Marshall's Park, The Complete Series

By Lisa Worrall

Join Aiden and Finn as they fall in love and share with us snippets of their journey. From their unorthodox meeting, to falling in love, becoming a family and their happy ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Worrall
• Release date: Jan 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310177682

Lisa Worrall

I live in Leigh on Sea, a small seaside town just outside London on the coast of Essex, about ten minutes from Southend, which boasts the longest pier in the world. I live with my partner and two ever-growing children, who I let think are the boss of me; along with a dog who actually is. As the wonderful Beatrix Potter said, "There is something delicious about writing the first words of a new story. You never quite know where they'll take you." I know exactly what she means and hope you'll join me for the ride.

Book preview

MONTY GETS ARRESTED

I

Finn smiled and waved at the children crowded around him in a circle, each clamoring for their chance at a photograph with Monty the Meerkat. He’d get to each of them in turn, of course, it was company policy. No child left the combined zoo and theme park, with their dream of getting up close and personal with the big guy, unfulfilled. He lifted the next little boy high into his arms and waved his paw at the camera. His heart tightened in his chest as the kid wrapped his arms tightly around Finn's neck, a look of unadulterated joy on his little face. God, he loved his job.

Not that being one of the resident Monties, the biggest attraction at the animal park, had been his reason for coming to California. He’d come to the city with a dream of his own, like so many others before him. Hollywood beckoned. He was going to be a star—at least that’s what he’d told everyone back home. Fame and fortune would come to him immediately and they’d see his name up in lights. Which they did… sort of. More times than Finn could count on the parades held around the park and the posters dotted around the city—it just wasn’t his own name, per se.

Finn deposited the ecstatic little boy on the ground and clapped his enormous paws together, then straightened his purple tie. Marshall's Park had been in operation since the sixties when Albie Marshall decided he was going to give Mr. Disney a run for his money—but with live animals. The park now boasted one of the largest meerkat habitats in America, as well as some of the longest running dolphin and sea-lion shows in the state. Six years ago, Albie's son, Michael, had purchased a vacant lot adjoining the park and the fairground part of Marshall's had been born. Monty still may not be as mainstream as a certain mouse in yellow shorts over at that Theme Park Whose Name Must Not Be Mentioned, but Marshall’s Park was always filled with kids wanting to catch a glimpse of the big guy.

Monty, Monty, it’s my turn! a high-pitched voice shouted from beside him, the owner of the voice pulling on the end of Finn's over-sized tie.

Finn held his arms as wide as the costume would allow as if he were surprised by the request and pointed at his chest in the pretense of checking the little boy was talking to him, even looking behind him as though searching for someone else. Monty couldn’t speak, but he made his wishes very clear with gestures and the pressing of different sound mechanisms all over the suit. Finn quickly depressed the button that triggered Monty’s excited squeak and dropped to his knees beside the boy and wrapping him up tight—something you weren’t allowed to do at that other park. Although, of course, every parent who paid for their child to have their picture taken with Monty was asked for their permission to give the hug that the children so desperately wanted from their idol. He had to swallow past the lump in his throat when the little guy leaned in and said, I want to be you when I grow up. Did he mention he loved his job?

That’s it, boys and girls, one of the park attendants said into the bullhorn. Monty is going to have some honey and fruit for lunch and then he’ll be ready for some more photographs. Everybody give Monty a big wave goodbye!

Finn waved both his paws enthusiastically and bounded away through the curtains covering the stage and took his head off. He groaned as the soft summer breeze lifted his damp hair from his forehead. If there was one single aspect of the job Finn didn’t like, it was that in the summer, the suit was as hot as Hades.

Eww, you stink, man!

Turning his gaze on the man who had grumbled the disgusted comment, Finn took a couple of steps closer and shook his sweat-dampened hair in his co-worker's face.

Nice, Finn. Real smooth, Chris complained, wiping a cloth over his face before throwing it in Finn’s. I’ve got qualifications, I’m going places, I won’t have to put up with your shit forever, you know.

You love me and don’t try to deny it. Finn chuckled, grabbing the bottle of water from Chris’s hand and chugging half of it in one go. Man, it’s a hot one out there today. I’m gonna lose ten pounds in this get up.

Keep up with the fluids, Chris said firmly, taking Monty’s head and putting it on the table next to the water bottles and fruit platter. How many times do I have to tell you that you’ll dehydrate quicker than a grape in a drought if you don’t drink plenty?

Finn rolled his eyes and silently waved the water bottle at Chris before taking another long draw. Chris and he shared Monty with a couple of other guys, on rotation. One of them in the suit and one of them making sure their partner didn’t die of heatstroke. For some strange reason the management had decided it wasn’t a good idea for an almost seven foot Meerkat to keel over in front of small children—something about scarring them for life and lawsuits up to the wazoo.

Out of the corner of his eye through the picture window on the side of the enclosure behind the stage, he glimpsed a little girl walk by. He didn’t pay any mind though. Why would he? It was a theme park, kids were everywhere. You couldn’t fart without one of the little darlings passing out from the vapors.

How long have I got? he asked Chris, gazing up at the punishing afternoon sun.

You got five minutes before you go back on, half an hour of photos then Dumb and Dumber will be taking over for the rest of the day, Chris replied, referring to the other half of the Monty cohort, Matt and Greg. What do you keep looking at?

There’s a kid out there, Finn said, craning his neck to see the little girl walk back in the other direction.

Wow, Chris deadpanned, here? Shocker.

Shut up, Finn countered, padding over to the window in his huge Monty feet. By the time he’d crossed the room, there was no sign of her. Hmm, she’s gone.

Chris shrugged. Probably moved on to the next candy shack. You’re back, put the head on.

Rolling his eyes at Chris’s total lack of interest he bent down so his friend could put the head on for him and lifted his Monty paws in a parody of jazz hands as he waited for the attendant to announce him. He playfully smacked Chris on the head, drawing a disgruntled growl from him and then bounded through the curtain to the applause of another excited crowd.

*

You were mediocre as always, Thomas.

Finn ignored Matt, who was taking over from him for the rest of the shift and Chris eased the head off. Thank God, he replied. Anything less than mediocre and I’d have been as bargain basement as you.

Asshole. Matt grinned, jumping on Finn’s back and wrapping an arm around his neck.

Finn slapped futilely at his friend's hands as Matt ruffled his hair. He managed to get an elbow in Matt’s stomach and knock him off.

You are such a freak, he complained, as Chris unzipped the top half of the suit and helped him out of it. You’d better take on a lot of water, dude. It’s as hot as hell in this thing today. He pushed off the straps holding the bottom half of the suit onto his shoulders and wriggled out of it. Groaning in relief, he stood in front of the fan standing in the corner of the room and spread his arms, letting the cool air wash over him. "God, that feels good."

Prima donna. Matt chuckled, climbing into his own Monty suit with Greg’s help and Finn smiled. Greg was the strong silent type. Finn had no idea how Greg and Matt had stayed together for so long. They were total opposites, but somehow it seemed to work for them. Not that the relationship stakes were going so well for him; but Greg and Matt gave him hope that there definitely must be someone for everyone.

A fully dressed Matt bounded through the curtain at the shout of Here’s Monty! and Finn crossed to where he’d thrown his bag earlier. Lifting the bag onto the bench, he unzipped it and pulled out his change of clothes. Quickly shucking out of his sticky clothing, Finn grabbed a towel from his bag and padded barefoot across the room to the bathroom. The shower cubicle wasn't exactly big enough to swing the proverbial cat in, but it served the purpose it was intended for. Finn sighed contentedly as he adjusted the temperature and the lukewarm water cooled his overheated skin.

After scrubbing himself clean, Finn toweled himself dry then dressed in long shorts and his employee T-shirt. He shoved his dirty clothes and towel into his bag then turned his attention to his hair. Finn ran his fingers through the strands trying to bring some semblance of order to the mop of curls inherited from his father, and gazed out of the window, a frown marring his brow. The little girl he’d spotted earlier was sitting on one of the colorful toadstools dotted along the walkways. This time she was crying, violent sobs wracking her tiny body. He thought she was around five or six, and her brown hair brushed her shoulders. Not that her hair was his main concern, he was more interested in the blood trickling down her leg from the graze on her knee and the tear tracks on her face.

Quitting time, Chris said, throwing his own bag over his shoulder. You coming?

No, Finn said quietly. You go. I’m gonna hang around here for a while. I’ll see you at home later. He zipped up his bag and followed Chris out of the tent-like room. He took the opposite path to his friend, lifting a hand in farewell. He didn’t know whether to breathe a sigh of relief or concern as he rounded the bend in the path and saw the little girl was still crying on the toadstool. Gazing around, a wave of annoyance swelled in Finn's chest. Adults walked along the very same path and they bypassed the little girl as though she was invisible. Hell-bent on their own lives, they ignored a little girl obviously in need of help. Thank God his parents had instilled in him that compassion towards others was a strong character trait. Slowing his gait, he walked towards her and pasted a soft smile on his lips.

Hi, sweetie, Finn said, keeping his tone low and conversational. Is everything okay? Did you lose your mommy? He sat on the ground and crossed his legs beneath him, his heart aching at the despair on her little face. Pointing at the T-shirt he was wearing, thankful the clean one he’d grabbed was one of his Marshall’s Park work shirts, he added, I’m Finn. I work here at the park. He motioned to her knee, Did you fall?

She nodded, her green eyes filling with tears again as she whispered, I lost Daddy.

I’m sure he hasn’t gone far, Finn replied brightly. I told you my name; would you like to tell me yours?

Kaylee, she said softly, her bottom lip quivering.

Kaylee? No way, that’s my favorite name, Finn exclaimed and mentally fist-pumped the air when the teeniest of smiles crossed her face. Where did you see Daddy last?

Waitin' for cotton candy. I was s'posed to stand still. He's gonna be mad. Fresh tears escaped from her beautiful green eyes and dripped off the ends of her lashes, plucking at Finn’s heartstrings.

Wiping away the tears with his thumb, Finn shook his head, I don't think he’s gonna be mad, sweetie. He's gonna be so happy we found you, he won't have time to be mad. He stood up and held out a hand to her. Why don't I take you to get your knee fixed up? My friend Katie will be able to fix it for you, then we can start looking for your daddy. Does that sound okay?

Finn could see the apprehension in her eyes as she stared at his hand. To her it must have seemed enormous. A stranger with massive hands, who could blame her for being wary? Where the hell is her father? How could he take his eyes off her for even a moment? Doesn't he know what the world is like? He smiled and gave her his best hangdog look. Thankfully, she slipped her tiny fingers in his.

Will she give me a shot? Kaylee asked, a frown creasing her smooth brow.

Finn choked back a smile and shook his head as he led her down the path, and onto the main concourse where all the food shacks were situated. No honey, I think a Band Aid and a lollipop will fix your knee up just fine.

II

Aiden was frantic. He’d been in line for cotton candy and Kaylee had been right there, directly in his line of vision. He’d taken his eyes off her for one minute to hand over the money and when he’d turned around, she’d gone.

Aiden ran his shaking hands through his hair, his gaze darting everywhere. His heart was beating in his mouth because there was no sign of her dark hair or her bright red Monty Meerkat dress. Okay, Aiden, breathe. You’re no use to her lying in a puddle of your own drool. She's a smart kid. She'll ask a grown-up. He froze mid-step and every true-life movie he’d ever seen flickered across the surface of his mind. The thought of the kind of grown-up she could end up asking chilled him to the bone, and a wave of nausea almost knocked him off his feet. Oh, dear God—my baby!

Attempting to pull himself together, Aiden dropped the stick of cotton candy, which frankly was responsible for the entire incident, into the nearest trashcan and unfolded the park map. Where the fuck are the meeting points? he mumbled out loud. They’d been to the park a dozen times or more and he’d drummed into her, if they were ever separated, to go right to the nearest meeting point. According to the map the nearest one should be next to the restrooms across the concourse. He was already moving before he’d finished reading the map, calling his daughter’s name as he ran.

Half an hour later with a burly security guard helping him search, Aiden had zipped past frantic, bypassed crazy and bought a hotel on terrified. What the hell was he going to tell Patti? He couldn’t breathe; there was no air. What the fuck was that? There was open air all around and he couldn’t get any of it into his lungs. His vision began to cloud as his anxiety built—then he saw her.

Kaylee! he yelled, blessed air filling his mouth. He began to run, chasing down the monster stealing his little girl. Even from four hundred yards away the guy was well over six feet and as broad as he was tall. What kind of freak was this guy? No slouch at six feet, Aiden was what you would call more of a lover than a fighter, but this was his baby and he was taking this asshole down. The security guard shouted Aiden’s name. He frantically flapped his hands toward the freak and Kaylee, shouting, She’s there! Stop him!

Aiden reached them first, panic driving him on. Get away from my kid! he screamed, and with a Tarzan-like yell, he landed square on the man mountain's back. Aiden grunted in satisfaction as the freak went down like a felled tree. Luckily enough, Aiden had the element of surprise on his side. El Freako was too stunned for a moment to retaliate—but only for a moment.

The guy managed to somehow get an elbow up to pop Aiden a good one across the cheekbone. Pain exploded in his face, his eye immediately filling with water. But he wasn’t letting go for anything. He straddled the guy and kneeled on his bicep before scrabbling for his other hand and yanking it halfway up his man’s back. You freak! You filthy pervert! Is this how you get your kicks? Stealing little kids? I’m gonna see you go away for a long time for this, man. If you’ve touched my baby I’ll kill you, do you hear me?

What… fuck? the freak mumbled, trying to turn his head, but Aiden had him firmly face-planted on the ground. Not steal… work…

We’ll take it from here, sir. The security guard finally reached them, obviously more out of shape than he was. But then, Aiden thought, they probably weren’t used to chasing down degenerates in the family-friendly park.

Daddy! Kaylee screamed, tears escaping from under her thick lashes.

It’s okay, baby, Aiden soothed, clambering to his feet as the security guards grabbed the freak. He scooped her up into his arms. Daddy’s here. You’re safe now, baby. The relief at having her tiny arms wrapped around his neck was so overwhelming it brought him to his knees as he cradled her to his chest.

Daddy, he's hurting Finn!

Don’t worry, he can’t hurt you, Aiden reassured, rubbing tiny circles on her back. Her ear-splitting scream was not exactly the response he expected and he winced at the vibrating of his eardrums. Kaylee, calm down, honey. Daddy’s here. Everything’s alright now.

I work here, the freak ground out, struggling against the security guard's grip.

Likely story, Aiden spat, his gaze taking in the T-shirt emblazoned with the park emblem, rage burning the back of his throat with its acidity. You bastard! How many kids have you lured away with that sickeningly sweet smile? How do you sleep at night?

I work here, you asshole! Kaylee, honey, it’s okay, I’m fine.

Don’t you talk to her, you sick son of a bitch! Aiden yelled, turning Kaylee’s head so she couldn’t see the display. Where are the cops?

Cops? The freak’s eyes widened in disbelief and Aiden felt a surge of satisfaction in his gut. He probably thought he’d been clever, but Aiden had him dead to rights and the deviant was going down.

For God’s sake. I work here, you moron! Check with management. I found Kaylee on the path behind the stage. She was crying because she was lost and she’d hurt herself. I was taking her to Katie at Meeting Point 5.

A likely story, son, said the security guard.

Aiden watched in stunned amazement as the giant asshole protested his innocence, and was still insisting he worked at the park when the cops led him away. He couldn’t believe how long the man was prepared to carry on the charade. It beggared belief how low the degenerate was prepared to sink.

After giving a brief statement to one of the officers, Aiden carried Kaylee back to the car. His heart ached for the sobs she cried into his neck, although part of him was ecstatic at the wetness of her tears against his skin. He was only too aware that, if he hadn’t spotted her with that freak, he might have never held her in his arms again. Now they were driving home and he kept glancing in the mirror to look at her securely strapped into the back seat. He wasn’t sure when the shock would actually set in. Adrenaline was still pumping through him and when the crash came he wanted to be in his own home, with his daughter safely tucked up in her bed.

By the time he pulled onto the drive of their Santa Monica home, Kaylee was asleep and Aiden was completely drained. Turning off the engine, he climbed out, lifted his arms over his head and stretched out the tension in his shoulders. He trotted around the hood, opened the back door and unstrapped Kaylee. Then he slipped one arm around her shoulders, the other under her legs and lifted her out. He closed the door with his hip and her onto his shoulder so he could depress the button on the remote control to lock the car. He murmured soothing nonsense into her hair as she complained about the change of position and walked up the porch steps to the heavy oak front door.

After a balancing act of trying not to drop Kaylee and fitting the key into the lock, Aiden kicked the door closed behind them and tossed his keys into the dish on the hall table. Heading straight up the stairs, he padded into Kaylee’s bedroom and laid her down, gently taking off her shoes and covering her with the quilt. Aiden dropped a kiss onto her forehead and inhaled the traces of the strawberry-scented shampoo she liked, his heart in his mouth. He loved her so much. She was the reason for… God… everything.

Sinking down onto the end of the bed, he watched the gentle flutter of her eyelashes against her cheeks, and the rise and fall of her chest with every breath she took. If he lost her he didn’t know what he would do. It was his job to keep her safe. The sound of his mother’s voice echoed in his head. You’ve failed at everything else in your life! What makes you think fatherhood will be any different? Of course, he’d just told her there was no way he was giving up his daughter to save her the embarrassment at the country club.

Kaylee shifted position in her sleep and her thumb crept toward her mouth, the movement sending a sharp stab of nostalgia through him. Sucking her thumb was a childhood habit she only reverted to when she was stressed and the trauma of today must have affected her deeply. With her dark hair fanning across the pillow, Aiden was struck by how like her mother she was in repose.

Holly had been what Aiden’s mother considered to be from the wrong side of the tracks. The fact that her family was as well-to-do as theirs had made no difference to his overpoweringly snobbish mother. She was still adamant that Holly was not from the right sort of people. Maybe that’s why Aiden found Holly so appealing, because it was worth the sour lemon look his mother sported at the mere mention of her name.

They were inseparable, best friends fighting against their parents’ ideas of what was the done thing, happy to have friends whose ancestry couldn’t be traced back to the Mayflower. Getting drunk, staying out all night, missing classes to lie on the grass at the edge of the swimming hole and watch the world go by. He knew Holly’s innermost secrets and she knew his. She knew he was gay and he knew she wanted to be a dancer so badly she could hardly breathe. They had plans to leave Dallas and live together in LA. Aiden and Holly’s Big Adventure. Then everything changed.

It had been on the grass at the swimming hole after a horrendous fight with his parents that Aiden had cried in Holly’s arms. Where they had shared a drunken kiss that turned into another, and another, until they were too caught up in the moment to form a rational thought. Where they sat staring at each other, dumbfounded with the pregnancy test between them, two blue lines deciding their future.

Their parents had been horrified. There had been shouting and recriminations, both sets of parents tossing the blame between them. And in the middle of it all had been two scared nineteen year olds who had no idea what to do. Until Holly had climbed through his bedroom window and told him she couldn’t have an abortion, but her parents wanted her to put the baby up for adoption—and she agreed with them. She couldn’t give up her dreams for a baby she didn’t want to end up resenting. It wasn’t fair to the baby, or her.

Aiden had agreed it was the best course of action. They were too young, they had plans, anything he could think of to convince himself that giving up the only child he may ever have, was the best thing. Until he was holding Holly’s hand and chanting words of encouragement as she pushed their daughter into the world… until he saw that sweet face, felt her tiny hand curl around his finger for the first time, and knew he could never let her go.

Telling Holly he wanted to keep the baby was the easy part. She’d nodded sagely at him and then looked down at the little girl in her arms. I won’t contest it. She deserves to be with someone who loves her and can give her the life she deserves… and that’s you. His parents, however, were a different story.

Screaming, yelling, fainting on his mother’s part, and then his father had handed him a check for twenty thousand dollars. To set himself up, his father had said. Aiden had looked down at the paper in his hand with his father’s signature, then frowned in confusion at the man who was supposed to love him, no matter what.

That should be enough to get you by for a while until you find a job, Michael Parker had said, squaring his shoulders as he’d stood. You’ve brought this on yourself, son. We’ve given you everything you ever needed, and this is how you repay us? Bringing shame and your bastard into this house? Pack your bags and get out.

Aiden stroked Kaylee’s bangs back from her smooth forehead and smiled as she frowned in her sleep at his touch. If he’d lost her… A wave of nausea hit him so fast he barely had time to stumble down the hall to the bathroom before he lost the contents of his stomach. He kneeled on the floor, his hands curled around the porcelain toilet bowl, retching until there was nothing left. After flushing the toilet, Aiden pulled himself to his feet and ran cold water in the sink. He splashed his face and then picked up his toothbrush.

Once he'd cleaned the acrid taste from his mouth, Aiden lurched down the hall to his bedroom. The last vestige of energy drained from him and he collapsed onto the bed, not even bothering to undress. Grabbing one of the other pillows on the bed, he wrapped his arms around it and closed his eyes, finally giving way to hot tears of relief.

III

Glancing around the cell, Finn sighed heavily. This wasn’t quite the notoriety he’d been thinking of when he left home. His mother would be so proud—not. How the hell did you get locked up for doing a good deed? The adults who’d heartlessly walked by a little girl in distress should be in here, not him. It was absolutely typical that the only security guard in the park he didn’t know was the one to take him down. The guy had only worked there for two weeks and had no idea who Finn was. Of course, the police had been unable to find anyone else to corroborate his story. Chris’s cell phone kept going straight to voicemail and his supervisor was snowboarding down a mountain somewhere until Monday.

A crowd of people had gathered around them as the security guard kept his arm bent up his back, their curious gazes boring holes into his skin. He’d never been more grateful to spend his working life inside a giant animal suit. If they’d known who they were staring at, his career would have been over.

Hey, wake up Sleeping Beauty, you’re outta here.

Finn sat up on the uncomfortable mattress as the officer who had locked him in nine hours ago, opened the cell. I am?

Yeah, the man replied, indicating that Finn should follow him. Your roommate confirmed your story. You’re free to go.

Standing, Finn stretched his arms above his head, wincing at the complaint of his muscles with the movement. Nine hours he’d been lying on the mattress from hell with a snoring crack addict twitching on the bunk above him and a drunken biker. A drunken biker whose intense gaze and lecherous smirk had left Finn with the distinct desire to duck and cover—his ass. Not exactly high up on his list of things to do on a Saturday night. All he’d been able to do was wait and hope Chris had been struck down with a terrible illness, because if he hadn’t, he was going to kill him.

Finn followed the officer down the hall and up the stairs to the duty sergeant’s desk, where a very concerned-looking Chris waited for him, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Where the hell were you? Finn hissed in annoyance. I’ve been here for nine hours, you asshole!

Chris looked suitably contrite, I went to Davey’s and played Guitar Hero. I’m so sorry, dude. If I’d known you were gonna get arrested, I’d have gone straight home. What the fuck did you do? What happened to your face?

I didn’t do anything! Finn bit back. Unless taking a lost child to a meeting point is a criminal offence these days. The kid’s father thought I was trying to kidnap her and he tackled me. He gently prodded at the heavy graze on his right cheek where the irate father had pushed his head down onto the ground. His bicep was sore where the guy had kneeled on it and there was another knee-shaped bruise in his lower back. They’d sent in someone to clean up his face and check him out, but he ached like a son of a bitch.

You wanna press charges against Mr. Reid for assault?

Finn’s eyes widened as he looked at the duty sergeant. I can do that?

Well, he assaulted you, didn’t he?

Yeah, but he thought his kid was in danger, Finn began, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

I can’t believe you’re defending this asshat, Chris said incredulously. What the hell is wrong with you? You should press charges.

I just wanna get home and wash this place off me, Finn glanced up at the officer and smiled ruefully. No offense. He scrubbed his hand through his hair and then picked up the envelope containing his personal belongings. I’ll sleep on it and let you know, he mumbled, shoving Chris ahead of him toward the exit.

In Chris’s clapped out Chevy Nova, Finn wound down the window and leaned his elbow on the door, drawing in a deep lungful of the cool night air.