Echoes in the Woods by Georgina Scott (ebook reader web txt) 📕

than it is. I will call Dr Moody and see if he will make a house call, just to check your dad out. Now go back to bed,” hugging and kissing him on the forehead. “I swear baby he will be okay, now go to bed.” With that, Matthew turned and headed back upstairs but didn’t go into his room. Instead he sat on the top stair with his knees into his chest.

It was nearly an hour before Dr Mitch Moody arrived. “Hello Faith,” longing for her touch.

“Hello, Mitch,” running her fingers through her hair and as her breathing became heavier, she looked him in the eye.

“Drunk again, is he? I see the truck is well parked? Well, let’s give him the once over,” placing his bag next to the couch, he examined John. “Would you like a cappuccino, Mitch?”

“Yes, please,” watching her as she walked into the kitchen, putting the kettle on the stove.

Twenty minutes passed and Mitch walked into the kitchen. “Well, he will live. A mild concussion, just keep an eye on him. He will wake up with a saw head, I dare say!” taking a gulp of his cappuccino.

“How have you been Faith; how are things?” putting down his cup looking at her with those big brown eyes. “Things have been better. John has been better, but he has started drinking again,” looking at the floor.

“I heard about Jake. Have you seen him?”

“No, not for six months, but I phone him every night. He had a birthday, you know,” holding back tears.

“You haven’t seen him for six months, bloody hell, Faith.”

“It’s been difficult.”

“For whom Faith, certainly not John.”

“It’s difficult, Mitch. Tensions eased when Jake left with Mum and Dad, the house seemed almost back to normal you know, how it used to be before the rape.”

“I thought you guys moved on from that?”

“I thought so too. I have, John hasn’t. I think with Jake being here it was a constant reminder.”

“Now you’re making excuses for him. He was the one who brought that fucker into your home and never listened to you, just bloody oblivious to it all, until it was too late,” taking a deep breath. “So what’s his excuse now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Jake has gone, so that obstacle has been removed and yet, he hasn’t changed, back on the booze and still beating you. Is he beating the boys as well?”

“No, no he isn’t. Mitch, you don’t know what you’re talking about, he doesn’t hurt me and he wouldn’t touch the boys.”

“Bullshit Faith, who the fuck are you kidding. I can see the faded bruises on your neck; they are probably about four weeks old,” said Mitch, running his fingers down her neck.

“Mitch, I love him. He is the father of my kids, please don’t do this.”

“You don’t love him, you’re scared of him!” said Mitch taking a breath. “You said those words to me once. Damn it, Faith! I have never stopped loving you; you are the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night. We haven’t seen each other in months, I miss you!” brushing his thumb over her lips whilst holding her head in his hands.

“Please Mitch, don’t! I can’t do this with you. I really need you to leave, please!” she said in a whispering like voice.

“Okay, I’ll go. You know where I am and how to get hold of me,” pulling her closer and kissing her passionately on the lips, wrapping their arms around each other.

She walked him to the front door and said goodbye. They both kissed again, and then he left. She shut the door, turned and headed into the living room to check on John. She looked over him and breathed a heavy, deep sigh. She sat in her chair and carried on reading her book.

Matthew sat at the top of the stairs trying to process what he saw and heard. He felt confused and not sure what to do… He quietly got up and headed back to his room, shut his door and got into bed; he tried to hold back the tears, wiping them away with the back of his hand. Within minutes, he fell asleep.

Chapter 7

“Wakey-wakey, rise and shine,” Mary said, pulling the covers off the kids. Mac was already up and about, preparing breakfast whilst singing. “Come on you two, we are canoeing today,” said Mac. Prising themselves from their beds, rubbing eyes and yawning, making their way out of the caravan. “What time is it?” said Ella.

“It is almost 9:30 am, so sit down and eat up, bon appetite,” said Mac, walking off, chuckling to himself.

Ella and Jake just looked at each other, then both looked at Mac walking with a skip in his step, singing and whistling; they both burst into laughter. Mary looked on at all three of them as she was pottering around the campsite and smiled to herself.

“Right, you two, once you are done, go wash your faces and brush your teeth then get dressed, shorts and t-shirts, I think,” said Mary, as she prepared the rucksacks.

As she was tidying away the breakfast cups and plates, Mac was getting the canoes ready. Both kids were dressed and put on their buoyancy aids and headed towards Mac, with Mary shortly behind them. Before setting off in the canoes, Mac ran through some health and safety features with the kids as it was their first time in a canoe and on the water.

“Now, we are not going very far, but you will see plenty of wildlife. Ella, you’re with Mary, which leaves you with me Jakie boy. Okay, let’s get going.”

The river was about thirty metres wide. They took an upstream route which was winding with low flows; the steep grey banks had redgum trees along the top which provided the banks with magnificent shade. It was a pleasant winding route. The further upstream they went, the scenery changed in areas from grey to sandy banks; there were also