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Post by sophie on Dec 30, 2009 20:37:40 GMT
Thanks for the lovely comment
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Post by Bee on Dec 31, 2009 6:43:55 GMT
thats great sophie cant wait for more (:
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Post by sophie on Dec 31, 2009 17:08:10 GMT
I'm assuming that is safe to climb trees and swim in rivers in Queensland...apologies if it's not for some reason!
The next day they all got up early for a walk in the countryside that surrounded the farm. "Do you remember the walks we used to take with Riley and Bridget?" Miranda asked Steve, adjusting the strap of her bag. "You mean when we were actually able to convince them to come on walks!" Steve said. "When Didge hadn't already raced off out to wherever it was she went, or when Riley hadn't gone off to the coast!" "I always loved our walks," Miranda said dreamily. "When the kids weren't arguing, or sulking, and it was a beautiful day. I wish Riley could have come along as well." "Well, he'll be here this evening." Thye walked further away from the farm. "Look at that!" Steve whistled, staring up at a huge tree. "Miranda, do you remember when Bridget went up there when she was seven? I only took my eyes off her for a second and when I turned round she sitting in the top branches waving at me!" "I nearly had a heart attack!" Miranda exclaimed. "We both did! I told her not to move and I'd come up and get her but she was already coming down, sure as a possum, and then she was on the ground as quickly as she had climbed. And when I told her never to frighten me like that again, she just said in that sure voice of hers, but I was safe Dad. My feet know where to go. And when I asked Riley why he hadn't been keeping an eye on his little sister, he looked at me like I was mad and said, Didge can climb better than me, and there weren't many things Riley admitted Didge being better at. He also told me she could probably climb better than I could. And she was safe. She could climb better than anyone," Steve reminisced. India looked up at the tree and her head swam. She hated heights. No one knew where she had got it from, just like they didn't know where she had got her love of reading, but for whatever reason India couldn't even climb a ladder. Her dad whispered to her, "I wouldn't want to climb it either," but it didn't make her feel better because she knew that if he had to he would and he wouldn't feel frightened for a moment. It was at that climbing centre that he said he had fallen for Mum. Mum hadn't been able to climb that day, thanks to dropping Dad's rope and Dad always cornily joking that that was when he had fallen for her, but India knew that if she hadn't dropped it she would have climbed too, maybe Dad holding the rope for her, and they would still have fallen in love. She would never be able to face a climbing centre. She didn't have her mum's guts. They walked on for another half-hour and then sat down to eat some snacks by a river. India had put her swimming costume on underneath her clothes and she took them off and jumped in. At least she was like Mum that way, she thought to herself, swimming around and looking up at the big, beautiful blue sky, she knew Mum had loved to swim too. Miranda took a picture. "You just like Bridget swimming like that," she mused. "When they were little she and yor uncle Riley would spend hours in that river. We used to say they were water-babies and it embarrassed them. Bridget once told me that she liked to pretend she was a mermaid, I think that was only thing she didn't mind being girly about." It made India feel funny being told she looked her mum swimming so she got out a little while later and not much longer they all set off home. It was getting too hot to stay out much later; it was getting towards noon when the sun was at its cruellest. India couldn't imagine being Donna in England where it was snowing; December and Christmas for her equated hot, long days and brief nights with the ground boiling your feet if you weren't careful. "There's a picture of your mum, Indy," Miranda said after they had eaten lunch, getting out a photo album. Bridget was sitting in another, smaller tree, looking very pleased with herself. Miranda turned a page. "There she is again with Riley!" In this photo Bridget and Riley was splashing water at one another and you could tell they were shouting with laughter. India loved how her mother looked like she shone in every photo she was shown of her, of any age, in any weather, she simply shone with life.
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Post by Bee on Jan 1, 2010 4:27:52 GMT
sophie this is great!! i love it sooo much!! you're writing the landscapes well for someone who hasnt been to Australia
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Post by suse on Jan 1, 2010 9:23:15 GMT
Gorgeous..so nicely written too. My fave bit - India loved how her mother looked like she shone in every photo she was shown of her, of any age, in any weather, she simply shone with life. .
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Post by sophie on Jan 1, 2010 12:22:36 GMT
Oh thank you! I'm happy I'm imagining it well and that everyone is still enjoying it. I'll try and get another update later. Happy New Year by the way
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Post by Han on Jan 2, 2010 10:42:51 GMT
This is great Sophie! Sorry I hadn't commented earlier but I was never logged in whenever an update was posted
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Post by sophie on Jan 2, 2010 12:08:50 GMT
Thanks Han Riley had come over and they were finishing dinner. When he and Marie had arrived, he had said, "All right?" to Declan gruffly, shaken his hand and then helped make sure Marie was comfortable. Declan had a feeling that Riley had never forgiven him for getting his little sister pregnant and then going on to marry her. In a moment of grief, years ago, when India had still been a baby, Declan had gone to see them, and Riley had shouted, You tied her down! You ruined Didge's life! It's your fault! and even though an hour later he had said that he hadn't meant it, he hadn't known what he was saying, and even though Declan had forgiven him and understood, the words still echoed in his mind and he would never forget them. Miranda put her arm round Riley as he got up to help her with the plates. They had got much closer since Bridget had died. Riley had lived with them for three years after it had happened and Declan told India that he thought they needed him as much as he needed them. Marie asked for some more water and India passed her the jug. She was a quiet, somewhat mysterious woman who well-matched Riley's elusive manner, even though she knew all there was about him and accepted it. They had met at a support group for bereaved people and whilst she rarely talked about it, everyone knew that she had lost her father at the same time that they had lost Didge and the loss had hit her hard. She smiled at India. They ate their dinner and talked about all the boring things, school, work, the usual. There was a stain on the tablecloth. "I've never got that out," Miranda said ruefully. "And I forget it's there every year. I gave Bridget a sip of red wine when she was ten and then she spat it out because she didn't like it, I was furious with her. And then she had the naughtiness to say, you knew I might not have liked it! I grounded her for the afternoon." "She was a funny one," Steve said. "When she was eight she asked me to take her to the supermarket because she said she was a princess who was going to eat nothing but Hummingbird cake." "Didge told me she never wanted to be a princess!" Declan exclaimed. "Not a girly princess. She said she was going to a princess who wore nothing but shorts and t-shirts, could play footy all day and never go to bed and eat nothing but Hummingbird cake. And if anyone tried to make her wear a dress they'd be thrown into a dungeon. I don't know what dungeon that was," Steve laughed. "I could never make a little girl out of her!" Miranda sighed. "Not that kind anyway." India agreed with her mother. She had always hated dresses too and was thankful that Nan could only try and force her into one every now and then. "Speaking of Hummingbird cake, we've got a treat, Indy," Miranda smiled. "We've got some specially! Don't worry, Riley," she said, turning to her son, "There's some chocolate cake for you, I know you don't like it." "You didn't need to go to all that trouble, Mum," Riley said, a bit embarrassed, but Miranda stopped him and said, "Oh, it's not trouble, Riley! I'm allowed to spoil you." Her nan cut her a massive slice of cake and suddenly, India didn't know what it was, but she just didn't want it. India stared down at her plate. She'd been looking forward to it and now she didn't want any. What was wrong with her?! "Are you all right, darling?" Miranda asked in concern. "I feel funny," India mumbled. She pushed away her plate. "Funny in what way?" Declan asked. "I don't know." They were all staring at her. "My tummy's hurting and I feel weird all over. I'm sorry Nan," and she couldn't help it, but tears were sparking in her eyes, "but I can't eat any cake!" Everyone made sympathetic noises. "It doesn't matter, sweetheart," Miranda said. "We can wrap it up and have some tomorrow. It won't go off." "Do you want to lie down?" Declan asked, and she nodded. She felt very odd. "I hope she's not coming down with something," she heard her dad say as she walked towards her room, and Mum's room as well. "Well, she's in good hands if she is," she heard Nan say back. "Poor Indy, I hope she's not as well. Just before Christmas!" Aching, she got into bed, held her blanket and was asleep in a moment.
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Post by rebeccag on Jan 2, 2010 22:10:04 GMT
aww great chapter Sophie. Poor indy And I can see Riley acting like that towards Dec too
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Post by suse on Jan 2, 2010 23:23:11 GMT
Great great geat. I particularly liked that first part about Riley..how true that would have been. It made me a bit . Its a shame the Riley character never really clicked as a whole as I did enjoy his relationship with Didge. Lookng forward to the next part...will Indy have a health crisis .
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Post by sophie on Jan 2, 2010 23:39:04 GMT
Thanks guys! I never felt strongly about Riley one way or another but I did like his relationship with Bridget as well and thought it would have been interesting to see his reaction to her pregnancy and everything else that happened. And I was sure he'd have been beyond comfort after she died . Well, there is something going on with Indy but it's not life-threatening! I really appreciate all the positive comments!
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Post by Bee on Jan 3, 2010 7:41:10 GMT
Sophie i love it...The bit about Riley was spot on!
Cant wait for more (:
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Post by sophie on Jan 3, 2010 15:33:00 GMT
Thanks Lia!
India woke up feeling extremely disorientated. There was no clock in her room and everywhere seemed light; it must be morning. She got up and left her room calling, "Hello?" as she walked down towards the kitchen. Nan was in there tidying the cupbaords. "Hello darling. How are you feeling today?" "A bit better...my tummy's still hurting though. What time is it?" "Eleven." Eleven! She'd been asleep for fifteen hours. "Where is everyone?" "Riley and Marie left about an hour after you went to bed. You dad and grandpa have gone to the market, they'll be there for a while, they're picking out some presents. I'll rustle you up some toast, shall I? It's been far too long since you've eaten." "I don't really want anything." India poured herself a glass of water. "It's important to keep your energy levels up," lectured Miranda. She took India's face in her hands. "And you look a bit pale, it will do you good to have some food in you." It was no use arguing with Nan when she was in a mood like that and besides, she probably was right. India let her make her two pieces of toast and, to her surprise, she wanted them more than she had thought. "That's better," Miranda said with a smile. "I'm going to go and get dressed." India got up and did so, hoping with all her heart that she wasn't falling ill, and then went to the bathroom. She looked down and couldn't believe it, there was blood. "Nan!" she called out in fright. "Nan, help!" She knew what was happening - she'd learnt from school, books, other girls, magazines and that embarrassing talk from Dad - but she still felt scared in spite of it all. "What is it?!" Miranda hurried in. "I've started my period," she sniffled. "Oh, I can't believe I'm crying!" "Sweetheart!" Miranda gave her a hug. "Do you have anything?" India shook her head and wiped her tears away. "Not to worry, I do. And I'll pick up some more things later." Miranda opened the bathroom cupboard gave India a pad and she smiled, somehow, and said, "Thanks Nan." A little while later she came out and Miranda was making something in the blender. "A celebratory milkshake!" she announced. "As you're becoming a woman!" India sat on the sofa and hugged a cushion. "I don't think I want to," she said in a small voice. Miranda came over and gave her a special cuddle. "It's a bit scary, but it's normal Indy. You'll get used to it. And it's very special." India wasn't convinced. "It is. And you can always come to me about it." "I can't believe I cried." "You mum did too." "Mum?!" Her brave, brave mother had cried as well? "She was very upset and she said she didn't want it. I made her a milkshake too. And she got used to it, just as you will." India gave her a watery smile and Miranda finished off making the milkshakes. She chinked their glasses. "I'm very proud." Well, at least she wasn't ill. India couldn't believe it. She felt quiet and different somehow, yet still the same the whole day long. She didn't tell her dad. Just before they went to bed Miranda caught Declan. "India's started her period," she explained. "That's probably why she's been so emotional lately; go easy on her for the next few days." His little girl! "Thanks, Miranda," he said, shocked. "Is she all right?" "She's fine. She was a little bit confused but she's fine now." "I'm glad she's not ill." "Yes, that would have been awful for her." She was supposed to be becoming a woman now, India thought as she climbed into bed, but she didn't feel any older than yesterday. It was a confusing thing. Sighing, she fell asleep.
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Post by Bee on Jan 4, 2010 2:54:04 GMT
thats great sophie cant wait for more!!
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Post by sophie on Jan 4, 2010 11:04:03 GMT
Thanks Lia!
India lay on her bed, bored out of her mind. They had all gone to the market again, Nan as well this time, but because she had everything she needed for Christmas she had stayed behind. "Are you sure?" Dad had asked her. "Aren't you going to be lonely?" "I'm not a little kid! I'll be fine and anyway, I've got my book." No one knew where India had got her love of reading but ever since she could read a sentence she had demanded books, begged for them, anything to read! And Declan, bemused yet proud, had bought her books for her birthday and Christmas and made them members of the library (though his membership was a waste, he thought. He only used his card to get more books for her.) She had raced through her picture books and onto Enid Blyton and the next thing he knew it was Harry Potter and the Tomorrow series and now she was talking about starting hard ones that he had only heard (and winced) about in English, years ago in school. Didge had never been a big reader either, not having the concentration to sit down and read something for more than five minutes. She would much rather be running around playing footy or some other sport, or looking after an animal Steve was helping. He didn't understand what attraction books could hold; they seemed so dull to him, but Indy would always exclaim in joy and bury herself in whatever new one she had, finishing it in an unbelieveble space of time and winning awards for her writing. He never dreamed, even when India was Tadpole and he thought of what she might be, that his kid would ever love books. "All right. We'll see you in a few hours. Do you need anything?" "No, I'm fine." "See you later then." He'd given her a kiss and off they went. They'd been gone for an hour. Now she wished she'd gone with them, at least it would have been something to do. She looked ruefully at her book, which she had tried to lose herself in, but for some reason, the magic of it wasn't drawing her in today. And the internet connection was so slow it wasn't worth bothering with. Irritably she thrust the book down on the bed and lay down. It was too hot to think. It was more than heat; it was smothering air, it pressed down on her and wrapped round her arms and legs. Sweat poured down her legs and she felt miserable. Why hadn't she gone? She looked over at her suitcase which still wasn't fully unpacked. Maybe she should get that done - at least then Dad would stop nagging her over it! India rolled over and got off the bed and picked up some tops. She moved over to the wardrobe to get a hanger when one of the tops slipped from her hands and fell to the wardrobe's floor. Sighing, she put the tops down and went to get the other top up. Hang on The floorboards were loose. Puzzled, she moved the top away and moved the floorboards up, her chore completely forgotton. There was something beneath - what was it? She got it out. It was a notebook. India flipped through and couldn't believe her eyes. She had found her mother's diary.
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