Free Fraser's Line by Monica Carly Page B

well as days. As a result their mother could devote much of her time to her children, and they felt well cared for and loved. The three of them formed a close bond.
    One day when Angela was fourteen years old they were all on a shopping spree, and had naturally found their way to the large department store Doreen liked to frequent. She was a clever seamstress and made many of the clothes she and Angela wore. They were standing at the haberdashery counter while she chose buttons. The helpful sales assistant had brought out several trays, and Doreen was happily going from one to another, enjoying their feel, and colours and shapes.
    Suddenly Peter spun round and fell to the floor, foaming at the mouth, his body jerking convulsively. A small crowd gathered round, and a supervisor rushed up to investigate the commotion. Shoppers craned their necks to see what was going on. An ambulance was called, and Peter was carried out on a stretcher, still shaking and jerking. Angela never lost the memory of the feeling of fear she experienced at Peter’s strange behaviour – her brother seemed to have been transformed into an alien being, and she thought he would die.
    The diagnosis was epilepsy – or ‘grand mal’ as people called it. Drugs were used to treat it but they were not successful in controlling the fits completely. From that day on Doreen became more and more anxious. The symptoms were completely unpredictable. Peter would be perfectly normal one moment, and the next he would be on the ground, rolling about and jerking, often making strange noises. Sometimes when he fell he would knock himself on objects, and end up with a number of bruises. Once he had a fit while carrying a glass, which smashed as he fell and cut him badly. It became difficult to go anywhere, and it seemed best he left school, as in any case he was now sixteen. So Doreen kept him mostly at home, and although friends came to see him, some were frightened off by the fits, and started coming less frequently.
    There was still a certain amount of stigma attached to the disease. From early days it had been considered somehow connected with devils, and those who suffered from it often tried to keep it a secret. The transformation of the sufferer into a writhing, inhuman being was frightening to those who had no understanding of what was actually happening, and in biblical times many believed that the sufferer was possessed by demons.
    Although Peter’s education came to an abrupt end Angela was doing well at school, and was encouraged to consider a University place. She longed to do this, as books had become important to her, but she realised her mother would find it difficult if she went away. However, Maurice was adamant that Angela’s life should not be spoiled as a result of her brother’s illness, and Doreen, to her credit, agreed. Angela could hardly believe her good fortune when she was granted a place at Bristol University where she had opted to read Classics.
    Life at University suited Angela well. She loved the Wills Memorial Building with its tower rising up over the city. She was thrilled by the imposing entrance, her spirits always lifting as she climbed the wide stone stairs leading up to the Great Hall and the Lecture rooms. She spent hours in the Library between lectures, engrossed in her private study, and the terms flew by. She made friends among the undergraduates, both male and female, and joined various societies. However, it was not her intention to become involved in any deep relationships, as she felt a strong sense of duty towards her family, and spent her vacations doing her best to help and comfort her mother, who was struggling to keep her spirits up in the face of the continuing problems with Peter.
    Having successfully progressed through her course, Angela now faced her final examinations. She knew she had prepared as thoroughly as she possibly could, and felt fairly confident. At the end of the second day she was called to the