Ronnie: The murder of my dad has caught each and every resident of Albert Square tangled in a spindly spider's web. Even when he's dead there's still a controlling effect on everyone. Each person has become suspect; any little glance or prick of blood deemed you murderer. Imagine being that puny ant trapped in the web, being devoured by the monstrous creepy crawlies. Some claim that I would never do such a thing whereas some say it's all in the genes. And then there's my family, who support me of course but behind their facade of believing in me is insecurity and uncertainty. I've assured them all once and no doubt I'll reassure them again because I, Ronnie Mitchell, am not a murderer.
Each night since the tragedy I lie on Jack's sofa in the desolate room whilst he, Roxy and their Amy nestle like a real family in a warm, cosy bed next door. They tell me they are just friends but I, like them are able to see past knots of faltered truths.
My mind screams that I have nothing to worry about, that I am innocent. I have my doubts. Did I kill him? I just don't know and if I didn't, it was certainly my intention for him to be in excruciating pain, just so that he could feel a glimpse of what I have felt for the past twenty years.I need to solve the mystery before it tears me limb from limb, before I can stand no more. With all these thoughts battering at my brain drifting off to sleep is of most difficulty, but a definite necessity and glancing over I see the prescribed cylinder container, its contents: Sleeping pills.
Sizzling noises emerging from the kitchen rectify my ears and humble my nose. The smell is bacon, frying in a pan of oil, but the aroma, just like any other good thing soon deteriorates into pungent ghastly smells and once again as my stomach grunts and growls, I have lost my appetite. Jack's sympathetic smile crowds my eyes and the plate of delicious food he carries's delivers sickly fluid, rising above my tongue. Before I can say 'thanks' the liquid drapes down my chin and as I know it another eruption comes heaving out of my trembling mouth. Retching out some more I can feel Jack's hand gently sweeping my back, he looks down on me in an annoyingly concerned gaze and whilst I want him to leave me alone, I also wish he would just stroke my back one last time.
"I'm so sorry Jack." I barely whisper to him, my throat burning with Hell's fire from the gagging.
"Hey, hey it's not your fault." His soothing voice calms my broken nerves and his hand clasps into mine, leading me into the pokey bathroom, just big enough to accommodate two people.
I stand in front of the sink whilst he stands behind me. Looking into the mirror we almost look like a normal, loving couple, and I am suffering from a treacherous hangover. The lingering smell soon clings to the insides of my nostrils, focusing me back to reality. My fingers quiver and turn the stainless steel tap on. As the breeze of water conceals, but not hides the wreck that is me, Jack holds my hair back and watches over me. I lift my face up and peer into the mirror once more. Is there a killer starring back? Flashbacks coagulate my mind and tears surge through my body; not apparent on my face, but bursting to escape and I know that if I let Jack hold me they will leak through.
My feet whisk me away back to the sofa and I begin, with frantic hands to strip the deceased cover off the duvet.
"Ronnie, leave it, just take a rest for a bit." He says, entering the room.
"No! That's all I've done since it happened, I need to keep busy." The words come out all shaky, it's so embarrassing, but it's the least of my worries.
Disobeying my request, Jack gently grabs my arms and pulls me back so that my body is tightly locked into his. I try to resist, but in the end he is stronger. His breathing on my neck sucks at my pulse and naturally my body belongs to him whilst my heart still stammers on. I turn around, still grasped in his arms and bury my head on his steel, warm chest which I can feel melting away. His arms lock around me even further, but I like it and his lips graciously caress my forehead. This is what I want, where I want to be and Jack is all I need.
"Jack, you can't take advantage of my sister like that!" Roxy shouts, breaking the toasty moment between two lovers. She walks over to him and grabs his arm, taking him away to the other side of the room where my presence is nigh. My senses burn, I know she is talking about me. She finishes whispering and Jack nods his head. Our eyes connect, his radiate an unnecessary apology, mine scream for him to come back.
Jack: Later that night, when Amy was put to sleep, Roxy put on a film to pass the time away. I sit on the sofa, at the left arm because I know Ronnie prefers to be on the right, and I wait for her. I look up as she enters the room and her presence stuns me so much that I don't realise Roxy is sitting millimetres away from me until she speaks.
"Your drinks on the table Ron." She smiles.
Trust Roxy to choose a scary film to watch so that she can cuddle up to me, which of course she does about two minutes in. I tip my head back on the sofa to look at Ronnie. She's clearly not watching the film; her head is tilted downwards as she holds it up with her arm. I can't tell if her eyes are closed or not, but I know what she is thinking, I know she is taunting herself over her dad's death.
It's three in the morning; I've just been awakened by screams seeping through the gap between the door and floor. I tear back the covers and run to Ronnie's rescue. Kneeling down at her side, I see tears stream and flood the creases her face creates as her nightmares anguish her. I seize one of the pillows fallen from beneath her blonde locks and rest upon it, lying on the floor. Her screeches and murmurs hault for now but I still take her hand. I need to feel as close to her as possible.
Waking up just centimetres from the person you are in love with is the most sensational feeling ever. My breath is stolen by eyes and even though she is drained and tiered, the details are so intricate that they destined to be carved from a perfectionist. Our hands are still entwined; I sit up and kiss each one of her fingers, before stroking her soft hair.
***
The phone continues to persist infatuating the flat with its infuriating blares. So many calls today...
"Hello?" I answer when I finally find the device buried under layers of Amy's toys.
"I believe Veronica and Roxanne Mitchell are currently staying with you?" replies an unknown voice.
I nod, after several moments of silence I realise the recipient cannot see me. "Erm, yes they are. Roxy has gone out and Ronnie is taking a bath."
"Ah, well can you please inform them that we have Archie Mitchell's will to claim a.s.a.p?"
"Sure, yeah."
The line goes dead just as Ronnie emerges from the bathroom. We smile at each other and she walks to the kitchen.
Ronnie: I don't see the point of attending the meeting to discuss and receive my father's inheritance; it's not as if I will be given anything. Gathered in the lounge, me, Roxy, Jack, Peggy, Phil and Sam sit in silence waiting for the consultant to begin.
"Peggy Mitchell, the will states that you will receive a quarter of Archie Mitchell's inheritance money and his grandmother's wedding rings."
Peggy starts to tear up; Sam takes her hand but Phil, drunk and intoxicated simply shouts 'whoopee!'
"Roxanne Mitchell, the will states that you will also receive a quarter of your father's earnings."
Roxy looks blank, but says nothing. I know she is thinking; 'is that all?'
"But then who's got the Vic?" Peggy inquires.
"Veronica Mitchell, the will states that you will receive a quarter of your father's earnings, 'Mitchell's Autos', 'Booty's' and 'The Queen Victoria'."
My mouth hung and gaped wide open, clinging onto each word and possession. He loved me...He must have done!
"Booty's?!" Questioned an infuriated Roxy.
"Yeah" Jack replied "He bought it off Max when they were in debt."
"The last part of the will states that the final quarter of his earnings is to be received by Glenda Mitchell."
"Well Ron, your dad obviously thought you could handle business." Jack joked.
The room was silent. A fighting battle was perusing in my mind, daddy's death versus daddy's inheritance.
A/N: Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVED the Xmas EE episodes, even better than last year, especially the cute Rack moments :)
This fic is just about life after Archie, how the family copes, how Glenda will have an effect and more importantly Ronnie and Jack's relationship. Oh yeah, not to mention the reveal of who the murderer is!
This chapter is slow starting, but I promise more drama if I decide to write another chapter.
P L E A S E R E V I E W !
Love Scarlett x