Troubled Waters
3 total works
Abbie's brother Jim has been missing, presumed drowned on his way by boat to Australia, for nearly twenty years. The twin boys he left behind are almost men now. Their mother has always claimed that Jim is dead, but one of the twins, Amos, is certain that he is still alive and living in Australia. Amos leaves his mother, brother and Aunt Abbie behind to search for his father there and finally, finds him, albeit with a new name and a new family. At first Amos is incensed and resentful, but gradually father and son find a way of getting along. Amos decides to stay and make a life for himself in Australia. He and Jim set up a soon flourishing business building luxury hotels. Then, just as Amos feels contented at last, married to the girl of his dreams, a stranger walks into his life, and threatens to ruin all that he's strived for...Meanwhile, the contemporary storyline, follows Abbie's great great grandchildren, 15 year old Vicky and her older brother Matt. Matt is still on the run from his mother's sadistic ex-boyfriend, until Abbie hatches a plan to get him out of the mess he's in. But then their mum gets involved and tragedy strikes the family once more...
It is Melbourne, Australia, 1942. Jane and David Daniels have just lost their father, John, to the war, and now the family are on their way over to Britain, determined to find those of their British relatives who are still alive. Amy, John's widow, arranges for Jane to be schooled in the country while David goes to a local school. Together with her new friend Anne, Jane stumbles upon a name that might be essential to locating their relatives. But as Jane starts digging for information she discovers a dark and seedy side to her family...one she's not sure she wants to know...The third volume in a compelling generational trilogy.
Part one begins in the late 19th Century with 12 year old urchin Jim and his sister Abbie, who make a living selling bits and bobs in the street to earn their keep a home. Then Jim is falsely accused of stealing a gold watch he is charged and sent to Australia, to the recently founded boys' penal settlement on Point Peur! Will Abbie ever see him again? Slowly she learns to fend for herself, and luckily finds work as a downstairs maid, through one of the ladies her mother sews for. Abbie is now 15, honest, and eager to take on any duty. She soon settles in with the other maids, and, like her mother is a talented needlewoman. She is soon making gowns for the young ladies of the house. Things finally seem to be on the up and when Edward, the new junior footman arrives, he and Abbie fall in love, and become engaged. Abbie seems finally to have shrugged off the past. But then Jim arrives home and Abbie is shocked by his scruffy gaunt appearance and lack of social graces. Jim's experience in Australia has clearly marked him for life. He seems angry and off the rails. When he seduces Abbie's friend, Sarah, and then marries her, Abbie fears for them.
Jim is moody and unreliable and he drinks too much. Then, leaving his wife with three children to look after, Jim disappears back to Australia where he feels he can make a new life and erase the memory of the crime he never committed all those years ago. But what will become of him, and Abbie? Will news of her brothers' disgrace effect her reputation and her burgeoning career as a seamstress? Will Jim ever return to see his children ...Interweaved with this story is a parallel account of present day Matt and his sister Kate - great-grandchildren of Abbie. Matt, a moody troubled 15year old has left home, unable to bear his overbearing stepfather any longer. Kate frantically searches for him, but when months later there is still no word, she tries to get on with her life. Will Matt get in touch again?
Jim is moody and unreliable and he drinks too much. Then, leaving his wife with three children to look after, Jim disappears back to Australia where he feels he can make a new life and erase the memory of the crime he never committed all those years ago. But what will become of him, and Abbie? Will news of her brothers' disgrace effect her reputation and her burgeoning career as a seamstress? Will Jim ever return to see his children ...Interweaved with this story is a parallel account of present day Matt and his sister Kate - great-grandchildren of Abbie. Matt, a moody troubled 15year old has left home, unable to bear his overbearing stepfather any longer. Kate frantically searches for him, but when months later there is still no word, she tries to get on with her life. Will Matt get in touch again?