Tumble Creek

by Louise Forster

  ‘What was it that you were looking for?’ Brock prompted, ‘Sofe?’

  Heart hammering, Sofie gulped back the bile rising up her throat and whispered, ‘Um … photos.’

  ***

  Brock waited to hear more but, after a long pause it was obvious, judging by Sofie’s stricken face, she couldn’t open up. Better, for her sake, to get this over with. Brock chose the most humiliating idea he could think of that would make Sofie go the lengths she did. He stayed calm on the outside, but burned on the inside, ready to tear the arsehole limb from limb for putting his girl through this nightmare.

  ‘Sofe,’ he called. She blinked a few times and brought her attention from wherever the hell it had been back to him. ‘The photos were of you, weren’t they?’ Ashamed and embarrassed, she dropped her head. ‘And they were of you naked, having sex, yeah?’ He waited as she struggled with her inner demons … and won. She proudly brought her head up and, unwavering, her eyes met his. Brock sent her a ‘bravo’ smile he hoped gave her the courage to go on. ‘Is that all?’ She nodded. ‘You destroyed them?’ She shrugged. ‘Okay, you’re worried there might be more copies stashed somewhere?’

  ‘I didn’t find anything else, no USB sticks, nothing. I—I took his laptop to a quiet place and drove over it several times.’

  The imagery of his sweet Sofie crazy driving over a laptop made him throw back his head and laugh. On a chuckle, he asked, ‘After that what did you do with the remains?’

  ‘I pulled the guts out of it, drove over it a few more times, then scraped up the mess, shoved it in a rubbish bag and threw it in one of those big bins behind every pub and …’

  Brock lost it again, laughing until his stomach muscles hurt, and that wasn’t an easy thing to do. ‘Christ, stop—stop!’ He straightened to see Sofie was laughing and crying at the same time; he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing so he made a decision, took a deep breath and grabbed hold of the positive. ‘I’m good, keep going, Babe.’

  ‘Okay, I’d gone through all of his accounts, there’s a pile of outstanding bills, he’s broke. He couldn’t afford a safety deposit box, and anyway, he’s not that smart. None of his keys show he has a locker somewhere, so I can only assume they were on his computer.’ She pulled a wry face. ‘Come to think of it, compared with what you see teens do today, my photos were pretty tame, but what matters is, they were of me. And that’s private.’

  ‘It could be he was bluffing.’

  ‘Yes, it had crossed my mind. Anyway, he doesn’t have a laptop anymore either.’

  ‘Come here, Babe.’ He didn’t wait for her to move and lunged forward, wrapping her up in his arms he cradled her on his lap. ‘Tell me honestly, how’re you feeling?’

  ‘Like a complete fool. Abused, traumatised, embarrassed. Just put every negative emotion in a bucket and stir.’

  ‘Hmm, how old were you when all this happened?’

  ‘I was about nineteen, way before social media could get you into trouble.’

  ‘Teenagers think they’re invincible, bullet proof.’ Her body flinched against his. ‘Babe, it’s just a saying.’ She shoved her head in the crook of his neck and nodded. ‘I could tell you stories about me that would make your hair curl, or in your case, stand on end. Hormones start racing in young guys and they’ll stick their dicks any—’

  In a flash, her hand came up to cover his mouth.

  ‘You’ve seen American Pie?’ he mumbled behind her palm.

  Sofie giggled, she understood him perfectly.

  Brock smiled as her despair evaporated, and with it the last tear that trickled down her cheek. She’s here and she’s safe. Relief washed through him, she didn’t know how lucky she’d been not to get caught at Jett’s townhouse.

  He chuckled, kissed and then licked her palm. She moved her hand so he could have access to her fingers.

  ‘Babe …’ he murmured against her thumb as he nipped her there. ‘It’s been days. I missed you.’ Voice a sincere husky rumble, he repeated, ‘I really missed you.’

  Epilogue

  Six months later, life’s dramas had settled down. Jett pleaded guilty for stealing a truck and demolishing Sofie and Claudia’s home. His impulsive, desperate bid to get them back to live in Sydney; his sole purpose—money for a lifestyle he’d grown accustomed to. She hadn’t known Jett to be impressionable, but then Sofie’s mother was a first class manipulator. Jett and her parents had made quite a threesome. Except now that he was in jail, they’d wiped him from their lives faster than dog poop off their shoe; still poop stinks, and in their social circles it meant they had a lot of explaining to do.

  Prepared to do anything to reduce his sentence, Jett agreed to sign a legal document that said he would never come within one hundred kilometres of Sofie or Claudia. Sofie hoped his jail time would be longer: five years wasn’t enough for all the heartache and aggravation, especially to his own, sweet daughter. Not to mention destroying their home.

  After Takumi replayed the blackmail threats recorded on his phone, Jett never mentioned his missing laptop or the photos again. Maybe it was all a big bluff. She would never know and didn’t care.

  Sofie told her parents she would only speak to them on her terms and when she was good and ready. After finding out that yes, her mother in particular had plotted with Jett, contacting them would take a while. Her life was a damn sight better without her mother’s constant criticisms casually strewn in amongst her idle and not so idle chatter. And her father’s compliance was a complete disappointment, no contact with him either, unless he suddenly grew a pair.

  Sofie changed her and Claudia’s mobile numbers and only gave it out to close friends and family.

  Finally, they were free.

  A clean breeze had entered her life, and blew all the crap away.

  Claudia had the same thoughts, and more. She told Sofie, ‘Mum, get a life and stop asking me how I am.’

  She needn’t have worried, Claudia was the happiest teenager she’d seen in a long time. No more Goth make-up, no more restless sleeps, and only occasionally would the ‘attitude’ flare, which was normal. They laughed and joked together. The four of them—Sofie, Jennifer, Michelle and Claudia—often went shopping or to the movies together; romantic comedies were a favourite.

  Sofie still worried about Britt, but the whole bank fraud business was done and dusted. All the culprits were behind bars awaiting a bail application and their ensuing trial. So where the hell was Britt? Brock had told her that he expected Takumi would soon take leave without pay and start searching. But where would he start?

  Sofie had in mind that Takumi could escort Claudia and Michelle when they flew to London to visited Rafael and Susanna. The girls had a standing invitation to come stay with them anytime. Susanna and Rafael were in town for Christmas and staying in Sofie and Brock’s new guest rooms.

  Their new house was the talk of the town. Vogue Magazine came to take photos and write a piece about how easy it is to build a modern, rammed-earth, very comfortable, very beautiful home that was also environmentally friendly. Brock insisted on water tanks under the house, double glazing, a geothermal heat pump to warm the house and of course solar panels on the roof. Their home was open plan, spacious, airy, and situated so the sun would pour in during the winter months. Claudia had her own teen suite, which she’d decorated herself, and there wasn’t a hint of black anywhere. Yes, everything had taken a turn for the fantastic. Sofie and Brock’s bedroom suite was on the opposite end of the house. The guest quarters were an extension of the garage, with its own two bedrooms, kitchenette, dining room and lounge.

  It took the builders six months. And Sofie was there with her camera at every stage. The house-building album bulged with wonderful photos, to reminisce over and laugh, at times to cry out, ‘Oh my God it’s a wonder no one was hurt,’ and some that were just plain lovely.

  Sofie and Brock worked on the trampled garden beds and laid new lawn along the front and down the back. A new six-foot rendered br
ick fence, with a stunning arched timber Moroccan-style gate, and massive wrought-iron hinges, was the only way in; Claudia’s idea—she told them a truck would never get through, let alone demolish it.

  Two-inch tiles of blue, dark red, yellow and green painted with Moroccan designs were set on edge, diamond style, between large terracotta slabs laid along the path. The front door was also arched and stained a beautiful rich honey. Set in the top half of the door was the leadlight pane Sofie had rescued out of the dirt and possible destruction when the backhoes were carting away what remained of her old house. The early morning sun shone through the bevelled edges in some of the crystal panes, creating a stunning colourful prism effect along the walls and floor of the new entry. Every time Doreen visited, she’d stop and gaze at the leadlight and smile. The window had obviously made an impression on her as a small child.

  And now their home was ready for Christmas and their house-warming get-together all in one.

  Sofie snuggled into Brock’s side, his arm around her tucking her in as she admired their first Christmas tree twinkling with hundreds of pretty lights and colourful baubles.

  ‘You like it?’ Brock asked then kissed her temple.

  ‘It’s perfect,’ she smiled, turned and caught his mouth with hers.

  ‘Want me to get more lights?’ Eyes twinkling with mischief, body shaking with silent laughter, he added, ‘Bear in mind that if I do, your tree may go up in flames, which means Bruce will turn up with his team and they’ll have one freaking big hose. They’ll aim and ask questions later.’

  Sofie giggled. ‘I’m ecstatic about all the decorations. You’re not allowed to touch any of it, because it’s perfect. And anyway, the shops are shut, thank goodness.’

  While Brock had handled the decorations, Sofie had wrapped all the Christmas presents and arranged them under the tree. She’d set up their new refectory table that seated ten. A centrepiece with sprays of pine, red baubles and candles was a house-warming gift from the Tumble Creek police department. Crystal glasses and silver cutlery sparkled. White dinnerware gleamed, setting off the red serviettes beautifully.

  Perfect.

  Sofie had planned it carefully so no one would miss out on spending some time together when they had commitments of their own.

  So it was to be a pancake breakfast with toppings to suit everyone, savoury, crispy bacon and cheeses, or sweet berries with sauces and cream. She had serviette rings made by a local silversmith with everyone’s name on them. Aside from the three of them, there were Jennifer, heavily pregnant, Calum and Michelle, Doreen and Walter, and Susanna and Rafael.

  Everyone was seated. Sofie put two plates, piled with pancakes, down on the table. She stood back and stepped straight into Brock’s front. Immediately his arms went around her waist, encompassing her.

  She felt safe. Wanted. Loved.

  They stood back and listened to their family’s chatter, laughter and sharing lame jokes out of Christmas crackers.

  Brock dipped his head, his chin tickled her neck, and his mouth sent goosebumps down her body, making her giggle and shiver. Wonderful!

  ‘What we need, Babe, is our own.’

  Sofie’s heart fluttered. She turned in his arms and facing him, she asked. ‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?’

  He cocked an eyebrow. ‘I don’t know, what do you think I’m saying?’

  ‘Not sure, but we could go around in circles for hours.’ Eyes sharp she studied him as he softly rubbed the spot above the bridge of her nose with his thumb. ‘Hmm … I get it. You missed out on putty poop, vomit, teething and tantrums, and you desperately want to give that a try because, well, you know, your exciting life just hasn’t even come close to rearing a baby into a well-adjusted perfect adult?’

  His eyes were laughing, while the rest of him remained still. She hadn’t witnessed that before.

  ‘You’re serious, aren’t you?’

  ‘Deadly.’ He tucked her in, pressing her close, and slowly brought his head down, watching her all the while until his mouth touched hers, then he went in for the killer kiss. Hot, wet, heavy, and very deep.

  Hands in his hair, Sofie’s knees buckled, and Brock caught her up.

  Voices all around them sang out, ‘Get a room!’

  Then Claudia yelled, ‘Oh, forget about them, they do this all the time.’

  Thanks for reading Tumble Creek. I hope you enjoyed it.

  If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage www.louiseforster.com follow me on Twitter @LouiseLucern2, or like my Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Forster

  You can also follow me through my publisher’s page here www.escapepublishing.com.au

  Reviews can help readers find books, and I am grateful for all honest reviews. Thank you for taking the time to let others know what you’ve read, and what you thought.

  You’ve just read a book in my Tumble Creek series. The other book in this series is Home Truths. If you liked this book, here are my other books: Finding Elizabeth, I’ve Got You and Home Truths.

  This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you’d like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.

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