Clara Spencer

Chapter 1

2014 

It takes one bad decision to ruin a person's life.

She had 13 missed phone calls, all from the local police department. It was only now at 2 am and after a night full of partying did she think to check her phone. Half drunk and in a drowsy state, she answered the next incoming call from the police.

"Hello, is this Clara Martin?"

"Yes, this is her." She giggled. What a silly question. They must've already known who she was if they had her phone number, she thought.

"This is Officer Brown from the Worcester Police Department. Do you have someone with you?"

"Yes, my best friend AND the best boyfriend in the wholeeee wideee world is with me!" Clara wasn't totally lying as June had also stepped outside of the club with her. However she did immediately leave her, to peruse the nearby convenience store for a snack and Dylan had chosen to stay inside. Just the thought of food made Clara feel nauseous bringing a hand to her stomach. Maybe she drank more than she thought. At least, the Officer didn't think to question her answer.

"That's good." The police officer hesitated on the other side of the phone, "I'm afraid I have some bad news." She could hear him take a deep breath, "At approximately 11:55 PM, your legal guardians, Alice and Sebastien Martin were involved in a fatal car accident. They were crossing an intersection at Benton Park Road and Bath Street when a drunk driver driving past the speed limit hit them from the side. Your parents were confirmed dead at the scene." The Officer paused. "I'm sorry for your loss."

In her drunk state, It took a moment for Clara's brain to process the graveness of what the Officer said. As she did though, there was a ringing in her ears that got significantly louder, drowning out the Officer as he continued to speak from the other end of the phone.

Her world had turned upside down. She was in a state of shock that she had never experienced before. She pulled her phone farther and farther away from her ear, until she ultimately dropped it. She fell to her knees not caring that she was in the middle of the pavement surrounded by partygoers.

That's how June found her when she returned. Hands and knees on the dirty pavement, eyes tightly closed as she let out a guttering wail. One that's only familiar to those who've lost loved ones. June too fell down to her knees, proceeding to ask her what was wrong. Struggling to find the right words she choked back a sob.

"They're....d-dead..." June's eyebrows furrowed.

"Who? Who are you talking about?" Clara failed to respond, not wanting to say it outloud. All June could do was hug her closest friend, to show she was there. Even though June didn't know what was going on, Clara couldn't appreciate her more. She clung onto her friend and buried her face on her shoulder letting her salty tears stain her jacket.

Clara doesn't know how June did it. She must have been just as drunk as she was, if not, more. But somehow, someway she managed to sober up and take Clara home. Or at least her house. It wouldn't be a home without the 2 people she loved most in the world.

Clara's tears continued rolling down her cheek, but when her head hit her pillow she realized how exhausted she was. From her night out to receiving the call, she was just overwhelmed both physically and emotionally. She could only hope that it was all just a dream. An ugly nightmare she would wake from and see her parents first thing in the morning. Just as she was about to shut her eyes, she remembered why she went to the club in the first place.

She whispered, "Happy Birthday to me..."

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2017 -Althrop House

They were still in the library surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves and stunning pieces of art, sitting on the elegant velvet seats. Kitty had called for tea to be delivered to ease the tension that could be cut with a knife.

After Harry's mystified reaction, he quickly came to his senses and apologized embarrassed. All was forgiven as Clara was the spitting image of a young Diana. From the kind blue eyes, her warm smile, and her equally fair complexion it was almost as if they had traveled through time. The only big difference between them was her hair, which was longer and hanging a little bit past her shoulders. Having said their introductions Clara and the two brothers just sat staring at each other.

For Clara, It was hard to believe this was actually happening. She sat squirming under their gaze while being a bit intimidated by them. After all, it's not every day you get to meet royalty. Dressed in casual attire they still managed to seem so refined, something that made Clara feel self-conscious. Even Kitty and Mia's appearance had the same effect on her. 

Alas, William spoke first, "So you're from Worcester?" He looked at her as he ignored the butler bringing in tea.

"Sort of. I was actually born in France, but my parents decided to buy a house near Worcester so we'd have a place to stay in England," Clara responded, nervously wringing her hands in her lap. Harry remained silent, still just staring at her.

"Oh. Do you travel much with your parents?" Clara couldn't look him straight in the eyes to respond. It still hurts her to talk about them.

"No, um, they died almost 3 years ago." A look of sympathy and understanding crossed over both the brothers' faces. She managed to look back up at them and in an attempt to lift the mood she added, "But I do still travel for the charities I work for." They looked up, surprised at her answer not really knowing what her job was. It was a good surprise though, and it spoke a lot about her character.

"Do yo–" William was suddenly interrupted by Harry who impatiently asked the question they really wanted to know.

"So are you really our sister?" William frowned at him for not being able to contain himself. Harry paid him no mind as he was finally addressing the elephant in the room. Clara took a moment before she replied.

"Your half-sister, yes. I have no idea who my biological father is but Diana is my mother."

"Would you mind taking another DNA test?" Harry asked sheepishly, rubbing his neck. "I know you matched with Uncle Charlie but we just want to-"

Clara cut him off, vehemently nodding her head, "Oh no, It wouldn't be a problem. If I was in your position I would do the same thing."

"How is it even possible? How did you find out?" William questioned. After Harry asked the big question he didn't see the point of not asking the others they really wanted to know. William was still unsure of her regardless of the previous test results. He didn't know what her intentions were. Amongst all this, Kitty and Mia were silently keeping to themselves drinking tea. Their eyes bouncing back and forth throughout the conversation not really knowing what to add.

Harry chuckled at his brother's question. "Didn't dad teach you the birds and the bees, Will? I'm sure you know how a baby is made," He joked.

"You know what I mean," Will said, rolling his eyes and leaning towards him. "How is it possible that mum hid an entire pregnancy from us and everybody?"

Clearing her throat, Clara spoke up, "Well, I was born premature. My birthday is December 10th, 1996. From what she told me she went to extremes to hide the pregnancy,"

"She? Who told you?" William asked, both brothers being slightly confused.

"Diana. She left me a letter."