Opening the doors to the large patio area over looking the beach, Daryl lit his cigarette sucking on it hard to get the first morning hit, feeling his body relax as it hit his lungs, he picked up his coffee and headed out bare foot onto the decking. It was still early the sun rising in a red glow slowly turning to yellow as it rose over their small part of Greece. The sea and sky almost the same colour blue, glancing down the beach he could see Merle and their dog, Otto running through the small waves breaking on the shore. Settling himself in the oversized rocking chair, he allowed his thoughts to cast back to a few months ago. Running his hands through his shaggy hair, he looked for Merle again, glad to see him playing with the Greyhound, Otto may be retired now, but over the years both him and his family had pulled the Dixon clan in a lot of money and still did, now the name had been changed to Horvath, the Dixon brothers still received healthy pay cheques. Looking at Merle again, he thought back to the night he had come knocking at their parents door,or rather early hours of the morning, Luckily Daryl was still up having finished locking and cashing up, the takings from the cafe/ bar he and their step father now ran.

All Daryl got from Merle, that night, had been a few words about not being safe in the US, he had been part of a group who had turned against their boss. Over the weeks Daryl got some form of truth from his older brother, he had explained how the boss use to beat the living daylights out of his wife and daughter. How Shane one of the local cops had persuaded the wife to press charges, but money brought silence causing the wife and daughter to flee with help from friends. Daryl had seen some details on the news more concerned that the men involved, apart from Shane and Merle, had been found dead .

Leaning back in his chair he reached for another cigarette, sipping his coffee before he lit it. He knew why Merle became involved, their ma, both Dixon men hated abuse against women and children, they had seen it enough in their childhood, almost losing their Ma in a house fire, caused by their bastard of a dad. Daryl smirked at that, as his old man lost his life that night, after years of abuse to his wife and sons, it seemed fitting that he burned alive in the fire, he had lit to burn his wife and sons to death. The sound of feet coming toward him pulling him from his thoughts, seeing his beautiful mum watching the sun rise, as she walked towards him.

" I know you are too old son, but those things will kill ya" Daryl immediately put it out, knowing the fear his mum still had around anything that burned. It had been a slow process, building her back up. Pa Dixon had beaten her into submission, or so he thought, her self esteem, confidence had gone, she had no idea how to live, breath or function, without the man, in fact none of them did. The day after the Dixon clan were brought into the hospital, barely breathing, was the day their whole lives turned around for the better.

"I know Ma, but I gotta have some secret vice, ya know me I'm the good one" ruffling his hair she kissed his cheek

"You're cheeky with it, Girl's fall over themselves for you boys" noticing him going red with embarrassment, she laughed, when he hung his head, hiding behind his long hair, before he could lift his thumb to his mouth she tapped him to stop.

"Daryl, don't be shy, I'm proud of both my boys. Handsome men you both turned out to be. You with your heart of gold, why you don't settle down?, with a nice girl is beyond me." she saw his look knowing she had over stepped her mark, yet she wanted grandchildren, her boys were no virgins, she was well aware of the one night stands they both had. Yet they respected her and their step daddy by never bringing women home with them, what they got up to was done away from the family home. She was so lucky with them, after almost losing them both in the fire, all three of them had been nursed back to health and loved better by their next door neighbor Dale Horvath. Who was now their step daddy and her wonderful husband, the lads even called him dad, saying their sperm donation as they called him, was nothing to either son, and both were proud to call Dale their dad.

"Morning beautiful" looking up into her husbands eyes, May welcomed his kiss, Daryl turned away letting them have their moment, wishing that was him, with a woman that loved him for him, and not just his looks. He wondered sometimes what was wrong with him, yes he had slept with some of the tourists that came to this quiet part of the island, even a few of the local girls had caught his eye. But that was it, no body grabbed his attention, made him want to do anything to make her happy. Dale did that for his Ma and he wanted a love like that, something strong and powerful, consuming, passionate, dangerous. He wanted it all, but for some reason god or what ever power up there didn't think he deserved it.

Sitting up he finished his coffee before getting to his feet, Kissing his parents good morning he checked Merle again and waved before walking towards the door.

"Gonna get a shower and head to the cafe, open up for ya. Dad make sure she has her sun protection I am not watching her redden like a lobster, Was going to boil her in a pot yesterday" Moving quickly out of the way when a pillow was thrown at his head

" Get off with ya boy, see you later, Love you" his mum called after him.

"Love ya both too, Can ya tell Merle to head on down to the cafe when he's ready?" heading into the large house he went to his room. They were blessed with the new lives they all had, Dale had moved his family out to Greece 6 years ago, after being told by the doctors that the Mediterranean sun, would work wonders on his mum's damaged bones, that even though healed, her pain was worse when the cold weather got in them. Dale hated to see anyone of them in pain and immediately made enquiries about moving them out. Having his own profitable business in racing dogs, it cost him little to live in the large six bedroom house overlooking the beach, with it's own patio, balcony and swimming pool. Dale had a gym fitted for the lads under the house, next to the large garage, which housed the boys various bikes and Jeep's. It had been about a year after they moved out, when they found the small cafe/bar on a stroll down the paths at the back off the tourists strips, Merle had noticed some lights at the bottom of a dark unlit road. Curiosity had the family walking down the dirt track until they almost hit the beach. On their right was a beautiful bar, all wood and glass, soft Greek music played as they walked towards it. The patio area was hidden behind a small wall, with flowers in all types of pinks, they were greeted by, who they now knew as the owner. Beckoning them in to have a drink he showed them to a table, the seats large and cushioned aimed solely for your comfort.,the tables of the finest wood. After sampling the drink and food the family were often found down at the cafe most nights, having made friends with the owner and his family. It was on a warm sunny Sunday afternoon when they were sat under the shade of the patio, that Marcus the owner approached them. The bar/cafe was almost empty and the family were relaxing, Merle had managed to save up some vacation time to visit his family. Marcus sat down with a bottle of wine, and explained how his wife was sick, how he needed to spend time at home with her, and was reluctant to sell the cafe. Dale had interrupted him in mid flow suggesting his family took over the place, allowing Marcus time with his wife, and should he ever need to come back there was always a place for him. Contracts had been drawn up, solicitors involved, and money exchanged hands. Before the first of the tourists arrived to the small town, Daryl, May and Dale were well established in the cafe. Merle had headed back home, and not been seen until Daryl opened the door to him. a few months back.


Andrea hugged Carol tight whilst Rick placed the suitcases in the car, before heading to the airport to meet with their daughters. Shane had played his role well, helped along with his cop uniform, explaining an emergency had come up and he need to pull both girls from class. Carol and Andrea had made good friends with Sasha, their teacher, even though the younger woman knew that there was no family crisis, she let the children out. Waving as they piled in the cop car, she hoped and prayed that where ever the mother's were going they found the security and safety they so desperately needed. Within moments of her shutting the classroom door and settling the other children down, the squeal of brakes could be heard outside the school. Concentrating as best she could on the lesson, she glanced quickly through the window, as a tall man exited the large black Jeep. He walked with a purpose towards the school, Sasha jumped back when he looked up, it was as if he was looking straight at her. She felt her spine go cold, as another two men fell in step with him, turning back to the class, she had an awful feeling this man was related to Andrea and Penny. Sending a small prayer up to whoever was listening, she hoped the women and girls had escaped before they were found out. Hearing the knock on her classroom door, she looked over at Jacqui, the receptionist, who too knew the real truth behind the children's sudden departure. Sending a knowing smile to the older woman, Sasha stood to her feet, time to use up all those acting lessons she had taken over the years. She was going to drag this out as long as possible, giving the women chance to escape.


"Hurry up come on sweetie" Shane and Rick had the suitcases and tickets, whilst Carol and Andrea dragged two very frightened little girls through the large concourse.

"Mummy I scared" Carol stopped and bent down, seeing Shane and Rick telling her to hurry, she put her hand up to confirm she would be a minute

"Darling you have nothing to be scared off, we are taking you on surprise trip. Do you want to go somewhere that has beaches and sun, sea to swim in and Penny to play with?" Her little face lit up, she had never been to any beach

"Really mummy"

"Yes sweetie, we just need to get on the plane. Think you can be a brave girl?"

"Yes mummy can I sit next to Penny I bet she's afraid too?" Grabbing her up in her arms she ran towards the check in desk.

"She would love that sweet pea, maybe we can get a row together" Just as she finished her sentence Shane turned to them.

"You have a row to yourselves. Now go both of you." hugging them all, he walked towards the exit

"Carol you think about what I said darling, I can file that report the moment you get back, file when you are away. Please I beg do it" Kissing her cheek Rick hugged them both then Andrea and Penny.

"You both go enjoy and we will throw him off the scent" Running to the passport control, both women relaxed when they reached the other side.

"We did it Carol, oh god we did it" Tears threatening to fall in both of them. A calmness came over Carol, a feeling of such wonder, she was free for two whole weeks. Free to do what she wanted, when she wanted.

"Let's go enjoy ourselves" she reached for Penny's hand and Sophia's, Andrea was on the other side. Boarding the plane they still had some worry, when it departed up the runway they held their breaths. Soaring into the sky they released it, the feeling of freedom coming over them both.