The Whisper

By Lois Tennant

Jennifer Rutledge is taken care of by her grandfather after her parents' tragic accident.  She does not realise that she is in line for a considerable inheritance, but some of her dubious cousins suspect this and decide to declare her missing.  They do not realise that she has friends who love her and will risk their lives to help her.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lois Tennant
• Release date: Jun 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201777296

Book preview

DESCRIPTION

Jennifer Rutledge is taken care of by her grandfather after her parents' tragic accident.  She does not realize that she is in line for a considerable inheritance, but some of her dubious cousins suspect this and decide to declare her missing. They do not realize that she has friends who love her and will risk their lives to help her!

REVIEWS

I enjoyed this novel!  Page-turning!  K. James

A lovely, relaxing read with some tense moments!  H. Bahlmann

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

THE WHISPER

CHAPTER 1

The first thought that strikes me is that I am dreaming.  I feel very tired and can hardly open my eyes.  I wonder what the time is - and as is my wont, put out my hand to the right to click on the little bedside light that has the most comforting glow in the dark.

This time, my hand and then my arm, flail and seem to be touching a rough wall!  I feel around me and am very puzzled that my comfortable bed now seems half its size and creaks like never before!

This is definitely not my bed, nor my room!  I slowly and carefully manage to sit up.  My head aches and seems to swing in circles for a short while.  I take deep breaths. What is going on?  This is definitely not my room!

Then I notice a faint glowing edge a little way from the foot of the bed.  That must surely be a door of sorts. Perhaps this is some kind of nightmare after all!

With the greatest care I edge off the bed. With both feet firmly on a cold, stone floor, I hang onto the end of the bed and edge closer to that supposed door.  I know I will have to take a few steps on my own and wait until my head clears a little.  I seem to be wearing a long night robe that reaches my ankles.

Then I take another deep breath and step towards the glow.  For a moment my hands grab at nothing, then there is a doorknob in my right hand!  I turn it as quietly as I can and open the door slightly.  I find myself looking into a very small bathroom.  There is a basin and a toilet and light reflects from a small mirror on the wall.  Above the toilet is a small window.  That is what is letting in a bit of light!  So it is simply a reflection I have seen.

Just for a moment I glance into the rather dull mirror.  Then, I sway and sit down on the closed toilet seat close by, feeling faint!  The person looking back at me in the small mirror is wearing a scarf tied around her head.  I rip it off - and as I run my fingers over my scalp, I realize that my head has been shaved very recently.  My head is covered with short spikes!

My heart beats faster and faster as I contemplate screaming for help.  Something stops me. 

To whom will I be calling?  Will it be to the cruel person or people who shaved off my shiny, almost shoulder-length hair?

Am I really this scary-looking person? 

I stuff the scarf into my mouth and sob.  My grandfather has always called me: 'sunshine'  - because my hair seems to have streaks of sunshine, he says.  That's right!  I live in an apartment which is part of my grandfather's house.  My name is Jennifer - Jennifer Rutledge!  Surely, that is who I am!

Then it hits me like a thunderbolt!  How long have I been here?  The last I can remember is being at my grandfather's funeral! 

It was fairly well-attended, but the details are just a swirl of images.  I remember the comforting arm of grandfather's old friend, Cicero.  Many people shook my hand or gave me a hug.  I did not have many relatives as it was, but I know my two male cousins stayed over for the reading of the will.

My head begins to ache once more!  I bend over the basin, find myself gagging and after a while, take a sip of water from one of the taps.  This cannot be happening!  I must go and lie down and think.

My eyes have adjusted slightly to the dim glow coming in from the tiny window.  I feel around with my hands and with the scarf ( or whatever it is), I manage to leave the bathroom, close the door quietly and proceed step by step to the awful little bed.

By now I am shivering with anxiety and the cold rising from the floor, so I cover myself with the blankets on the bed and with determination, I tie the scarf around my head.  Then I lie down.

I have to sort out in my mind what I know and what I do not know.  It is quite possible that I have been kidnapped or locked up for some reason.  Now I can see the pale face of my late grandfather before he was taken away in the ambulance.  He took my hand and whispered: Go to Cicero! His old friend, Cicero, obviously! 

I have not attempted to feel if there is a door leading out of the room, but there obviously is