Jake had been given a camera as a boy from his parents John and Susan Turner, he loved nothing better than to go out into the forest and take pictures of nature and the various birds he saw on his outings, he actually took pictures of anything that he considered good enough to look at. His photos were so good that they were used for projects at his local school and he once entered a competition for a series of birds captured in their natural habitat and won the prize of having them published in the local newspaper. This encouraged Jake to take up photography seriously and he continued with his studies at college but unfortunately, coming from a family who did not have much money and although very clever, was unable to attend the University to further his photography skills.
It was on the second to last day of college when Jake saw on the College noticeboard an advertisement for a position for a photographer in London with a prestigious fashion magazine. Fashion was not something he had considered as he wanted to keep with his nature photos, but this was an opportunity too good not to apply for.
That afternoon he arrived home to tell his parents his exciting news and was faced with an ambulance sitting outside his house. He rushed into the house and found his father on the floor with the paramedics at his side giving him CPR. His father had had a heart attack. Jake's mother was in a state and so, while he comforted her the experts were able to attend to his father. Without any time lost Jake's father was quickly in the ambulance and off to hospital.
Jake's father's car was sitting outside and he quickly got his mother organised so that they could drive to the hospital. Jake had passed his driving test only a few months before and was glad his father encouraged him to do so. The doctors had taken Jake's father into the operating theatre and so there was quite a wait until they had any news of how he was. Hours had past and the surgeon came out of the operating theatre to talk with Jake and his mother. Dad was doing fine they were told, and he had to have a stent fitted and that with rest and care he would recover well.
Some months had past and Jake had forgotten all about the job in London and by that time he had left college with very good qualifications in photography and was working as a news photographer with the local newspaper. The job wasn't bad, it at least paid good money, enough to help with the family finances now that his father was unable to work. His mother worked part time as an assistant in the library which she continued to do.
Jake, now twenty three was dong very well with the newspaper, he often travelled to the London office to follow up on news items of interest, this he enjoyed immensely as it got him out into the city life and all it had to offer. He stayed with a very nice family during his assignments, George and Sybil Trent and their daughters Hilda and Lena. Hilda was twenty one and very outgoing with lots to say, where Lena, nineteen, was quiet and very unassuming. On a Friday after work, the girls and Jake would stop in at one of the pubs and have a drink before heading home. This continued for several months, the same routine, until one day, Hilda announced she was leaving home to move in with her boyfriend of two years. George and Sybil had met Will, Hilda's boyfriend and so all was well.
Lena was a physiotherapist at the London hospital and a very successful one. Jake would often pick her up from the hospital on her afternoons off and they would go for lunch and visit the museum and art studios where there were lots of photographs to look at and study. They would discuss the time when Jake was a boy and went out on his own in the forest and photograph the birds, he would always get carried away in his thoughts of still wanting to be a wildlife photographer and all the time wishing it could still happen.
Life was good and Jake's father was well again and his mother was looking forward to meeting Lena who was travelling to Scotland with Jake for Christmas. Lena and Jake were becoming very close and enjoyed a very happy and uncomplicated friendship. Christmas came and John and Susan welcomed Lena into their home. It was a very special time for them all. Jake would take Lena on a walk through the forest, taking pictures as he did as a boy and they would laugh and talk and enjoy their time together.
Another year had come and gone and back in London on another assignment, Jake was reading an article in one of the papers about Birds in the Wild and was interested to read that a Wildlife Magazine in New Zealand was advertising for a photographer. This was too good to be true he thought and without hesitating he emailed his resumë to the address given.
On the way back to George and Sybil's he was walking on air and thinking this was what he had been waiting for all his life. As he relayed the course of events to George and Sybil, they were elated and overjoyed for him, they were very fond of Jake and hoped that he and Lena would become more than friends. When Lena arrived home that night from work Jake could hardly contain himself and as he told Lena what he had done she said "New Zealand! why? Jake, that is half way round the world and what will your Mother and Father have to say about this sudden idea." and Jake replied, "This is all I have been waiting for all my life Lena, and my parents were thrilled for me when I rang and told them tonight." Lena could not face him and as the tears rolled down her cheeks she rushed past him and ran up to her room.
Sybil past Lena on the stair landing and saw that she was crying and knew straightaway that Jake had told her. As she entered the living room, Jake looked at her and said "Is Lena alright?" "No" said Sybil, "I think she was hoping for more than being your friend and now there is no hope of even friendship" Jake was confused, he had no idea Lena felt more than friendship for him, they had never spoken of their feelings for each other, although Jake felt a closeness with Lena but it was more a brother and sister bond for him.
It was a strained few days for Jake and Lena, however, they had reached an understanding after talking about why Lena was upset. As yet Jake had not even got an interview for this job, but if he did not would they ever be the same with each other. It helped that Jake was only in London for a few days and had returned home when he got the email asking if he could attend an interview giving him all the details. Jake's heart missed a beat and straight away he replied that he would be available.
Jake had his interview and had only a few days to wait to be told he had the job and would be expected to be on is way to New Zealand within two weeks. The next two weeks were a blur, Jake leaving work, getting organised for his long trip and then the goodbyes. Jake's mother and father, George, Sybil and Lena were all at the airport to see him off on his travels. It was a sad goodbye especially with Lena and tears flowed and promises made to keep in touch.
Jake, now on his way half way across the world to a country he knew very little about with no family or friends to call upon, However, this did not faze him at all as all through his young adult life he had not relied on his parents or friends to get through his studies and be the best he could be. Having said that, he did enjoy his time with Lena on the occasions they spent time with each other after work and having a drink and enjoying each others company catching up with work ideas and putting the world to rights. He will miss the camaraderie between them but sure they will never lose what they had.
On his arrival at Auckland airport Jake was met by Steve from the magazine he was going to be working for. An overnight stay at one of the Hotels in Auckland had been arranged for Jake to give him a rest before starting work in the morning. It was a beautiful spring afternoon when he arrived at his hotel and from his eighth floor room looking out of the window, was amazed at the stunning scenic views and absolutely perfect weather, he had a good feeling about the decision he made to take advantage of this great job opportunity. So, from small beginnings Jake knew he would do good in this new country and so he got settled into his accommodation then went to join Steve in the hotel lounge and enjoyed the ambience of sitting in front of a roaring fire and sipping on a glass of good New Zealand wine. Whilst chatting with Steve, Jake was introduced to a group of employees from the magazine, lots of good humour with these new work colleagues, and they were all much the same age and so had the same outlook as far as enjoying themselves was concerned. The hours seemed to fly by and Jake was beginning to feel tired from the long trip and was looking forward to a good nights sleep before starting his work in the morning, and so left the group to enjoy the night and he went up to his room.
The alarm went off at 6 am and as Jake opened his eyes to a new day, he enjoyed running in the morning at home and so he put on his running shoes and running gear and took off on a route given to him during the previous night's get together. It was a perfect morning for a run and as he made his way to the park he was conscious of many others out running or walking acknowledging him with a smile or a "good morning". Finishing his run, Jake went back to his hotel room to shower and dress to get prepared for his first morning at the magazine.
On arriving at work, Jake was taken to the boardroom where the day started every morning with a meeting of what the day had in store for the team. Given Jake's qualifications, the position of assistant Team Leader was afforded Jake and he was introduced to the team of three photographers, Harry, Jim, Sara. The head of the team was Richard, who looked about thirty something took Jake through the duties of the day. Each team member had their schedules so off they went to their respective venues. Jake had his schedule for the day which started off by obtaining a camera from the stock of cameras held in storage. He chose a camera with a good zoom lens and was given keys to his company car together with maps of the area where he was to be photographing, so, after a quick introduction round the other staff members and the usual health and safety rules they arrived at an office that was Jake's and so it was time to start his day.
Jake's first morning arrived and he intended to take off to an area to checkout the birdlife. Once he got his bearings and followed the road signs he arrived at the foot of a mountain in the Coromandel Forest Park on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula about one and half hours from Auckland. As he got out of the car, there was a sign which said Mt Moehau. He picked up his backpack with his water and his camera and set off up the mountain. The walk was not too easy as it was quite steep in places but he was determined to get to the top. At last he reached a point where he could look down on what was a truly magnificent view of the forest with steep slopes and streams that eventually made their way to the sea beyond. He stopped for a while taking in the splendour of this land and was in awe of it's beauty. During his climb he was not aware of many birds and so he decided he would have to do some homework and learn more about the area he was to work in. His trip back down the mountain was quicker than uphill and once at the bottom, got into his car and returned back to his hotel.
Three years had past since Jake joined the Nature Magazine. He had made a point of getting to know the area and the habitat around him and the calibre of the articles backed up by the photographs taken by himself and his colleagues earned the magazine excellent reviews and this was recognised, giving the team an incentive to do well. by He had a hands on approach with his team and often went out with one or two of them who required assistance and for that he was well respected. Jake earned himself a pretty good salary which allowed him to buy a very nice apartment of his own giving him more freedom than being in company accommodation. Things were working out really well and Jake had been zooming his family together with George, Susan and Lena, which they did on a weekly basis. Jake's parents were really pleased that their son had found work suited to his ability and progressing well and he was now able to send money home to help out with the financial situation at home. Lena had found a boyfriend who got on well with her parents, this pleased Jake very much to know that she was happy.
Jake did not have a very busy social life as he spent much of his spare time studying to better his position in the magazine and during the past three years he did just that, he had attained the position of publications editor, this entailed checking the standard of photographs taken before they were published. He did though, still enjoy going out to take photographs of the birds in the wild.
There were a few acquaintances Jake had met but nothing serious and that was how he wanted it to be, although one girl took his fancy and they were together for a few months, however, the girl had moved to Australia with her work and so ended that relationship. He had friends from work that he would go to various outings with and they all got on well together. So, it was an easy, pleasant lifestyle he led.
It always amazed Jake just how much he enjoyed working in New Zealand, walking in the beautiful lush forests and taking photos of the many variety of birds, some of which he had never seen before, were unbelievable, he would spend hours photographing their antics and habitat. He was learning so much about the wildlife of New Zealand and the different tracks that he used, although there were times he would be so engrossed in his work that he often lost his way but always managed to get back on the track again.
It was on one of Jake's forest walks that he lost his way. The weather forecast was for cloud and light rain, however, this proved wrong and the rain was getting very heavy and the wind started up and was blowing hard, so he packed up his camera and started to walk back to his car. Although it was only approximately three in the afternoon, it was getting quite dark and the track was beginning to get very muddy and slippery. It was a good call that Jake had worn weatherproof walking boots and so he felt comfortable knowing he was equipped for the bad weather that seemed to be getting worse. Continuing on the track he had come in Jake pressed on not noticing that he had veered off at some stage and was following a slightly older track where the footing was much heavier in mud with tree roots and large stones. He looked at his watch and it was now five o' clock and so very dark. He wondered if he should backtrack but decided to go on hoping the track would lead him out of the forest. Jake had heard from some of his teammates that it was very easy to get lost in these parts as the trees were many and the bush was very thick. At that moment he got out his mobile only to find there was no signal, not a good sign.
The weather did not seem to be letting up and the rain was very heavy. Jake's feet were under water and soon it would be up past the cuff of his boots. His waterproof coat was a good one, however with the constant battering of the rain he was beginning to feel the wet coming through. He wished he could find shelter and so he looked for a large fern canopy that he could shelter under giving a little respite from the elements. It was quite a while before he came across a fern tall enough and thick enough to giver him some shelter. Jake sat down on a large stone and opened his backpack where he had his bottle of water and a few sandwiches he had packed for his trek, but not a torch. At this time he was starting to feel somewhat out of his depth, but at the same time feeling positive he would be reaching familiar territory soon. It was about eight in the evening and most definitely dark. It was clear he was not not going to meet anyone and with no mobile signal, he was on his own.
The rain had stopped momentarily and Jake decided to walk a little further and with the help of the light from his phone he set off to try and find a better shelter as he was now convinced he was in this forest for the night. Back in Scotland, it was not the first time Jake had slept out in the forest although he was prepared and did have a one man tent to do this. He knew that his phone battery wouldn't last too long and so he quickened his pace to his detriment as he slipped and went headlong into a swollen stream. This was disaster as he was now soaking wet with no shelter. Just as he was about to give up, feeling wet and miserable, he pointed his phone up and saw a cluster of large boulders and so made straight for them. Approaching the boulders he noticed an opening which looked like a cave opening, and approached with caution, so, having assumed there was no animal living in it he entered the cave. The first thing Jake wanted to do was to try and find some dry sticks to start a fire to get these wet clothes off and dried. However, this was not an easy task as outside the cave everything was soaking wet. He looked around the cave with his mobile phone light as quick as he could and he did find a few sticks and one very large trunk from an old tree in two pieces that had dried and looked promising. So, near the opening of the cave he immediately sat down without the light from his phone and feeling for a leaf of paper from the notebook in his backpack, ripped it out and placed a few sticks on top and started rubbing the dry sticks like he had done as a scout. It was nearly impossible to get a spark from the sticks but Jake kept on trying, then all of a sudden he got a small spark but it soon went out. Again and again he tried and eventually he managed one big spark that set the paper alight, he was so relieved as he was starting to get chilled with his wet clothes. The sticks were sufficient enough to stay lit and allowed the dried tree trunk to catch light which began to send out a warm glow. Slowly Jake began to strip down to his underwear and vest which were remarkably dry and so he laid out his clothes on rocks inside the cave. Being the end of summer, it was not too cold in the cave and so his clothes would dry enough for him to wear in the morning, then he remembered that he had a jersey in his backpack which he carried incase the weather got chilly and so that kept him warm enough and with the heat from the fire he managed to lie down curl up and drift off into a restless sleep.
The early morning light of the new day awoke Jake and to his surprise the thick log still had red embers so he got a small stick and gave it a nudge and much to his delight it came alive and flames arose from the embers, he managed to pile on more sticks he found when looking around in the semi light of the cave. He checked his clothes and fortunately with the mild night and heat from the fire they were dry enough to wear. Somehow, he had to get out of this forest but where to start? He had a sip of his water and ate a small sandwich to keep him going. Outside the cave the forest floor although still wet was not swimming with water and so was not too muddy underfoot. The sky was blue with the sun shining bright bringing a warmth to the air. Jake extinguished the fire and made sure it was out before packing up his wet weather clothes into his backpack and took off to where? not sure he thought, but had to try to get to civilisation.
Jake checked his watch before leaving the cave, it was eight o'clock and the weather was looking fine. He set of in one direction that appeared to have less trees and so making the journey easier to manage, even the track was in a better state of repair so this gave him comfort of finding his way back. He walked for two hours with only the birds for company which would usually be very enjoyable, however, this morning he was more aware of his surroundings being foreign to him and all he wanted to do was to get home to a nice warm shower and to sleep. Another two or three hours walking and sipping on his water which was slowly running out. Surely with all the rain there had to be a stream along the way. Jake again tried to use his phone but again no reception, his battery was slowly getting lower and so he powered off to try and safe it.
Although the trees were getting less the smaller bushes were still thick and getting harder to push through. The gorse was thick and the thorns were scratching Jake's arms and legs to the point of making them bleed in parts. He was beginning to despair of ever getting out of this situation and having to spend another night in this area of dense bush when he smelled a whiff of smoke and, looking beyond the trees and bush he did see smoke rising. At last he thought, someone to help me. He took off as fast as the thick undergrowth would allow him in the direction of the smoke.
Approaching the area where the smoke was, Jake heard voices, but not english speaking, they were that of the local Maori people. Jake had not learned the Maori language and so had no idea what they were saying, however, the local people he had met were always hospitable and spoke in english. As he neared what he thought was a camp he was gripped from behind and held in a tight grasp by some one. Jake let out an alarmed sound and the next thing he knew he was hit on the head and fell to the ground.
When Jake eventually awoke it was dark and he was tied up to a wooden beam in a small hut, where a small fire was burning and a pot of something was bubbling over the flames. There was a small table and two chairs in the middle of the room and what looked like a large couch in the corner. Bare wooden floors and two small windows and a door leading outside. His head hurt giving him such a headache. He called out to whoever might hear him but no reply. He noticed that his backpack was gone and he felt in his pocket to discover his phone to was gone. Also, his watch had been taken, and apart from the darkness outside having only the light from the fire, he had no idea what the time was.
The time was ticking on and surely someone was going to come into the hut if not to check on him to check on the bubbling pot on the fire. Eventually, the door opened and in walked two huge burly men one with a long beard and both with long unruly hair, dressed in black singlets and sweatpants. Not your everyday neighbour types. They spoke to each other in their own language and not looking at me at all proceeded to sit at the table, the one with the beard went to the fire and dished up whatever was bubbling in the pot for both of them all the while talking to each other. I started to say something and they both looked at me with such a menacing look I kept my mouth shut. I thought to myself I did not sign up for this and certainly did not expect this kind of behaviour given to a stranger without an explanation.
After these men had eaten, they both sat back and got out a cigarette each and started to smoke, I immediately could smell the sweet smell of cannabis, not that I had ever tried it, but it was smoked by some of the college students. Had I stumbled upon a cannabis plant growing patch. I had heard of this being the case in some of the denser parts of the forest, well hidden, even from the sky it was hidden in many cases.
At last the man with the beard turned to me and spoke in broken english "what you doin' in this part of the bush bro?" I replied "I was taking photographs for the magazine I work for and got lost." "well now" said the other one "what are we goin' to do with you." I said in a low voice "give me some directions to get me back to a track where I can reach the town and I will be on my way. I don't want any trouble, I just need to get home." The bearded one then said "and who are you going to tell what you saw and found way out here?" I was starting to feel very uncomfortable at this stage and said "I have no intention of telling anyone, and I don't know where this is so would not be able to tell." Hearing this, I was convinced I had walked into a cannabis growing patch and they were sacred to these people as they grew and sold their crops and by what I had been told, made a handsome profit. I had no idea what these men had in store for me but they were not going to just let me go and forget I saw them. All kinds of scenarios were swirling in my head, but I could not think of one thing to convince these two to untie me and let me walk out of that hut. Sometime had past and the men each found a place to lie down and both instantly fell asleep and me still sitting on the floor tied to this beam. I had never spent a more uncomfortable night in my life.
Dawn arrived and the two men stirred but did not get up. I was cramped and thirsty and desperate to go to the toilet. At long last the bearded one got up and I immediately said to him "I need to go to the toilet, please" he dragged me off the floor and untied my hands and feet, it was a relief to feel free of the ropes which had make my wrists red and sore. He took me outside the hut to a tree nearby and told me to get on with it, and he stayed with me until I had finished. I was dragged back into the hut and shoved onto a chair with hands tied behind my back and strapped to the chair and feet tied together with rope. I thought, could I now ask for a drink, and before I could say anything, I had a mug of water thrust into my mouth and was able to drink to quench my thirst. I then asked "What are you going to do with me?" but all I got was a grunt and he left the hut, leaving me with the other man who was still sleeping. After about ten minutes the bearded man came back into the hut and shook his partner and told him to get up. It appeared they were going off to do some work as outside the open door were two shovels and a trailer load of plants. Nothing was said between the two men and they left the hut without a glance in my direction.
I looked around the hut in the semi light from the two small windows and I noticed my backpack lying in the corner opposite me and my phone and watch lying on the window sill. I had get out of this chair and try and get this rope off my wrist. I was wiggling my wrists and fingers to try and loosen the knot and it did start to loosen so I kept wriggling and pulling even though my wrists were beginning to get sore. With my feet tied, I tried moving the chair, as I did this, the chair hit the table and a glass jar sitting on the table rolled off and smashed landing just a few inches from my feet. If I got down on the floor just close enough to get my hand on a piece of the broken glass, I might be able to cut through the rope. A bit of a long shot though as my hands were tied behind me, but if I rocked the chair side to side it might roll on to the floor and me with it. After a few rocking movements the chair tilted and went on to two legs then crashed to the floor. I hit the floor with a bang and hit my head on the wooden floor, not enough to knock me out but I did see stars for a bit. I landed on my side when I hit the floor and I managed to push with my heels and get to a sitting position. I then shuffled along to where the glass lay and positioned myself and the chair to be able to pick up the glass with my fingers and carefully placed it on the rope, I started to run the glass over the rope with as much pressure as I could without cutting into my hand too much. This was a long process and all the while I hoped the men were not making their way back. I could feel my fingers slippery with what I guessed was blood but I did not ease up on the cutting. At last I felt the rope loosen and as I moved my wrists the rope broke away. What I felt was more than relief and I knew there was no time to waste, I got the rope off my wrists then off my ankles, got to my feet, grabbed by backpack, watch and phone and ran out of the hut and into the forest. My heart was beating in my chest but at this stage thankful that I kept myself fit and could run fast, although the undergrowth was thick and held me back, but I pushed my way through and eventually came to a clearing of only trees. I was hoping that I had not run towards the men and their illegal planting.
I was exhausted, bleeding from my hands and had painful ankles from the rope burns not to mention the lump on my head, but thankful I was free. I kept a fast pace but had stopped running, I was still unsure of the area I had entered into, however, although it was late morning, it was a dry and warm day. I stopped to look in my backpack for my water and found half a bottle which gave me a feeling of hope. I looked at my phone and there was one bar of battery left, not sure that there would be a signal here I was reluctant to switch on, so I briskly walked further on the track and noticed the ground underfoot more even so giving me confidence I was heading in the right direction.
Back at the Wildlife Magazine, there was concern about Jake's whereabouts as his colleagues had been trying to ring his mobile with no success. This was not like him as he was always early to work and so the Manager had contacted the police and alerted them as to where Jake had gone the day before yesterday. Because of the nature of the forest tracks the police were aware of just how many people lost their way and as bad weather was imminent they were anxious to start a search. A helicopter search had been organised, but because it would soon be dusk and the incoming bad weather it was decided to wait until the morning.
Jake was well aware of the weather coming in and the fact that it would soon be dusk he set about to find shelter. He was not at all sure where he was and of course he had left his maps in the car and had only a little battery on his phone. The dusk was upon him but he would not give up trying to find somewhere to shelter. As hope was about lost, in a clearing shortly ahead of where Jake was, he saw a cabin, at a run he took off and reached the cabin in no time. Up the steps he went and tried the door handle to find that it was open. He thought this must be one of the cabins that trackers use when out and about. It was such a relief to get a roof over his head seeing that the rain had started. As Jake looked around the cabin, it was sparsely furnished although the necessities were supplied. A fireplace with lots of logs, even a box of matches on the shelf above the fireplace. A small kitchen equipped with the essentials including tins of food. After setting a fire in the fireplace and making a hot cup of tea, Jake settled onto the single bed and was reflecting on what he had gone through these past two days. He looked at his phone and he did have a weak signal so he switched on and rang 111 it was answered immediately. Jake as quick as could managed to convey his situation, he was then advised that his GPS on his phone had given the operator his location and for him to sit tight and wait. With his nerves and trepidation abated, he dropped onto the single bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Early next morning, Jake awoke to the roaring of helicopter wings, he flew out of the cabin to see the rescue helicopter above. He gathered up his belongings and left the cabin as he found it, went outside and waited to be hoisted up and into the helicopter.
Jake was taken to the hospital to have his injuries attended to and waiting for him was his Manager and two of his colleagues who were more than happy see him. After giving a report to the police he was discharged from the hospital and taken home.
In his own home at last although it had only been two days, it felt like Jake had been away for a very long time. His fingers were healing well and although his wrists and ankles were very red and bruised, he felt good to be in familiar surroundings. After having a few days off work Jake returned to an overwhelming welcome from the whole office, this made him feel very appreciative of having such caring friends.
A few weeks after Jake returned from his ordeal, he received a call from the police telling him that the cannabis patch had been found but the men had fled and were still on the wanted list.
Jake returned to his photograph duties and although he was suspect of the tracks he used he always kept maps handy and also maps on his phone. Things were getting back to some sort of normality when one day Jake got a call to say that his father had had another heart attack but this time it was bad. There was no time to waste and so Jake rented out his apartment with an agent, got time off work and made reservations to return home to Scotland.
It was a long and tiring journey and when Jake got to Edinburgh airport, there was his mother and Lena there to welcome him. His mother looked so much older, possibly the shock of his father, and Lena, he could not quite grasp why she was there. After hugging both his mother and Lena they got his luggage and made it out to the car. It was Lena's car as Jake's mother was no longer driving.
It was a slow drive home to Jake's parents home as they were driving in peak traffic. The conversation was all about his father and Jake wanted to know everything. Apparently John had been working in the garden, it was a nice day and so all seemed fine until Susan had made a cup of tea and was on her way to call John to have a break and when she looked over to him he was lying in the garden and not moving. Susan immediately called 111 and the ambulance was on the way. John was taken to hospital where he was put on resuscitation and has been on that for three days. It is not looking good Susan told Jake and we are not holding out much hope for a recovery.
Jake drove Lena's car and took his mother to the hospital within hours of him getting home. As they reached the hospital they were told to go straight in. Jake got to see his father only to let him know he was there, his father did recognise him but only for a moment and he was gone.
A few weeks after the funeral, Jake's mother asked him when he was going back to New Zealand. Jake had thought of nothing else since his father's funeral and he had come to a decision. He told his mother that he was not going back to New Zealand, that his place was here with her and to be in Scotland where he belonged.
Jake had several sleepless nights thinking had he made the right decision, but he knew that he had. He started from small beginnings and now he had come to where his dreams all started. He contacted his Manager in New Zealand and officially resigned, much to the company's regret. Jake sold his apartment and tidied up his affairs. It may be that one day, Jake will take Lena on a trip to New Zealand to show her the beautiful country that stole his heart.
Lena was a constant visitor to Jake's family home. She, like Jake had had a few relationships but none had worked out and now she had come up from London to be with Susan during her time of need and stayed. She got work in the local hospital as senior physiotherapist and was doing really well. Got herself a little flat not far from Susan and was content to be her companion.
Months passed and sadness eased and Jake and Lena were seeing more and more of each other and it felt right for both of them, so, after spending the day together and having dinner out, Jake proposed to Lena and he did not have to wait for an answer, she kissed him tenderly, that was the answer.
Within a month. Lena and Jake were married in the local church, it was not a big affair, just Susan, Lena's parents George and Sybil, Lena's sister Hilda and her husband Will and their two children.
Lena and Jake bought a little house near his mother and the following year Susan had her first granddaughter, Molly, she was the apple of her eye and the family lived a very ordinary contended life.
"From small beginnings, greater things have been produced" William Bradford,
The End
