Embedded Files
Elizabeth Sherwood moans in pain as she regains consciousness and finds herself lying on a bedroom floor. Slowly she moves to her feet, squeezing the back of her neck and shoulders with her hand. She mutters to herself: “Oh what happened?”.
Suddenly an angry voice calls to her from the doorway: “Who are you and what are you doing in my father’s room. No one is allowed in here!”
Elizabeth feeling quite shaken looks up and sees an angry looking woman in her 50s with a mass of red hair.
Elizabeth stumbles over her words: “I.... I’m...erm... Elizabeth Sherwood.. erm.. I’m... David’s friend! Who are you?”
The red haired woman snaps: “I'm David’s Aunt, Beatrice. I want to know what are you doing in this room?”
Elizabeth swallows hard: “Erm, I'm sorry... I...I thought I saw someone come in here. Erm.. when I called out to them they didn’t reply so I followed them in here but when I got in here they had vanished.”
Beatrice laughs: “A likely story. You were snooping and I don’t like people snooping in my home!”
Elizabeth shakes her head and then cries in pain when she realises that makes her neck hurt more: “Ouch! ... I really wasn't snooping. I did see someone and then someone hit me from behind. Goodness knows how long I've been lying on the floor.”
Beatrice isn't convinced by the story: “Well, there was only you, David and Wainwright in the house. So are you saying either David or Wainwright hit you?”
Elizabeth becomes frustrated: “No, no of course not but can’t you see I'm in pain here? All I know is I saw someone and then I got hit from behind.”
At that moment David, who’d heard the shouting, comes bounding into the room and is surprised to see his Aunt: “Aunt Bea, when did you get home?”
David then notices Elizabeth looking a little dishevelled and rubbing her neck: “Elizabeth what happened? Are you okay?”
Elizabeth signs: “I don’t know, I saw someone come into this room and then got hit from behind.”
As David rushes over to check Elizabeth has no visible injuries he looks accusingly at his Aunt.
Beatrice is outraged: “Don’t look at me with those accusing eyes of yours. I didn’t do it. All I know is I found her snooping in my father’s room and now we have this ridiculous story of an intruder in the house. I’m going to bed, maybe things will be more civilised in the morning but I tell you this for nothing I don’t like snoops!”
With that she storms out of the room.
David turns his attention back to Elizabeth: “You don’t really think she hit you do you? She can be hot headed but...”
Elizabeth interrupts: “I don’t know David but someone was acting strangely in this room. Let’s not forget that you think one of your family is a murder and if that’s true then knocking someone out is nothing to them.”
David nods: “Yeah, you’re right!”
David helps Elizabeth back to their room. He quickly rushes downstairs and comes back with a brandy which he offers to Elizabeth: “Here drink this. Are you feeling okay?”
Elizabeth sighs: “Thank you...I’m okay I’m just feeling a little sore.”
Elizabeth pauses and sips the brandy, then remembers the photo and the letter and quickly pulls them from her pocket and hands them to David: “Here, before I was knocked out I found these on the bedroom floor. It’s as though someone was in a hurry and dropped them.”
David reads the letter: “It’s a love letter from 40 years ago, from someone named Rebecca and it’s addressed to my Grandfather.”
David pauses, then shakes his head before continuing: “It looks like my Grandfather had been having an affair, while he was married to my grandmother.”
David bites his lip: “I can’t believe it!”
Elizabeth sympathises: “Well we don’t know for sure. What about the photo? Do you recognise the man?”
David spends a couple of moments staring at the picture of the man and shakes his head: “No, I’ve never seen him before. I guess he has a similar look to my Dad but, no I don’t know who he is.”
Elizabeth is intrigued: “Well something is definitely going on here. Maybe one of your family will recognise the man in the photo?”
David isn't sure: “What if this has something to do with the murder. I don’t want to tip anyone off that we maybe on to them. Maybe Mrs Wainwright will know, she’s been with the family for years and she’s the only one I trust."
Elizabeth yawns: “Okay, we’ll ask her tomorrow. I'm sorry I'm feeling really shattered. I think I need some sleep."
The following morning David and Elizabeth enter the dining room for breakfast. Beatrice is already seated and eating her breakfast and reading the morning newspaper.
Elizabeth greets her enthusiastically: “Good morning.”
Without even looking up Beatrice grunts an acknowledgement.
Feeling uneasy Elizabeth apologises: “I'm sorry about last night. I hope we can put it behind us and we can start afresh today?”
Beatrice fixes her with a sceptical gaze: “Deary, I'm sure you’re a nice person but I'm not a morning person and today I have a headache so I’d be grateful if you’d leave me alone."
Elizabeth is surprised: “Okay if that’s what you want.”
As Beatrice continues reading the paper, David pours Elizabeth and himself some juice and Mrs Wainwright brings them their breakfast.
Mrs Wainwright: “Good morning to you both. I trust you slept well?”
Elizabeth: “Good morning. Mrs Wainwright was there anyone else in the house last night apart from ourselves?”
Mrs Wainwright shakes her head: “Why no Miss, why do you ask?”
Beatrice without looking up from her paper interrupts: “She thinks she saw someone in Daddy’s room and they supposedly knocked her out!”
Mrs Wainwright is shocked and concerned: “Are you okay Miss?”
Elizabeth smiles: “Yes, yes, I'm. I was just wondering if you saw or heard anyone?”
Mrs Wainwright: “No, no Miss not a sole.”
Beatrice laughs: “Maybe it was Daddy’s ghost come back to haunt us all.”
David snaps: “Aunt Bea, I don’t think it’s appropriate to make fun of the situation. Elizabeth was hurt and grandfather has only been dead a few days.”
Beatrice looks at her nephew, pondering his words and then slowly nods her head in agreement: “Yes, you’re right. I apologise.”
At that moment there is a commotion in the hallway and a dark haired woman, which Elizabeth thinks is about 5 years younger than her, looking very prim and proper, enters the room. She immediately approaches David, who has stood up to greet her and she kisses him on both cheeks.
David greets his sister: “Dav, it’s good to see you!”
Davina sharply corrects him: “It’s Davina, please don’t shorten my name it makes one sound very common. Anyway David where are your manners? Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
David turns towards Elizabeth: “Elizabeth I’d like you to meet my sister, Davina.”
Davina immediately reaches out to take Elizabeth’s hand: “Davina Reardon-Smyth, how very nice to meet you.”
Elizabeth shakes the woman’s hand and nods: “Elizabeth Sherwood, I'm pleased to meet you.”
Davina turns and points to the slightly overweight man standing in the doorway: "and this is my husband Arthur Reardon-Smyth.... Stop standing there like a lost soul Arthur and come and say hello to Elizabeth.”
Arthur quickly does as he’s ordered. With a British accent and in a very soft voice he greets both Elizabeth and David.
Beatrice stands up and snaps: “I'm off to my room for some peace and quiet. I'm obviously not going to get any here now that you’ve arrived!”
With that Beatrice makes her way out of the room as Arthur and Davina sit down at the table.
Davina snaps at Mrs Wainwright: “Wainwright, please bring Arthur and I some breakfast, we've been travelling since 5.00am and we’re famished. We’d like scrambled eggs with salmon please and make it snappy!”
Mrs Wainwright obliges: “Yes, Miss Davina, coming right up."
Davina turns her attentions back to Elizabeth: “So Elizabeth is a nice name, very regal. I think I shall call you Lizzie!”
Elizabeth isn't very keen on the nickname and is just about to protest when Davina interrupts: “So tell me what do you do for a living?”
Both David and Elizabeth answer at the same time:
Elizabeth: “I’m a writer.”
David: “She’s a teacher?”
Davina is confused: “Well Lizzie, which is it writer or teacher?”
Elizabeth smiles calmly: “I guess you could say both, although I'm not teaching at the moment. I'm concentrating on writing at the moment.”
Davina: “Well I hope, it’s a proper novel, Not some of this cheap trash that people call literature these days? Oh Lizzie, I hope you realise this is the first time that David has bought a woman to meet the family. He must think very highly of you. How did you two love birds meet?”
Elizabeth feels uncomfortable and shoots David an awkward glance, which David tries to avoid and instead answers his sister’s questions: “We met when Elizabeth was teaching about eight years ago!”
Davina interrupts: “Eight years ago and you’re only just getting around to introducing her to us now? I do hope it wasn’t at some dreadful state school that you were teaching at. David why you can’t teach privately I’ll never know. Surely you realise that your so called acting career is just a pipe dream and you need to settle into something that has more prestige particularly now that you are settling down.”
Elizabeth feels very awkward: “We met at the School of the Arts around eight years ago and were just friends. We certainly haven’t been dating for that long.”
Davina turns her nose up at the thought of the school: “Oh well at least you've seen sense to leave that common school now. So when are you two getting married?”
David hesitates: “Erm, well sis, its early days yet so we haven’t discussed it.”
At that moment and much to Elizabeth and David’s relief Mrs Wainwright arrives with the breakfasts.
Davina snaps: “It’s about time, can’t you see Arthur is about to pass out with hunger.”
Mrs Wainwright is apologetic: “I'm sorry Mr Arthur, I didn't mean to make you wait.”
Arthur smiles: “It’s okay Mrs Wainwright, it’s really not a problem.”
Davina interjects: “Arthur please stop being polite. You are famished and you’ve had to wait Wainwright needs to know when she’s wrong!”
Arthur nods: “Yes dear.”
Davina continues: “Did David tell you that Arthur is British and a distant relation to the Royal family?”
Elizabeth is surprised and shakes her head: “No, no he never mentioned it.”
Davina smiles proudly: “Oh yes I’m actually Lady Davina Reardon-Smyth. We decided to go double barrelled as it’s so much more distinctive don’t you think Lizzie?”
Elizabeth smiles politely through gritted teeth: “Oh yes... that’s lovely.”
Arthur softly adds: “I am a very very very distant relation.”
Davina immediately freezes her husband with a scolding look and snaps: “It doesn't matter how distant Arthur, you are still related to Royalty. I don’t know why you have to always play it down? It’s something we should be proud of.”
Arthur ignores the comment and continues eating his breakfast.
David turns to Arthur and asks: "So Art how’s business?”
Arthur hesitates for a moment and looks a little uncomfortable: "Oh...you know... business is business.”
Davina interrupts: “David, do you have to talk business at the breakfast table it’s so improper and Arthur dear, I wish you weren't so modest about things. If people ask you should proudly tell them how well you’re doing and how much money you’re making.”
Elizabeth notices Arthur gives his wife a slightly frustrated look and thinks to herself, this man must have the patience of a saint.
Mrs Wainwright enters the room and starts clearing plates.
Elizabeth: “That was another lovely meal Mrs Wainwright, thank you very much.”
Mrs Wainwright blushes: “Thank you Miss.”
Davina hasn't touched her food: “You may clear away my plate too Wainwright. I couldn’t eat another bite!”
Elizabeth notices the plate is untouched and isn't impressed by Davina’s rude behaviour.
Davina remains blissfully unaware of Elizabeth judgement: “Lizzie, do you horse ride? I think you and I should go for a ride this morning and get to know each other better. Wainwright have the stable hand saddle up two horses.”
Elizabeth shrugs: “Well it’s been years since I was last on a horse but yes that could be fun.”
Davina smiles: “Well that’s settled. We’ll leave the men to do whatever it is they do!”
Elizabeth laughs: “Okay well I really must go and change if we’re going riding.”
David adds: “I’ll come up with you.”
As David and Elizabeth go into the hallway and start to climb the stairs the front door flies open and a very skinny, young blond woman stands there, wearing the skimpiest of clothes. She has obviously been out drinking. Her face lights up when she sees David and she runs over and kisses him passionately and inappropriately on the lips.
David quickly pulls away: “Stacey it’s good to see you!”
Stacey flirts: “Well hopefully we’ll see much more of each other while you’re here. Now I must go and get some beauty sleep I’m only just getting in from clubbing last night.”
Stacey runs up the stairs past Elizabeth and looking back she calls out: “Oh nice to meet you!”
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow as they weren't actually introduced: “Oh you too!”
Elizabeth turns to David: “Let me guess, Stacey is the flighty young niece?”
David shakes his head and Elizabeth continues: “Well, she’s not another sister is she?”
Again David shakes his head which puzzles Elizabeth: “Is she a family friend then?”
David smirks: “No, Shall I put you put of you misery?”
Elizabeth nods: “Yes, I think you’re going to have to.”
David wets his lips savouring the pleasure of announcing who the young woman is: “Grandmother!”
Elizabeth is shocked: “What?”
David laughs: “Well technically, step grandmother. My grandfather remarried after my grandmother died.”
Elizabeth sighs as realisation dawns on her: “A younger woman?”
David nods: “Yep and as you can see by the fact that she’s such a grieving widow you can tell it was true love and had nothing to do with his money!”
Elizabeth raises her eyes brows and gives David a knowing smile: “Well so far it looks like we've got plenty of suspects for the murderer. I'm not surprised your grandfather felt he couldn't trust any of them.”
As they reach the top of the stairs Mrs Wainwright comes out of one of the rooms. Elizabeth nudges David: “Now’s your chance to ask about the photo.”
David calls out to the housekeeper: “Mrs Wainwright, could I have a word for a moment?”
Mrs Wainwright quickly rushes over: “Why of course Master David. There’s nothing wrong is there?”
David pulls out the photo Elizabeth had found the previous night and shows it to the housekeeper: “Do you know who this is?”
Mrs Wainwright looks at the picture and becomes nervous. She looks up at both David and Elizabeth and then back at the photo before replying: “Erm No sir, I can’t say I know who that is. Should I know him?”
David is a little surprised by the housekeeper’s behaviour: “Are you sure? It's just as you've worked for my family for so long I though you might know who it is and why my grandfather had this picture?”
Mrs Wainwright again is very hesitant: “No... sir, I can’t say that I do!”
David then pulls out the letter and shows it to the housekeeper: "What about this letter and the name Rebecca, does that mean anything to you?”
The colour drains from Mrs Wainwright’s face. She doesn't even look at the letter before quickly and nervously answering. “No.... I don’t know what you’re talking about and I shouldn’t be looking at the Master's private affairs.”
A flustered Mrs Wainwright stops realising she didn't want to use the word affair and quickly changes it: “I mean the Masters personal belongings. Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got a lot of work to be doing, with so many guests staying at the house.”
As she quickly rushes off down the stairs David and Elizabeth exchange curious looks and Elizabeth is the first to talk: “Well, well, well she's obviously is lying and she definitely knows who that man is in the photo and knows more about that letter than she letting on.”
David agrees: “Yes that was obvious, but why would she lie about it? What is she hiding?”
To be continued....
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