big moment! I just know that the vicar's wife is going to pick my sister to give the Woman of the Year Award to at the church hall tonight! I just know it! I can feel it in my bones."

"You're probably right, Hyacinth," Richard agreed as he came out of their bedroom, tying his red silk tie around his neck. Richard was looking quite nice that evening, wearing a matching black blazer and trousers, a white dress shirt, and his red tie. Hyacinth looked even nicer in one of her silk flowery dresses and black high-heeled shoes, with her hair and makeup done to perfection as always. "Considering the huge financial contribution she made to our church recently, I'm sure Violet's a shoo-in for the award. However…"

"However what, dear?"

"I…well, I…"

"For heaven's sake, Richard, stop stuttering so. You make it seem as though I'm the most intimidating woman in the world to be around. What is it, dear? What are you trying to say?"

"Well, Hyacinth, with all due respect to your sister, it would seem to me that if her 'gift' to the church were completely genuine, if she were truly making this big financial contribution to our church out of care and concern for the less fortunate in our town, she wouldn't be announcing it like this. After all, Jesus, Himself, said that if we want to pray or fast or give, we should do it in secret. You know the old saying, which I think actually does come from the Bible, itself: don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."

"Don't be silly, Richard," Hyacinth scolded. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying a bit of well-deserved recognition for doing such a big and wonderful deed for the Lord. I'm sure He has no objections. Come along, now. We must be going."

"Yes, dear," Richard said rather lifelessly as he resigned himself to the painful fact that he would have to endure a long evening ahead with his very trying and overbearing wife.

"Hello, everyone," the vicar's wife said pleasantly after stepping up to the podium in the church hall that evening. "Thank you all so much for coming tonight. Tonight, once again, we're here to bestow the Woman of the Year Award upon another highly deserving recipient."

As she continued talking, Hyacinth, who had been invited by her sister Daisy, her brother-in-law Onslow, and her sister Rose, to come sit on the same row with them and with Violet, quietly fussed and fidgeted. Violet had not informed Hyacinth that she'd invited their slovenly sisters and brother-in-law to attend the ceremony as well, and to say the least, she was very embarrassed by their presence.

"Settle down, Hyacinth," Richard whispered in his wife's ear.

"I can't believe Violet actually invited Daisy, Onslow, and Rose to come to the ceremony tonight!" Hyacinth responded in an angry whisper.

"There's nothing wrong with it, Hyacinth. They are family, after all," Richard softly responded.

"As I've told you before, Richard," said Hyacinth in the same agitated whisper, "you know I love my family, but that's no reason why I should have to acknowledge them in broad daylight!"

"It's not even daylight. It's nighttime now," Richard quietly reminded her.

"Richard, you know what I mean!" Hyacinth whispered.

"As you all know, as the vicar's wife, it is my responsibility and privilege to choose the Woman of the Year each year, and it is not an easy decision to make since there are so many worthy candidates here in our wonderful parish to choose from every single year," the vicar's wife continued. "However, even though it was a difficult decision to make, there is one truly exceptional lady whose contributions to our community have stood out above all the rest."

"She's chosen Violet, Richard! Violet's going to win! I know it! I just know it!" Hyacinth excitedly whispered in Richard's ear.

"As many of you know, there is a very special group of ladies in our area who secretly volunteer to help victims of domestic violence. They, at considerable personal risk to themselves, meet abused women who call our local domestic violence hotline and drive them to the secret location of the women's shelter in our area. But even though our local women's shelter does take every possible precaution, there is still a considerable element of risk. Should any of the abusive boyfriends or abusive husbands of these ladies discover who it was who drove them to the shelter, helping them escape from their abuse, they could easily become a target, and their own lives could be at risk. They know this, but they take this risk anyway, because they understand that helping abused women and children escape from danger, violence, and various forms of abuse, is something much bigger than they are. Something much more important than any one person. And they truly believe that helping these dear women and children get to a better, safer, healthier, happier place in their lives is more important than their own personal safety.

"Just two days ago, I discovered, by accident as a matter of fact, that one of these remarkably brave, selfless volunteers is a lady who attends our parish. She frequently puts her own personal safety at risk, and she does so completely in secret, without an ounce of acknowledgment or recognition for it from anyone. She does not receive it, nor does she seek it. When I learned about what she was doing, I couldn't help but feel that she is, by far, the most worthy candidate for this year's Woman of the Year Award. However, secrecy is absolutely essential, and her identity must not be revealed for obvious safety reasons. But even if we could safely reveal her true identity, I still believe she would much prefer that I didn't. That's the beautiful soul that she is. So, I have already presented this year's plaque to her in private, and the five-hundred-pound prize that goes with it is being donated, in full, to our local women's shelter at her request. I know you all came here tonight to see this year's Woman of the Year receive her award and give a speech, so I can understand if you're feeling a bit disappointed, but at the same time, I do trust that you all understand why it had to be done this way. Before we say goodnight and adjourn for the evening, though, I would like for us all to stand and bow our heads as my husband leads us in a word of prayer for the safety of tonight's Woman of the Year recipient and all the other amazing ladies she works with, not to mention all the brave women and children who are doing the best they can to escape their life of abuse and start anew."

Naturally, everyone immediately rose from their seats, even the very obviously disgruntled Hyacinth, and they all bowed their heads in prayer as the vicar came up to the podium.