Swinging On A Star, the debut novel by Cheryl Roost, is set in a world the author knows well – the glamourous world of the Sport of Kings. Readers of the romantic novel are sure to enjoy the story of Meagan Fairchild as she follows her dream to train a horse for the Melbourne Cup and discovers true love along the way.
This book was Cheryl's dream. There are some very real feelings and some pieces that are very close to true life experiences. Follow the romantic journey and the romance of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry.
May 12th 1996, 3.50 am Mother’s Day is the day that changed so many lives forever. It was the day we lost Travis Harrison in a horrific car accident that also involved my son Phillip Roost who suffered dreadful injuries.
My first memory of that morning was a knock at the door at 7am, sending a cold chill down my spine; somehow I knew the news was bad. My husband David got up and as he left the bedroom I remember saying to him “That better be Mother’s Day flowers” knowing all the time it wasn’t. I heard him open the door, then he called out for me to come to the lounge room, his voice I cannot describe; I can only remember the fear I felt when he spoke. I panicked and then asked why he needed me. He insisted that I come into the lounge. I shook as I approached and saw the two uniformed female police officers standing waiting for me, my husband standing beside them as white as a ghost. They informed me that there had been a terrible car accident and that Phillip and Travis were involved. One had died at the scene, the other was in a critical condition in Monash Medical Centre. After a few minutes I realised it was Phillip they believed had died in the accident, I know it sounds silly but something inside me knew, that Phillip was still alive. I objected to every piece of evidence they put forward. They eventually mentioned that the deceased was wearing a gold watch. I ran to Phillip’s room, opened his draw and found his watch still inside, I knew he did not like wearing it and unless he bought a new one the night before when they were Mother’s Day shopping, the watch was not Phillip’s. Before long we were riding in the police car on our way to Monash Hospital. When we arrived another constable was showing Jan Harrison, Travis’s mother’ a gold watch, she began to cry. I will remember the look on her face till the day I die. She lost her son and I was given my son back.
We will never forget Travis and his ability to light up a room with his precious smile. I remember the last thing he said to me on the morning prior to the accident. “Do I look cool to be going to the races?” he asked with a huge grin. “Yes, you look very smart.” Looking over the bench I could only see his top half and then he walked around so I could see he was wearing Phillip’s blue track suit pants holding the pockets out like ears. They were going to pick up Travis’s suit pants from the cleaners on their way to Moonee Valley Races where they both had a full book of rides for the day. For months, even years, from time to time I would sit quietly and cuddle the blue track suit pants Travis wore that day.
I dedicate this book to the memory of Travis Harrison.
Always in our hearts, rest in peace Trav.
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