Diamond Boy in the Rough

By Helen Faul

What if he couldn’t control it?, What if he didn’t want to?

Alfie Diamond, flat on his back, chilled to the bone in the freezing unforgiving snow.

Shocked, dumbfounded but even so secretly excited, still tingling from the thrill, if that was the correct word to use, from his near death experience but then again maybe it was just the mind altering effects of hyperthermia, who knew?

The images that had flashed before him during his “first” mind blowing Awakening were alien to him, jumbled, superfast messed up glimpses of things to come and things off the past but whose past, certainly not his, he would remember surely wouldn’t he?

The faces didn’t register, the language fell on deaf ears and yet he inexplicably felt connected, suddenly his life gained a sense of direction, no more bobbing about like a cork in the open ocean.

Purpose and motivation were coming his way that much he had acutely be made aware off as the nerve endings of his brain cells fizzed with adrenaline infused blood.

He was on a precipice, he could lay there and continue to stare up at the descending snowflakes, let the raw biting cold take him or he could grab this adventure with both hands steam rolling into a new unknown future, a future born of a secret so far back so distant into the past it would surely send him to hell and back.

Evil would seek to destroy him, Good would look to him as a saviour, him a naive curly haired East End boy, youngest of six children, average school grades, slight misfit on the outer edges of the obligatory social groups, not fit enough to be considered a “Jock”, not clever enough for the nerds and certainly not fashionable in his tatty t-shirt, shorts and scruffy trainers to be one of the “beautiful people”, a square peg in a round hole, well this square peg had been enlightened, today Alfie Diamond was re-born and if he ever got up onto his feet again, his first steps would be into a dangerous new world, a world he hoped included the beautiful stranger whose silken long hair trailed across his face as she hovered over him as he slipped in and out of consciousness, a world he hoped would not chew him up and spit him out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Helen Faul
• Release date: Feb 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781910667286

Helen Faul

Born in beautiful Cumbria in a seaside town called Whitehaven in 1965,Helen Faul discovered through her life that storytelling came quite naturally to her.The world of reading was a perfect place to reside as far as she was concerned and consumed books like they were her life blood.For the longest time her stories gathered momentum buried and filed deep in the recesses of her mind biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to spring into life, such is this time.Her frequent moves as youngster built her social skills and willingness to listen to a complete stranger relay their life story, having mixed with the warmth of the Northern folk , to the chatty sunny natures of the midlands, down through the country to stop temporarily with the" Brash" but friendly East Enders, out to the coast for a spell in Southampton and the seaside to finally settle in the glory that is Buckinghamshire.All these regions, accents and traditions helping her build the characters that appear and will appear within her books existing and those yet come.Having brought up six children with her childhood sweetheart Mark, now is Helen's perfect time to begin her next adventure and join the "Clan" known as "Author" and indulge her fantasy to slip and willingly fall into the world she is loving to create and hopefully hook her future readers to travel along with her.

Book preview

Meet the Family – Chapter 1

The Diamond family were on the move, leaving the hustle and bustle of Leytonstone, East London, many miles down the motorway to take up residence in a sleepy hollow of a village called Haddenham in the county of Buckinghamshire.

An entourage of removal vans, family cars and even a couple of motorbikes swept expectantly down the endless miles of elephant-grey tarmac. Alfie Diamond, youngest of the brood stared intently out of the window of the family car, he had tried to count the number of overhead lamp posts but soon lost interest.

After 47, you’ve seen one lamp post you’ve seen them all, he thought and anyway he was beginning to feel like the repetition would send him off to sleep and he wanted to be awake at the other end.

He changed his interest to the other members of his party, his mother was driving the car he was in, his father driving a hired minivan with two of his sisters Tallulah and Mollie in the front and the family cats, Tonka, Buffy, Angel and Cordelia, safely tucked up in the back with an assortment of bedding, towels, curtains and kitchen equipment because his mother didn’t trust the removal men to not damage her highly-prized black gloss accessories and general household items that a family of eight would require to set up home.

Alfie was glad that he wasn’t in the van listening to the girls gossiping about Zac and JLS, cooing over how lush they were, whatever that meant. He was also hoping his new room would have a respectable distance from them so that his Xbox wouldn’t be drowned out by their caterwauling as his father called it. Best-case scenario, the room right at the top of the house; it was almost like a lighthouse, with 360-degree windows and a small balcony, just what a young man like him needed, at least that would be his argument should he have the chance to plead his case.

He could hope as much as he liked, deep down he knew it would never happen, no one not even his older brothers would get a look-in. Their mother Nellie had a deep-rooted fear of the room, in all the time they had visited their grandma they were never allowed up the entrance stairs leading up to the rooftop room let alone go inside. Once Charlie, Georgie and Jodie had tried to sneak the key and get themselves into this most secretive and elusive room. All they had needed to do was turn the rickety lock but the lock fought back and refused to budge.

Damn it we need someWD-40. Dad says it works on everything.

Without thinking it through they sent Mollie on an errand to go and retrieve the WD-40 from Grandma’s shed.

Whilst rummaging in amongst hand shovels, packets of seeds and pots of compost, she had drawn the attention of both her mother and grandmother who were spreading bark around the swing set up for the little ones, Alfie’s younger cousins.

What you up to in there Molls? called Grandma rubbing her hands free of the mulch and beginning to walk towards the shed. Bang, crash, wallop! Mollie was now losing her balance and tripping over the various pieces of garden equipment.

Ow! she cried out as she fell and scuffed up her knee on the roughened floor.

Nellie’s head appeared, Are you OK? What have you done, anyway what you after? Mollie blushed up which was an instant giveaway and stuttered a garbled reply. Sternly Nellie said, Mollie what are you doing? to which Mollie in a heartbeat gave up her two brothers and sister and told her mother exactly what her siblings were up to.

To say that Nellie was angry was an understatement and it was made perfectly clear that none of them was ever to attempt to get into the rooftop room. She had insisted that the floors were rotten and therefore very dangerous but not one of the Diamond children believed that, not even youngest son Alfie. There was something more to Nellie Diamond and her fear of that room.

Alfie made a mental note to himself as he sat in the back of his mother’s car chewing on a Peperami. Make a plan – get into room, get out without discovery!

Looking to the other side of his mother’s car he could just see in the distance his brother Charlie manoeuvring his way through the traffic on his motorbike with his girlfriend Emily perched behind him.

Alfie really liked Em as he called her, she was kind to him and stuck up for him when his older siblings tried to remind him of the family pecking order – he was rock bottom of the list a mere speck on the horizon, fit only for hand-me-downs – fortunately this kind of tomfoolery was just bravado as they all had a special affection for their baby brother.

As the motorbike drew level with the rear passenger’s window, the devil took over Alfie and he decided to moon at his eldest brother, quickly checking that his mother could not see him in her rear-view mirror.

He switched himself around in his seat and dropping his joggers and boxer shorts proceeded to waggle his bare butt cheeks from side to side snorting and giggling to himself.

There that should do it, he thought to himself as he settled back into his seat returning his clothing to its correct position still grinning to himself. He turned to look at his startled big brother’s face only it wasn’t Charlie or even Em staring back at him it was a rather annoyed policeman, who then proceeded to indicate to his mother that she should pull over.

Oh god what do they want I wasn’t speeding? Dutifully she pulled over and wound down her window as the officer approached.

In the meantime Jodie who was sitting in the front with his mother turned and said to her little brother, You OK little man? You look a bit peaky. Perhaps you shouldn’t have eaten an entire family packet of Peperami. Oink! Oink! she smiled using her thumb to push up her nose.

Without lifting his head he muttered, Yeah fine.

This puzzled Jodie. No comeback. What’s going on here? she thought.

By this time his mother had vacated the car and was engaged in a conversation with the officer at the side of the road. Barely lifting his head up Alfie could see the officer gesturing and pointing back at the car.

Jodie meanwhile, who was still unaware of her little brother’s crime, kept saying, I wonder what she did? as his mother now standing with her arms folded tightly across her chest looked back at the car as the policeman indicated to her to remain at the side of the road whilst he turned back in the direction of the parked car.

Alfie’s face was burning crimson, Oh crap, oh crap!

Jodie turning to him said, Oh, what’s with the language? Mum will go mad if she hears you.

Letting out a big sigh Alfie said in reply, That is the least of my worries.

By now the officer was level with Alfie in the back, he seemed to stand there for an eternity before bending to bring his face level with Alfie’s who in the meantime was staring with a fixed gaze straight ahead whilst also avoiding his mother’s laser beam eyes.

There was a tapping noise on the glass.

Alfie I think he wants you to open the window, said Jodie unbuckling her seat belt and turning to stare at her brother.

Do you think so! said Alfie sarcastically just as he saw his other brother Georgie pull over on to the hard shoulder and get out approaching his mother who was now wildly and dramatically relaying what the policeman had told her. Georgie at this point was now nearly crying with laughter and the window was not slow enough for Alfie, who obviously wanted to avoid the impending conversation with the miffed policeman.

Well young man I think you know what this conversation is going to be about, said the rather stern-faced officer.

Alfie then just blurted into panic mode. I didn’t know it was you, I thought it was my brother Charlie, he was on a motorbike with his girlfriend, I wouldn’t have done it if I thought it was some one else.

What did he do? interrupted Jodie.

I believe the term is ‘moon’, said the officer.

Desperately trying not to giggle Jodie quickly turned away just as the hands-free car phone started to ring and ‘DAD’ came up on the screen.

Without thinking Alfie shouted, Don’t answer it!

Jodie pressed answer. Hi Dad.

What has he done now? I just had a garbled call from Georgie. Where’s your Mother?

Er Dad the officer is dealing with Alfie now. Call you back in a minute.

Right young man, how old are you?

I’m 11 sir, he said throwing a look at Jodie who was taking great delight at watching her brother squirm.

OK well you’re too young to be arrested.

Arrested! Arrested? What for?

Exposing your bottom young man and causing a disturbance on the road, this is very serious. You’re very lucky not to be up before a judge, he said winking at Jodie. I’ve had a conversation with your mother and we have decided that the best course of action would be to not set up your PlayStation or Xbox for a week once you get to your new house and that you must load and unload the dishwasher without complaining for a week and…

And! said Alfie forgetting himself for a minute.

Here, your mother drives a hard bargain. She wanted to make it two weeks. I had to do some negotiations. You also got one…

Alfie knew what was coming next; feed the cats. As much as he loved the cats he hated the smell of cat food.

You also got one week of feeding the cats and washing out their bowls.

Hanging his head he almost wished the officer would put him in chains now as he saw his mother make her way back to the car.

OK Alfie do we have an understanding? Your mother has my number. I hope she doesn’t have to use it.

Spluttering and stifled laughter came from the front seat.

Yes sir, replied Alfie.

Alfie’s mother got into the car. All she said was, Consequences..

By the time they pulled up outside everyone else had arrived and were already busy unloading, dragging huge items of furniture back and forth; organized chaos really. Of course as soon as Mother was spotted every man and his dog descended upon her with a million questions. Alfie was relieved, mistakenly he thought that a window of opportunity would open up and his great plan to escape the boredom of un packing, being helpful and generally get his hands dirty could be avoided, only he hadn’t planned on his Dad waiting for his Mum to arrive and do the ceremonial unlocking off the door Damn it he cursed under his breath, no chance to slope off, A quick rethink was required he thought to himself, as he manoeuvred himself skilfully around the back of the largest removal van.

Er, where do you think you’re going sunshine? It was Georgie. God knows where he came from but he was standing looming over his absconding little brother. Mum thought you might try ‘The Great Escape’ so she has put me on guard duty, so you are not to move more than one foot away. Understand Tiny Pickled Onion? That was Georgie’s nickname for his youngest sibling and to be honest Alfie couldn’t really complain about it, as in reality the name was perfect for his pongy feet.

Most of the time Georgie and Alfie got on well – they had common ground – both of them loved gaming. Whether it be PlayStation or Xbox, both eagerly awaited new games with such enthusiasm that no one else in the family quite got apart from their uncle. Uncle Knobhead they affectionately called him but secretly they actually liked the fact that he was so geeky and was always so eager to update them on the latest reviews or releases with such intense enjoyment.

When all three got together Charlie would enter the room, turn on his heels and announce to the world, Do not enter, there is a nerd-fest going on in there.

However, the minute the game talk stopped so did the temporary lull in hostilities, it was everyone for himself.

You’re not the boss of me, said Alfie as tried to sidestep his captor. Cue fake laughing like a mad scientist.

Georgie hugged his brother and said, Oh but I am. Don’t fight it. You are my butt wipe for the day. Come along Tiny Pickled Onion, first job of the day watching as his Mother clumsily fell through the unwilling front door Pausing he tapped his chin with his finger in a mocking manner of consideration, squinting out of the corner of his eye to get a sneaky look at Alfie. Hum, what to do, what to do… I know! To the library my good man," he said forging ahead with an umbrella held high as if leading a legion of sightseeing Japanese tourists behind him.

Tutting and muttering under his breath Alfie dutifully, if reluctantly, followed behind dragging his feet as if they were entombed in lead boots as he passed by his Mother and Father hugging in the entrance way.

We haven’t even got a bloody library, he called to Georgie, who wasn’t listening and had set off at a ridiculously fast pace. Alfie knew what his brother’s plan was, the oh so predictable, ‘go and hide from Alfie, jump out on Alfie and make Alfie crap his pants’ plan. Well this time he wasn’t getting his way.

Alfie allowed his brother to get far enough ahead and then he spotted one of the furniture removers in what was to be the sitting room.

Excuse me mister, could you give me a hand? I just need to move some boxes for my Mum in the other room, asked Alfie with the sweetest smile he could muster.

Yeah course I can little man. My name’s Joe, you don’t have to call me mister, he said ruffling Alfie’s hair with his huge shovel-like hand.

Alfie allowed Joe to step ahead of him and said, Just up here, I haven’t got big enough muscles, those books are well heavy.

As the heavy oak door swung slowly back into the room a sense of anticipation swept through Alfie; somewhere in that room his brother was waiting in ambush.

He didn’t have long to wait as out from behind the door a ghostly white figure swept into view screeching like a wailing banshee, wildly waving unseen arms. Give me your soul. Let me eat your brains!

Jumping back at least three feet Joe the removal man coloured the air with a few well-chosen swear words and staggered back into a tall vase standing on the floor. As if someone had pressed the pause button all the occupants of the room froze with hanging mouths, eyes wide, as the vase now took on the guise of spinning top, whirling round and round by unseen hands.

As if with superstrength, Joe the removal man dived with all the skill of a Premiership goalkeeper into the path of the whirling dervish, outstretching his palms, guiding them to cup and enclose the vase.

Thank god for those shovel hands! shouted Alfie triumphantly punching the air, ignorant of the flashing eyes of both his brother and Joe who now was panting heavily both with relief and annoyance.

Let’s have no more shenanigans today, eh lads.

Georgie hurriedly rushed to help Joe to his feet brushing him down, apologizing profusely, meanwhile Alfie snuck out of the door and up the corridor to freedom.

The only reason Alfie hadn’t yet been missed was completely down to the fact that so many family, friends, cousins, sisters, aunties, uncles, brothers, fathers-in-law, old and new neighbours and even the local fire brigade, had amassed in the large area at the front of the house in amongst vans, one lorry, at least four cars, two motorbikes and, of course, the one obligatory nosey kid from up the road on his BMX.

A babble of conversations rang around the entire property, some folk catching up, others relaying instructions along a chain of assorted people; old, tall, small, short, young, girl, boy and to top it all six members of the local fire brigade who had all grown up with Nellie and Mark. All of them welcomed and appreciated into the mishmash of pushing, pulling and shoving that comes with house moving.

The hum of spoken word through the air was occasionally splintered by the crash of china smashing to the ground and What the hell was that? followed by a less than reassuring, Nothing. Don’t worry about it.

But that was the point, there was no point worrying there was too much to do and not a lot of time to do it in, well that’s what Nellie thought as she looked up to the threatening skyline.

Looks like it might snow, she thought to herself. Christ that’s all we bloody need. She made a mental note to put 50p in the swear jar whenever and wherever she found it. Hope that smash was the bloody jar. Oh blast another 50p.

Nellie Diamond was mum to six drains on her resources, as she liked to teasingly call them; three girls and three boys. People often asked her which were easier and of course she could have arguments for girls or boys, but in her mind it didn’t matter she loved them all equally, but now as they were growing up she and Mark had decide that living in a city was probably not the best place for them. Well actually, if the truth be told, she hadn’t really had any say in the matter. Mark was one of the most laid-back people she had ever met in her life, to the point of annoyance, but it was entirely his decision and he had been uncharacteristically and defiantly steadfast that there was no other option. His usual ‘go with the flow’ mentality was straight out of the window and this time he wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer. A year to the day; totally coincidental by the way.

***

Nellie was rudely awoken by a massive banging.

BANG, BANG! The noise crashed through her brain ripping her from her slumber.

Jesus Christ Mark, how many times have I got to tell you to turn off the bloody telly? Instinctively she was patting the duvet in search of the TV remote. She suddenly realized the usual flickering screen wasn’t present the bedroom was in total darkness. BANG, BANG! Gathering her thoughts Nellie listened and quickly jumped from the bed grabbing her dressing gown as she went.

Mark! Mark! Get up, it’s coming from downstairs, she cried flicking the light switch on as she ran from the room. By now other members of the family had also crawled from their beds.

Mum, someone is outside the front. I can see blue lights, said Mollie. Nellie’s heart began to thump furiously in her chest so much so she could no longer distinguish between the pounding on the door and her own heartbeat both ringing in her ears.

Running down to the hall she called out, I’m coming. I’m coming. Her fingers fumbling with the lock and chain, frozen with fear at what lay beyond the door. Suddenly calm but purposeful hands took over from her trembling attempts, it was Mark. As he slid the final chain across and released the latch the door flew open with such force it sent him crashing to the floor as a figure sprang through it.

Mum! Mum! It was Georgie their second son. He was absolutely sobbing and babbling so much so no one could understand a word he was saying but to all and sundry it was obvious that something terrible had occurred. As Nellie cupped his face in her hands to make him focus on her she became aware that he had something sticky on the surface of his skin and the same strange substance down the front of his T-shirt, then she smelt an aroma that seemed so familiar. She questioned in her mind what was it then it suddenly dawned on her.

Put the light on, put the light on, she barked. Drawing deep breaths she dared to look at her son’s face, it was what she had dismissed in her mind. Blood!

Blood all over Georgie, over his face, all down his front, even soaking his trainers. Motherly instinct took over as she frantically patted her son, tugging and pulling at his T-shirt whilst everyone else stood in a circle stunned at the scene before them.

Madam. Madam. It was a police officer who had now stepped into the hallway. Madam he’s OK, as he tried to gently lift her hands from Georgie. Please calm down he’s OK. It was his friend that was attacked, please calm down, he said looking to Mark to intervene. A female officer also entered and asked Jodie to get some blankets.

Who was attacked? Who? asked Jodie.

Please just get the blankets; your brother he is in shock. She did as she was told.

I think you should call your own doctor. Georgie wouldn’t let us take him to the hospital, he probably needs something to calm him down, said the officer to Mark. He has some minor injuries he sustained whilst protecting his friend.

Mark pulled the officer to the side. Who was it and what state is he in? asked Mark.

He was almost scared to ask judging by the mess Georgie was in, but before he could answer Georgie blurted out from behind him, It was Lucas. Dad they stabbed him, they stabbed him really bad. He’s dead I know it, I know it, and he fell sobbing in a heap on the floor with his mother rocking him.

No son he’s not dead, replied the officer. He’s in bad way but he is out of danger. You saved his life son when you gave him first aid, you did a good thing and you saved him, you gave him more time till the medic got to him.

Patting his son on the back and helping him to his feet Mark took charge. Come on son let’s get you out of these clothes. Mark steered his son towards the stairs. Do you need any of the clothes? he called back to the police officers.

Best we take them just in case, just place them in a bag. Don’t worry Georgie you will probably get them back.

In a steely cold voice Georgie answered without even turning round, I don’t want them! Nellie steered her son gently up the stairs to the familiar safety of his room.

Later on placing the soiled clothes into a paper bag and without even turning to look round at her, Mark said in a calm, soft but firmly stated tone, We are moving to your mother’s house. I’ve got an estate agent’s number. I’m asking them to come round today, OK? He wasn’t really asking her opinion and Nellie knew there was no argument to be had, for as much as the thought of returning to the house sent an unsettling tingle up her spine, the vision of her son covered in blood and his poor friend Lucas’s impending long, hard recovery would be forever burned into her mind’s eye. So with a troubled soul she smiled impassively in agreement.

It had not come as a surprise to any of the children. They had never known any other place than the scruffy old Victorian house they lived in, which seemed to be becoming more of a fortress against the harsh reality of changing life in a modern suburb than their home. You didn’t have to travel too far from the front doorstep to witness the gang culture and seedy shadowy figures in the dark, swapping cold hard cash for little unassuming packets of white paper hiding the latest street drugs and of course their brother Georgie’s brush with violence that nearly claimed the life of his best friend, had made the move a welcome one, perhaps even expected.

***

Nellie looked up at the old stone house as she slowly made her way down the shabby overgrown driveway; it hadn’t weathered well since her last visit six months ago. That final day had been difficult to say the least, once the hustle and bustle of packing away keepsakes and delicate china, and making decisions as to what should go to charity had been made. Having thrown dust sheets over furniture and pulled closed the heavy curtains that hung like a comforting old favourite jumper around the weary sash windows, it finally dawned on Nellie that never again would she see the familiar form of her mother standing in the upper landing window, waving and smiling as they made their way towards the house with the children just as enthusiastically returning her wave back to her. Nellie’s emotions had well and truly run the gauntlet that day from grief, anger, disbelief and even a weird sense of euphoria, probably down to her stress hormones kicking in. After all she and her sisters were exhausted, their journey with their mother whilst her illness had progressed had taken them on many lows but also surprisingly some unexpected highs, and dare she think it, a shift in the dynamics of her relationship with her mother over those two years of caring for her. From beginning to end nothing had been predictable about the cancer that had eventually consumed her mother, riding high on the hope that it had been contained and that she had been given a second chance, to in no time later, cruelly having those glimmers smashed, that this disease was going to beat her and surely and inevitably it did.

Nellie shook her head as if to dismiss these creeping thoughts picking their way from the dark recesses of her mind, she didn’t want to deal with them today. Inhaling an enormous breath and forcibly blowing it out again, desperate to rid herself of the emotions gathering momentum within her, she silenced the engine, turning the key slowly as the menagerie of eager and willing family, friends and removal men all turned and stood in silence like expectant statues, she stared back at them, temporarily frozen as she absorbed the scene before her, stacks of boxes, assortments of furniture neatly but obstructively now building up around the entrance to the house. A sense of expectation on all of the faces before her Oh my god!, we really are moving in she thought to her self, swallowing hard She really has gone! her hands gripped the steering wheel as her knuckles whitened it was all she could to stop herself from firing up the engine, slamming the gears into reverse and high tailing it out of there but then a softening of her anguish.

A sense of sadness crept over her replacing the ones of anger and irritation that she knew would like to rear their ugly heads, an image of the black funeral car sliding away so gracefully like it was propelled on ice carrying her mother, the children’s grandmother, to her final resting place, burned brightly in her mind’s eye. She could feel the tears well up and fought them to make them stay on the tip of her lower lids to hopefully evaporate into mist, not roll down her cheek giving her away. She felt a small warm hand gently rest upon her own, she smiled a reassuring smile to her eldest daughter. Tap! Tap! on the window next to her, making her jump out of her skin, it was Mark grinning at her cheekily and winking at Jodie who was now clutching her chest Christ Dad you scared the crap out of me he laughed and waved the chunky rusting key at Nellie, We waited for you, didn’t seem right to go in before you got here. Undoing her, she secretly wished that they had just piled in taken the responsibility from her as she closed the car door behind tentatively, standing outside of the old worn oak door, quickly scanning the faces looking for her youngest son, she couldn’t spot him so made a mental note to herself to get Georgie to keep an eye on Alfie.

As she looked up at the ominous brooding house, she noticed the curtains were all pulled shut making the house look as though it was sleeping, waiting for someone to come and wake it up.

As Nellie firmly placed her hand against the door for a tiniest second she felt a moment of dread, no in fact it was fear, the lock strained against her force, as though it was resisting her. Shoving her hip into the gnarled wood, Nellie knocked the wind from her lungs as she clattered against the stubborn door, an imaginary battle of wills prevailed, she gave it all she could. At last the heavy door swung away from her, everyone cheered. Although she had been the last car to arrive it was decided to wait for her, she had to be the first person to enter the empty house; she had wanted to ask the house to be kind to her family as they would surely be kind to the it. The battle at the front door didn’t really convince her that her request had been duly noted. Stepping over the threshold leaving footprints in inch-thick dust, Nellie strode towards the centre of the hallway. Standing with her hands on her hips she looked up to the galleried landing slowly surveying the area, straining her eyes to see into the shadows.

What can you see? a voice whispered in her ear. Nellie spun round so fast she nearly lost her balance, laughing Mark caught her under her arm and pulled her close to hug her.

In mock anger she punched him on the chest. You idiot you nearly gave me a heart attack.

Lifting her chin gently with a bent finger he said, Seriously there is nothing to worry about it is just a house, as he planted an affectionate kiss on her forehead, the kids all piling in behind.

Err get a room, squealed Alfie as Mark guided her towards the army of people awaiting their orders. In the distance a loud bang came from one of the rooms.

Must be a window ajar somewhere, said Mark firmly directing Nellie towards the front door preventing her from looking back over her shoulder all the while not allowing her to make eye contact with him.

For now she would have to be content just to get everything in and hopefully in one piece as the first flurries of snow began to fall; thoughts of rotting window frames, peeling blistered paint and rattling downpipes were pushed to the back of her mind to form an orderly queue along with the feelings conjured up from her childhood. She purposely put a thought into her head, I must check on Alfie, trying to con herself that she wasn’t disturbed by the house and the feelings that were beginning to gain momentum.

Whether the house liked it or not Nellie, Mark and the Diamond children were here to stay, she defiantly told herself, catching a glimpse of herself in a dust-laden mirror. The face looking back was not one of confidence or even excited anticipation at their new beginnings, more like that of a lost child.

Awakening – Chapter 2

Crisp dark curls sparkling like perfectly crafted black glass already had begun to stick to his pale forehead and temples as if purposely placed and arranged by unseen fingers, putting his hand up to ruffle his hair Alfie was firstly surprised at how wet the mane of wild curls had become and that there was a hint of stiffening from ice crystals. He half expected them to snap off into his hand much in the same manner that icicles would do. His clothing, which was completely unsuited to this environment not least to a beach holiday in the Bahamas, was also succumbing to the snow, sticking unpleasantly to his rapidly cooling body. There was no relief, no matter how he picked and pulled at his sweatshirt, the fabric just sucked straight back to his skin; the T-shirt underneath offering no barrier against the rawness of the cold. His shorts made out of tatty cut-down jeans seemed to be taking on the weight of a small toddler hanging on to his leg, as they absorbed the melted residue of the once delightfully powdery snow.