Prodigal Daughter

Prologue

The Family:

The vehicle came to a stop in front of the petrol bowsers and the male driver turned the engine off before slowly turning his head to look at the woman sitting in the passenger seat.

"Molly are you sure about this?" He asks gently. She nods silently, her eyes flicking to the rear view mirror and their children reflected there. The faint ticking from the cooling engine is the only sound in the vehicle as the driver exits the vehicle to stand outside filling the petrol tank.

"I'm hungry Mum," The youngest says quietly.

"You're always hungry Tony," Quentin teases his younger brother. Both boys have their father's colouring of medium brown hair and eyes, skin in rich tones of milk coffee and the promise of his broad shouldered, slim hipped build.

"Are you hungry Sissy?" Curtis asks with glance at the fourth figure Tony is climbing over.

"It's alright Mum, I'll go grab some food," Sissy says putting Tony back in his own seat. She pulls a jacket on flipping up the hood and slips her hands into gloves against the morning chill as she gets out of the vehicle. Her father glances her way with a frown, he can see the shadow of her smile as she gestures towards those still in the vehicle.

"It's nearly feeding time at the zoo," Sissy says, the smile clearly heard in her voice.

"That's no way to talk about your brothers Little Buddy," Harry says with a shake of his head as a smile lifts both corners of his mouth.

Molly watches as the two head into the service station, her heart warm with love for them before she glances at her three sons in the back. Curtis looks the most like her out of the boys, he has her bone structure and blue eyes. All three of the boys are strong and healthy she reassures herself as she looks away hurriedly. She lifts a hand to rub at her sternum absently as her chest tightens.

"Mum?" Curtis questions softly in concern.

"I'm okay," Molly says glancing in the rear-view mirror and meeting his concerned gaze. "It's just a slight niggle,"

"I hope Sissy remembers to get my food!" Tony worries.

"Your sister won't forget," Molly soothes gently. She tries not to think about how her daughter had grown up too fast, always helping her to look after her younger brothers when her frail body let her down.

"You want me to go tell them what you want to eat?" Curtis asks hopefully.

"Can I go too?" Tony asks excitedly as he reaches for the door handle.

"No need for everyone to go inside," Molly scolds gently. "Your father and sister won't forget anything or anyone."

"But I need to go go!" Tony says with a hiss.

"I'll take him," Curtis volunteers.

Molly glances between the two boys in the rear view mirror hesitating a few moments.

"I'll stay here with you Mum," Quentin says sitting up straighter in his seat.

"I'm busting!" Tony whined wriggling in his seat.

"Okay, okay, but hurry up or I will send your sister after you when she gets back." Molly warned. A frown mars her forehead as the two exit the vehicle slamming the doors before running towards the clearly marked toilet and shower block.

"Will there be other werecat kids there to play with?" Quentin asks quietly.

"There usually were," Molly smiles as she turns her head to look at him.