Chapter 21

Anne reached over and grabbed her lover's hand. George watched the monitor beeping, hoping his son would soon open his eyes and greet him.

‘Look at him, Anne. he looks almost innocent. I wish we did not bicker as much as we did. I just want him to be okay. I would give anything for him to wake up.’ George cried, gently stroking his son's forehead as he lay unconscious in the hospital bed.

‘Your fights have nothing to do with his current state, my love. Please do not blame yourself. He knows exactly how much you love him, bickering or not. You were just trying to push him to be a gentleman and you disagreed a lot, that does not make you a bad father.’ Anne reassured him.

The nurse that did her rounds during this time of day came around and stopped at Sheldon’s bedside.

‘Good news. They say he may wake within the next few hours. He is a strong man, you should feel lucky.’ The nurse said. She left just as quickly as she came, rushing off to the next injured soul.

‘He will make it! My boy will live!’ George yelled. He began to jump for joy. He gently grabbed Anne and smooched her cheek happily.

‘See? I told you there is absolutely nothing to fear. He will make it. He will be back at home making a nuisance of himself before you know it.’ Anne told him.

George dried his eyes and tried to get over the rare miracle.

‘What was it that you were speaking of before? Something to do with Bertha? I tried to listen but I could not bear to think of anything other than my son.’ George asked.

‘That is the thing, George. It is about Sheldon. I am rather concerned that my Aunt Bertha may have had something to do with your son's current condition.’ Anne politely hinted.

‘Bertha? She is a fraud, we both know that but my son’s attacker? No, surely not. I have known her for many years, I do not believe her to be anything that I would describe as dangerous.’ George explained.

Anne hung her head down and tried to avoid eye contact with her one true love. She knew that he wouldn’t believe her just as Wilma refused to. But she had a feeling that Bertha was capable of just about anything. She had already stolen Anne’s inheritance so perhaps she wanted to get rid of Sheldon for her own personal revenge.

‘I know it may seem unlikely for a woman of high status to act in such a way, but I have seen the evil behind her eyes more than once. I last saw her arguing with Sheldon at the charity event and then when she got home, her story did not add up. She told me she saw you on her way home and you told her about Sheldon, and that is how she knew before I told her.’ Anne told him.

She noticed that he was in deep thought for a moment. Perhaps he was thinking the same as she was, finally.

‘Okay, that does sound suspicious and I do believe you. You know her better than most so you will know if she is being truthful or not. But we cannot accuse without evidence, people of this town think highly of her. I know it is frustrating to let her get away with all of these crimes, but there is honestly nothing we can do right now.’ George said.

‘What? But she may have tried to kill your son. Surely you hate her for that? We need to find a way to bring her down, she is evil! God knows what she could do to me when she realises that I know what she has been up to! I could be her next target.’ Anne cried.

George observed her demeanour for a second. He could see that she truly believed her own words and believed Bertha to be dangerous.

‘Very well. You shall have to come and stay at my house, even though we are not married yet. It is my duty to protect both you and our unborn child. Whether she is dangerous or not, I shall protect you at all costs. I promise I will warn my son to behave and not make you feel uncomfortable. I know how awful your past with him was.’ George expressed.

Anne stared at her future husband in awe. She wondered how she had managed to fall in love with such a kind gentleman. Although she was dreading having to see Sheldon every day. She wondered whether he was finally done with trying to wreck the young Spenbourne girls, or whether he had other plans yet to come. Perhaps almost dying would have been a wake up call for him? As she sat deep in thought, she noticed Sheldon’s eyes slowly opening. It was clear that he would live after all.

Not long later, Sheldon was discharged by the doctor and George had got him safely back home. Sheldon had hardly said a word about what happened to him, only that he could not remember his attacker as they got him from behind where he was most vulnerable. They entered the Winchester house and George helped his son to the sofa.

‘Well, you gave me a fright there son. I honestly thought I would not get to see you ever again. They were sure you would die at first.’ George told him.

Sheldon sprawled out on the sofa with a white patch on the back of his head, protecting his wound. He kept giving Anne the odd disapproving glance.

‘I am fine, father. Please do not fuss over me. It is nothing but a bump to the head. I am strong enough to cope with such an injury.' Sheldon pleaded aggressively.

George and Anne exchanged helpless facial expressions as neither of them knew what to say next to the injured Sheldon. They were not used to him looking so vulnerable.

'No, I will not stand for this. I know she is your fiancée father but I am your son! She cannot stay with us, especially after what she has done!' Sheldon finally exploded.

'What has gotten into you? She has done nothing but be a great support to me in a time of need!' George exclaimed.

'Father, she was the one that put me in hospital in the first place!' Sheldon said sincerely.

That same feeling of dread, disgust and adrenaline ran through Anne's body. She could not move or speak. But she had to do what she could for her baby.