Whilst the Heywood clan was resting, the dwellers of Trafalgar House were in an uproar. The afternoon was already upon them and Tom was nowhere to be seen. The Parker siblings, Mr Thompson and Mary looked in every room in the house, and they simply could not find the man anywhere. The whole situation was exasperating to them as each member of the household wanted this meeting over and done with to get on with their own affairs.

On the one hand, Sidney was fretting over his meeting with Mr Heywood, and he was scared that his useless eldest brother would be a block to his happiness yet again. On the other hand, Arthur wanted to spend some time with Miss Emily, and he was obviously daydreaming, Diana also wanted to clear up this whole Sanditon mayhem and share her good news with her family.

Mary was faring no better in her bedroom, where she was slowly and deliberately filling two trunks- one with her own clothes and another one with the children's clothes,

She had never felt so angry with her husband before today. She was in fact angrier than she had ever been in her life. She told herself that if he did not show up for the family meeting within one hour, she would send a note to her parents and tell them that she would be joining them with the children. She has had enough with his broken and empty promises. She has reached her limit at last!

Mr Thompson also wondered how it was possible for a man to care so little for his family. They saved him from all manner of scrapes. Yet what does he go and do? He doesn't even show up for a prearranged meeting to resolve the issue like a man. He thought to himself that Mr Thomas Parker deserved everything he got at this stage.

Time kept ticking away mercilessly very much so against Tom Parker and his future. It was 13.30 in the afternoon and there was still no sign of him. Mary sighed resignedly and with tears in her eyes finished packing the last items of clothing in both the children's and her travelling trunk. She wiped her eyes and made her way to the study to write a note to her parents. There she found Sidney, Arthur, Diana and Mr Thompson who eyed her worriedly.

She was the first to address them all, 'Well, they do say that even the best laid plans can be hindered. Obviously, Tom still does not seem to care about anyone apart from himself. I have come to a very painful decision. I will take the children for a long visit to my parents. All the travelling trunks have been packed, and they are ready to be taken to the carriage. I am about to pen them a note and send it via messenger. I need a break from everything and everyone. I do not know what the future will bring, but I will no longer be in my husband's beck and call.

Diana, I will leave you to manage the household expenses for the Parker properties. You know what we have discussed and how I do things. Sidney, I will leave you my parent's address so that you know where to reach me. Do also bring the children back here from the Heywoods. Arthur, please go to the bakery and get us a basket of food for the trip as the cook is to be out until dinner time today. Mr Thompson, please present my husband with the legal documents to release him from the Sanditon management for the foreseeable future.'

The whole room was dumbfounded at Mary's speech. They were so engrossed in listening to her that they did not notice Tom standing at the sitting room entrance as still as a statue. For once in his life he could not utter a single word. When he finally managed to speak, he stuttered his wife's name aloud.

The room turned to face him. Nobody said anything. It was as if they were the spectators to a long- awaited drama with Mary and Tom being the main actors. Mary turned to face her husband, looked him up and down with a cool, calculating eye and said with an icy voice,' Mr Tom Parker, I am leaving you. You are a liar and a coward. You only care for yourself. By the way, I forgot your present.'

She walked up to him and slapped his right cheek with all her might, 'This is for Charlotte and Sidney. You have ruined their life and did not care for them' She then raised her left hand and slapped his left cheek, 'And this is for all your broken promises. Goodbye, Tom. You are on your own.' Tom had tears in his eyes and his cheeks still showed the imprint of Mary's hands. He was dazed.

She turned, hugged Sidney, Arthur and Diana, shook Mr Thompson's hand, took some paper and pen and left the room with the composure of a queen. Then, Sidney, Arthur and Diana gave Tom a look of contempt and followed Mary out of the room as well.

The three siblings first went to the bakery to make arrangements for Mary's food request. It was to be delivered to Trafalgar House within the next hour. None of them could speak their thoughts aloud. They were stunned! Sidney desperately needed to see Charlotte and Arthur craved to see Miss Emily just to lighten his heart. Diana just wanted to cry.

The two brothers then escorted an upset Diana back to the home she shared with Arthur and asked her maid to fetch her a soothing cup of tea. Once that has been achieved, they headed towards the Sanditon hotel.

The only person who remained in the room with Tom in Trafalgar House was Mr Thompson. He looked at the stricken man with the tear-stained cheeks. He should feel sorry for him, but strangely enough he did not. He brought this upon himself. He had hit rock bottom just like his father had done. It was time for him to rise like a Phoenix when he would be good and ready to do so. Therefore, he had no pangs of conscience about causing him further damage.

He spoke aloud, 'Mr Thomas Parker, I am representing both your wife, Mrs Mary Parker, and your siblings. As per your father's will, you have been stripped off the right to keep your inheritance due to your mismanagement of it. The Sanditon project is now under your siblings' and your wife's management. You will receive an annuity of £40 per month for your personal expenses and that is to be your only income.'

Tom found his voice and shrieked, 'You can't do this! This means I have nothing! What do I do?'

The family lawyer was inexorable, 'I can do this as my clients instructed me to do so. Please sign here, Mr Parker. Resistance is futile, I can assure you of that'.

Tom's face turned ashen. He really had no choice. He took up the pen the lawyer extended to him and signed away the rights of his paternal inheritance to his siblings without a word. No more Sanditon. No brothers, sister, wife or children to console him and prop him up.

The lawyer nodded, bowed formally and put the signed documents in his pocket. He bid Tom a good day and left Tom alone in the sitting room. Mr Tom Parker, a truly desperate man with nothing to lose, he made his way towards his wife's room to try to win her back. He had no idea how. Yet, he instinctively knew he had to at least try.