Chapter Text
In 1925, Alice Payne, youngest of the infamous family; went missing and was never found. Her eldest sister and last surviving member of the family; Marjorie Payne, donated the writings of Alice, as she was the only one in the family who kept a record of the bizarre events that occurred from 1916 to 1925. The following texts have been reviewed and compiled in chronological order, starting in 1913, when Alice was 7.
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August 12, 1913
Mama and Papa are sending Winnie away to school. I asked why they were not sending Anna, since she is the same age. They said she is a lady, so she won’t be needing further schooling than what our governess teaches us. I do not like our governess. She takes my dolls away when I haven’t finished my reading. I will miss Winnie. He always read the books for me.
Editor’s note: the ‘Winnie’ Alice speaks of here is her older brother Edwin, and his twin sister Anna, the second oldest of the family. Edwin was being sent to Saint Hilarion’s boarding school upon his turning 13 the previous January.
October 11, 1915
While Winnie is at school, he sends all of us our own letters. Anna’s and Marjorie’s are a lot longer than mine, but he sends me little things he stole off his schoolmates. He says it’s to keep me from stealing from my sisters, which is nice of him since I have gotten in trouble with the governess many times. This week he sent me a pocket watch with initials! That will certainly cause a scuffle. I hope he isn’t found out.
Editor’s note: Alice was a kleptomaniac and would often steal from her siblings and parents. Edwin was not found out or punished for any of the things he stole for Alice.
July 23, 1916
Marjorie was married today, and I was the flower girl even though I told her I was too old. She did not look particularly happy but neither does Mama in her wedding photo. She married Mr Clenwerth, who had been visiting a lot before. I think she met him at a party Papa held. I am not allowed to go to them, but Winnie usually doesn’t enjoy them and meets me in the library. Winnie also did not look happy, and neither did Anna. They kept speaking very quietly to each other like they were fighting. They do not usually fight. I saw Winnie talking to Marjorie in the corner of the ballroom during the reception, and he walked away looking very angry. He didn’t return and I still haven’t seen him. He doesn’t get on with Mr. Clenwerth but Winnie doesn’t get on with most people. Marjorie will be leaving home tomorrow morning to go on holiday but she will be coming back. Mama says since our family is wealthier Mr. Clenwerth will be living with us instead of the other way round.
Editor’s Note: Marjorie Payne married Albert Clenwerth in 1916, and his family was in fact less wealthy, so the elder sons kept the estate.
August 31, 1916
We all went to see Winnie off at the train station this morning. We saw some soldiers leaving for war, they didn’t look much older than Winnie. Anna noticed them as well and told him Mother and Father would keep him away from all that mess. He hugged Marjorie much longer than usual; and I suppose he thought I was being impatient. He told me he would try and send just as many bits and bobs as last year. Before he left he gave Mr. Clenwerth a severely distasteful look. They still aren’t getting on. I can’t wait for Christmas when he comes home.
Editor’s note: Edwin Payne would not return for Christmas, as this was the last time his family saw him alive. He disappeared from school grounds on November 19, along with 5 other students.