Breaking Enigma || The Imitation Game

◈ ONE- Family ◈

"Kester! How many times have I told you about leaving your shoes in the hallway?"

"Sorry, Mother. It won't happen again!"

"It better not do, young man."

I rolled my eyes as I didn't particularly care and then went straight back to reading a book on mathematics and physics.

As you may well have guessed, my name is Kester. Kester James Hughes, is my full title. I live in the small village of Bletchley (which is in the south of England) with my parents, Robert and Linda, my little sister Louisa and my little brother Jack. My younger siblings get on like a house on fire; unlike stereotypical brothers and sisters where it ends in destruction. They were relatively young, twins at fourteen years old. Despite their 'mature' age, they get bored quite easily and like to cause trouble. My parents were neither shocked nor surprised when an irritated neighbour came knocking on our front door, complaining that 'someone' had broken a window or a fence.

As for me, I prefer to read or solve mathematical problems. It's all I've ever been interested in, even when I was six. I wasn't particularly like other boys my age at any point in my life; they would play football in the streets, while I would be engrossed in an encyclopaedia or completing the Sunday crossword puzzle from the newspaper. I never fitted in to the category of 'normal' boy. More like 'a grown-up who studies at Cambridge and is trapped inside the body of a child.' It was rather awkward and difficult if you ask me. My parents were proud though. They would always hug me, smiles on their faces when I came home at the end of every term, clutching a report card in my hand. Mostly A's were written down and then the odd B (particularly in the subjects I didn't enjoy- Physical Education takes top spot). Apparently, I 'excelled' in History, Mathematics, English and Science- the top three subjects to get a place at university and a little extra added in. At the age of twenty-two, I went to university and got a degree in Mathematics. Three years of hard work paid off, that's for certain.

Now, I'm stuck at home doing nothing with my life. Although, I help Mother look after Jack and Louisa and then with other household jobs while Father is working during the day. I just wish that I could find a job that suites who I am instead of everybody judging me in the process; I've been bullied enough during my lifetime.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The decade of the 1930's were a terrible time for Germany, however. So I should stop moaning about my life and perhaps everybody else should too. A horrible, evil, murderous and nasty man named Adolf Hitler decided that he wanted more than just to have complete control over Germany- with his power of being Chancellor, came greed and with that greed, came the idea of world domination. He started of by turning his country into a lovely place to live with regular parades, wonderful scenery, jobs for everyone so there was no poverty and the citizens of Germany loved it; they loved him.

Since then, things have been going downhill- Hitler had turned his soldiers into murderers. If anybody spoke out of turn or in an ill-willed manner about the way things were being ran, they would most certainly be punished; beaten or death. 'Speak through a flower' was the term used, I believe.

And that is what started it all...

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I hadn't realised how long I'd been reading for; a few hours at least. After finishing off one of the sections, I put the book back on its shelf and made my way down stairs.

Jack and Louisa were sat in the garden, throwing a ball the one another and Mother was sat on a chair by the patio, reading the newspaper. Father was at work, as he usually was on a Tuesday, and would be home just in time for tea.

Mother was a lovely woman who was very caring, kind, considerate and always full of life. She always helped out at the village summer fete and with other events and people admired her for it. Standing at five foot six, Mother was quite small, but a tad taller than some of the other women who lived in Bletchley. Her hair was short in length (to her shoulders), blonde with streaks of varying shades of brown. Her eyes were a baby blue colour that showed off how warm and friendly she was.

My Father, on the other hand, could be quite the opposite. He was tall and plump and enjoyed smoking his pipe during the evening. His dark hair was greying and his midnight blue eyes were always stern, narrowing due to his lack of sight. He wore glasses when reading, but refused to wear them at any other time. Despite this, he was a very charming, kind and humorous man; everybody would say exactly the same.

Jack and Louisa were almost mirror images of each other: their hair was dark and light eyes, like Mother's. They were pretty much the same height, too. Except Jack was an inch or two taller, to Louisa's dismay. The pair liked to spend their time outside in the village with their friends, unlike myself who would rather be engrossed in a book or the daily newspaper. And like I said, they enjoyed causing mischief whenever they weren't forced into doing homework or housework on the weekends. Although Mother would scream at them and give them a massive lecture, I found it very amusing and would suppress laughter every time.

My family may be difficult to live with at times and they all have their flaws and quirks, yet I love them all the same.

Unconditionally.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

So, where does this tale begin then? I'm sure those who get bored easily will be asleep by now, but do not fret; history is a very important subject, but if you don't enjoy that sort of thing, then it's time for you to leave because that's what this story is all about. Although, my family history is very tedious indeed.

The tale truly begins on the afternoon of September the third when Father was off work and multitasking (listening to the wireless and reading a book) in the living room, while Mother, my younger siblings and I were once again the garden, enjoying the last of the summer sunshine before the trees lost their leaves and the air would turn chilly.

I lay on the grass, eyes closed, listening to my surroundings. The birds twittered and flapped their wings, Jack and Louisa were talking to Mother about their new school year and finally, I could faintly hear the wireless from the living room; Father always liked to have it loud when he was by himself.

I didn't want the summer to end. Yet, I could feel it drawing to a close just by the slight nip in the air as the breeze rustled the trees, which bared the last of the green and were slowly turning red and brown. The miniature maple tree stood out with its pointy, wine red leaves. That tree was planted there just as Mother and Father moved into Bletchley and just before I was born; way before Jack and Louisa's time.

"Linda?" The sudden voice of Father came. I opened my eyes and sat up, turning my head so I could see him.

"What's wrong?" She asks, nervousness and curiosity in her tone.

"It's what's on the wireless. I think you should come and listen to it."

With hesitation, Mother got up and followed Father inside. I quickly got up off the grass and made my way to the back door, pausing to glance at the twins.

"I believe this includes you two," I say.

They both looked up and it was Jack that spoke. "But it'll be something boring. You know what Dad's like."

"Yes, but he didn't mean just Mother," I state. "Come on, inside."

They both huffed and reluctantly did as I asked. Following them in, I closed the door and locked it before making my way to the living room, where Father was stood by the wireless, smoke erupting from his favourite pipe and where Mother was sat on the sofa with Jack and Louisa. I took a seat on the lonely armchair, listening intently.

"They've started something now," Father growled.

"Started what?" Mother questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Germany," he replied shortly.

"What about them?" I interrupt. Father sighed, puffing out smoke from his mouth and lowering his pipe.

"They've gone and started another bloody war..."