AUTHOR'S NOTE - So here it is my new fanfic. It's set in the world of Narnia and kicks off in the time between Prince Caspian and Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I hope you like it and all your reviews will be much appreciated. Thanks guys.
Chapter 1 – Meet the Family
"What do you mean gone? They can't be gone." Lauren cried into her Uncle's shoulder as she was informed that both her parents had been killed in an auto mobile accident earlier that day. Lauren's mother was a housewife doing all she could to look after her family and Lauren's father who would have been fighting in the war were it not for his partial deafness was a builder. Unfortunately there hadn't been much materials and money available for house decoration and home improvements in London during World War 2.
"I was with them this morning, everything was fine. We were meant to be going to the country on a break next week. They wouldn't leave me. They can't." She continued, her Uncle beginning to fidget from what he found to be an awkward situation.
Laurens parents had never got on well with her Aunt and Uncle. Where her parents were loving, friendly and kind souls Harold and Alberta were the complete opposite, judgemental, strict and seemingly uncaring.
The dispute between the two couples had been going on long before Lauren was even born. Something to do with her grandfathers inheritance going to the wrong child. Every single penny Laurens grandfather Bert had earned and slaved for in his whole life went all to her Aunt Alberta and her 2 brothers, Laurens father and her other Uncle John didn't see any of it. Why, do you ask? Not because Bert favoured Alberta over his sons but because he failed to write a will. So instead of the estate being split between the siblings like it should have been it all went to Alberta not just because she was the first born but also because at the time of Bert's death Laurens father and Uncle were the more financially stable of the trio and Alberta apparently was in more need of it. Arthur, Lauren's father and Mary, Lauren's mother never forgave Alberta and Harold unlike John and his wife Helen who believed fate had a part to play, and even when they were struggling to feed and clothe themselves they refused to go to their richer counterparts for a hand out. Their pride was passed on to their only child and it was when all these memories and information settled in Lauren's head that she pulled away from her Uncle and went on the attack.
"I bet you don't even care do you? My mother and father are dead and you and Aunt Alberta will just be happy that you don't have to deal with them anymore." Lauren seethed backing into a corner as the tears clouded her eyes.
"Come on Lauren don't be like that we are devastated. We may not have got along but we would never have wanted this to happen." Harold defended.
"Where's Auntie then? Probably sitting in the kitchen yet to take her eyes off of her latest cookbook. Her brother has died for Christ's sake and she can't even be bothered to come around here and see me."
"Don't you dare take the lords name in vain young lady. Look you have no idea what your Aunt is going through. She is beside herself with grief. Her brother is dead." Lauren's Uncle bellowed back.
"Yes well my parents are dead. I have nobody now, no one. What am I supposed to do? I can't run this household on my own. I have no job, no money." The young girl hyperventilated as the weight of the situation facing her finally dawned on her.
"Lauren sweetie. Your Aunt and I want to make amends for the way it ended with your parents. You will come and live with us and your cousin Eustace until you can sort yourself out. You remember Eustace." Uncle Harold forcefully smiled.
"Of course I remember Eustace. How could I forget him?" The melancholy, 21 year old blonde girl remembered with sarcasm.
For the rest of the day people Lauren barely knew or didn't know at all were coming in and out of her house, telling her how sorry they were and that if she needed anything all she had to do was ask. To Lauren there was nothing that could be done to make her feel any better.
Lauren walked around the old house she had lived in her whole life reliving memories of happiness and care free times all the while dragging her feet in some grief stricken haze. All she had to do now was pack up her belongings and make the move to Alberta and Harold's Islington town house.
On the way to the new house Lauren sat in silence in the front passenger seat of her Uncles car watching the world go by without a care. During the 30 minute journey through London Harold discussed all the arrangements for the joint funeral which would be held the following Saturday at the local church. "No expense would be spared" he said, "they will get a send off like they deserve" he continued. Lauren just absentmindedly nodded her head in acceptance letting everything that was said go in one ear and straight out of the other as she cried silent tears.
"Alberta, Eustace. Lauren is here." Harold called out to a silent house as they went through the front door and her Uncle dropped into his favourite chair picking up the paper.
No wonder her parents were mad Lauren thought as she made her way through the spacious interior. To most people this was just a normal family house and nothing special but to Lauren who was used to eating dripping sandwiches for supper and walking across bare floors everyday because her family couldn't afford any type of flooring, this house was a palace.
"Close your mouth girl." Aunt Alberta called as she came into view from the kitchen.
"Sorry Aunt Alberta. It's just this house."
"What about this house? What's wrong with it?" She shouted before realising what the poor girl had truly been through that day.
"Oh Lauren forget that. I'm, I'm sorry. Shouting and throwing my weight around is just the way I deal with these things." Alberta awkwardly apologised, reluctantly placing a calloused hand on Lauren's quivering shoulder.
"Umm it's ok and there is nothing wrong with the house quite the opposite in fact." She meekly smiled.
Alberta took her hand away, turning to wipe her eyes thinking nobody saw her. It was then as Lauren noticed the shaking shoulders of her hard faced Aunt that she realised maybe she did care what had happened. She did care after all.
"Lauren?" Aunt Alberta called turning around to face her niece once more.
"Yes."
"About your mum and dad. I did love them you know. Even after everything that happened, and I want you to know that you can stay here as long as you want, as long as you need."
Alberta looked down at Lauren's holey shoes and darned clothes and continued pinching the bridge of her nose before she continued.
"If I'd known Arthur needed the money so desperately, if I'd known that you were all struggling so much I would have helped as much as I could. I tried to offer it to him but he was so damn proud." Aunt Alberta tremored before wandering back into the kitchen.
"My dad was the proudest man you would ever meet, but that was one of the reasons I loved him so much. He wanted to look after his own family without help that's all. Maybe you were really greedy and selfish when grandfather died but that was a long time ago." Lauren smiled through tears as she leaned in to hug her tearful Aunt.
"Look at me a big softie. You're here supporting me when it's your parents that are gone. Now let's stop being silly and get you settled and in some appropriate clothing shall we?" Alberta voiced moving towards the stairs and putting back on her strict and stern facade.
So that was it the one window where Lauren got to see what her Aunt was really feeling inside. She really took what she said to heart because she doubted she would ever get a moment like that with her Aunt ever again. She was right.
For the following week on the lead up to the funeral Lauren felt like a fish out of water. She really didn't feel like she belonged. Her Aunt and Uncle took charge of arranging the funeral which Lauren appreciated although she didn't think she had a choice in the matter anyway, her cousin Eustace was annoying to say the least and on top of that she had the little matter of dealing with the fact that her parents, the two people who loved her more than anyone else in the world were gone and she would never see them again.
Lauren didn't feel comfortable crying or looking miserable in front of her new housemates if that's what you want to call them. As proved by Aunt Alberta on the day she arrived they were not the sort of people who showed their inner feelings. So she left it until lights out. When she was in bed, in the dark and left alone with her thoughts that's when she would let the floodgates open and the tears fall. Every night she got louder, cried that little bit more and she knew from the awkward looks on the faces of her family every morning that they had heard her.
As the dreaded Saturday grew closer Lauren had one thing keeping her going. She assumed that all of her family would be there. That consisting of her, Eustace, Uncle Harold, Aunt Alberta, Aunt Helen and her four other cousins Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. She already knew their Dad wouldn't be there. He was off fighting in the war as all fathers were in the year 1942.
Lauren really got on with that part of the family. She knew her Uncle John would be devastated by the news that his older brother had died. John had always reminded Lauren of her father, they were so similar and Lauren couldn't wait to see him and her Aunt Helen as well as her cousins again. Peter and Susan the oldest of the four were the ones Lauren naturally got on with the best as they were closest in age but it was Edmund with his cheeky side and Lucy with her fun, giving spirit that got Lauren excited every time she found they were coming to visit.
Of course this visit wouldn't be like others. No games in the local park, no tea and cakes which her Mother would splurge out on for the special guests. This time it was to say goodbye and Lauren knew she needed them to get through what would be the hardest day of her life.
"Unfortunately Helen can't make it on Saturday. What a shame." Aunt Alberta relayed to Uncle Harold across the breakfast table whilst Eustace had his head buried in his journal.
"What? She has to come." Lauren said desperately.
"Nonsense girl, you have got this far without her and her foolish kids. You don't need them." Uncle Harold answered her, all signs of her grieving Uncle completely gone.
"Just tell me why she can't come. Aunt Helen would want to be here. I know she would."
"Well as you know your Uncle John has been transferred to America so your Aunt Helen went to join him with Susan just last week. Peter is on the other side of the country studying for university with some Professor Kirke so he can't make it either. I doubt even the letter to America informing them what has happened has reached them yet." Alberta told me without any concern.
"Peter and Susan to? What about Lucy and Ed? They haven't gone off somewhere to have they?" Lauren hoped.
"No unfortunately they haven't. Actually I have some news on that front. Your Aunt Helen couldn't take them all over seas because the youngest are still enrolled at school in England for September. She asked if we could take Lucy and Edmund in for a few months whilst they are away." Aunt Alberta said in disdain as Harold added a raised eyebrow.
"What and you agreed? I thought you didn't like them." I asked in disbelief.
"Well there were conditions. She will be paying us a little each month to keep them here. Just as should be expected." Harold concluded with a twisted smile.
"So where are Edmund and Lucy now then if Aunt Helen has already left for America?" I said in sudden interest. My mind for a moment focused on something other than my parent's death.
"Probably about an hour away actually. They have been staying with the Professor's housekeeper whilst he went off with Peter doing I don't know what. She would have put them on the train last night." Alberta revealed.
"So mother where do you expect them to sleep? We only have one spare room and blondie has taken over that one already." Eustace put in; in sudden terror at the thought he may have to share a room.
"Well I suppose Lucy can share with Lauren and Edmund will share with you. No arguing Eustace do you hear? You have no choice in the matter." Alberta informed her sour faced son.
Lauren was actually looking forward to Edmund and Lucy coming, finally some proper people to spend her time with, people who actually cared about what she had to say. Sharing a room with Lucy would no doubt make her feel less isolated and Edmund was always one to stick up for the girls so she knew she would have him to defend her if she needed it.
"Oh I can't stand it anymore. They are taking over our whole bloody house. Why can't they just leave us alone?" Eustace screamed at the top of his lungs over dramatically.
"Don't let me hear that tone from you again boy. You will share with your cousin and get on with it." Harold shouted to Eustace after turning his face away from the morning broadsheet.
Aunt Alberta cleaned up the table after breakfast quicker than she ever had before and then threw her coat on ready to go and retrieve Ed and Lucy from the station.
"Lauren come with me will you. I need to pick up some books for your Uncle on the way to the station and will need help getting them in the car." Alberta asked, no tone in her voice.
"Ok sure." Lauren smiled getting up from the table immediately. Any excuse to get out of the house was a must and she was so excited to see the cousins she knew would cheer her up.
After picking up Uncle Harold's books from the local Library Lauren and Alberta arrived at a busy Kings Cross station. People were stretched the length of the platform some waiting for the arrival of loved ones and others waiting to board themselves.
When her cousin's train finally pulled into the station Lauren branched out from her Aunt and pushed through the crowds looking for the faces of the cousins she had missed and needed so much.
Lauren looked through every window on the train until she reached the final car and spotted the unmistakable features of her cutest cousin Lucy.
"LUCY, EDMUND." Lauren shouted at the top of her voice the first true smile of the week crossing her lips as they heard and waved back at her as they stepped onto the platform.
"Lauren." Lucy squealed running into Laurens arms closely followed by Ed who comfortingly wrapped his arms around her.
Edmund and Lucy stood on the spot for almost 5 minutes just cuddling their cousin who had lost so much. They couldn't imagine what it would feel like to lose their parents and had resolved that they would use their time with Lauren to cheer her up as much as they could.
"Thanks I needed that." Lauren smiled wiping a tear from her eye.
Aunt Alberta stopped in front of the trio and with a gesture of the hand ordered her nieces and nephew to follow her, not so much as a hello to the new arrivals.
"So have they driven you crazy yet?" Ed asked on the way back to the car.
"What do you think? Eustace alone is enough for anyone to handle." Lauren said in complete seriousness.
"Lauren about your mum and dad," Lucy started.
"No, no please don't. I already know what you are going to say. We're sorry for your loss. If you need anything we are here. You can talk to us about it if you want to. Believe me Luc I appreciate it but I've heard it all before. To be honest I just want to put it all behind me. I can't change what's happened. Yeah it's only been a week and yes I probably have lots of down days ahead of me but I just want to enjoy my time with you. Mother and father wouldn't want me to be so upset." Lauren said to both Lucy and Ed before reaching the car.
"Well cuz that was a speech and a half, but it's true if you need us." Ed smiled.
"Thanks Ed and you to Lucy." Lauren responded as they put their belongings in the boot.
"Oh and Ed I should probably tell you. You're sharing a room with Eustace." Lauren couldn't help giggling under her breath as she passed on the news.
"NOOOOOO!" Ed responded covering his face. "This is going to be one long summer."
Yes it would be a long summer just like the young Pevensie male had said, but on the drive back to Islington with Ed and Lucy squabbling in the back seat Lauren thought on it and realised that the summer wouldn't feel as long as she originally thought it would.
So that's it folks. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. We will start moving into Dawn Treader plot territory now. Please review and I will update on Friday.