Silent Tears
By Puzzler
Disclaimer – Thunderbirds is owned by Gerry Anderson and Working Title Films. I'm only borrowing them for fun.
Summary – After the death of their mother, the lives of the Tracy brothers change dramatically. How did they get through this traumatic time, and become the family of heroes we now know? Slightly AU.
A/N – OH DEAR, ME TRYING TO KEEP BREAKS BETWEEN CHAPTERS SHORT DIDN'T WORK. SORRY!! Right, here is the next chapter. I know that it is shorter than the last one, but the good thing is…I'm updating with two chapters at the same time! I found that by the time I had gotten this chapter the way I liked it, I had practically finished the next one too. I am introducing another few characters in this chapter, so I hope you like it. Enjoy!
Silent TearsChapter 5 – Penelope
The following Friday
"This place is very different from home." Scott murmured, looking out the window of the minibus-like taxi that had been waiting to pick them up from the airport.
"It will do you good to be somewhere new." Jeff answered.
"But you will come and see us, won't you dad? I mean, we're a long way from home…"
"Of course I'll come and see you Virgil."
"How long are we going to be here dad? Virgil's birthday is only in a few weeks time."
"You probably will be here then, and I've got an idea as to what to do for your birthday this year Virgil." Jeff said, looking towards his middle son. "I think you'll like it." Virgil smiled happily.
"I think we're here." John said, directing everyone's attention back to the countryside outside the windows.
"I think we're going to have fun here!"
FABFAB
"Sir Hugh, its good to see you again." Jeff said as he walked up to the tall man standing in front of him on the long drive. They had stopped the taxi a little way from the main house to enjoy the summer weather. Standing to Hugh's left stood a woman and a girl, both wearing varying shades of pink.
"You too Jeff. How was your flight over?"
"It was uneventful." Jeff said quickly, glancing slightly at Scott and Gordon who had 'teamed up' on the plane to try to play as many practical jokes as they could come up with on everyone else. Luckily, it had been a private jet. He turned to his sons around him. "Boys, may I introduce my old friend Sir Hugh Creighton-Ward, his wife Amelia and daughter Penelope."
"Hello." John said politely, but was the only one who answered. Scott was looking at Penelope, while both Virgil and Gordon were looking up at the rather imposing figure of Sir Hugh. Alan was looking very tired in Jeff's arms.
"Maybe we should go inside." Sir Hugh said, looking at Alan. "Jeff, can you stay for a while? We can ask Jonson to help unload your luggage."
"I can stay for a few hours."
"Then one of us will give you a lift down to the airport later. Amelia, please take the boys in and show them their rooms. I will follow in a moment." Lady Amelia led everyone else towards the house, while Hugh went to speak to the taxi driver. "If you will please drive round to the side entrance, our butler Jonson will help you unload."
"Yes sir." As Hugh moved towards the main entrance of the large house, following the others, the taxi also moved off.
FABFAB
"This place is incredible. How long have you lived here?" John asked, looking up at the 'house' towering above them.
"The Creighton-Ward Mansion has been owned by Hugh's family for generations, though it is good to have guests. It sometimes seems rather too big for just the 3 of us."
"I can imagine." Scott murmured.
"It is great fun having parties here though." Penelope added, speaking up for the first time. "Very grand…and lots of places to hide."
"Then we'll have to make sure that we play hide and seek at some point then."
"Of course," Amelia said, smiling. "And I will have to do my best to remember all your names."
"Don't worry Amelia." Jeff said as they walked through the main doors. "I doubt they'll let you forget them."
There were a few minutes of silence as the group walked through the hallway and up the main staircase, as the 'newcomers' were gazing around them in awe. This place was very different to home.
"Jeff, this is Alan's room." Amelia said, opening a door on her left and letting Jeff carry Alan in. Apparently all the commotion of their arrival had worn him out.
"John, this is your room…" Amelia started saying, moving towards a door slightly further along on the opposite side of the corridor. Gordon interrupted her.
"We've got our own rooms?!" Gordon exclaimed happily. "Even at home we have to share."
"In a place this big, there is certainly no need to share." Amelia answered, carrying on down the corridor. "The rest of the rooms are this way."
John quickly dropped the rucksack – which, among other things, had his diary safely inside it – he had been carrying on 'his' bed, and, deciding he would look around the room later, hurried back out to follow the others.
FABFAB
"Penelope, please go and get the boys. It is time for dinner." Amelia asked quietly, moving towards the dining room. Penelope walked quickly up the large staircase.
She knocked on the first door. "John, can I come in."
"Hang on a minute" was the muffled reply. A moment later, John opened the door. He had obviously just finished changing, as his shirt was only half buttoned.
"It is time for dinner."
"Right. I'll get Alan and be right down."
"I will tell the others." Penelope said. She smiled at John, then walked down the corridor towards Scott, Virgil and Gordon's rooms.
John shut the door quietly and went to find Alan.
FABFAB
As the brothers had spent most of the day being shown around the 'house', it wasn't until after dinner that John finally got the chance to take a good look around his room. Even there, he found a few surprises – an en-suite bathroom, far more wardrobe space than he ever thought he would get round to using and a small, hidden door, that he couldn't get open or figure out where it led to.
Deciding he wasn't going to be able to solve the mystery, he got out his leather diary once again.
Our first night staying with Hugh, Amelia and Penelope. It is very different here compared to home…but it is a good different. Being here for a while will help us.
Dad left a few hours ago. Virgil and Gordon didn't want him to leave. I know how they feel. We aren't used to being on our own like this.
We're not really alone. We may have lost mum, and through her an important part of our family…but we are also gaining new friends. Like a family that we never knew we had. I think the next few weeks are going to be very interesting…
TBC…
A/N – At this point in the story, Penelope is 11, and her birthday was 24th December 1988.
A/N 2 – I know that some of the 'times' in this story may not really work, as Jeff and the boys are now on opposite sides of the world, but please try to ignore the fact as I know this story is not entirely accurate. I will do my best to work around the time differences.