Summer of the Eagles

By Rosemary Gemmell

When 13 year old Stephanie (Stevie) is orphaned and slightly lamed in a terrible accident, her life completely changes and her dreams of ever running for Scotland are over. Her Gran is soon no longer able to cope with Stevie's moods, and sends her to an aunt on a Scottish island.

 

Although she gradually makes new friends and finds an interest in the bird sanctuary, Stevie is soon in danger from two bird poachers intent on harming the eagles. But who is the strange boy in the hills, who protects the eagles and helps Stevie to heal? And does he have anything to do with the painted rocks and legends on the island?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosemary Gemmell
• Release date: Oct 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781916257795

Book preview

For Matthew, Daniel, Justin, and Blane

who are growing into fine young men

"He shall cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you shall take refuge"

Psalm 91:4

Prologue

The boy stood on one of the island’s highest crags. From there he surveyed the wide terrain, right down to the slipway for the ferry coming over from the mainland. The latest influx of day trippers had arrived.

He noticed the usual mixture of foot passengers, cyclists, and the cars that invaded his island. At one time, everyone walked or cycled into the island’s small town. The bus waited on the roadside at the top of the slipway for the foot passengers needing transport to Milltown five miles away. The boy’s amber-coloured eyes narrowed as he carefully studied each person. Two men caught his attention, their actions standing out from the rest. One was young and thin with a mean looking face. The other appeared heavier, older, and obviously annoyed as he was arguing with the younger man.

As the boy watched, he knew those two were trouble. He understood people, with an unfailing instinct for their character. Even from this distance, he suspected they came for only one purpose. One that could mean danger for his kind. He would need to keep a close watch on them.

Then his attention shifted to a girl and an old woman who stepped from the gangway. Something in the way the girl dragged along, almost behind the woman, suggested deep unhappiness. One leg seemed slightly shorter than the other, emphasised in the way she limped. The old woman looked kind but worried and she stopped now and then to speak to the girl, who only shrugged. The girl’s behaviour peaked his interested despite himself. There seemed so much sadness between them and he wondered what had caused it.

As the two arguing men walked towards the bus, he noticed the younger one turn and wave to the girl. She stared right through him before moving closer to the old woman.

Someone had come to meet the females. Another woman, older than the girl, younger than the other. The boy thought about the drama now beginning, once these people had stepped on to the island. It would unfold over the next few weeks and he would be a part of it. He was ready.

A movement in the air above caught his eye and he smiled. Turning his back on the people below, he raised his arms and called out a greeting to the eagles swooping towards him.

Chapter One

Stephanie! Wake up, Stephanie... please.

The voice called from so far away. Stevie shrugged it off. She was having too good a dream and the voice kept intruding, spoiling the peace and happiness in this beautiful place with her parents.

Her mother and father walked ahead of her at the end of a long bright path. Although anxious to reach them, she wandered along, enjoying the sight and smell of hundreds of brightly coloured flowers and plants. She stopped to touch one or to breathe the scent of a rose, still aware of the two figures in the distance who waited for her.

Stephanie...please, wake up. Come back to me, love!

Stevie frowned. That voice again. It sounded so desperate and sad. She knew the voice, but couldn’t think who it was. Stephanie? Oh, that’s right, she suddenly remembered. Gran always called her Stephanie.

But where was Gran? Stevie peered at the far end of the path; only her parents. She glanced behind. No one there.

You must have a rest now, Mrs Graham, you can try again later.

Stevie heard a strange male voice and fear gripped her. Where was it coming from?

Just once more, doctor, please. Gran’s voice again. Stephanie, come back, pet... I love you. Don’t you leave me, too.

This time, Stevie heard the voice a little more clearly. At the feeling of pressure on her hand, as though someone held it, she turned quickly to look at her parents and froze. The path had misted and the figures in the distance appeared only as shadows. The flowers and plants blurred into hazy outlines and she breathed in their scent as though it was her last chance.

In sudden panic, she ran towards the faint figures in the distance.

Mum, Dad, don’t go! Wait for me. I’m coming! Stevie shouted, but the words remained as soundless as the air around her.

Stephanie, love, that’s it, hold my hand. You’ll be all right, darling.

The garden faded completely, as Stevie attempted to open her heavy eyes. She imagined she was floating, light-headed. Her hand seemed detached from her arm... then someone grasped it.

Doctor! She’s coming round. Her eyes are fluttering.

Why was Gran shouting, wondered Stevie? So tired...she just wanted to sleep.

So tired, she managed to whisper.

Oh, Stephanie.

Gran was crying, but Stevie couldn’t work out why. The effort of opening her eyes became easier now and she moved her hand slightly to reassure Gran.

Don’t try to move yet, love, the doctor’s just coming to have a look at you.

The doctor? Stevie slowly turned her head to see where she lay. It looked like a hospital room. A small room, with only her bed, a cabinet beside it and two chairs, one empty and one holding Gran. She wanted to question everything, but the effort seemed too great.

Thirsty, Gran, she whispered instead.

The door opened and a doctor and nurse entered, coming straight to her bedside.

How are you, young lady? The young doctor smiled at her.

Stevie stared at him and the nurse. She didn’t know how she felt, or how she had got here, but was too tired to answer, or to ask questions. And her leg hurt.

She wants a drink, doctor, is it all right to give her one now? Gran asked.

Just a sip. Then I think Stephanie could do with a good restful sleep. That right young lady?

Stevie tried to nod as Gran and the nurse helped her sit up enough to sip from a glass of water. Her eyes grew sleepy again and she sank back gratefully onto the soft pillows. She must go back to sleep and find the garden again. Something important about it stuck in her thoughts. Yes, she must find mum and dad. Where were they? She must find them...

She’s going to be fine now, Mrs Graham. After a sound, restful sleep you’ll find her much more awake. The danger is over.

Oh, thank goodness for that. But her parents. How can I tell her? She hasn’t asked about them yet.

Stevie faintly heard the voices as she drifted into sleep. What did Gran mean? Stevie was going to find her parents now...

*

The room came into focus more quickly when Stevie woke up for the second time. She checked to make sure Gran was still sitting in the chair.

Hello, love, you’ve had a good sleep. Gran continued holding her hand and Stevie gave it a squeeze.

Hi, Gran. I couldn’t find mum and dad. Where are they?

Stevie watched as Gran’s face turned white. She frowned when Gran pulled a hanky from her pocket, looking as though she wanted to cry.

Do you remember what happened at all, love? Gran asked.

Stevie narrowed her eyes in concentration, searching her mind for the memory of that night.

Then some of it came back...sitting in the back of the family car, half asleep while mum and dad chatted quietly in the front. It had started to turn dark as they drove home from visiting Gran.

Then it became stormy and Stevie had curled up under the blanket on the seat and closed her eyes. Heavy rain was hitting the windscreen and Dad switched the radio on for the news.

They had just heard the warning about thunder and lightning storms, when the first peal of thunder startled them all. Stevie had pulled the blanket further over her ears as a flash of lightning was followed by a second louder boom. She hoped they were close to home. It shouldn’t be that far, though she didn’t think they’d driven over the old bridge yet.

A vivid flash lit the sky and inside of the car, immediately after a deafening clap of thunder, then she heard her mother’s scream before the sudden sensation of falling...

Stevie tried to sit up as she stared at Gran. What happened? Where’s mum and dad? Where are they?

Panic dried her mouth as her voice got louder. Why didn’t Gran say anything?

A nurse hurried in and put her arms around Stevie. Stephanie, please calm down, we’ll answer your questions. It’s all right.

Moisture filled her eyes while her chest tightened and Stevie wept, tears streaming down her face.

"They...they’re dead, aren’t they? That’s why you won’t tell me. They’re dead! And they were waiting for me in the garden. Why didn’t you let me go with