He moved closer. Before she could react, he lifted his hand and slapped her across the cheek. Her head snapped back with the force of the blow. Blood rolled over her tongue, the coppery taste bitter in her mouth, making her stomach roll in protest. Wilz lifted her hand to her stinging face. This time he’d gone too far. It was all she needed to make the call to the appropriate people. She would have him committed for this act of violence.
“You animal. You bloody coward, hitting your own daughter because you can’t have everything your own way.” Anger boiled in her veins, ready to tip over now he’d raised a hand to her.
His throat worked as he argued back. “Coward? I’m not the coward in the family. That label goes to your lover. He’s the coward.” Spittle dribbled down from the corners of his lips. “Simpering behind your skirts, refusing to go to war and fight like a man. Refusing to step up like his father and I did.”
“You know very well that Ernest has tried to sign up. They won’t take him because of his leg, but it’s not for the lack of trying.” She breathed heavy now, ready to attack him if she had to, but knowing she should flee while she had the chance. Live to fight another day.
Her stomach lurched as she waited for him to raise his hand again.
“You’re dead to me, do you hear? Dead. I will disinherit your sister and I will do the same to you. How do you like that, you little tramp?”
She gaped at him in shock. She’d kept the estate going while he’d slowly sunk deeper into a decline. If it wasn’t for her, the farms wouldn’t be producing anywhere near as much as they were. This was her inheritance and she wasn’t going to give it up. Not for him, not for anything.
“I’ll have you declared insane before you do that. Mark my words, Papa, I have the means to do it and I will.” She pulled herself up straight. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d like a bath before dinner.” Wilz spun on her heels and marched away, her head held high until she got to her bedroom. Once there she fell against the door and slid down to the floor, her legs too wobbly to hold her any longer. She gave into a bout of tears, too emotionally drained to try to hold them at bay.
It was only a matter of time before something sent him over the edge and this morning she’d known it was likely to happen today. Pity she hadn’t given herself more time to format a plan and have someone with her for safety reasons if nothing else. This wasn’t going to be the end of it. She would not give into him and his antiquated ideas. It was time to talk to the doctors and the family lawyer. Papa could rot in hell as far as she was concerned.
Chapter 22
Sydney 1940
Gertie sat in the tiny office where the recruits were allowed to use the phone. As she waited for Carter to answer, the questions she wanted to ask were already jumbled in her mind.
“Hello, Foxborough Hall.” Wilz’ voice was loud and clear.
“Wilz, my darling sister. How is everything? Is Papa alright?”
“Gertie, how wonderful to hear from you. Papa is fine.”
“I’ve been so worried.” Gertie leaned back in the chair, her hand pressed against her chest.
“But why, darling? I told you I’d take care of everything and I am doing just that.” She heard the amusement in her sister’s voice.
“Because we both know what he’s like. I keep glancing at the door wondering if the next person to walk through it will be him coming to drag me back home.”
Wilz laughed and it made Gertie smile to hear the sound. “Darling, you really should concentrate on your studies. Papa has his good and bad days but I think he is slowly coming to terms with your decision. I knew it was a case of making a stand and sticking to our guns. He’s more bluff than anything.” She sighed and Gertie could hear the scrape of a chair on the timber floor. “I’ve started the process of having him committed. The doctor has agreed to sign off on the admission forms.”
Gertie’s shoulders slumped. “Thank goodness. Oh, I am so relieved. I’ve been worried sick that he would do something terrible.”
“Whatever do you mean, Gertie?”
“I, um.. The words stuck in her throat.
“Spit it out, love. Tell me what’s worrying you.”
“I know how he loses his temper. Surely you’ve seen it Wilz?” Silence met her question and she hurried on. “I saw him attacking Mama once when she tried to calm him down.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“Because she made me promise not to tell anyone. I thought you knew what he was like.” Her hands started to sweat as a wave of unease crept over her skin.
“Not the violence to Mama, no I did not.” A door slammed in the background, the sound of muffled voices reached her. “But don’t you worry, darling Gertie. I have everything under control here. By the time you ship out, Papa will be in care and life can get back to normal.” She took a hurried breath. “I want you to write to me again as soon as you can. These brief phone calls aren’t enough to keep me happy. I want to know everything you’re doing. I’ll understand if you can’t divulge your whereabouts. I miss you, little sister, more than you know.”
“I miss you too, Wilz.”
“You’re doing something with your life. Something important and that’s the main thing. Don’t worry about what’s happening here. When I see you again, I’ll have news. You take care and keep in touch when you can.”
“I will. Be careful, Wilz, for me.”
“Darling, you
