A Taster Of My Story...

“Crunchie, over here boy,” Brett called for her bouncy Golden Retriever who was lying under her parents’ black Jeep. Brett clipped the lead onto Crunchie's collar, “Woof!” Crunchie barked in delight of getting to go on a walk.

Brett ran, Crunchie trotting along with her, to the front door which was slightly
ajar, “Mum, I’m taking Crunchie for a walk.” Jasmine Forester walked to the door in her flip flops, “OK hunnie, and make sure you’re back by 3 p.m.” Brett nodded eagerly and walked into the sunlit track, located off their street, with Crunchie bounding by her side.

An hour later when a shower of rain was released from the sky, Brett found herself running along madly with Crunchie, splashing in the puddles, “Damn!” she shouted. It was 3 p.m and Brett knew her mother, being so protective, would call the police if she didn’t get back home soon. Clicking her tongue to encourage Crunchie she ran along, splashing her self with dirty puddles of rain.

Now, only half and hour later-another half an hour from home, Brett was lying, defeated on a patch of wet grass. “Oh, we aren’t going to make it, in fact Mum’s probably already arranged a search party with all her protective friends,” Brett panted breathlessly, “Honestly, I have no idea why Mum hasn’t started up one of those freaky watching clubs-Neighborhood Watch.”
Realizing that there was no point of lying on the grass while her mum would be worrying, Brett walked on followed by a tired dog.

“BRETT! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” Jasmine screamed as if Brett had a hearing problem. Brett stammered, “W-well the tr-a-ck is pretty long. We were having so much fun we lost track of time. Jasmine gave Brett the ‘Evil’ stare, “We?” The both looked at Crunchie who was lying flat out on the leather sofa.
Jasmine rubbed her face, “Look, I’m sorry, It’s just I’m a bit worried about your Dad coming home on the bus.” She’s being all protective again Brett thought, “Well if you’re so worried why don’t you ring him to say we will pick him up in the car.” Jasmine’s face lightened up as soon as she said this, “Yes, yes, that’s a great idea, in fact I’ll call him now,” Brett watched as her mum walked out the room to make the phone call.

Just as Brett was putting her feet up on the sofa her mum walked in, “Come on then, get a jacket on.” Brett followed her rules obediently. They ran through the rain and sighed relief as they got into the Jeep, “Come on then, let’s go,” Brett said from the back seat.

Rain was pounding down on the windscreen and Brett could tell her mum was worrying. “It OK Mum, just keep going, we’re only five minutes away,” Brett reassured her mum but she felt she needed reassuring too.

“It’s right here isn’t it?” Jasmine asked her daughter, “Uhuh.” Brett nodded. As soon as they turned in Brett spotted her smartly dressed father holding his briefcase above his head. Brett’s Dad was an accountant. Yes accountant. You’re probably thinking that he should have a neat car not take a bus but Ryan Forester liked to keep his family normal, middle-class. He didn’t like him being able to get things that other people could not afford-Brett did not agree with this.

Ryan opened the car door, “Jump in,” Jasmine shouted. Using all his strength he managed to close the door that was being held open by the strong, chilly wind. “Hi Dad!” Brett exclaimed. Ryan cleared his throat, “Hey princess.” He turned back round to Jasmine, “God, It’s shocking how weather can go to one extreme to the other.”

While they were driving along the road, heavy rain drops pelting down on the car, Jasmine complained, “I can’t see a thing, all the rain, the car lights.” Ryan nodded, “I know babe, just try and drive slowly, and anyway it’s not long till we get home.” As he said this Jasmine braked immediately, “You OK Mum?” asked Brett. “Yeah, I’m fine just look at this traffic.” Brett squinted her eyes and could just make out the twinkling red lights of cars. “It looks like we won’t get home quick after all,” Ryan sighed.

Every minute Jasmine drove forward than braked. Brett feeling as bored as a horse grazing searched her pocket for something to do. Jackpot she thought then swept her mobile out of her pocket.

With nothing else to do she started texting her best friend Joanne. “Gawd,” Brett shrieked. Her mum had just slammed down the brakes and her phone flew into her dad’s lap, “Here you go missus,” he handed her phone back to her.

Thinking that texting Joanne wasn’t such a good idea, she slipped her mobile back in her pocket and peered through the windscreen. Now there were no cars ahead of them and they were free to drive-carefully. “Mum, I’m scared,” Brett whispered. Jasmine slid her hand round to Brett’s, “It’s alright hunnie, you’ll be fine, don’t fret.” At that point her dad couldn’t stop laughing, “Dad!” Brett screamed angrily. Ryan looked sympathetic, “I didn’t mean it like it, your mum just told you not to fret and your name’s Brett!” He burst out laughing again.

“Ryan, stop this. It is already hard for me to drive never mind you laughing like a hyena,” Jasmine said in an irritated manner. Now that made Brett laugh, “What am I going to do to you?!” Jasmine laughed.

Twenty minutes later-when they should of been home- Jasmine was asking Ryan which turn, “I think it’s this one,” he convinced her. Jasmine shook her head, “I don’t think it is,” they both sat clueless as Jasmine drove on.
“This one!” Brett shouted as her mum started to turn left. Halfway down the road there was a mini flood. “What do I do?” Jasmine asked, hiding her worry.

No one answered. Jasmine pulled over into the passing place, “Now I’m worried, really Ryan, I don’t think this is the safest thing we should be doing at the moment.”

Ryan glared at her, “Of course it isn’t the safest option but I’m glad I’m stuck with you two and not a whole load of strangers on the number 4 bus.” Ryan turned his head to Brett, “Or am I?!” They both sniggered.

Jasmine covered her eyes with her delicate small hands, “OK, if we go now we should hopefully get back by half eight. We have to get a move on or Crunchie will wonder why he hasn’t got his chicken crunch on time. You know how fussy he is!” And with that they set of, being extra careful through all the massive puddles but soon they got back to the passing place, “We’ve gone round in circles!” Ryan exclaimed. “Why don’t we go down that road?” Brett suggested.
Jasmine went with Brett’s suggestion and drove down the little road, because it was sheltered by hundreds of trees, there was hardly any puddles even though it was pouring down more than ever.

Looking at the trees started to freak Brett out so she started fiddling with her fingers instead but her head got pulled back up, almost like she had an invisible string through her body.

“Right then, we are out, so turn that way,” Ryan pointed left with his finger. A couple seconds later they were traveling down a wider road that to Brett’s relief was not surrounded by trees. But she still felt freaked.

“Please no,” Jasmine pleaded, ahead the road was flooded. Not even asking what she should to she drove on. The car started swerving.

“Mum, Dad, please, can’t we walk. I’m scared!” Brett cried. “It’s OK, hunnie, we love y-” Before Jasmine got the words out the car and slid of the road and somersaulted into a giant oak tree.