My Mother's Daughter

Chapter 23

Rebecca entered through the front door just as the night was chasing away the day. Since she was in a playful mood, she decided to call three of her closest girlfriends from school, and they went on a girls only shopping and socialising spree. After lunch, and in a spirit of generosity, they did a bit of community service by helping in an elderly's home. Still brimming with stamina she hopped up the stairs, but halted when her stepmother called her name. Pondering for a moment, she shrugged and followed the direction of the voice.

Elizabeth sat at the head of the table in the dining room, a bottle of Johnny Walker for company. She sipped from the tumbler, then swirled the remnants of the rich liquid. The faint clink of the ice was like the countdown for a bomb about to explode.

"What brings you here at this hour? I don't recall granting permission to leave this house."

"I didn't think I'd be missed."

"I'm not joking, child."

"Maybe that's your problem. You need to loosen up, Elizabeth." Rebecca smiled, sympathising with the older woman. Elizabeth held the glass tight, so as not to throw it at her stepdaughter. The girl was avoiding answering the question, and she was too pissed to drag a proper response out of her.

"I wanted to congratulate you on so easily ruining my credibility in the society of highly respectable people. And you did it with such ease that even I find it hard to believe." The smile vanished from Rebecca's lips. Alarms were sounding in her ear. She reviewed Elizabeth, who was slightly intoxicated, shoulders slumped in defeat. There was a whiff of danger in the air.

Ironically, she wished the older woman would throw the glass and bottle at her, or transform into a mad and untamed bull. At least then Rebecca would be able to dwell in sweet victory, but witnessing the inebriate before her, just filled her with disgust.

"You really are your mother's daughter, you know that?"

"Yes Elizabeth. Finally, you understand what I have always tried to tell you."

"Don't feel too good about it though. You'd hate for people to start saying, 'just like mother like daughter, gone without even saying goodbye.' " Rebecca's smile returned. Now she felt victorious.

"Unfortunately, I'm not sorry you've developed enemies in your favourite social circle, Elizabeth. Actually, you should be thanking me for rooting out the fakes in your life. Will dinner be served tonight?"

"Hungry are you? Do I look like I care?"

"Will father be home for dinner?"

"Am I his secretary?" Rebecca sighed patiently.

"I'll inform the cook that we'll be dining tonight. Besides, I'm the rightful mistress and heiress to this mansion, so I might as well start attending to my responsibilities." Rebecca bowed and exited.

Elizabeth groaned, her head was spinning and with it her stepdaughter's words. She chuckled wickedly and took a gulp of the strong liquor. She despised playing games that showed no results, and carried on to extended lengths.

She poured herself another glass and paced the room barefooted. The only solution was to kill her. But how? She refused to endure the nuisance for a lifetime. If she must exterminate the imp... but no good ideas came to mind. She had to be creative, more inventive.

"It would have to happen outside of this house." Elizabeth mumbled. Away from these people who could so easily point accusing fingers, identifying her as the executioner. However, she would need a really good reason to get the girl to leave the house without raising suspicion. Then, when they are both alone, miles away from the estate, she would do what was necessary to regain peace in her life, and to hell if her husband could not cope with it.