Chapter Twelve - A Fresh Start

The taxi pulled up and they all tumbled out. It was shame they couldn't use dad's personal helicopter, but he told them that it was only used for private and diplomatic functions. Besides, it wouldn't look good if his family was utilising government property, whilst the poor and needy still remain 'poor and needy'. He had to show a good example to all his constituents.

Being the Mayor of Simsville wasn't an easy ride for Raven Valdin. All the pressures of dinner venues, charity events, civil ceremonies. His role of Mayor meant that he was constantly in the public eye. People scrutinized his every move, and that of his family.

Maybe a change of pace was what he was after. He could pull a few strings, get himself a big house on a hill..
Heck, he had plenty of money, he could afford it all.

And that's exactly what Raven did. He went on a countrywide search for another property, and found a prime plot of land, here in sunny and serene Cloverdale. It was quiet enough to relax in, and took him well away from the rat race.

However, this move didn't quite suit everyone. Kenya, his wife for example, wasn't happy about it at all. It meant leaving behind Hunter, her lover (and brother in law).

Skye, their daughter, had 1 day to go before she transitioned into a teenager. Though she was a shy little kid, she had hoped to have a small, informal party to celebrate her 'coming of age', but that was ruined. Moving on the day before her birthday, wasn't exactly what she'd had planned.

All through the journey, she sat quietly, watching the changing scenery scooting by in a blur. Oh how she missed her grandpa. He and grandma were fast reaching their winter days and couldn't travel very well. Besides, Tanis was speedily losing his marbles and was often found wandering around the house in his pyjamas.

Kyle was still too young to understand what was going on and simply sat on Kenya's knee, babbling away to himself and pulling their dog, Maxx's ears.

The taxi was packed to the hilt with the final bits and pieces they needed to complete their final journey.


The house itself looked pretty impressive, considering the small plot of land that Raven had acquired. In Kenya's eyes, he could have done much better for himself. Getting the biggest plot of land and really letting fly with his hard earned money. But once again, he reminded her that it was his 'duty' to set a good example to his constituents. And a modest home would be just perfect for that.

It lacked a garage, and needed some landscaping, but at least it could be called 'home'.

Poor Skye though. She'd barely spoken a few words when her father glowered at her with his arms folded.


"Now then, young lady," he said, his thin lips made even thinner with a scowl, "we've moved quite a long way away. And I've seen the faces you've been pulling all through the journey."

"But dad," she protested, her inky black eyes boring piteously up at her towering father.

"Never mind the 'but dad', routine Skye," he interrupted, "this is our home now, and I expect you to be happy here."

Skye hated this kind of pep talk. She always felt as though she was always in trouble for something. It was there and then that she decided she was going to hate this house....

.... no matter what.


Kenya tried to intervene, but Kyle started whimpering, and complaining that his bottom was wet, so she swiftly picked him up and took him indoors. After a quick change of his nappy, she tried to settle him down for a nap, but he was wide awake.


So she recited a few nursery rhymes instead, much to his delight. Kyle squealed and clapped his hands at the funniest rhymes and grimaced at the bad ones.

Skye, in the meantime, wasn't happy at all. Tiger had used the kitchen as a public toilet and that just wouldn't do at all for her. That was the final straw.


She'd had enough of being lectured by her father, it was time to issue some punishment of her own. Glaring down at poor Tiger, she wagged her finger at him.


His bright curly tail soon stopped wagging and drooped sadly as he took his lecture quite seriously. Yes, he'd been a bad doggie and used the kitchen floor. But he was only marking his territory after all.

Satisfied, Skye wandered over to the activities table, where drawing and scribbling always seemed to calm her down.


A distinct humming sound could be heard outside, as Raven's personal helicopter appeared from nowhere, making a dreadful racket.

Raven looked towards his wife.


"I'm sorry," he muttered, straightening his tie and adjusting his ribbon, "got to go to work, duty calls. I'm going to be out all day. Grand opening of a shopping centre."

Actually, he didn't need to tell his wife of his duties, nor fill her in on his extremely full diary, but, out of habit, he felt it necessary to let her know what he was up to.

Sighing heavily, he clambered into the waiting chopper, groaning at the very thought of opening yet another shopping precinct. To him, the sparkle was fast dying out in his role as Mayor. But could he be that brave to quit and find another job in another field?


The rhythmic sounds of the rotor blades faded into the distance, leaving Kenya to unpack, settle in the kids and walk the dogs.

Luckily for her, they had two well behaved children. And as she cleaned up and tidied around, she smiled warmly to herself as she watched Kyle join in with his sister at the crafts table.


Having another child was way back in her list of priorities. But apparently, that was the thoughts in Raven's mind, as he was making his way out of the door.