Chapter 16: Moving On (part 2)

Our founder, Adam Slade, came to Sunset Valley many years ago with a vision.  Rather than settle for a 'run-of-the-mill' life he spent all his savings on a  large plot of land on which he, and his successors, would build a family estate that would be a landmark across the three towns. His only son, Brandon, has continued that work with the hope of passing the vision to his children, Cleo and Carl.

In this chapter Cleo and Carl learn of Brandon's plan  ...


It was the day of Carl's graduation, Cleo was taking her time in the bathroom to make sure she looked her best for her brother's big day.

While preparing herself, she overheard her father on the phone in his bedroom. He sounded rather agitated.

"Look, I just want confirmation that the changes I made are permanent."

...

"Yes, that is what I setup, a one-way transit, I have disabled the 'snap-back' protocol."

...

"I know, I know it's not, but that is what I want to do. As I said, I want to check that there is no secondary 'safety' feature that will initiate a forced return."

Rushing downstairs, Cleo tells Carl what she has heard.

She is afraid that their father is planning some sort of one-way trip somewhere. Something that he has not discussed with either of them ...

Carl says that he understands Cleo’s worries

"But, sis, did he actually say anything about him going anywhere? He was probably just discussing one of his experiments at the lab ..."

"Maybe you're right Carl, but there was something in his voice – he sounded so, I don't know, determined. And what with how he's been ... I'm just really worried about him."

"I know, but he's probably just getting back into work again and wanted to make sure everything was OK. Look, let's get today out of the way and then we can worry about Dad. It’s not like he's going to do anything today is it?"

While Cleo goes back to her room to pick a suitable outfit Brandon and Carl tuck into breakfast.

"So, son, are you nervous about the ceremony today?"

"Nah, not really Dad, should be sweet. Jus' gonna pick up the certificate and pose for the photos, it's not as if we're making speeches or anything."

"No, no, I suppose. You know that I'm very proud of you – the first Slade to graduate with honours, quite an achievement."

A few hours later, the family was at the Sunset Valley Academy to celebrate Carl's graduation.

For Brandon this was a very special day.

Both his children were now adults. Cleo a well respected fire fighter and now Carl was about to set out and find his own unique way in the world

If only Qiana had still been here to witness it …

As the crowd dissipated, Cleo handed her brother a small gift box.

"A little something from Dad and me, as a reward for doing so well. Hope you like it."

Carl ripped open the box to reveal an electronic key.

"We thought it was time to move up from that rattley old Jalopy to something a whole lot smarter and greener. It's nothing special but we reckon you'll love it." Cleo explained

"A new car! Oh my god, you guys are so great. Thank you!"

A couple of days after Carl's graduation ceremony, Brandon calls Cleo and Carl in to the dining room for a chat.

"Cleo, Carl, I’ve got something important to tell you. I don't think you will like it, but my mind is made up and I really think this is the right thing for me to do."

Carl and Cleo looked nervously at one another, Cleo mouthing to her brother "I knew it, I told you he was planning to leave ..."

"I'm sorry," Brandon continued, "you know I have not been happy since your mother's death and everything I have tried has not made a difference."

"But Dad ..." Cleo interrupted, "No, let me finish please." Brandon cut her off.

"You're both great kids and I am really proud of both of you. Carl, I know you are only just starting out on a career path but I know you are going to be amazing at whatever you decide to do."

"I’ve had a great life here and now that you are both adults I can make a change, knowing that you will be fine."

"OK Dad, you’re making be worried now, what are you planning to do?" Carl said, clasping his sister’s hand tightly in his.

Brandon took a deep breath, looking directly at each of them in turn "I am leaving the Valley. I just cannot stay here without Qiana. Everywhere I go, everyone I see, reminds me of her and it tears me up."

As tears welled up in her eyes Cleo tried to understand "But Dad, that will pass, it will get better. I mean, with Pascal moving in, you'll even have new family to help and to love you ..."

Reaching across the table to touch her hand, Brandon tried to reassure her "And that is partly why I feel I can do this now. You will have Pascal, and maybe soon start your own family. And you, Carl, it won't be long before you find that someone special."

Finally he explained his plan. "I have setup a special historical research section at the Institute and I will be the first in-place researcher. I will use our time machine to go back to Sunset Valley's distant past and create an archive of direct research that the guys at the lab can then use to create a complete historical picture of this valley."

"But you’ll be coming back, right?" Carl asked.

"No. I have disabled all the safe return protocols so that I can stay there and provide data for as long as I am able."

Carl and Cleo could hardly believe what their father was saying, Cleo was in tears and Carl couldn’t help but feel angry at what Brandon was planning to do. "Dad, you can't do this! Not so soon after Mum, we can't lose you both! I won't let you."

Brandon understood that this was very difficult for them both but was determined to go ahead with his plan. "Carl, I know this is painful now and I really wouldn't want to hurt you but this is the only way out I can see for myself. It will give me a purpose again, and give me space to move on. Please, let me do this, I want to go knowing that you understand that I have to do this."

As much as it hurt, Cleo and Carl knew that Brandon's mind was made up that this might be his only chance to find some sort of happiness again. That if they forced him to stay they would end up watching his slow decline and that might be even more painful.

That evening Pascal arrived, to be greeted by a tearful Cleo. Clearly something was up.

He asked her what the matter was but Cleo could hardly speak, she just held him tight, very tight, and whispered "It's Dad, he's leaving. He's not coming back and I don't know what I'm going to do."

It was early, the following morning Cleo had somehow managed to get some sleep, getting comfort from having Pascal there with her.

As had become something of a habit, Carl had risen early and was in the kitchen preparing the day's main meal.

Although, on this morning he wasn't really focused on the food preparation, his mind frequently wandering off, going over again and again what his father had said the previous day.

Brandon had hardly slept at all as he went through his plan for the final time. Now, with everything in place, as Cleo slept and Carl worked in the kitchen he punched the instructions into the control panel of his time machine.

The settings were confirmed and the door opened.

With a pause for one last look around at the home he had created, and to wish his family well Brandon leapt forward into the mist that would transport him back to the distant past.

The doors on the time machine closed for the last time and Brandon was gone, to begin his final adventure, secure in the knowledge that the Slade dynasty was in the safe hands of Cleo and Carl.




Chapter 17: Arrivals

Chapter 16: Moving On (part 1)

Our founder, Adam Slade, came to Sunset Valley many years ago with a vision.  Rather than settle for a 'run-of-the-mill' life he spent all his savings on a  large plot of land on which he, and his successors, would build a family estate that would be a landmark across the three towns. His only son, Brandon, has continued that work with the hope of passing the vision to his children, Cleo and Carl.

In this chapter old friends return and Cleo has a plan ...


Cleo is distraught. Her mother's death was a terrible blow but she is becoming very concerned about her father. Brandon really does not seem to be coping at all well.

She rings Pascal, an utterly sensible and understanding man, he will know what to do, he will be able to reassure her.

On hearing Cleo's dreadful news Pascal agrees to come to Sunset Valley as soon as he can. Looking at his schedule, and flight availability he would be coming over on the early flight in two days time, and should be in Sunset Valley by 9am.

Coincidently that same day is Carl's birthday and everyone was agreed that a party was definitely in order. It seemed the perfect time for Pascal to be back with the Slades.

On the day of her boyfriend's arrival, Cleo was up and about in plenty of time to make sure everything was ready for both Pascal's visit and Carl's birthday party.

She was out by the family memorial garden when Pascal's taxi arrived. He greeted Cleo with a passionate embrace and the most beautiful bunch of roses Cleo had ever seen.

There was no doubt, Pascal always knew the right thing to do.

So relieved that he was finally here, Cleo immediately started telling Pascal about her worries for her family.

Firstly there was her father, who had become so withdrawn and was looking so old – he had even taken to using a walking stick.

And Carl, who would often disappear for the whole day. When he was in the house he seemed OK, helping to keep the place clean and cooking meals for them, but sometimes he just went off somewhere and never said what he was up to.

"But, ma cherié," Pascal interrupted her, "what about you? How are you coping?"

Holding her hands gently in his, Pascal managed to get Cleo to talk about her own feelings. The sense of loss she felt and how she had no one really to talk to.

"I am here now, my love, I am here to be your rock, to share your grief and help you through it. If we can be strong, together, we can also help your father and brother. You are not alone any more."

As he pulled her close, Cleo felt the burden of grief and worries she had been carrying start to lift.

"Pascal, you don't know how much that means to me, thank you."

"But," she said, "we can't stay here all day, we have a party to attend!"

To make sure there was plenty of fun at his party, Cleo had arranged for a water-slide to be installed at the back of the house.

On this beautifully sunny day it was absolutely the right thing to have, the boys loved it though the girls didn't seem to be too interested in the slide, but nonetheless enjoyed watching the boys have fun.

In addition to inviting all of Carls school friends, Cleo had also asked Jesse Green to come over. She knew he was one of her dad's oldest friends and hoped seeing him again might help Brandon deal with Qiana's death.

Even though it had been several years since they had last spoken, for reasons Brandon had not disclosed to his children, Brandon and Jesse did seem really pleased to see each other.

They certainly had lots to talk about, reminiscing about their own school days, and how much Sunset Valley had changed over the years.

Brandon also discovered that they had something else in common, Jesse had also recently lost his partner, Elias. Apparently he had been caught in a rock-fall while exploring an ancient cave system near Shang Simla,

As the afternoon gave way to evening, it was time for Carl to "officially" leave childhood behind by blowing out the candles on the traditional Sunset Valley birthday cake.

Despite normally avoiding crowds, Carl was really pleased that so many of his friends had turned up to help him celebrate.

Looking on while Carl made jokes about his friends at school and what he was going to do as an adult, Brandon couldn’t help but feel really proud of his son.

He may not be around to witness many more birthdays but he was content that he and Qiana had done a great job in preparing Carl for adulthood.
.

Cleo was delighted that Carl's party had been such a success but had noticed that her father was still somehow distant from everything.

Sure, he was there, and had cheered along with the other guests as Carl blew out the birthday candles, but she could sense that his heart wasn't really in it.

As she discussed this with Pascal, an idea just popped into her head.

"You know, Pascal, I remember from those very first visits how well you and Dad had got on. Remember that first time, when he tried to teach you how to fish?"

"And failed!" Pascal laughed, as he remembered his first trip to the Valley.

"Yeah, yeah, he didn't stop talking about for weeks – and always mentioned it again whenever I told him I was seeing you. I think what he really needs now is to be reminded of all the good times ..."

"Well, yes, OK Cleo, so what are you thinking?"

"You should move in, here, with us, as soon as."

"Really? That is really what you want? Will your father and Carl be OK with it?"

"Yes, yes, of course, the both love you and, to be honest, I could do with having you around right now."

With his hands gently holding her head, Pascal looking deeply into Cleo's eyes and smiled in agreement.

"Ma cherié I would love to, to be with you every day would make me the happiest man in the whole world. And if you think I can help your father then how can I refuse. I will need to tell my parents and my boss but I will be here for you, forever, in just a few days I am sure."

Having got Pascal's agreement, Cleo went to find Carl, who was in the dining room clearing away the last of the birthday food.

"Carl, I've just been speaking with Pascal and, long story short, I have asked him to move in with us, with me, and I want to make sure that you are OK with it."

"Y'know sis that I like Pascal, and you've been seeing each other for a while, but why now? So soon after Mum?"

"In all honesty this situation here is what prompted me to ask him. You know how Dad has been recently and I'm hoping that having Pascal here will help him – y'know how well they get on."

"True enough sis, I suppose that makes sense ..."

"And, to be fair Carl, I don't think you’ve been coping that well either and I think having Pascal moving in will give us all something else to plan for and help us move on from here."

Carl was rather taken aback by his sister's blunt but, to be honest, accurate assessment of their life recently.

"Err, yeah, I suppose that is true. I haven't really liked being home so much these days ..."

"I know it's difficult Carl, but we have to deal with our grief and get on with our lives. Mum wouldn't have wanted us moping around here for ever."

"No, you're right," Carl agreed, "and it would be good to have something else to think about, like Pascal settling into the Valley ... of course I'm happy about it ... though I expect you to make an honest man of him before too long!"

Cleo leapt out the chair and embraced Carl with all her might. "Oh, thank you, thank you. That means so much to me. That's the best birthday present you could have given me, baby-bro! It's going to be wonderful, I know it."

Carl noticed Pascal sat at their chess table on the patio so went over to join him.

"Mon ami, that was a great birthday party, I am happy to have been here."

"Thanks, yeah, it was good. Cleo was really pleased to see you ... and keep on seeing you ..."

"Ahh," Pascal smiled at him, "She has told you her plan?"

"She has, and I wanted you to know that I'm cool with it. I'm happy if she is, so as long as you make her happy it's all good with me. And, she might be right, it could be good for Dad too."

With a firm handshake the two men sealed the deal, Carl really hoped that this would bring the good times back to the Slade family.

That night, as Cleo and Pascal relaxed in bed Pascal reassured her that Carl was OK with him moving in, and thought it was a good idea.

It would only take a couple of days to sort everything out in France. His parents had got used to his visits to see Cleo and wouldn't be surprised that he was going to be moving from the sleepy town of Champs Les Sims to the sophistication, relatively speaking, of Sunset Valley.

He would be sad to leave his job at the bookstore, he did enjoy it, especially meeting all the different people who came to buy or just talk about books. But this would be the start of new chapter in his life, an exciting and more rewarding chapter.

With Pascal once again in her bed, Cleo started to feel more relaxed than she had for some time. When they made love it was slow and sensuous and wonderful. Sometimes passion was not all about the "fire" and urgency.

Before she drifted off to sleep Cleo just lay there looking at Pascal and thinking how happy he made her.

There was a niggling worry at the back of her mind, but she quickly dismissed it, it wasn't going to get in the way of how good she felt this night.




Chapter 16: Moving On (part 2)

Chapter 15: A Sympathetic Stranger

Our founder, Adam Slade, came to Sunset Valley many years ago with a vision.  Rather than move into an ordinary house in town, he spent all his savings on a  large plot of land which he, and his successors, would build into a family estate that would be a landmark across the three towns. His only son, Brandon, has continued that work with the hope of passing the vision to his children, Cleo and Carl.

In this chapter the family struggles to deal with Qiana's death and Carl meets a sympathetic stranger ...

Having tidied up the family garden and harvested all the ripened fruits and vegetables, Brandon was relaxing with the latest episode of "Garden Taskforce" when his phone rang.

It was the emergency response team from the Sacred Spleen hospital with the news of Qiana's passing. For what seemed like an eternal minute he couldn't make sense of what he was being told. Qiana? No. What? Qiana? It can't be ...

Brandon could hardly believe what he had heard. Qiana had been an immense part of his life, they had been through so much and now he felt as if a part of him had been ripped out.

But, he thought, I have to let Carl and Cleo know. He paced the upper floor landing as he made the phone calls, he knew that if he stopped, if he sat down, he would simply collapse and might never get back up.

Carl was at the bistro with Jaron, they had just finished their burgers, when his phone rang. "Carl," it was his father's voice, sounding strangely hesitant and broken, "can you come home now please. It's your mother, something's happened ..."

Instinctively Carl knew that this was really bad news. He turned to Jaron, "I've, err, I've gotta go, that was Dad, something about Mum, I don’t know ..."

Carl stood up from their table, a dazed look on his face, Jaron knew something was really wrong. "It's OK Carl, I understand, you must go. Just remember, if there’s anything I can do, just call."

Jaron stood up and approached Carl for a hug.

Hugging wasn't something either boy did often, they would rather keep a boundary between themselves and other people, but Jaron's generous gesture to reassure his friend tripped something in Carl.

On feeling the empathy and care Jaron was expressing Carl just collapsed into his arms. "Oh god, I know it's bad news ... I ... don't know how ..."

Jaron tried to reassure him "Carl, it'll be OK, whatever's happened you're a strong family and you've got friends who will help. Just go to your dad."

When Carl got home and saw his father he could tell immediately that the news was very bad indeed.

"Carl, I'm sorry, but," Brandon could hardly believe it himself but had to be strong for his children, to help them come to terms with Qiana's death, "your mother passed away this afternoon. She was having one of her 'treat' days in town and collapsed at the pool."

Carl couldn't accept it. "I don't understand, she was so well, there was nothing wrong with her ... how could this happen."

"I know son, sometimes it just comes to you, but I know she wasn't in pain. It happened very quickly and she had spent the day enjoying herself, you know how she loved her days out ..."

As Brandon was doing his best to console Carl, he heard Cleo returning from work.

Cleo wasn't sure how she had got back, as soon as she'd put the phone down she just dropped everything she was doing, jumped in the car and drove, on auto-pilot. Her mind racing with all the possibilities, Brandon would not have made that call unless it was really serious.

Brandon came to meet her in the entrance hall, followed closely by Carl who had clearly been crying and was now trying desperately to hold back his tears.

Her father didn't need to say a word, she fell into his arms and just held him as tight as she possibly could.

"We'll get through this," Brandon spoke softly to both his children, "she had a wonderful life and was so proud of both of you. We have so many great memories to cherish."


No one slept much that night. Brandon knew that there would be arrangements to make, and both Cleo and Carl would take time to come to terms with this, but they were strong kids, they had their mother's strength and will do her proud.


Cleo thought of how much this would affect her father. She knew there had been some stormy times at the beginning of his relationship with her mother, but he had been so utterly devoted to her and couldn't imagine how much of a hole this would leave in his life.

Over the last couple of years Carl had spent a lot of time with his mother and they had grown so close. They had very different personalities but that had somehow made their bond even stronger. She had been strong in laying down moral guidelines for him, but had always given him space to develop his interests and respect his achievements.

In the days that followed Carl was often up first, not that anyone actually had much sleep, but he remembered something his mother had told him. That when she had a problem or worry on her mind and wasn't getting an answer she would cook, she found it a good distraction and often, when she had finished preparing the meal, the answer she had been seeking would be there waiting for her.

"Many of life's problems," she would tell him, "where like baking a cake. Just put all the ingredients together in the mix, slap it in the oven and then walk away and do something else till it's done. And when you come back to it, there it will be, all raised and delicious – exactly what you were hoping for."

But however much he tried to distract himself, there was an emptiness about the house, everything he did, everywhere he looked, there was something, someone, missing. His mum was dead, and he didn't know how it was going to deal with it.

Cleo felt that same emptiness, every room she entered she expected to see her mum. Just out of sight, out of the corner of her eye, she would see something, a shadow. "Ahh, it's OK, mum is here." Except, of course, she wasn't.

He knew he had to take care of the kids, even if Cleo was now a grown woman with a career, but the hole left by Qiana's death was such a vast black pit there were many mornings when Brandon could barely face even getting out of bed.

And when he did, he would often spend what seemed like hours, just standing and staring out of the house, across the bay, thinking of nothing. What could he do, she had gone, there was ... nothing ...

Both Cleo and Carl had noticed that Brandon was not coping well, they would call him for mealtimes and there would be no response, when they went to find him, he was either standing at the window or just sat in front of the TV, expressionless.

It had been Brandon's birthday a couple of days after Qiana had passed away, and he had brushed away any suggestion of a party.  This was no time for celebrations and Neither Cleo nor Carl could convince him otherwise.

But both were surprised at how much older their father now looked, he went through the motions of being involved and setting up the arrangements for Qiana's funeral, but Cleo eventually did most of the work and Brandon just went along with what was arranged. 

In an attempt to figure out his own feelings and, to be honest, get away from the overpowering sadness that pervaded the house, Carl would sometimes go down to the beach. Especially in the early mornings, when it was quiet, there was just the sound of the waves lapping back and forth and the distant horizon fading, sky and sea becoming one.

In these moments of solitude, he would remember the good times with his mum. There had been plenty, and even those times when she had told him off for some youthful misdemeanour he knew it had been out of love for him. She had been full of love.

When he felt overcome by memories, Carl would use one of the public chess boards dotted along the beachfront. It was a game he enjoyed and something in which he could get lost for while.

On one of these occasions, just a few days after his mother's death, as Carl was running through a new tactic he'd seen in a recent edition of the "Chess Challenge" magazine, a softly spoken man asked he could join him for a game. "I'm getting a little rusty and my game could do with a little testing."

Carl agreed, not necessarily because he wanted company, but it just might help take his mind off, well, off what he was constantly thinking about.

It wasn’t a great game, but the stranger did enough to occasionally challenge Carl so that he found himself concentrating more on the play than his family. Even so, his opposition made a few 'careless' moves that gave Carl a fairly easy victory.

As checkmate was called, the stranger held his hand out to Carl, "Thank you for that, you played well, I shall have to up my game if am ever to best you. I am Garett, by the way, Garett Fisk."

"That's OK, you weren't bad yourself, I'm Carl Slade."

"Slade? That's a coincidence, you wouldn't be related to Cleo Slade by any chance?"

"Um, yes, she's my sister."

"Well I never," Garett smiled at Carl, "but now you've said, I can definitely see the family resemblance. How is your sister? I haven't seen her for a couple of weeks, is she well?"

"Err, yeah, she's OK," Carl replied, being reminded of his family brought the sadness back to his eyes, "our mother died last week and ..."

"Oh, I am so sorry, I didn't know. That is terrible, I didn't know her but Cleo always spoke of her with great affection. If there is anything, anything, that I can do you must let me know."

Although he had only just met him, Carl sensed something incredibly sensitive and empathetic about Garett, and as the memory of his mother flooded back, the tears welled up in his eyes.

Speaking very softly, Garett put his arms around Carl to comfort him "Oh, Carl, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Is there anything I can do now? I can take you home if you want, it is a bit of trek to Summer Hill by taxi ..."

Carl struggled to compose himself, "No, no, that's alright. I'd rather stay here for a while, I can think here."

"Of course, as you want. I've got nothing planned today, I can keep you company if you like?"

There was something warm and comforting about Garett, in just these few moments of conversation Carl was starting to feel a bit better, he sensed that Garett would be easy to talk to.

Carl did his best to raise a smile, "Actually, that would be good, thanks. I'm probably not great company at the moment but, yes, I'd like that."

As the sun rose to bathe the beach in warm summer sunshine, Carl and Garett settled on a couple of loungers and fell into an easy conversation. Carl told Garett about his mum, how his dad and sister were struggling to cope now that she was gone. Perhaps it was because he was a stranger that Carl felt so at ease talking about this stuff, and it sure felt good to say out loud what had been going through his mind these last days.

Visitors to the beach came and went, the sun continued it's journey across the sky and began the slow descent behind the hills and still the pair talked.

"Good grief!" Garett exclaimed, looking at his watch, "Is that the time, your family will be wondering where you are. Time to get you home I think."

"No, that's OK," Carl replied "I've got a return pass and I'm sure you've got stuff to do. But thank you so much for keeping me company today, it's been really good to talk to you."

"Not at all, it has been my pleasure Carl. And please pass on my sympathies to Cleo and your father, let them know that I am here to help in any way that I can."

"And," Garett continued, "if there is anything I can do for you, I am here at the beach most days. If you ever need someone to talk to ... about anything."



Chapter 16: Moving on (part 1)