‘Toni, it’s Mum. There’s been an accident’

Edited extract from

Lost & Found: My story of heartbreak and hope

by Toni Street with Sophie Neville

Like many teenage boys, Stephen loved sport and he loved hanging out with his mates. But he was happiest out on the farm with Dad. They were a tight duo. Every day after school he would walk in the door, throw down his schoolbag and head out to see what Dad was up to.

Stephen wasn’t particularly academic; he struggled at school, and I know he found that doubly tough because schoolwork came quite easily to Kirsty and me. But he had other skills. He was a courageous little rugby player. He wasn’t big, but he was wily and could outwit his opponents. He was amazing with his hands – skills honed by all those hours spent mucking around in the shed with Dad. He was a perfectionist, and he was driven. When he wanted something, he would put his mind to it and spend as much time as he needed to make it happen.

I remember when he was desperate to get a cellphone, so he collected bottle caps to trade for money. It took a lot of bottle caps, but Stephen was determined. And when he wanted a PlayStation he struck a deal with Mum and Dad that if he learnt his times tables they would buy him one. He just went for it; for months he practised and practised and eventually nailed it. He got his PlayStation.

We all remember the day he came home with his school report at the end of third form. He walked in the door and flopped on the couch face-down. Mum realised he was crying, but all he would say was “I’ve done no good.” He had failed maths, which was meant to