Deasil Street

5.2

NO. 2 The Bailey HouseholdWarren BaileyWarren moved into the street with his first wife Miranda. She was their main breadwinner despite her ill health. They had a son, James, before she died of cancer. After her death Warren took to gardening to get over his grief, later turning it into a business. He employed Teresa Marshall to care for James, and despite feeling guilty for moving on, fell in love with her.

He and Teresa had Megan following a one night stand, though he was almost unaware of this as she disappeared. It was Jen Martinez who anonymously tipped him off. He fought to have them stay with him, and eventually they married.He gets on well with both his son and daughter, despite often making mistakes when trying to relate to them. Sending James to boarding school troubles him, but he’s determined to do the right thing.

He is reckless with money, but his heart is in the right place. He just doesn’t have a head for business. Loves his wife and children, tries to be a good friend and is proud of all he has done so far in life.

The Bailey HouseholdTeresa Bailey (Nee Marshall)

Employed by Warren to be a housekeeper/childminder. She got the job by knowing Pablo Martinez under circumstances not yet fully explained. She was an intern in Pablo’s company, but never worked in business again once it was completed.

She loved little James first and then her employer. She fell pregnant with Megan following a one night stand and disappeared out of shame and fear. When Warren tracked her down, she moved into the Street permanently. Eventually they admitted their mutual feelings and got together and married.

She has an excellent head for business, and is often frustrated by Warrens attitude to money. Loves him and their children, but is a little wary of James, not knowing what he thinks of her after her reappearance in his life.

Her best friend is Bernice Kasitova, who she has known since they were teens. She is also very close to Jen Potter, and is currently getting to know Aimee Williams well. Doesn’t like Ariette Vickers, who she regards as a snob.

NO. 2

Coffee morning at Bernice’s place. Everyone invited except Ariette. She walks past and is sad.

Bernice was still putting off getting a job. Her latest distraction was organising a get-together with all the other women on Deasil Street. It had taken a while to find a time when they were all free, and she was feeling quite pleased with herself.

She hit it off with Trinity straight away, she was less stuffy than the other women.

Trinity on the other hand was a bit uncomfortable. Bernice was a full adult like Teresa, Jen and Aimee but was acting like she’d just aged up from a teen! Even she felt more mature than her, and Trinity was still a young adult.

Ariette had been out on an evening walk, and hadn’t been able to stop herself from seeing what was going on. She’d been irresistibly drawn by the light and happy voices.

Realising everyone except herself and the recluse Belladonna were there hit her hard. She headed home, miserable.

She knew she didn’t have much in common with the others, but…And the newcomers hadn’t even met her yet, they didn’t know Aimee or Jen any better than they did her.

She sat alone in the silence of her stylish living room, straining her ears to hear the sounds of merriment fromm down the Street. She felt a chill fall upon her that had nothing to do with air-conditioning.

Annette watched her mother all evening. She didn’t move from her seat, not even for dinner. She didn’t speak, even when spoken to.

Her grandfather even ranted at Ariette, calling her lazy, and a silly emotional woman, a waste of space… it was horrid.

Annette wished she knew what was wrong, so she could fix it.

NO. 2 The Bailey Household

James Bailey

James is the son of Warren Bailey and his first wife Miranda, now deceased. He has always been a solitary individual, happy to play alone even as a toddler. As a child, this has worsened to the point of a shyness that keeps him from making new friends. His family wonder if the disruption of losing two maternal figures before becoming a child is to blame.

James had not been happy about his dad marrying Teresa, and this was mostly due to resentment. She had left them both before, she wasn’t trustworthy. Since the wedding their relationship has been cool, never more than civil. Teresa isn’t sure how far she wants to push.On a holiday to France, James discovered a love of music. In time, his behaviour concerned his parents so much they asked for help. A psychologist suggested he go to a boarding school that has music as a focus. There, he could find new confidence and learn more about the only subject that brought him to life. He is currently still at boarding school.

NO. 2 The Bailey HouseholdMegan BaileyMegan is the daughter of Warren and Teresa Bailey. Teresa had her in secret, so she spent her time as a baby and toddler living with just her mum in a tiny flat.She and her mum later moved in with the Baileys, and her parents only waited for her to age up into a child before getting married, so she would remember it.

Megan is a popular, confident and attractive child, throwing her shy brother even further into the background. She also takes after Warren more, loving the outside and sharing his dark hair. Though she also shares her mothers keen business sense, neither of her parents realise her intelligence or knowledge of the subject. Though finding her brother annoying, she misses him now he’s at boarding school.

Her best friends are Annette and Malika, though she also enjoys spending time with her neighbour the young adult Trinity Darkstone, who she finds fascinating. Recently she’s been experimenting with her look, trying out the darker clothes of a more alternative fashion. This is mainly due to her crush on her babysitter, Allain Poeson, though she has never been a girly girl, and has battled to be herself at times.

Annette attends a gathering at the Riding Club, and meets some of the children her mother was so keen on. To her surprise, they didn’t seem too snobby, and she actually had a good time. One small group in particular adopted her, twins Alicia and Adam Barrow and Gerald Orande.

They politely didn’t mention her enrolment in the local school rather than their more exclusive, expensive establishment. Instead, they invited her to their after-school social club. None of their parents got home before late, so this was a second home to most of them.

It was tastefully furnished, and had everything! She felt herself here, she didn’t have to be outside roughing it with Megan, or studying as at home. It almost reminded her of the school she’d lived at most of her life. Before her mother had admitted her existence.

Megan was still her best friend though. Her first friend in Appaloosa and her neighbour. She just wished… well Megan could be pretty single minded sometimes. Not everyone liked hanging around in a tree-house for hours.