Death at Kimbal

Prologue

Evangeline (Effie) Kimbal stood by the door and watched as her parents shouted loudly at each other. It had been like this for a while, they'd been fighting and quarreling. This upset her, she loved both of her parents and couldn't stand them being angry, especially with each other. She didn't want to even find out what had caused this particular argument so left the sitting room and shut the door behind her. Effie tried to be as discreet as possible as she tiptoed up two flights of stairs to her younger brother's room.

"Ed?" She whispered and knocked quietly on his door.

"Wait a minute Effie," came a voice from inside the room, followed by a lot of scuffling and noises.

"Edmund Kimbal." Effie whispered angrily, "Open this door right now!" After another couple of seconds the door swung open and her brother grinned up at her. His pale hair was flopped over his face and his blue eyes twinkled mischievously.

"What is it my darling sister?" He grinned and welcomed her into his room. It was messy and had dirty clothes strewn all over the floor. Effie rolled her eyes and picked her way through to sit on the edge of the bed. She watched Ed as he closed the door and pulled up a chair to face her.

"They're fighting again." She said quickly and sighed as the happy grin vanished from his face.

"Do you think they'll divorce?" Ed asked quietly, looking down at his hands.

"I think so." Effie sighed sadly, "They're fighting so much now and barely even talk to each other."

"Can they leave each other?" Ed asked, tipping his head to one side, "What with us and everything?" Effie nodded,

"They can. I heard Ma threatening to the other day. She has talked to the Arch Bishop about it as well." Ed shook his head miserably.

"What will happen to us then? They can't just leave each other and split us up as well."

"All we can do is hope." Effie sighed. Ed cleared a space before sitting next to her and resting his head on her shoulder. The two siblings sat in silence, the younger curled up against his sister's protective figure.

It took a while for the children to notice that somebody was standing in the doorway. It was a middle aged man dressed in a smart suit who looked rather flustered and bothered.

"Oh, Godfrey." Effie said, at last catching sight of him,

"Madam, Sir." The butler said graciously, bowing deeply, "Your mother sent me to fetch you. She says it is urgent that she must talk to you. Both of you." He added, seeing the impertinent look on Ed's face.

"Thank you Godfrey." Effie said warmly, "We'll come now." She stood and slipped a hand into her brother's sweaty one, knowing he was worried.

As they left the room and walked down the flights of stairs Effie couldn't help but notice that the butler's wig was starting slip over his ear. She averted her gaze quickly and looked fixedly at the paintings on the wall. Most were portraits of her mother, Miriam Kimbal. She had taken charge of the whole of Kimbal estate at the same time as preparing for a child and a wedding ceremony. Effie was proud of her and her father, despite his unpredictable temper and loud voice. He had always seemed to be there for her and her mother, the dainty thing that she was.

Godfrey led the children towards the main sitting room at the front of the house. Effie hung her hand momentarily by the door handle, trying to gather her courage. Her brother squeezed her hand tightly before letting go and opening the door.

Their mother was curled up in an armchair, apparently crying and Uther was shouting loudly at her. Effie dismissed the butler before coughing loudly to get her parent's attention.

"Effie, Ed." Their mother smiled and ran lightly across the room towards them. Both children hugged her tightly and tried to ignore the angry, red mark on her cheek.

"Miriam," Uther warned and their mother nodded meekly. She guided her two children to a sofa and sat them down.

"Darlings," She said, "There is something that has happened that you need to know about."

"Yes," Uther nodded, looking seriously at the terrified children, "Me and your mother are getting a divorce." Effie groaned, she had been expecting it, but nothing could have softened the blow that came.

"Why?" Ed asked, trying to act strong though the tears in his eyes betrayed him.

"Look," Miriam stuttered, "About that." She looked nervously at Uther who shook his head.

"You probably should not know that now," He said, "We are trying to keep it quiet. None of the staff know, and we have planned to keep it that way. At least until the situation is sorted. But still, hush hush." He looked bitterly at Miriam before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

The moment he was gone Miriam rushed forward and hugged both of her children tightly.

"My darlings," She cried, "I am so sorry, please forgive me."

"It's fine Ma," Ed said comfortingly, hugging her back, "We don't mind at all."

"No," Effie agreed, sitting her mother down gently, "We shall always love you, no matter what happens. Even if we all have to leave, you will still be our Mama and he will still be our Papa. I don't care what you choose, we will still love you the same."

"Where will we go?" Miriam snuffled and blew her nose on the small lace handkerchief she kept in her pocket, "Effie must stay here, to take over the estate and Ed will have to leave with his father." The two children looked at each other in horror and Effie tried to hold back the lump in her throat. She and her brother, her best friend, would be separated. Each living with a different parent, they'd probably never even see each other again. They hadn't been apart since Ed's birth and were closer than anyone could even guess at. The thought of losing him made Effie turn cold all over. She wasn't surprised when hot tears trickled down her cheeks and splashed to the floor. Her whole world was crashing down, and she was falling with it.