The Plantation - Di Morrissey [182]
‘I do know. After the war, people from the UK could emigrate to Australia for ten pounds, right up till the seven ties, I think,’ said Julie. ‘A friend of mine’s parents did that, too.’
‘Some didn’t settle in and went back to the UK, but most did, like Vera and me.’
‘Why Goondiwindi?’ asked Julie. ‘It seems a long way for an Englishman to come.’
‘Bit of luck, really. I’d been in the Civil Service in Malaya and when I got to Australia I saw an ad for a job in council administration in Gundy. I applied and got the job and moved here. Loved the place from the start. Raised our family here and never wanted to leave. When are you coming to see me, did you say? Friday, is that right?’
‘That’s right, Bill. Next Friday, if that suits you. Mum and I will make a long weekend of it. Is there something I can bring you? Are you allowed a beer?’
‘’Course I am. But I tell you, lass, I wouldn’t say no to a decent glass of red.’
‘It’s a deal. I’ll see you at the end of the week,’ said Julie.
Julie and Caroline cruised in to Goondiwindi the next Friday. The town was typical of Australian country towns, with palm trees dividing its broad main street. They drove past the classic Victoria Hotel, its upper storey fringed with iron lace, and past the statue of the beautiful grey racehorse, Gunsynd, which was the town’s claim to fame in the seventies. They found Bill’s retirement village close to the Macintyre River, and pulled in to the reception area.
‘You’re friends of Bill’s?’ said one of the admin staff as she showed them the way to his suite. ‘He still gets visitors because he has lived in Gundy for so long, but they’re getting on, too, so there aren’t as many as there used to be. Some of his family come by every few months, so this will be nice for him.’
‘We won’t tire him out,’ said Julie.
‘Oh, Bill chugs along like a steam train,’ she said. ‘He plays bridge twice a week, and takes his daily constitutional around the garden. Wish I knew what his secret is.’
‘He asked us to bring him some red wine. Is that all right?’ said Caroline.
‘Perfectly. Bill doesn’t smoke, but he does like a tipple now and then. There’s his room, number six. He has a bell in there to call for anything if he has a problem.’
They heard the scuffing of feet as Bill called out, ‘Door’s open.’
When they opened it, they found a sprightly, smiling man, a thin scattering of white hair over his pink scalp, bright blue eyes, a silver moustache and skin that sagged in folds but had few wrinkles. He was straight-backed, but moved with the aid of a walking stick. He smiled at both women and held out his hand in a friendly manner.
‘Welcome, dear ladies, to my humble abode. Would you care to sit outside in the sun?’
‘That sounds lovely. I’m Julie, and this is my mother Caroline.’
‘Yes. I remember you, Caroline. You were just a little girl when I saw you last. A bundle of energy, as I remember. Kept that amah of yours on the hop,’ he chuckled to himself. ‘I can make us tea or coffee and I’ve ordered some sandwiches.’ He led the way through the large bright room which served as the sitting room. It contained a little dining table, as well as a small lounge and two chairs, and it had a kitchenette in one corner. Folding doors evidently hid his bedroom and bathroom. There were no steps, and Julie noticed that where the sliding glass door opened onto the tiny patio with its seats and small table, there was no ledge or strip for Bill to trip over. The patio looked out onto the communal garden, while the unit next door was screened from Bill’s by a hedge which was low enough to chat over. The area was decorated with flowerpots and a small bird bath. Through the distant trees, Julie and Caroline could see the glimmer of the river.
‘This is pretty. Very peaceful.’
‘Make yourselves comfortable. The birds are noisy. They love that bath. I feed them scraps. I shouldn’t, but they entertain me. It’s lovely to be visited by two such delightful ladies and to be presented with