New beginnings, that's what the following extracts are. All opening passages from work in progress stories. In square brackets under the title is a brief synopsis, or at best an outline of the story in its current form, plus where I am currently with the story. Please comment and let me know what you think so far. The Extra is the first of these part finished stories, about a quarter complete, this extract being just the opening page. More New Beginnings will follow in next few days.