WHIRLPOOL

SHADOWFALL By Tessa Harvey       Sylvie was transformed. She never did find out the name of the man who came to see Tarrant and his family.     At first he would not come into the home, seeing that Sylvie was alone with the children, then he had beckoned to the near neighbours. Delighted to be included, the pastor had them all kneeling and talking to Jesus as though he, Jesus was a friend who cared and wanted to be involved in their lives. A sense of God's Presence had flooded the small home and Sylvie felt really loved and accepted.     Her past rolled from her and she felt happy and at peace. Even the children were quiet. Later Anneke said "Did God come with that man?" "Cause he did," Johan answered. "Didn't you see him?"     Leaving the puppy with Ada and Oliver, who had also accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, Sylvie had taken the children to find her husband and his brother.     The men were finding a new relationship. Hunter ...

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     Bemused, Oliver shook hands with the lawyer and held back the flyscreen door for her, casting a puzzled glance back at Old Simon, his boss, who looked intrigued. A day of interest, something to ponder on. Yes!     Felicity offered Oliver a lift in her green Citroen. Once at home, Oliver offered refreshments. Filling a clean glass with cool water, he called to Ada, working in the back garden....     Apparently some long-forgotten great uncle had left Oliver seven thousand Australian dollars in his will.     "Mr. Simeon Altbaum tried to find you once he knew he had cancer," Felicity explained, "but the disease progressed so rapidly he left that task to us. He deeply regretted not contacting you earlier. As he had lost a great many forebears at Auschwitz in the Second World War, he had been a recluse and seldom ventured out. He sold his shoe manufacturing business just before he died. You are one of only a few ben...

 SHADOWFALL By Tessa Harvey     Oliver Sykes bent to move some ketchup (tomato sauce) boxes. He was very careful how he moved heavy objects. Almost old enough to retire, he valued keeping healthy. He and Ada were watchful how they ate also. This job was only part-time but the boss, nearing seventy, gave him as much work as he could.     A smartly dressed city lady entered through the doors, flyscreen streamers of red, yellow and white. For a few seconds she stood, trying to adjust her eyes to the dimness of the shop. Clutching a briefcase the lady scanned the ice-cream section, the baked loaves and buns, the food tins, the sweets, and came to rest finally on the owner.  Mr. Aultbaum?' she queried, "my name is Felicity Drew. I represent my firm of business lawyers." Felicity held up her identity lanyard hanging over her suit. "Nope, wrong man. Mr Aultbaum - Ollie is just over there. Here lad!" he called, though he was only a few years older. "Take a break an...

SHADOWFALL By Tessa Harvey     Just then his mobile phone rang. Surprised, he picked up the phone, looked at the number, then answered. After a few minutes listening, he answered, "No charge" and looked at his brother. "The police want to know if I will press charges," but then the high excited voices of children were heard scattering the rabbits, the butterflies, the skinks, the silence. "Dad, dadda, where you?" sang Robin. Anneke and Johan had reached them. They looked askance at Hunter, but flung themselves at Tarrant.     Sylvie came up, puffing, holding Robin's hand. She looked different, shiny somehow, Tarrant thought.     "A man rang about a real good job, Tarry," she exclaimed, still out of breath. She spontaneously gave her husband a very warm hug and kiss.     "Hungry, dad," Anneke was practical. Johan added his cries of hunger. Hunter looked at his near empty cupboard. "All out of sardines...." "Yuk!" ...

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     The two brothers sat together in the little cabin. Sunlight streamed in through the doorway and the small windows either side. A lizard flickered in the doorway, held still, heard voices and disappeared.     Tarrant had chosen an old hard-backed chair, Hunter the couch. Both men were holding mugs. Tarrant pulled a face as he sipped the liquid. "Irish tea? Seriously, bro?"     Hunter laughed. It was good to hear. He had explained about Marie and meeting her parents. "What happened to make you remember?" he asked.     "A dream," answered Tarrant, " a nightmare really. So bad I saw this church person. I talked to him. What he said made sense. People choose evil and their own way, but this man, Jesus came and paid the price of our wrongdoing. He died on a cross for us, but rose three days later. God loves us and wants to heal us. That pastor prayed and now Jesus is real to me, and I am different, Hunter. Everything...

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     Ed strolled from his beat-up car along the street, clutching a drooping bunch of freesias.     He began to whistle, then remembered his top dental plate. That last pub fight had been very costly. Ed should have won, he knew all the moves, but the other guy was younger and faster. He knew he still had the looks though. Boldly he rapped on the door, noting an old biddy watching next door. Ed flashed her a cheeky smile, but she held her ground. The door opened. A little girl looked up at him. Ed pushed past her. "Hey, Sylvie," he called, "it's me, Ed, your bloke's boss." Then he glanced at the girl, but she had disappeared. Instead, a small boy was staring. Anneke had pushed him forward. She didn't like this man. She had a plan!     No more terror-car journeys. Quickly she grabbed a spoonful of Vegemite. Her mum was coming, clattering along in her wedge heel shoes.          Almost too quick to see, ...

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     The plateau had never looked so beautiful to Hunter. While he had been away there had been soft falls of rain and the grass was greening everywhere.     Myriads of insects hopped, fluttered or flew.  A tiny light blue butterfly hovered near him. He raised his eyes to the soaring mountains. He saw there were now two hawks spiralling around and beyond each other - how could there not be a Creator God?     How could he have felt so low as to feel he had to end it all?     A man strode over the plateau towards him. He recognised the way his brother moved. Surprised and pleased, Tarrant had made the effort to find him.     The two men halted and their shadows touched. Tarrant looked up at him, his beautiful blue eyes clear and sparkling. His voice broke. "That man was taking me away. He said I was his angel. You tried to stop him and he threw you hard against the wall. Is that why you wanted me so muc...

SHADOWFALL By Tessa Harvey     The three sat on metal chairs, grouped before a small office desk. The room felt cool, and briefly Tarrant noted the view over the city to the mountains and the sea was breathtaking.     "Your brother insisted on leaving,"  began the senior doctor. "He seemed to be having some kind of depressive issues." The officer removed his cap from a balding head and wiped his brow with an arm before replacing the navy cap. "He was unfortunately locked in a cell overnight. There are no signs of physical abuse, but there will be a full internal inquiry and a formal apology."     The tall, dark doctor spoke with a pronounced accent, but was easily understood. He weighed his words carefully. "Does your brother have issues over being confined in small areas?"     Both men had introduced themselves before they entered the room, but the names had slipped to the ground, unprocessed.     Tarrant was worrying about his bro...

SHADOWFALL   By Tessa Harvey     Tarrant hurried to the ward where Hunter was being treated. Apparently some police officer had illegally left Hunter overnight and his brother was now suffering from dehydration and a fever. Had he given way to his temper and been held for assault?     The dream had been frightening. The church person had helped him realise that one of their mother's boyfriends had attacked them. Several times he paused on the concrete steps, uncertain. What was Sylvie up to?     Tarrant felt like a naive idiot. Ada had assured him "Sylvie didn't play around none. She just pretty-men looks and preens, but she never took on another bloke."     "'Sides," Oliver had added in his quiet way, "she knowed we was watching and so was the kids. They only wanted you for daddy."     "Your brother expect too much from you, but you sure messed up. Now fix it, hear!" They were like parents to him.     As he entered the wa...

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     "What were you doing?" the girl whispered urgently.  Marie looked much better, but her eyes were anxious. "I saw you. You can't do that!" "Do what?" queried her father. "Marie?" "Sorry dad," Marie spoke quickly, deflecting attention. "This is Hunter. He helped me, dad."     "Er," began her father, then coughed. "We owe you a huge apology, young man. We couldn't reach you online or by phone. The signal would not work. Would it inconvenience you greatly sir, to come back with us for a meal and some warm company?" The older man looked so earnest that Hunter felt the hard, bitter hurt in his heart loosening its hold. For the first time in a long time, a tiny flame of hope burned in his soul. "I would like that," he answered simply.     As Hunter locked up the cabin, first grabbing a sweater from inside, Marie hissed a few words, "Dad, if you don't contr...

SHADOWFALL   By Tessa Harvey       Hunter was kicking at the grassy over-lip of a steep gorge, muttering to himself. It was a clear day, very early.     The hawk wheeling over the plateau, ever vigilant to catch one of the small rabbit family was distracted by the human.     Quickly the smallest bunny raced to join his family. He had strayed, batting at butterflies. His mother reprimanded him with a thump of her back legs as they scurried to safety. Hunter heard no birds, didn't even notice the lovely vista before him. Suddenly a yapping, furry bundle was skittering near his legs, tugging at his jeans. He moved back from the edge and saw it was that ridiculous dog Tinny? Binny? "Minnie," called a clear voice. Then Marie was there, looking at him oddly. Behind came her father, puffing slightly.   

SHADOWFALL  By Tessa Harvey     Hunter sat on the edge of his hospital bed. It was late afternoon. He had been wrapped in a foil blanket, checked over and had had a fluid drip inserted. That was gone, thank God, just bruises on the back of his hand.     He felt small and vulnerable, watching the shadows lengthen through the tiny bit of window he could see. As a child he had been hospitalised several times for asthma. Struggling for breath, the nurses had placed him in a room with an older woman. They were short of space. She was meant to be recovering , but suddenly at midnight, was gasping for breath. Staff came running. Curtains were drawn around her, then it was quiet. Next day the bed was empty. Now, he had been advised to stay overnight, but the panic was growing. His fever had gone, but the asthma he had outgrown long ago was threatening a return.     Hunter dressed and left quietly, stealing away in the shadows, just missing his brother, Tarrant...

SHADOWFALL   By Tessa Harvey     Marie opened her eyes to see her parents by her bedside. Her dad looked  slightly rumpled, hair awry, her mum was her usual immaculate self.     "Where am I?" she stammered, staring around the private room - the flowers, the tasteful decor belying the fact that this room was part of a hospital.     "Where's Hunter?" Marie continued. "How did I get here?"     "Don't stress dear," her mother spoke softly and calmly. "Guy is outside, waiting to see you." "What, why would I want Guy, mother? I am going to college next month." Her mother's lips thinned. "Guy is interested in you, dear. There is no need for college. I will tell him you will speak later when you are more in control." She stalked out.     "Dad," Marie implored, turning to him, "where's Hunter? He saved me. I have to thank him."

SHADOW OF A RECLUSE  By Tessa Harvey     Sergeant Alex King entered the police station early to catch up on some paperwork. Being Sunday, he was not expected, but his wife was away and he had decided to man the phones just in case.      As he opened the smart red door, a stale atmosphere made him wince. Someone needed deodorant! Stan Martyn had been on duty, he recalled. He smelled cigarette ash, but also alcohol. Did they have a drunk last night.     He scanned the report on the office desk. It had been left unfinished. Someone brought in for questioning. A curdled half cup of old coffee was near the untidy table edge. Alex sniffed. Alcohol. The keys were thrown across the desk too, not hung up. A terrible thought crossed his mind. He grabbed the keys. The cell was locked. Opening the door, he was horrified. A man lay face down on the floor, arms over his head protectively. Kneeling down, King saw the man was unconscious, very cold. There was a ...

SHADOW OF A RECLUSE   By Tessa Harvey     Except Tarrant, who was once again on high alert. The children were giggling and talking, one of them saying "Let's show dad." But he knew Sylvie was upset. There was that indefinable atmosphere.     Hunter was also upset and rapidly moving from that feeling to being angry. What was happening? Why were the police taking so long? He was just meant to be held for questioning and arranging for a solicitor to be present to ensure everything was done by the book. No one could forget he was there, could they?     He glanced up at the ceiling, wise enough to realise that the cell could be under observation. It wasn't. No little camera dot. Fine. He was going to leave. Some outfit this was - slipshod, sloppy, dysfunctional. He grabbed the door handle. To his horror, it was locked! Officer Stan Martyn had just left him to get a witness to the few questions he was meant to answer.     Hunter began to panic. Si...

SHADOW OF A RECLUSE By Tessa Harvey       "I was very small, maybe about five years old. Then a big shadow came into the room. It was a giant man and he put his arms around me to take me away. I couldn't move or talk, but my big brother woke up and yelled. Mum came but the giant threw my brother across the room."      As he spoke, Tarrant was crying. "My brother was only eight. His head was hurt. It was my mum's boyfriend. I had forgotten all this, but maybe it is why my brother gets so angry when I mess up so much."     Sylvie was furious. Yes, her husband had a steady job and they were doing much better both as a couple and financially, but they did not need all this hassle with the past.     It was gone! Move on!     Silence alerted her. The children were looking at the puddle the puppy had made, with varying reactions. But Sylvie was becoming a sensible mother. "Ok, there are newspapers in that corner. Look, I gently bend ...