Falling apart
I walked down to the gardens and took a seat on the swing which hung from a great oak tree in the corner of the furthest garden, next to a lake. I began swinging ever so slowly, sporadically changing the page of my new found book- Sense and Sensibility.
I placed a bookmark on my page and closed it, swinging softly and looking at the shimmering lake which reflected sunlight onto the grass around it.
A rustling noise came from the bushes and I spun around quickly. A boy of fourteen stumbled out, sticks and leaves sticking out of his rather messy strait ginger hair. His cheesy grin made me relax. It was William.
"Hello Will" I greeted, smiling. He bowed low and hurried forwards.
"Miss Isabella- I mean Swan. Miss Swan" he stuttered. I looked at him quizzically.
"Spit it out William Rook" I hopped off the swing, smiling brightly.
He took a letter from his pocket, slightly rumpled up and handed it to me, "This is from Mr. Mason"
I took the letter from him.
William Rook was Edwards little wannabe helper. Almost my height, the fourteen year old was not only Edward's Stable boy, but also his trusted companion, Best Friend, and also, the only one who knew of our relationship.
"Thank you" I pocketed it, "What have you heard of Edward lately? I fear he has been avoiding me"
William shook his head frantically, "No Miss, he's actually love sick you could say. Mr Mason has been visiting his parents frequently. So much that…" he trailed off.
"Tell me, William" I told him.
"He's I'll!" William cried.
"What?" I asked, shocked, "Elaborate Will, please. You must tell me what is wrong. He's not got the influenza has he? ANSWER ME!"
"I can't miss. It'll be explained in that letter anyway" he told me, looking down at his shoes.
I opened the note which had his seal on and opened it. My eyes scanned the elegant script.
.
.
"Dearest Isabella,
I am currently unwell and cannot come to see you. My only fear is that I may never see you again. Yes Bella, I have caught the influenza. I want you to know that I will love you forever and always. For eternity,
Edward
.
.
I grabbed William by his collar.
"Where is he?" I asked.
"But Miss-" he argued.
I shook him, tears streaming down my cheeks, "Tell me William! If not, so help me I will drown you personally in the lake!" He spluttered.
"S-St. James' Hospital" he said.
"Take me" I demanded, picking up my floor-length coat and pulling my hair into my hat- nobody would recognise me.
William led me through the bushed and onto a carriage. Even though most people were starting to have cars now, Edward's family still owned carriages. I hopped in and he drove me to the hospital.
"Which ward?" I asked him before he drove off.
"They've got a private one, Miss Swan, Ask for the Mason Ward and say that you are a family friend" he told me, "I'll be back in a half hour to pick you up"
I stepped off, "William?" I asked the boy.
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Thank you"
I ran inside and stumbled clumsily to the front desk.
"Which way to the Mason Ward?" I asked, "I'm a close family friend"
The woman looked up and pointed to her right. I ran down the hallways. I could see hundreds of patients lined up in beds through the open doors. Finally, I reached the Mason's.
A very attractive doctor was tending to them.
I walked over to Edward.
"Who are you?" he asked me.
I looked at the blonde doctor.
"Veronica Shaw" I lied swiftly, "I'm a family friend" He nodded, but looked at me like he could see through the lie. I blushed scarlet and returned my gaze to Edward.
Tears dropped from my lids as I held his warm hand and traced circled onto it. I looked at his left hand- his gold ring which I had given him was still there, with a band of emerald around the middle.
"I love you Edward" I whispered when the doctor was on the other side of the room. I pressed my head to his hand and kissed him lightly.
Half an hour is much, much too little a time. I ran away as soon as I could so I wouldn't be tempted to stay by his side in the hospital for a much longer time.
I sat silently in the carriage on the way back and murmered a reply to Will before running off home.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" mother demanded.
I shrugged and ran away from my mother up the stairs. On the third floor flight, I snapped.
My knees buckled and I fell onto them. I started sobbing uncontrollably.
"P-please. Y-you can't leave me E-Edward- I beg you!" I sobbed quietly, "P-please d-don't g-go" I lay there talking to myself until a servant found me and escorted me back to my room.
I had breakfast in bed on Mondays. The tray was brought in by Phyllis and laid across my lap. I sipped my tea and nibbled and the cookie whilst reading the paper. I turned the page and dropped the cookie into the teacup my mistake.
"No!" I whispered, frozen into place.
.
.
.
It has been announced that Mr Edward Mason, the chief of the Lloyds Bank, main rival of Mr Charlie Swan, chief of the bank of the United States, has been declared yet another victim of the Spanish Influenza. He and his wife Elizabeth Rachel Mason passed away in the late hours of the night and Mr Edward Cullen Jr. his son, passed just a few moments later. The large mason fortune will now be handed down to Mr Collins, Mr Mason (sr.)'s second cousin and now only remaining relative.
I folded my paper, took the tray off my lap calmly and stood slowly to make my way to the door.
I had merely taken two steps when I collapsed.
"Miss Elizabeth!" a small maid's voice cried when she found me. I stirred.
"I'm fine" I lied, my voice blank and cold, "I stood up too quickly that all. You may leave" I ordered her. I sat on my bed for at least three day, not eating, sleeping or moving- just staring ahead.
"Isabella?" My mother asked, as she entered.
I didn't answer.
"Are you sick?" She asked, slightly worried- probably of the influenza which had recently killed her cousin Joan.
"Yes"
She sat on the edge of my bed and looked at me.
"Is it a cold, a temperature? What are you sick of, honey?" she asked.
"Life" I answered.
"You can tell me what's wrong, Isabella, you know you can. I'm here to listen" She lied. Renee had always been a bad listener and worse at telling you what to do. If she wasn't bossing everyone around, she was asking for my help.
"Please, Mother. Not now. I really need a break" I said.
"Lovely!" she clapped her hands and rushed out of my room.
I was a zombie for two more days after that. On the third day, my father entered my room, looking rather distressed himself and staring intently at me.
"Bella?" He asked me. When I made no reply he continued, "I am going to take a long business trip to the north- would you like to accompany me"
I made no answer. I didn't care. Life- meaning- It was all over.
"Excellent. We leaved tomorrow in the morning. I'll send in Mary and Emeline pack your bags" he said. I gave a small grunt; he observed me for a moment and finally left the room.
Two girls, possibly my age maybe younger came in. Mary had her scarlet frizzy hair in a loose bun. I had never really talked to these two. Emeline was slimmer with a strait back and slightly curled, shoulder length brown hair which was light in colour.
I soon noticed a light leather suitcase packed with half a dozen of my dresses, along with a large box of makeup and one of jewellery lying on the floor. The two girls then curtseyed and left.
I didn't sleep that night- or if I did only for a moment or two. I stared out of my window and glared at the crescent moon. Why was life so unfair. Why couldn't our families have gotten along? Why did the influenza exist? Why did he have to go?