When Adam Slade came to Sunset Valley, he had a vision. A vision to create a family dynasty, a dynasty that would leave a lasting mark, a legacy. His grandchildren Cleo and Carl are carrying that legacy forward and with the recent birth of Danielle the Slade family is on course to fulfilling Adam's vision.
In this chapter Cleo and Pascal enjoy spending time with Danielle and Garett hears news from his past ...
Having got Carls agreement to move in to 15 Summer Hill Court, Garett Fisk needed to be sure that the other members of the household would be OK with the arrangement.
Pascal was out in town collecting supplies and Cleo was at work when he first spoke to Carl, so Garett returned later in the day to speak to Pascal.
"Ahh, Pascal, has Carl spoken to you about my situation?"
"Yes, he has. I am most sorry to hear about your misfortune. And, as I am sure Carl told you, we are happy to help if we can."
Garett was relieved that Pascal was not instantly against the idea, "Thank you so much, I wouldn't want to impose on you, especially as you have a new baby to look after."
"No, no," Pascal reassured him, "you were a good friend to Carl when he needed it, so it is only fair, and this is a big house after all."
"This is very good of you, I am sure it won't be for very long. Once I have the insurance organised I will be able to find somewhere else. I am in the emergency shelter at the moment, if it is OK with you, Cleo and Carl I can move in tomorrow."
When she returned home Pascal told Cleo all about the conversations he and Carl had had with Garett.
Cleo was a little concerned that having someone else in the house might disrupt Danielle's routine but if he had nowhere else to go she agreed that it should be OK for a little while.
Later that night, Pascal wanted to make sure that Cleo really was OK with Garett staying with them.
"If it would make you uncomfortable having him here then I can tell him that we will sort something else out for him ..."
"No Pascal, it's OK, really, there's no reason not to let him stay for a couple of weeks or so, it seems only fair after the support he gave to Carl – and the two of them appear to get on really well. You know, with all the time he spends in the house writing, it might actually be good for Carl to have someone else about."
"You are right, as always, ma chérie, I will help set up the spare bed in Carl's room for him tomorrow."
-- + --
The following day. while Carl and Pascal prepared the room for Garett, Cleo took baby Danielle out for stroll around Summer Hill.
One thing Cleo would always be grateful to her grandfather for was his decision to buy the plot of land on Summer Hill.
It meant that right outside their door they had beautiful open spaces to enjoy with her daughter, they didn't need to worry about the noise, bustle, and pollution of the town centre.
On lovely summer days like this, the two of them could sit by the pond, watching the fish darting about in the clear water or just delight in the natural beauty of the park.
Danielle always enjoyed these outings, eagerly pointing and laughing at the insects and little animals scurrying around or being held, rapt, by their reflections dancing of the surface of the pond.
As the time for her to leave for the afternoon shift at the Sunset Valley Fire Department approached, Pascal joined them to spend a little time with Danielle as Cleo returned to the house to get ready for work.
Meanwhile Carl was showing Garett around the house so that he would feel at home while he was staying with them.
"Well, Garett, I think that's everything. We have a daily help who does most of the cleaning and tidying up so you don't need to worry about that even!"
Garett laughed, "That I approve of! I could never justify getting a cleaner at my place even though I hated having to do it myself!"
"Hah, I hear ya." Carl agreed, "though they don't usually do the bird or fish tanks which I know Cleo really doesn't like having to do ..."
"No problem, I'm sure I can help with that, it would be a small sacrifice for your generosity in letting me stay here."
"And Cleo would love you for it." Carl laughed.
"Oh no," Garett disagreed, "I imagine it would take a lot more than that to win Cleo's love. And, besides which her heart is already given to Pascal."
"I'm so glad that you're staying with us Garett, I missed our chats and it'll be great to have you here to talk to again."
And with that Carl threw his arms around Garett in a warm embrace.
Cleo was pleased to see her brother smiling and laughing with Garett. Yes, it would be good for him to have Garett here, but had she really put her own past with Garett behind her? Could she trust him ... could she trust herself?
And just how close were Carl and Garett, is that more than a friendly hug?
Whatever, she had work to attend to, and was due at the fire station in less than an hour, she couldn't waste time with silly questions.
Late that afternoon Garett received a phone call, it wasn't a number he recognised, but as soon as he heard the voice on the other end he knew what it was about.
It was Boyd, a friend of old. Well, not so much a friend but someone he had known for many years through his relationship with Mary, Boyd's sister.
"Garett," the caller began, "I've heard from my sister, she will be coming to Sunset Valley tomorrow, but there is something you need to know first. Meet me at City Hall in half an hour."
When Garett arrived at City Hall, it was closed and empty, standing at the entrance he felt dwarfed by the imposing structure as he waited. For the few minutes he was alone he thought of how big and important this place, this town, these people, liked to think they were.
Thankfully he did not have to wait too long before Boyd bounded up the steps to join him.
"Hey Garett! Great to see you again." Boyd enthusiastically greeted his old friend.
Garett had never warmed to Boyd's almost unshakeable cheerfulness, he was a good kid though and they had plenty in common from the old days, but even so Garett wanted to get this meeting over with as quickly as possible. He had a feeling he knew what Boyd's 'news' was.
"Hi Boyd, good to see you too. So, what is it that you couldn't tell me over the 'phone?"
"Come on, man, you're not going to tell me you're not happy that Mary is coming to town? I haven't seen her in months and it's going to be great having her here."
"Yes, of course I am, it has been too long. But ...?"
"OK," Boyd sighed. If Garett was in one of his 'moods' no amount of banter was going to brighten him up. "Mary had taken your dad into hospital, he'd got really bad, but they couldn't do anything ...”
"So, it's over, at last." Garett said impassively. To anyone else it would seem as if he was unmoved by the news but Boyd knew Garett well enough to recognise the subtle indications. For a moment Garett seemed to shrink a little, his eyes closing for a second or two longer than normal.
"She had them do what they could to make him more comfortable but he had nothing left."
"I know," Garett agreed, "in truth he had 'died' years ago."
Boyd continued, "What's more, as soon as Mary registered his death, the Council issued a confiscation order ... they took the house and everything, not that it was worth anything anyway."
"No," Garett sighed, "so there's nothing to keep Mary there."
There it was, all the old ties were gone, there was nothing to go back for now. Garett's future would be made here in Sunset Valley. He would have to explain everything to Mary, but she would understand, she knew what had happened.
Garett headed back to Summer Hill. It would be good to see Mary again, and maybe having her here might help. Either way, it was time to get on with it.
Back at home, Garett found Pascal enjoying a soak in the hot tub, joining him they got to talking about the importance of family.
For Pascal, having a daughter with Cleo was everything he had wished for but he was hoping that they would have another child. Garett confessed that he was envious, his parents died when he was young, and he had missed out on that familial bond. He told Pascal how he longed to find that someone special with whom to start a family.
As they wished each other a good night Pascal was pleased to have learnt more about his house guest, Garett was looking forward to seeing Mary again ... and moving to the next stage of his plan at 15 Summer Hill Court.
Chapter 19 coming soon ...
Intro
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