Deasil Street6.3

Ariette got to Annette early that morning before Harry could say anything. She apologised for the sudden change, for hiding her away and allowing herself to be bullied by her father, for everything. She swore she’d try to be a better mother from now on.

After their long talk Ariette hurried off to give Peps her morning ride. Annette was less industrious. She struggled to concentrate on her family history project, her mind was so confused by the changes in her mother.

The sense of rebellion must be contagious, as she soon bailed to go for a walk and try to clear her head.

At the Baileys, they’re in real trouble. Although there had been no change in the weather, no swarms of unusual insects… the plants were dying.

Teresa has had no luck diagnosing the disease, as there are no symptoms. They simply shrivel and die.

It is a major concern. There is no way they can afford any deviation from maximum output. She barely manages to keep a lid on her rising panic.

Teresa thought she was keeping their worries from their kids… But Megan had been regularly sneaking looks at the family finances for years. She knew everything.

Aimee is also struggling with work, in that she still doesn’t have any. She’s under-qualified for anything decent, but over-qualified for starter positions.

Marley was happy though. He loved his job as a fireman, and had carved out quite a niche for himself. He was picking up all the skills he needed for the job like a duck to water.

When on duty, his job was strictly speaking a medical role. But his co-workers were finding her could be relied on as a handy number two in many situations.

In a small town like Appaloosa, coincidences happen. One evening Malika walked to the station after school, as her mum was out late working an evening shift as an interview. In the foyer, she met a policewoman she recognised. It was the lady who had arrested that scary man right in front of her!

PC Marsh was flattered by Malika’s awe, it was so rare to find a child or teen who was ready to voice their admiration for the police.

While they waited for Marley to finish, she gave Malika the contact details for a programme they ran for young people interested in the law.

PC Janet Marsh was a plain clothes detective, who had risen through the ranks from the pathology lab to an active investigator role.

Despite tracking down criminals as a detective, she also worked behind the scenes and did the odd shift walking the streets in uniform. She had no family at all, and her co-workers quietly pitied her workahloc lifestyle. Non of them had the heart to call her on the fact that she shouldn’t be doing so many different jobs at once.

Malika took the bull by the horns and was soon signed up to the neighbourhood watch. She couldn’t wait to be a teen and enrol after school as a police cadet.