Hallo ppl, this is my first ever story so be gentle to me if it's not that great… once I have an adequate number of responses and some helpful, constructive criticism I shall be able to add on a few chapters which hopefully will improve more from the last few I have added now xxx R and R xxx
Set after 'The Opal Deception'
Chapter 1 mornings
Ralph Kelp was gulping down his coffee. It was a Saturday, though shifts never ceased at weekends for the Lower Elements Police. He glanced at the clock; it was getting late, time to move. He looked up the stairs hoping for an appearance of his little brother Peter.
"Grub, c'mon, we need to get going bro!"
He swivelled his mother around and pecked her on the cheek, before he moved she handed him a bottle of nettle smoothie.
"I know it's your favourite dear, I bought some for you yesterday like you asked."
Ralph winked. "You're a star, see you later mum." His mood suddenly altered dramatically as he glanced at the time yet again.
"GRUB! GET DOWN HERE NOW BEFORE I COME UP THERE AND DO SOMETHING I'LL REGRET!"
His voice held authority and soon he heard the faint footsteps sprinting on the level above. Peter bolted down the stairs, taking around five steps at a time; Ralph had to catch him at the bottom as he narrowly missed the kitchen table. Grabbing him by the collar, he pulled him out onto the streets, the door automatically locking.
Irramador was hectic at this time of day; it was the second largest city next to Haven, it was difficult to make any swift progress along the bustling streets. Ralph still had a firm grip on Peter's collar. "Grub, what the hell have you been doing all this time?"
Peter mumbled something incoherent and then wiped his nose on his sleeve. Ralph sighed, annoyed by Grub's stubbornness. He decided to use his real name, a rare occurrence.
"Peter…" he gave an icy stare, baring his teeth, "We cannot afford to be late Grub, especially with Commander Sool on our backs 24/7."
Ralph momentarily loosened his grip on Peter, giving him the chance to dodge away. Peter noticed the scowl growing on his brother's features and moved a few steps to the side. Unfortunately he smacked into an incoming passer by, who was innocently looking in her handbag for a tissue. The vertically challenged sprite bounced back, screaming, though landed in Trouble's arms.
"Sorry madam."
She picked up her handbag and brushed herself down, glaring at Peter. Grub didn't have a chance to apologise himself as Ralph had him once again by the collar.
"Don't talk!" Trouble growled menacingly, "Just keep with me!"
Grub kept his mouth closed and hurried to keep with Trouble's pace. They soon entered the Police Plaza and proceeded to check in at arrivals. Once they were through Ralph spun his little brother around, he drew breath, though was annoyingly interrupted by a visitor. It was Sool, approaching steadily with his trademark cold stare etched onto his features.
"Ten minutes late I see! Well, I'm sure we can find you some suitable paperwork to do, I know a lot of files need sorting."
He leaned closer towards them, yet this time lowered his voice into a stern whisper. "Get with the programme boys, I handle things very differently and you will not be late for your shifts, you hear? No excuses, you know the rules and you will obey them. It's time the LEP got into order and did their jobs properly, I will make sure of it! They should have made me Commander long ago, the LEP needs a kick up the backside."
He turned his footing and proceeded out of the automatic doors. They shut hastily, not giving the chance for Sool to hear Trouble's rude remark. Soon he felt the customary tug on his sleeve. Peter smiled at him, his huge green eyes anxious.
"Hey, umm, Trouble, shall we get going?" he motioned towards the door.
Ralph smiled weakly at his brother, what a morning it had been.
"Sure thing Grub, where would I be without you eh?" He chuckled, even though his heart was thumping so hard it hurt. Peter looked strangely at his brother.
"Paradise probably."
--
Holly was woken up from her deep slumber by an extremely loud crash coming form the kitchen. She sat up straight and reached for her neutrino, an item Foaly had given her secretly for protection. She flicked the setting up to three and walked ahead, keeping close to the walls. She turned the corner and aimed, it was then she realized who it was.
"HOLY FROND, MULCH!" she lowered her gun and breathed heavily. It was Mulch, he had let himself into her flat with the extra swipe card they had paid for. Now they were working together, they decided to get access to each other's apartments, however, most of the time Mulch seemed to be over at hers, eating everything she had in stock. Her eyes searched the room, they were several plates smashed all over the floor, and Mulch was holding one over his face. He peeked out from behind. "Sorry Holls…" he pleaded. I was just getting some beetle pâté, see?" He pointed at the stash he had put in the fridge. "I was looking for a plate."
Holly observed the floor and soon realized the plates which had fallen weren't the everyday meal plates she used, they were her special plates… her mother's plates. Decorated with tiny gold stars and pink hearts for when she was a baby, it was the only thing left in remembrance of her mother. Holly stood in silence, shaking slightly. Mulch wavered, but then began to pick up the mess.
"Don't worry Holls, I'll buy you some new ones, ha! Trust me eh!" he looked up, waiting for a response, he wasn't disappointed… though it wasn't the kind of response he had been hoping for.
"How could you!" she screamed, her eyes were brimming with tears, Holly had no family left, all the items inherited to her were of extreme importance, especially of her parents. She stormed out of the kitchen, Mulch followed her.
"What have I done? There only plates…right?" He touched her shoulder and she turned around. She didn't shout this time but sat down on her sofa upset.
"They… were my mothers, sorry I didn't mean to blow my top. They're just irreplaceable." She wiped her eyes. "Gods, I'm off to a bad start today!" Mulch sat down next to her, he hesitated at first, though wrapped his hairy arms around the elf. "Sorry Holls," he whispered. Holly returned the hug meaningfully and feebly chuckled. "And were you trying to give me a heart attack?" she glared at Mulch. He gulped. "Me and my clumsy hands." He raised them briefly. "Expect something huge and wrapped up wonderfully tomorrow then." Holly chuckled, though didn't complain…
--
Ralph's shift had ended, so he went to find Grub, most probably in the canteen, getting even more food. He firstly stopped off at the locker rooms, changing into a vest, tracksuit trousers and trainers. He entered the cafeteria, noticing Grub greedily munching a sandwich.
"Shift is over little man, let's go."
Peter looked up, a bit of cress hanging from the side of his mouth.
"Hey Trouble, hang on, just let me finish my grub." It was the reason he had picked his nickname at the acceptance ceremony, his love of food was obvious.
"No bro, we're going now!" He hauled him up and walked out of Police Plaza. Peter had the sandwich still in his hand and happily chomped all the way home. Their mother was waiting for them, tea already cooked. Gail was a master chef, she cooked all the time, no wonder Grub loved eating. It was embarrassing, Ralph still lived with his mother; he was planning on moving out. However, every time he mentioned it, Gail would burst into tears, saying she needed her boys around her or she would get lonely. Their father had left them many years ago and yet, she still used it to her expense, but Gail was a persuasive woman and usually got her way with Ralph. The smell of risotto wafted around the house, Grub sniffed and pretended to drool over the plates laid out on the table. Ralph rolled his eyes in frustration.
"Grub, you just had a sandwich! Are you capable of not being hungry for once?" He stomped into the lounge and grabbed the phone beginning to dial Holly's number, deciding he needed a chat with her to calm his nerves. As he placed it to his ears Gail suddenly snatched away the phone cancelling out the call.
"Don't be so rude to your brother Ralph, and can't you see it's dinner time? Phone whoever it is later darling." She poured some white wine, filling Grub's to only halfway. Ralph had had enough, he hadn't had a particularly great day and so his mother was about to get some of the aftermath.
"I am going to phone Holly now because I want to, you cannot control who the hell I speak to and when, OK! And I do not want any of your tea at the moment thank you very much!" And with that, he seized the phone from her grasp. His mother drew in breath, fuming.
"How dare you speak to me like that? After everything I have done for you and been through." She turned on the waterworks, smothering her face into a handkerchief from her blouse theatrically.
"Gail…" Ralph groaned inwardly. "I need to contact her, ok?" Gail stepped up and slammed her fist on the table; Peter held his glass as Gail controlled her voice to maximum volume. "Do you not appreciate that dinner time is the only time I ever get to spend with you two anymore?" her eyes were slits. Ralph turned back, surprised by his mother's sudden outburst. "I know Gail, but I have been thinking about moving out, I want my own place now, I'm 96 years old for frond's sake! I've decided, I'm going to the agents tomorrow, to check out some flats." He waited for her to react, though nothing came. She stood there, her hands holding the handkerchief and body trembling. Ralph went up to her and gave her a brief hug, then walked upstairs and shut the door.
Trouble dialled the number, forgetting the argument. It rang several times until Holly answered.
"Hello?" she started. Trouble sat down on his double bed, relieved that she was there. "Hi Holls! It's me Trouble."
"Hi!"
"So how are you?"
"I've been okay Trouble, you?"
"Okay I suppose… missed you though, I haven't seen you for so long."
He heard a rush of static as Holly sighed heavily. "I know, it's so depressing, I've been so busy with the Company, I haven't been able to see anyone since I left…" She trailed off. "Hang on a sec Trubs."
He heard a thud and then a loud whine in the distance, the voice was quite familiar.
"I'm back, sorry about that, Mulch just dropped a whole load of stuff and… and it doesn't matter. So, when shall we meet up?"
Trouble seized an opportunity, "I'm going to go look at some flats this week when I've got a free shift Wednesday afternoon, care to come with me? We could grab a bite to eat?"
"Ah, so you have finally decided to move out, eh? Good on you!"
Trouble grimaced, "Tell me about it…"
"That's fine Trubs, I'll meet you…?"
"I'll come to yours, ok?"
"Fine by me, sorry, wish I could chat more but presently Mulch is trying to work the oven and… MULCH! THE GLOVES ARE ON FIRE!"
Trouble waited, quietly laughing. And he thought he had it bad…