Our Mutual Friend · Character

Miss Abbey Potterson

The stately, absolute landlady of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, who keeps her riverside tavern in order with a glance and ejects fools by the collar.

supporting

Also known as Miss Potterson, Abbey, Miss Abbey, the stately Abbey

First appearance: i on the look out

As a supporting figure in Our Mutual Friend, Miss Abbey Potterson is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Warns Lizzie about the rumors against Gaffer and forbids both Gaffer and Riderhood from the Fellowship Porters.

In the storyCut AdriftOpen this moment free

See Miss Abbey Potterson in Cut Adrift Book page

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Miss Abbey rules her waterside house of call with a severity that is also a kind of justice, softening only for those she judges genuinely wronged. She receives Riah and Jenny Wren on Lizzie Hexam's behalf, and when Riderhood is carried in half-drowned she takes command of the room, fetching doctor and daughter and pitching Captain Joey out for his butcher's-shop remedies. Her tavern is the novel's crossroads where river folk, police, and secrets meet.

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The fuller portrait of Miss Abbey Potterson sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Miss Abbey Potterson in i on the look out

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Miss Abbey Potterson sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Minor characters and background figures
Central characters and rivals
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Betty Higden’s life…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Miss Abbey Potterson appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Cut Adrift
Warns Lizzie about the rumors against Gaffer and forbids both Gaffer and Riderhood from the Fellowship Porters.
XIII: Tracking the Bird of Prey
Allows the group to use the Cosy room for their stakeout; referred to as a source of information by Mr. Inspector.
A Respected Friend in a New Aspect
Presides at the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, receives Riah and Jenny, and handles the river accident.
The Same Respected Friend in More Aspects Than One
Oversees the rescue and recovery efforts at her establishment; orders the patient's removal once he is stable.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Miss Abbey Potterson unlock in the free preview.

See Miss Abbey Potterson in i on the look out

See Miss Abbey Potterson in Cut Adrift