Thomas and Rose / [John Aitkinhead].

Thomas McCallum grew up on his parents farm in the forties and fifties, amidst the wild and beautiful mountains of New Zealands South Island. A dog he rescues from the Shotover River becomes his inseparable friend until he falls in love with Rose while attending the University of Dunedin. Together they take a romantic journey through several countries, along with a couple they met on board the ship during their voyage to England. While in Turkey they have an experience which changes all their lives forever. After a terrifying kidnap they are presented with a dilemma involving a five year old boy who is threatened with terrible circumstances. They realise they must get the child out of Turkey in spite of his 24 hour house guard by police. The little boy, now given the name Charlie, is smuggled out of Turkey during a hair raising two days of high drama at sea, while being pursued by Turkish police. Finally they arrive into the safety of Greece, where his future is determined, and he is adopted by the traveling companions of Thomas and Rose. He is taken to Australia where he lives and grows up with his adopted parents. As a young man Charlie comes back into the lives of Thomas and Rose through astonishing circumstances, and eventually marries their daughter. This is a glass half full story involving strong but differing views on evolution and creation, with opposing philosophies coming together in a practical explanation of divinity.