Chapter 7. Convincing Peter

Sierra explained her plan to the others before they left Old Walters mansion. She felt so cheerful being the one to come up with this bright idea. She looked at all of them, waiting to be praised, but nothing was said. Instead they all concentrated on discussing the plan in finer detail. 

The next day Andrew and Jefferson went to Peters house. They knocked at the door and Russell let them in. " ah, young masters, what do we owe the pleasure?"

Andrew and Jefferson did not beat around the bush,"We are here to see Peter".

Russell guided them to the study where Peter sat, sipping glass after glass of the finest whiskey. They entered, welcomed by the smell of stale cigarette smoke and alcohol. It was revolting but they had no choice but to bear the stomach churning smell.Their brother now looked like a homeless man,a mere pauper.His hair is long and knotted,beird unruly and clothes dirty and crumpled.

They were disgusted. 

Andrew walked over to his chair. 

Slap! Slap! Slap!

That should knock some sense into him.  Andrew called for Russell,"Clean up this mess and get rid of all the alcohol in the house".

Peter stammered, "th, th, this is my house, how, how, how d, d, d dare you order my servants".

Slap!

"I guess you are still not in your senses" Andrew said as he dragged Peter to the bathroom. He shoved him into the shower cubicle and turned on the cold water.

Jefferson watched in silence. He was an amateur at manipulation but Andrew and his wife were masters. 

As the water splashed on his face, the memories flooded his brain, he remembered Annie's funeral. He broke down and sobbed hard. Half an hour passed. His sobs finally left him, he got up, closed the shower and dried himself. He was all sobered up, he changed his clothes and found his brother's waiting for him in the dining room. Mrs Pots had made a beef stew and cottage pie. The smell invited him to the table. He pulled out a chair and sat down at the end of the table. They all dug into the deliciously prepared food. Mrs Pots brought a pot of honey tea with sweet butter milk. It was one of Peters favorite drinks, she had not made since the passing of Annie. 

The men ate in silence. Only the clinking of crockery and cutlery could be heard. Once they were finished, Mrs Pots cleared the table and left the men to business. Although she was out of sight, the kitchen was next to the dining room and she could faintly hear their discussion. 

Mrs Pots had worked for the walters family for more than thirty years, she was originally from the Walters mansion and was fond of Peter and Annie. She left Walters mansion to serve Peter and Annie after their wedding. She knew that nothing good would come from Andrew and Jefferson's visit. She had known them from birth, they were cunning and cruel. They would not come if it was not beneficial to them.  Mrs Pots could not help but eavesdrop. 

" So dear brother are you all sobered up?, we have some important matters to discuss", Andrew spoke sternly. 

Peter shrugged as he thought to himself ,"what did he have to lose by listening to these two bafoons, he already lost everything, maybe there was something he could gain". 

"You have been missing for the last year, mom and dad are worried. You haven't been to work. You don't take their calls and furthermore you have burdened them with your child. Do you think you can win any favour by being this irresponsible." Andrew spat out. "If you dont believe me, ask Jefferson". 

Peter shuddered just thinking about his daughter, he still resented her and blamed her for the death of his wife.

Jefferson added, " we have a plan if you wish to win favour, we can help you dear brother". 

Mrs Pots shook her head in the kitchen. This was bad. She knew it. She felt it in her gut. 

"Do you agree?" Andrew asked. " We will help you. There is nothing for us in return. Just us helping you as brothers should ". 

Peter sat still, thinking. He then offered, "I will listen to your plan then I will decide".

Jefferson nudged Andrew, " Nevermind then this is a waste, lets just leave".

Just on queue, Peter stops them, and agrees to their idea without listening to it. They both smile at each other and go into the study to discuss. They needed somewhere private.