Published: 17 Oct 2016

Vail arrived home wearing the broadest grin Colt had seen since their encounter.

“What makes you so happy?” Colt asked, returning from the stables, covered in straw and smelling of horse dung.

“School’s out.” The lad called across the distance. They met at the steps.

“Are you glad it’s over?”

Vail thought for a second, his face turned serious. “I’m not glad it’s over, happier I was given the chance to finish my last year and I have you to thank Colt and I’ll never forget that.”

“Come now you are the one who did the work. Have you thought what you wish to do next?”

“Nope,”

“Fair enough, did I tell you my brother Toby will be arriving the week after next? He will be staying until January?”

“Only about a dozen times; what’s he like?” Vail asked.

“You’ll see when he arrives and he wants to watch your bike and riding skills, does that worry you?”

“Why should it? I can handle both the bike and horses.” Vail bragged.

“Let’s admit you don’t fall off but you’re a long way from being a show rider.” The two walked towards the stairs to be met by Charlie leaning across the verandah rail.

“Did you tell him?” Charlie called down.

“Not yet, I think you should.”

“Tell me what?” Vail asked quizzically.

“No you can tell him.” Charlie insisted.

“Charlie suggested that seeing school is over you may want to go on a short holiday somewhere. He called it schoolies or something.”

“Where to?” Vail asked

“I don’t know Surfers Paradise maybe, stay in some high rise hotel and go swimming every day.” Colt suggested.

“I don’t have the money.” Vail admitted.

“Charlie’s paying, how would you like that?”

“Nope, I’d rather stay here with you lot.”

“Your choice, what would you like for tea? Charlie’s doing the cooking.”

“I’ll give him a hand, he’ll need it.” Vail concluded and bound up the stairs two at a time.

“Come on then you cheeky little bugger, let’s start cooking, you can peel the spuds.” Charlie declared as Vail reached the landing.

Colt’s thoughts were on where to bed everyone, he was down to four bedrooms with the renovations but as long as no one else sprung a surprise visit that would suffice but if everyone had single rooms he would have a problem. Then there was Meg would she react to Harry and Wayne bunking in together. He thought not but did decide to keep the front door locked at night against unannounced dawn visits such as from Mavis.

Saturday was to be the first cricket match of the season and against Mt. Oakey. Charlie had been registered with his new club under protest from not only Mt. Oakey, also other clubs in the district but the rules had been scrutinised and all was in order.

Cricket practice found Charlie in the nets bowling at Colt with the widest grin possible on both their accounts. They had settled into each others comfort zones like hand in glove but Charlie still had his bowling waddle and Colt made him wear more restrictive underwear during bowling practice not to distract his batting, being a private joke not shared with the team.

The opening game ended in an impressive victory with Colt not out for one hundred and sixty-four, while Charlie had five wickets for fifty-two. Both became the hero’s of the day and celebrated at the club bar and out of character, by the time they arrived back at the farm, were quite drunk. Singing badly, with arms wrapped around shoulders, they manoeuvred the bridge without falling in then crunched their way along the gravel path leading to the house. The racket brought Vail in a state of undress to the verandah.

“You lot seemed to have enjoyed yourselves?” He called down the stairs to where they stood, arms still wrapped around shoulders and laughing.

“We won!” Colt shouted.

“I know, remember I was there.”

“We’ve been drinking,” Charlie added as colt puckered.

“That’s obvious.” Vail protested.

“I feel sick,” Colt moaned and released his entanglement with Charlie, to quickly dash to the side, losing his meal and a good supply of alcohol into the grass beside the stairs.

“Better quieten down or your will wake Meg.” Vail hushed.

“Oh,” Charlie squeaked and giggled, placing a finger up to his lips he made a loud shushing sound.

“Oh,” Colt mimicked, wiping the remnant of sick from his mouth. “I don’t feel well.” He moaned once again dashing back to the side of the stairs for a second heave.

“The man can’t hold his grog.” Charlie declared as Colt heaved and farted in unison. Both Vail and Charlie laughed, while Colt declared he couldn’t see the funny side. All the while Max stood by wagging its dumb tail as if it were a game.

Colt had forgotten to relate the Christmas guest list to his extended family and it wasn’t until recovering from the celebratory effects of the previous night, he remembered to do so. He knew Charlie would be fine, Toby would most probably accept his uncle although would be somewhat surprised and as for Vail, he appeared to accept any situation placed before him.

It wasn’t until the night’s meal Colt remembered not having shared the arrangements. He had gone without breakfast, passed by lunch and decided on salad only for dinner. Charlie had wheeled Meg into the main house and was enjoying Vail’s culinary delights when Colt remembered his omission. He had known about Harry and Wayne’s visit for some time but didn’t wish to announce their intentions until Harry contacted with the final arrangements and Harry had only telephoned the previous day.

“I forgot to tell you we have extra visitors staying for Christmas.” Colt announced during a lull in conversation.

“Not Mavis and Dennis I hope,” Charlie advanced.

“Nope,”

“Out with it,” Charlie demanded quizzically.

“For a start as you know Toby will be down.”

“We knew that.” Vail answered.

“Uncle Harry is coming.” Colt waited for signs of disapproval. No one did.

“Harry Blake?” Meg asked developing a broad smile.

“Yes the very same, he said you and he dated at one time.”

“We did but that was a long time ago before I met Charlie’s father.”

“Hello this is new to me.” Charlie pricked up his ears and became most interested in what his mother was saying.

“That was a long time ago Charlie.” Meg defended.

“I hope I’m not some kind of relation to Colt.” Charlie protested, fearing their association may be turning incestuous.

“Of course not besides even if you were and the two of you were man and woman it wouldn’t be that illegal.” Meg laughed.

“Hi there cousin,” Colt grinned and gave Charlie a shove but Charlie wasn’t seeing the humour in the conversation.

“Honestly Harry isn’t your father.” Meg insisted. Charlie settled with his mother’s assurance.

“I’ve heard of Harry, will I like him?” Vail asked.

“Come on Vail, you like everyone.”

Meg sat quietly smirking at her end of the table.

“I should first warn you, Harry is gay.” Colt apologised, almost choking on the word gay.

“I know that,” Meg declared without hesitation. “That is why I finished with him. Harry was more interested in my brother than me. His attention almost sent poor Mike into a spin, he didn’t know what to do and whenever Harry came around, he was off like a rabbit being chassed by dogs.” They all laughed but there was more for Christmas dinner to relate.

“He will be bringing Wayne with him.” Colt disclosed.

“Who’s Wayne?” Vail asked.

“A friend of Harry’s,” Colt answered coyly.

“Is that a friend like you and Charlie?”

“Vail!” Meg growled.

“It’s alright mum he’s always known but sometimes he’s a little too clever for his own good.” Charlie assured.

“I think I also know Wayne.” Meg admitted.

“Don’t tell me you went out with Wayne as well.” Charlie asked.

“No but if I recollect correctly, Wayne was the barman Harry took off with.”

“Correct in one Meg.” Colt agreed.

“This is going to be a fun Christmas.” Meg predicted with a light and knowing chuckle.

So it was decided, there would be six for Christmas dinner and Vail wanted to do the cooking. Colt agreed he could help, while Charlie would supervise. When Colt’s parents were alive they would, if it could be described so, celebrate Christmas alternating between the farm and Mavis. After the accident, Colt went to Mavis for dinner but this year, with Harry coming, could prove to be a problem. Especially with the siblings not speaking to each other, without any sign of Mavis relenting. Still Colt felt he must at least invite his aunt. He made the call. Once the niceties were done with, Colt asked the question.

“What are you doing for Christmas dinner?”

“Are you offering?”

“I am but it comes with a warning.”

“And what would that be?” Mavis asked her tone laced with suspicion.

“Harry is coming.”

“Nice try East but as I have told you often enough, I don’t wish to have anything to do with Harry but you can have Dennis over, maybe it would do him good to meet his uncle.” Mavis answered cynically.

“I don’t think Dennis could cope with a lot of strangers.” Colt assumed.

“I will be going to Judy’s and Dennis has also been invited.”

“Alright then, I didn’t wish you to be on your own seeing you have had me over so often.”

“How is Meg Chambers coping with you all?” Mavis asked.

“She seems to be settling in.”

“I knew her and Brian before they married when Brian played football for the local team.” Mavis disclosed before her voice tapered away, as if spoken by someone who had already said too much and the subject returned to Christmas dinner at Judy’s.

At the time Colt didn’t make much of Mavis’ knowledge of Meg or Brian but some time later he came to dwell on her admission and thought she was keeping something back. Why start a conversation and break it off for no apparent reason. What would Mavis know of Charlie’s parents? He would speak to Meg, maybe she knew something. It appeared his family was shrouded in secrets that were coming out one by one and town by town.

Toby arrived on the afternoon train and Colt met him at the station. His brother was dressed as if ready to ride, boots and all; not excluding the hat which appeared new, as were his jeans. His luggage consisted of one rather large black canvas zip bag, something akin to what army blokes use. Even then it didn’t appear to be full.

“You’re travelling light?” Colt suggested.

“I thought I’d buy new gear down here don’t get much choice around Georgetown.”

The brothers gave a back slapping hug and Colt directed Toby to the car park. “How was the trip?” He asked. Toby said it was long but interesting.

Once back at the farm it was Vail to be firstly introduced. Toby remembered the lad’s name from a previous conversation he had had with Colt at the Station.

“So you’re the budding young stockman?” Toby asked and offered his hand to the lad. Vail accepted and acknowledged his love for horses.

“Can you ride a motor bike?” Toby asked as they climbed the stairs, Vail taking the lead.

“I can now, thanks to Colt and Eric but I’ve fallen off a couple of times.” He answered

“You can’t say you’re a rider unless you fall off a couple of times.” Toby professed.

Once on the landing it was Charlie’s turn for introduction. Another hand shake, this time Toby was somewhat apprehensive. Not knowing how to address the young man but after a few sentences of conversation his trepidation dissolved. Colt showed him to his room and left him to settle in. Back in the passage Charlie whispered.

“Does your brother know about us?”

“He does.”

“Maybe we should use separate rooms while he’s here?”

“I don’t think so, he knows the situation, besides what will we do when Harry and Wayne arrive, separate rooms for everyone? If so someone would have to sleep on the couch.”

“I’ll say one thing, he and you could be twins, except you’re taller and more than likely.” Charlie didn’t finish his statement.

“No that’s the same as well.”

“How do you know that?” Charlie asked somewhat suspiciously.

“Skinny dipping in the Gilbert River among the crocs,”

“You were swimming with crocodiles?” Charlie’s voice rose in surprise, even if Colt was somewhat gilding the lily with his crocodile story. Eventually he admitted so.

“Toby said they were only freshies, fish eating and weren’t in that part of the river.”

“Still a croc is a croc and they all can bite.” Charlie answered firmly.

During the afternoon, Vail dragged Toby down to see the horses and while alone with Meg and Charlie Colt remembered Mavis’ half finished statement. He had to ask.

“Meg, did you know my Aunt Mavis way back?”

“Yes I did but she left suddenly for the city. Why is she back in town?”

“She is, has been for years and said she knew you and Brian before you were married.”

“True, Brian was going out with Mavis and I got him on the rebound.” Meg answered, allowing herself to visit past memories. As she spoke Charlie became most interested.

“There was a rumour she was pregnant to Brian but it was only a rumour.” Meg added.

“Did Brian play football for the local team?” Colt asked.

“Yes as a matter of fact he did; full back why?”

“That makes everything most interesting.” Colt said.

“Why do you say that dear?”

Colt released a revealing chuckle. He couldn’t wait to declare his prognosis. “Mavis did go to the city and she did give birth to a son and my Grandmother made her adopt him out; do you know what that probably suggests?”

Neither Charlie of his mother could see any connection so Colt continued.

“Dennis is most probably Charlie’s half brother!”

“Struth that drop-out is my brother, you’ve gotta be joking!” Charlie exclaimed loudly, leaving Meg somewhat confused.

“It must be so, the story fits and Mavis was coy on the matter of knowing Brian.” Colt insisted.

“Don’t you dare tell anyone,” Charlie demanded.

“I won’t but the plot thickens. What will be next?”

“Oh I’m sorry Charlie, I didn’t know.” Meg apologised but her lament was weakened by a hand hidden smirk. As she did so Vail and Toby returned from the horses.

“Colt, do you mind if Toby and I go riding tomorrow?” Vail asked.

“I should think Toby would have had enough of riding for a while?”

“No its fine, it will give me a chance to see how good Vail is; besides Mr. Gooding asked me to check out his skills in the saddle.”

“Sure but first I would like to drive you over to meet your aunt and cousin. You’ve met Dennis on your last visit but he didn’t say who he was.”

“I remember a scrawny fellow with attitude.” Toby recollected.

“Yes that sound’s like Dennis.”

Mavis had arranged for Colt and Toby to visit early in the morning, as she had another of her Woman’s Association meetings for lunch, planning for the children’s Christmas tree at the town hall. After breakfast the two set out. Firstly they drove into town and the supermarket to stock up for the arrival of Harry. On the way he thought it time to introduce Toby to Harry’s preference for men. This time he felt more comfortable conversing on the subject.

“I told you our Uncle Harry is coming for a few days over Christmas.” Colt said, slowing down at the school crossing.

“You did.”

“Well there is something I didn’t tell you.”

“This family is becoming more mysterious by the day.” Toby answered with a slight shake of the head and a grin, “what is he a mass murderer or something?”

“Nothing like that but you remember I told you about myself and Charlie?”

“What another gay member in the family?”

“I’m afraid so. He will be coming with his partner Wayne, they are easy going and don’t play the fag.” Colt paused, “but what ever you do, don’t mention Harry in front of Mavis, they don’t get along and Mavis disowned him years ago.” Colt entered into Mavis’ street and parked, “Oh another thing if our other cousin Judy is visiting, definitely don’t mention Harry.”

“Why would that be?” Toby asked.

“I tell you the Blake family mysteries are many, Harry is actually Judy’s father but she thinks her father is dead.”

“Then our Uncle Harry is most definitely out of the conversation.” Toby laughed and followed Colt into the Supermarket.

Mavis ushered the brothers in and had coffee and cakes ready for their arrival, pristine and fussy as if royalty were coming for tea.

“Well there’s no doubting you’re a Blake, you could be East’s twin.” Mavis declared somewhat amazed how much alike they were.

“East,” Toby said confused as Mavis went for milk.

“I told you when I visited the station. Close friends call me Colt, acquaintances use Russell and most of the family use East.”

“It all sounds most confusing,”

As Toby spoke Dennis came in from the back yard. Mavis had threatened him into mowing the lawn. He had finished the back but ran out of puff to complete the rest.

“Dennis I believe you’ve met Toby?” Colt said as Dennis approached, marching lawn cuttings across his mother’s carpet.

“Yea a long time back you were looking for Auntie Jillian and Stan.” Dennis made a bee line for the refrigerator and helped himself to a cold can of soft drink. “Hard work that mowing.” He complained, holding the cold side of the can against his cheek. Mavis returned with the milk and extra sandwiches. “Have you finished and look at the mess you’re made of the carpet?” She demanded.

“Sorry, not yet, I’ll do the rest tomorrow.” He promised, taking the seat close by Toby; “Reckon you could get me a job on the station?” He asked.

Colt rolled his eyes.

“Can you ride a horse?” Toby asked.

“I can but I would rather not.”

“What about a motor bike?”

“I know how to fall off; I broke my flaming arm once.”

“Why would you want to work as a stockman?” Toby continued most seriously.

“He’s having you on Toby.” Colt cut in, “Dennis wouldn’t work in an Iron Lung.”

“I’ll vouch for that,” Mavis agreed, while sweeping up the grass cuttings brought in by Dennis.

“With all those insults I’m off. I won’t be in for tea mum.” Dennis finished his drink and after crushing the empty can, placed it on the coffee table. Before he had taken two paces Mavis called him back.

“The can, don’t just leave it there for others to remove.”

“Sorry mum.”

Dennis retrieved the offending item and departed but only as far as the kitchen, leaving the drink container on the sink.

“East are you sure you don’t have room for him at the farm, maybe Toby would like to get to know his cousin better?”

“I don’t think so Mavis.” Colt assured while Toby refrained from commenting.

The morning gathering was amenable enough. Mavis asked questions and Toby answered. He had developed the well known Queensland drawl, turning each answer into a question, often concluding in eh. It was obvious Mavis, who fired her words in quick succession, was becoming impatent with Toby’s drawn out conversation and soon announced her need to depart, while promising she would arrange a full family reunion before Toby returned north.

On their way back to the farm Toby made comment on his aunt, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of her. As for Dennis, he believed it to be most wise to keep that cousin at arms length, Colt agreed. Toby’s family appeared to be expanding daily and in jest he announced he liked his brother-in-law Charlie. To which Colt advised his uncle-in-law, if there were such a title, in the guise of Wayne, would be arriving with Harry the following day.

Once back at the farm Colt told Toby he had something he needed to show him. Leaving the room he was gone for some time. During Colt’s absence Charlie took up conversation about life on a large cattle station. Toby was only too pleased to talk about his work but none of what he had to say related to heat and flies, to floods and drought. Eventually Colt returned carrying what appeared to be a document.

“Do you remember our conversation when I was visiting about you having a middle name?” Colt asked.

“I do, what have you there?”

“It’s your original birth certificate and as I said you do have a middle name.” Colt handed Toby the certificate and broke into the broadest grin he could possible muster.

“Oh I do have a middle name.” Toby declared appearing most displeased with what he had discovered.

“What is it?” Charlie asked.

“Our parents must have hated me. If it is alright with you Colt I think we will keep that information between ourselves.” Toby shook his head in disbelief. “I wouldn’t call a dog that.” He continued.

“What is Toby’s middle name Colt?” Charlie enforced, attempting to grab the certificate but without success.

“It’s up to Toby, it’s his name.”

Toby didn’t answer he shook his head and handed the document back to Colt.

“No it’s yours you keep it, did your adopted family register you with their family name?” Colt asked.

“No I wasn’t actually legally adopted but took on their name out of respect. They were a good loving family and I could never do anything to hurt them.” Toby folded the certificate. “They always told me who my real parents were and before I went north, I decided to look them up, that’s when I met Dennis.”

“They told you about your birth parents but not about me?” Colt asked.

“No, they only ever told me mum and dad’s name and what town they came from. I can’t say why they didn’t tell me more and I never thought of asking further questions.”

“Never mind, we’ve found you now and I will keep your little secrete. Colt answered with a grin which was aimed at Charlie’s persistance.

Toby took the document to his room, returning moments later to again be questioned by Charlie but Toby still refused to disclose his name.

“What’s going on?” Vail asked, entering the room to a debate on the need to know and the right to know.

“Toby has just discovered he has a middle name and won’t tell us what it is.” Charlie complained.

As Vail joined in Colt called him aside. “Come on Vail I have a job for you.”

“What job?”

“Were going into town to get a Christmas tree, you can pick it. Come on get your skates on, we’ll leave these two with their quandary.”

“I’ll drive?” Vail declared and grabbed Colt’s vehicle keys from the table.

“Like hell you will.”

“I have to learn sometime.”

“You will, but after Christmas.”

“Hey wait up. Do you have a good men’s wear shop in town?” Toby asked.

“What country or fashion?” Colt offered, snatching his keys back from Vail.

“Actually both,”

“Sure do and they are almost next to each other. Problem brother, the ute has only two seats.” Colt answered, still fighting Vail off for the keys.

“Don’t worry Toby I’ll drive you in, even if you won’t tell me your middle name. Charlie offered.

If you are enjoying this story, the author would like to hear about it: gary.conder@castleroland.net

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