An Explosive Time (The Celtic Cousins' Adventures) (13 page)

Carrie sat on the jeep's bonnet, hugging her knees and watching the sun set over Table Mountain. She should be feeling a sense of awe and wonder as the sun grew huge, turning ferrous red and seeming to melt into the earth. Exotic unfamiliar birdsong only served to make her sick with longing for home. Shivering with misery, she slipped from the bonnet and climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine and headed back for the homestead.

This last week her days had been packed with new experiences, some of which would live in her mind forever. Chief amongst those memories was
Nefertiti
lumbering towards a herd of elephants, her trunk raised as she trumpeted a greeting that echoed for miles around. And the look on Killer's face, the grin that washed away the tiredness and sorrow as he clutched Carrie's hand while they watched the herd's matriarch welcoming their new family member.

'You should have seen her Wren.' She whispered. Suddenly blinded with tears, she pulled over, buried her head in her hands and wept until she felt empty.

True darkness fell and a myriad of stars shone down, but Carrie wouldn't look at them. If Wren were here ...'But he isn't so get used to it.' She said out loud, selecting first gear and with only a couple of kangaroo jumps, was soon cruising along the dirt track, anxious not to cause her hosts to worry. Because Wren always worried if she were ten minutes late home, he never said anything, but the look of relief followed by joy in his face spoke for him. Sniffling to herself, Carrie finally realised that even though he never said it out loud, Wren loved her. And now it was too late, she'd thrown it all away, and she'd better learn to live without him.

'Man up Carrie.' She told herself fiercely. Then she turned into the drive leading to the homestead, and her heart leapt.

A slim blond figure hurtled towards her, waving joyfully. Carrie's elation was swiftly dashed when she realised it was Lizzie of all people. Laughing at her surprised face, Lizzie thrust an envelope into her hands.

'Oh Carrie, you missed it all, all the fun and excitement! And Rhyllann got shot and Wren nearly killed this really creepy guy, and Dad's in so much trouble, he tore up half of Wormwood Scrubs!'

Unable to make any sense of this, Carrie concentrated on opening the envelope. With Lizzie still babbling about cricket bats, exploding fanlights, guns and how brave Rhyllann had been throwing himself in front of a bullet, and an unexplained gas explosion finishing the job Wren had started, Carrie frowned as she drew out the solitary piece of paper: An art deco sun carelessly drawn on a sheet of A4, crumpled and greased stained. Huffing impatiently, Lizzie snatched it from her and turned it over.

'Dad asked me to give you that. God knows what it says, I can't read a word of the scribble.'

But Carrie could, and she smiled as she traced over Wren's handwriting.

*****The End*****

Any zingyness this story contains can be credited to his excellent suggestions.

The Bridle Path: A romance for grown ups who still enjoy fairy tales is the latest addition to the stable. You know where to find me don't you?
Julia Hughes.