My Mother's Daughter

Chapter 16

Elizabeth ambled into the dining room five minutes late. Since her outburst that morning she had not conversed with her husband, preferring instead to play the hurt and angry victim. Her steps faltered. What the hell was going on, she thought. Her eyes widened, and she quickly grinded the insults between her even teeth. Around the dining table stood the artwork of father and daughter. Were they trying to decrease her sanity? Of should she say the mastermind was truly and only Rebecca. Why would her father indulge her in such nonsense, she wondered. Intelligent men really did stupid things for the sake of their children's happiness.

Was it the imp's strategy to send her insane? She shook her head, reminding herself that Elizabeth Solomon-Charles was no one's fool. She was the one in charge of her own psyche, not that child. Elizabeth lowered to her seat. Edward welcomed her with a smile and a blank stare.

"Well, now that we're all here, let's dig in. Cheers." He sipped his wine and sighed in satisfaction. Rebecca chuckled. Elizabeth features held nary a hint of humour. She dipped the shiny silver spoon into the broth. It was a perfect meal for a cold and misty evening. The rain had stopped an hour ago. Everyone was quiet, a slave to their own thoughts.

Elizabeth focused her gaze on the cream coloured tablecloth as she ate. Her hand tightened on the silverware as she felt rather than saw her stepdaughter's uncomfortable stare.

Their half eaten meal was removed, and dessert served. The adults were offered coffee, while Rebecca was presented with a Tarte Tatin; a caramelised fruit tart baked upside-down, with a puff pastry topping, garnished with ice-cream.

At the beginning of dinner the tension spun in the room, but now it pierced every corner, threatening to suffocate the people dining. When Edward could take no more, he put down his fined bone china cup and asked,

"Should I be apologising?"

"For what father, you did absolutely nothing wrong."

"Rebecca Charles..." Hearing her full name spoken in a serious tone gave pause, and she stopped talking.

"Maybe you should be the one apologising." He told his daughter.

"I would never do such a thing." Rebecca answered as if in horror. What a farcical demand of him to ask of her, she thought.

"And why not?"

"I too happen to think that's a splendid idea." Elizabeth chimed.

""Splendid my a-"

"Becca!"

"What!"

"If you can't keep quiet, maybe you should leave. Your behaviour, young lady, is becoming quite intolerable." Rebecca and Elizabeth stared at Edward flabbergasted. Never in their lifetime had he spoken angrily towards any of them. Elizabeth was the first to shatter her stupor, and smiled snidely at her stepdaughter. Finally, her husband was on her side.

The room plunged into a deafening silence, where the descent of a feather would have sounded like a missile zooming through the air. Rebecca rose from her seat and threw the napkin on the table.

"Obviously, neither of you want me here, so I'll leave as was previously suggested."

"Rebecca..." Was all Edward could muster, while regret shone in his eyes, unnoticed by his daughter who walked rapidly towards the door.

"Don't worry yourself darling, she deserved it. Actually, she had it coming for a long, long time." Comforted, a smiling Elizabeth pushed her cup away. The remaining coffee had gone cold. "Now you see for yourself how rude she really is. Though, come to think of it, she's much worse than that. She's insufferable, unbearable, disobedient-"