Sibling Rivalry

by E A Harvey

  "No problem Inspector”

  “Actually I have only one more question. Although the forensic team searched no mobile phone has turned up belonging to the deceased, any ideas”

  “Brian did not own one. He did for a while but his parents drove him mad with endless calls so he got rid of it”.

  “That’s fine Patrick, just leave the address where you are staying and your mobile number with the desk in case I need to get hold of you again.

  I suppose they had to be thorough with their questioning, but when you are on the receiving end, it feels more like an interrogation than an informal interview. Even when you know you’re not, you can’t help feeling guilty.

  Chapter 7 - Penny

  When Penny awoke the morning after the party, she had one hell of a hangover. Her head felt like it did not belong to her and her mouth tasted like a rat had crawled in and died. “What happened last night”? She thought.

  “Oh my God”, she remembered the kiss. “Did I really kiss him back? Yes I did and I liked it, but I certainly do not need this complication in my life at present. Everything is so calm and peaceful these days. Bob is a now distant memory and Janet is just Janet and that will never change”. She laid her head back on the pillow and hoped the room would stop spinning.

  "Good morning my drunkard flat mate, how are you this lovely day? What would you like for your breakfast, one or two painkillers”? Said Gabrielle as she pulled open the drapes. This made Penny dive under the sheets to avoid the bright sunshine which filled the bedroom. "By the way, the concierge just phoned to say that there is a large bouquet of red roses downstairs. It has just arrived and there is a card with your name on it. I wonder who they are from? And before you ask, yes you did kiss him" "Gabby said with a cheeky grin on her face.

  "Oh Gabby I am so sorry, you arranged that wonderful party and I get completely rat-arsed, and then on top of that I go and kiss your brother. He is so good looking though”

  "Rat -arsed what is rat-arsed”? Gabby said laughing. Penny was also laughing to hear her repeat the saying with her delightful French accent, even though the laughter made her poor head pound even more.

  "Just orange juice please and a couple of Paracetamol, thank you. Oh, and if possible a new head"

  A knock on the door saw Gabby race to answer it. The Concierge stood there with a beautiful bouquet of flowers wrapped in cellophane, which was embossed with little white hearts. The sight of the flowers brought a smile to Penny's face and brightened her mood in the face of her hangover.

  "Just let me have a quick shower to wash away the cobwebs of last night" Penny said as she looked at the note pinned to the beautiful long stemmed red roses. She blushed as she read the message and quickly hid it from Gabby.

  Sitting in front of the mirror brushing her hair and using the hairdryer she found herself humming a tune. She slipped a pretty yellow dress over her head and lifted her hair out from the back of it. A twist and a turn and her hair hung in a ponytail, a yellow bow added. A small touch of makeup to hide the effects of the night before and she was ready.

  By coincidence Gabrielle had also chosen to wear yellow and as they met in the kitchen both spoke as one “Oh you do look pretty “and they both started laughing.

  Penny’s hangover was gone now and she could enjoy her day. The girls reached the impressive Napoleon Hotel and made straight for the lounge. Justine, Peter and Penny’s her cousin Patrick were all there, Paula was sipping espresso coffee.

  Justine stood up with arms outstretched to hug her daughter and smothered her with kisses. Even her brother Peter hugged her a little longer than usual, Patrick and Gabby gave double cheek kisses. "I will join you for some sightseeing” said Peter “but I will be doing my own thing tonight if nobody minds".

  Paula had looked straight at Patrick when the two girls walked into the hotel, waiting for his reaction at seeing two beautiful young women, but she made no comment when he kissed them, thankfully she did not notice the way he looked at Gabrielle. Paris makes everyone seem to love each other more; probably why they call it the most 'romantic City' in the world!

  Paula had never been to France “I want to see everything” she said as the group left the hotel. “The Eiffel Tower the Arch De Triomphe, The Louvre and much more”. Peter joined in "The Bird sanctuary called Espace Rambouillet. I must go there; I remember we visited there years ago with father”.

  Justine laughed “I think you will need at least a week in Paris to visit all the sights you both want to see”

  As the group waited for their transport, Penny looked across the street. A young girl had risen from a table at the cafe opposite and jumped into the taxi, "That's Janet “she said, "She's here"

  "You must be mistaken Penny, I have spoken to her this morning just to see if she is okay" said Justine.

  "Yes Mother, but did you ask where she was? If she is on her mobile she could be anywhere couldn't she"?

  The six-seater cab arrived and Peter ushered everyone in. "Let's hope we can please Paula and see the whole of Paris in a few hours” he laughed. Everyone else laughed except Penny. She was still upset, and was so sure it was her sister Janet that she had seen a moment earlier.

  Later back at the Hotel

  "Why don't your four go out for a walk? Gabrielle and I will sit here in the lobby and share a first class bottle of wine” Justine suggested.

  Peter had not eaten with the others in the hotel dining room and had left earlier to "do his own thing" Pierre had telephoned his sister to ask Justine and her family, if he might join them for their evening meal.

  Pierre suggested that they take a walk locally to help their digestion and see some local sights. Maybe he would be allowed to buy them an aperitif!

  Justine had walked more than she would have liked to, whilst trying to keep up with the group and she was being diplomatic. She knew Pierre was here to see Penny, not his sister!

  “If you're sure Mummy, a walk sounds very nice“

  "Yes darling go and enjoy the evening, just send a waiter in with a wine list. What do you fancy Gabrielle, red or white?”

  As they strolled around the back streets of Paris, Penny found that she was holding Pierre's hand and she realized how normal it seemed. It was as though she had known him for years, but it still made her heart flutter.

  They came across a very typical Parisian café; Pierre suggested they stop for a drink, a coffee or something a little stronger.

  "What would you suggest, it must be typically French”, said Paula

  "If you would like something wine based, I would suggest Lillet; I am led to believe James Bond ordered something similar which he called a Vesper.”

  “Oh good, then that's the one for me; a double O seven” she said laughing.

  They sat and talked about the places they had visited on their tour of Paris earlier and all agreed they should do a little less walking tomorrow. Maybe just a visit to a museum would be enough.

  After they left the café they wandered along a cobbled street until Paula said “I can hear music. It's coming from that place over there. Oh please let's go and have a look. Can we"?

  "We can look, of course, but I warn you it's a gay club. Just don’t be surprised by what you might see in there. Many of the clubs users are transvestites, but its fine to go in we are welcome. I think you will find it interesting. Some of the girls/boys wear the most beautiful clothes”

  The doormen obviously knew Pierre and waved them in. Through the doors the music was at a level which, thankfully, made it possible to have a conversation. Paula was instantly impressed by all which was going on around her.

  "Look at her outfit, those hot pants. Seriously, I must have a pair of those boots”

  When a slow tune was played they all got up and danced, Penny remembered the night she had first met Bob and she found herself pushing away from Pierre who so wanted to pull her closer.

  As they danced Pierre suddenly pulled Penny very close. Before she realized it he was kissin
g her. Against her better judgement and for all that she had warned herself about a new relationship, she kissed him back.

  The kiss became more and more passionate. Her body wanted him. She realised that this was going further than she intended but she no longer cared.

  When the music stopped she backed away from him and, in that instant, her desire turned to shock. Looking past Pierre, she was sure she saw Janet just a few feet away from her.

  Seeing Penny’s expression and sensing something was not right, Pierre took gently her hold of her shoulders. "Penny what is the matter? You look like you have seen a ghost”?

  By this time Patrick and Paula had joined them. “It's Janet, she's here “she said pointing over to where she had seen the girl.

  "You're mistaken, and even if it was her what would be the problem? She would not try to harm you would she, she is your sister not your enemy. You must try to forget the past; even try to forgive her“. Said Patrick

  “I will never forgive her as long as I live; I hate her and would kill her given half a chance”

  “I am sure you don’t mean that” said Pierre

  That was the signal to leave the club.” Shall we walk or get a taxi “asked Patrick.

  ”Oh please let's walk; I want to soak up all I can of Paris. I never want to leave “replied Paula

  A few days later the party guests returned to the UK, but not until Peter hired a car and visited his animal sanctuary.

  Chapter 8 Peter

  "Good afternoon Mrs Scott. It's very good of you to agree to see me so promptly, especially as I understand your husband has health issues".

  "No not at all Inspector, please do come in and take a seat. May I offer you some tea"?

  “No thank you. I mean to take up as little of your time as possible”

  “Let me just call my son and daughter, they are expecting you"

  "Thank you, but if I may I will begin with you, Mrs Scott"

  "Please, but do call me Justine, Inspector, Mrs Scott was my mother in law she said with a laugh"

  "Justine it is thank you" said Sarah with a smile.

  “Was the day that your nephew brought Brian Peters to your home, the first time that you had met him"?

  "To say I met Mr Peters I think would be overstating the situation Inspector. He walked through to the conservatory, said, I believe, about three or four words and then turned and ran like a frightened rabbit out of the front door"

  "Have you any idea what made him behave in such a strange manner Justine”? “No, none I am afraid, I wish I could answer that for you. It certainly was weird”

  "Very strange, something frightened him it seems, and you have no idea what" said Sarah

  By now Janet and Peter Scott had come down from their rooms and entered the lounge.

  "This is Detective Inspector Daniels. She would like to ask you both a few questions. Inspector, these are my children Janet and Peter"

  ”Janet, Peter may I call you both by your first names”?

  "Yes that's fine “they answered as one.

  "Your mother has told me about the day that your cousin Patrick brought Brian Peters to your home. Evidently, this was the first time that any of you had met him, is that correct”?

  “Yes, I had never met him before, I am sure I would have remembered if I had” answered Janet

  “What about you Peter, had you met him before"?

  “No never".

  "I take it you’re not a University student Mr Scott, Peter"?

  "Oh no, I am one of the working Scott’s, I work Cabin Crew with Monarch Airlines"

  "Did I not hear rumours about Monarch being in trouble"?

  "I am sure you have Inspector. There seems to be a new one every day".

  Sarah Daniels looked deep into Janet and Peters eyes and, from their facial expressions, could see nothing which suggested either one of them was lying. Their mother, Justine oozed honesty.

  "I understand that you have another daughter who lives in Paris Justine. Is that correct"?

  "Yes inspector, her name is Penny; she is Janet's identical twin sister”

  "Is there any chance that Penny had met Mr Peters do you know"?

  "She might have met him when out with Patrick or maybe in France but I never heard her mention him"

  "Yes, that’s possible and there was also the time Patrick took Penny to a dance. Maybe they met there" offered Janet

  "Can I take you back to the day in question"? Said the Inspector

  "When Mr Peters entered the conservatory he looked straight at you Janet, said “Penny” looked shocked and ran out of the house. Is that correct"?

  "Yes, that is exactly what happened” she replied.

  "When you say that Penny and Janet are identical twins Justine, is it possible that Mr Peters could mistake Janet for Penny and vice versa"? Asked the D.I

  Justine smiled at the thought of her daughters and how they had so often played tricks on friends and family.

  “Inspector they are so alike that even their father struggles at times to tell them apart“

  “So, to get this straight, if Mr Peters mistook Janet for Penny he must have met Penny previously albeit without any of you knowing”

  "So what did she do to him to upset him enough to make him turn and run"? Asked Justine.

  No one answered.

  “I have a few more things to ask your mother before I leave but I think that will be all the questions I have for now, Peter, Janet. Thanks for your help. If I think of anything else I hope you will be happy to speak with me again”.

  “Of course” they replied as they left the room.

  "Justine is the tea still on offer please? I still have a few more questions to ask and must admit I am a little confused at present"

  “Of course, just give me five minutes”

  Sitting and looking at the Scott family home Sarah could almost taste the amount of money that this house cost. Were the children spoilt? With the father now living a lot of his time in a nursing home, did Justine Scott have as much control as, perhaps, she thought?

  Later as she sipped her tea Sarah's head was buzzing!

  "Do you think it would be possible to have a word with your husband at some time, with you in attendance of course, when he is up to it"?

  "Yes, of course, Inspector. But I cannot promise you that any information you receive from him will be reliable. He has his good days when you think there was nothing wrong with him but others, well”

  "Oh I do understand. Perhaps I could call you and arrange a meeting when it's convenient"

  "Yes of course"

  ”Tell me why is your daughter Penny living in Paris Justine? Doesn’t she work? What is the reason”?

  "Penny and I went on a shopping trip to Paris after she and her boyfriend parted. She was very upset about the break-up, so I thought Paris would do her the power of good"

  "And did it help”?

  "Oh yes. So much so that she decided to stay and live there permanently"

  "Has she returned to London recently, Justine"?

  "No, she’s not visited the UK since she moved to Paris"

  “Could she have returned without your knowledge“

  “Of course she could have. But we are very close and if she came to London she would have made contact and come to visit, Inspector”

  "I see. Just a couple more things from you, if possible and I will not trouble you anymore today. Could you give me the ex-boyfriend's address if you have it and also the address where your daughter lives in Paris?"

  "Fine just give me a few minutes to find them for you“.

  "Don't trouble yourself now, Justine. I have taken up enough of your time. I will give you a call tomorrow"

  "Of course inspector, I will have them ready for you"

  "Justine, thank you for your help, and your hospitality, I am sorry it was under such circumstances” The two women shook hands.

  Chapter 9 Pierre

  After the evening walking around Paris, Pierr
e and Penny became very close. She had told him all about Bob and how Janet had come between them and explained the reason for her trip to France and how and why she had decided to stay permanently.

  Pierre had at first intended to stay with his sister but as Penny was already installed he rented a small apartment nearby.

  Penny went on to tell him how much Gabby had helped her get her life back on track and how she now considered her almost a sister who she had grown to love so very much in such a short time.

  "I realise, from what you have told me that what Janet has done to you in the past is almost unforgivable but do you not think you should try to give her just one more chance. After all, she is your sister and, I am sure, it would make your family, particularly your mother, so happy to see you speaking again “said Pierre