April 16, 1904
James strolls down the street, whistling as he does. A package tucked under his arm, he turns around a bend and reaching his house, goes up the stairs and opens the door. "Hello, everybody," James says, taking off his coat and hat. "James? On time for dinner? It's the end times," Louise comments, stirring the pot. "Daddy," Emma greeted, running up to him. James embraces his daughter in a hug. "Happy birthday sweetie," He said. "Is that what the package is? My present?" She said, bringing up the box. "Later," He smirked.
Soon, everyone is seated around the dinner table, and as the candles were lighted, they all sang the birthday song with Louise overpowering everyone else. Emma blows out the candles and everyone claps. "Wait....before we cut the cake," James said. Louise glares at him. Before she say anything, the door closes. "Sorry I'm late," Mary said, hurryingly kissing James on the lips briefly then turns to her daughter. "Sorry honey, did I miss anything?" "No, not really," James says. Thomas pulls out corks out of his ears. "Actually you missed the best parts," He adds sarcastically. "Daddy was about to give me my present," Emma said. "It's not a present," He argues.
Giving her the package, Louise sighs. "What about the cake?" Louise says. "Wait Mother," Charlotte says to her. Emily opens the box and inside is a badge. She gasped and picked it up. "Is this......" "Yes it is," James confirms. Emma fist pumps in victorious joy then hugs her father again. "What is it?" Charlotte asked, confused. "Can't you tell? It's my reward for solving the last mystery," Emma said excitedly. "Oh yes. The case of the muddy shoes footprints," Louise glares at Thomas, the man blushing profusely. "Mother, he said he was sorry," Charlotte chimed in. "No amount of "sorries" will fix the fact my carpet was ruined.
The doorbell ringing interrupts the blooming argument. Mary goes for the door and standing there is Edward Cromwell. "Edward," James said, "Come on in." Louise gasps in horror and briskly walks towards the door, brushing past Edward. She pokes her greying head outside, her eyes searching. Content that there was no-one else, she comes back inside. "Just making sure you didn't bring that wretched woman with you," She rubbed her hands in her apron. "That's not nice to say about the Mayor's wife," Mary spoke up. "When she stops eating and looking like a pig, then I will refer to her as Mrs. Cromwell," Louise snaps.
James chuckles. "She's joking. You want some cake?" Edward shook his head no. "I'm watching my weight," He said. "I don't believe that for a second bessie," James smirked. "Didn't expect you to," He walked over to the arm chair and sat down. "James, you know of the Whittaker Women?"
A/N: And...... I'm ending it on a cliffhanger. Sometimes I can be so mean. Please enjoy reading this chapter :)
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The Ladies of Whittaker
Mystery / ThrillerThe Whittaker Women are elegant, beautiful, ageless and dying. Every year, these girls after being engaged, and are found dead in their bedrooms and are slumped in their chairs by the window. Why was this happening? What could be killing them? The...
