Chapter Forty
A Bold Endeavour
Links to previous chapters: Ch1 Ch2 Ch3 Ch4 Ch5 Ch6 Ch7 Ch8 Ch9 Ch10 Ch11 Ch12 Ch13 Ch14 Ch15 Ch16 Ch17 Ch18 Ch19 Ch20 Ch21 Ch22 Ch23 Ch24 Ch25 Ch26 Ch27 Ch28 Ch29 Ch30 Ch31 Ch32 Ch33 Ch34 Ch35 Ch36 Ch37 Ch38 Ch39
“Nooo! That’s just not possible!”, I’d said in reaction to Michelle when she told me that Mother had given her $100 on boxing day, to get the tattoo that she wanted. I still have difficulty believing it!
Christmas had been a multifaceted event; mixed expectations had preceded it. The resultant reality was a calamitous experience! Even that Christmas when drunk Uncle Bertie had fallen asleep onto the plum pudding and my father (God rest his soul) had threatened to pour the brandy custard onto his snoring bald head, was nothing in comparison.
A mysterious parcel had been found under the window near the Christmas tree on Christmas morning at the rectory. Police and bomb squad officers were milling about before we had even had breakfast. When the package had been eventually declared safe and had been opened, it was found to contain a toy hand grenade with the words “BANG” written on it in large black bold letters.
The metal flyscreen of the window had been cut with side cutters taken from the toolshed in the garden. Hero had not barked. He had heard nothing, but why would he when he had been smuggled into Mother’s room to sleep next to her bed?! Sebastian the cat had probably watched on with disdain.
I was reliving these events in my mind as I drove back from Long Reef, after taking Mother home to her retirement village after Christmas. It was the first time alone with my thoughts since I had picked her up on Christmas Eve. She had stayed longer than originally planned. Who would have thought that this would be a blessing?
We had managed to have a very warm and meaningful family Christmas time despite the horrific attempt to sabotage it. In fact, I think we were determined to enjoy it all the more after the police had finally left us. The shock waves were still there but we had become a very cohesive fighting family unit. Even Mother was like an encouraging brigadier rallying her troops! Surprisingly she was the most assertive and brave of us during the disturbance. I suspect she may even have enjoyed it! She poked the dangerous parcel with her walking stick while the rest of us recoiled in horror. She is not the mother that I remember from my younger days! I don’t know what they’ve done to her at the Long Reef Retirement Village, but I’m liking it.
Christmas lunch had been delayed until about 3pm. We were all very hungry by then and were in too much shock to think of eating anyway. Julia and Michelle had prepared the most delicious Christmas meal. Seafood, turkey, trifle, the works! I had managed to get away to give the morning Christmas Service while the police were examining the parcel and searching for other evidence. It doesn’t take any skill to work out who the culprit was!
Mother had determinedly attended church too, and for the first time ever had praised my sermon efforts. I must admit I did a bit of ad-libbing, including some unchristmassy themes about sinners and hellfire along with the usual gratitude for virgin birth, shepherds, mangers etc. etc. After the service, I left Mr Caldwell, church elder of experience and understanding, to usher out the congregation. Mother and I high-tailed it back to the rectory as fast as her walking stick would take her.
Such a time of contrasts! I had fully expected Mother to be cantankerous and to meddle in the affairs of all and sundry. It’s what she has always done! We experienced the dark lurking parcel event but there were so many pleasant surprises! So much light! Should I thank Wayne again for instigating the joining together of a family team? I had felt guilty for the gladness I felt when Julia and I came together so strongly after the attempted murder on the cliff top. I was now almost glad that we had been scared out of our wits on Christmas morning, because the love and support I had been part of in the aftermath had been so wonderful! Serendipitous! It seemed unsought for, yet I had been yearning my whole life to be part of something like this. I had longed to find it in the church but had been left aching and hollow.
Julia, Mother and Michelle had bonded over the love of little Horatio. They chatted about recipes and child raising and the old days and the new days. Michelle had been cossetted and admired for her hard work and courage in the face of adversity, by this formidable duo of her mother and mine! …And I had no idea that Mother liked dogs! Or cats for that matter. Horatio was told that Mother was “Step Great Grandma” and thus was quite happy to call her “Dep”.
Who cares what the bloody bishop thinks about my domestic situation. There exists a houseful of people who love and support each other and our family has become stronger in the face of a dark enemy. I will face what comes from all sides: church or villainous criminal or gossiping busybodies. A bold endeavour.
I am happy.