tasha7905 Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 This is brilliant, hope you post again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackieleanne Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 What a great story, I can't wait to read more. Please help KK out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYN100 Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 **PART 14** Dan Baker propped one elbow on the roulette table and ran his fingers through an already badly awry mop of hair. The casino was pleasantly air-conditioned, but the perspiration had already taken a comprehensive hold of Dan some hours back. He wasn’t sure whether Leah had swallowed his garbled phone excuse about needing to head for Yabbie Creek to collect some car parts – part of him didn’t even care. This was how it had been for some while now – telling her he was helping Alf with the Nippers – going out for a Boys’ night with Peter –but all led unerringly to the sleek, self-confident surroundings of “The Society Club†– a gambling establishment whose owners were happy to relieve people of their cash, be it lunchtime, early evening, or the dinner-jacketed, high-stakes backdrop of the night-time sessions. Dan was currently ploughing the well-trod path of playing to win, playing to break even, playing for damage limitation on your mounting debts, and playing to keep at bay the initially gushing but soon hard-faced “benefactorâ€, who was happy to give with one hand bur quickly willing to place the other round your throat if you failed to meet the user-friendly 25 per cent rate of interest offered by him within the required deadline. It was a rolling ball that was threatening to crash out of control, and after today’s phone call he knew time was growing increasingly tight. His stack of available cash had been dwindling rapidly – not just tonight, but dating back over the preceding weeks of freefall. But now things had become serious – very serious. Even amidst the frantic, adrenaline-soaked chaos of the gaming tables, he shuddered to think of Leah’s reaction if she found out exactly how he’d raised today’s stake money…!…but misgivings were soon shunted to one side. Tonight he really HAD to make a killing – and then everything could be back to normal…couldn’t it..? He noticed the green baize filling up with substantial amounts of chips – way more than he’d seen staked not only tonight, but for weeks previously. As the irrational mist of temptation again settled over him, he made a snap decision - signalling to the croupier, he motioned the high-risk instruction—“Number 13 –put EVERYTHING on it..†The perspiration which had set up base on his brow was picked out in close detail by the mini-spotlights on walls and ceiling …as the wheel began to spin…. Hayley's afternoon had grown progressively more restless. With Scott off on the Blackslund , having just her own thoughts for company was.t making for a restful time. If the whole riddle of the "sleeping partner" wasn't frustrating enough, the visit of Dan had been another bolt from the blue, leaving her in an unsatisfactory limbo about whether or not to clue Leah in about the whole issue of Amanda and the matching kidney type. Perched right on the edge of a sofa cushion , she flicked edgily through a glossy celeb magazine as one does when the pictures go by in a blur and the words don't stand a chance. Tossing the publication to one side, the TV fared little better -her forefinger punching the buttons swiftly through news-cookery-sitcom-house renovation- and lastly an American drama where a snappily tailored man of around 30 with extravagantly gelled hair seemed poised to shock a roomful of wedding guests with a jaw-dropping confession. Tutting with exasperation she cut short his revelation with a jab at the " off" switch, and , taking to her feet, decided a change of scene was the only option. There was always work to catch up on at the bar, and with Jesse tied up with Sally at the hospital, she could make some headway. There were few people about as the afternoon began to rub shoulders with evening, and she soon arrived at Noahs. Turbulent regret and emotion had eased into warm nostalgia for her late husband whenever she saw the sign outside, and sparing the usual warm smile for his memory, she headed in. Setting to work, she noticed Jesse's jacket hanging on a hook at the side of the bar - clearly forgotten in his urgent departure to the hospital. As she picked it up to reposition it in the store-room for safety, the contents of a typically over-full man's pocket dropped to the floor. She knelt to pick them up - receipts , used cinema tickets, and - a small greetings card which had fallen open with the inside facing up. Almost before her conscience could issue the normal instruction to look away, she was reading an inscription which said " Jess - had the BEST evening - can't WAIT till I see you again !! Love and hugs TRUDI xxxx " Remaining on her bent knees, Hayley's face lifted to reveal a mask of stunned horror.... Medical instinct and mounting frustration had sealed matters for Kane. Having briefly at the ward reception and fumed – he’d returned to the small office where Sandra Malone had found him earlier in order to calm himself down. It was through the windo he’d happened to catch sight of Beth rushing towards the waiting room – like himself, a loving, concerned parent – and it had crystallized within him he had to ignore the self-serving, mercenarily motivated Tony Richards and set about saving Ric. He knew that to reach the operating theatre his bed would have to be pushed past the obnoxious Richards, now slumped on a chair in the corridor. So he wanted everything to be ready as quickly and efficiently as possible. Predictably however, as the orderlies started wheeling the still unconscious Ric past the chair where Richards’s alcohol-oiled body, he immediately lept from his seat and began to issue curses and do the “outraged guardian†routine he’d unconvincingly tried to portray previously. “You can’t do this – I’ll SUE you – I’ll make you regret this !!†he shrieked, beginning to follow the bed down the passage. The orderlies continued just to push the bed alomg- they’d seen it all before. But Richards wasn’t conceding easily. He quickened his pace to the head of the bed, and there catching Flynn by the lapels of his white doctors’ coat yelled “ you’re making a BIG mistake and I won’t…†He trailed off in horror. As Ric’s bed was propelled through into the adjoining passageway, occupying two of the chairs were his wife Lorraine, the bruises along her cheekbone plainly visible despite the effects of makeup, and son Brandon – his fairly newly-accquired black eye gleaming in the glow of the strip light on the roof. As Richards stopped, Flynn briefly took in the scene with one curious gaze and Ric’s trail towards the operating theatre swept on… Kirsty and Kane – though primarily Kirsty – had decided they could wait no longer – the chance of tracking down and trapping Gus had to be taken or it may be lost for ever – so confirming the couple to a possibly permanent existence as fugitives. Unaware of the drama surrounding Sally’s health and the current crisis affecting Ric, Kane had paid cash for a car that would have taken being described as third hand as a ringing compliment. That had been obtained from an exceptionally low-key auction on the outskirts of the tiny rural village where they’d been- Kane waiting as discreetly as possible for the crowds to dissolve before slipping in and making the auctioneers’ day by paying for the vehicle that a scrapyard may well have rejected as beyond use – but it was sufficient for what they needed. Putting to the back of his mind the pronounced bouts of discomfort he’d been feeling that fuelled increasing doubts about his health situation, he joined Kirsty as they waited till dusk merged into night before loading the car and setting off. One distinct drawback of the life they’d chosen to lead was the enforced secrecy, suspicion and wariness of everyone they encountered – and a constant lurking dread of what may lie round every corner. This was a high-stakes game in which they were choosing to play – gambling their wrongdoing against the chance of finding Gus – they’d been unanimous about what needed to be done. B ut – remarkably – this part opf the endeavour appeared to be going well. They chatted about the prospect of telling Sally what they knew and how good it would be to at least touch base with the Bay, however surreptitiously. Kirsty drifted optimistically off to sleep in the passengers seat and the car radio pumped out driving anthems while even the passing scenery seemed to share the positive ambience as it matched the minutes in melting by. Until – Kane’s blood ran cold. “Kirst..!!†he hissed urgently – the stirred in something of a daze, stretching and issuing the confused yawns that can double as a verbal question mark. “UM – as – what ..?†– she mumbled before being jerked into life by seeing Kane.s pale, set, tense features. “What is it babe ??†she demanded. The reply struck a chill to her veins too. “Kirst – it’s a police car…..and he’s flagging me to stop..!†They both craned round to view the disaster scenario that was closing in on them… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynhay Posted October 3, 2005 Report Share Posted October 3, 2005 Once again - really exciting! Can't wait for the next chapter - hope Ric makes it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackieleanne Posted October 4, 2005 Report Share Posted October 4, 2005 Good chapter, keep up the good work, Hope things go right for KK and Ric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYN100 Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 Thanks again so much for the nice comments - really hope you still enjoy it ! **PART 15** Those who knew Mr Rogers would never have described him as relaxing company – almost always on edge – quick to misinterpret the most docile of comments and always keen to emphasise how much wisdom and practical benefit he could personally apply to any situation as opposed to those who were already dealing with it. Sadly for Barry Hyde, he found no dilution of these qualities once he’d entered the house and sat down. Immediately he was met with “Well – go on then – and this had better be quick, as I’m a very busy man you know !†Barry had thought long and hard about how he’s broach the delicate subject without actually deciding on his best line of attack. Life grew no easier as he gave a dry cough and began “Well – I suppose you’ve heard about these rather regrettable claims involving the school ?†After the briefest of pauses Mr Rogers gave the impression of a rotweiler freed from a 3 day diet by the appearance of a prime fillet steak in his kennel bowl. “Oh indeed I have ! And I have to say it doesn’t surprise me one little bit – I Know I had my disagreements with Donald Fisher – but since he left – it’s seemed more like a holiday camp than a school in my opinion….†Barry gave a quiet sigh as his ears and eyes slowly began to glaze over – he’d always known this wouldn’t be easy…. Josie’s computer screen filled with a flurry of words as she completed another part of her latest article “What an Aussie girl’s wardrobe can learn from J-Lo “ Since leaving the Bay , she’d genuinely enjoyed her job for its own sake, but the call she’d received a couple of nights back had re-awakened several ghosts from her time in that seaside town, and the office had for the moment become a welcome refuge from such issues, where she could encase herself in the work that needed attending to and keep such intrusions at a manageable distance. Hence the fact that she was still at her workstation well after normal working hours. She turned to Jenny the girl on the next desk to her and the only other remaining occupant of the office - smiled and said “OK – no escape, I surrender – guess it’s my turn to make the coffee ?†Jenny, a short, attractive brunette of around 25 gave a pleasant grin over the top of her monitor and said “Guilty as charged – AND on another count too – you pour coffee and there’s no WAY I can avoid opening that packet of caramel cream bikkies – add temptation to your list of crimes !!†Jenny likes Josie – and in the week or two following her arrival from the bay had willingly acted as an unpaid “secretary†in answering and deflecting certain calls to her cellphone she hadn’t wanted to answer. She knew there were certain complicated issues lurking in the background of her colleague’s life, but figured they were none of her business – the friendship was enough. As Josie set off for the kitchen, perked up by the carefree office banter, her pc have a routine “bing†to announce the arrival of a new email. It was very likely that when she returned, even the most exquisite cup of coffee would have been scant protection against its contents… Don Fisher’s health had travelled exceptionally close to “the edge†during the surgery for his head injury, and several times the surgery team had feared the worst. But – as generations of students at Summer Bay High knew only too well, he was a determined, even stubborn character, and certainly no quitter. He was sitting up in bed with a tray of soup and bread across his bed, and the ever-busy Sandra Malone taking his temperature. “You’ve been a very lucky man, Mr Fisherâ€, she said, shaking the thermometer and jotting down the figure .†Well be that as it may “ grunted Donald – “ but this whole episode has helped make certain things EXTREMELY clear for me†Sandra continued to busy herself around the room - “Oh yes ..?†she said absently – non-medical issues affecting the patients were really none of her business, and it had already been a day whose stressful nature showed little signs of abating. But her lukewarm attention level left Fisher undaunted “OH yes – I’ve had GRAVE doubts about Sally living with Jesse MacGregor and I think that violent attack on me should have convinced anyone just how right I was. He’s most CERTAINLY not fit to be a guardian or any kind pf example to a youngster like that Eric Daulby…†Mention of Ric’s name jolted Sandra into an increased level of attention, but of course confidentiality prevented her filling Donald in on the latest developments affecting him. She heard Fisher continue, “And it’s totally settled my mind – I want to speak to him and Sally as soon as possible. I’ll be pressing charges for assault against him as soon as possible – UNLESS they agree to give up custody of that boy – with IMMEDIATE effect !†Even Sandra’s considerable and increasing fatigue levels and desire to distance herself from patients’ private issues couldn’t shelter her from such a dramatic pronouncement – eyebrows arching upwards, her head jerked into a lingering stunned stare at the former headmaster….. Time seemed to stand still within the small, shabbily-upholstered car as Kane and Kirsty sat- frozen almost immobile by the cruel stroke of fate set to befall them. The temporary paralysis seemed even to rule out any desperate last-ditch attempt at conversation, or hatching some split-second last minute escape strategy. They only had however a matter of seconds before their doom was seemingly about to fall. Kane had very briefly considered fleeing, but the high-speed chase that would inevitably have ensued would without a doubt have completely shattered any remaining thin strand of hope to keep an exit strategy option open. From the wing mirror and the glow of the squad car headlights, Kane could see the officer examine the side of the vehicle before tapping on the drivers window, which Kane opened slowly via the old method of turning a very squeaky handle on the door. “Good Evening Sir – could I see your drivers’ licence ?†Kane had anticipated that question and replied “ Um, don’t have it with me right now…?†The officer, who looked younger than Kane – no more than about 22 or so, made a note in his book and replied rather gruffly “ Report to any police station within 14 days with it, Mr …..?†He looked in enquiringly at Kane, who after an agonizing second or two of delay said “ ah….Bellingham..†Next to him, he felt Kirsty give an imperceptible twitch and realized that THAT would be one he’d have to explain later – he’d never live it down – though he’d be very happy to reach a situation where that kind of discussion was the most serious problem facing them ! “I’m Constable Plummer of Edgemount Police…†the young officer was saying , so identifying the tiny village where they’d been living their secret lives for what seemed like an eternity. “You out and about for anything in particular this evening Mr Bellingham ? I’m quite new to the job in this area, and I’m doing a number of routine spot-checks..†Despite it being a relatively fresh evening, Kane could by now feel his own temperature and that within the car rising to near-stifling pitch. He was certain he couldn’t sustain his performance as the car-driving, twilight-loving Mr Bellingham for any length of time, and in response to Plummer’s question, emitted a hoarse gurgle and replied throatily “Er..well.. we just…ah..†And then – as if through some divine intervention – there came a ray of hope. Plummer’s radio crackled to life with a message delivered in urgent-sounding tones..†ALL officers, repeat ALL available officers head immediately for Orchard Way – report of an armed hold-up at the petrol station - this is a code red priority call – head IMMEDIATELY to Orchard Way .Plummer tutted with annoyance, took a step or two forward to note the registration, then said to Kane – who by now felt so hot the officer could have grilled bacon on his forehead should he have so desired – “Right, as you see Mr Bellingham, I have to head off, but I’ve noted your registration and you can expect a call from us..†– and within seconds the siren on Plummer’s car was resonating as it sped past on route to Orchard Way. In the car, the two occupants emerged slowly from thei state of frozen semi-terror, knowing the officer’s intention of tracing them through the registration was dead in the water before it began. Extremely slowly, both Kirsty and Kane found themselves able to melt the tension in their hunched shoulder-blades and turn to look at each other as if in ultra-slow motion. Finally the almost disbelieving silence was punctured by Kirsty – “Well Mr Bellingham..†she said with elaborate seriousness as she placed her hand on his left leg and gave it a squeeze “…have you any further questions for this witness ?†She gave a theatrical wink and gales of relieved laughter followed – they’d had an extremely lucky escape and were entitled to savour their relief. But underneath it, both realized just how close this chosen course of action had- and probably would again – take them perilously close to the abyss of disaster….. Flynn was beginning to regret the 90 minutes or so they’d lost because of Tony Richards’ peculiarly pig-headed refusal to let them operate on Ric. He regretted too what he felt had been his own lack of courage and decisiveness in not blowing that demand apart far sooner than he had. His min also raced onto the odd scenario he’d noticed involving Richards, the blonde lady and the infant who looked like he’d suffered the classic “walked into a door†accident – but quickly he was back to the urgent and pressing priority of Ric. As the nurse continued to pass him the surgical instruments with prompt and practised precision, he had the cold and nagging doubt at the back of his mind this could already be a losing battle. “Bump that adrenaline up – an extra 20 – NOW ! And the warfarin – triple the pump – QUICKLY !â€. The adjustments bought him a little extra time, but eventually he stopped, shaking his head and saying “It’s no good this way, this internal bleeding’s just sending us in damn circles –he’s just GOT to have a transfusion – and QUICKLY !†The junior doctor on the other side of the table wiped his brow and asked a little haltingly “Well can we do that ?†Flynn’s reply was brief, concise and even a little curt without being rude “You’ve seen his blood type – it’s not the RAREST , but not far off it – the blood bank’s on low supply of EVERYTHING after that road pile-up the other day – I’d say it’s a bit like your chances of winning the lotto and backing the Melbourne Cup winner both on the same day….†The operating theatre fell silent as the tick of the wall clock seemed to be cutting an ominous gap in time for the unconscious Ric…….. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackieleanne Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 Great chapter, good to see that Kirsty and Kane managed to get out of that situation, hopefully Sally and Jesse will help them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurz Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 wow still really good cant wait for the next part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynhay Posted October 5, 2005 Report Share Posted October 5, 2005 Once again - brilliant! I'm really enjoying this can't wait to see what happens next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasha7905 Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Great again, keep it up. Cant wait for the next installment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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