"You go," Diane replied to Kylena's desperate pleading eyes. "I'll lock up the school and follow."
"Do you mind?" Kylena whispered. Her hands were shaking without control and her chest heaved.
Kelvin swung the vehicle around and after a quick, "I'll keep an eye on her, lass," to Diane, drove back up the road.
The teacher, who felt ill herself, rushed into the grounds and almost collided with Courtney coming out.
"The police are on the phone and want to speak to Kylena. There's been an accident..." the new arrival spouted then saw Diane's drained face. “You heard?" she gasped.
Diane nodded. "It sounds bad. Kylena's gone with Kelvin Newson. I'd better talk to the police."
*
The journey up over the saddle was like hell incarnated. Kylena gripped the handhold above the door and stared straight ahead while Kevin drove in silence. At the top junction, the young woman gave an anguished gasp. Black smoke towered into the sky above the valley and, even as they watched, a ball of orange flames shot into the air.
"We'll get you there, Kylena," Kelvin muttered and cast an eye across at her. “It mightn't be as bad..." his voice trailed off. Words were useless now.
As they approached she saw a blue rescue helicopter parked on the only level land, the road itself. It was like the avalanche tragedy all over again.
"Mrs. Kylena Berg?" An unknown police sergeant opened the truck door after it skidded to a halt. 'We need you to identify the bodies.'” He saw her face and coughed. "If you'd rather we left it, we have a medical team here."
"No," the woman replied. “I’ll come, sergeant."
She walked up to the first helicopter to where two body bags lay on stretchers. A nurse in rescue gear glanced up. "Are you sure, Mrs. Berg?" she asked in a concerned voice after the sergeant had introduced the new arrival. "It's not a pleasant sight, I'm afraid."
"I'll be okay," Kylena's bottom lip trembled and her eyes were wide as she watched the woman unzipped the body bags.
The face was blackened but recognizable. It was Bruce Cheever.
When the second body bag was unzipped Kylena staggered and almost fell. She sobbed hysterically. Her mind attempted to cope with the latest information it had been feed. The dead man wasn't John! Her baby wasn't there either. Thank God! It wasn't John!
"Would you like to sit down, Kylena," the nurse said in an empathic voice and guided her to the opened door of the helicopter.
"No, I'm okay," Kylena muttered. "Yes, I can identify both bodies. The one on the left is Bruce Cheever and the second is Mic Werner, my first husband."
She glanced up the road where something caught her eye. She began to run up the road with her arms waving. Another vehicle had just appeared around the top corner. It was their Fairmont and she could see John driving.
*
John recognized his wife running towards him, stopped the Fairmont and found her, kissing and crying, in his arms.
"John," she cried between the sobs, "I thought it was you. When they said my husband I thought it was you."
She clung on and frantically kissed his cheeks, lips and hair while he just held on.
"You're safe!" Kylena sobbed. She raised a tear-stained face and saw that Fiona had lifted Caroline from the backseat safety cot. "Oh God, my baby’s safe!"
She buried her head in he husband's chest and erupted back into shuddering tears. It took several moments and a tranquilizer injection from the doctor before Kylena, now in the back of their car with a blanket around her became coherent and could explain what happened.
"Damn Kelvin," John muttered after he heard the full episode of the events.
"No, he was as concerned as myself, my love," Kylena explained." He couldn't have been more helpful. It wasn't his fault." She sucked on her top lip. "It was nobody's fault. Who would expect Mic Werner to be here?"
"Nobody," John replied and held his wife close.
*
It was eleven fifteen the next morning when Melanie answered the knock on the classroom door, gazed almost indignantly at the uniformed policeman with a plain clothed man beside him and listened to their request.
"It is somewhat inconvenient," she said. "However, I shall check to see if Mrs. Berg is available to talk to you."
"That's telling you, Terry," the constable said to the detective when the girl left.
"Yes," replied Detective Sergeant Terry Craven. “In my day we would have been shit scared if cops turned up at the classroom door."
Melanie returned with a confident smile. "Mrs. Berg will be with you in a moment and invites you to wait in the staffroom." She nodded to an adjacent door. "Our office lady doesn't work on Tuesdays."
Five minutes later Kylena walked in, apologized for the delay and invited her guests to sit.
After introducing himself and Constable Peter Alexander, the detective continued. "First we came to apologize for the unnecessary stress you went through, yesterday, Mrs. Berg. We should have contacted you earlier. We would also like to explain why Mic Werner was in the area."
"Your apology is accepted, sergeant," Kylena replied. "It was just the country district hot line working on overtime, I guess." She frowned and sat down. "I must admit I am curious about Mic. The last I'd heard he was still in jail waiting for the trial."
"Oh he was," Craven almost snorted. "However, it is amazing what smart lawyers can do these days. Werner was released on bail three weeks back. There were restrictions, of course, but the events of yesterday proved he just ignored them."
"I see, so he was after me again?"
"Worse than that," the detective admitted. "We had him under surveillance since his release from remand prison and one of our informants reported Werner said he was out to get you once and for all. We found the burnt out remains of a shotgun in the hulk of his car. Forensic experts believe it was loaded when the car exploded."
"Oh shit!" Kylena gasped and Terry glanced across at Peter as if to say the teachers were different from his day, too.
"We believe Werner was heading here when the accident occurred."
"So he was about to attack me again?" Kylena gasped.
"He would not have got this far, though, Mrs. Berg," the detective stated in a quiet voice and broke into a soft smile.
"Why not?"
"Our informant rang us earlier and the armed offender's squad were being flown in by helicopter to set up a road block on Long Valley Road when the news of the accident came through."
"It was a bit close wasn't it sergeant?" Kylena asked.
The man frowned. "What do you mean, Mrs. Berg?"
"If Mic hadn't been in the accident with Bruce Cheever, he'd have been here fifteen minutes later. Hardly time for a road block to be set up, I'd say?"
"Possibly." the detective admitted. "We were about to call you and tell you of the situation but were confident we had time to intercept him."
"Okay." Kylena replied and stood up. 'I appreciate what you have done. It's a pity Bruce had to be killed because of this man, though.'
"Cheever was over twice the legal alcohol limit and shouldn't have been driving." Detective Craven replied. "He was not an innocent victim. Our initial findings show his car caused the accident."
"But a sad event never-the-less," Kylena replied. She shook the detective's hand who after a few courtesy remarks, left.
Kylena sighed and gazed out the window to where she could see Helen's class having a swimming lesson. It was a beautiful hot day and the rural view seemed so at peace with the world. Deep in thought, she returned to own room to find the children all engrossed in assignment work. They glanced up as she walked in and continued working.
"Trouble, Mrs. Berg?" Ken asked.
"No Ken," Kylena replied. "Everything is fine now."
*
Dawn had just arrived when the telephone jarred John awake. Even before his eyes were opened he grabbed the instrument and had it to his ear.
"John Bern speaking." His eyes blinked opened to see Kyle
na feeding Caroline.
"Daddy, are you all right?" It was Julie. "I just heard on the local radio news that two people were killed just outside our place."
"Yes, we're fine, Sweetheart. It didn't involve us." He flushed at the white lie, covered the mouthpiece and whispered "Julie," to Kylena's inquiring gaze.
"You could have rung me," Julie growled but there was obvious relief in her voice. “Is Kylena there?"
"Yes, she's feeding the baby."
"Grandma and Helen okay?"
"Yes, we're all fine, Sweetheart. And how about you?"
"No problem but call me if anything important happens, next time. I have to get to the showers before the rush. See you!" The phone went dead.
"Julie heard about the accident on the radio. I guess no names were given out and she was worried."
"Our big little girl," Kylena said. Her eyes fixed on her husband. "I love our family, John. Every single member of it."
"Even Bella?"
"Yes, even Bella and Ginger the cat." She laughed and moved Caroline slightly aside so she could reach up and kiss the hulk of a man beside her.
*
CHAPTER 20
"No Aggie," Harold retorted. "I do not want to address any science conference. I haven't been near a research laboratory for ten years. In science, that is like a dinosaur being asked to appear beside a genetically enhanced dairy cow."
"But Dad," his daughter argued. "That paper of yours was before its time and the strain of Red Giant you originally wanted marked is selling so well the shares of Alderfield Chemicals and Produce have almost doubled."
"Which puts it only about three generations behind current research." Harold gave a slow smile. "Anyway in the present climate I’d have to fight my way through all the protesters against genetic engineering. No Aggie, I do not want to go back and, anyhow, I have more important things to do."
"Like what?"
"Get married and buy a farm."
Doctor Angelina Sands-Bentley studied the elderly man who was her father and broke into a smile. "Oh Dad," she replied. “I’m thrilled."
"About the farm or getting married?"
"Farm! What farm?" The woman's eyebrows rose.
"Well, quarter a farm, actually." Harold grinned at his daughter's response. "That avalanche drove Kelvin Newson to the wall. He's selling up and retiring to town. His brother has bought most of his farm but Kelvin sold me the hundred acres or so at this end."
"A giant slip that nothing will grow on!" Aggie frowned. "What's the use of that, Dad?"
"Not much, but my purchase also included his house and two good quality paddocks that border John's property. Once I remove all the junk around, it will be a sound investment. I also intend to replant the slip in pine trees."
"And where did you get the money, Dad?"
"I sold the Alderfield Chemicals and Produce shares I had been given when they purchased the rights to the Alpha Strain from me. They won't stay up, you know."
Doctor Angelina Sands-Bentley grinned. "So it's been helpful to you after all, Dad? After all that arguing to get you to even accept them."
"Well, if you can't beat them, join them."
"And does Fiona know?"
"It was her idea," Harold replied. "She is one astute woman, Aggie."
*
Four weeks later in a special little gully beside three of the most rare trees in the world, Harold and Fiona exchanged marriage vowels. The tree daisies were in full bloom with the scented flowers adding to the tranquillity on the scene. The stream tumbled by and foliage was lush. Overhead, chirping fantails darted around to snap up insects from the air and cicadas competed with the frogs to serenade the bridal couple.
It was an exclusive wedding with the only newcomer being the young vicar officiating. Even baby Caroline had been lowered down in her carrycot and seemed to sense the importance of the occasion as she gurgled in her mother's and big sisters' arms and two dogs trotted excitedly around sniffing the undergrowth.
Afterwards, they all drove down to Little Oasis, as Fiona had renamed Kelvin Newson's old house, to a small reception. The house, a seventy year old character home, had already been repainted on the exterior and had had the kitchen renovated while the outside jungle of neglected trees and hedges had been trimmed, a new lawn sown and gardens in the process of being replanted.
"Do you like it Sweetheart?" Fiona asked Julie as they walked in the new open plan kitchen. There was a breakfast bar and the latest in sink top facilities, dishwasher, new refrigerator, deep freeze, extractor fans above a sink top stove, everything.
"Grandma," Julie gasped. “It’s wonderful and makes our one seem quite antiquated. Can I come and do some cooking here sometime?"
"That's the general idea, Sweetheart. This can be your second home," She smiled and led her granddaughter up the corridor and into a tiny bedroom. “This is for Caroline. After all, she'll be here everyday while Kylena is at work."
Julie and Helen, who had accompanied them, both gasped.
The wallpaper was covered in giant teddy bears and the room was filled with baby's gear.
"She will be as spoilt as her big sisters," Kylena interrupted
"Mommy!" retorted Helen. She glared at her stepmother with her hands on her hips. "We're a family. That's what you always say."
"And families do things for each other," added Julie.
*
Outside, John and Harold were examining the grounds.
"It's quite a change from when Kelvin was here," the younger man complimented as he gazed around the smooth brown soil that still had to grow into the lawn. "When I first saw the junk left here by Kelvin, I wondered if you had got a bargain, after all."
"Yes." Harold shrugged. “It had been neglected, that was all. The buildings are sound and the farm buildings in particular were kept functional. Kelvin even had a new water bore drilled only a few years back so there is an excellent water supply. In fact, it could be linked to yours to provide the top tanks with an extra supply."
"Only if you sign that partnership agreement," John replied.
Harold smiled and placed a hand on John's shoulder. "If you insist but it's not necessary, my friend. Through your children and Fiona we must be related, you know. How about a Family Trust instead?"
"For all the wives and daughters in our lives?"
"Something like that," Harold responded. There was a tiny twinkle in his eyes. "Agreed?"
"Why not?" John replied and gripped his companion's hand. 'I must admit those extra grazing fields you bought with this property will be a great benefit for our operation. We could..." He continued talking as they walked to examine the wool shed with Bella and Sissy in hot pursuit.
*
After an hour of attending to Caroline who had one of those baby rashes and diarrhoea, Kylena once more found herself awake. It was mid winter and a southerly gale was rattling on the windows while the temperature hovered around freezing. What was it that had awoken her? John was asleep and breathing softly beside her, the baby was asleep at last but she was sure something had disturbed her sleep.
She shrugged and turned over just as a sound caught her ears. Someone was sobbing. The only other person in the house was Helen so it must be her. Kylena grimaced, reached for her dressing gown, made her way along the hall to the little girl's room and switched the light on.
"What is it, Sweetheart? " she whispered.
The seven year old was sitting up in bed with tears streaming from her eyes.
"Nobody wants me, Mommy," Helen sobbed.
“Of course we want you, Sweetheart," Kylena replied. She sat on the bed and tucked an arm around her stepdaughter. "What made you think that?'"
"Everybody comes in and says, 'How's the baby?' and pick her up. You've got Caroline. Daddy's got you. Grandma's got Harold and Julie's got friends at high school. I've got nobody."
"Oh Sweetheart," Kylena replied. "Yes you have. You have everyone. We all love you."
The youngster looke
d up. "Even Grandma just talks to Caroline and tells me to hush up when I try to tell her everything I've done at school. You're too busy and Daddy is too."
Kylena frowned. Diane had told her Helen's work had gone downhill and there had been a few little incidences with other children at school. With the baby to look after, it was easy to ignore Helen. She was usually a happy confident girl who just fitted in. Obviously, though, she had taken things to heart.
"Well, we'd better do something about this, hadn't we?" she said.
"What, Mommy?" Helen sniffed
Kylena sat in the dull light for a second thinking. "I know," she said. "I'm pretty worn out. What say just you and me have a day off school and go down to Palmerston North. Just the two of us! Daddy's pretty busy on the farm, Grandma can look after Caroline as usual and we'll do all the things you like."
"But you've got school, Mommy." Wide eyes stared across the bed.
"Yes, but I have not had a day off this year. I think I'll have one tomorrow so there'll be just us doing things. How does that sound?"
"Can I go for a swim in the indoor pool?"
"Why not?"
Kylena nodded. 'How about the movies, too? They have ten thirty sessions and I know of two movies on you might like?"
"And you'll do that just for me?"
"That's right?"
"I'd like that Mommy," Helen sniffed and cuddled back into bed.
*
The weather was terrible but Kylena and Helen did everything promised. They swam, watched a movie, ate hamburgers and visited the Science Centre. Helen's eyes shone as they drove out of town at three fifteen and onto Feilding. Just as hundreds of school children poured into the streets Kylena drove up to the hostel and found Julie having an afternoon drink.
"Kylena, a what are you doing here?" Julie shouted. "Hi Helen. How are you?"
"We've been to Palmy," Helen boasted. "I went to the movies and Mommy even came swimming with me."
"Did you?" Julie smiled. "Aren't you lucky?" She glanced around at the five other girls in the kitchen. "This is Mom and my little sister, Helen," she introduced.
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