New Beginnings

New Beginnings

J.K BECROFT

COPYRIGHT

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by J.K Becroft at Smashwords

New Beginnings Copyright© 2013

All Rights Reserved.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER 1: MAGGIE

CHAPTER 2: MAGGIE

CHAPTER 3: TONY

CHAPTER 4: MAGGIE

CHAPTER 5: Maggie

CHAPTER 6: Maggie

CHAPTER 7: Maggie

CHAPTER 8: Tony

CHAPTER 9: Maggie

CHAPTER 10: Tony

CHAPTER 11: Maggie

CHAPTER 12: Tony

CHAPTER 13: Maggie

CHAPTER 14: Tony

CHAPTER 15: Maggie

CHAPTER 16: Noah

CHAPTER 17: Maggie

CHAPTER 18: NOAH

CHAPTER 19: Maggie

CHAPTER 1: MAGGIE

Mummy where is the TV? Tayla had asked shrieking in a whiny voice. I was walking up the driveway and I could hear her and Robby yelling in the house, I walked in the door, immediately I noticed what the commotion was about. The house was missing a lot of items; the TV was missing, along with the PlayStation and sound system. And that was just the beginning. It took me a few moments to comprehend what was going on.

We lived in Beeac a small country town in south western Victoria, Australia. This far out from town, I would never have thought that we could have been broken into. But here it was. Our house had to have been broken into, as a lot of our belongings where now missing and nothing else made sense.

"Robby take your sister and go outside please. Mum needs to make a phone call."

I said. I was unsure as to what I should do so I called Trevor. He would be at work. Trevor and I had been married for 10 years and he is a wonderful father. Made sure we never went without, played with the kids all the time and helped out around the house. He was my dream come true. He worked for a firm in town as a Solicitor and between work, Cricket and the farm he was a very busy man, but he always had time for the children.

Good afternoon Trevor Holestead office Andréa speaking. Trevor’s P.A had said.

"Good afternoon Andréa its Maggie, is Trevor there I really need to speak to him it is very important."

I tried to keep my voice clear but even I could tell that my voice was off.

Ah Maggie, Trevor is unavailable at the moment can I take a message? She replied

"Andréa it is urgent that I speak to him. Our home has been robbed and I don't know what to do."

Oh Maggie, that is terrible. Unfortunately he isn't here. He hasn't been in all day. But I will leave a message for him. Have you tried his mobile? she asked

"I hadn't no because I thought he was in the office all day. It’s OK Andréa I will call him on the mobile thanks anyway."

And I hung up the phone.

Things just didn't seem to get any better, on calling Trevor's mobile it went straight to his message bank. You have almost reached Trevor Holestead, Leave a detailed message after the beep and I will be sure to get back to you. BEEP.

"Trevor its Maggie, I need you to call me back as soon as possible, we have been broken into and they have taken almost half the house. Please call me, Love you."

And I hung up.

Well the next thing I can think of is to call the police obviously that would be what Trevor would do.

I dialed the phone again this time calling 000. It wasn't until part way through the conversation when the operator asked me if there was still anyone at the property, which makes my blood ran cold. Oh My God I hadn't even thought about it and I had sent the kids outside alone. I tell the operator I don't know and dropped the phone and ran out the door.

I slipped twice calling out to the kids. I’m running so hard that my lungs are burning I was struggling to breathe properly; I was in an absolute state of panic. I was screaming

"TAYLA, ROBBY WHERE ARE YOU?"

I started crying while I was running down the drive until I spotted them. Down near the stables they were playing at Fantasy Tree. That was the name it had had for over 40 years. It was a Pine Tree at the top of a volcanic barrier that, I as a child had played at with my siblings and cousins. It has a make believe kitchen, bedrooms, lounge along with open fire place all made out of volcanic rock that is renowned in these parts.

The rocks were all different shapes there was a really long rectangle looking one that used to be the bedroom, there are others that looked like pieces of furniture, and that is what made up the rooms, the tree provided the pine cones for us to use in the pretend fire place to top it all off. The tree would have to be over 100 year old as I remember speaking with my mother once about that tree, she had said that not only had she played under that same tree but so had her mother. It is funny how history repeats itself. I had never known this about fantasy tree until I was an adult myself. It had that natural pull of safety and fun. How easy a child's life is with a healthy imagination!

 I scooped up Tayla and slung my free arm around Robby and pulled him in to me.

Mum what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Robby had asked.

"Oh Robby I was so worried, I didn't know where you were. I TOLD YOU TO GO OUTSIDE NOT DOWN THE PADDOCK".

I scolded I was so afraid for their safety that my self-control slipped a little. Poor Robby didn't know why I was so upset, I felt horrible the minute the words left my mouth, especially when the realization of the effect my words had on Robby, I watched him cringe away from me as if I was something hurtful and scary.

I placed a kiss on his forehead and told him I was sorry. I have always been the calm and tender safe haven for the children. Not that Trevor was not but he was often under a lot of stress from his job and sometimes not very often but sometimes his resolve would fray and he would slip into talking to the children like they were adults that had accosted him in some way. I would usually step in and he would realize his mistake and apologize profusely to the children. Then that’s all I would hear about all night. Maggie you know I would never hurt them. I’m so sorry I never meant to speak to them like that I love them and you.

I shook my head out of memories of my beautiful family I had more important things to do then to get court up in memories of the past. We sat at fantasy tree until the police car started coming down the drive. With Tayla and Robby in tow we returned to the house and meet the Police officer at the gate. Senior Sergeant Jefferson was just stepping out of his vehicle.

Hi Maggie, we got a call come through that you believe that your residence has been burglarized, are you and the kids ok?

"Oh Tony, the kids and I got home from being in Melbourne for the weekend to find that someone has been in the house and a lot of our belongings are missing. I have tried to call Trevor but he must be out of service, his phone is going straight to message bank. I have left a message for him on his mobile and at the office."

Trevor knew Tony quite well. Tony caught the Crooks and Trevor got them off. It was always a running joke Saturday night at the bar after the game. The boys all played Cricket for the Warrion Wreckers. Tony put his strong hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes,

Maggie keep the kids outside I'll go in and have a look around and call it in. Everything will be fine. We will get this sorted out. He spoke with such confidence and authority you were felt compelled to believe him.

Robby ran up to Tony Uncle Tony, can I come too I could be your partner. He laughed thinking this was a big game.

Tony Smiled at Robby and ruffled up his hair. Oh hey Robby I could use a partner, but I need my partner to stay here and take care of the women for me. Could you do that for me little man?

Heyyyy Uncle Tony, I'm not little I'm almost 10! Robby had said offended at being called little.

Oh of course Robby I wouldn't have just asked anyone to look after your mum, mate! They would certainly have to be almost ten and really tall and tough? Do you think you will be able to do that for me?

Officer Holestead reporting for duty Robby said, saluting Tony standing nice and tall.

Poor kid didn't know the difference between the army movies he enjoyed watching and the police. He thought they were the same thing just a different uniform.

Tony left the three of us standing there watching him walk in to our family home where I had always felt safe and secure, and in one afternoon that had all been taken away. I just wanted Trevor to come home and make everything better.

Pulling out my phone I called Trevor again leaving a message when he didn’t answer. This was so NOT like Trevor. I think in the life of our relationship he may have missed a total of 5 calls I had made to him and would return my call almost immediately.

When Tony came out he looked strange, not scared but more worried, with a frown on his face and his eyes were full of pity. Shock coursed through me, there was nothing in the house that I had seen that would warrant such a response, especially from a family friend.

Hey Robby, Tayla? Could you guys go inside for me and make sure everything of yours is still in your rooms? Robby anything that is missing can you write a list for me partner, I just need to question your mum.

I could feel the tension in the air, something was wrong and I was unsure if I wanted the kids going in the house at all.

Maggie I really need to speak to you please. The kids will be fine in the house. Everything is going to be ok. There is no danger in there for them. I have checked the house out thoroughly and there is no one in the house.

He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze. With the tone of his deep husky voice and look in his midnight blue eyes at this point, I had a wave of calm come over me as tony stared at me no longer with pity but with insistence and control.

My mind was reeling I was uncertain what could make someone’s facial expression change in such a short timeframe. What was it that Tony knew that I was still oblivious of, or was it that the policeman in him had kicked in and that was what I was seeing here? Control and purpose, Yes that has to be it, he has a job to do and he is going to do it as professionally as possible.

Maggie your house hasn’t been broken into honey.

My heart starts racing, Tony must be either blind or crazy.