The Valley of Mysteries | Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 23 - THE BEACH HOUSE

After an hour and a half, Aaron and Natalie reached Garry's beach house. It was big and beautiful. It was Garry's childhood home. Natalie froze as she saw a big lock hanging on the front door.
"It's locked!" Aaron said.
"But... how is it possible?"
"Maybe he wasn't here at all."
"No, it can't be. See... it's very clear.

Hey, kiddo! I don't know if you'll get this but I'm fine and in the sea. And remember, when one door closes, another opens! Love you, be safe. Love, G!

"Sea can only mean his beach house in Wales! I don't understand!!" she crouched down.
"Wait!! It also says something about the door. Let's check the back door!!" Aaron pulled her up and ran towards the back. It was ajar.
"OMG!!" Natalie ran inside and hugged Garry from behind. He screamed in surprise but then wrapped his arms around her and cried.
"Oh, my God! I thought I'd lost you. Ahh!! You found me. Kiddo!!" he cried.
"Dad!!" Natalie choked as she cried too.
"It's good to see you, sir!" Aaron smiled. Garry pulled him in a hug too.
"Thank you!! For looking after my kid!! I know she's a handful."
"Yeah, I am!" Natalie placed her head on Garry's chest and sighed.
"Where's Cate?"
"Don't know! But Harrington has found a lead on her. I hope they'll find her."
"I think you should probably know that your mother..."
"If it's about Scott, then I know. Aaron told me!!
"Oh, I'm sorry, Kiddo!" he caressed her hair.
"I'm sorry. I've been a complete idiot when you both were trying to protect me."

"I see you two got along!" Garry smiled.
"Well, didn't have much of a choice. Did we?" Natalie giggled.
"Nah!" Aaron chuckled. "I think we just misunderstood each other."
"When and why did you come here?" Natalie asked.
"I was at work the other day and I saw something slithering around the corner. It was one of those icky goblins. They chased me and nearly had me. But I got on the bus quickly. Luckily, afternoons are as crowded as any other time in London. I didn't know where to go! So, I came here."
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Hello?" a voice echoed down the veranda.
"Who is it?" Garry asked in a firm voice, gripping his revolver tight.
"It's Robert! Robert Michaelson. Aaron and Natalie here?"
"Bob?" Aaron walked towards him and hugged him. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, you left this!!" he showed him Aaron's bag. "Thought you might need it. I went down to the rental service and they told me you were headed this way."
"They just gave away the information?" Garry asked suspiciously.
"No. I may have lied to them that this young man ran away with my 17-year-old daughter." he smiled weakly. "Didn't work though. Turns out Vernon works there, my neighbour's son. Then I told him you're a friend I need to return this. I'm sorry if I'm intruding. I should be going. Check it once!"
"No! You should stay!! It's only fair! My dad can use some cooking lessons." Natalie smiled warmly.
"Get in, Mr Michaelson." Garry stepped aside and welcomed him in.
"Thank you!" he replied. "How was your ride, pumpkin?" he asked Natalie.
"It was great!"
"Pumpkin?" Garry asked.
"She's a very cute kid. I don't know why I said pumpkin again. Maybe because I think pumpkin pies are cute too!" Bob chuckled to himself. Aaron and Natalie laughed.
"Dad, Bob is a chef in Coleford! He has his restaurant and bakery. And it's amazing!!"

They spent the afternoon talking about Bob and Coleford.
"And then I changed his codename to Agent Crackerjack. And by the way, you didn't give me a new one!" Natalie said.
"Right. Since we're here, let's call you..."
"I won't settle for Whales!!" Natalie said.
"Let me complete! Princess..."
"Why princess?"
"Hey, you gave me Agent Crackerjack from Agent Grumpy. You'll have to keep Princess from Princess Dumbalina!"
"Wow, are you the same Aaron-I'm-always-serious-and-never-smile-Dean?" Garry laughed.
"Natalie's fault! She keeps on doing some or the other thing."
"You mean Natalie makes you laugh? I thought you were Natalie-my-nose-is-too-high-Brown. But you turned out to be Mrs Funnybones!"
"Dad!!"
"Okay, sorry. So she's a Princess?"
"I know it doesn't go like that but... Princess Rapunzel. I know how much it means to you!" Aaron smiled.
"Rapunzel? How do you know?" Garry asked.
"When you sent the email, she told me the story of her tantrum and how you like to call her Rapunzel!"
"That's why you gave me this codename?"
"You don't like it?"
"Hey, no complaints here. I'd trade Ms Whales for Dumbalina. It's just I put so much thought into Crackerjack."
"I put a lot of thought into Rapunzel too!! You're just as naive at times but you also use your cleverness to get us out of trouble. Nothing seems to stop you. It's like when you decide to do something, no matter what, you do it!" Aaron smiled.
"I didn't know you read or saw anything remotely like Disney!!" Natalie giggled.
"I'm not gonna lie. I had no idea what the hell a 'Rapunzel' is. I looked it up on your phone!!" he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Aww, if I was a candle, I'd have melted away. You two are adorable!!!" Bob clutched his heart and smiled. Garry guffawed.
"You kids!!"
"Dad!"
"Come here, kiddo!" Garry walked outside and gestured for Natalie to do the same.