THE FERALS

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey And so it was. Of course there were some hiccups - Brodie was delighted to have a new mum, but Sophie found it a little hard to have to answer to Jake as well as Alice. Jake tried hard to be fair and supportive and Sophie gradually adjusted. The wedding was beautiful. Brodie absolutely refused to be page boy, but Sophie was delighted to be a bridesmaid and flower girl. It was a lovely day. Both families were happy for them. A year later, a little boy was born - Alec James. Ethel was delighted as James was for Jake's grandad, Jim Tyson, who had been a friend to Ethel for many a year. Both children were very happy. Brodie happy no longer to be the youngest and Sophie very pleased to have a "live" doll to look after. Alice and Jake both had faith challenges, but as the pastor had said, a threefold cord is not easily broken. Jake's faith helped him with his colleague, John. There was hope and light in a darkening world. Only God had all the an...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER EIGHT A few days later, Ethel decided to take the children for a "feast." Seeing Ethel reminded Brodie of the fish 'n chip shop near where they used to live, and he kept talking about their time there on Christmas Eve. He was beginning to realise it was meant as a joke when Ethel had said she had come to visit  for a "nice cuppa" and somewhere to sleep, but he was still a little puzzled. Didn't she have food and drink and a bed at her house? Couldn't she see that their house had burned down? After a while he shrugged and got on with his life. As the children left with "Auntie Ethel," happy and chatting, she gave Jake a wink and said, "now lad, get a move on!" The children didn't really notice, but Jake flushed scarlet. Yesterday Ethel had talked to him in a motherly way and told him life was "too short to muck around!" So he had invited Alice and Sophie to visit. When the two adults w...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey   Just then, his mobile phone rang. "Hi," he answered, recognizing the number. "Judy here," affirmed the principal. "Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Was it faulty wiring?" "Yes," Jake replied. "We will get full insurance, but..." "Memories and toys are gone," added Judy Enfield. "How is your son?" "He is upset, but a friend is staying with us at Alice Baker's house." "About that," was the reply. "As you probably know, Jill Heslop is leaving the school and her rental property is vacant from tomorrow. Would you consider renting in the meantime, Jake? The unit is only two-bedroomed, but is fully furnished. The accommodation is actually the property of the school board, but obviously your situation takes precedence." "What about the replacement teacher?" queried Jake. "She has her own property, not far away. If you want to pick up the keys...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey "We need showers," broke in Jake ruefully regarding their singed and smoky clothes. "I can help," declared Ethel. They all turned to the older lady. "Well, I bought new clothes on the way. I am not daft yer know. I guessed the sizes so that can maybe make you have a giggle!!" Alice produced towels and the two men hurried off to the bathroom. A while later they emerged, much fresher and brighter. "Now, a trip to town to get more clothes - and toys," Jake added, seeing his son's face. "Maybe not a new bike today, but soon." "You need a shave too, daddy," declared his son, "and Alice doesn't shave or Sophie," he added thoughtfully. "We'll fix all that, then how about a meal in town for us all? Is that okay, Ethel, Alice?" Alice agreed, but Ethel offered to stay and deal with dishes and washing. "I don't want to go out gallivanting today. "Let me help this ...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey "Wow," Brodie exclaimed, toast crumbs flying from his mouth. "But everything's gone, all burned." Gently, Ethel pointed out that he would be "all gone" and also his dad, had it not been for the cat. "We can buy new toys," said Jake, "but not new dads and boys." Sophie giggled at the thought of a boy shop. "Can't they all stay here, mum?" she asked Alice. "We have three bedrooms. Please," she added pleadingly. She turned to Ethel. "Will you be my Auntie Ethel too," asked the little girl, her dark eyes shining. Ethel gave her a warm hug. "Of course, lass. You know it was wrong, Brodie, to run away, but Shadow fought the ferals for you and kept you warm. Now he saved you and your dad." "And we helped Shadow too. We took off the hurty collar and fed him and loved him." Shadow was watching them. He seemed to wink, and they all laughed.

THE FERALS  By Tessa Harvey Just then a car pulled over and Alice and Sophie jumped out. After brief introductions, Alice insisted they come around to her place. Alice had heard so much from Jake and Brodie about Ethel. And, of course, they had mentioned Alice to her. "Well, said Alice, "food and drink first," and with Ethel's help a first class spread was soon laid out with warm hot wonderful tea for Ethel and coffee for Jake. Brodie piped up. "Auntie Ethel, were you joking? You can't sleep at our place and there is no tea or anything." He felt tears again pricking and looked down. "Eeh lad!" answered Ethel. "I know that, young 'un! You and your cat are famous even in all the newspapers. "Brave cat saves family!" From one of her bags, she plonked a newspaper down on the table. Sure enough, Shadow's picture was on the front page. "Feral Cat Saves Fire Family."

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Desolate, Jake and Brodie surveyed what was left of their home the next morning. Brodie cried as wisps of steam and smoke rose from the ashes. It was devastating. He smudged the tears with a dirty hand. "Nothing left. Absolute nothing!" the boy wailed. "Not fair, daddy, no!" Jake felt much the same. He knelt on the footpath, adding ash and dirt to his already filthy clothes. What the fire had left, water had destroyed. He wrapped Brodie close. The boy stiffened at first, then relaxed, against his father, still upset, still angry and sobbing. "Hello there, lads," yelled a cheery older voice, "any chance of a decent cuppa! Me throat's parched. I could do with some nice hot tea - and a cake!!" Brodie whipped around. "Auntie Ethel! Auntie!" he yelled, sleeving away the last tears. He threw himself at the elderly lady who was bustling towards them, clutching various bags and bundles to her stout form.  "...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Then the cat heard it: a faint crackling noise. He saw tiny flares of ruby light burst into  life in the kitchen and smelled smoke, a terrible thing that led to disaster. The cat leapt onto Jake's bed and yowled, scratching at the thin summer bedding. Jake was one of those rare beings who could wake instantly and be alert. At once he could smell the smoke and hear the crackling. His first thought was to check Brodie, then see what was wrong and then get help. He saw the fire source was the kitchen, closed the doors, dialled Emergency to report the fire and give his address. Calmly he gathered up his son and found the cat's transport cage. "Sorry buddy, we have to go." His son stumbled along sleepily, holding onto his dad's shirt. Shadow did not object to being bundled in the carrier. Having raised the alarm, he was now trembling with fear, eyes wide. Jake felt like doing that, but prayed instead. He banged on the neighbour's door, ...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SEVEN Shadow stirred and moved uneasily. It was dark or at least so dark as it ever got in northern England in a midsummer night. Some part of the cat's mind still held memory traces of being shouted at and driven away, left to survive in a bleak winter. For now he was happy to be in a home where he was loved unconditionally. But something was wrong. The hair rose on his tail and it twitched slightly. He padded to the lounge doorway, jumping off the edge of Brodie's bed. The boy was sprawled, arms above his head, deep in slumber. The man the cat recognised as the leader was making sleep noises, tossing a little as though he sensed the strangeness.

THE FERALS  By Tessa Harvey "Aw, c'mon!" exclaimed Jake, laughing, "angels, maybe, but..." He saw her face. "You're serious!" Alice sighed. "Being a Christian is hard, much harder than just going with the flow. It's hard to be different, to swim upstream. Jake, read the Bible. Talk to Jesus. Listen. Every day." Jake looked into her blue eyes. "I was a fool to let you go so easily. Will you forgive me?" Alice looked down and said quietly, " I was a fool to let you go." At that moment there was a sharp cracking noise and a loud yell! The adults rushed over to Sophie lying on the ground. Brodie said "She's not dead. The tree didn't like her swinging. Look, her eyelids are twitching." Alice knelt down. "Sophie, are you okay?" The little girl opened her eyes. "Yes, I think so. I just fell hard."

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Walking along the cloud-dappled hills, Alice and Jake watched the children play. They came to a sheltered hollow where a few small trees grew. One was just right for climbing and Sophie and Brodie were soon scrambling over the branches.  Alice listened as Jake told her of his new commitment to Jesus, then he rubbed his hand through his hair, trying to explain how difficult life had been for him lately. "We have an adversary," Alice said calmly, "the devil." Humour danced in Jake's grey eyes. "Sure, red suit, forked-tail, pitchfork, smoke!" His friend laughed. "No, not like that! He's real, though."

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey When Alice knocked on the door, Brodie opened it, peering up at her with a woeful expression. Then the smell of burning wafted out. "Our cake went all black," the little boy stated solemnly. Sophie tried hard not to giggle, but then when she saw Jake holding a burnt, smoking black object, with an an almost identical woeful expression on his face, the laughter bubbled out. Jake saw the funny side and then all four were really laughing. "The mixture was great, though," laughed Brodie. The pizzas were reheated in the microwave oven, and tasted delicious, soon dispelling "burnt cake aroma" and the ice-cream was also welcome.  "At least I can't burn ice-cream," declared Jake. They arranged to go for a walk near the beach on the following day, Saturday. Alice helped clean up and she and Sophie left fairly early so they could all get a good start in the morning.

THE FERALS  By Tessa Harvey That became clear over the next week as doubts and minor troubles assailed him, threatening to overwhelm... Jake stood his ground, but barely. Then one evening Alice rang.  He was so pleased to recognise her number that he struggled to speak. "Are you okay?" she asked, wondering at the long pause. "I, I think so. It's been a hard week. You see, I did read your Creation magazine and some of the Bible, but it's so hard," Jake faltered, "I asked Jesus into my life, but nothing seems to be going well right now." He was aware he sounded petulant, like a child. "Look," Alice said gently, "actually I do understand. Would you mind if Sophie and I came over. It's Friday, in case you've forgotten! We could do tea. I can bring a pizza. Two pizzas!!" "That sounds wonderful!" Jake breathed a sigh of relief. "Brodie and I would like that very much. We have ice cream and..." he opened the...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey One day he picked up a Bible Alice had given to him some time ago. Opening it at the Gospel of John, he began to read. The words seemed to leap off the page as if illumined in light - how God was there, even in the beginning, that darkness cannot overcome the Light. He saw, wonderingly how Jesus was the actual Word of God, sent by His Father. The words sank into his heart, mind, spirit... As he reached John 3:16, Jake fell on his knees, touched by the immensity of what had been done for him, for the world. "God, I want you. I want Jesus." Bending his dark-blond head, he asked forgiveness for his own darkness and unbelief, and rose a new man, a warrior, a man of vision and purpose. But it would not be easy for him.

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey "Sorry, Alice," this is so heavy for a glorious spring day" - and indeed it was lovely. They could hear the children laughing, and trees held strong buds. When new life surged through them, the last tattered old remnants of leaves, drab and dark, would disappear in a wonderful awakening, an unfolding of new life. Alice looked at Jake, into his grey eyes. "Without God, nothing," she stated firmly. "To quote an old hymn: "My hope is built on nothing less                                     Than Jesus blood and Righteousness.                                     I dare not trust the sweetest frame,                                       But wholly lean on Jesus' name." Jake stared at...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Several days later, Jake and Alice met at her home for a play date. The children were radiantly happy seeing their parents becoming real friends again. Sophie hoped the two families could be one, but wisely said nothing this time. She hoped and prayed though. After lunch, Sophie and Brodie went out into Alice's large, rambling garden. Jake turned to Alice, and without preamble asked for her opinion. He told her about the professor who had stated that under communism, there had been over two hundred million innocent lives lost. That figure appalled Jake. Nations were blindly allowing this militant regime to try and wrest control. Only a very small minority would have power over the rest of the people. They were using racism, feminism, any cause to further their radical aims.

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey CHAPTER SIX It was definitely spring, mused Jake, sipping an early coffee and eating a croissant at a local cafe. Plum blossoms, pink and white were already out, showering formerly bare branches, and daffodils seemed to swoop down the path, a golden glory. He had heard birds singing in the pre-dawn darkness and while he missed the galahs and the wattle birds with their discordant gurgle, still the blackbirds sounded the same almost as those back in Tasmania. But how to reconcile this beauty with a darkening world? He had finally read the Creation magazine and even looked online at creation.com.au. What he saw made a lot of sense and was very convincing, shifting his worldview significantly towards God as Creator. It couldn't simply be a question of yin and yang surely. Life had to be deeper than that. The young man turned his attention to the lawyer his colleague John had mentioned. He remembered the name because it was unusual, Professor Augusto Zimmer...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Jake approached the play equipment somewhat absent-mindedly, turning over a physics problem in the work set for the leavers' grade. Perhaps it was too difficult for some of the students?  Suddenly he realised he was about to bump into someone. Looking up, he realised it was Alice and halted abruptly. The two adults spoke at the same time. "Sorry, I should..." Both broke off, feeling awkward. Jake said, "Alice, I owe you an apology. I haven't exactly been Mr. Nice Guy lately." That sounded so lame that he blushed, embarrassed. A smile quirked Alice's lips. "I was going to say I should have been more interested, especially when Brodie disappeared for a few hours." Alice looked up at Jake. She felt he was begging her to understand. Their eyes held and locked for a few seconds. Then they became aware of the silence.  Sophie and Brodie were staring at them and holding hands. The adults both felt remorse. "How about ...

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey But Jill was staring out of one of the windows. The view was of the primary play equipment. Brodie was playing on the climbing frame with Sophie and a few other children. As she watched, Jake strolled up, followed by Alice. Seeing Jake, Jill felt a sudden sense of loss. It had been a game, but she realised she did like him. She also realised something else and her face paled. "You saw Brodie run away that day and why!" It was a statement. "Yes," agreed the senior woman. "But I did not think he could get through the fence. It has been reinforced since. As Brodie was found safely, I thought it unnecessary to stir up enmity against you." Jill blushed and looked down. Raising her eyes again, she looked directly at Judy. "Thank you," she said softly and turned to leave.

THE FERALS   By Tessa Harvey Jill tapped on the principal's door and was called inside. Judy moved from behind her desk , motioned for Jill to take one of the easy chairs and sat near her with a smile. "I'm here to give notice," Jill stated without preamble, and waited for a response. Despite her bravado, she was wondering if she was doing the right thing. Too late now, she thought. The principal regarded her, thoughtfully. "You know, Jill, I really value you, and have sensed your restlessness. I want you to do what you feel is best for your life. If you decide to return, we can discuss that. Sometimes you can be abrupt," Judy added gently, "but you have a real gift. It isn't easy dealing with children. They can be difficult at any age."