STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER TEN(Con...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey



CHAPTER TEN(Con...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER TEN (Continued) That day Gabe had to go for a routine checkup in another par...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER TEN

(Continued)

That day Gabe had to go for a routine checkup in another part of the hospital. There was a different nurse on duty, someone he hadn't seen before. In answer to his query, she told him she was new to the town. Her background was French but she spoke English very well.

She was blond with dark soft brown eyes and a lovely smile.

Her name was Francoise. Gabe was smitten, and in quieter way, she was too. For once Gabe forgot his illness and chatted to her before and after his appointment, until she was called away to other duties.

They had exchanged phone numbers and agreed to meet for coffee in a few days time.

Don't despise the day of small beginnings, thought Gabe as he left the hospital happier than he had ever been. Had he been younger, he would have skipped at the thought of the nurse's smile.

He chided himself. He was still young, but perhaps a bit past skipping!



                                 =====================

John looked around at his small congregation with love and hope. They still met in Gabe's big lounge room, but were looking at some premises to rent or buy.

Angel and Thomas were there with baby James Samuel looking at them both with the steady imprinting stare of a newborn. 

He looked well and healthy. Geoff and Chloe were away for a few days.

Jason had accompanied wife Jean as it was Easter Sunday, such a joyous time. John and Jason had shared some healing times.

A child raced past. It was Robert, still with a head bandage and a bit pale, but much happier. Apparently, he liked Clive, who was also there visiting with Diane.

Maya flew past him also, laughing, tagged by Wes who glanced up at him, grinning his mischievous, innocent little boy smile, his whole face lit with light. 

Then Gabe and Francoise strolled up hand in hand, having volunteered to do Children's Church. Was it Daniel and the Lions' Den or David and Goliath?

John suddenly realised it was about the wonderful, glorious miracle of the Risen Christ - which is what he was just about to teach and discuss with his wonderful, new extended family: his only family actually, but he sincerely hoped that was about to change....

                                   THE END FOR NOW

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER NI...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE



By Tessa Harvey






CHAPTER NI...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER NINE (Continued) Diane sat opposite her son,  waiting for him to aw...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER TEN

Diane sat opposite her son,  waiting for him to awaken. She had kept vigil all night and was still in some pain herself from her injuries. Clive Neilson had been to keep her company and he had been welcome as she had scrambled to hold on to her sanity after her son had almost been murdered by her husband.

She blamed herself a little, but he had been so charming and handsome and caring and she had been innocent and trusting.

The bullet had furrowed the boy's scalp. Had it not been for the fact Robert had stumbled...she shuddered, knowing what a skilled shooter Walt was and wondered again if prayer had helped. John had called and said he had been called to pray at that time.

A small voice whispered "mum?" Diane turned , so grateful and gave her boy a gentle hug. "You are the best boy in the world," she murmured. 

"Will I die?" he again whispered. "No," his mum said, her voice teary. "God kept you safe. Maya told me what happened. She was upset by all the blood."

"Girls!" her son murmured, and promptly fell into a calm and natural sleep.

Diane tiptoed out to tell the nurse her son had spoken, then decided to go home for a few hours.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER NI...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE



By Tessa Harvey






CHAPTER NI...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER NINE (Continued) Robert barely noticed the glorious sunset. Hungry...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER NINE

(Continued)

Robert barely noticed the glorious sunset. Hungry and cold, he was aware the  light would soon begin to fade, and decided to slither back the way he had come. Perhaps he could talk to the friendly policeman at the bridge and leave the situation to him.

But he had not gone far when a loud voice yelled: "Stay where you are boy. You lot," Walt kept yelling. "I can see you. You move like a load of clodhoppers."

Glancing around, Robert now saw the police quietly surrounding the cottage. He realised his dad could see the policemen in front, but not those to the back and sides. He decided to keep Walt's attention on him and stood up to run.

After several metres, a stone on the path turned his ankle just as a shot rang out. The boy was flung headlong and lay still, bleeding.

Maya had run up, panting. She screamed and tried to reach the motionless boy. A policeman held her back firmly, radioing for medical help.

Walt had seen his son fall and for an instant thought of turning the gun on himself, then hardened his heart, resolving to fight to the end. He didn't realise that special combat forces were just about to throw teargas canisters into the back of the cottage. Then, masked, they burst in and soon had the man in custody.

it was over for him, at least for now.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER NINE (C...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey



CHAPTER NINE (C...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER NINE  (Continued) Diane was home and looking for Robert. She called Leaf ...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER NINE 

(Continued)

Diane was home and looking for Robert. She called Leaf and Nev, but he wasn't there. She couldn't help worrying. Could she pray as Leaf did? Maybe. Desperation put a different slant on things. After all, she knew what Walt was like and he had obviously grown worse over the years. She could not pray for him though. Perhaps one day. Maybe.

Gabe was telling the police about the small house up on the hillside when a police call came through, that gunshots had been heard in that area.

Hastily, he offered to show the police the way. They all knew Walt was dangerous. What they did not know was that Walt was now also delusional.

Nor did they know a child was involved, a boy who wanted to be a big, strong brave detective, but who did not have the maturity to realise how deadly the situation was or could be.

John Fitzgerald had been visiting Gabe. He felt a very strong sense of urgency and began to pray earnestly.

Maya looked at the sky. The sunset was beautiful. The clouds were built up like a castle and glowing colours of red and pink lit up the whole world, or so it seemed to the small girl. She wondered where Robert had gone. She admired the older boy very much and thought he was probably playing detective. 

Maya had absolute faith that Robert would fulfil his ambition as he was working so hard at school and they liked to compete in maths and English in a friendly way.

Maya decided to follow Robert up the hill. She had caught a glimpse of him some time ago, but he hadn't returned.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER NINE (...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER NINE (...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER NINE  (Continued) Looking up, Robert ducked down behind a grey boulder. H...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER NINE 

(Continued)

Looking up, Robert ducked down behind a grey boulder. He thought he had seen a flicker of movement at a curtained window overlooking the hillside. All he could hear though was the stream chuckling and bubbling along beside him.

After a long time, he risked a peak around the rock. A harsh crack sounded and flakes of stone cut his cheek, stinging.

Wow! It was just like the movies. Robert was startled, but really excited. He knew his dad would never shoot his own son. What he didn't know was that his dad had been drinking steadily for a long time.

Walt felt like one of those brave outlaws making a last stand in his hideout. He had watched films like that intently for years. It hadn't been too hard to obtain a firearm, not for someone with his skills. The man had no idea his son was out there.

He felt he was surrounded by marauding Apaches or some kind of gang, standing alone against all odds. No movement outside.

Walt relaxed and sat back. Maybe he should grab some food.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREReturns Monday

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREReturns Monday: STONES OF FIRE Returns Monday

STONES OF FIRE

Returns Monday

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER EIGHT(...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER EIGHT(...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER EIGHT (Continued) He remembered his years as a councillor, his anger at d...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER EIGHT

(Continued)

He remembered his years as a councillor, his anger at deluded folk who believed in God. Had he been wrong? He decided to let go - he didn't care. Then he heard a baby crying loudly, strongly. Wait, he had a grandson, family!! 

He struggled back to consciousness and life and saw his beautiful loved ones regarding him with love and tears in their eyes, even Jean whose faith he had derided for years. He reached for and clasped her hand, determined to make amends, to never let go.

The stones of fire in his shop made them a living, but they were only stones, no matter how wonderfully they shone and sparkled. The real fire was love in people's hearts for each other and, he began to realise, for God, the author of Love.

                                   ===================

CHAPTER NINE

Robert was once again playing detective. He had seen the police knocking on doors, so thought he would search the paths out of town. As he went towards the hills, he could see the police cars checking traffic on the highway below. Two officers were also posted near the bridge, one at each end.

Robert waved to one of the officers, who waved back cheerily. The boy kept scanning the ground for clues like footprints. He was very angry with his dad for hurting mum. Also deeply disappointed. He had so wanted a dad.

He looked around and saw something sparkling in some dead, brown, old winter leaves. It flashed red and glowed softly. It was a ruby earring!

Robert was overjoyed, lost in his detective game, not really thinking about consequences. He saw he was near to Geoff's old place where he had heard he spent summer holidays with his daughter when she was a child. The woman was Angel. He knew she had a baby now. His mum had told him she had looked after goats for a while , because she loved that awful soppy book "Heidi."

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER EIGHT(C...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey



CHAPTER EIGHT(C...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER EIGHT (Continued) Furious and angry, Walt had apparently gone to a pub, ...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER EIGHT

(Continued)

Furious and angry, Walt had apparently gone to a pub, downed a lot of drink in a short time and staggered out like a raging bull, knocking others down willy-nilly.

He had then gone to the jewellers, heaved a rock through the window and grabbed rubies, diamonds, pearls, opals, rings and watches, gold and silver bangles and other precious items such as earrings. The jeweller had come out and bravely tried to stop him, but was brutally felled by a cruel blow to the head.

He had been taken to hospital.

The police came to see Diane and told her what had happened.

"Who was hurt?" she gasped. "Thomas or Jason?" "The older man," the police officer replied. "It's quite serious."

"Where is Walt?" Diane asked. 

- No trace apparently. A search on foot and in police cars was still going on.

Jason lay still and silent in a hospital bed. His head was bandaged. Jean was with him and Thomas came as often as he could. For thirty years the shop had been safe and now all this had happened.

Jean had no answers, but she did trust that God would work all things out for good even when it seemed hard and almost hopeless. Even then.

In his head, Jason was far away. He drifted, sometimes in a seeming void, sometimes back in the jungle.... He didn't really want to come back, but he was aware of something bothering him. He tried to ignore it, but the voice was insistent. Where will you go? There is life after death. Where will you go?

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER EIGHT(C...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey



CHAPTER EIGHT(C...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER EIGHT (Continued) When Robert came  to see his mum, Clive Neilson had a h...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER EIGHT

(Continued)

When Robert came  to see his mum, Clive Neilson had a hand his shoulder, gripping the boy encouragingly. His mum was sat on a hospital bed.

Diane reassured the horrified boy. "I'm coming home later today. Chin up. I love you." 

Robert moved forward to carefully hug his mum, roughly swiping his tears with his sleeve. She tried to smile. "Thanks, Mr. Neilson."

"Clive," he responded softly.

He asked Robert to get some drinks for them, slipping him enough money for cake or sandwiches.

"It probably isn't the right time, but I'm very fond of you, Diane. You must have noticed. I admire you and respect you and would like to visit sometimes if I may when all this has settled down."

Diane looked at him. She did like him very much. "I'm getting a divorce," she whispered. "The lawyer said there are grounds for desertion. Also I will not allow myself or my son to go back to suffering violence. When Walt has gone, you are welcome to call."

Just then the police came in, a woman and a man.

"Can you give us a clear description of your husband? they asked. "We believe he has just robbed somebody and also assaulted a person."

Diane went even paler. "Oh no!" she whispered.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SE...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE



By Tessa Harvey






CHAPTER SE...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN (Continued) Diane glared at Walt as Robert left. "Why do...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Diane glared at Walt as Robert left. "Why don't you leave us alone?" she hissed. "My boy has chores to do and homework. I want him to go to a good secondary school."

Too late she saw Walt's expression. "You got any money, it's mine. I'm the husband."

"Never!" yelled Diane, and for the first time in ten years, Walt swung his fist and caught her in the face. She crumbled and fell and lay still. "It's your boy next," he thundered, rubbing his knuckles. You always make me hit you. It's your own fault." 

He threw a cup down near her, smashing it, kicked her and went out slamming the door so violently the glass panel cracked.

 ====================

CHAPTER EIGHT

Diane came to, in a haze of pain. She couldn't let Robert see her on the floor, and reaching for a chair, pulled herself upright. With shaking fingers she dialed the newspaper office. Clive Neilson  answered and she suddenly burst into huge sobs. She had meant to call in sick, but then felt too weak and dizzy and the tears had just flowed. Haltingly she explained.

Within minutes, Mr Neilson and the police were there. They surveyed her battered face in horror. Diane was also bent over, her ribs having been cracked in two places by Walt's heavy boots before he left.

Despite her protests, she was taken to the hospital for a checkup and treatment.

Mr Neilson cleaned up the kitchen, the broken cup and the blood by himself, after checking all was well at the office. He decided then to see Leaf and Robert.

Diane had whispered his whereabouts through sore lips before she left.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREWill Continue on Tuesday

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREWill Continue on Tuesday: STONES OF FIRE Will Continue on Tuesday

STONES OF FIRE

Will Continue on Tuesday

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SEVEN(...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER SEVEN(...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN (Continued) Robert slipped out one Saturday. He had told his dad h...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Robert slipped out one Saturday. He had told his dad he wanted to be a detective and waited for applause and encouragement from his father, his small freckled face open and expectant. The reaction was violent. The older man went red with suppressed anger and Robert watched his arm raise, then lower and he saw the thin lips tighten against a volley of curses.

His mum looked apprehensive but also angry herself on her son's behalf. Robert decided to get out. It was becoming a regular occurrence.

Downhearted, he went to his friend's house, walking slowly, kicking the odd stone morosely.

Wes came hurtling to meet him. "Guess what?" he yelled high on the wind. "I finded a burgular and we got a reward. We got chocolate! I kept some for you," he added caringly as he saw the older boy's sad face.

Maya explained how they were in the hardware store and Wes had gone to find some nails for Nev.

"The stealer was putting shiny screwdrivers in his pocket" interrupted Wes. "I yelled 'Stop that you stealer!!"

Before Maya or Nev or the store manager had arrived, the strange man had slipped the tools back.

He had stared at them all. "What's wrong? I was just looking! What's with the kid?" He had gone away angrily, but the look he gave Wes would have cowed a vicious dog, never mind a small boy.

Wes stared at Robert. "The bad man's hair looked like yours, Robert, all gingery."

Robert looked pale and shaken. Maya noticed. "Mum made scones for us," she said. "Come in, Robert. They are lovely and warm - Everybody's different, Wes," she remarked. "We are very dark like our mum and other people have yellow or red hair. It's just how it is."

She put her arm through Robert's and pulled him into the house. Leaf and Neville treated them as their son, but Robert had wanted his very own dad. The thought rankled and would not go away.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SEVEN(...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER SEVEN(...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN (Continued) Angel woke up hot and in great pain. She cried out and ...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

(Continued)

Angel woke up hot and in great pain. She cried out and Thomas, groggy at first and then rapidly alert, phoned for help and assisted Angel to get up from the bed. She stood and her waters broke, but by then the ambulance team were there and Angel was soon in hospital being well-attended.

Thomas waited for the night to be nearer morning, then called Angel's parents and his own. He was anxious and on edge but felt much more confident now he was beginning to know Jesus.

Jean noted Geoff and Chloe were holding hands, and felt pleased. Both had been too long alone.

Several hours later James Samuel Lewis was born, yelling lustily! Angel was tired, but well. It was a beautiful time and God was thanked as well as the medical staff. Even Jason looked happy.

                                        ------------------------------------------------------

Diane stared at the computer screen, fingers still. Her employer, Mr Neilson, walked past and paused. He knew Diane was a very good worker.

"Mrs Jones, Diane, may I be of assistance?"

Diane looked up at his kindly face and decided to tell him. He was very perturbed.

:You know", he said, having sat down and  steepling his hands, "your husband has no real right just to walk back into your life and home after ten years with no word. You really need a lawyer. Could I make a suggestion?"

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SEV...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE


By Tessa Harvey






CHAPTER SEV...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN Diane was crunching toast and honey next morning and urging Robert...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SEVEN

Diane was crunching toast and honey next morning and urging Robert to eat up before he went to Nev and Leaf's. It was holiday time again. She glanced at the clock. Still some time to spare before work.

There was a knock at the kitchen door and Robert went to answer, thinking it was probably Maya and Wes.

A big man stood there. A stranger. "Hello son," he said. "Mum home? Can I come in?" And he walked in. 

Diane was staring at him in horror, which angered him. He sought politeness.

"Sorry it's been so long, love. Not very good at keeping in touch. Any chance of a cuppa?"

Still lost for words, Diane waved over to the coffee pot. Walt was bigger, heavier and somehow rougher. It was hard to explain.

"I'm staying nearby", he explained. "Like I said, I'm sorry. Saved up some money for you and the boy like."

He poured himself a coffee, sat down and sipped it, appraising her. Obviously she looked older, but was still good-looking. Walt reached in his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash.

They both looked astonished, especially the boy. Robert, was it?

"Here," he said and peeled off a few notes, giving them to the wide-eyed youngster. "Maybe buy something for your bike or something."

The boy's face fell and he looked down. Great, thought Walt. An opening!

"Could afford to get you one on Saturday if your mum doesn't mind."

He glanced at her. She nodded, hesitating, unsure.

"Reckon I'll come back then, ok?" He left them with a smile, thinking it had gone really well. He was tired of living mostly alone. The last stint in the clink had rattled him.

Warm house, warm food, family. Just the ticket. Take it slow, he mused, but not too slow, allow no time for deep thought.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SIX(Co...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER SIX(Co...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SIX (Continued) The near-stranger walked seemingly with purpose about th...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SIX

(Continued)

The near-stranger walked seemingly with purpose about the town, but he tried to miss nothing. He came past the jewellers and glanced at the stones of fire glinting in the sunlight. He had heard of the two foiled attempts to loot the shop. "Bungling amateurs," he muttered. 

Turning around a blind corner, he knocked against a middle-aged lady and her shopping went flying. He bent to help her pick it up, then decided to leave it and move on. The lady stared at him. "Have you no heart?" she demanded angrily. The man glanced back. "Nope" he retorted. "Heart of stone, me."

Jean stared angrily as the stranger disappeared down the street. She felt a niggle of unease as she picked up her groceries assisted by one or two passersby.

The voice and face seemed oddly familiar in some way. She shrugged away the unease and went on to meet Gabe, John, Angel and a few others who now met weekly for a Bible Study.

The scones and buns she carried were placed on a plate. They were mostly undamaged. Gabe and John passed around cups of tea, coffee or glasses of water. The atmosphere was warm and convivial as they nibbled on the goodies and chatted. Jean recounted her story. Leaf seemed interested. "Could it have been Walt, Diane's husband?" she queried. Nobody was sure. He had left years ago.

The Bible Study was inspiring and interesting and the incident forgotten.

But not by Walt. He stewed about it resentfully, as he picked up his own groceries and made his way up the hill where Geoff's former cottage stood empty. He had checked last night.

After a hot meal, he smoked a cigarette, then had some beer. He thought about his son. Robert would be old enough to be worth training, he mused.

In the clink he had come across Mack and Jim. Mack was a close mouthed bloke, but Jim had been eager to talk to his new hero. So Walt had found out about the alarm button and other useful tidbits of information about the town and its inhabitants.

He would have to be careful how he approached Diane. She would not be the naïve young girl he had met and charmed long ago. Still he reckoned she knew the boy needed a good dad.

And he intended to be just that - oh yes, he did. He chuckled, doused the lights and went to bed.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER SIX...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE


By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER SIX

...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SIX The weeks turned to months; winter blustered on and on for a whi...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER SIX

The weeks turned to months; winter blustered on and on for a while, then was lost to a glorious spring of sunshine, flowers, green leaves and birds nesting. Angel grew round with the promise of new growth and birth. There were anxious moments and sometimes fear tried to shadow the night, but Angel was held in the prayers of her friends. 

Even Thomas was beginning to glance at a Bible from time to time, his mind opening.

But Jason held out, entrenched in doubts and shadows he alone knew from the deep past.

He is in a shallow pit. It is very hot and humid. The air drones with insects that afflict them mercilessly. He feels alone, but knows other members of his force are around. Occasionally, he hears a muffled cough, a tiny creak as someone moves position carefully, minutely. There were distant crumps of shell explosions. Some came nearer, one almost on top of them, with soil, mud, grass and leaves blown high in the shivering air in a sort of small tornado.

The temptation to run, to break cover is overwhelming, but he resists.

He cannot betray his friends or himself. Small arms fire breaks out in a staccato burst of sound.

The soldier cringes lower. He thinks of his wife, safe and beautiful, of his son, innocent, wide-eyed, smiling, of a long cool drink, a cold shower, long sleeps in a comfortable bed...The images flicker and are lost. He cannot afford to be distracted.

There is a whispered order to move up front. They all obey, as silently as possible. But the move is ill-fated. Shells fall all around them and there are sudden groans and terrible screams. He is hit. He stumbles to his feet and tries to find some of the others to help, but cannot and must retreat alone, stumbling, falling, getting up and staggering on.

There is a click. Someone has him in their line of fire!

He cries out hopelessly. Then his wife is there, calming, soothing.

Just a nightmare, but so terrible, so real.

Jason knows it has been triggered by the two assaults on the shop. How can he overcome?

He feels alone and helpless. Even afraid, though he cannot admit this to anyone.

Just limp along and hang on somehow.

STONES OF FIRE WILL CONTINUE ON MONDAY

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER FIVE(C...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER FIVE(C...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER FIVE (Continued) Geoff was in a nearby café talking to Chloe. Firstly he...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

(Continued)

Geoff was in a nearby café talking to Chloe. Firstly he apologised for the fact he had been so arrogant and brash in their early marriage. "Could we try again?" he asked , beseechingly. "I have changed so much. Jesus has changed my life."

His wife pondered his words. As far as she was concerned, Jesus was only a word to her, but she could see that her husband was clearly a totally different person. People could not change like that. Perhaps there was a God after all.

Looking up into Geoff's sincere eyes, she nodded. "Take it slow. We will see. As Angel and you are anchored here, I will stay for a while in a motel, but if it doesn't work, I will definitely return home."

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER FIVE(Con...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey


CHAPTER FIVE(Con...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER FIVE (Continued) The mockery in the man's eyes served to galvanise Angel. ...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

(Continued)

The mockery in the man's eyes served to galvanise Angel. She felt her fear receding and faith flared and grew. "Jesus is Lord. We will make it. It's not God's will for this child to die." The statement held in the air as Angel slumped into unconsciousness.

Some time later she heard her mother calling her softly. "Mum," she murmured. Gabe and Jean were close to her as were Thomas and Geoff. "My baby. Is it safe?"

There were delighted nods. "You were just in time. The doctor is coming to explain. Please stay still dear," whispered Thomas.

The doctor walked in and explained Angel had had medication to settle everything down. Now Angel had to rest for a few days, then could return home providing she did nothing strenuous.

"What caused so much pain, doctor?" queried Angel. "We are not absolutely sure," was the answer, "but we wanted to monitor you closely. Keep in close touch with your family doctor. And," he added, "I hear you are a Christian. Pray. Prayer is powerful, my dear. Never forget that."

Angel had tears in her eyes as she nodded, resolved to pray as much as she could, believing and reading her Bible.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER FIVE(C...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER FIVE(C...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER FIVE (Continued) Maya said "Mum, look what Wes has done." Jean ...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

(Continued)

Maya said "Mum, look what Wes has done." Jean dutifully followed her daughter. "Look!" 

The child pointed. There on the toilet roll were a set of small perfectly shaped teeth marks.

Leaf knew better than to ask Wes, why. Instead she said "Wes, what did you do?" He grinned, very slightly embarrassed. "I bited the toilet roll!" 

Leaf gave her son a long look. He was saved by her phone ringing. "Yes, yes. Definitely," she answered. "I will do that."

It was a call to pray for Angel from Pastor John. He had already contacted the rest of the families.

Angel hadn't been sure of what was happening. Once in the ambulance, fear started to cripple her. "Oh God, help! Jean's help," she cried, anguished. She opened her eyes to see the ambulance attendant rolling his eyes.

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIREBy Tessa HarveyCHAPTER FIVE...

STONES OF FIRE: STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER FIVE

...: STONES OF FIRE By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER FIVE Once more, John Fitzgerald felt himself speeding down the rugby field,...

STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER FIVE

Once more, John Fitzgerald felt himself speeding down the rugby field, the crowd cheering and growing wild. No opposition - good. He flung himself forward in he felt later was one of his best rugby tackles ever.

The fleeing robber stood no chance. He was flung to the ground. Desperately, he struggled, but it was hopeless and he soon realised it. Help came in the form of a couple of burly male passersby only too willing to help, once appraised of the situation.

Very gingerly, John picked himself up and brushed his clothes. Someone called the police.

The young man was searched and some rings and pendants were found, making his guilt obvious.

John was going to slip away, but Thomas came out of the shop. He was white with shock. "Thanks John, but we need you. Angel has gone to hospital! Could you come? Please!"