A indication of the problem
Next morning at breakfast the atmosphere was apprehensive Scott was trying hard not to let his father notice Alan and Tin Tin's situation until he had got to have a long chat with the youngest Tracy but as Alan hadn't been seen all morning he hadn't had to try hard.
"I am going to work in my office for a while son I will put Thunderbird 5's channel direct to there" Jeff said not looking up from his paper in his profound voice.
"Ok dad, see you later" Scott swiftly left the kitchen to go in search for his baby brother as he passed Tin Tin he caught the tired upset look in her eyes and knew that Alan wouldn't had broken off their relationship of for that reason, as it was apparent for their feeling for each other since both met years ago and that deep bond of friendship was formed from all the time spend alone together in their childhood.
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The gentle tapping on his door alarmed Alan; he had skipped breakfast as not to be confronted by both Tin Tin's misery from the problems he had inflicted on her. Also the look of concern he had got from Scott they passed each other in the corridor, but luckily for Alan, Gordon had walked passed and caused Scott to avoid asking questions, he knew he wasn't going to answer honestly, because he really didn't really know what was going on in Alan head.
Alan rapidly ran on to his balcony and climbed to the roof of the villa, thanking himself again for picking a top floor bedroom, which had been countless times, a means of avoiding arguments and a quick break from his family.
" Alan, Alan can I come in?" Scott entered the bedroom closest to his, so not to alarm anyone of a problem.
"I could have sworn that I heard him in here" Scott commented to no one but noticing the open patio he conformed his suspicions, " He's avoiding me!" Scott was about to leave Alan's room, that seems to be full of models of car's or books, when he saw a small book next to Alan's world champion trophy, which seemed to beam the early morning sun around the room, that trophy had been so ecstatic to achieve at 19 Scott remembered. As he moved closer to inspect the source of his curiosity he found it was Alan journal.
"I can't I can't read it, its his personal thoughts, he would kill me, it would probably help me find out what is going on an its for his benefit I suppose that means…."
"Scott"
a shout from behind brought Scott from his thoughts and he instantaneously dropped the book.
" GORDON!!!!!!!"
" You shouldn't sneak up on people like that Gordon" Scott snapped in an annoyed tone
" Ok, god I was only saying Scott" "Yes I know sorry Gordo" " So what you got there?"" Nothing to do with you" Scott slipped Alan's book into his pocket
" Didn't dad tell you to go clean out your room as it's a state!"
"Ok big brother I am going, no need to practise playing dad on me!" Gordon stated cheekily
"Oh, Gordon have you seen Alan lately?"
" So now you want my help"
" GORDON just answer the question now" Scott replied in a tone that didn't mean he was joking.
"Just saw him heading down the stairs don't know where he was going."
Scott shot out of the room and intended to pursue Alan.
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"Dad can I come in""Sure son what's wrong?"
"I just wanted a chat" Jeff embraced his flaxen haired son with a strong hug.
"You ok, son, I know what's wrong you know, don't think I don't know you adequately and I haven't noticed your conduct"
"I know you all miss your mother, so do I, it's really been hard to bring up 5 children alone, but I don't think I have ever felt prouder than what you have achieved you mean the world to me, all of you"
" I know we don't talk that much but I miss you when I am in Thunderbird 5 I am so glad we rotate the shifts monthly" Jeff smiled and stoked his son's head
"With all this blond hair you don't half remind me of your mother "
" I thought you could only see her in Virgil"
" No, I can see her in all of you, Virgil's talents, Scott's singing voice, Gordon's well, you wouldn't believe it but his sense of humour, and…….."
"DAD" echoed down the stairs to Jeff's study
" Yes Virgil, why do you have to be so loud?"" Sorry dad didn't mean it" Virgil lowered his head
" Its ok son, what did you want?""Him"
" I have a name you know, just because I have been quiet lately doesn't mean you have to forget my name" came the brusquely reply.
"Ok sorry again, I need your help please, so can you come and now, that will cheer you up!" with that Virgil vanished back upstairs.
"Son, you can always come and tell me anything son, I am always here"
"Thanks dad"
"Its my job, and one last thing"
" Yep dad"
" I love you, John"
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What's next see Chapter 6 of The past can hurt – If you dig up the past all you get is dirty