THE SHOUT OF A KING

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey The parents loved their wayward daughter too much, even changing from a Christian school to a state school. Nothing helped. Then Moira met Simon and the rest we know. February Derek was out walking with Moira and her new baby, Jasmine. It was a sunny day with a gentle breeze.  The young woman's face was lit with joy and happiness. Her husband was recovering in a modern, well-run section of the hospital nearby. It was her belief that he would be quite well very soon. They came to a part where the path curved away to follow the nearby cliffline.  Derek knew Moira loved the sea and offered to help push the baby carriage over the shingle to firm sand near the tide-line.  The waves broke on the shore, but were gentle today. Jasmine woke and tried to peer out at the sea. She smiled and waved her arms and legs about happily. Suddenly they heard a roar and saw Simon yelling from the cliff top.

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey December Moira was back living with her parents and frequently visited her sister, Ashley, baby Jack and his father, also Jack. Jack was a medium-sized man, but had a bearing and authority which made him seem tall. He had a very strong faith and had advised his sister-in-law not to marry Simon. He had agreed with her parents, Derek and Wendy, that the man was unbalanced. With Ashley, the four had prayed, read the Scriptures and in a non-threatening or dictatorial manner, tried lovingly to advise Moira. Moira would not listen. She loved her parents and her sister, and was impressed by Ashley's choice of a partner, but she loved Simon and nothing else mattered to her. From the age of about fourteen, Moira had changed from a likeable, loveable, happy child to a sullen, rebellious teenager. Resentful and angry, she felt her parents were hemming her in, trying to force their values on to her and she would not admit, even to herself that this was not t...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey "Now dear, if you have good decent parents, you need to let them know where you are. I will lend you my mobile and give you some privacy while I make my bed. Tell them they are welcome to visit you here."  Seeing Moira's amazed look, Alice added, "You cannot travel today and I suspect you have nowhere to go. Are you vomiting often?" "No, not really," was the answer, "perhaps it was because I had left in a hurry and moved too fast and too far. When you found me, I was cold, hungry and tired - and also desperate." The woman looked down at the cream-patterned rug. "My husband is so upset about my baby. He...he cannot cope. I didn't mean to get pregnant..." Her voice tailed off. "Not all women plan to be pregnant!" was Alice's wry retort, but she smiled to take away any hint of criticism. "Perhaps we can talk soon?" So Moira's parents heard their child was safe. Moira r...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Alice woke to the sound of someone vomiting. She carefully got out of bed and sat for a few moments. Though she felt well, rising suddenly sometimes made her unsteady. Then she made for the bathroom. The door was flung open and the young woman was kneeling by the toilet pan. "Moira, may I help?" Alice did not want to appear domineering to a person who had so obviously been bullied. The bruising on her face had been fading to a yellowish hue, but was extensive. Moira groaned a little and Alice held her hair back from her face and murmured encouragingly to her. The girl's brow felt clammy. Leaning on the wall for support, Moira drew herself upright and made for the sink, rinsing her mouth and face. "Sorry!" Moira felt overwhelmingly embarrassed. Later, clean and dressed in some of the older lady's clothes, including a full-skirted dress, Moira entered the bright, sunny kitchen. Alice smiled such a beautiful welcome, she felt...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Derek and Wendy knocked determinedly on the door. After a while, Simon reluctantly drew the bolts and peered out at them. He looked somewhat dishevelled but Derek put his foot into the entryway very firmly. He wore sturdy boots which would withstand the door. "Right, we're coming in. We haven't seen or heard from Moira for a week." The parents searched the house thoroughly, asking Simon repeatedly where their daughter was. The man mumbled excuses. Finally, feeling provoked, he belligerently stated Moira had left. He felt outraged and appalled at this dereliction of duty. Ignoring the rambling tirade, Wendy and her husband went to their car and rang the police - again. There was little they could do, but they were sympathetic and keeping a lookout for the missing woman. Derek sighed and again called the pastor and prayer group attached to their local church. They felt drawn, weary and discouraged. Why hadn't their daughter been i...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey After a while, Alice said something which even surprised herself. "Would you like to stay, at least overnight? I can see you need a bit of help and I will not ask questions - yet! However, I would like to know your real first name."  The other woman smiled a little, then winced, "Moira." "Thank you," answered Alice. "How does a hot shower or bath sound? I can afford it," she added dryly, sensing the other's hesitation. "Also there is a spare bedroom for when family visit." Later, the Lake District and her distant childhood forgotten, Alice wondered at herself. She went to church but it was merely a habit really, not meaning all that much. Perhaps she was called some kind of Good Samaritan, helping a stranger from compassion. In all her many years, Alice had helped others, serving on various charities and committees, but never before in such a uniquely personal way. After making sure the house was ...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey November Alice looked out from her lounge seat. Although over eighty, she liked to keep active and had been blessed with no debilitating age-related diseases. Trim and fit-looking, walking better than many of her age group, Alice loved gardening, visiting the local library and on-line centre. Sipping her warm tea, Alice thought back on her English childhood, part of which had been spent in the Northern part of the British Isles, known as the Lake District. Scrambling around the fells (hills) and valleys had been something many of her large family had enjoyed. Once, climbing a hill track among the bracken and native bushes, one of them had heard the sound of falling water. They had slid between old fence wires and gone to investigate. What a treasure! A hidden waterfall plunging into a pool! Neither the waterfall or the pool had been very big, but the family had had such fun there. Alice still had old photos of the waterfall sheathed in ice in winter,...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey     October Simon had blossomed a little, become more relaxed. It seemed as though his wife's love was like the spring sun drawing warmth and beauty out of the cold ground. This did not last. One day as Moira stood near his car to wave goodbye, a gust of wind suddenly outlined her burgeoning form against the rising sun. She looked beautiful with the sun and leaves dappling her long honey-gold hair and lovely face and figure. But Simon's eyes were drawn to her waistline. He swerved and narrowly missed one of the back trees surrounding their property. "When were you going to tell me?" he thundered, with some justification. Moira shrank back against the fence. Indeed she had been trying to tell her husband for weeks. He was so absorbed with his work as an accountant and with the minutiae of everyday life, that he often missed the bigger issues. Love and acceptance and understanding seemed beyond him at times. Simon's rage faded an...

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THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey When Moira returned to her married home, she carefully wiped her eyes and re-did her hair. Then she set about preparing their evening meal. Simon was due home at six, on the dot. But sometimes he surprised her, probably to catch her off balance. She tried not to think that. She still loved him. She could make this marriage work. Simon had had a very dysfunctional family, that was all. He had no contact now with any of them and they had not appeared to notice. At the wedding, his parents had done all that was expected. It was soon obvious that this father and mother were interested only in themselves and not their child. Perhaps Simon had believed himself an inconvenience all his life? Moira resolved to try harder. She could do this.

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey JULY Moira shivered. She was cold and her cheek hurt. "Mum," she called as she opened the back door of her parents' home. Dad was home. "Hi honey!" He gave her a great big bear hug, just as he always had, but more carefully now she was grown. "How did your face get hurt?" "Banged into the door, dad." The lie hung there between them. Derek growled and clenched his fists. "Right, just going out for a while." His intent was clear. "No, dad, please no. Please!" The girl was so obviously terror-stricken, he stopped abruptly. "We can get you away, Moira. Mum and I can get a Restraining Order. You can't fool around. It's called an FVO - Family Violence Order. You know he needs help." Moira looked up, hope in her eyes. "I'm pregnant," she whispered. And then added, fearfully "he'll kill it." They looked at her, both incredulous. Surely that was not t...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Not far away, Wendy sat wondering whether to call her daughter. She kept looking at the phone. Her eldest daughter, Ashley, had had her baby. Finally she dialled. Simon answered politely, curtly, "Yes?" "Could I speak to my daughter please, Simon?" Reluctantly the phone was passed to Moira. He stood, towering over her. "Yes, mum?" Her voice was flat and expressionless. "Your sister has had her baby! A little boy, Jack, and all is well." Joyously Moira cried. "That's awesome, mum. Give Ashley our love! Can I see them soon?" "Can you come in a few days?" "Oh yes, mum, yes." She glanced up. He was frowning. "Have to go, mum. Love you all." Defiant, the young woman faced him. "I can see my family. You can't stop me!" Simon stared, unmoved. "You have forgotten something." She was puzzled, her mind wrapped around the thought of a tiny newborn, and he...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Relieved, Moira noted no lights were on, and making most of the reprieve, hurried indoors, switching on lights as she went, and turning on the heat pump. There were no messages on her phone. That was no surprise. Gradually, all contact had been lost with family and friends. How had so much been eroded so swiftly? Moira glanced outside, biting her lip nervously. Quickly, she straightened her clothes and adjusted her hair. The face in the looking glass looked drawn and pale and thin. A car door slammed in the stillness and she hastened to the door, ready to welcome her husband as expected. He came in, tall and strong, and gave her his coat and briefcase. Hastily, she stowed them in their correct places. He waited, dark eyes expectant and critically appraising. His blond hair was immaculately groomed, as he was himself from deep blue shirt, and matching jacket and trousers. His shoes still shone from last evening's brushing. She had done well. Moira...