The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

Chapter 23 - Sisters Act.

Time: 23 Years P.rior
Location: Sydney, Australia.

They took it in turns to hug Amelia being careful not to disturb the myriad of wires monitoring her body functions. Don said, "Welcome back. We'll take some of the equipment off later this afternoon as soon as we know you have stabilised. You are a very lucky young lady, but I'll let your Mum tell you all about that. I'll leave you all alone now, just go easy on her. Amelia, you tell them when you are getting tired and I'll hunt them out for you."

As Amanda hugged her sister, Amelia said, "Where's Peter?" She was directing her question to Don.

Don looked a bit sheepish and said," I think I'll let your Mum answer that question. I'll see you later. Remember sing out if you want anything, anything at all."

"Thanks Dr Margate, for everything." Although Amelia had no idea why she had said that.

"That's okay, you just take it easy okay, no netball or running around madly for a while okay?"

"Yep, I promise I'll take it slowly. I don't feel up to netball just yet anyway," Amelia said with a cheeky grin.

Amelia turned to Monique, "Well Mum, are you going to tell me about Peter? The last I remember Uncle Tony wasn't very nice to him."

"Peter had to go back to Melbourne to continue his music course," Monique lied.

"How long have I been in here, then?" asked Amelia.

"Let's see, it was the long weekend, so it's coming up for four weeks ago now," answered Monique.

"No, it couldn't be, it seems like yesterday that it happened. What did happen anyway? All I remember is that you were very upset and crying when I was last awake," Amelia asked.

"You were very sick. You had something called Reyes Syndrome, your liver was badly affected and you had an enlarged brain. Luckily Don came back with us. He recognized the symptoms and acted quickly. You are a very lucky girl. I almost killed you, that's why I was so upset when you first woke up," Monique explained.

"I don't get it. I thought I had Glandular Fever? How did I get this other thing?" asked Amelia.

"Well, that was me. I didn't know that you shouldn't have had aspirin when you had Glandular Fever or Chicken Pox apparently and also no Bonjelo. I gave you both, you had a bad reaction to something that's in both those things. It's all my fault, I'm so sorry darling," Monique said, almost in tears again.

"See I told you it wasn't anything that Peter did!" Amelia chastised.

"And why isn't Peter here? Didn't you tell him I was waking up?"

"Yeah, I'd like to know what's going on with Peter and the Margates moving to Melbourne too. Nobody tells me anything. I'm just a little mushroom around here!" Amanda chimed in.

With that Monique was relieved to see Don poke his head through the door and say, "I know this is hard but I'm going to have to insist that, that is enough for now. Amelia should be resting now. You can talk again tonight during visiting hours if you like but for now, Amelia, it's imperative that you rest. You need to give your body every chance to recover."

"You're all moving to Melbourne? Why, not because of me I hope?" Amelia cried.

"No, not because of you Amelia, your Mum can fill you in on the details tonight, but I've accepted a job with the Reyes Syndrome Foundation to promote awareness of the dangers of the illness amongst the medical fraternity and in schools. The family is moving down this week and I will follow as soon as we are sure you are okay. Peter is going to further his music studies there before deciding what to do with his future.

Amanda said, "I want to talk to Amelia alone for a minute, Mum, please, we need to discuss something. It's important, really important, it's a twin thing, you know Mum, you should!" Amanda knew how and when to play her ace card when trying to get her own way with her parents.

"Alright, alright," Monique said, "but remember what Don said, don't upset her too much and let her rest. I'll be waiting outside, and not for long. okay? Okay Amanda?"

"Yes Mum I'll be careful, and quick," Amanda said.

As soon as her mother was out the door Amanda grabbed Amelia by the arm and said, "Well, how was it? Tell me all about it."

Amelia smiled as she remembered that night. "I knew it. you do remember! They told Peter you couldn't remember a thing, but you do don't you!" "Did Peter do anything to you, to hurt you I mean, anything you didn't want him to?"

"It was your idea, you know!" Amelia said finally.

"I know, but I didn't mean anything like this to happen. I just wanted you and Peter to be as happy as I am. I'm sorry if it was a bad idea."

"So what's really going on Amands, you can tell me."

"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I overheard Mum and Dad talking the other day. They are talking about sending you to Paris, and apparently, Peter has gotten some girl pregnant. Don and Vera are furious apparently, and have shipped him off to Melbourne."

"I don't believe it. He said he loved me!" Amelia squealed.

Monique burst into the room. "That's enough Amanda. I knew this would happen, out you go young lady, and you off to sleep. We'll all see you in the morning, maybe not you though, Amanda. Sheesh, after I warned you . , . outside!"

"Bye Sis, see you tomorrow," Amanda said cheekily giving her mother a grin.

"We'll see about that. Goodnight darling," Monique said as she kissed Amelia goodbye then ushered Amanda out of the room.