The family photograph

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The photographer had arranged the family in two rows when Aunt Beatrice noticed the vacant chair beside Clara.

“That has no business there,” she said, and drew it towards the wall.

Clara stepped out of position and returned the chair to its place. She explained that it belonged to her brother, who was travelling abroad, and that the picture would be sent to him. Aunt Beatrice replied that an empty seat would make the family appear ridiculous.

The photographer disappeared beneath his black cloth. For a moment, only his shoes could be seen. Clara rested one hand on the chair’s carved back. Her aunt took hold of the other side.

“We are not displaying an absence,” Aunt Beatrice whispered.

“We are remembering a person,” Clara answered.

The younger children stared straight ahead, afraid that movement might spoil the picture. The photographer emerged and began counting. At “two”, Aunt Beatrice pulled the chair towards her. Clara pulled it back. At “three”, a white flare filled the room.

When everyone could see again, the chair stood crooked between the two women, and each still had a hand upon it.

Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to present the disagreement between Clara and Aunt Beatrice. Support your answer with references to the passage.