The Short Affair - April 13 - A Forgotten Past - Part Four

[avrovulcan.livejournal.com]

Prompt Word: Index
Prompt Colour : White

Words: Approx 1000

Link to Part One: A Forgotten Past
Link to Part Two: A Forgotten Past
Link to Part Three: A Forgotten Past

Becca, Illya, Emily, Gramps and Grams descended the sweeping staircase and made their way to the study.

An ancient oak desk took pride of place in the room, two of the white painted walls were lined with bookshelves, the third had a huge picture window looking out onto the estate and the fourth had various Old Masters paintings hanging on it.

Becca perched on the edge of the desk, looking out the window.

"Where do we start?" She sighed.

"I have a lot of the family's birth certificates, I'll have a look through those." Gramps said.

"How about the big family bible, that must go back to then, there are names and dates written in there." Emily suggested.

"Why would someone write in there? Surely it is not something that should be done," Illya asked, puzzled.

"It's a special version of the bible and is meant to be a family record. It has space in there for family history," Becca explained. "We'll go and get it, c'mon Illya, it's in the attic."

The two agents left the room in search of the book. Gramps sat at the desk, papers spread upon it. He had his glasses on and was studying one of them intently.

"It's been a long while since I looked through these, some I don't even remember."

"We don't have much cause to need them, but they should be helpful," Grams replied as she pick one up, squinting in an effort to read the handwritten document.

Becca and Illya were searching through the attic, it was dusty and they were forever brushing away cobwebs. The space was like an Aladdin's cave; old furniture, travel chests, paintings, and other odds and ends stored from a bygone era. It was a creepy place to look, made all the more so by the inadequate light provided by the one small bulb hanging from the rafters.

"What are we looking for Becca?"

"It's been a while since I've seen it. I think it's in a wooden box about this big," she demonstrated the dimensions with her hands, "it's quite heavy too, I remember that."

They searched for several minutes, their hands getting grimy and dry from the dust covering everything.

"Over here, I think I have found something." Illya called as he picked up a box and placed it on a flat surface.

Becca came over and opened the lid, inside was dark green fabric and nestled securely within was a huge leather bound book, the cover had intricate embossed designs depicting scenes from the story of Noah's Ark.  It was a family heirloom, handed down through the generations.

"It is beautiful, I have never seen anything like it," Illya commented as he traced the design with his fingers.

"Wait till you see inside it."

She opened the book and revealed the index, all ornately scripted in gold with bright coloured images around the edges.

"It is a work of art and I can see why your family treasures it so. Let us get it downstairs."

They carefully wrapped the fabric back over the book, replaced the lid and took it down to the study.

Gramps had created three groups of certificates by the time Becca and Illya had returned. One was of marriages, one of deaths and the last of births.

"I've put these birth ones in order, they go back to 1842 which is for my Grandfather Ernest Frederick Andrews," the old man revealed.

"I think the little girl is before then my dear," Grams replied.

"I'm afraid, we might have to look in the parish church records if we need to go back further."

"No I don't think we'll need to Gramps, look the dates go back before then in here."

"Yes, it says in 1819 a Reuben Theodore Andrews was born. It also says he was the son of Amos," Illya added.

With the help of all the certificates and the detailed information in the Family Bible, they drew up a family tree within a couple of hours. They discovered Amos was Gramps' Great, Great, Great Grandfather.

"This is the most likely name of our mystery girl, Sophie Eleanor, born in 1831," Emily said.

"So the man in the photos could be her father, Amos Andrews, and her brother was Reuben?" Becca queried.

"Yes, it seems so, she looks like she was the youngest of three children. A small family for the time," Emily confirmed.

"That may be why she seemed to be doted on, but I'd like to find out more about how she died, must have been in tragic circumstances for her room to be left like that." Grams said sadly.

"Yes, her death is recorded as 1838 in the bible, but nothing to say why she died." Illya stated.

"I have her death certificate here," Gramps added, "but it just says accidental death."

"I could call UNCLE London, they might be able to find out some information, it is surprising what can be found out with the computers."

"No, Illya, I want to do this ourselves, it will make it more personal."

"I understand Becca, you are right."

"I think we should look through the newspaper archives in the library, they go back to that period in time."

"Your Mum is right we should go there,"  Grams confirmed.

It was Illya, Rebecca and Emily who made the trip to the library and searched through the local newspapers that were kept on microfiche.

The three of them took turns looking for information using the microfiche viewer.

"This sure makes your eyes ache, but I couldn't find anything," Becca sighed, rubbing her eyes to clear her vision.

"I think I have found something," Illya exclaimed,"Yes, I believe this is what we are looking for."

He read out the story to them.

"Terrible Accident at Brockenhurst Park. It is with sadness that we report Miss Sophie Eleanor Andrews was tragically killed in a riding accident on Thursday last. Her pony was startled and bolted while she was out riding around the estate with her Father, Amos Andrews. The pony tried to jump a gate, but fell and crushed it's young rider. The doctor was quickly called to the scene, but she died shortly after of her injuries. A private funeral will be held on Monday. The family have said a small memorial will be made in the Estate gardens. If anyone would like to leave a tribute they are welcome to leave it there."

"A riding accident, how sad." Emily sniffed as she wiped at her eyes."

"The report mentions some sort of memorial, I know the gardens like the back of my hand, but have never found anything like that. Illya, I want to find it."

"That would be a nice gesture, I would like to find it too."

With their minds made up, the trio returned and Illya and Becca made plans to search the estate the following morning.

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Thanks for another well written chapter. I like the way they keep it in the family, and Illya is part of the family. This isn't a very usual facet of Illya, but it's a believable and enjoyable one.

[avrovulcan.livejournal.com]

The Andrews family have very much welcomed Illya as one of them, and I think Illya is happy to be included. :)

Thanks for reading and commenting.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

It's good to have an answer to part of the mystery. And so we wait for the next chapter...

[avrovulcan.livejournal.com]

Yes, one mystery solved, but it has opened up a new one to investigate.

Thanks for commenting.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I love how they're investigating for themselves. It seems more satisfying that way. Looking forward to the next part.

[avrovulcan.livejournal.com]

This story has been inspired by my own research into my family history, though nothing as tragic as poor Sophie's accident has been discovered in my family.

Thanks for commenting.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Glad I finally got to this, you've given us a tidbit but still the intrigue is strong.