Part Two – Chapter One

“……the unrest is spreading. It is moving southwards and our reporters in both Tomsdale and Chessletown speak of mounting tension, people gathering in the streets in the town centres and throwing stones at the few on duty police and passing motorists. The main roads from Queenville to Chessletown to the Ushquel border is rapidly becoming congested. Traffic is moving at snail’s pace as frantic families flee from the rioting.
Whilst the shadow cabinet, the Frees, are urging calm and an urgent invitation for dialogue with the Cartons, the Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Deekan Deekain broadcast a statement on Radio QV, the local radio station, urging Carton supporters to even the score of being the underdog for decades. He said “Everything and anything you do is legitimate if it avenges the untimely death of our beloved President Jameson Welter and rectifies the humiliation generations of Cartons have suffered at the hands of the Frees!”
Riot police are struggling to maintain order and stop people from looting and killing. I believe the army are being called to assist. The hospitals and clinics in Queenville are filling up with dozens of injured people, many with life threatening injuries. They are appealing urgently for blood donations….”
I notice our sleepy three year old brother Benedict curled up on the sofa, little red Mercedes Benz sports car clutched in his hand. He has to know everything, asking questions even when half asleep. Jolene, our housekeeper, is standing at the door, twisting her apron as she does when upset.
My heart stops.
“Ellie! What about Ellie?” My little sister.
“Right! Everybody. It is now 06.32. We leave for the airport to Singapore at 07.00 sharp. Hand luggage only! The bare essentials. We have everything at our home there, so please go and pack now! We’ll leave from Carton airport and pick up Ellie and Grandma Meertel on the way.” Papa deep bass rings out between phone calls, phoning and changing television channels.
“I knew she shouldn’t have slept over at Grandma Meertel’s last night! She should have been here, celebrating your wedding anniversary as a family! I just knew it! You should listen to me___”
Ma interrupts my seething retaliation. “Stop ‘shoulding’ Luther! Grandma Meertel is family as well! The decision was made yesterday and we cannot undo it now. Ellie is there and we are here. We will pick both of them up on our way to the airport. You know it’s only twenty minutes to Carton.”
Above this noise, my father is asking our housekeeper Jolene where we can drive her and her husband, our gardener, Jacob?
“We stay right here, Dr Frederick! We look after the house until you return.”
“Jolene, it may not be safe! The president has been killed. You’ve seen the pictures on the television. Big trouble. I want to lock up the house. Completely.”
“Dr Frederick, we stay in our place. This is home. Now, let me get some breakfast ready before you go and ___”
“Frederick! Frederick. Carlita is at Carton airport. Says there is mayhem there. Absolute panic. Planes are being delayed. Or being diverted. The planes that are there are fully booked. Expats have first priority. Foreigners out first. Parrish airport is less busy. Less foreigners here.”
“Angelina, we cannot go to Parrish airport. We have to collect Ellie!”
My sister Sapphira, the ‘all wise one’ pipes up. “Why can’t Papa and Luther go to Carton to pick up Ellie whilst Ma, Benedict and I go to Parrish airport and get the tickets and everything? Surely ___”
“NO! No! NO! We can’t split the family up even more! We stay together! We all go to Carton to fetch Ellie. More planes will come, won’t they, Papa?” I ask tentatively.
“Yes, son, we hope ___”
“Frederick! I’ve just spoken to Chandler, Chiya and Kiaran. They are returning to Parrish. They cannot even get into Carton airport. Those who had rushed to the airport at 10 o’ clock last night when the news broke, are only leaving now ___”
“Why didn’t you know? Why didn’t anyone phone us last night? Why ___”
I’m interrupted by my father’s deep bass. “OK! First things first. Pack. Breakfast. Pick up Ellie. Return here to Parrish airport ___”
“Frederick! That was Keith. Parrish airport is closed as well.”

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