Who?  What does he want, and what does he deserve?  In this excerpt from my historical fiction, women’s fiction novel, Those Left Behind, we explore sibling relationships.

This scene takes place near the beginning of the story when Freddie must come to terms with his sister Hettie’s wedding.  The brother and sister are close, and Freddie’s melancholy over his sister moving out of the house overshadows what should be the happiest day of her life.  Freddie’s statement “Her happiness means more than mine” mirrors what Hettie says in Angel of Mercy about Freddie’s happiness meaning more than her own.  Freddie wants his relationship with his sister unaltered, but that’s not realistic in 1910s Canada.

This passage also could be viewed as prophetic.  World war will soon begin, clouding his sister’s marriage and causing the entire family unhappiness.

I hope this scene gives you a meaningful glimpse into the relationship between Freddie and Hettie.