A sequel to ‘At the Turning’

Published: 20 Sep 2018

Tickets had to be purchased and hotels booked. As Federation Bay lacked a travel agent, only a newsagent who at a pinch could arrange a bus ticket, the project would have to be either executed on line or Wayne would need to travel to either Cairns or Tully.

Unfortunately for Wayne it would have to be travel as he hadn’t paid his internet account for some time and had lost connection. At his Cairns unit the internet had been a most important commodity, there were stocks and shares to manage and emails to answer. Also the occasional visit to some pornographic page, which when caught doing so, Louise would accuse him of peering into his favourite sewer but unlike Louise’s friend Peter, Wayne wasn’t addicted to such sites, being supplementary to booster infrequent visits from Louise.

Oddly since he had been at the farm he didn’t seem to need the internet or wish to visit his subscriptions. As for his stock holdings the Financial Review newspaper gave him the necessary information and he was only a telephone call away from his Cairns broker. Also since his split with Louise none of the old gang wished him well and the few friends he had weren’t of the telephoning or visiting kind becoming scarce on the ground, bringing Wayne to the realisation of their value. Acquaintances he believed them to be, deciding he would contact each twice over a specified period and if they did not reciprocate, they were off his imaginary Christmas card list.

With Wayne’s head in the travelling cloud, the ringing of the telephone brought him back from his mental planning.

“Wayne, it’s Stephen Henderson, I have some bad news for you.” Stephen’s voice came with a measure of disappointment as he spoke.

“Umm,” was all that Wayne could muster after being well bitten by the travelling bug, while preparing for the worse.

“I hope you haven’t booked anything, as my boss can’t release me for another month and at present the new job is on hold,” Stephen apologised.

“That’s no worries I haven’t booked anything as yet and,” Wayne cut himself short, “Strewth I just realised – passports! Mine is up in Cairns and I doubt if Ralph has ever thought of applying for one. Your delay is a godsend mate.”

“Then it’s still on?” Stephen asked.

“Sure is but could you give me firm dates as soon as possible.”

“I can now.”

“Hang on I’ll get a pen – go ahead.”

Wayne was most pleased; he had a firm date for Stephen’s arrival and could go ahead with the bookings. “Passports,” he said loudly as he terminated the call and went in search of Ralph.

“Hey Ralph do you have a passport?” Wayne called from the back stairs. Ralph lifted his head from his work giving the quizzical look of what the hell is a passport.

“We need passports to go to Hawaii and mine is up in Cairns.”

“Why would I have needed one in the past?”

“Too true, do you have a birth certificate?”

“Ah that I can help with, it was the last thing I stole before leaving home determining if I was to become homeless, I wouldn’t become stateless.”

“Cleaver boy, I’ll make a few phone calls and find out how to get you a passport in a hurry.”

“Why not use the net?” Ralph called out.

“I didn’t pay the bill.” Wayne commenced to wrack his thinking for whom he could telephone for the information.

“The final notice arrived when you were in Cairns and I paid it.” Ralph called back.

“Good boy, someone should marry you.” Wayne declared as he hurried to his bedroom and the laptop.

“Yea sure,” Ralph declared then returned to his work.

As quickly Wayne returned, “have you seen my laptop?”

“I put it in that lump of a cupboard in the dining room, top shelf with your printer.”

Wayne found the site for the Australian Passport Office and once he connected the printer, downloaded an application form and the requirements. Scrutinising the list he called Ralph in for coffee.

“Why do I need a passport?” Ralph innocently asked as he entered the kitchen and filled the jug for coffee.

“Everyone needs one to travel overseas, I got mine when it was likely Louise would be using her birthday tickets but she wasn’t interested in travel.”

“I guess it’s easier not to travel at all, or go somewhere locally.” Ralph grumbled.

“Don’t you want to go?”

“I’m warming to the idea but am still in the cool zone,” Ralph admitted and accepted the list of requirements. He read.

“Full Birth Certificate, – “Got that.”

Photo Identification being driving licence, – “No go,”

“You would have by now if you had listened to me.” Wayne sniped.

“Such is life,” Ralph declared while reading on.

“Medicare card, – “Yes,”

“Banking card – thanks to you, yes.”

“Two photographs, – “easy enough I have copies of the one’s you took last week with your telephone.”

“What with the vegie patch in the background?”

“That’s them.”

“Can’t do, they must be mug shots, head and shoulders with a clear background.”

“Accounts in my name, – again easy and once again thanks to you,”

“When were you eighteen?” Wayne asked.

“I’ll be nineteen towards the end of next month.”

“Well I’ll be buggered, – and I haven’t arranged a party for you yet.” Wayne offered.

“Don’t you dare a simple happy birthday will do and if you go and do so, I’ll head bush.” It was most obvious that Ralph meant what he said, although he declared he was only joking, Wayne quickly put the idea aside.

“And what does turning eighteen have to do with it?” Ralph asked quizzically.

“If we applied before your last birthday, you would need your parent’s permission but being eighteen you can make your own decision.”

“It appears I no longer have parents.” Ralph acknowledged.

“Then you would need a guardian.”

Ralph laughed, “I don’t need one, I can look after myself and there isn’t any way I’d approach my so called stepfather.”

“Did he marry your mother?” Wayne asked.

“Don’t rightly know they weren’t married before I left but mum was harping on about doing so often enough.”

“I would think you would like some regress because of his treatment towards you?”

“Oddly no, some say revenge is best served cold but I think it best not to serve it at all. What happens after revenge?” Ralph asked.

“Satisfaction I guess.”

“No after revenge is the realisation that revenge doesn’t clear away the memory and once executed there is nothing and in a way he would have won. I believe the best is to put it all aside and leave well enough alone, people like that get what they deserve eventually.”

“That makes sense and as for needing parental permission I guess it’s academic now seeing you’re of legal age.” Wayne envisaged and laughed; “also you can even legally have sex.”

“What if I wasn’t eighteen?” Ralph asked ignoring his sexual legality.

“You would be a ward of the state and the government would have to decide.”

“As I said I can look after myself.”

“Sorry that’s the law.” Wayne advised somewhat flippantly.

Ralph returned to his list of requirements, “it says here that if you don’t have photo identification, you need two people to guarantee for you.”

“That’s easy me and Biff.”

Ralph read on, “it also states the guarantor cannot be related by marriage or birth or living at the same address as the applicant.”

“Again easy, I haven’t offered to marry you yet and I am only visiting, I don’t actually live here, proven by my Electoral Enrolment address.”

“While on that subject what are your intentions?” Ralph asked placing the application onto the kitchen table and sipping at his coffee.

“What marrying you?” Wayne laughed.

“No but you keep saying that. I was referring to where you live.” There was a measure of concern in Ralph’s voice as he cast his gaze into his coffee.

“Are you tired of me being here, I don’t want wear out the welcome?”

“No you could never do that I like having you around. The truth is your being here has become part of me but I have this notion that any day you will collect your belongings and return to your unit in Cairns and there is always Louise.” Ralph’s voice lowered realising he was sounding somewhat insecure.

“I don’t know Ralph. I really don’t know but each day I feel I belong more in the bush and less in Cairns. I realise that doesn’t answer your question but it is all I can offer for the present.” Wayne spoke frankly, realising they were having their first deep and meaningful conversation. “Have to marry you I guess.” Wayne frivolously repeated as if fishing for Ralph’s emotion. He was also attempting to draw out his friends preference as it appeared that possibly, just maybe, Ralph’s sexual connotation was much as that of his cousin Stephen and his great uncle.

“As I said you keep saying that and it is confusing.”

“Sorry mate just trying to lighten the conversation.”

“It doesn’t.” Ralph sighed and enquired what they were going to do about obtaining passports, Wayne’s answer being, he would have to travel to Cairns to get his, so they may as well visit the Post Office there and apply for Ralph.

“Is there anything else we need?” Ralph asked in his usual methodical way.

“I don’t think so but maybe a visa but I’ll go on line to the American Consulate it will have the requirements. “By the way thank you for reconnecting the internet, I totally forgot all about it.”

“No probs’.”

While Wayne had the internet running another thought came to him. He could do a search for Lachlan’s brother Robert, possibly through Ancestry.com.au, he had heard others had success using the site but in the past lacked interest in discovering his tribal roots.

“Did I tell you Lachlan had another brother Robert?” Wayne asked as Ralph peered over his shoulder as he entered into ancestry.

“You did,”

“I thought I could do a search for him.”

“You have to pay.” Ralph mentioned, noticing the site’s home page.

“No worries it could be interesting.” Wayne quickly reached for his wallet and in no time, with credit card to hand, had registered.

“What now?” Ralph asked.

“I guess we do a search,” Wayne quickly entered the name, Robert McBride, “place of birth?” he quizzically asked.

“I would think here but I would use McBride’s Point and not Federation Bay.” Ralph suggested.

“Date of birth?”

“Easy, if Robert, Lachlan and Daniel were triplicates, then the same date as on Lachlan’s grave stone.”

“Good suggestion.” Moments later there was a response and three entries were supplied, birth certificate, marriage and a death certificate. “Let’s start with the marriage certificate,” Wayne advocated and brought up the page, discovering Robert had married a Sarah Kimberly in Townsville. Further searching discovered they had three children Kevin, Lenny and Joan.

“More than likely they have descendants living in Townsville.” Ralph assumed.

“Most probably and maybe they could be traced.”

“Do you really wish to go further?” Ralph asked.

“Well I’ll let the site do its searching and leave it for now.” As Wayne’s finger hovered to disconnect he noticed something, “someone has already done a family tree for Robert.”

“Are you sure it’s the same person?” Ralph asked.

“Quite sure, all the information matches.” Scrolling through the multitude of names one caught his eye, “Was your mother Veronica Matthews?”

“Yes,”

“Your father was Ian Matthews?”

“Again yes,”

“Was your grandmother on your mother’s side Joan Hamilton?”

“Once again yes but where is all this heading?” Ralph asked confused how Wayne could ascertain his grandmother’s name from a site relating to Robert McBride.

Wayne became quite animated, “I’ll be buggered; it appears your grandmother is the grand daughter of Robert McBride so we are distantly related.”

“You’re having me on?” Ralph quickly came to the view the site.

“No you have a look, follow the family tree down.”

“You are right. I don’t believe it.”

“So you are a Henderson on your father’s side and McBride on your mothers and you said you were nobody, instead you have the best of both families – hi cousin,” Wayne laughed and offered Ralph his hand as his face prickled with disbelief. “Ouh to think I offered to marry you, our kids would have two heads,” he surmised.

“Funny boy, besides if we were male and female it would be legal as the blood line is far back and weak,” Ralph corrected.

“Anyway to be serious, what do you think of that?”

“Spooky,”

Ralph’s passport appointment at the Cairns Post Office meant he had to attend in person. He did attempt to wriggle out of it but as stated, if one is over eighteen it was a requirement. The Federation Bay Newsagent was set up for Passport Photos, so after the mug shots were taken – no smiling please, travellers can’t be happy about it – the agent declared as he clicked his camera, they visited Biff for the second guarantee.

“You know young fellow you are privileged, I’ve never been further south than Townsville or North of Cairns, I have been to Magnetic Island, suppose that is my eastern extent,” she declared as she filled out her section. “What do you think of the idea eh Ralph?” Biff completed the form and handed it back.

“Somewhat scared,” Ralph mumbled quietly while out of hearing from Wayne.

“Scared?” Biff repeated.

“Well should I say apprehensive but it should be alright, the worse I can do I suppose is wet my pants.”

“That is if you are wearing any.” Wayne whispered, poking his head over Ralph’s shoulder and scrutinising the application. Biff frowned not understanding the witticism, “a standing joke Biff, ask the mail delivery lady.”

“Will you be here for a while, I need some fertilizer from down at the hardware.” Ralph said, leaving Biff and Wayne to their conversation.

“I can’t believe how he’s come out of himself,” Biff reflected once Ralph had departed.

“It’s all his own doing,” Wayne answered while piling groceries onto the glass top counter; “Should be the lot, no throw in a couple of Mars Bars.”

“I think you may have had a little to do with it young man, giving him the farm and all but what will happen when you go back to Cairns?” Biff tallied up the grocery bill, “Do you want it on account?”

“Na I have to pay for it sooner or later,” He handed Biff two fifty dollar notes and collected the change without answering Biff question on his future plans.

“Hey Biff did you know that old Millie and myself are related through Lachlan McBride’s father? It appears the old bugger spread himself around somewhat.” Wayne didn’t divulge the fact that Millie’s ancestors were full blooded Aborigines, as for Millie it didn’t show and if one had thought about her lineage, she may be considered Italian or of some other Mediterranean extraction.

“How did you figure that out?” Biff enquired sounding somewhat surprised.

“I went to the tip as you suggested and had a chat with her. She’s a real smart cookie that one and sharp as a tack but she held more back than she gave up.”

At that moment Ralph returned carrying a large bag of fertilizer. “This should keep me going for a while.”

“Don’t forget we are going to Hawaii soon.” Wayne reminded.

“Do you think Stephen knows how to look after a garden?” Ralph cautiously asked while extracting a quantity of seed packets from a large paper bag.

“I guess anyone would know how to water and we won’t be away too long.” Wayne assured.

“You have enough there to start an entire market garden.” Biff acknowledged as Ralph displayed the packets one by one on her already cluttered shop counter.

“They were on special.”

“I wouldn’t go planting now,” Wayne suggested realizing their impending departure.

“I don’t intend to.

“Another little surprise,” Wayne announced remembering his internet searching.

“What would that be?” Biff asked.

“Did you know Lachlan had another brother, Robert?” Biff knew not, Wayne continued, “I was searching the internet and found,” pausing he turned to Ralph, “go on Ralph you tell the story.”

“Nothing much only Wayne and I are distant cousins,” Ralph proclaimed with his usual dry matter-of-fact approach.

“How?” If Ralph wasn’t enthralled Biff appeared to be as Wayne related what he had found.

“I knew your grandmother when I lived in Townsville but didn’t know she was a McBride.” Biff admitted.

“That’s about all we know at present, I guess we should be going.” Wayne threw Ralph his car keys and immediately received them back. Both laughed.

“Are you going to share the joke?” Biff amusingly asked.

“It’s becoming a standing battle Biff, I’m attempting to teach the little bugger to drive but he is obstinate,” Wayne answered; “obstinate,” he loudly repeated and pretended to throw the keys at Ralph, who, giggling half turned against the feigned throw.

“You shouldn’t push him, I’m sure Ralph will learn in his time.” Biff wisely advocated.

“Thank you Biff – you see Wayne, Biff reckons I don’t need to drive.” Ralph nodded his appreciation towards the woman.

“And why not?” Wayne showed frustration.

“What I said young man was you would learn in your good time.” Biff corrected.

“See,” Wayne snapped

“I guess I’m not going anywhere and if I was, I would have plenty of time to get there.”

It was a timely meeting at the farm gate. Wayne had gone into town to buy supplies for Stephen Henderson’s arrival, while Ralph waited at the gate for Alison Peterson and the morning’s mail.

In her usual good time Alison arrived and offered a number of envelopes. “Passport,” she commented on the top item, “going somewhere?”

“Could be Alison.”

“Nice to see you’ve got your dacks on this time. Scare the crows that sight, I’m still having nightmares over it.” She dryly remarked. Ralph accepted the mail.

“Anything else?” Ralph asked his nose poking into her van towards a large sack of mail.

“There’s an official looking envelope for that mate of yours, it looks important,” the woman commented and offered the envelope to Ralph.

“Dunno,” Ralph displayed ignorance, not wishing to divulge any of Wayne’s business.

“Verrocchi had a pile of mail today,” Alison freely shared.

“Bills I hope.”

“Some but there was a package from Italy.”

“Someone’s birthday I guess.” Ralph suggested without displaying any degree of interest.

“Could be drugs, you know it is my position to look out for that sort of thing.”

“I’m sure it’s not, why get them from Italy when there’s enough growing in the scrub over at the Five Mile,” Ralph paused, “or so I’ve heard,” he quickly appended to his report.

Alison started her motor, “I hope you’re not into drugs young fellow.”

“Of course I’m not.” Ralph appeared most offended by the suggestion.

“I better push on, heavy load today.” The woman quickly threw her van into gear and was gone.

At first Ralph didn’t notice he had company, as old man Verrocchi stood at some distance observing the lad’s conversation with the delivery lady. As she departed he called.

“Hey kid!” The man approached to the tar apron of the road but no further.

“Good morning Mister Verrocchi,” Ralph cordially greeted without displaying appreciation towards the man’s presence, believing civility was the best defence against a man who may become violent.

“I hear you now own the old woman’s property?” Verrocchi but bellowed across the rising heat from the asphalt.

“That appears to be so Mister Verrocchi.”

“What would some green kid like you want with land?” The man disrespectfully demanded.

“I guess I know enough to get by Mister Verrocchi, besides I only own it on paper and believe I’m, as you have often suggested, only the caretaker.”

“What in sweet Jesus does that crap mean?”

As Verrocchi spoke Wayne’s BMW came over the crest of the hill. Slowly Verrocchi returned towards his property and once through the fence line disappeared into his ripening sugar cane but remained watching from within the protection of his crop

“What did he want?” Wayne enquired bring his vehicle to pause close by where Ralph was standing.

“I guess he wants the farm, he’s still there watching,” Ralph nodded towards the cane, to which Verrocchi turned and went from sight.

“I’ll give him credit for persistency.”

“Yes and when Grace was alive, it was a weekly occurrence, trying to bully the old lady into selling but for a slight woman she was stoic, often saying the farm was for you.”

I’m truly sorry for putting you through this.” Wayne apologised.

“It doesn’t matter, like Grace I am also steadfast and as I told Verrocchi, I’m only the caretaker and I mean that.” Ralph gently answered.

“I admire your attitude but for once and for all, the land is yours and enough of Verrocchi, what have you got there?”

“My passport I guess and an envelope for you.”

Less than two weeks to departure and Stephen Henderson was to arrive that afternoon on the south bound bus. Wayne had driven to the Bruce Highway to collect him, arriving as the bus pulled into the siding.

The vehicle door electronically opened with a jolt and a hiss as the driver descended to open the luggage compartment. Two small bags were placed on the verge, yet no one had alighted then as the driver closed the compartment and prepared to climb back on board Stephen descended. Standing by his bags he scanned the road ahead and waved as he spotted Wayne’s vehicle.

“Hot down this way.” Stephen commented as he felt the air conditioner in the vehicle take effect, “how’s Ralph?” he enquired as Wayne diverted from the Bruce Highway in the direction of Federation Bay.

“Fine, he’s looking forward in seeing you again.”

“It’s good of you to let Ralph stay at the farm.” Stephen commended.

“Not that good mate, Ralph owns the farm I gave it to him; if anything it’s good of him to let me stay there.” Slowing at the cross roads allowing a cattle truck right of way, Wayne cursed himself for saying so but Stephen’s presumption riled him. “You realised the farm once belonged to one of your ancestors before my lot bought it?” Once the truck had passed Wayne recommenced the journey, “the Henderson’s couldn’t make a go at it and after losing the land to the bank they left for Mareeba, I guess that is where you come into the story.”

“What part of the family was that?” Stephen asked.

“As far as I can tell you are the descendant of Stephen Henderson’s cousin and Ralph from another branch, so technically and morally the farm belonged to Ralph anyway.” Wayne explained, while omitting the connection between himself and Ralph, as that would take more explaining than the short trip to the farm would provide. In the same breath he again cursed himself for being so careless with the information on his gifting, believing it was Ralph’s position to share and only if he wished to do so.

“You say the original owner was also Stephen Henderson?” Stephen asked.

“Yes same name spooky eh?” Wayne laughed. They turned into the farm driveway and parked close by the kitchen. Ralph descended the stairs and approached the passenger window.

“Come on let’s get you settled in, Ralph would you help Stephen with his bags while I put the car in the shed.”

“So this was once our family farm?” Stephen asked Ralph as his bags were placed in one of the unused bedrooms.

“It was but it became the property of Grace McBride who passed it down to Wayne.” Ralph showed his cousin where the facilities were and asked if he would like a shower before tea.

“That would be fine, so the farm is now yours?” Stephen implied but Ralph didn’t answer feeling the question somewhat intrusive.

“I’m putting tea on now, it will be ready in about an hour, if you like Wayne will show you around, or you can have a beer on the verandah.”

“That sounds great but I would like to take that shower first. What do you get up to around here for entertainment?”

“Enjoy life I suppose Stephen and there is my vegetable patch.”

“Yes I believe that will be my job while you are away.”

“Do you think you can manage it?” Ralph remained unsure of his cousin’s ability to even water.

“Rest easy; that is something I can do.”

“Wayne shouldn’t be long. I’ll get you a clean towel.”

“How long have you known Wayne?” Stephen inquisitively enquired endeavouring to understand the situation between the two, while attempting to read more into the relationship than there was.

“A while…”

“He gave you the farm?” Stephen questioned Wayne’s generosity.

“No not gave, he sold it to me but it is more involved than that.”

“Oh,”

“Why the question?”

“No reason, I guess I should have that shower.”

“There should be plenty of hot water but save some for Wayne.”

“Sure I’ll just have a quick one.”

Wayne returned from garaging the car, “where’s Stephen?” he asked.

“He’s having a shower, tea is almost ready.”

“Have I time to shower first?”

“Not really.”

Wayne hung his keys on a hook at the end of a kitchen cupboard, designed for that purpose, “I have a real big apology to make.” He admitted somewhat coyly as Ralph peered into a pot on the stove.

“What would that be?” Ralph asked.

“For some dumb reason I told Stephen about you and the farm – sorry, it wasn’t my right to mention it but his questioning caught me off my guard.” Stephen entered into the kitchen.

“Don’t worry, I don’t mind.”

“Would you like a hand Ralph?” Stephen asked.

“No you go out on the verandah with Wayne; I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

“I don’t mind helping, I’m quite useful around the kitchen with mum being somewhat incapacitated.”

“No I’ll be alright, there is beer in the fridge but if you want anything stronger you will have to ask Wayne.”

“How is your mother?” Wayne asked.

“Unfortunately she is much the same; the doctor said she has stabilised but will deteriorate further with age.”

After their evening meal the three retired to the verandah where most of the conversation was between Stephen and Ralph. At first Ralph appeared reserved, his questions infrequent and answers clipped but after a few drinks he opened to his cousin. Stephen’s attitude was somewhat flippant which took Ralph some time to become accustomed.

“Have you found out much about the family?” Stephen asked as the scotch became light beer to avoid total devastation of their senses, while Ralph abstained from further participation.

“Not drinking Ralph?” Stephen observed as the lad switched from beer to soft drink and commenced to tidy the verandah.

“I’ve had enough, as for the family; Wayne has found some information but mostly about his family the McBride’s and not the Henderson lot.”

“What was the connection between the two families and how come they owned the farm together?” Stephen asked.

“Just farming I suppose but Wayne could tell you more, Lachlan McBride kept a journal.”

“What sort of journal?”

“The diary type,” Ralph bluntly answered.

“Speaking of journals do you get the Cairns Post delivered?” Stephen asked.

“No deliveries out here, I get the Financial Times from in town for the shares report, why?” Wayne admitted.

“I was following a serial.”

“I could get a copy in town tomorrow if you wish.” Wayne offered

“I guess I can give my mother a call and she can keep it for me but I would be lost without newspapers, what about you Ralph?”

“It is my opinion newspapers are like a drug,” Ralph surmised in a display of rare negativity.

“In what way?”

“You have to get your daily fix of news or you can’t operate but do nothing with the information. It’s like mentally shooting up with printer’s ink.”

“That’s telling me.” Stephen nervously confessed.

“No nothing intended, just expressing an opinion.” At that point Ralph excused himself and retired for the night.

“Is there anything wrong with Ralph?” Stephen asked as Ralph departed.

“No, why do you ask?”

“He seems somewhat curt towards me; I hope I haven’t done anything to upset him.” Stephen stood and paced the floor to peer out into the darkness towards the forest.

“I shouldn’t think so, Ralph doesn’t hold a grudge but he is a very private lad, so don’t ask too many questions, let him settle into you.” Wayne explained.

“It’s awfully quiet around here, even more so that back home.” Stephen sighed and returned to his seat.

“I once thought that but I’ve grown to like the solitude.” Wayne inhaled deeply and relaxed back into the night.

“What about Cairns and your girlfriend, Louise wasn’t it?”

“I’m afraid that is another story for another night.”

“I’m sorry mate; I’m at it again, asking too many questions.” Stephen apologised.

“I don’t mind but there isn’t a lot more than what I told you during my last visit to Yungaburra.”

“Ralph said you have some kind of journal written by your great uncle.”

“True, an old lady in town gave it to me some time back.” Wayne acknowledged.

“I’d like to read this journal,” Stephen suggested but Wayne didn’t answer. Molly McBride had given him the book in good faith, instructing to be kind to the memory of Lachlan and it didn’t feel fitting for Stephen to read it. Wayne believed Lachlan’s privacy would not be honoured by Ralph’s cousin and before retiring he removed the journal from sight hiding it in his bedroom. “Well, tomorrow’s another day, I’m turning in – I guess you know where everything is?”

“Yes, I’ll just finish this drink.”

“If you need anything, I’ll be going into town in the morning.”

“I’ll come in with you and get a feeling for the town.”

“That will take you all of ten minutes but I’ll introduce you to Biff, she has the store.”

“Biff?”

“Yes Biff and there’s lays a story for another day but if you have any problem while we are away, she is the one to go to.”

“Guess what today is?” Wayne asked of Ralph and Stephen over breakfast displaying an unusual amount of excitement, while hiding his hand behind his back.

“Christmas day,” Stephen said with a measure of flippancy.

“Washing day,” Ralph adjoined, “and I have plenty of that with you two,”

“You don’t have to do our washing Ralph,” said Wayne.

“No let me help,” Stephen sincerely offered.

“I like doing washing as it gives a feeling of purpose.”

“I should think you have enough purpose with your gardening and you do most of the cooking.”

“It’s like helping towards my keep.”

“You know that isn’t necessary,” Wayne sternly replied.

“Besides a little extra doesn’t hurt, anyway except being Thursday, what day is it?”

“It’s actually Friday.” Wayne corrected.

“Oh is it, my how time flies and only yesterday was Wednesday.”

“No Thursday,” Another correction from Wayne.

“I realise that much, it was only a play on my original mistake.”

“Don’t you know what the day is?” Wayne asked somewhat disbelieving, while keeping his hand hidden behind his back.

“Why are you hiding your hand?” Ralph curiously asked.

“It has something to do with what day it is – you really don’t know do you?”

“No I haven’t looked up the date since we did my passport and to me one day is like, or as good as any other.” Ralph explained while casting his eyes to the opposing kitchen wall where a calendar was hanging beside a framed picture of some unknown couple in period attire, both calendar and photo being leftover from Grace McBride’s occupancy. The almanac displayed views of county England, pretty cottages with thatched roofs and well appointed gardens.

From the distance Ralph couldn’t read the date.

“It isn’t any use looking at that, it’s last years.”

“Then Wayne what is the significance of today?”

“It’s your birthday.” Wayne answered gleefully.

“Is that so?”

“Nineteen and never been kissed.” Wayne declared while Ralph went embarrassingly red.

“You don’t know that.” Ralph protested.

“Well then have you?”

“That will be telling.”

“Come on you have to be truthful on your birthday.” Wayne persisted.

“Where did that rule come from?”

“I made it up, anyway happy birthday!” Wayne joyfully announced while removing his hand from hiding, offering Ralph a small package, wrapped in silver paper with a darker silvered string and bow.

“I thought I said no fuss,” Ralph complained as he accepted the gift.

“No you said no party and I haven’t given you one. Go on open it.” Wayne urged as Ralph turned the package this way then another and shook it. It didn’t rattle.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Open it!” Wayne repeated displaying a childlike urgency.

Slowly, with eyes wide and equally wide smile, Ralph undid the ribbon and the string, neatly placing them to one side. He then slit the tape holding the wrapping with a sharp blade and with snail’s pace carefully removed the wrapping to display a small maroon felt covered box.

“What is it?” Ralph asked quizzically.

“Come on open it, I’ll have to buy you a Christmas present before it’s revealed at this rate.” Wayne growled impatiently.

Ralph opened the small box and brought forth a sterling silver watch. His eyes expanded with disbelief, “it’s a wrist watch!” He exclaimed.

“It’s an Eterna.”

“I don’t know what that means but it looks expensive.” Ralph answered.

“It is one of the world’s top brands.” Stephen conveyed while admiring the gift with a measure of envy.

“Wayne stop spending your money, you make me feel guilty.” Ralph gasped.

“Have to spend it on something; do you have a watch already?”

“No and I’ve never had one, but the mobile telephone you gave me suffices for time.”

“You never have it with you and you are always running late for everything.” Wayne complained.

“Unlike you I’m on country time.”

“True, don’t you like it?”

“I do,” Ralph wrapped the silver band around his wrist and closed the clasp, allowing it to dangle free from his slender wrist, “it is a little loose.” He remarked while giving his forearm a gently shake, allowing the watch to slide to his lower arm.

“No worries, we will soon have a couple of links removed.” Wayne assured.

“I love it Wayne but I still feel guilty.”

“If anyone feels guilty Ralph it is me, sorry mate I didn’t know it was your birthday.” Stephen embarrassingly frowned.

“Don’t worry I didn’t expect anything and seeing I had almost let it pass, I guess I couldn’t expect anyone to remember for me,” smiling broadly he continued, “I do like it. Thank you Wayne”

There may not have been a party but that night it was drinks for all on the verandah, even Biff turned up for a short time and brought with her a birthday cake she had prepared bearing nineteen candles, of which he was forced to extinguish with one breath. He did so but would not reveal his wish.

“What did you wish for?” Stephen demanded. Ralph lifted his eyes towards Wayne, “that would be telling, besides if you divulge a wish it won’t come true.”

“It is also tradition to ask, so come on out with it.” Stephen quickly disagreed but with a cheeky smile and a shake of the head the wish remained unspoken.

It was quite late when Ralph turned in, followed shortly after by Stephen but not before once again drilling Wayne for more information on the family tree, asking if he could read the journal, to which Wayne advised that he had not finished with it and maybe at a later date. “There is one thing I did find out and from the net and not the journal.” Wayne offered.

“What would that be?”

“You are Ralph’s first cousin from his father’s side.”

“That I know,”

“What you don’t know is Ralph’s grandmother was the grand daughter of Robert McBride.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Easy, Robert McBride was a great uncle to me on my mother’s side and that makes Ralph a third cousin to me; or something like that.” Wayne explained

“That is spooky,”

“It is somewhat, seeing before a short while ago I didn’t even know I had a Great Uncle Robert, also that makes you and I related.”

“Cousins?” Stephen suggested.

“Not quite I don’t know the exact terminology; like twice removed or something,” Wayne may light of their relationship.

“How did you find that information?” Stephen asked.

“The ancestry site on the net, someone had created a family tree.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“Tomorrow my laptop not on at present,” Wayne offered.

“Sure, I’ll leave you to it – good night.”

“Yes good night Stephen, by the way would you like me to run you into town for a newspaper?”

“No it will be jake, I’ll ring mother in the morning she will keep it for me.”

Sitting alone on the verandah Wayne took one final deep breath before retiring but doing so softly spoke into the darkness beyond the weak light of the verandah, towards the distant dark wall of forest, “well Lachlan what do you think of that?”

There wasn’t any answer.

“You couldn’t even be here to celebrate Ralph’s birthday.”

But still no response:

“I guess one shouldn’t expect the dead to rise on call.” Wayne flippantly concluded.

The time leading up to the departure went quickly, with Stephen Henderson fitting into the everyday life of the farm, while much of his time was taking up with instructions from Ralph on how to look after his garden. No weeding, Ralph firmly instructed. I don’t want you weeding out the vegies. Stephen assured he knew the difference between a dandelion and a cabbage.

“Also,” Ralph warned, “I know they are prickly but don’t remove the Mimosa.”

“What’s Mimosa when she’s at home?” Stephen asked.

Ralph pointed to a patch of small ground hugging plants close by the patch.

“Oh that, we call it touch me not or sensitive plant, it’s a flaming weed.” Stephen bent towards the plant and with an outstretched finger lightly stroked a leaf, which closed and shrunk from his touch.

“Still I like its subtle flower and they are about to come out.”

On the occasion leading up to the departure, Stephen would quiz Wayne for more family information, which once again Wayne censored giving him the basics of who and when, not what or why, while the journal remained hidden, even Wayne had not return to read its pages, or had he dreamt of Lachlan’s presence.

The day of departure had arrived and the house was in a scurry of activity.

“Passports, who has the passports?” Wayne demanded loudly.

“Tickets,” Wayne quickly followed while standing akimbo, with both Ralph and Stephen laughing.

“I should be the one panicking.” Ralph teased, “the passports and tickets are safe.” Ralph showed them to Wayne.

“I suppose we should be going.” Wayne sighed as he was now having second thoughts but would never admit the fact. “How do you feel?” he asked of Ralph.

“Surprisingly calm but you’ve become a worry.”

“No she’s jake come on let’s move out.” Wayne followed the cousins out of the kitchen but firstly he collected a poorly wrapped package from the kitchen table.

“What have you there?” Ralph asked with Stephen descending the back steps before them.

“Shh, Lachlan’s journal, I’m not ready to let Stephen read it.”

“Oh,”

“I am going to leave it with Biff for safe keeping.”

As they passed through town Wayne parked outside Biff’s shop, he collected the package from the back seat then quickly entered.

“Hey Biff could you do me a favour? Could you look after this until we return? He placed his package on the counter.

“Coffee?”

“Sorry Biff, we have a plane to catch, I’ll send you a post card.”

Ralph followed into the shop.

“How are you coping?” Biff asked recalling Ralph’s admission that flying terrified him.

“I’m fine it’s Wayne who is doing the panicking.”

“That isn’t fact.” Wayne protested.

“Yes it is,” Stephen confirmed bringing up the rear, you’re more nervous than a Poodle at a Rottweiler party.”

Wayne gave a disapproving glance and threw Stephen the keys, “for that remark I think you can drive.”

“You trust me?”

“Have to but no speeding and getting me booked.”

“What time is your flight?” Biff asked as the three stood motionless mid shop, as if each was waiting for the other to make the first move.

“Four thirty Biff.” Ralph answered and commenced to guide Wayne towards the door.

“There’s plenty of time.” Wayne suggested.

“I believe you have to book in at least two hours earlier than the flight.” Biff suggested.

“Then come on you two pull your fingers out.” Wayne withdrew his lethargic admittance and once again promising to send a post card hurried the two out. “Is there anything you would like us to bring back for you?”

“I can’t think of anything, hey Ralph,” Biff called after the three as they departed – Ralph turned, “you enjoy yourself.”

“I’m sure I will Biff, goodbye.”

As they entered into Cairns Stephen spoke, “I’ve never driven through Cairns before.”

“Would you like me to take over?” Wayne suggested.

“I’m sure I can manage what about you Ralph?”

“No good asking Ralph he refuses to learn how to drive, he’s scared of scratching the car – or worse.”

“Why don’t you drive Ralph? You would be the only kid I know over eighteen who hasn’t already got their licence.” Stephen asked.

“Reasons…”

“Hey Stephen do you know where the airport is?” Wayne asked as they passed through Cairns following the Cook Highway.

“It’s just before the Barron Bridge.” Stephen acknowledged.

Let Gary Know that you are reading and what you think of his story. Drop an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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