Chapter 20

‘An accident? Heavens! What has happened?’ Anne stumbled over her words.

‘They are not sure but he has suffered a large blow to the back of the skull. They say he may not live!’ George cried.

The genuine hate he felt for his son began to run through him and drain out of every orifice he had. Was it true hate he felt for his son? Or was it hate for the way he behaved? George began to question everything he had ever felt. Anne tried to paint a look of sympathy upon her face but the joy she felt in Sheldon’s suffering was still managing to shine through.

‘Are you pleased that my son may die?’

‘What? I will not lie about the fact that I dislike the man, it is common knowledge to everyone around me but I do not wish for anybody to die. George, what an awful thing to say.’ Anne said, not truly believing her own words.

He shook his head and ruffled his hair. They both knew she was lying but it was something that they wouldn’t dare say out loud. He tried to think of his love for her and let it overpower the pain he felt over his son. He gave her the benefit of the doubt.

‘Fine. If that is what you truly feel then I am choosing to believe your words. As true or false as they may be. It is not the time to discuss your feelings towards my son. I just feel hopeless. They are saying it was just an accident but surely not? He is always so careful!’ George cried out. Anne almost felt sorry for him.

She gently rubbed his shoulder and tried to give him sympathy by physical means as she couldn’t make up for it with words, for she knew deep down that they would be fake.

‘Well, what do the doctors say? Do they say he has a chance of recovery?’ Anne asked miserably with a faint tone of hope.

‘They say there is a slight chance. But even if he wakes up, he could have brain damage. I do not know what to think right now! He was hit at the back of the head which to me, screams suspicious. It is they that claim it to be an accident! But who could have done this to my poor young Sheldon? The only heir to my fortune, my only son!’ George said. He allowed his head to gently sink into his palms to protect his face from the cruel world around him.

‘Maybe it is best you go and be by his side, even if he is not awake yet. I will be right here when you need me.’ Anne said, pulling a sympathetic face and rubbing his back.

George finally removed his head from his hands and nodded in agreement. He let himself out of the Spenbourne house and dashed off down the long garden path. Anne let out a sigh of relief. She knew she was no comfort to anyone where emotions were concerned. Bertha then came dashing into the house looking flushed.

‘Oh, you are still here? I expected you to still be at the charity event, flaunting that rich fiance’ of yours.’ Bertha yelled as she pounded her way through the doors.

‘Did you see anybody on your way home?’ Anne asked.

‘No, I did what I needed to do and came straight back. I have not seen a soul.’ Bertha answered with a grin on her face.

‘Are you not even going to mention the conversation we had? I know everything, remember? I know what you have done to my life, my inheritance, everything!’ Anne yelled.

Bertha wiped down her dress, straightened her shoulders and looked Anne in the eyes. After everything, she still had no shame. Anne despised her for it.

‘None of it matters. The house was sold, remember? There is no way of getting it back now. It is best you concentrate on your future with the Winchester family. That is all you have now.’ Bertha said calmly.

Anne placed her hand on her forehead and felt as though reality was slowly slipping away from her. Everything she thought she knew since moving into her Aunt Bertha’s house was revealed to be untrue. How could she trust anything or anyone?

‘No. You cannot change my father’s will and act as though it was nothing or legal! I was entitled to the house that you viciously removed us from and everything my father had left! I do not know how or when but I will find a way to get it all back and bring you down!’ Anne cried.

Bertha said nothing. She sniggered at Anne’s claims to bring her down and trotted off into a different room. Anne knew she couldn’t stay there any longer. It was strange to move into someone’s home before the wedding, but she knew George would understand. But then there was Sheldon. She would have to live with her enemy. No matter which house she chose, there was an enemy in each one. As Anne turned around to go back upstairs and think, she realised that Sheldon had not been mentioned. She climbed back down the stairs and went into the drawing room where her Aunt was.

‘How was Sheldon when you saw him last? From what I recall, you were arguing with him at the charity event. Just how violent did that argument get?’ Anne asked curiously.

‘If you are implying that I had anything to do with Sheldon being in hospital, you are wrong! The argument did not go on for much longer once you left.’ Bertha replied, burying her head in a newspaper to avoid eye contact.

‘How did you know Sheldon was in the hospital? You said you did not see anyone on your way back from the charity event?’ Anne’s suspicions grew greater with every blink from Bertha.

‘Oh I did, I forgot to mention. I saw George on the way back. He told me.’ Bertha said smiling.

‘And where was George when he told you?’ Anne asked as she folded her arms and waited for an answer.

‘Well, I was heading out of the charity event and George said he was on his way to a business meeting when he heard that Sheldon had been brutally attacked. How awful, ay?’ Bertha explained.

‘A meeting? George came straight to me when he found out about Sheldon. He was in such a state. Plus, he arrived here a good 15 minutes before you did. There is no way you left and walked down together. So what exactly are you hiding? I am sure George would be interested to know you were possibly the last person to see Sheldon before this happened.’ Anne said. She saw the colour drain from Bertha’s face.

‘So I lied. It does not prove anything. Perhaps somebody else told me? I cannot remember.’ Bertha said. The words rolled off her tongue smoothly.

‘I know who you really are now, so there is no fooling me anymore. My version of events is that you hated Sheldon’s failures so you lost your temper and tried to kill him.’ Anne suggested.

‘How dare you! I am no killer. I have done harsh things to survive in this tough world and I will not apologise for it! Now, take your accusations elsewhere, they will drive you mad!’ Bertha yelled.

She took her newspaper and marched out of the room, slamming the door heavily behind her. Anne looked up and noticed Wilma standing in the doorway, she was relieved to have a witness.

'Did I just hear correctly? Our Aunt Bertha may have hurt Sheldon? But why would she do such a thing? She is not pure evil, surely!' Wilma cried.

She sat next to her sister, Anne prepared herself to be the older sister that Wilma needed right now.

'I do not want it to be true, it is awful. But who else now has a grudge against Sheldon? She has the motive. I have never seen her be violent but she may out of desperation. They were really yelling at one another at the charity event so I know it is possible for the argument to have gotten out of hand. And after this will stuff, we really do not know her at all.' Anne explained.

'But we have lived with her, she has taken care of us. She cannot be capable of this? Anne, perhaps your mind is running away with you. You always think people to be villains from Victorian novels. I doubt that our Aunt is a killer. A little scary and stuck in her ways, yes but not what you are thinking. You need to let this go before you lose everything.' Wilma advised her.

'And what of the will? A normal person does not illegally change a will to make her the heir. It is all rightfully mine and I intend to get it back. Perhaps when I am married so I have the backing of my husband. But one day, I wil take everything from her as she has with me. She has no right to take my inheritence and expect me to be okay with it. Surely you understand that sister?' Anne pleaded.

'Yes, I do. What I do not understand are your wild accusations. You have no proof. Even if she did do it, let the police deal with it. If Sheldon has been viciously attacked, they will find out. Be careful how far you push her, she may seek revenge. She may turn the tables on you and tell everyone that you attacked him.' Wilma told her.

'Surely not? People should know that I am not like that. If I was, why would the one and only George Winchester agree to marry me?' Anne said.

'I know you would not hurt anybody, but others do not. Everybody knows that Sheldon has become your arch enemy, it is the gossip of the town. Plus, people are still upset about you marrying George before his wife has even been buried. I would tread very carefully. Especially because of your past, you do not want anyone bringing that up in the papers.' Wilma said.

'Okay, yes. I see what you are saying. If I accuse Aunt Bertha, she could easily turn it around on me. I get it. But how do I make sure she does not get away with such scandals? If she is caught for anything she has done, all of us could go to prison for her crimes. They may assume the whole family is at fault for fiddling the system.' Anne explained. Her hand trembled as she spoke at the thought of going to jail for Bertha's fraud crimes.

'You may need to find evidence of what she did to the will before you take things any further. You are marrying a man of high status, you will have a life of privallege soon. Use that to your advantage. You can make people do whatever you please. Get the little people to gather the evidence for you to avoid being caught.' Wilma suggested.

Anne sat back and observed her sister. She is not the girl she knew before, but she was beginning to love the new version of her. The one that was filled with great suggestions and helpful advice. Although she did wonder where her little sister had gone. The unwanted scandal with Sheldon had really helped Wilma to blossom.

'You are much too grown for me now, Wilma. I often wonder if I have become the little sister. Well done you for letting such a negative event in your life help you to grow. Not many would. I will not forget this advice.' Anne replied.

Wilma left the room, giving Anne some time to think. Anne didn't know what to think about first. The will or Sheldon in hospital. She almost hated herself for being pleased by his bad luck but she wanted him to survive for George's sake. Anne’s blood ran cold when she thought of the argument she witnessed earlier. Was her Aunt Bertha capable of attempted murder? She wondered how to know for sure, but she knew deep down that she already was sure. The question was, was Anne in danger too?