My Own Place

By Crystal Tarling

A storm forces her to stay in an unknown place where she ends up living a new life in a new place of her own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Brown
• Release date: Jan 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393030133

Crystal Tarling

I was adopted as young baby and had a wonderful life full of adventure and imagination.  Stories come naturally to me.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Lillian

Layla

Hudson

Layla

Lill

Hudson

Lillian

It was dark and stormy when I looked out of the window.  I shivered.  The lightning flashed across the sky and the thunder caused the whole house to shake.  The storm was right overhead. I put more logs on the fire and huddled on the couch with my blanket and book. Just then the lights flickered and went out.  I stayed where I was, warm and cosy and able to read on my e-reader.

I must have dozed off later as I woke, cold and shivering in the dark. The storm seemed to have blown over so I took my blanket and stumbled into the kitchen for a torch and went up to bed. I snuggled down under the duvet and managed to sleep again, waking in the morning when the sunlight hit my face.  I had forgotten to close the curtains again!  I groaned and rolled out of bed. I grabbed my gown and went to make coffee.  The electricity was still off so I brewed it on the gas top. Soon I had my hands wrapped around a steaming mug and went out to the stoep to survey the world after the storm. My eyes roamed around the yard noticing fallen branches and a tree down over the fence. I thought I heard a noise and went inside to put clothes and decent shoes on.

I walked down to the fallen tree and nearly fainted. There was a car crushed under the trunk! A feeble voice could be heard calling for help. I ran around to the other side and tried to open the passenger door. It would not budge.  I called out: Wait, I’m going to get you out!

I ran to the shed and grabbed the crowbar and then attempted to get the car door open.  After a number of attempts, it moved.  I tried with renewed vigour and managed to get it open.  I leant inside and spoke to the woman: Where are you hurt? Can you move or get out now?

She tried to get past the steering wheel and couldn’t, so I leant in and pushed the lever to push her seat backwards.  Together we managed to get her out.  God, I don’t think I have ever been so c-c-cold! Her teeth were chattering. She had spent the night in the car with broken windows.

Come, into the house and let’s get you warm first! I helped her over the grass to the house. I grabbed the coffee pot and poured us each a mug – mine was ice cold. Come sit in the lounge and I’ll get the fire going again. I ran upstairs and grabbed my blanket and wrapped her in it. She had her hands around the coffee mug and was gently sipping.  I soon got the fire crackling and then made toast and scrambled eggs and brought it through for us both.  Eat! You need the strength.  Later we’ll go and see if we can get your things out the car.  I am Lillian Curtis. I go by Lill.

Layla Donaldson. Thanks for rescuing me! I thought for sure I was a goner.  There were no lights around. Please get the cat basket on the back seat.  B.A. will need to be fed and let out. She sipped her coffee.

The power went off early in the storm. I have gas plates and a generator but have not bothered to get it going this morning yet. Where were you on your way to? I asked.

I have no idea! I was just driving to put distance between my past and me! I thought I’d figure it out on the way, but the storm figured otherwise! Now I do not know what I’ll do. She promptly burst into tears. I sat next to her and pulled on into my shoulder to cry. She looked about 25 and was pale and fairly thin.

Once she calmed down, I led her to