Family secrets: Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Don't own. Never will. I'm broke, so don't sue me cos you'll get nothing.

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Later on, Jessica lay on her bed. She was warm and dry again, but still dwelling on the mystery of August 17. Something had happened, that was obvious. Her father had said it was before she was born, making the event at least 13 (nearly 14) years ago. If only she could sneak into her perents room. They were sure to have something- letters, diaries, anything- that explained the event, or at least gave her a clue. But when was a time she wouldn't be caught? Ah, tomorrow night! Commodore Norrington was coming to dinner (Horrid man. Jessica disliked him intensly, and she could say that of only a few people.) Jessica and Charles would be expected to dine with the adults, then at nine pm they would be sent upstairs to bed. The Commodore never left before 11pm, which gave Jess at least two hours in which to search her parents room. Her plan made, Jessica studied to pass the time, then at seven went downstairs for dinner. Her father watched her closely throughout the meal, sure she would ask questions about August 17. But she was silent, mainly so as not to gather the attention of her mother, who had ripped into her about her 'swim'.

Elizabeth Turner retired early that night, claiming she had a headache. In truth, she was utterly exhausted. Bad enough it was anniversary of her kidnap by cursed undead pirates. Bad enough her half-pirate husband had disappeared to the docks again. No, then Jessica had to fall off the pier! She could've drowned! Elizabeth sighed. On top of all this, Commodore Norrington was coming for dinner tomorrow. These visits were never as relaxed as Elizabeth would hope. Sometimes she wished they'd never returned to Port Royal. Not that she wanted to become a pirate, oh no. Just because she wished to escape Norrington was no reason for a life of crime. Elizabeth rolled over and closed her eyes, knowing that the only way that Norrington could be dissuaded from coming was if she suddenly developed scarlet fever.

However, despite all the worry, the next evening passed quite pleasantly. Both Charles and Jessica were polite to the Commodore, although Jess was impatient for it to strike nine. When it did, both Jess and Charles excused themselves and went upstairs. Jess changed into a more comfortable dress, that also allowed her to move quietly. Then, when she was sure that Charles would be in bed, she sneaked into her parents room. Not daring to light the big lamp, she relied on her own single candle to light her search. Because of the poor light, Jess couldn't read anything on any of the papers she found. So instead, she piled them all together to read later in her own room. There wasn't a lot of peper that could be classified as useful, but she did find some. She also found that her mother kept tow diaries: one of daily events and her own personal diary that was hidden in a box under the bed. Downstairs the front door slammed (it never shut quietly) and Jess looked at the clock. It was already 11.30. Grabbing the pile of papers, Jess snuck back to her room. As she shut the door. And turned towards the door, she noticed a figure climbing in the window. Instead of freezing in fright, Jess grabbed the closest thing to her- a large brass candleholder. She stood with the weapon raised, and waited for the intruder to climb fully into the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: I apologise for the lack of updates. I'm in the middle of exams at the moment, and I'm trying to update in between studying and convincing my mum that I know my books for English. So The next chapter mightn't be up for a week or two. Sorry! Princess of Dreams