Time Heals – Chapter 1

Jack’s Radicalization Event Joseph Colthorpe grunted as he read the morning paper delivered to their small convenience store serving one of Fairdale’s suburbs. Those were the days when outside of the central business district these kinds of stores served the suburbs of all towns. Not everyone in town was rich enough to possess one of these emerging methods of personal transportation, a car or motorbike, … Continue reading Time Heals – Chapter 1

Fire From the Sky – Chapter 4

Loss and Renewal Willem sighed as he turned and saw the glazed eyes on his horses and pain ripped through his body. He clutched his chest and cried out in alarm. Liam ran to find Arnold and his mother, and the whole family gathered around Willem as he beckoned to Arnold feebly as he gasped with pain while one of the uncles rendered first aid … Continue reading Fire From the Sky – Chapter 4

Fire From the Sky – Chapter 3

The Aftermath of a Firestorm The visiting brothers returned to their car and moved it inside the vehicle sheds for protection then emerged carrying loads of fire masks and protective gear for everyone to wear. One of them spoke to Willem. “There are enough here to see you through the hours ahead so let’s see everyone is wearing one. Where are the boys we need … Continue reading Fire From the Sky – Chapter 3

Fire From the Sky – Chapter 2

Preparing for the Worst. Maaike turned to Willem. “Arnold and Eduard are at marriageable age now Willem and I think we need to take an interest in encouraging them to look for life partners. Specially Arnold as the eldest he will be inheriting this property and will need to be producing children to help him run this place. We don’t know what the other children … Continue reading Fire From the Sky – Chapter 2

Fire From the Sky – Chapter 1

Lightning Strike Willem Berg sat on the veranda of his spacious home overlooking the valley below. The extended drought had browned the foliage under a hot sun and Willem had disposed of a considerable number of the cattle as he usually did during droughts but kept a limited breeding stock which rotated between the irrigated paddocks close by the river. This property had been in … Continue reading Fire From the Sky – Chapter 1

Hidden Identity – Chapter 4

Emotional Healing and a Happy Ending The next evening as they sat in a restaurant reviewing the work issues of the day Rob noted Daniella was feeling subdued. “Had a hard day, Daniella?” She sat silently plucking up courage and hoping this was not the end of the line for their friendship. Then looked up with tears forming in her eyes. “You know who I … Continue reading Hidden Identity – Chapter 4

The Kidnapping of James Astor – Chapter 2

Revenge James glanced as they indicated the double-painted window they’d somehow removed. This was well planned, and he suspected there had to be someone on the inside who’d made that possible. The police would question all servants who served the mansion in the morning. The Astor money was not going to fall into the hands of these idiots, and he’d see the security service was … Continue reading The Kidnapping of James Astor – Chapter 2

The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 3

The Mutual Discovery Matt spoke again as he watched them putting the balls back in place. “If you guys have finished competing against each other we could go eat somewhere and I’ll pick up the tab. We have a lot to catch up with Andy.” Andy nodded enthusiastically and Janet smiled to herself after viewing his reaction to Matt’s sister. Her brother was not a … Continue reading The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 3

The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 2

Catching Up with the Past Roger and Miranda Sonter looked on happily as their two children wolfed down their mother’s famous pancake breakfast extravaganza. While they were now adults’ memories of their childhood were fresh in their parents’ memory as they’d grown up noisily in the home. It had been a quiet home since they both left but that was the way of the world. … Continue reading The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 2

The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 1

The Return of the Prodigal Miranda Sonter glanced at her laptop notification. She was in the middle of composing an email to her son Andy in Germany where he was presently stationed on rotation with his army unit. This was his first trip to Germany, and he was keeping his parents well informed of his delight in discoveries made there. On his leaves he’d spent … Continue reading The Best Christmas and New Year Celebration – Chapter 1