The Rattler (Rattler Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

Aunt Lynn and I had to settle for miniature magnetic
car Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, and Connect Four when I was your age. How
things have changed!”
    Jim
smiled, proudly. Both of his children were interested in video gaming, and that
was something he’d been responsible for. The house was always full of the
latest games, straight from the development shelf. Jim often joked that he and
Mary dated with Nintendo’s Zelda, and it was Link that had brought them together.
They’d met at Leeds University in the late 80’s. Jim went on to work in the
area of designing and making video games. Mary took a step back in her own
career development, and soon became a modern-day housewife.
    5
    Zoe’s
mobile phone beeped; she read the text. “Dad says we’re stopping at the next
service station for lunch, but mainly because James is desperate for a piss.”
    “Did
he really say piss? More like spend a penny . And, how did he text you?”
    “No,
mum,” said Zoe, laughing, “dad’s a safety nut and wouldn’t risk his son’s life
typing out a text message – he used Siri.”
    “Him
and his iPhone!” replied Mary.
    This
car journey was the first time in months that mother and daughter had actually
spent a couple of hours together, and Mary was enjoying it. At the start of the
summer Zoe went away with her friends to Ibiza for four weeks, and then spent
two weeks with friends in Oxford. Mary wasn’t at all prepared when Zoe left
home last August. Mary accepted that once Zoe left Uni she would be off –
accepting a job in any part of the country. She sighed as she looked lovingly
at her daughter, thinking that she would only have her company for another few
days as the family would be going on holiday to Florida for a week with Mary’s
Aunt Sally – her mother’s sister.
    6
    The
two cars pulled up at an M6 service station. The removal vans had carried on to
London, where a builder friend of Jim’s had agreed to meet them at the new
house. James couldn’t wait – as soon as the car stopped he dashed into the
building. “Get me a Whopper with extra cheese, please!” he shouted.
    The
rest of the family smiled as they walked into the building. Jim held the door
open for his girls, but it soon became apparent that he was acting as a
temporary doorman! Mary watched as he held the door open for a number of people
– many of whom did not even acknowledge him. It was a typical motorway service
station but, because of the bank holiday weekend, the place was packed –
children ran around, and parents chased after them. As they walked in, Zoe’s
phone beeped. She pressed a button. “Someone’s popular today,” said Mary,
smiling fondly at her daughter. “No,” she replied, “just checked into this
place on Facebook.”
    They
soon joined the Burger King queue and, as James re-joined them, Jim said, “I’ve
got a treat planned for us later.”
    “What?”
said Zoe and James together.
    “No,
you’ll have to be patient,” Jim teased.
    “I’m
too impatient for surprises, dad. Just tell me already!” said Zoe.
    “No,”
Jim continued, firmly, “all will be revealed in a couple of hours. Right,
what’s everyone having? The usual?”
    “Yes,
but make mine a large one,” said Zoe, her parents smiled. “What?” Zoe frowned.
“It’s nothing, come on, let’s get a table,” Mary replied, taking her by the
hand.
    7
    Four
large Whoppers later, and they were back in their
cars. Zoe was sipping the remains of her Fanta. “So, come on, mum, what’s dad’s
big surprise then?” Mary briefly glanced at her. “I really don’t have a clue. I
guess you’ll just have to wait.”
    The
journey was boring; the skies were becoming overcast, and Zoe pretty soon
started to doze off, listening to her iPhone’s playlist. It was true bliss,
with only the car’s engine creating a light hum. Mary was deep in thought. She
yawned, “I wish you’d hurry up and pass your test. I could do with a little nap
myself.” Suddenly, a