The elderly woman sat in her worn rocking chair, dozing. The fireplace roared, the heavy Sudrian rain tapping against the stained glass windows that decorated the study. The study was only part of the palatial manor that Annie and her sister, Clarabel, inherited from their father when he passed away. Clarabel was nowhere to be seen; but, to the dozing 'old maid' Annie, this was of little concern.
Suddenly, Clarabel crept through the study door, trembling, a telegram sheet in hand. The creaking of the door made Annie jump.
"Oh, sister, what is it now?" She said, rubbing her forehead. Then, when she finally opened her eyes, her demeanor changed from one of indifference to concern. "Sister?"
"It's Lawson.." She trembled. "Dead. So is his wife.." She drooped into the sofa, like a wilting plant. Annie was utterly shocked. Lawson and his family were the only living relatives left.
"Sister, how?!"
"Railway accident."
"Surely, it wasn't one of our railwaymen - they're experien-"
"Mainland, dear."
"Well, that makes sense.. but what of young Thomas?"
"His nanny is bringing him. We'll have to take care of him, sister."
"But, he's a baby - we're old maids, sister, we've never raised a child!"
"Well, we have to - besides, I'm sure the railwaymen can help."
"If you say so, dear.."
The doorbell rang, and Clarabel scuttled off. "Must be baby Thomas!"
Annie sat in her chair, twiddling her thumbs, and very unsure of Thomas' future.
This follows the TAB timeline ~ Edward, Gordon, Henry - James - Thomas. As you can imagine, the railwaymen are Edward, Gordon, Henry, and James. FYI, they age differently for the sake of the story (not unlike, say, the Simpsons) - Thomas may be an infant while James is 20. Thomas will become an adult, James is 25. It's weird, sorry.
Ages -
Thomas - 9 months (at this point in the story)
Annie & Clarabel - mid-late 50's
Edward - 60-63
Gordon - 35-40
Henry - 45-50
James - 19-20
So yeah. Hopefully a new chappy will come tomorrow.
b y e