Unhinged
joy for darkness
Unhinged, an Australian Beauty and the Beast
Published by Rhiza Connect,
An imprint of Rhiza Press
PO BOX 1519
Capalaba QLD 4157
Australia
© Amanda Deed, 2018
Cover Design by Production Works
Layout by Rhiza Press
ISBN: 978-1-925563-25-2
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Unhinged
joy for darkness
Amanda Deed
Dedication
To my very own “beast.” Always and forever.
Acknowledgements
The journey to write Unhinged has been a long and challenging one and as such, recognition needs to be given to all my friends, family and church community who have supported me through the highs and lows of life over the past few years. No matter where I’m at, you always support and encourage me, keeping me pointed in the right direction. There are too many of you to mention, but you know who you are. Thank you!
Thanks also Rochelle and the team at Rhiza Press for helping make Unhinged the best it can be. I love the way you believe in and get behind us Aussie authors.
Lastly, but most importantly, thanks to Jesus, my strength in weakness, my inspiration in the desert, your mercy and grace never end. You are the air I breathe.
1
Serena tugged the curtains away from the window for the hundredth time that afternoon and peeked toward the street. Where was Papa? He should have been home by now. This voyage had only been a short trip up the coast, delivering a load of coal, unlike his usual lengthy visits to India.
Serena’s stomach churned with worry. A heavy storm had rolled in from the bay, its thunder shaking foundations and rattling window panes. Had the ferocious weather delayed him? Was the schooner capsized somewhere, or smashed on the rocks? It was hard not to assume the worst.
‘Where is he?’
She should focus on sweeping floors and scrubbing the stonework, but anxiety kept drawing her back to the front window. Serena dropped the curtain and turned away as Julianne strode into the small parlour. Her sisters had caught her watching for Papa several times already.
‘Are you worried about Papa, Serena? Do you believe he is in trouble?’
Julianne’s chin began trembling and Serena needed to halt her sister’s fears, even though she suspected the same. ‘Papa knows how to take care of himself. Fate Lucinda was likely blown off course. It’s happened before. I surely needn’t remind you how experienced he is both as a sailor and a merchantman?’
‘I know. I know. I just cannot help but think. What if he were lost ...?’
What if he were lost, indeed? Serena shook her head. ‘No, Julianne. He’ll be fine. He always is.’
Serena should take her own advice. And yet, in this case, a sense of foreboding filled her, as though her sixth sense wanted to tell her something, but Serena refused to speak that aloud.
‘Where is Rachel?’
Her sister stared at her momentarily. ‘I think she is experimenting with a new hairstyle. I can see what you’re trying to do.’
Serena lowered her gaze to where the bristles of the broom met the wooden floor. How could Julianne not fret? They only had Papa left. If she were ever to have a life and family of her own, oh, the thought was too dreadful. He must come home. What if they soon found themselves orphans? As the oldest, Serena would become her sisters’ sole carer. It had fallen on her to raise them both, since Mama had passed. At sixteen and fourteen, they were too young to marry. If Papa didn’t return…
Serena shuddered, and she shook her head to free it of her growing concern. A better question to ask was why she allowed her imagination to carry her so far into an unknown future? She should trust that Providence had it in hand. Serena let out a deep sigh. ‘I’m sorry, Julianne, but worrying will get us nowhere.’
‘Then stop peeking out the window. You’re making me nervous.’
True enough. Her constant checking held no magic to make Papa appear. ‘Well, let’s get this house cleaned before he comes home then, shall we?’
Julianne nodded, her eyes still wide with anxiety. ‘I’m not sure what help I will be. My stomach is quivering.’
Serena held back a frustrated sigh. ‘Why don’t you dust the furniture and then come and help me with dinner.’
‘Do you remember what happened last time I tried to cook?’ Julianne twisted her hands together, drawing Serena’s eyes to the burn scars that marked them.
‘Can you at least peel the potatoes then?’
Julianne nodded again, with a shrug. ‘All right. I’m not sure I can eat though. Not until Papa comes home.’
Dinner had long gone cold before Papa’s shuffling steps were heard on the front porch. With great relief, Serena rushed to the front door, her sisters close on her heels, and flung it wide. ‘Papa, we were so worried!’ She threw herself into his arms.
Without a word, he wrapped his thick arms around her waist and held tight. ‘Serena. My girl.’
Serena buried her face into his coat, his familiar smell of salty brine bringing relief. Finally, he released her to embrace Julianne and Rachel, but although he seemed happy to be home, fear creased his brow.
‘What is it, Papa? What happened?’
‘Yes, Papa, do tell us.’ Rachel echoed, clinging to one of his arms.
Papa’s gaze briefly landed on her before shifting over his shoulder. It was only then that Serena noticed another man standing in the shadows behind him. Papa fumbled with the hessian bag slung over his arm. ‘You’d better come in.’
Serena gestured to her sisters to back away from the door. They stared in silence as the stranger stepped inside. Papa and the stranger both bore the signs of being caught in the storm—damp and bedraggled. The other man wore a dark scowl and grunted a
