The Quotidian Timeline
3:40 am, September 9th – Bellaton Estate, Dene, Surrey
“Mum!” Nate’s eyes darted in every direction. “Mum!”
He dashed downstairs, crossing the connecting corridor between home and Aunt Matea’s. He reached his mother’s bedroom. But it was empty. He rushed to his father’s bedroom. Empty again.
Heading down one more floor to the main lounge, he found desks everywhere! There were lots of people Nate didn’t recognise. It was an obstacle course. At last, his father and Miles were in view. They were debating something with Wade; pointing at papers on a desk. How he had missed them! But Mum was paramount.
“Where’s Mum?” asked Nate.
Everyone halted in their tracks, registering Nate’s return.
There was a burst of relief from everyone. Emin and Miles rushed to embrace Nate.
“Thank God! Thank God!” said Emin.
“Mum?”
“It’s a long story,” said Emin, downcast. “Your disappearance took a toll on Mum, and she hasn’t been well.”
Aksel and Tierra barged in, tackling Nate to the ground.
“Haha! How I’ve missed you two!” said Nate.
More Kinslows filled the investigation offices, searching for Nate. Alekee and Laine hugged him for the longest time and so did Auntie Jade, Uncle Tim, and Aunt Matea. They were still in their pyjamas. It overjoyed Nate to see everyone, but he needed to make sure Mum had crossed safely.
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“I need to find Mum,” he said.
“Nut, wait,” called Emin. He was holding his phone. “Just got a call. Mum is safe and on her way.”
An hour later, Nate dashed to the window and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his mother. Ajay landed the helicopter in the main courtyard. Aria jumped out, and they ran towards each other.
“Mum!” said Nate, giving his mother a tight embrace.
Cabby and the staff, still in their nightwear, lined up by the entrance. Bellaton was a chorus of tears and laughter.
***
The Kinslows filled the Orangerie in celebration that evening. But Nate left early.
“You okay champ?” asked Wade.
Nate nodded. Grateful to have Wade by his side again.
The rain beat down on the windows. He was curled on his bed when Aria came to see him.
She sat on the bed, and Nate sought his mother’s comforting embrace.
“What’s this?” she asked, reaching down. She held up Lauryn’s pendant. “Life is change,” she read, “and how we adjust will make or break us.”
She looked at Nate again, tears welling in her eyes.
“A reminder to adapt as best I can to setbacks,” he said. “To show courage when needed … It was Lauryn’s,” he whispered, his breath catching in his throat.
***
The following morning, Nate sat down for breakfast. The clink of silverware against the plate reminded him of his routine before his grand adventure. How he took it all for granted. Now, mealtimes were different. He savoured every bite.
Over the next few days, Nate joked with Alekee. Laine spent plenty of time in Bellaton, and they ran into the maze and laughed like in the good old times.
Auntie Jade and Aunt Matea planned their unique weekends again with the cousins. In practical terms, Nate returned to his earlier state before his PTSD. Except he was not the same.
***
Mum would console him. “You’re grieving, give it time.”
No matter how busy he was, his thoughts always gravitated towards Kenya. Their magical horse ride through the moors. The cool air lifting her raven hair and the sunshine on her skin. Their embrace warming them like a blanket on a chilly night.
He had met hundreds and hundreds of women, but none of them would compare to Kenya. Her passionate dance, matched by her cheeky grin and fiery temper. Their Arcuan connection intensified when they were near each other. It was alchemical. They were a formidable duo. Their escape from the Archs in Raging street and their Loch Lorian crossing, awestruck by the surrounding beauty. What possessed him to abandon her in One like he did?
The days dragged on. After the initial excitement of reuniting with the family, the rooms fell silent in a never-ending cycle of grey. Empty. The monotony of his life evident as he ate, slept, showered, and repeated.