TIME PASSAGES Of A Distant Mind.

 The Saturday morning was just like any other Saturday morning a ritual of necessity that I had performed over the last five years since the passing of my wife Gail.

 Brushing my hair I look into the mirror, the reflection before me is crystal clear and with it comes the stark realization that the years were catching up with this 64 year old man.

 I was half way out of the back door before realising I had left my car keys on the kitchen bench, a life time of forgetful habits are hard to shake.

 I rush out the door to the car. Checking the clock on the dash board, 8.30am tells me I’m right on schedule, the thought resounds in my head, on schedule for what, as I make my way to the shopping Centre 4 miles up the road.

Today fate would step into my routine playing me a hand that would take me a lot further than 4 miles up the road but that was still sixty  minutes away.

The young woman behind the delicatessen counter, radiant with youth, handed me my four pieces of shortcut bacon along with a generous smile that 30 years ago may have held a different connotation for me, but a realist I was if nothing else and I had seen many young women afford the same courteousness of affection too elderly gentleman when I was in my youth.

 I now wondered do they see their Grandfathers in us or is it a realisation that old men were once young and virile before losing their mojo and the courteous gestures they bestowed on us now was just that an recognition of a time past.

I return another friendly smile to the checkout operator before leaving the store and heading to the crown coffee lounge; the waitress Hailey greets me with a smile, ‘The usual John?’

 ‘Yes please love.’

 The coffee was to some degree partially irrelevant; more of an excuse to sit awhile, to be in the  company of others albeit at arm’s length as I watched with interest the people play out their rolls in life as they passed by.

 The side ward fleeting glances they gave me were the same glances I would have given thirty years ago to some elderly person who had positioned themselves at the front of a coffee lounge to observe the world go by and now in a blink of an eye that elderly person was I, and without a skeret of malice I heard myself say your day will come quick enough.

Fifteen minutes had gone by, I had finished my buttered scone and was halfway through my coffee when two women walked into the shop and stood opposite to me at the counter.

 Immaculacy dressed in their floral summer dresses and colour coordinated shoes, the theme enhanced by a minimum amount of makeup and perfect hair styles, how very smart and lady like they looked, well-heeled, as we would have said a few decades ago.

 They placed their order and sat oppositely across from me at the next table. The resemblance of the two was obviously that of mother and daughter.

There was something distinctly familiar about the two in a vague sort of way, my mind working overtime to put a name or event to the faces.

 I tried to disguise my interest in them by raising my cup of coffee up to my face while peering out over the top of the cup.

 The older woman smiled , a full smile, enhanced with her bright blue eyes that seemed to engage mine, which I took for a courteous recognition between the two of us,

 I instinctively returned the smile only to see her smile instantly fade and her eyes averted in a downward gaze that told me I had misread the intention of her smile.

 Slightly embarrassed and feeling uncomfortable of the imposition on her privacy, I too quickly looked away.

Without finishing my coffee I quickly left the café.

For the rest of the day the image of the two women in the coffee lounge would intermittently cross my mind and yet I was still no wiser to whom the pair were.

 As the day neared its end i had resolved to forget the whole incident and had it not been for my Saturday night ritual of a few beers mixed with my love of music, then that is where the image of the two women would have ended.

 Now music can take me back to almost any time in my life, I can remember where I was when I heard a certain song for the first time, long before entering my teen age years and so it was on this night with a beer in my hand and listening to the familiar voice of the DJ on the radio as he introduced the song by B J Thomas, Hooked On A feeling.

 The harmony and lyrics flowed, gently caressing my soul. I heard myself say 1968 now that was a good year as a pictorial of names, faces and events flashed through my mind,

 I am now completely in the moment the year is 1968, I am outside Hordens Dry Cleaners where I am waiting for a girl, the song that had brought me here gently fades on the radio but the vision rolls on.

 A young girl of 16 runs towards me her long auburn hair bouncing from side to side, her bright blue eyes engaging mine in such a way they almost spoke to me, she hugs me tightly around my neck which makes me feel like a million dollars,

 ‘Hi John,’ but before I can answer her

 The vision slowly fades and ii was in that moment I realised the two ladies I had seen in the coffee lounge that day were one of the same in my vision, one was of the young girl running to greet me and the other one being of her almost fifty years older,

 Of course it was her I mumble as I compare the two faces in my mind.

Nostalgic thoughts of my youth and the times spent with Georgina were slowly, ever so gently meandering through the pathways of my mind taking me back to my youth.

Chapter 2 March 1968.

 I was first introduced to Georgina Edwards by my then, girlfriend Denise.

‘Hi John, this is Georgina she started work with me today and we are on our lunch hour,’ then quickly added,’ Georgina. ‘This is my boyfriend, John.’

‘Hi Georgina, how are you?’

‘I’m good, you can call me Georgie everyone does.’

‘Where are you going for lunch Denise’?

‘Busy bee tearooms, you want to come John?’

‘Nah I have to meet Phil at the pool hall I promised him I would shoot a few racks with him,’

‘Are we still on for Friday John?’

‘Yep we are all meeting at the clock usual time, tell you what why don’t you bring Georgie if she wants to come.’ Denise looks at Georgina, who nods her head.

‘Good then, see you all Friday.’

Hurriedly making their way  to the tea rooms, Georgie enquires,

‘How many people are in your group Denise are they all ok?’

‘Oh yeah you will like them Georgie they are a good bunch all around our age, John is the boss man,’ she laughs,

‘There are seven of us we call our self the magnificent seven,’

‘How many girls are in the group?’

‘Two, counting me, the rest are boys so you will even it up a bit’.

 They both laugh.

The tea rooms were busy with the usual lunch time shoppers ,

‘There’s a table Georgie grab it and ill order.

The two new friends sat at the rear of the shop, both at ease in each other’s company, both thinking this could be the beginning of a very special friendship.

Denise glances at the clock on the wall the time showing 10 minutes to 12

‘God ,Georgie look at the time where did that go? we best get a move on or we will be, she leans forward and exclaims or we will be in the shit , they both laugh loudly before quickly finishing their  lunch and heading back to the counters of the Coles department store for a further four hours before heading home.

Friday night and the word had got around there was a new girl in town who could be joining the group. Sat on the  steps of the large monumental clock that over looked  the picturesque Subiaco  Gardens,  the group of five boys and one girl, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Denise and the new girl, and who knows maybe one would get lucky and find themselves a girlfriend?

 The large clock chimed 6pm.

 Steve the most impatient of the group asks, ‘Where are they then,’

 ‘Oh I don’t know,’ replies John

 5 minutes later the two girls came into view, walking along the tree lined streets, arm in arm.

 Their chatter and laughter filled the air as they approached the monument

‘Well about time, did you two get lost,’ laughs John.

‘No, it took us awhile because I was filling Georgie in on all the groups’ quirky personalities,’

‘Oh, did you just, and you still decided to come, Georgie, that’s brave.

The group laughs as one. Then as if on que they fell silent.

 Georgie is stood beside Denise; she feels uncomfortable from the stare of 6 pairs of eyes upon on her.

Nervously, she speaks, ‘Hi my names Georgie.’ The tension evaporates as they all greet her with, ‘Hi Georgie.’

On that March day in 1968 Georgie Edwards officially joined the magnificent seven making them now the magnificent eight.

 All the boys were drawn to her beauty and magnetic personality even Phi the shy one of the group..

I tried not to show too much interest in her myself, after all I had Denise, she was my girl, and there were a few in the group who had no girlfriend and were obviously smitten with Georgie.

As the weeks went by I realised i was becoming more drawn towards Georgie and it was not just her beauty which was evident but more to her persona and try as I may I could not get her out of my mind-, just the sound of her voice speaking my name would endear me to her in a way I didn’t quite understand, all I knew was I had never felt the feelings I was feeling for this girl.

 She had a nonchalant way of keeping all our attentions at bay without offending anyone of us.

The summer months had been a blast, a wondrous time, the beach the drive in theatres, copious amounts of alcohol driving without licenses, sex, and psychedelic music and according to the establishment all the things sixteen year olds should not do.

 My feelings  for Georgie seemed to grow more intense by the day, and more than once she had caught me gazing dreamily into her eyes which she would acknowledge  with a smile and an enquiring look but as yet I didn’t know if she had the same feelings for me as I did for her, and then there was Denise.

The group was so tightly knit that we were always in one another’s company until one night fete stepped in.

 Denise had stayed home with a bad cold; the night was coming to an end where we would part company, with all of us going in different directions to make our way home.

 I realised Denise would normally walk home with Georgie and not wanting to see Georgie walk home on her own I offered to escort her.

‘No thanks John I’ll be alright, anyway you live in the opposite direction to me.’

‘I don’t mind, you don’t want me worrying that you didn’t get home safely do you Georgie?’

 She smiles, ‘Ok John.’

 The streets of Subiaco were quiet, almost deserted as we made our way to Georgie’s house.

Normally, I was quiet at ease with Georgie but the realization we were on our own had me nervous, happily nervous but nervous none the less. The usual banter that I could normally rely on had all but dried up, my voice slightly restricted as I spoke.

‘How do you like living in Perth compared to South Australia?’

‘Oh it’s so much better here John and I have made lots of friends,’

‘Did you have many friends in Adelaide?’

‘Yeah I did,’

‘What about a boyfriend,’

‘Yep I had one of those too,’ she smiles.

Another awkward pause by me, before the question I had no intention of posing seemed to spring from my lips.

‘Can I ask you a question Georgie,’ she nods,

‘Well none of my business really but you have been here nearly three months and you don’t have a boyfriend and I know a few, well really all of the boys in the group would take you out in a heartbeat.’

 Georgie hesitates for a second,

‘Well John, I like all the guys in the group but I haven’t met anyone I would want to have as a boyfriend,’

 ‘What no one at work, I mean you don’t have to date someone from the group.’

‘Oh! Thanks for the permission John,’

‘No, you know what I mean Georgie.’

We both laughed.

She pauses, a slight stutter,

 ‘Well if you must know there is someone,’

‘I thought so,’

‘Why would you say that John,’

‘Well Georgie it makes sense you are a good looking girl who wouldn’t want to take you out.’

‘Would you take me out John?’

 ‘Well err of course but,’

 ‘Yes I know, John that’s the problem,’

‘Problem,

‘What problem?’

‘Well the one I want to be with is you John but you are spoken for and Denise is my best friend so it’s a hopeless situation even if you did like me enough to take me out.’

We stopped walking; facing one another I noticed tears welling in her eyes.

‘Oh Georgie I didn’t know, you never showed any interest in me other than as a friend,’

‘How could I John,’ then from somewhere inside I heard myself saying,

‘I really like you Georgie I did from the moment I first saw you.’

 Her head bowed, a single teardrop coursed down her cheek to fall silently to the ground and with it a subtle sob, leaning forward I drew Georgie in to me to comfort her. Just holding her  made me feel we were as one and belonged together

 She looked into my eyes for reassurance of my feelings for her, an ever so gentle kiss shared between us took my breath away and the thought passed through my mind that I would always want her in my life.

‘Don’t cry Georgie,’ I wiped away her tears, ‘can you be a little late home,’

‘Yes,’

Taking her hand we walked the short distance to the park, finding a bench we sat down.

‘John I shouldn’t have said anything,’

‘Oh I’m so glad you did,’

‘Yes but look at the trouble I am going to cause between us all,’

‘It will be alright, Denise will understand,’

‘You don’t really believe that do you John,’

‘She will be as mad as hell and I will have hurt her and in the process lost a good friend.’

‘Listen Georgie things have not been that good between Denise and me lately.’

‘Are you just saying that John?’

‘No its true and I know she is your best friend and I don’t want to cause trouble between you and hurt her at the same time, and I know you don’t either but like I said we really haven’t been getting along and this may sound a little underhanded but I can see if she feels the same way as me and wants to call it quits, I will not mention you and we can stay apart for a while before we start going out together.’

‘Great John, but what if she says no?’

‘Well I will have to finish it because I can’t give you up Georgie.’

We snuggled together that night on the bench her head resting on my shoulder her angelic face inches from mine.

If John had thought telling Denise was going to be hard it was nothing compared to what lay ahead of him and Georgie.

 John was known for being highly spirited and invariably pushing the boundaries to the limit of everything that involved having a good time.

 He had been incarcerated in two Juvenile delinquent facilities since entering his teens, for just that very reason.

There was rarely a lull in the gangs activities as he was always looking and planning, anything that had excitement attached to it which was often against the law.

 Having confessed his love to Georgie, John had wasted no time in arranging a meeting with Denise at a location he thought would be quiet and private, they were to meet at the Shenton Park lake side.

 He feels anxious, his palms moist with sweat as he awaits her arrival. Ten minutes late he sees her walking towards him.

‘What’s with all the secrecy John.’?

He proffers a half nervous smile that unsettles Denise.

‘What is it John?’  You look worried.’

‘No I’m not worried’.

‘Well what is it.’

 ‘Denise I have been thinking lately about you and me and where we are going.’

An awkward look appeared on her face as she answers,

 ‘What do you mean where we are going?’

‘Well err, you know,’

‘No I don’t but I think I can guess, do you want to finish with me John,’

‘Well in a way I do,’

 ‘What do you mean in a way?’

 ‘Well Denise you will always be my friend you know that.’

‘Oh I think I’m getting the picture now,  we have been together for just over three months and before me it was Sue then what’s her name, Louise, that’s it and before that some other poor bitch,’

‘Well fuck you John Lester you’re a user, who is it this time?’

‘It’s not like that Denise; it’s just that I’m,’

 ‘Yep go on say it, tired of me that’s it, you’re tired of me,’ she sobs.

‘Well get this you’re not dumping me like the rest of them you can fuck off I don’t want to see you or the gang again, I’m done.’

The meeting was over in less than 5 minutes; Denise turned her back on John and never looked back at him despite him repeatedly calling her name.

Denise true to her word never rekindled her friendship with John or the gang. The fact she had quickly met an older guy in his twenties had her mind set elsewhere, she now had a man with a legal set of wheels to drive her around town, often flaunting herself as they drove passed the clock monument,  she would give a condescending look to the now again magnificent seven.

‘She’s a stuck up cow that one, what did we do to her?’

‘Let it be Phil do you really think she’s having a better time than us, take away the wheels and she’s just sat next to an old boring wanker.’

Chapter 3 May 1968

John and Georgie had become inseparable; they spent as much time in each other’s company as they possibly could and it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

 There had been friction between Georgina’s parents, Joe and Marie, of the time their daughter was spending away from home, with her new boyfriend.

‘Joe she’s just young having a good time and I don’t think the boy is bad.’

‘He’s no good for her Marie, he’s wild,’

‘And you weren’t wild at that age Joe?’

‘Not like that, I wasn’t.’

‘I want her to start staying in 3 nights a week with us her family; she’s got brothers and sisters that she hardly sees.’

‘Joe if you do that you’re asking for trouble.’

‘She’s sixteen Marie do you want her saddled down with a baby?’

‘Oh that’s right Joe, keeping her in for 3 days  will stop her doing whatever she wants to do in the other four and Joe have some faith in your daughter you could be really misjudging her.’

‘Let me talk to her Joe,’

‘No 3 days a week that’s it.’

Marie chose the right moment to talk to her daughter when the two were a lone in the house.

‘Mum you can’t be serious I will die if I have to stay in three nights a week.’

‘You’re father says you have to Georgie there’s no swaying him.’

‘Why Mum, Why?’

‘He says you’re getting to serious with John,’

‘So why does that matter mum, I love him,’

‘Oh Georgina you’re really only young and there will be plenty of boyfriends, just go along with your dad for a while, keep the peace don’t make matters worse.’

‘Mum that’s so unfair I can’t believe you could both be so cruel.’ She storms off to the sanctuary of her bed room.

Marie thinks twice about consoling her daughter as she hears the slamming of the bedroom door.

That night Georgie defiantly left the house before her father came home from work.

‘How did she take it,’ whispers Joe,

 ‘No need to whisper Joe. You made me break her heart,’

‘Where is she?’

‘She’s gone out that’s where, and next time Joe don’t you ask me to  convey your orders while you are comfortably out of the way and while I’m at it I want you to cast your mind back to when I was sixteen, remember Milton’s Hay Loft and you groping me and trying to pull my pants  off.’

‘For god’s sake Marie, keep your voice down the Children will hear you.’

Marie feeling the frustration and anger in her husband’s stubborn on sided view, answers with a raised voice that is seldom heard in the house.

‘You see Joe, this is what young adults do and if you think it’s wrong then what are we doing standing here after seventeen years of marriage, was it so wrong for us.

 You would do far better trying to understand your daughter than barking orders through me.’

Joe is speechless as Marie pushes by him in the hall way, her body rigid to avoid any contact with her husbands, the slamming of the front door echo’s throughout the house, and she had gone.

The silent treatment from his daughter and the coolness towards him from his wife for the past two weeks had Joe wondering if he had been too hard on Georgina. At times the coolness from the two women had him thinking that they had formed an alliance to make their point.

 He dearly missed the company of the two and decided it was time for a peace offering.

Home from work he hangs up his coat in the hall way, glancing into the living room he sees his wife and three of his four children watching tv.

 Marie is aware of his stare but does not acknowledge him, he passes by without a single word being exchanged; she knows instinctively he is looking for Georgina.

 He knocks softly on her bedroom door before entering.

‘There you are Georgina, I thought you would have been watching telly with your brothers and sisters, Gilligan’s Island is on.’

She looks at him sullenly before answering.

‘I like it in here Dad.’

‘Look Georgina, I can see you’re not happy, what say we come to a compromise,’

 She looks at her father, her face slightly contorted with the pent up emotion.

‘What sort of compromise?’

‘Well I thought it would be nice if we as a family could at least spend one day together on the weekend.’

‘On the weekend dad, that’s when I go out,’

‘Ok what works for you Georgina?’

‘I think Monday night would be a good night for us all.’

‘Alright Monday night it is then, deal.’

‘Deal dad.’

‘Good and let’s stop all this sulking it isn’t good for anyone.’

 He holds open his arms wide in an offering of peace and the two warmly embrace, Joe kissing her gently on her forehead,

 She looks up into his warm blue eyes and whispers, ‘Thank you Dad.’

Chapter 4 August 2017

Seeing Georgie in the coffee lounge for the first time in forty seven years had unsettled me with a mixture of good memories and some memories that were not so good, yet they all left me with a profound urge to see her again.

 I tried to reason  my feelings out,  had I got so  caught up in the  memories of my youth  that my subconscious  was wanting to chase, reconnect , even   relive that now unobtainable  time that comes only once in our life known as the golden days of youth or was it something more.

I appeased my mind by  allowing the thought of, if I could just see her, talk to her then the answers would naturally just fall into place. I played out scenario after scenario what we would say to one another after such a long time, would she have fond memories of me as I had of her, would it be a gushing hug or a oh yes I remember you john.

 All I knew was that I had to see her and so it was I found myself walking the malls of the shopping Centre where I had last seen Georgina and her daughter, still not knowing how I would approach her if we were to meet.

The coffee lounge was sparsely occupied, I glanced at the table and two chairs that the two women had occupied just four days ago and felt the frustration of not approaching Georgina  when I had the chance to.

I approached the counter wearing my best face of contentment which I hoped would adequately mask what I was feeling internally..

‘You’re early John I don’t usually get to see you till Friday’,

‘Hi Hailey, I just need to get out a bit more and you do serve the best coffee in the Centre’.

 Monday drifted into Tuesday and by the time Friday had come around; I had learned how to make each coffee last an hour.

 Sat there, positioned in my usual place at the front of the coffee lounge, which afforded me a clear view of the passing pedestrians entering and leaving the shopping Centre, filled with a distinct feeling of now being a fixture, easily recgonised as the elderly man you could find on any given day people watching, to pass the time of day.

 At times my concentration would wane and my mind would drift to examine my thoughts and actions of what I was doing, not wanting to admit to myself that my interest to reconnect with Georgina was just more than a curiosity of a nostalgic value, a half involuntary smile creased my lips at the thought of a love sick gentleman of 64 years of age acting in this manner, then under my                                   breath surely not, not at 64.   

Two weeks had passed and my daily visits to the shopping Centre had returned to just the Friday shopping and my ritual of one coffee before heading home..

 Walking through the main arcade on this Friday I saw a sight that made my heart rate instantly increase, just twenty feet ahead of me were two very well dressed women one young the other older.

 I couldn’t see their faces but something told me this was Georgie with the woman I believed was her daughter. Shopping trolley in hand, I quickened my pace to get closer not knowing what I would do or say; I had three minutes at best to approach them before they left the Centre.

 Luck was on my side as I saw them walk into the coffee lounge;

 I was only a short distance of six feet behind them as I entered the shop and parked my trolley before standing next to them at the counter. There was no mistaking them, I was sure this was Georgie,

 I heard the younger woman order their drinks then watched them as they sat down at a table. I hurriedly ordered my coffee hoping to get the table next to them.

 Now seated opposite them I studied Georgie’s face as I frantically tried to sum up the courage to approach her.

 For some reason, my thought pattern just went blank, and then in the next instance I was stood at the side of their table both women looking enquiringly at me.

‘I’m sorry to intrude but I think I may know you.’

 I directed my words to Georgie but before I could continue the younger of the two spoke.

‘I think you must be mistaken I’m sure we don’t know you’.

I continued, ‘my name is John, John Lester and I thought you may be Georgina Edwards.’

 Silence for what seemed an eternity before I saw her smile, her whole face now beaming as she stood              up, grasping both my hands.

‘John, oh my goodness it really is you isn’t it as she gently kisses my cheek.’

‘It is me Georgie.’

  Susan exclaims

‘Mum'.

‘It’s ok Susan this is John he’s a dear friend.’

‘How are you John are you keeping well?’

‘Yes and you Georgina are you keeping well?’

‘Yes I live with my daughter Susan and her husband we live in Stirling.’

‘Oh I’m just up the road in Balcatta.’

‘Who would have thought after all this time I would bump into you John, and living so close by, it’s a wonder we didn’t bump into each other sooner.

‘So where do you know each other from Mum?’

‘Sorry Susan, this is John, John this is my daughter Susan.’ I smiled at Susan who continued to stare at me, her face baring no warmth in the exchange ,more an enquiring look of suspicion.

‘Well John and I grew up together in Subiaco.’

‘What as children?’

‘Well yes I suppose we were when I look back on it now.’

 ‘How old were you Mum?’

‘Well we must have been sixteen when we first met.’

‘Oh so you were not really children.’

 Georgie smiles slightly hesitant, before answering.

             ‘No, not children Susan, we were girlfriend and boyfriend.’

I thought if I didn’t speak soon, Susan would continue the inquisition.

‘How many children do you have Georgina?

‘ just the two Susan and James.’

 ‘And you John.’

‘Two children Karen and Alan, Karen is the oldest and a teacher and Alan is in sales.’

‘Georgina I always thought you would have been living in Adelaide.’

 ‘We were for quite a while until my husband James was transferred to Perth and we liked it so much we just settled here.’

‘My, it is a small world Georgina I never thought I would see you again.’

‘Well we must keep in touch John.’

‘Yes we will.’

‘Mum I really need to get back.’

Georgina looks at John wistfully not wanting this brief encounter to end so quickly.

‘So soon, we haven’t finished our coffee.’

‘Yes Mum I have appointments.’

‘Georgina maybe I could call you sometime and we could catch up.’

‘That would be great John, I would really like that.’

 With an unmistakable veiled glare from Susan I quickly wrote down my address and phone numbers and waited for Georgie to do the same she in return looked to Susan,

 ‘What’s my phone number Susan’?                             

‘John can call me on my number Mum and I can relay the message.’

Georgina hesitates

 ‘I would like him to have my number Susan.’

‘Ok Mum’ ‘,here John you can call Mum at the house.’ she quickly scribbles down the phone number but no address  as she once more states Mum we have to go now.’

 A warm hug between  us both and a curtly handshake from Susan left John looking on as the two women left the shop wondering if he would ever see Georgie again.

 He berates himself for not asking for her address then quickly realises that her daughter would be using her married name and there would be no way of him looking up the address  he only hoped the phone number given to him was the correct one for him to contact Georgie..

John was to ring the home three times in the following week, and each time the phone was answered by her daughter Susan.’

‘She can’t come to the phone right now John she is busy or she is out.’

 It wasn’t till the third time that John suspected he was being fobbed off when Susan told him Georgie was sleeping,

‘Could you get her to ring me on this number please Susan?’

‘Yes I can do that.’

 I waited expectantly by the phone for most of the weekend for the call that never came.

 Surely it is not Georgie’s doing, she seemed so pleased to see me and eager for me to contact her. I was left with the only conclusion that Susan did not want me to see her mother under any circumstances, why i wasn’t sure.

 Another four days had passed and I hadn’t heard anything but that didn’t stop me from running to the phone every time it rang.

  Thursday morning I had just finished pruning the roses when I became aware of a car slowing down in front of the house before stopping a little way forward.

   The car was a black and white taxi which quickly got my attention as I waited to see if anyone would get out of the cab. The taxis back door opened and I couldn’t believe my eyes, stood there on my front verge was Georgie Edwards.

Stuck for words the best I could muster was well fancy seeing you here Georgie,

 ‘Well john I hadn’t heard from you so I thought I would just look you up, she smiled.’

‘Come inside I’ll put the kettle on.’

Whilst making the tea, I couldn’t help taking more than the odd sideways glance at Georgina, sat on the lounge she looked radiant, the subtle rays of the sun shining through the large sliding door enhanced all of her natural beauty from head to toe.

‘This is a beautiful room John.’

‘Yes it’s my favourite I will often sit here and listen to the music for hours on end,

‘You still like you’re music then?

‘Yes Georgie it is one of a few things that has never left me.’

‘Looks like you have travelled a bit judging by all the memorabilia’.’

 ‘We did a lot of travelling  but when Gail died I just lost the interest to travel.’

 ‘Gail was your wife?

 ‘Yes she passed away five years ago, and we were married for thirty eight years.’

‘Oh! I’m sorry John.’

 ‘What about you Georgie?

 ‘Well James died suddenly, almost seven years ago this coming March and we had been married for.’ she stops in mid-sentence as if her mind had gone elsewhere, I waited for a minute ,the silence seemed unnatural  and I felt slightly uncomfortable.

‘Georgie you were saying,’

‘What was I saying?

 ‘Your husband James passed away,’

 Yes that’s right, another pause,

 ‘You were saying how long ago he had died, for a minute she seemed lost before answering

‘Oh it was a long time ago John’.

 Her eyes then brightened and her facial expression softened as if she had just arrived back from somewhere in to the present.

‘.John I thought you may have called me and when you didn’t I thought I must see you again.’

‘I did call Georgie all last week I think Susan must have got sick of the calls for a few times it seemed the phone was off the hook.’

‘So you spoke to Susan?

‘Yes she said you were busy or taking a nap or out. To be honest Georgie I thought she was fobbing me off.’

‘ She was John, between her and her brother James I sometimes feel like a prisoner, don’t do this mum don’t go there, they treat me like a child and they are obsessed with their fathers wealth which was left to me.’

 ‘Money can be a curse.’

‘Well in this case John it really is, Susan is my power of attorney’,

‘I don’t want to pry but why would she be your power of attorney Georgie.’

 ‘Well I do get a little forgetful and it has been getting worse so Susan and her brother James

Suggested it, and I just went along with it.’

 I would have had no idea how to find you John, Susan asked me for the address you gave me and I said I had lost it, so when I hadn’t heard from you I just rang a taxi and gave him this address  and presto here I am,

‘What, so Susan doesn’t know you’re here?

 ‘No I waited till she went out, she will be very angry but I do have a life too.’

‘Yes of course you do, I’m so glad you came Georgie seeing you is the best thing that’s happened to me in years.’

‘Me to, she smiles then adds just like old times hey John.’

 She still had that magnetic spark in her nature and despite our ages and all the years that had passed I felt like I was being drawn back into those magical days we once had shared.

‘You know John Lester it took me years to get you out of my system, I always had the thought that you would come back for me.’

‘I did try to find you Georgie but it wasn’t that easy in them days no computers or social media.’

 ‘I know john, and it was years and years before I could even start to forgive my dad from taking me away.’

 ‘Well I hated him too  Georgie, but you know when I got older and had my children I could understand his concern I mean I was a bit wild and I did get you into quite a bit of trouble didn’t I ?’

‘Oh john did you what? she laughs, being brought home by the women police, them waking my Dad up at 2 am the shock on his face and me promising Dad and Mum I wouldn’t sneak out again only to get caught two weeks later, you had some influence on me John Lester.’

‘Hey it wasn’t all me.’

 She gave me that enquiring look the same look that drew me towards her all those years ago,

‘ Yes it was john and I loved every minute of it till dad took out a restraining  order saying we couldn’t see each other ,I can still recall the woman police saying to me  you’re young Georgina and you can’t see it now but your dad has done you a favour because that boy is bad.’.

 I half smiled remembering our last time together then sadness of the repercussions of it.

‘Do you remember the last time Georgie, that night?’

‘She nods’,

‘What was I thinking Georgie?’

‘Well John we hadn’t seen each other for weeks, they kept us apart didn’t they and I was so desperate to see you I was going to run away and then I got the message you gave to Laura and the very next night, she giggles, there’s a tap on my window at 1am in the morning, I can still see it actually hear it, let me in Georgie you said.’

‘As I opened the window it creaked and I thought everyone in the house must have heard it.’

 I started to laugh as I took up the story,

‘You told me to get under the bed and hide, so there we were you in bed as I whispered sweet nothings to you from under the bed for the best part of fifteen minutes.’

‘Remember John you tried to persuade me not to run away just to let things settle.’

‘Yes I remember. We spoke for hours among other things.’

‘ Yeah but the last thing I expected was my Mum checking my bedroom at 3 am to see that I hadn’t run to you, then the look on her face when she realised I wasn’t in bed alone.’

‘Oh Georgie I can still hear her, she shouted Joe, Joe, and that was my que to get out of there quick smart, I felt terrible leaving you there to face the music and the look of disbelief then fury on your dads face as he saw me climbing out of the bedroom window, he was a big man and I’d hate to think what would have happened to me if he got his hands on me..’

 ‘That was the last straw I think it was only two weeks later that he had the whole family packed up and we left for South Australia.’

Unconsciously I took her hand.

‘‘They were the days Georgie Edwards,’

‘Yes they were John Lester.’

’Do you want another cup of tea or coffee?’

‘Teas fine John.’  

‘The phone rang,’ Oh I’ll just get that, that’s the phone.’

‘Yes she is here Susan no she’s fine.’

 ‘Well she shouldn’t be there with you she has dementia and I’m her guardian.’

‘Why didn’t you ring me?’

 ‘Well I saw no cause to ring you; she seemed perfectly alright to me I wasn’t concerned about her welfare.’

Obviously not, I’ll be there in twenty minutes, what’s your address.’

‘Georgie that was your daughter she is coming over she says she’s concerned about you.

‘What did she say?’

‘Well she said you had dementia. ‘

‘Oh typical of her  she always says that, I do forget somethings I know but it’s nowhere near as bad as she makes out its just her way of keeping me at home where she can control me.

I could see the anguish on Georgie’s face.

‘John listen I do not have much time she will be here soon but I want you to do something for me.’

‘Of course, anything, Georgie.’

 ‘Please, please stay in touch no matter what they say or do, I want you to stay in touch with me.’

‘I looked at her face, it bore a pleading expression, it was that of a person desperate for freedom.’

‘Of course Georgina you know I will.’

‘Promise me John.’

I clasped both her hands to reassure of her request, as I promised to stay in touch with her.

 ‘Where do you live, write down the address?’

 I passed her a pen and paper, she stared at the blank sheet a look of intense concentration on her face then a single tear started to roll silently down her cheek.

‘John I can’t remember I just can’t’ her voice trails off her head bowed as in subtle defeat.,

 Once more I grasped both her hands.

‘Listen Georgie just try and remember some of it, you said before you lived in Stirling.’

‘Yes, yes that’s it Stirling.’

‘And the street Georgie.’ silence. ,

‘Ok try this, ‘what is Susan’s married name.’

‘Reece.’

‘Ok Georgie your daughter’s name is Susan Reece’ ‘yes, yes that’s it John ‘,

‘And she lives in Stirling.’

’ Yes.’

‘Good for you Georgie I will be able to find you with that information I can look up the address.’

The doorbell rang repeatedly the urgency of the ringing resounded throughout the house.’

‘That will be her John.’

I walked quickly down the hall way to answer the door and stop the incessant ringing of the bell.

 Quickly opening the door,stood before me was Georgie’s daughter, her face red with anger, her hair disheveled in a birds nest fashion , she looked anything but the elegant young woman I had seen in the coffee lounge two weeks before.

’Where is she?’

Not waiting for my answer she pushed by me and made her way down the hall way.  

‘Mum what are you doing here?

‘I’m having a nice chat with John.’

‘Good for you I thought, ‘keep it up Georgie.’

‘Well you shouldn’t be here.’

 I thought it was time to interject after all this was my house but Georgie was ahead of me.’

 ‘Why shouldn’t I be here?’

‘OH mum you could of got lost.’

‘Well I didn’t did I found my way here and I will again.’

 Ok Mum it’s time to go home.’

The indignity of the young woman invading my house had rubbed me the wrong way, my voice slightly raised..

‘Susan can I have you address so I may call on Georgina now and then.’

‘Well John we are a very busy household, I can give you our phone number and you could call.’

‘Well I really would like to see you’re mum.’

‘For God’s sake Susan, give him the address.’

 The address was given so begrudgingly it was almost impossible to decipher the scribble, but with what I had I was sure I could find Georgie again.

 The warmest of a tight hug shared between us as she said I will see you soon John. Half way down the drive way she turned and waved to me in a triumphant manner more like the Georgie of old.

 I watched the car driven down the street before it disappeared around the bend.

 Left alone with my thoughts I wondered where all this was going and as I turned to go inside, I could feel  the determination  manifesting itself in me ,not only to see Georgina Edwards  again but to protect her at all costs ,from what I wasn’t quite sure  all I knew was that she needed me .

The weekend passed by slowly it had been three days since Georgie’s visit. I looked at the clock 10am a respectable hour to ring her, the dial tone seemed to ring forever before a familiar voice answered the phone with a familiar excuse.

‘Sorry John you have just missed her, no I don’t know when she will be back.’

 Trying not to show my annoyance at Susan’s outright lie I hung up the phone.

It took me ten minutes of pacing the room to come up with a plan.

 Firstly I had to familiarize myself with the addresses of the location where Georgie was living then I would go to plan B.

                                                                Chapter 5  

  I must have been nervous , the female voice on the satnav cut in over my music making me jump ‘Proceed 4 kilometers down Reid Highway then take the first off ramp on your left’.

 A few more twists and turns found me in Jones St, I counted down the house numbers thirty six thirty eight , my luck was in, number forty was on a corner block, the front of the house was facing a park with the garage in the side street. I drove passed the house twice, as slow as I could without attracting attention to myself.

 An older style home with a flight of five red concrete steps leading onto the ornate bullnose verandah which complemented the red brick.

.

 Going to the front door would be a futile exercise if Susan was home.

 Parking the car a distance up the road, i casually strolled across the park finding a bench that was far enough from the house but close enough to allow me to see the coming and goings without being recognized.

 Two hours had passed and no sign of any movement from number forty, I waited another hour before heading back home. Questioning myself for not banging on the front door and demanding to see Georgie,

 The self-talk running ten to the dozen, we are not children to be kept apart, who does she think she is?  By the time I had reached home I had decided I would return in the morning and demand to see Georgie.

It was nine thirty when I knocked on the front door.

‘Hi Susan is Georgina in?’

  She pauses for a few seconds searching for an excuse, the silence becoming uncomfortable.

 ‘Can you tell her I would like to see her please?

‘Who’s that Susan.’ begrudgingly she answers John,

The door fully opens and stood there was a beaming Georgie.

‘Hi John come in.’

 I followed her down a long central passageway to the kitchen that overlooked a bright atrium area.

‘Sit down John,’

‘Susan, can you put the kettle on, please?

‘I was hoping you would call John,’

 ‘Well I did but somehow managed to miss you each time.’

 A puzzled look came over her face she starts to say something then stops.

‘Well your here now, what a lovely surprise.’

 Susan having delivered the tea, hovered around the kitchen, I got the distinct impression she was  intent on making my visit as uncomfortable as one can without saying get out I don’t want you here.

After 15 minutes she is called away by the ringing of the phone.

‘That’s in your office Susan.’

 I watched her disappear into a side room at the other end of the long passage way,

 Privacy at last.

‘Look Georgie what are you doing today? ‘Well nothing really’ ‘Would you like to go out for a drive and grab a coffee.’

‘Oh john I would love that.’

Without another word she is on her feet heading towards Susan’s office. I needn’t of bothered straining my ears to hear the conversation between Mother and Daughter as raised voices echoed up the passage way.

‘Well I’m going and that’s that.’

 I felt slightly uncomfortable as the two women walked back into the kitchen.

 Susan stood at the corner of the table Georgina beside her.

‘Look John I don’t think my mum should be going out.’

 ‘Why is she sick? 

‘There are some circumstances that you are just not getting. ‘

‘What circumstances Susan?

Susan turns to look at her mum. 

‘Mum do I have to spell them out to John.’

‘Yes I think you do because I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about and I’m sure John does not either.’

 She looked directly at me speaking as if her mother was not in the room.

‘Look John my Mother has dementia and I’m surprised you haven’t realised this by now.’

‘ She cannot go out by herself she would be in harm’s way in fact if you were to ask her about this conversation in fifteen minutes time she would probably have forgotten it, or for that matter you were even here.’

‘That’s not true Susan why are you saying that.’

‘OH Mum you are not with us half the time you just forget then comeback for a while.’

‘Rubbish that’s just rubbish I’m going out with John and if you’re so concerned I’m sure John can be trusted to take care of me,’

 ‘Well perhaps a stroll around the park with John would be ok.’

‘Listen Susan I am not a baby John has asked me out for lunch and that’s where we are going’ and with that Georgina is on her feet.

‘I will just get my purse john, and then we can go.’

Susan leans forward towards me; her hands firmly placed on the kitchen table her eyes narrowed and lips tight.

‘ Listen here John if anything happens to my Mum you will be directly responsible, I have explained my mother’s condition but I can see you are still hell bent on going out with her so it’s on you head.’

‘I think you’re over reacting to the situation Susan.’

‘Over reacting, my arse, if anything happens to her I’ll see you in jail man.’

Georgie let out a sigh of relief as we drove away from the house.

‘ I am sorry about all that fuss John, I’m sure I don’t know what has got into that girl of mine, at times I feel like prisoner in my own home.’

‘Is that your house Georgie?

 ‘Of course John, along with all the other headaches James left me.’

‘Headaches, Georgie.’

‘Yes there are a number of houses and two shops,’

‘Well that can’t be bad can it?

‘John money can be a curse at times.

 ‘Well I wouldn’t know.’

‘Lucky for  you John Lester.’

‘ I have the kids fighting over it and constantly bending my ear do this don’t do that but I refuse to relinquish all of my power until  they can  show some maturity, but like I said John it is a concern that I will have to deal with it  at some stage.’

Changing the subject, I smiled.

‘Right Miss Edwards the days ours where would you like to go.’

‘OH John I haven’t been called that in such a very long time.’

 She stops herself from telling John just how young and alive his remark has made her feel. She smiles,

‘Can we go down to the beach?

‘Now let me guess which beach.’

‘Burns beach John.’

‘Burns beach it is then.’

 I sensed Georgie felt as alive as I did as we talked and the music played in the car.

‘Oh john I love this song I haven’t heard it for years,’

‘Yeah its B J Thomas hooked on a feeling.’

 She winds down the window of the car the wind catching her hair, her voice drifting away.

‘What was that Georgie I didn’t quite catch what you said.’

 She turned to me,’ I said John I feel like I’m hooked on a feeling it’s incredible I feel sixteen again, good for you Georgie Edwards.’

 Quickly searching the cd tracks I pressed track nine, Sixteen Candles the vocals sung by the Crests filled the car, no words were spoken between the two of us as the music played on.

 There was a five second interval between the first song ending and the next one beginning.

‘John I swear if this had been your old falcon with the bench seat, she hesitates, and don’t take my forwardness the wrong way but I would be snuggled up to you John Lester.’

‘Oh I would take that anyway I could get it Georgie but what would your Susan say.’

 ‘To hell with Susan this is my life.’

 I watched her starring out to the horizon as we approached the beach, and i was tempted to ask her of her thoughts.

‘Look john, it is the same coffee shop isn’t it.’

‘Well yep but I think it’s changed a little bit over the years, I don’t remember it being so upmarket. ‘Would you like a coffee?’

‘Let’s just walk the beach john; we can grab a coffee on the way back.’

We took our shoes of before walking on to the soft pristine white sands of Burns Beach, we had done this many times before but that was over four decades ago, the action today felt surreal, more like one of those lovely dreams you don’t want to ever wake up from.

A stiff wind blew the spray of the tops of the waves sending it skyward creating a thin veil of mist and apart from the lone squawking of a seagull, we had the beach to ourselves.

‘Who would have thought, Georgie that we would ever walk this beach together again after all these years.’

‘ I know john I keep thinking it’s one of those lovely dreams you have then your heart sinks when you awake from it and find it’s just that a dream.’

‘Well I was just thinking exactly the same thing Georgie.’

‘I feel like I could walk with you forever and a day.’

‘ Oh John that means so much to me to hear you say that and while we are speaking our minds I want you to know that I never stopped loving you John,’

‘But you were happy in your married life,’

 ‘Yes I was, but you always held a very special place in my heart John that nobody was able to fill. At first I thought it was, ‘what do they call it John?

‘I don’t know Georgina,’

 She stopped walking willing the words to come to her,

‘That’s it John they call it nostalgic love, you know the grass is always greener on the other side, she hesitates , they say, even chasing your youth is folly, but being here today with you John at this very moment I know it was none of those things,’

I felt her arm around my waist my heart skipped a beat as I put my arm around her shoulder her head instinctively rested on my shoulder as we stopped to gaze upon the sea both immersed in our own thoughts, and feelings.

 The spell broken as we became aware of the laughter of a young couple walking towards us hand in hand, a smile from the young woman as she passed by us.

‘They looked so happy John, I wonder if they realise how precious their youth is.’

‘I doubt it Georgina we never did,’

‘Well I sure did John, when they separated us I would have given anything to have had just another day with you.’

‘Well Georgie Edwards we have that day today and god willing many more like this’

‘Do you think so John?

 ‘Of course I do, why, don’t you Georgie. ‘

‘Well I hope so.’

‘That’s good to hear and in the meantime I promised you a coffee, cumon girl look at the time I may have to chuck in lunch with it.’

The café was packed and at times it was hard to hear one’s own voice which was frustrating as I had many questions of how Georgie’s life had unfolded throughout the years.

I leaned forward to be heard.

‘Georgie that young couple on the beach’

‘What young couple?

‘The couple, who passed us by holding hands,.’

 I could see the resignation of frustration showing on her face as she tried to recall the couple.

‘It’s alright Georgie,’

‘No, John tell me about them were they rude to us.’

‘No they were very much in love I would say, and you said they were a lovely couple.’

‘Oh ok’

‘A short pause and I could see by her expression she was still struggling,

‘When was this?’  Her voice trailing off, a slight panic rising in me as it appeared she had forgotten my name.

‘C’mon Georgina let’s get out of here the noise is a little too much don’t you think’

‘if you say so.’ She looked at me earnestly with an expression of a little girl lost. I was in no doubt now that Georgie had no idea where she was or for that matter, possibly whom she was with.

I linked my arm with hers as we walked back to the car, the conversation being a one-way affair as I reassured her she was safe and with a dear friend.

Staring straight ahead, with the odd furtive glance at me made for an uncomfortable drive back.

I turned on the radio to break the shroud of silence just to find a talk back show going ten to the dozen with gibberish, quickly pressing the button on my cd player the velvet vocals of Elvis filling the car with the song Memories, I thought how poignant and at the same time how very sad to lose your memories.

Tense, I jumped to the sound of her voice.

‘Oh I love this song John,’

‘I do too. It has an air of mystique to it’  ‘yes it does.’

‘Where are we going then?’’ well I thought I better take you home or Susan will be getting concerned’ ‘John it’s only 2pm.’

 ‘For goodness sake I’m not going home yet unless you want me too.’

‘No sweetheart of course not we could go back to my house and look at some old photos.’

Her eyes lit up,

‘Do you have some old photos John I mean of me and you well yes a few and some of the gang’.

  ‘Oh I have to see them, turn that radio up John Lester and get this bomb moving.’

‘Hey less of the bomb.’ she laughs, ‘I’m only talking sixties jargon John.’

 We both laughed, at times her personality shone through as bright and vibrant as the young girl I had known all those years ago and at other times there was a profound vagueness that shrouded her mind and concerned me greatly.

We parked at the front of my house, Georgie gave no indication that she remembered being here  just a week ago .

‘It’s a lovely garden John.’

Entering the music room through the side door left me in no doubt that Georgie did not remember ever being here as she exclaimed what a beautiful room with a exuberance as if she was viewing it for the very first time.

We sat together on the lounge as I thumbed through the old photo albums. 

 ‘Oh look theirs Steve, what happened to him John?’

 I don’t know the last I heard of him was over thirty years ago, I think he went bush.’

‘Who’s that girl?,

‘That’s Cheryl  

‘Oh yes and Wayne, hmmm theirs Denise she first introduced me to you John.’

‘What happened to her John?

‘Well I heard she got pregnant to that older guy she was seeing then I heard they had separated and she ended up with another older guy in Geraldton. ‘

‘She liked the old guys didn’t she?

‘Well I wasn’t that old Georgie.’

‘Yeah I know, and then I came along and stole you off her. She must have hated me.’’

‘I don’t think so Georgie, I met her once and she asked about you .i told her you had gone back to Adelaide and she asked me if I was going out with anyone.’

‘Were you John?’

‘Nope I just drifted around after you left then got in a bit of trouble.’

‘Did you miss me John’,

‘Yes I did, I was a long time getting over you Georgie Edwards.’

‘I don’t think I ever got over you John you always had a place in my heart and always will.’

‘She leaned towards me and we gently kissed, a feeling I had long forgotten but recognized in an instant as one of serene love, of belonging that meandered   through my whole body awakening my heart and soul’.

The afternoon passed in what seemed in the blink of an eye.  The clock took on a life of its own as governor of happiness, it chimed four times. ‘

‘Georgie that’s four o’ clock I should be getting you back or Susan will be worrying.’

‘Oh John I didn’t want this day to end,’ she hesitates,

‘What if I don’t see you again?’

‘Of course you will.’

‘I may forget you for a while the way my mind is lately, what if I forget you forever,’

 ‘OH Georgie that won’t happen,’

 I held her hand,’ I won’t let it happen, trust me.’

‘Promise me John.’

‘I promise.’

‘John, before I go, tell me where we met, and I’m sorry if I have already asked you but it will bother me no end if I don’t know.’

‘Well we were about sixteen and we met in Subiaco,’

‘No, no John I know that but where have we been since.’

My heart sank at her question.’

‘Well that was a long time ago when we first met and I hadn’t seen you for over forty years then just last week I recgonised you in the coffee shop at Warwick.’

‘Did I recgonise you John?’

 ‘Yes you did and today is our first day out together.’

‘She smiles our first date then John’

‘Yep our first date,’

 ‘But not our last,’

 ‘No not our last Georgie.’

Another hour passed it was five pm and I didn’t need the clock to chime to tell me that. In truth I did not want to let her go and was frustrated at the silliness of two adults being governed by someone half our age. The thought crossed my mind if we should ring her daughter and just tell her that her mother would be staying for dinner.

 We were exuberantly

engrossed in the conversation of the past and what the future may hold for us, before the sound of loud banging on the front door and the ringing of the doorbell made us both jump , our heads in unison swiveled in the direction of the noise.

 ‘Someone’s in a hurry by the sounds of that knocking.’

‘I’ll just get that Georgie, won’t be a minute.’

I opened the door to see a very agitated Susan.

‘Is my mum here?’

‘Yes she is.’

‘I thought we had a understanding about my Mum not being out long, she’s been gone for most of the day.’

‘Susan she is not a child, she has had a wonderful day out and you should be happy for her.’

 Susan’s voice rose, cutting as she stated we don’t want my mother to have anything to do with you, as did mine as I answered her.

‘That’s for Georgina to decide’.

‘Just wait there Susan and I will see if she is ready to go with you.’

‘Georgie its Susan, she is upset about you being out so long, and wants to take you home, I have told her to wait on the porch while I ask you if you want to go with her.’

 Georgie’s face was pensive and with it a silence that seemed to last forever, I thought she had lost her train of thought once more before she answered in a forthright manner.

‘ John I’m staying here with you until I’m ready to leave, please convey that to Susan and no I don’t want to see her as we will only get into a shouting match’.

‘She said what?’

‘She said she is not ready to go home with you.’

‘I want to see her now john, how do I know you’re not keeping her here against her will,’

‘Susan, don’t be ridiculous, she has said she doesn’t want to argue with you and she will be home later.’

 ‘Mum will you come to the door please; I need to talk to you.’

Georgie stood at the end of the hall way the distance between the two women necessitating them both to raise their voices to be heard.

‘Mum, come home.’

 I’m not a child; I will come home when I’m ready.’

‘I see one day out with this man and he has bloody brainwashed you, really, Mum, come on home,’

‘No that’s my final word on this,’

‘Well we will see.’

 Susan glared at me,’ I’m her guardian and I won’t let you take advantage of my Mum.’

‘I beg your pardon,’

‘You heard, and with that Susan turned on her heels her dark hair swaying with the gait of agitation, I watched her storm off across the lawn and get into her car.’ 

‘God Georgie she’s fiery isn’t she,’

‘Just like her dad, John, but she’ll get over it.’

‘I’m not so sure Georgie she seemed really riled.’

‘Oh don’t let’s talk about her,’

 I nodded and looked at the clock, five pm’

‘Are you, hungry?’

‘Well yes but I don’t want to put you to any trouble.’

 ‘No trouble I’ll do you my specialty.’

‘What’s that then John?’

‘Its hamburgers made from scratch’

‘Oh john that sounds great, it’s been awhile since I had a hamburger.’

Pleased with my effort we sat there in the music room eating hamburgers and going backward and forward over the years, our laughter filling the room all the while my feelings continued to build within myself in a euphoric manner which at times I found almost overwhelming and the stark realization I was getting drawn into something that I could not walk away from..

‘Would you like a drink?’

 ‘Her eyes lit up, what sort of a drink?

 ‘Well I have wine or beer.’

A unmistakable mischievous smile crossed her lips.’

 ‘Let’s have a beer for old time sake John.’

The sun was setting and cascading into the music room as I opened our second bottle.

We sat there like two teenagers as we thumbed through my vinyl collection of records.

‘Everything sounds better on Vinyl Georgie,’

I watched as she ran her fingers gently across the LP cover, like a clairvoyant connecting with the past

‘I love this LP John can you put it on.’

I removed the record of the Beatles Rubber Soul album from the sleeve and put it on the turntable, she started to sing the lyrics quietly, her soft voice transporting me back 45 years, I wondered if she was on the same euphoric trip I was on .

 The next track, I Love Her started with the melancholy voice of Paul McCartney, Georgie was on her feet ‘John, she holds out her hands, will you dance with me?

I didn’t need a second invite, stood in front of her she put her arms around my neck, my hands instinctively placed gently on her hips before encompassing her waist.

We swayed around the floor our thoughts in tune with the song as Georgie rests her head upon my shoulder my hand caressing her hair she looked  into my eyes, we stopped dancing, no longer hearing the music I leaned towards her and kissed her gently on the cheek, she raised her head and I felt the subtle pressure from her hands as she drew me towards her lips. The kiss was so warm and embracing it left me speechless, we drew apart for a brief  second before falling into one another’s arms, the kiss had a urgency about it,

 A loud bang on the glass sliding door startled us; I turned to see Susan stood outside the door in the company of two police officers.

‘God Georgie she’s brought the police.’

I opened the door,

‘John Lester.’

‘Yes that me.’

‘Can we come in for a chat?

Still stunned I nodded as the high pitched voice of Susan resounded in my ears,

‘Mum, are you ok what has he done to you?

‘Georgie looked bewildered and did not answer.’

‘I haven’t done a bloody thing to Georgie what’s all this about?

The woman police officer gestured to me,

 ‘We are here to make sure Mrs. Williams is ok’ Check MAIDEN NAMW ADJUST

‘Of course she’s OK,’

‘Well her daughter has been very concerned about her mother’s safety, you do know that the lady has Alzheimer’s and is vulnerable.’

‘She is not vulnerable.’

‘I can smell alcohol have you given Mrs. Edwards alcohol,’

 ‘Yes,’

‘The male officer speaks.

‘John you were in a compromising position when we arrived, are you or have you taken advantage of this lady,’

‘Of course I haven’t.

 ‘Just wait here a minute why I talk to Mrs. Williams.’

‘Do you mind if I call you Georgina.’

‘No,

‘Georgina do you know this man.’

 ‘Yes I do.’

‘What is his name?’

‘His name is John,’ ‘and where do you know him from.’

 I looked at Georgie, whose face bore the same vacant expression that I had first seen at the coffee lounge at the beach,

 ‘Cumon Georgie not now, speak.’

‘The silence was deathly.’

‘Where have you been today Georgina or did John bring you straight here,’

 Again there was no answer. ‘OK just sit with your daughter while we talk with John.’

‘Can we talk somewhere a bit more private John?’ I motion to the dining room.

The male officer’s voice was low with an accusing manner.

‘This is how it looks to us you have brought this lady here today you have plied her with drink; you must have known she is not in her right senses. Why did you give her alcohol John?

‘Because I was having a drink and asked her if she wanted one, it didn’t have to be alcohol she could have had a cup of tea or whatever she wanted.’

Yes but you gave her alcohol, how much alcohol have you both consumed?

‘Three bottles,’

 ‘Three bottles were you trying to intoxicate her for your own ends.’

 ‘Oh this is bloody rubbish what you implying, we haven’t done anything,’ if I could just talk to Georgie. We can straighten this out.’

‘I don’t want you talking to the lady; just wait here with my partner while I talk to Georgina and her daughter.’

I watched the three sat on the lounge Susan talking ten to the dozen to the officer as her Mother just stared straight ahead.

After what seemed a long time but in essence was only ten minutes the officer came back to me.

‘John you are one lucky man her daughter is not going to press charges, ‘

‘What charges?

‘Well there could have been several and one is quite serious, misleading a person who is not in control of their own faculties for your own ends.’

‘Just stop right there that is bloody offensive to me what you’re implying; we are old friends having a meal and a drink nothing else.’

‘ You John are very fortunate that  we came when we did  because if your actions that we observed had gone any further with that lady, well we wouldn’t be talking here you would be down the station being charged.’

Georgina and her daughter made their way to the sliding door followed by the two police officers. Georgie looked back towards me with a puzzled look on her face before leaving the house.

                                                                      Chapter 6

I reached for the bottle of Scotch the one I hadn’t tasted in a decade and poured out a good measure.

The warmth of the amber liquid coursed through my body but did nothing to calm the nerves.

‘Shit I don’t believe this has happened, who do they think I am and why did Georgie not speak up.’

 I guess I really i knew the answer to that, Georgie Edwards was lost in herself, but not all the time, the day we had spent together had shown that, and I had come to the conclusion that she was being manipulated  by her  daughter Susan for her own ends.

I took another drink as the thought materialized in my head that I was not going to let a dear friend in her autumn years be treated in this way.  

Four days had passed since Susan and the police had virtually burst into my house. There had been no contact with Georgina, most of my waking thoughts were directed to her wellbeing, and the situation reminded me of when we were young and forbidden from seeing one another. I looked at the phone weighing up the repercussions if I was to phone her house, only to be answered by Susan,

 Day five found me parking the car in the park, across from Georgie’ home.

I sat for hours hidden out of sight, at times feeling like a stalker as I waited for some contact with Georgie.

 As the days wore on I became more uncomfortable about the long looks I was getting from people who used the park for daily pursuits.

 I saw a police car skirt the perimeter of the park, and sighed a breath of relief as it disappeared into the distance. There and then I knew this had to stop, this action of surveillance and reluctantly I drove home never to return to the park.

Three long weeks had passed since I last saw Georgie, I was aware that I was drinking more alcohol than usual and losing myself in the music of yesterday, my thoughts intermingled with the time I spent with  Georgie.

Friday morning, I scrutinized the shopping list I had compiled the night before, remembering the time when the list would have almost filled the page but now just buying for one the list looked lonely, made me feel lonely.

 Seven essential items for a week did not strike me as living a full life, there has to be more in life than this. I remembered how alive, Georgie had made me feel in the short time we had been reunited, only to be pulled apart by some petulant women who cared nothing for the happiness of her mother.

Leaving the supermarket with my seven items I headed for the coffee lounge.to pass a hour of people watching ,not having much hope of seeing Georgie ,Susan wasn’t stupid,  she wouldn’t have her Mum within five miles of where I could be, of that I was sure.

 The coffee lounge wasn’t very busy and I had become aware, or I thought I had of Hailey the waitress looking over at me more than once. I had just finished my coffee and was watching a young couple walk by hand in hand, when Hailey’s voice jolted me out of my trance and back into the present’

‘John you look a bit flat today.’

‘Oh I’m ok thanks Hailey.

 ‘Are you sure,’

 Yeah life can get a little boring at my age, really John, you seemed happy a few weeks back when you were with the two women that were in here.’

‘ Oh yes you mean Georgie and her daughter, I thought one may have been your sister John as you looked around the same age ,no she was actually my  girlfriend from way back.

 ‘How far back John? ‘Forty odd years.’

‘My that’s a long time. The young woman is called Susan but I didn’t know her mums name but they do come in here quite often.’

Have you seen them lately Hailey?

‘Well the young woman Susan was in here just the other day.’

‘Was Georgie with her? Hailey hesitates,’

‘W ell no she wasn’t John.’

‘Is she ok did her daughter say anything about her?

‘John, Georgie is no longer with her daughter.’

 ‘What do you mean?’

‘Well I asked about her when Susan came in on her own, and she said that her Mum had onset dementia and had been placed in a lovely facility.’

 There was a silence between the two of us as my mind tried to digest what I had been told,

‘Where, Hailey where is the facility?

‘John I don’t know she didn’t say.’

‘How can I find out where she is?

‘Just ask her daughter.’

  ‘Fat chance of that she doesn’t want us to see each other again, she made that quite clear.’

‘Why would she do that John, surely she wants to see her Mum happy.’

‘It’s sad to say Hailey but the daughter and son have only one agenda and that is to protect their inheritance and they perceive me as a threat.’

‘Look John I can see you’re upset with this and I have known you for a long time and i know you wouldn’t do anything to harm anyone.’

 She reaches over to clasp his hand, ‘

John what if I was to find out where Georgie is, you would have to promise me not to tell a soul and that would include not telling Georgie.’

‘Oh Hailey do you think you could’

 ‘Well I will give it my best shot.’

‘When, how?

‘ Its Friday today so her daughter could be in any time and I will enquire about her Mum  and ask if she could recommend the facility but John for god’s sake not a word.’

‘I don’t know why you would do this for me but I really, really appreciate it and I can’t thank you enough.’

‘She winks at john, squeezes his hand

‘Let’s just say I am a romantic at heart and believe in love at any age, and John I’m not promising anything but come back on Wednesday better still give me your phone number.’

I left the coffee lounge that day with all my hopes resting on Hailey’s ability to wrangle the address out of Susan of which nursing home Georgie had been placed into.

 It was late Tuesday afternoon when I answered the phone and instantly recognized Hailey’s voice.

‘Hi John its Hailey can you come into the shop tomorrow?’

‘Yes what time?’

 ’Well I was thinking early so we could have a talk about a few things’,

‘Did you get the address Hailey?

‘Best you come in John and we can talk about it, say around 8.30 or is that too early.’

‘No that’s fine,

‘Good, John,’

‘It’s not busy at that hour and I will be able to sit down with you and have a chat.’

 I hung up the phone and already the alarm bells were ringing in my head, Hailey didn’t give anything away but something in the tone of her voice and the mention of sitting down with me sounded more like I was going to be counseled more than given the information I needed.          

As I walked down the mall to the coffee lounge that morning  I  felt a nervous anxiety cursing through my body it was then that I realised that Georgie’s and my future relied on this information.

I reaffirmed in my mind the plans I had decided on last night that there was no way in this world that I would leave my dearest friend Georgie languishing in a nursing home.

 That night my mind had gone back to my early youth where I was ensconced in a facility for juvenile delinquents and how one night an inmate who had been released the week before had kept his promise to Kevin Baker and had returned in the dead of night to break him out to freedom.
 Approaching from the pine forest he dug under the electric fencing made his way onto the roof with a scissor jack sprised open the bars. Kevin in return threw his bed sheet up to him and he was hauled to freedom.

 I was asleep in the next cell that night when I was awakened by a foreign noise that sounded like somthing cracking. It wasn’t till the next morning that we were kept in our cells in lockdown that we realised there had been an escape. How elated we all were in our youth to know one of us had made it out.

 That was a long time ago and the lessons I learned in various institutions had been buried deep over the years but like an education it was never forgotten,

I had made a pact with myself last night that I would use every trick in the book in freeing my lovely Georgie Edwards from that brick tomb.

 Hailey gave me a smile as I entered the coffee lounge,

‘Be with you in a tick John.’

I had positioned myself at a table at the rear of the shop. Hailey sat down, placing two cups of coffee on the table.

‘Do you have some news for me Hailey?’

  ‘Well yes and no’

 ‘What do you mean?’

‘John, tell me about Georgina.’

 ‘What do you want to know?’

 ‘Well start at the beginning when you first met her and how you have reunited after all these years.’

‘ We were young and very much in love but her parents disliked me  said I wasn’t good enough and a bad influence on their daughter, we were separated then by her parents  who  decided to move to Adelaide and we lost touch and the next time I saw her was here in the coffee lounge. It was like a dream come true for both of us, we went out a few times but her daughter forbid it, said her Mum had dementia.’

‘Does she have dementia John?’

 No not at all, sometimes she forgets little things and can drift off but only for a moment.

Her daughter Susan has exaggerated her mother’s condition to suit her own means,

 The reason for that is to control Georgie, keep her a virtual prisoner so she can inherit the family fortune, which is considerable.’

‘The last time I saw Georgina was three weeks ago we had gone out for a drive and on the way back stopped at my house for a drink we even had a dance together to some of our favourite music it was while we were dancing that we kissed and at that very moment Susan was at the glass sliding door along with two police officers. Hailey they accused me of taking advantage of a woman with Dementia, for goodness sake I wouldn’t take advantage of any woman never mind someone with an illness’.

‘The upshot of it all is Susan’s got her way, I can’t see Georgie and just for good measure she has secreted her way to rot in some nursing home where she has no right to be.’

‘So how does this work John if you can’t see her and she is under the care of a nursing home.’

Choosing my words carefully I answer.

‘ Hailey there is no way she should be there, I would like to make contact with her to see if she wants me to intervene ,legally of course to help her win her freedom and some independence.’

I feel Hailey’s warm hand encase mind with a little squeeze,

‘Good for you John.’

‘Do you know where she is Hailey?’

‘ Yes I do but I had to be sure John that your intentions were right and I believe they are but John this has to be between you and me not even Georgie’s to know or I could get into serious trouble.’

She smiles as I use the two finger salute.

‘Scouts honor Hailey.’

 She slides her hand across the table to reveal a white piece of paper with an address on it.

‘Ok John I have got to go back to work, I do hope you can reconnect with Georgie and i wish you both, every happiness. ’

 ‘Don’t worry about that Hailey we will definitely be reconnecting.’

‘Hailey sees the determination in Johns face and wonders if he has told her of all of his plans to help Georgie.’

Sat in the car I unfolded the white piece of paper that would reveal the location Georgie was being held in.

Number 28 The Avenue Mount Lawley Sunset Shadows.

 I felt the anger rising and with it a fierce determination to free Georgie, Sunset Shadows my arse,’

‘Wait for me Georgie I’m coming for you.’

I was so tempted to drive right over to the address and scoop her up but realised if my plan was going to work it would need a lot of forethought with meticulous planning, I would only get one shot at this and if I screwed it up we both would lose, Georgie staying a prisoner and I surmised I would be also locked away, both to languish apart.

I was eager to get started but not sure of how as I hurriedly cleared everything of my office desk, sat there with one large note book, pen in hand I started to jot down ideas that would free Georgie.

After three hours of writing interspersed with some deep thinking and having discarded one plan after another, I felt I was finally getting a clear understanding of what I needed to do.

The high emotion I had felt on hearing of Georgie’s plight had dissipated and replaced with clear thinking as to the ramifications of what I was about to do sank in.

The plan of orchestrating the escape was  just the beginning , for once having done that  I would be labelled a kidnapper of that I was sure and secondly there would be no coming home or turning back, we would be on the run.

My mind drifted back to my youth when I had absconded from a correctional facility and all it entailed, to be on the run and how after seven months I had given myself up to the law allowing me to finish my time and live a normal life of freedom. This thought reverberated through my brain as I tried to erase the thought of what freedom and a normal life would actually mean for Georgie and I, then the stark realization I could never come back to the sanctuary of my own home.

I made my way to the fridge took out a bottle of beer and took a large swig, sat back in my chair and looked at my notebook with the plans I had written down and whispered shit ,for  I was damned if I do and damned if I don’t. I emptied the bottle in three large gulps and looked again at my notes.

Ok if you do nothing John life will go on for you no risk no jail time, the statement made sense to much sense but how could I ever live with my conscience if I was to leave Georgie languishing there and I never being able to see her again.

If I follow my heart and do what I believe was right, then we would be together and free, but for how long would depend on my planning and a good measure of luck.

                                                                  Chapter 7  THE ESCAPE 

A week had passed since receiving the information of where Georgie was and in that time I had spent the mornings recon orating the nursing home by driving by and then on alternate days walking the circumference of the facility to familiarize myself with the numerous exit points I could make use of.

One morning while walking by the nursing home I noticed a delivery truck parked down the side driveway at the rear of the building. I had never walked down this driveway not wanting to draw attention to myself but thought this the opportune time.

I walked in between the delivery truck and the door, which had been left slightly ajar.

Entering via the door, I found myself in a long corridor, my heart thumping I quickly moved along the corridor which  brought me into  another corridor, I could see  a resident with a nurse at the other end.

 I had seen enough, quickly retracing my steps I was once more at the exit door; I took note of a red button above the door with open written on it.

Back in the car my mind was formulating part of the plan for Georgie’s escape. I thought how surprised she would have been if she had known I was in the facility planning her escape, and then a sadness that I had to go to these lengths to give the lady some dignity and something of a life to look forward too.

Back home I was upbeat once again, I had accomplished a lot, plans were falling into place, I looked at the clock it had just turned midday, why not I thought has I reached in the fridge for a beer, a celebration of sorts of what I had achieved in the morning .all the while thinking for the first time that I could actually pull this off and rescue Georgie. One bottle led to another as I feverishly scribbled on my pad one escape scenario after another.

At times I felt like a writer who had writers block unable to finish their work, they had given up  and dispatched it to the top drawer where it would lay dormant for years.

 I did not have that luxury I had to have my plan ready to go sooner than later but try as I may there was just one piece of the plan I could not workout ,and that was how to actually rescue Georgie, to be able to physically walk in the facility and walk out with her without being  noticed.

I rolled over in bed to look at the bedside clock 2am ,I had been asleep 3 hours and like every other night I would lay awake thinking of all that was ahead of us, planning and preplanning.

 It must have been around 4 am when I realised that I had been over thinking the escape.

 Keep it simple John,  it was then the plan started to materialize in my head ,yes I would walk straight  in to the reception and introduce myself as Georgie’s brother who had travelled across the country to see her ,I could even drop Susan’s name in to the plan if I had to .

 Surely they would not refuse me having travelled so far in my advanced years just to see my dear sister. I could only hope Georgie would have the mental capability to know what was going on.

 I now remembered the exit door I had seen just a day ago situated at the end of the back corridor and that all important red exit button above it that was calling out press for freedom.

The only stumbling block would be if Susan was visiting or turned up while I was executing my plan. I had to know when Susan visited her mother which days would give me a clear run.

I found myself unable to sleep that morning, I felt tightly wired in a positive way all I needed to do was call in a few favors from a few trusted friends to make my plan work .

                                                                        Chapter 8

 The coffee lounge was busy, as I entered.

‘Hi John how are you keeping?

 ‘I’m well Hailey can you spare me a minute.’

‘Not for at least ten minutes, why don’t you sit down have a coffee and ill join you as soon as I can.’

I was halfway through my coffee when Hailey sat down.

‘What is it John you look tense.’

‘Oh I’m ok but I need a favor and I wouldn’t ask you Hailey if there was any other way around it.’

She looked at me intently and I hoped she wouldn’t see through the lie I was about to tell her.

‘Hailey I haven’t been sleeping well, it’s this situation of Georgina being in the nursing home. I need to know that she is happy and well cared for but as you know her daughter Susan has forbidden me to see Georgie and I know it will be pointless appealing to Susan’s better nature.’

‘All I want to do is see her one more time then I will leave it at that and be at peace and get on with my life.’

I reached out and clasped Hailey’s hand.

‘Hailey will you help me.’

How can I help John?

‘I need to know what days her daughter visits her so I don’t cross paths with her and cause a undue fuss.’

‘Yes, but I don’t understand John, how can I help.’

‘Well if you could casually ask Susan what days she visits.’

‘God John how could i do that?, and you know I could get into a lot of trouble if she found out.’

‘Oh! She wouldn’t find out Hailey all you need to do is ask her how her Mum is and maybe say it’s a busy world maybe even say you only manage to see your Grandad on Sundays because of your work commitments and she may tell you how often she visits her mum, all I need is just the one day she doesn’t visit.’

‘John I’m not saying yes or no I need to think about this but I have your phone number and I will ring you and let you know.’

‘What. You will do it then.’

‘No John I will ring you and let you know if I will or will not.’

Almost a week had passed and still no word from Hailey. In the meantime I had been busy fine tuning my plans, I could only hope Hailey would come through with the information I needed to free Georgina.

 In the meantime I had been in touch with Dave one of my oldest and trusted friends and he had agreed to help me.

  I was limited to what I could tell him over the phone and i had some anticipation of his response when I told him my plan.

 Sat now on his front porch, both with a beer in our hands, I started to tell him of Georgie’s predicament.

‘Oh! That’s fucking awful John, are you sure you have got this right.’

‘Of course I’m sure, what’s not to get wrong the woman is in a fucking nursing home Dave.’

‘That’s what I’m saying John, could you have got it wrong, maybe the best place for Georgie is in the nursing home, I mean you said yourself she forgets things.’

‘Dave let me ask you this, how many times have you walked into a room or your shed and totally forgot why you’re there.’

‘All the time.’

‘ Well that’s how Georgie is, she just forgets now and then and those bastards have put her in there so they can manipulate her wealth and you know it Dave people don’t last long in them places.’

 ‘We have both been denied our freedom can you remember how that felt and we were young guys then and probably deserved it but can you, imagine being picked up and locked away at our age for doing nothing.’

‘Fuck that for a joke John, what’s your plan then and where do I come into it?’

‘Well I’m going to break her out, give her back her freedom.’

‘John have you thought this out , you just can’t walk in and walk out with her then take her home to live out your lives happily ever after.’

 I’ve got it all worked out  I go in disguised as her brother and the minute we are left alone we will make our way  down two corridors to  the exit door at the back of the place and that’s where we leave from and this is where you come into it Dave . You will be driving the land cruiser, and wait at the back of the home and pick us up when we come out of the rear exit door.’

 Dave’s eyes lit up, an old blagger of sorts in his younger days; he was enthused at getting back in the game and reliving those halcyon days of his youth.

‘So I’m the getaway driver?’

‘Yep, you’re the driver.’

He took along swig of his beer,’ then what John?

‘We drive back here to your house and we swap cars.’

‘Yes, swap cars.’

‘Yep I leave my car here and  you can store it for me in your garage and then we will take off in another  car  that  I purchased in your name, that way they will be looking for my car and have no idea what I’m driving.

‘So do you think they will know you are responsible?, he smiles, for the breakout..

‘Yes they will Dave and because I’m not a complete bastard I will be ringing that mongrel of a daughter to let her know not to worry and that Georgie’s with me and safe.’

‘Bloody hell John you’re sticking your neck out big time here.’

                                                            Chapter 9

Two pm I answered the phone. It had been a full week since I had spoken with Hailey and the sound of her voice filled me with anticipation.

The conversation was short and sweet.

‘John you have five days in which you can see Georgina, her daughter visits Wednesday and Sundays,’ and before I could answer her she had hung up.

That was enough for me the plan now was a go.

I picked Dave up and headed for the car yard where I had seen the Toyota land cruiser for sale.

Dave asks the salesman

‘The car mate was advertised with long distance fuel tanks is that right.’

‘Yes this little beauty will take you 1500 kilometers before the need to refuel.’

‘And you say the motor has been fully reconditioned.’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you have the paper work on all that’s been done to her.’

‘Yes if you would like to come up to the office I can go through it all with you.’  

Fifteen minutes later we walked out of the office, Dave the proud owner of the getaway vehicle

Dave drove off and I followed behind in my car.

Back at Dave’s with the car secreted away in the garage we went inside the house.

‘Beer, John?’

‘Yeah, why not.’

‘What’s she drive like?

 Really good John I don’t think we will have any problems with it.

‘So when’s the bust out?

‘Geez Dave you don’t have to be so melodramatic.’

‘Melodramatic my arse john, because that’s what it is a bust out.’

‘I laughed but Dave was deadly serious, at times I thought he was going back to his youth with a couple of things he had mentioned, and now I was sure of it.

‘Well the bust out as you put it will be this week.’

His eyes lit up.

 ‘So soon.’

‘Yes Dave all being well we go Friday 10 am, now you sure you’re up for it.’

‘Try and keep me away mate, this is the best bit of excitement I’ve had since outrunning the cops at Mundering with the hotels tank in mi boot. Them were the days John.’

‘Yes but you paid dearly for them days of high jinx losing your freedom more than once and this Dave is different we are actually giving someone their freedom.’

He took a swig from his bottle spun around to face me.

‘Yeah a damsel in distress, it doesn’t get any better John.’

‘Dave ill pick you up at 8:45am on Thursday for a trial run.’

‘Yeah we need to case the place I need to know all the exits and entrances and alternative escape routes.’

‘Dave it’s a nursing home not Fort Knox.’

‘Yeah but you know the old motto plan, plan and plan and all will be sweet.’

Thursday morning found Dave and me driving slowly along the Avenue in the suburb of Mt Lawley as the nursing home came into sight. A large modern building  surrounded by sweeping verandahs on three sides, complimented by  lush green garden lawns that ran up to the boundary fence.

I slowed the car as I turned in to the side street.

‘There’s the back exit down that lane Dave.’

‘Drive down it John I need to see something, drive all the way to the end;’

‘See there’s the exit door Dave.’

‘Yep keep driving.’

We came to the end of the lane which was a dead-end with just enough room to turn the land cruiser around in.

‘Don’t hang about John turn it round and slowly drive back up the lane and I mean slow John.’

Although apprehensive, I was also bemused at Dave snapping out the orders, I was in no doubt that he was back in his youth soaking up the adrenalin rush that he always craved.

‘What do you think Dave?

‘Well you’re going to have to do a bit more planning John if you want any chance of getting away with this break.’

‘What do you mean more planning we are doing it tomorrow.’

‘Well John I suggest we get back to my place get out the pencil and paper and a few bottles and write this blag up the way it should be done.’

‘I thought, pacify him.’

‘Ok Dave your place it is.’

We sat at the table facing each other two large beers, pad, ruler and pencil.

‘Right from start to finish John, tell me you’re plan again.’

‘We leave here at 9.30 am that will put us at the nursing home at around Ten, you drop me at the end of the street and I will walk in to the home and introduce myself to reception as her brother Tim.’

Does she have a brother called Tim?

‘Yes she does.’’

‘Carry on John.’

‘They will take me down to Georgie and I will wait till we are left alone and then head for the back exit door where you will pick us up.’

‘Is that it?

‘Yep I think so.’

‘I don’t like it John and if you don’t mind me saying you’ve got a bit rusty in your old age.’

And before I can answer him

‘Look john this is what I see it is a very affluent neighborhood where the home is located, I clocked at least five individual CCTV cameras on the houses as we drove by.’

‘And your point Dave,’

‘Well you just spent a bucket load on a getaway vehicle so they can’t know what you’re driving and follow you.’

‘Shit John you may as well of made your own video and posted it off to channel seven for the main edition of news.’

‘So first things first, we are going to have to knock off a pair of number plates and secondly there is no way around this I can’t pick you up at the lane way.’

‘Why’

‘Well there’s two cameras one fixed at the exit door pointing down the lane to the street and another camera at the end of the lane where we turned around  also there is an alarm over the exit door but that may be OK because I suspect it is geared for people trying to break in and not out .  if I’m right the switch to open the door will isolate it but if it doesn’t all hell will break lose and lastly John because I don’t want my face on camera I am going to have to park a distance away and I mean a distance so unless you have the longest and loudest whistle in the country we will need our mobile phones synchronized so you can send a message and I will pick you both up away from the cameras in the side street.’

He leaned back in his chair and took a swig of beer.

‘That’s the way of it John, he smiled,’

‘Any questions ‘

‘No questions, but I have to say you haven’t lost any of your expertise when it comes to unlawful pursuits.’

We whiled away the afternoon over a few beers and much laughter as we recalled, even reveled in those wild wayward years that we spent in each other’s company.

                                                          Chapter 10 The Break.

Friday morning I woke with a start, looked at the bedside clock, 4am, the dream had not been a good one, I had experienced it many times over the years.

 The magnified sound of approaching footsteps the rattling of keys as the screws entered the cell block.

‘On your feet you hobo bastards  look smart we’ve got a solid days work out there for you all today, you’ll be lucky if you come back with your balls intact when we’ve finished with you  and  don’t take a lick of notice of the One hundred degree heat ,it’s just part of the fun ,now get moving.

I try to dismiss the dream, but just like most times, I had dozed back off to sleep to relive the event.

 The year is 1972, it is mid-summer as we leave Kalgoolie Regional Prison to work on the infamous chain gang, designed to instill discipline and rehabilitate prisoners in to model citizens, well that was there standard answer when the authorities were questioned on its success.

 Their real agenda was nothing less than to beat and break the will of each prisoner with such ferocity that anyone in their right mind would not want to return for more of the same.

Twenty souls crammed in to the back of a small ford prison truck that was built to carry half of that load. The heavy steel door slammed shut behind us, the morning sun affording us little light as it sparingly seeped through the tightly positioned bars at the top of the door.

 The engine burst into life with a roar, which was a que for one of us to check the rear door had been locked; such was the need for freedom that this ritual was played out every time we left the prison.

 The city limits were soon left behind obscured in a cloud of thick red dust thrown into the air by the prison van as it hurtled along the rough corrugated gravel road, twenty convicts of all ages and persuasions dressed in their prison greens sat silently, all with their own thoughts, all dreading the day that lay head of them as the truck sped along.

The prison wagon hardly slowed as it turned sharply in to the entrance of the cemetery, throwing some of the prisoners of their seats onto the floor, the drivers hatch that separated the front of the cab from the prisoners was slid back to reveal the leering face of Patrick McKendry the most evil of bastards that ever walked the earth ‘Like that did you boys, now get ready to work yourselves into a grave. 

The heat was intolerable, our bodies were soon covered in sweat and red dust while all the time, being menaced by a blanket of flies that attached themselves to every part of our body as we labored with our picks and shovels in the desert heat in an old disused cemetery that no living soul cared a dam about.

The three guards sat under the shade of the only living tree in the cemetery, rifles at the ready.

Four large canvas bags full of cool water hung temptingly on the bull bar of the prison wagon

‘Water please boss.’

‘No fuck off.’

‘I turn and stumble, as I walk away.

He calls me back with a hideous grin on his face, his rifle aimed directly at my chest.

The noise from the rifle firing echo’s throughout the cemetery with a boom.

I feel the bullet go into my chest with a thwack, the force knocking me of my feet and in to the red gravel, I sit up in disbelief and look at the headstones that are now moving towards me before one obliging grave slowly opens up, an invisible source is dragging me towards the black void that now awaits me, the journey to hell is slow as I desperately cling to the earth, my resistance useless as I’m dragged in to the black void. I scream and the dream abruptly stops. I awake in a lather of sweat.

‘What a time to have that fucking dream of all days.’

 The dream once again had made me acutely aware of losing my freedom with the actions I would take on this day but the love for Georgie was too powerful on so many level s and I could not desert her in her time of need. She had done nothing wrong to be incarcerated against her will.

I pulled on my jeans gritted my teeth and just to reassure myself I said,’ Fuck em we go today.’

 I had four hours before I left for Dave’s house; I felt I needed those hours as I ran through the plans of escape and beyond.

 I was mulling over what Dave had said cameras alarms CCTV false plates, it was then I realised there was a flaw in the plan.

Dave had said why spend a bucket load on a getaway car then have it filmed number plates and all.  I then remembered his suggestion of using false plates.

 That’s it I thought,  no need for false plates,  I will use my own car  to throw them of our trail  high tail it back to Dave’s then swap into the escape vehicle leaving mine secreted away in his garage .

 No need for false plates, Dave had got caught up in the moment and over thought it.  

                                                            Chapter 11

It was 8:45am when I pulled into Dave’s driveway. He walked over to the car.

‘Park it on the street John so I can get the land cruiser out and then you can put old Betsy in the garage.’

‘Change of plan Dave, we take this car, he looked at me quizzically.’

‘Why?

‘Well Dave I would prefer them to get a look at this car instead of the new one we will be travelling in, when it hits the fan they will be looking for this one which will be under wraps in your garage and they won’t have a clue what I’m driving.’

‘Hmm yep makes sense John.’

‘Well jump in Dave and let’s do this, oh and by the way I can’t thank you enough for helping.’

‘Don’t mention it mate, you would do the same for me.’

 He jumped in the driver’s seat and methodically started adjusting the seat, rear view mirror all the while looking around the car as if he had lost something.

‘Everything ok, mate?’

‘Yep so long as we don’t get chased cos Betsy only has a quarter of a tank in her.’

‘Chased, shit I hope not Dave, I’m not counting on that.’

‘Well like I said plan, plan, plan, and really John if we get chased or not will be down to you because mate if you’re not convincing enough as passing off as her brother and they get suspicious it will be a dash for that exit door and we will be lucky if we clear the suburb and if we do we may need that extra petrol to getaway and lie low for a while.’

‘Dave, please mate you’re making me nervous, do you really think we need extra petrol.’

‘Well I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I didn’t think we would need it, would I?’

The traffic was lighter than I had expected and we were way ahead of schedule as we pulled into the service station, just five kilometers from the nursing home.

‘Let’s grab a coffee here and cool our heels for a while,’

‘Why, are you nervous John?’

‘No just like you said I want to stick to the plan and the plan says we go in at ten.’

Coffee finished we drove the remaining five kilometers in no time,

 As we entered the Avenue, Dave automatically pulled his peak cap low over his face. We looked at one another, a nervous boyish smile from me and a wide grin and a nod from Dave.

‘Check you phones  switched on John, and remember ring me soon as you clear the exit door ,   and I’ll be waiting for you in the side street, out of sight of those fucking cameras.’

‘Dave stopped the car a hundred yards up from the nursing home.

‘Ok John, good luck.’

I nodded closed the car door and  started walking back towards the nursing home, my heart beating loudly,  I heard myself say there’s no trial run here, you are only going to get on shot at this so make it count.

The sun was shining brightly as I walked up the path way to the reception area . I wondered what my facial expression looked like, would it betray my reason for being here, I hoped the smart casual attire I was wearing presented me as a caring relative. I put my hand on the door handle and entered the reception.

 The middle aged receptionist smiled.

‘Good morning can I help you.’

‘Yes my name is Tim Edwards I am here to visit with my sister.’

‘Her name, please sir.’

'Georgina Edwards',

I watched the receptionist, her fingers vigorously working the computer key board, a puzzled look on her face.

‘We do not seem to have a Georgina Edwards on the register.’

My mistake was obvious in using Georgie’s maiden name, I realised my mistake the second the receptionist had said they don’t have a Georgina Edwards here.

‘Oh I’m sorry, silly me I have used her maiden name, her married name is Williams.’

‘A few seconds later.

‘Here she is, Georgina Williams.’

‘Let me see if I can locate her, she may be in the lounge or garden having morning tea. Have you visited before?’

‘No this is my first time I have come from Adelaide especially to see her.’

‘Oh that’s lovely, I will just get you to fill in the visitor’s book and please don’t take offence but it is a rule of the home that we ask, all the resident if they wish to see a visitor, it is all part of giving them as much control of their lives as possible. It is usually just a formality,’

I am sure your sister will be pleased to see you. I will ring someone who will show you to her room or where to find her if she’s not there.’

‘ Yes Denise I have a Mr. Tim Edwards here, he has come all the way from Adelaide to visit with his sister Georgina  Williams, can you see if she is up to the visit.’

I eased myself into the chair to await the reaction from Georgie. Fifteen minutes had passed and I was becoming more anxious by the second. The phone startled me as it rang’

‘Oh I see Denise just a minute. . Tim your sister says she hasn’t a brother called Tim and she has declined the visit. Denise says Georgina has been out of sorts in the last few days, so she may just be having a lapse in memory.’

‘I will get Denise to take you down to her but if she still refuses to see you, I’m afraid we will have to respect her wishes.’

 Denise arrived at the reception to take me to Georgie.

‘Georgina has only been with us a few weeks and hasn’t quite settled which is probably the reason for her confusion, I’m sure she will be pleased to see you Mr. Edwards.’

Walking down the long corridor I couldn’t but help glancing into some of the residents rooms some of the occupants were just sat idly, the blank expression on their faces, induced a sadness within me followed by an inert determination to free Georgie from all of this, if that is what she wanted.

I entered the small room with the nurse; Georgie had her back to us as she stared out the window.

‘Georgina look who I have got here it’s your brother Tim; he has come all the way from Adelaide especially to see you.’

‘Georgie it’s me Tim,’ she turned around quickly having recgonised the familiar sound of my voice, a look of confusion then disbelief showed on her face.

‘John is that really you?

‘Georgie, its Tim I have flown all the way from South Australia to see you.’

‘John you live in Perth.’

‘John still lives in Perth and I used too but I am Tim you’re older brother i live in Adelaide now.’

‘But you’re not.’

I rushed to her side stemming the words she would say that would be the finish for both of us.

 Holding her hand it’s alright Georgie I’m here now and we have so much catching up to do.

 I looked at Denise.

‘Of course you do, I will leave you now but if you need anything just ring the bell on the wall.’

I smiled back ‘Thank you Denise. ‘

A silent sigh of relief as she left the room, Phase one of the plan completed, I was now in phase two, how to get out.

‘Georgie listen we haven’t got much time, you don’t want to stay here do you.

‘Oh John I am so unhappy I don’t know why I’m here.’

‘Susan brought you here and if she has her way this is where you will stay for the rest of your life. I’m here to take you away, escape from all of this, but you have to want to come and Georgie once we leave here there will be no turning back we will be out on our own, we will basically be on the run with people looking for us. What do you want to do Georgie?

‘I want to go with you John, get me out of here, she pleaded.’

‘We will have to move fast, time is against us, do you need anything from this room ‘

‘No.’

‘Georgie I need for you to wait here just for a minute while I work out how to get us away safely.’

‘Don’t leave me here John.’

I gave her hand a soft squeeze to reassure her, before leaving the room.

 I made my way down the corridor hoping that this corridor would connect to the rear corridor and the exit door to freedom.

I had almost reached the rear corridor when a nurse seemed to appear out of nowhere.

‘Can I help you?’

‘I am just stretching my legs while my sister gets dressed; we are going to sit in the garden.’

‘Yes its lovely out there, but if you keep going  this way you will end up among all the dirty laundry stacked at the exit door, not a pretty sight, you will be much better in the garden she laughs.’

‘Thank you I will do that.’

The nurse had told me all I needed to know, I did an about face and headed back to Georgie’s room.

‘Time to go sweetheart, are you ready?’

‘Yes ‘she said feebly, are we in trouble?’

‘Not if we don’t get caught.’

She forced a smile; I took her hand at the same time as checking my phone to see it was switched on.

The chance of freedom had spurred us on as we quickly, short of running headed down the corridors.

‘There it is Georgie there’s the door.’

The smell of stale urine rose from the large linen bags stacked three high next to the door. I pressed the red exit button, the doors swung outward as a waft of breeze engulfed us, I pressed the send button on my phone to alert Dave we were on our way, still holding Georgie’s hand we stepped into the laneway.

‘This way Georgina’

‘Oh! John we are going to get caught.’

‘No love I have someone waiting at the end of the laneway.’

My senses were heightened as we moved forward up the lane, my ears straining for the sound of Dave approaching with the car.

 Now stood at the end of the lane way, there was no sign of him or the car.

‘Shit’

‘What is it John?’

‘Our rides late, don’t worry though he can’t be far away.’

We waited at the end of the laneway, acutely aware of the cameras that scanned the entire laneway. I felt like we were between a rock and a hard place. If we went out on to the street we would expose ourselves to anyone looking outward from the nursing home and if we stayed in this lane it would only be a matter of time before someone in the home glanced at the security cameras and raised the alarm..

A minute felt like an hour.

‘Hurry up Dave for god’s sake.’

 ‘Then just at that moment I saw the car slowly turn the corner and enter the street.

‘He’s here Georgie, when he stops just get into the back seat and lie flat till I tell you it’s all clear.’

 Dave stopped close to the street verge, I opened the back door and half lifted and half pushed Georgie into the back seat and then from the corner of my eye i saw her slipper fall to the road.

 I stared at the fallen slipper for a second before picking it up and in that time the magnitude of what I was doing hit me like a ton of bricks which stopped me momentarily in my tracks.

‘Get in the car John, move it. ‘

I closed the car door gently behind me; I looked at Georgie lying prone on the back seat.

Not a word spoken between any of us as we drove slowly out of the side street on to the Avenue and past the front of the nursing home.

 I expected at any minute to see nurses accompanied by the security staff running across the manicured lawns on to the street to block our escape. Dave was still driving at what I thought was at a slow pace.

‘Dave, can we get out of here, a bit faster mate?’

No John, I don’t want anyone remembering this car for the way it was driven, we have fifteen kilometers to cover before we are home and safe, relax mate and leave this to me. I have done it before you know.’

 God knows what Georgie was thinking after Dave’s last words of I have done this before.

I turned around to reassure her, ‘Not long now Georgie just a little longer, you ok?’

‘Yes john I’m ok.’

 I breathed a sigh of relief as we turned out of the Avenue and entered the busy throng of traffic; at last we were on the move.’

‘You can sit up Georgie.’

‘Georgie this is Dave he’s a very dear friend of mine who is going to help us, Dave this is Georgie.’

 Dave spoke first.

‘Nice to meet you, Georgie.’

‘Nice to meet you, Dave, and thank you so much for helping’.

‘My pleasure, Georgie.’

‘How did it go in there John, was there any hiccups?’

‘No everything went to plan; they probably won’t miss us for a while.’

‘Well It won’t take them long to put two and two together when Georgie is missed and come up with who is responsible, I reckon they will be knocking on your front door in an hour John.’

I could hear the anxiety in Georgie’s voice.

 ‘Where are we going John?’

 ‘We are going to lay low at Dave’s house  for a few days we will be safe there and in that time I will contact your daughter Susan and tell her you are safe with me and you’re not going back to that nursing home, that should take a little heat of us and reassure Susan.’

‘She won’t like it John she will have us tracked down and me taken back to that place.’

‘I promise you Georgie that will not happen, believe me.’

We pulled into Dave’s garage and parked next to the land cruiser.

 Home sweet safe home mutters Dave, ‘let’s get inside and have a drink then I suggest you transfer all your remaining gear out of Betsy and in to the Toyota just so you’re ready to go in a hurry if you have to.’

Part of me would have liked to take Dave with us; he was a forward thinker and cunning as a fox but a gut feeling told me no.

‘You want a beer John ‘Yeah’ ‘and what about you Georgie?

‘Yes I think I need a beer too.’

 We all laughed and two hours of pent up tension was automatically relieved as we sipped on our ice cold beer.

  Draining the last of the beer out of my bottle, I looked around and the scene seemed so surreal, I had an ex safe cracker at the fridge smiling away as he pulled out two more bottles of beer and sat across from me was my ex-girlfriend of forty plus years in her lemon colured slippers gently sipping on a bottle of beer.

‘Anybody hungry, I looked at the clock the hands showing 5pm,

‘Yes Dave.’

How about you Georgie, you hungry?

‘Hmm please.’

‘Right ill just nip out and grab us a few pizzas I won’t be long.’

I heard Dave’s car start up the sound of the engine becoming fainter as he drove off which seemed to give me and Georgie the privacy to speak freely.

 Georgie spoke first.

‘‘Are we going to be alright John?’

‘Yes of course Georgie don’t worry everything will be fine in fact when we get on the road and away from here we are going to have a fine old time you’ll see.’

I moved over and sat beside her putting my arm around her shoulder and giving her a tender squeeze’ ‘Georgie it will be just like the old days remember when we were young we would laugh forever and get up to all sorts of fun and not a care in the world’. She smiled, looking past me as if to acknowledge someone who had entered the room.

 ‘John, can we catch up with the others?’  I understood her question in an instance but not the reasoning behind it. ‘The others Georgie’

 ‘Yes you know the gang Phil, Steve, Cheryl Denise, all of them, John it would be just fantastic to see them all again.’

‘Georgie I don’t think we could find them now; it has been a long time since we last saw them. She looked at me quizzically. ‘

‘How long has it been John?

‘Well to my reckoning it has been well over 40 years.’

‘She laughed loudly. ‘No really John how long has it been.’

 It was then I realised Georgie had once again regressed in her mind which was in the moment four decades back.  The thought did crossed my mind that Georgie’s state of mind wasn’t a bad thing at times if it took her somewhere nice and not wanting to confuse her decided to go along with her thoughts.’

‘Well Georgie I’m not quite sure how long ago it was but we have a lot of travelling to do and we may see them along the way’.

‘Oh great I will look forward to that.’

If I needed any reminders of how tense I was, Dave’s entrance was it, the slamming of the fly screen door making me jump.

‘Pizza kids, Hawaiian, pepperoni, take your pick kids.’

 God I thought, then I smiled, here’s another one who his living in the past.  We ate mostly in silence, all of us had our own thoughts, what I didn’t know was Dave was going to share his thoughts that could upset my plans no end.

‘Run your plans by me again John.’

 ‘Well like I said I think it will be better if me and Georgie stay here with you for three days  till things quite down then we will head south for a while before crossing the border.’

‘Sounds to me that you are going South then cutting across to Esperance and taking the road through to Norseman then crossing  the border from there .’

‘That’s right Dave it’s the quite road compared to the direct route.’

 ‘Well John I know those back roads like the back of my hand and I’ve been thinking I could tag along with you both, anything would be better than wasting away here with old memories when I can be making new ones and at the same time I could be a big help with the driving and getting you over the border.’

 My brain went into overload as I searched for an answer that wouldn’t offend Dave.

‘Dave you have been a great help we couldn’t have got this far without you and under any other circumstances I would have jumped to have you on board but mate I feel me and Georgie have to travel this road alone, don’t ask me why it’s just a gut feeling I have that two will have a better chance of getting away than three and I always go with my gut feeling.’

I could see the disappointment and a hint of rejection in his face and hoped  he wouldn’t react in a way that would impeded our escape by telling us to leave early or worse still give us up.’

‘I’m disappointed John but to be honest that’s the way I would of done it too, but you know I had to ask.’

‘No hard feelings then Dave.’

‘No John, no hard feelings mate.’

 That night Dave had graciously given up his double bed for Georgie and I as he took the single bed in the spare bedroom.

 We both sat on the bed like two young teens that were ready to go the final step but not knowing how to proceed. Georgie spoke first.

‘John, Dave’s a very good friend for all he is doing for us isn’t he.’

‘Yes he really is Georgie, friends like that are far and few between.’

 Georgina’s eyes opened wide.

‘Oh John I’ve just realised, I’ve got no clothes to wear not even a nightie.’

‘Don’t worry first thing tomorrow we will get you some clothes, but for tonight I’m afraid it will have to be your pants and bra, quickly adding.

 ‘I can sleep on the floor so you will be more comfortable.’

 ‘You will do nothing of the sought John Lester, she gave me a cheeky smile her eyes twinkling, ‘what if I get cold and need someone to cuddle up to, you wouldn’t leave a girl in the cold would you.’

 ‘No I just thought’

 ‘Don’t think John just get in bed before we both freeze.’

 My heart sang, not so much of the prospect of us sharing the bed more of hearing and seeing the Georgie I once knew, the self-assured vibrant wit that instilled and reaffirmed in me what we were doing was right, I could only hope  Georgie’s mind would  not become to confused and stay in the moment. 

 I didn’t mind her going back forty years in her mind or to any other year of her life for that matter, it was when her mind became totally muddled that she couldn’t remember one sentence from the next or an incident that had recently occurred in her life, that was upsetting to see.’

I turned the main bedroom light off as Georgie turned on the bedside lamp. We started to undress; I could sense Georgie looking at me so I returned the gaze and as I did she rolled her eyes upward and laughed, before remarking god John it’s been a long time since we did this. We were still laughing as we climbed into the bed and pulled the covers up.

 ‘Shall I turn out the light John?’

 ‘Yes best we get some sleep; we have a big day tomorrow.’

I lay there in the darkened room looking up to the ceiling, sleep would not come easily as my mind was running backward and forward with the journey we were about to embark on .

‘John, are you awake?’

  ‘Yes’

 ‘Can’t you sleep’?

‘No.’

 ‘Me neither.’

‘John, tell me a story.’

I felt her moving closer to me in the bed then her head resting on my chest, I instinctively put my arm around her.

 ‘A story Georgie what sort of a story?’

‘Tell me how it was when we were young, something’s I remember and something’s I have forgotten, but any story, John.’

 ‘Ok the year is 1969? And I am excited because it’s a long weekend and my girlfriend has told her Mum and Dad she is sleeping over at her friend’s house.’

‘Who is your girlfriend?

‘That was you Georgie you were my girlfriend and you told your Mum and Dad that story so we could be together. ‘We drove all the way down to Golden Bay then booked into the motel.’

‘Where is golden Bay? ‘

‘That’s just outside Mandurah.’

A Little squeal’.’ OH John I remember it Golden Bay.’

‘Yes Georgie Golden Bay, we walked for miles along the Beach that day , we watched the sun set then went back and had a lovely meal in the restaurant, drank a little too much, then went back to our room.’

There was a break in the story punctuated with silence as I tried to end the story in a dignified fashion.

‘Come on John what happened then’.

‘Well it was a long time ago and I’m not quite sure.’

‘We made love didn’t we John?’, tell me we did.

‘Yes, we did.’

‘Was it our first time John?’

‘No.

‘Well how was it? She giggles Details please.’

‘Oh that’s another story for another time Georgie Edwards.’

She laughs and at the same time gives my chest a gentle squeeze.

‘John I need to hear lots of stories with all the details, its part of my life, and through no fault of my own. I can’t remember, but when you tell me some of it, my memory comes back.

 I’m not like you John, you can just go back and remember everything, so please let me go back with you and I don’t want to be spared anything if the story was bad or sad, I want to know about that as well. Will you promise me that John?’

 ‘Of course Georgina of course I will.’

 I gently caress her hair my fingers tracing down the side of her face to find her lips, I kiss her gently.

‘We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow and I think we should try to get some sleep Georgie, can you sleep love?

‘Yes I think I can although I will have to use my own imagination to finish off your story, she laughs.’

                                                                    Chapter 12

I was awakened by the sound of music drifting up the hall way, Reaching for my watch on the side table I was surprised to see it had gone eight am, and just how soundly we had slept .

I touched Georgie gently on the shoulder.

‘Are you awake, Georgie?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you sleep well?’

Yes but I didn’t know where I was for a while so I just layed here and finally worked it out, but I must say I was really concerned to find someone in a bed with me.  You had your back to me so I got up the courage to look over your shoulder and study your face and after a little while it came back to me that you were John.’

‘Do you remember yesterday ‘.

‘Yes, you came to see me at that awful place I was in and brought me here.’

‘That’s right Georgie and today I will make the phone call to your daughter Susan to assure her you are alright ,but Georgie I can’t tell her where we are or she will come with the police and put you back in that nursing home.’

She nods her head.

‘I’m never going back there John, am i?’

‘No, not if I have anything to do with it.’

Her next statement was   said in such a childlike fashion it had us both laughing loudly.

‘John, are we on the run?’

‘Yes Georgie we are well and truly on the run.’

‘Oh John how exciting being on the run with you, where we running to?’

I thought about the question for a second before answering.

‘We are picking up where we left off all those years ago when we were separated and as long as we are running together with the wind at our backs. Then I think we will have a fine old time, what say you Miss Edwards.’

‘Oh yes .yes.’

Breakfast finished the three of us discussed the coming days.

‘Dave I have to get Georgie some clothes any ideas?’

‘Well there has been nothing on the radio or tv to say they are looking for you, but you would expect that, my guess is they have already been to your house and are running around like blue arsed flies so this may be a good time to get what you need before your pictures are splashed all over the public domain .Go to a large shopping center the other side of the river ,say Belmont, the busier the better so time your arrival for midday and John this is important and I should have thought of it before but I’m not a hi tech person. What we should have done is ditch that mobile phone of yours because they can ping your location of the towers, so like I say ditch it away from here then pick up one of those prepaid phones at the shops.’

‘Bloody hell Dave your right.’

I turned to Georgie.

‘Best you make a list of what you will need for travelling,’

She looked at me with an enquiring gaze.

‘It’s ok Georgie you don’t have to get it all today once we are on the road we can pick up more clothes for you as we go along but for now you will need shoes, shorts , knickers, shirts, jeans, a jumper a good hat and a night dress.

At the mention of the night dress she smiled and without making a sound rolled her eyes in little girl fashion which assured me she was in the present and remembered last night’s talk before going to bed.

I gave her a reassuring wink and realised in these moments of exchange my fears and concerns for our future seemed to disappear, it was if we had reverted back to our youth and all else didn’t matter. Of course I knew there would be stressful times ahead ,I could only hope Georgie could stay with me  mentally, for it was playful times like these when we were in sync that made everything seem possible and so worthwhile.

I started up the land cruiser Georgie sat beside me dressed in the same floral dress she had escaped in and a pair of lemon coloured slippers that were bound to raise a few eye brows at the shopping Centre.

The car park was almost full to overflowing as we searched for a parking place.

‘There John, on your right.’

I pulled in to the parking bay.

‘You got your list.’

She delves into the large shopping bag we had borrowed from Dave’s and pulls out the list.

‘Best we get you some shoes first.’

 The shop assistant smiled as we entered the shoe store, her eyes casting down to look at Georgie’s brightly coloured lemon slippers.

‘Georgie was in no hurry, we must have been in the shop thirty minutes before she decided on a multi coloured pair of sneakers. ‘What do you think John?’

‘Yes they look really nice, and sturdy for walking.’

‘Good I will take them please.’

The shop assistant enquires would you like to buy a pair of socks and then you can wear the shoes now.

‘We walked out of the shop, Georgie with a new spring in her step and her old yellow slippers in the bag.

Having spent two hours in the shopping Centre, I became more relaxed so much so that I had forgotten people would be looking for us only to be starkly reminded as I spied a security guard in uniform walking towards us.

‘Time we were leaving Georgina.’

‘I thought we might have a coffee John.’

‘Not today sweetheart we have to go.’

She looked at me, a little taken back by my assertiveness, then I realised she had forgotten our predicament.

We were half way back to Dave’s house when I stopped the car in a parking lot next to a park.

‘Georgie I am going to ring Susan now and let her now you are well and ok ,do you want to talk to her  after I have e told her .’

‘Yes John I will have to speak to her.’

I rang Susan’s phone which was answered immediately.

‘Hello.’

‘Hello Susan its John.’

‘Do you have my mother with you?’

‘Yes I do.’

‘Thank god for that, what the bloody hell do you think you are doing, bring her home right now, you hear me.’

‘Susan your Mum is well and we are going away for a while, we want to spend some time together.

‘You bloody bastard bring her home now.’

I passed the phone to Georgina.

‘Susan its Mum,’

‘Are you ok Mum we have been so worried about you, why did you run away from the lodge?

‘I did it Susan, because I felt like a prisoner there.’

‘Yes of course I’m alright. No I don’t want to come home I want to be with John.’

‘Ok Mum you win if you come home you can see John whenever you like I won’t stop you.’

‘Well that’s all I ever wanted and I’m so glad to hear you say that Susan.’ 

‘So you will come home right now?’

‘Oh no Susan, me and John are going on a holiday to spend time together, I will ring you often and let you know when I’m coming home and Susan when I do come home we can sit down and discuss you and James inheritance, but if by some chance I am dragged back and don’t have my times with john, then there will be no discussions about inheritance. I think you know where I’m going with that statement.’

‘Mum that is so unfair, we care about you and only want the very best for you.’

‘Good then we are all on the same page, because at this time of my life what is good for me is John .Now I have to go Susan ,my love to you and James and thank you for being so understanding, Bye.’

‘My god Georgie Edwards where did that come from you just may have bought us an unrestricted ticket to freedom. Did Susan agree to all you said?’

‘I’m not sure John but knowing Susan I think it is quite possible, she wouldn’t want to jeopardize her inheritance for anything.’

Had you worked out what to say to her before I phoned?’

‘No John it just came to me, I think when you really want something so much, that the brain just kicks in.’

I looked at my phone and thought do I really need to ditch it, my hesitancy answered in a second as I walked over to the rubbish bin and dropped it in.

                                                                       Chapter 13

We had spent 3 days at Dave’s, and now the time had arrived for us to leave.

I wanted to cross the border as quickly as possible so we could start a life in another state.

I couldn’t take it for granted that Susan had given us a free pass for our freedom, and so we would have to proceed cautiously until proven different.

Melbourne was a heavily populated state with many cities and towns to lose one’s self in, but I realised if we tried to get there to quickly there was a good chance of being apprehended .

I looked at the two cases on the bed one small one large and a rucksack.

I thought of all my possessions I was leaving behind and the instructions I had left for my Son and Daughter regarding my house and property, to be left intact while awaiting my return.

They both asked the same question how long, will you be away Dad.

Not being able to lie to them I told them I was going away with a dear friend with no time limit on my return but assured them I would be in constant contact with them.

I opened the haversack and looked at my lifesavings that I had drawn out of my bank account Eleven thousand dollars in total. The account was now empty having earlier paid twenty five thousand dollars for the Land cruiser.

 I wasn’t sure how long the money would last or how far it would take us.  I surmised the authorities could suspend my pension or at least track me from where I made the fortnightly withdrawal.

Dave helped me load up the land cruiser.

‘Now you sure you have got everything John.’

‘Yep I’m sure.’

He was too proud to ask one more time if he could tag along, but I could see it in his eyes the disappointment of being left behind.

‘Dave when things die down we will swing by again or if not maybe we could catch up somewhere else.’

‘Yeah I would like that John.’

‘We firmly shook hands, he looked me in the eye and said don’t you bloody well get caught mate. He gave Georgie a warm hug and wished her good luck.

                                                                   Chapter 14

The sun was partly obscured by the clouds that were heading in a South Westerly direction, the same direction we were heading.

‘We may get a bit of weather out of that lot Georgie.’

She looked upward towards the sky but did not answer me.

I wondered if she was drifting off in her mind to another place.

We had travelled all of the morning, only stopping once for morning tea.

Perth was now 300 kilometers behind us and 5 kilometers ahead was the township of Mount Barker.

 ‘If memory serves me right there is a roadhouse just out of town where we could have lunch before taking the back road to the coast via Walpole.’

‘Are you hungry Georgie?’ Georgina you hungry?’

 ‘Oh sorry john I was a million miles away, yes I’m ready to eat and a nice mug of tea would be great.’

‘Good we will be there in five minutes and have lunch then afterwards we will turn towards the coast and spend the night in Walpole.’

‘Oh john its lovely down that way, did we ever go there together.’

‘Yes once but I think you once told me you had holidayed there with your Mum and Dad.’

Her eyes lit up her voice going up an octave.

‘Oh great just what I need a trip down memory lane.’

We sat outside the café sheltered by a verandah with a pressed tin ceiling which must have been a hundred years old. Having finished lunch, we were totally relaxed.

 I watched Georgie sipping on a large mug of tea as she stared out towards the Stirling Ranges’

. The serenity her face displayed was contagious, I was sure, every decision we had made so far was the correct one.

‘A Penny for your thoughts, Georgie Edwards.’

‘ Oh I was just thinking that miracles do come true because sitting out here with you gazing on the mountains is just so.’ She stops mid-sentence searching for the words to express herself. ‘Beautiful,’

‘Oh John I have to pinch myself I think it is just all a dream and at any minute I’m going to wake up.’

 I gently squeezed her hand.

‘Time we made a move love or we will be driving in the dark.’

The road was winding, adorned on each side and beyond with huge Karri trees that cast flora shapes of shadows into the land cruisers cab as we made our way to the small enclave town of Walpole.

The sign had seen better days; I strained my eyes to read it while slowing down the Land cruiser. Walpole Caravan and Chalet Park.

‘This is us Georgie.’  I turned into the long tree lined driveway.

‘Oh this looks beautiful John.’

Stopping outside the office I instructed Georgie to wait in the car. I was greeted by the park manager, a man in his late sixties.

‘Can I help you?

‘Yes, we are looking to hire a chalet for three nights.’

‘We have one left right on the waterfront.’

I follow the direction of his finger as he points to a secluded part of the park.

‘It’s nice and quiet and you have views of the river and the Southern Ocean.’

My eyes lit up as I viewed the location. ‘I think that will be perfect for us.’

‘Is it just you and the missus?’

‘Yes just the two of us. What is the cost?

 ‘To you sir, $70 per night.’

We shook hands.

 ‘My name is Gary.’

 ‘Please to meet you Garry, my names John and my wife’s name is ,I hesitated, realising I had given him my correct first name and if I was to give Georgie’s name ,I may as well put out a banner for anyone looking for us to say here we are. I answered my wife’s name is Lyn.

 ‘If you need anything John, I am always around the place somewhere, just holla out.’

The outside of the chalet was clad with cedar planks and shaded at the front by a generous verandah with two rattan chairs and a table, that looked out onto the Southern Ocean . I handed the key to Georgie, who raced up the two steps and opened the door. I stood behind her as she stood in the door way not moving. Then a girlish squeal.’ I love it John, look at it, as she walked around the rooms opening doors and touching the polished wooden bench tops. ‘It’s just perfect   John,’

‘Georgie the manager is called Gary; I had to tell him your name was Lyn, just in case someone is looking for us.

‘Why would they be looking for us John?

‘Well we ran away together because your daughter Susan put you in a nursing home.’

I could see her thinking, trying to remember the events that had brought us here, then her eyes twinkled and abroad smile.

‘Yes that’s right, we are fugitives aren’t we, how exciting.’

I could only laugh and hug her tightly. That evening we watched the sun as it slowly set on the Southern Ocean from the comfort of our verandah chairs. ‘There it goes Georgie.’ as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Georgie gave an involuntary shiver. ‘You cold love?’ she nods her head. ‘But I don’t want to go inside John.’ as she continued to gaze out to sea.

‘I’ll get you a cardigan.’

 I placed the cardigan around her shoulders and poured both of us another glass of wine. Georgie was still staring out to sea and I couldn’t help wondering because of her dementia if she was in the past or the present.

‘A penny for them Georgie.’

‘Oh John I’m all over the place in a nice way.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well I get a memory of the holidays I had with Mum and Dad and my brothers and sisters and it’s like I’m there and they are here with me then when the vision stops I’m back here with you, this is a magical time for me John.’

It felt like we were the only two people on the planet as we gazed up to the sky in wonderment at the brightness of a myriad of thousands of stars twinkling down on earth.. Georgie’s head rested gently on my shoulder.

‘Shall we go in Georgie? She nods, ‘Yes.’

The chalet with its cedar paneling and bright lights created a warm glow of ambience.

 The bed room door was ajar, the bed side table light highlighting the many colours of the quilted doona

Georgie stared back at me as she began to get undressed. ‘Are you going to get undressed John or just stare at me?

‘I’m sorry Georgie I didn’t realise I was, I was somewhere else.’

I wish I could have confided in Georgie and told her I was up and down with our circumstances, one part of the day it felt so right being together and the circumstances that had brought us together then at moments like this for reasons I couldn’t explain it seemed so wrong. Was  it  because of Georges dementia for at times she wasn’t fully aware of our predicament and that left  me with the uncertainty  if she would have been with me atall under normal circumstance.

Come on John get into bed.

I slipped under the sheets and instantly felt  her arm around my waist and felt her head coming to rest gently on my chest and once  again her soft voice dispelling any thoughts of what we were doing as being wrong, as she whispers.

‘Oh isn’t this lovely John it feels so right don’t you think.’

 Without answering I moved closer to her kissing her gently on the lips, she in return responded with verve of passion that took my breath away.

We slowly gently caressed each other not wanting this special time to race by as we savored every second of the sensations we were feeling. I felt the warmth of her breasts against me, our lips searching for each other’s. Her hair falling softly on my face as she placed her body on top of mine,  the voice sweet and tenderly sincere as she openly professed her love for me, I in return telling her how I never stopped loving her .

I awoke the next morning feeling that I had a good night’s sleep. Georgie lay beside me her face looked a picture of beauty and peace; I studied her for a while before quietly leaving the bed to make a cup of tea.

 Looking out of the window watching the white rollers coming to shore from the Southern Ocean, had me miles away in my thoughts, brought back into the moment  by a slight cough, I turned around to see Georgie stood behind me  , her ruffled hair if anything seemed to enhance her beauty in a most natural way . She looked at me with an almost blank expression which prompted me to say ‘It’s me, John, Georgie.’

 She smiled, ‘Of course it’s you she laughed, and I’ve been watching you for the last 5 minutes. Where were you John Lester?’

I smiled back ‘.Oh you know here there and everywhere, you hungry’.

‘I’ll say it must have been all that fresh air last night John ,then a cheeky expression her head slightly tilted to the side an enquiring look combined with a half-smile as she quipped among other things’.

 

We both laughed ,she moved towards me and put her arms around my neck and kissed me gently on the lips , my heart instantly sang and melted as I held her tightly, realising my Georgie  remembered  our lovemaking of the night before and  was reaffirming her love too  me.’

 My concerns for her Alzheimer’ condition momentarily left me, caught up in the moment I believed we could go on like this forever.

That day we drove down to the city of Albany to take in the sights. We sat on a grassed hill overlooking Princes Royal Harbor, the sun seemed in its element as it danced on the rippled waters of the surrounding bay ‘My, what a sight this is Georgie?’

 She just nodded and continued to look out over the harbor and out to sea before answering.

 I think I’m in love with the world John everything just seems to be just so beautiful and perfect, I hope it never ends.’

‘It is beautiful Georgie and I hope it doesn’t end too, but if it does Georgie we will be together when it does and I couldn’t wish for anything more.’

We sat there for a long time, not talking much but acutely aware of sharing something indescribably special of being in each other’s company.

The afternoon seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, as we leisurely drove back to Walpole, every kilometer of the way a vista of magnificent scenery’

I had a feeling of pure contentment on the drive back mixed with the almost excitable feeling of youth. Georgie was adding to that excitement with her spontaneous nature as she exclaims with a beaming face.

‘Oh John I’m so very happy , we have had a lovely day out and we are actually going home together, can you imagine that John Lester, going home together, pinch me John, on second thoughts don’t I’m scared it’s a dream and I may wake up.’

I gently pinched her on her arm.’

‘Nope it’s not a dream Georgie’

I felt her hand encase my inner thigh as she excitedly asks ‘Can we have some of that lovely special wine tonight John, the one we had last night.

Hmm do you think that’s wise after last night’s escapades?

‘Her eyes twinkled with a brightness of life’s energy; her lips puckered with a mischievous expression on her face.  She answers

‘Can you make this car go a little faster?’

‘Georgina Edwards are you making a move on me.’

She nods her head vigorously; the inside of the car reverberated with our laughter.

 We arrived back at the caravan park just after 4pm.

 Driving along the track to our cabin, I’m startled as Georgie shouts ‘Stop John that man is flagging us down’. I look in the vicinity Georgie was pointing to, to see Gary the Park manager waving his arms while walking briskly towards us.

He approached the driver’s side of the car, cocked his head and enquired can I see you for a minute John’

‘Sure Gary is there a problem?’

He motions me to the back of the car and in a low voice whispers ‘Look mate you seem a decent enough fella and I’m usually a good judge of character so I am going to give you the heads up of something that may be coming your way, There was a guy in here today asking questions about a couple that sounded very much like you .he showed me a picture of a woman who he said was a Mrs. Georgina Williams. Now I didn’t like his manner, something about him, so I told him the truth as far as I know it, and that was we didn’t have a woman registered here by that name. I later found him talking to some of the people staying in the chalets near to where your chalet is.

 Now john I don’t want to know why he wants you, that is your business.

He headed off in the direction of the town but I got the distinct impression he would be back. Now I have said all I am going to say, he stuck his hand out and shook mine and said ‘Good luck mate’. And without any further explanation turned and walked away.

My heart was beating rapidly, my thoughts racing as I hurried back to the car.

‘Georgie we have to leave now, there was a man here asking about you. ‘Who could that be John?’

 ‘Well it must be a private detective otherwise Gary would have known if he was a local copper ,but he did say the guy was heading back towards town after questioning some of the people here .

 Georgie I’m afraid he may have got the information he wanted and gone back to town for the police to arrest me and take you away.

The horror showed on her face ‘I’m not going back John’.

‘Yes I know love, best we get a move on and get out of here.’

We quickly loaded up the land cruiser ignoring the 5kph sign as we raced out of the Caravan Park.

 I stopped before entering the highway, my mind in a whirl .which way, left took me towards the town of Walpole and right would have me heading towards the two major towns of Denmark and Albany. Not knowing in which direction the private investigator had gone made the decision on which way to go impossible.

I thought we are dammed if we do and dammed if we don’t, it was then that I noticed a bush track barely visible directly across the road the faint outline of the track suggested it would travel upwards.

‘Look Georgie I’m not sure which direction they will come from but if we can get up that track across the road  we could have a vantage point of watching the caravan park and knowing which way they have come. ‘Maybe Gary was wrong maybe the private investigator was satisfied and won’t come back with the police. One thing is for sure, if they come back we will know and if they don’t we can just get out of here without causing suspicion.’

 Georgie looked at me nervously.’

 Where does the track go John?

‘Well looking at the outline of it I would say it goes upward but I can’t be sure.’

 ‘Will the Land cruiser be able to get up there?’

‘Yes I think it will.’

 I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, checking no one was behind us to see us entering the track I gunned the motor across the road, slightly slowing down as the heavily wooded foliage swallowed us up.

The track was narrow and the terrain soft and steep as the Toyota slid one way then another as I pushed it  onwards, Georgie hanging on for dear life as the cab rocked violently from side to side.

After what seemed an eternity I could see clear sky head and what seemed to be the crest of the hill.

‘Nearly there Georgie hang on love, won’t be long now.’

Braking heavily so not to over shoot the crest of the hill, the Toyota's tyres sank quickly into the soft earth bringing us to an abrupt halt..

‘Oh shit John that was scary’. For some reason her remark made us both burst out laughing.

I’ think you may have enjoyed that John’.

‘Well may be a little Georgie’.

‘Me too John.’

We quickly gathered our senses, and looked around.

 From high on the hill we could see the Caravan Park nestled below, its main entrance and the highway clearly visible.

‘Excellent we can see anyone entering or leaving the park.’

I looked at my watch, ‘Its five O’ clock, so by my reckoning if they are coming back it will be in the next few hours.’

‘How do you know that’?

 ‘Well if the guy who was snooping around today believes it is us he is looking for, he won’t wait till the morning to come back with the police, he can’t risk losing us by us leaving in the night, no if he’s   coming back at all it will be tonight.’

 I gingerly maneuvered the Toyota around so we were facing in the direction we had come from, affording us an excellent view below of the Caravan Park..

‘Let’s have a look around Georgie’.

The first thing I noticed on leaving the vehicle was that our tracks were the only ones here and no visible signs of anyone having being up here for a long time.

‘We will be safe up here Georgie, that’s the good news’.

‘And the bad John what’s the bad news?’

Well sweetheart we are here for the night because there is no way I can drive us back down that track in the dark even if I could use my lights which I can’t.

She looked at me pensively.

‘It will be alright Georgie.’  I think it’s about time for a brew and something to eat.

‘Why, have we got anything John?’

Yes love ,remember we packed  a lot of stuff before we left Dave’s ,Primus stove for cooking  tins of spaghetti ,beans Tea and long-life milk.

‘I don’t remember John and who is Dave?

He was a man who helped us getaway.’

‘Getaway, from where John?

The confusion on her faces was agonizing to see, I wanted to stop the conversation right there, but to do that would only add to her torment.

Georgie sometimes you forget things but only for a short while, this is one of those times so don’t get upset I will remind you ok.’ She nods.

‘Georgie your daughter placed you in a nursing home and you were so unhappy so my friend Dave and i helped you to get away from there.’

‘Can you remember that Georgina?

‘Well a bit of it but John I thought we had never been apart. I thought we had always been together.’

‘Well Georgie I think in a way we always have been together in each other’s mind.’

The light was fading as we set up camp, sat around the small primus stove eagerly waiting for the water to boil for a hot drink of tea.

  We had just finished   drinking t our tea, when in the fading light I noticed headlights on the main Road below us. I picked up my binoculars, focusing them i followed the lights of the vehicle as it slowed and turned into the Caravan Park. The car was a SUV; it did not stop at the office but continued on to stop outside the chalet we had been staying in.

‘Georgie look, I think whoever is looking for us is back,’

I watched the man leave his vehicle; he walked to the side of the chalet, peering into each of the windows.

‘God John, what can we do?’

Nothing, we just sit here and watch him, they will have no idea where we are or even where to start looking.’

It didn’t take long. Checking my watch, just fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time the SUV had entered the the Caravan Park before heading back in the direction it had come from, which I assumed would have been the closes town of Walpole.

 ‘He was definitely looking for us Georgie; I bet he was pissed off to find we had flown the coup.

‘Do you think he will come back John?’

‘No, but I’m sure he will notify the police in the surrounding towns to be on the lookout for us.

 Georgie asks again,’ What can we do john?’

‘Don’t worry love I will look at the map and workout out a route that will take us a long way from here using the back roads.’

Georgie gave an involuntary shiver. The temperature had drop dramatically in the last thirty minutes; the wind blowing of the Southern Ocean had a chill factor that seemed to travel straight through us.

‘Come on Georgina let’s get settled in the car, or we will freeze out here.’

I opened the car door and the interior light automatically came on. ‘Shit! .as I reached in to remove the globe.  Knowing any sign of light could draw the suspicion of anyone below us.

 We laid the seats back and wrapped ourselves in warm blankets, the excitement and stress of the day taking its toll on us both.

‘You tired Georgie?’

‘I am John but my mind seems active.’

‘Is there something bothering you love?’

‘No, it’s just that I get a little confused and it’s hard to settle until I work it out ‘.

‘And do you work it out?’

‘Sometimes I can but other times it’s just a blank’.

John, tell me about us, where did we meet.

Well Georgie do you remember I told you we met in a town called Subiaco when we were just sixteen. You were the prettiest girl in town and you used to work at a Dry cleaners and I would wait for you finishing work every night and walk you home.

‘I can’t remember John but tell me more I really like hearing about us’.

‘Well like I said you were the prettiest girl in town and all the boys liked you but luckily for me you heart was set on me.

‘Yes I think it was John’.

‘Do you remember Georgina’?

‘Well I feel it more than remember it but there is some little bits I do remember.

‘Tell me what you remember and I will tell you if you’re right.

‘Well I did work at a Dry cleaners and Oh yes I can remember you would meet me after work.. Did we play pool John?’

‘Yes we did’.

 ‘John we used to eat hamburgers at’. I could visibly see the concentration on her face as she willed her memory to return.

‘It starts with a G Georgie and sounds like your name’.

‘It’s Georges, John, Georges hamburger bar, that’s where we would go.’

Good on you Georgie see you can remember.  It was as If I had partially opened the gates to her memory as we pieced together the fragments of our time spent together all those years ago.

‘John when we awake tomorrow will you remind me of all we have said tonight because I never want to lose those memories for as long as I live.’

‘I will remind you, but you may surprise yourself and remind me.’

She squeezed my hand, leant over and kissed me gently.

Filled with emotion I looked out of the windscreen up to the darkened sky that was festooned with the brightest stars I had ever seen.

‘There’s a million stars up there Georgie Edwards just waiting to make your wishes come true. She looked intently at the sky for some time before answering. ‘

‘I have picked my star John and made just one wish, it’s the only wish I need to come true.

‘What is that Georgie?’

‘For us to never part, John’.

‘Oh I think that wish has every chance of coming true.’

‘Did you make a wish John’?

‘Yes I did, the wish was exactly the same as yours.’

 I looked down towards the road that was now shrouded in darkness. Looked back at my watch the hands showing just past midnight and wondered what tomorrow would bring for me and my sweetheart, in the stark light of day.

 The thought now crossed my mind that in our youth they would not leave us alone, forbid us to be together and now here in our adult life when we should be able to choose our own destiny, the same restrictions that were put on us all those years ago were once again at play.

It was 4am and the first signs of dawn were appearing on the horizon. The thought of us being on the road at first light appealed to me. I wanted to put as much distance between us and the surrounding townships. Not wanting to wake Georgie, I gently eased myself out of the car and got the primus stove set up for breakfast. The water was soon boiling with the four eggs bobbing along in unison.

The sound of the land cruisers door opening made me turn around to find a lovable but disheveled Georgie

‘Oh your up sweetheart, breakfast is nearly ready.’

‘John you should of woke me up.’

‘Nah it was your turn to sleep in, even if it was only till four thirty.’

‘Two eggs each Georgie because we have no bread, and washed down with a big mug of tea, how’s that sound?’

 ‘Sounds good, John where are we going today?’

‘Well do you remember yesterday and why we ended up here’?

‘Of course I do John’.

 I stopped short of congratulating her on her memory, and then the distinct thought entered my head that I had no idea how her mind was working from one moment to the next.

‘Well I don’t think the people looking for us are just going to give up so we have to make ourselves scarce.’

‘How can we do that?’

‘Well travelling the main highways is out of the question and I think trying to cross the border into South Australia at this time would be far too risky, I am thinking of taking the back roads and heading back towards Perth ,they won’t expect us to do that and we will lay low  until it all quiets down. I have had a good look at the map and chartered us a course but to get there we will have to do two things’. Firstly I have to get us of this hill.’

‘Will that be hard John?’

‘I’m hoping not but to be honest with you it is a very steep decline and I am not sure how the cruiser will handle it.’

Then a wry smile, or the driver for that matter.

‘Oh John you will be ok, you said we had two things to do,’

‘Whets the second thing’?

‘A couple of the towns we have to go through are large towns and we will cause to much suspicion if we try to skirt around them so we will wait till nightfall to pass through them then I will give Dave a ring and see if we can stay with him until we can get settled.’

By the time we had loaded the land cruiser up. Daylight was fully up on us. I instinctively walked to the edge of the steep decline, followed by Georgie.

                                                                      Chapter 15

 We both looked down the track, my body registering the first signs of panic as I realised I could only see the first fifty feet of track before the rest was swallowed up in the thick undergrowth. I tried to remember the contours and direction of the track that I had driven up the day before.

I stopped the thought when I realised I was second guessing myself and i really had no idea where the track went, the only thing I knew for sure was it was heading down steeply and if we wanted to get down we had to travel it .

‘Georgie do you think you could walk down that track on your own?’ Alarm showed on her face.

‘No.’

‘I will walk you down, then I will climb back up and drive down myself; it will be much safer for you Georgie.’

‘No John, I want to go with you, I’m not leaving you.

’ I understood in an instant what she was saying and I could not argue with it for I reasoned if anything happened to me Georgie would be left on her own to survive and if she did, the best she could hope for would be to waste away, incarcerated in an old peoples facility which in her words would be a slow death sentence.’

‘Ok Georgie let’s do it love.’

We walked back to the car hand in hand before hugging each other tightly, a gentle kiss, no words spoken, our thoughts silently focused on the danger that lay ahead of us.

I helped her into the cab checking her safety belt was secure, reaching into the back seat I gathered the rolled up swag that contained our blankets and placed it in front of Georgie’s knees

 ‘We don’t want you bruising those lovely knees Georgie Edwards.’

 She smiled back at me before answering.

‘I wouldn’t mind a bottle of that nice wine John for a little bit of Dutch courage. I kissed her gently. ‘You will be fine darling just fine.’

I started the land cruiser and edged it slowly towards the steep track, before stopping a few feet back. The incline was so steep, that sat in the car we could not see the beginning of it, the only view we had was of  the tops of the tall trees that were scattered throughout, somewhere below.

 It was this sight that made me realise the odds could be stacked against us of making it out unscathed or worse. I turned to Georgie.

 ‘Hold on tight keep the swag in front of you for cushioning, right.’

 She nodded.

 I took my foot of the brake and engaged the clutch, slowly edging the land cruiser closer towards the edge, one last look at Georgie before I engaged the clutch, the bonnet taking what could only be described as a vertical dive followed by a loud  deafening sound  as the two ton vehicle  hit obstacle after obstacle as it careered down the hill side, every impact bone jarring, peppered throughout  our bodies , my foot back on the brake trying to slow the momentum of the vehicle as we raced at a break neck speed down the track, my eyes focusing, my reflex feverishly trying to respond to the terrain and obstacles that appeared before me one after another.

 I guessed we must have been halfway down the track and despite my foot being on the brake we continued to increase speed.

  Completely out of control, the land cruiser suddenly slewed to the left and heavily side swiped a tree on Georgie’s side, showering us both with glass,

 Georgie screamed, John.

 The car, now at the mercy of the steep incline began its downward slide sideways, cutting a pathway in its wake.

 My hands gripped the steering wheel as tight as I could trying to gain some control.

 ‘Hold on tight Georgie hold on’.  

 She did not answer me, Glancing over I saw a patch of crimson red trickling down the side of her forehead, my heart sank, and then a lightning thought of prayer.

‘Please don’t let it end like this for my Georgie;

 The slide seemed to go on forever before it came to a sudden stop with a thud that shook the land cruiser violently, then complete silence.

 I couldn’t believe our luck we had come to rest up against a young sapling tree.

 I turned to Georgie who was now sitting above me due to the angle of the vehicle.

 ‘You, Ok Love?’

‘Yes I think so; I thought it would never end.’

‘We have to get out of here Georgie and the only way out is through your door or out of the side window.’

 I quickly unbuckled my seat belt and moved across the seat to help Georgie who was struggling to unfasten her seat belt but before we could get it undone I heard a loud crack and felt the land cruiser   shift and at the same time the precarious angle of the vehicle increased.

 I kept looking at Georgie fear etched on her face; I didn’t need to look at the sapling to know it was giving way, working feverishly to undo her safety belt.

  I started to speak, to reassure her; the sound of the sapling giving way under the sheer weight of the vehicle, cut my sentence short, followed quickly by another loud crack.

 I felt the land cruiser shift slowly as if it was vainly trying to hang on to the steep side of the hill, then it tottered and started to roll down the hill.

 Georgie screamed, I tried to count the times we rolled over and no matter how many obstacles it hit with a vibrating thud, there was no holding the Vehicle back, it felt like  we were encased in a large washing machine as I was thrown  around the cab from side to side, then   darkness washed over me.

When I awoke I had no idea where I was, I looked up and through the canopy of the trees, I could see blue sky, disorientated. I thought the roof had come off the land cruiser before realising I was no longer in the vehicle but instead I was lying on my back in the low bush scrub..

   I tried to get to my feet, a searing pain surged through my body as my legs gave way and I fell forward. Unconscious before I hit the ground.

 I awoke face down in the earth to the sound of a bird squawking high above in the trees. Slowly wiping the blood from my face which was impairing my vision, I looked down the hill and at some considerable distance I could see the rear part of the Land cruiser which had landed the right side up, the rest of the vehicle was obscured by the dense scrub.

 I tried to get to my feet again before falling back down, it was then that I realised both my legs had been broken. My voice a hollow echo as I shouted for Georgie..

I had to get down to the vehicle, I prayed Georgie would still be alive as I dragged and clawed myself two hundred yards down the hill on my stomach.

 The pain in my broken legs almost making me pass out as they constantly came into contact with the rough terrain.

 Twenty yards from the Vehicle, I started to call out to Georgie, there was no answer, I increased my speed to get to her, the adrenalin in my body surging as I approached the passenger door which was ajar, Georgie was still strapped into her seat belt her body limp and head bowed in the forward position, a crimson pool of red blood had gathered in the lap of her dress.  I did not know if she was alive or dead as I dragged myself on my side to the running board of the Land cruiser, reached up with my hand and gently touched her arm

 ‘Georgie it’s me are you ok?’ She did not answer so I shook her arm vigorously..

‘Wake up Georgina,’ please wake up, I pleaded.

There was no reply ,her limp arm now hanging down outside of the vehicle, steeling myself against the pain i reached up to try and find a pulse, my hand shaking  as I tried in vain for the third time to see if my Georgie was still with me,

 My energy fading, I let go of her wrist and eased myself to the ground, positioning myself so I had a clear view of her.

I drifted in and out of consciousness.

 When I awoke I noticed the sun was directly above me which led me to believe it was midday.  A quick reckoning told me we had been in this state for at least seven hours.

 The thought that Georgie must be dead magnified itself in my mind, quickly followed by the hopelessness of the situation I had caused; I felt I no longer wanted to live.

 I stopped calling for help,., I felt a warmth  of calmness that  encompassed my body, like a white billowing cloud it supported me belaying my every fear, the silence was surreal and I felt no pain.,

 I lay there waiting for this final scene of life to play out.

 l felt myself drifting in and out of consciousness,

 I vaguely became aware of a voice that seemed a long way off as it softly called my name John, John.

 I opened my eyes and heard the voice for the second time John, look at me.

I lifted my head to see Georgie still trapped in her seat belt but very much alive.

 Georgie, you’re alive.

‘What happened, John?’

 ‘The car skidded and rolled’. Can you move?’

‘I think so.’

‘I can’t help you much Georgie, my legs are broken’.

‘Oh, John.’

‘Don’t worry about me Georgie just try and get yourself out of the car.’

I watched her has she repeatedly tried to free herself from the seatbelt that was holding her firmly in the car.

‘Try and pull down on the sash part of the belt, give it some slack and then try to unbuckle it.’

I watched her struggle for 10 minutes before i heard the belt click and watched it as it disengaged, freeing her.

‘Now Georgie do as I say and you will be fine ‘. First see if you can move both your arms ‘I watched her move the seatbelt away from her body with her right hand then she brought her left hand up to rest on her lap.

Great Georgie now your legs, just move them up and down one at a time if you can.

I watched her as she; tentatively moved her legs.

‘Any pains there love?’

‘No I don’t think so,’

‘Good now very slowly Georgie I want you to ease yourself right to the edge of your seat, then hold onto the grab rail with your left hand and put your feet out onto the running board. When you have done that I want you to take the weight of your body by pulling up on the grab rail and at the same time put one of your feet on the ground ‘.

She looked at me hesitantly as if to say something.

‘You can do it Georgie just take your time.’

I held my breath as I saw her foot leave the running board   and placed firmly on the ground followed by the other foot.

‘You’ve done it Georgie you’re out, I watched her take three steps towards me then kneel down beside me.

‘Oh John what are we going to do?’

I had no answer to the question, the best I could do was force a smile to which too my surprise she returned.

‘You have got a nasty gash on your head John but it’s not bleeding, that’s good isn’t it ‘? I nodded then whispered’ ‘yes it is.’

‘Look John I am going to try to get the swag out of the car and bring it over to make you more comfortable.’

I must have passed out again; when I awoke Georgie was beside me placing a soft blanket under my head.

‘John this ground is wet, do you think you could roll over so I could place this ground sheet under you it will keep you warm.

‘Georgie, look after yourself.’

‘I am John this bed is for us both so try and roll on your side.’

Any movement wracked my body with pain and I was glad when Georgie said that will do us John, she layed beside me under the two warm blankets she had placed over us.

 I felt her cool hand gently encase mine. ‘We will get warm soon John then we can work out what to do’.

‘Georgie listen to me there is no way anyone is going to find us way up here and I can’t walk out of here so what I’m going to ask you is, do you think you could manage to walk down the track, I know you’re not in a good way but I believe it’s the only chance of you saving yourself.’

‘No I’m not leaving you john.’

‘Georgie we will die if we stay here, you could get help and we both may make it out.’

I could see her thinking, what she said next took me by surprise; I surmised it must have been shock or her head injury, as I listened intently.

‘John I will try to get us help but before I go I want you to tell me one more time about how much we loved each other and all we have done together in our younger days. I think with that memory inside me it will drive me on to get help’. She smiled, look at it as an investment in your health.’

We faced each other smiling warmly through congealed blood and mud caked skin.

Oh you are incorrigible Georgie Edwards, don’t you dare start me laughing.

                                                            Chapter 16

We first met when you were introduced to me by your friend Denise, in the year of 1968.

‘That’s a long time ago John’.

‘Yes it was, we were only sixteen’.

‘Did we like each other straight away?

‘Oh yes we did, we couldn’t keep our eyes of one another’

How long before you asked me out John’?

‘Well Georgie you said you liked me and that was enough for me I asked you out straight away and from that time on we were never apart, we went everywhere together and it didn’t go unnoticed, your parents thought we were getting to serious at a young age but we didn’t care we were in love and nothing and no one could keep us apart’.

 ‘How long were we together John?’

‘We met in the March of 1968 and it was in the May of 1969 that your parents moved East ,so we were together for fourteen months, I will tell you though, Georgie we crammed so much into that time and it was so hard  for me when you left I really missed you.’

‘Me to John, I missed you but we are together now and if it hadn’t been for that stupid detective we would have been miles away, enjoying ourselves.

 I noticed her wince, the pain of her injuries showing in her face.

‘How much pain do you have love.’

‘I’m ok John.’

‘Listen Georgie I am  getting weaker and I am sure  you are too, can we finish this story later or we may leave it too late to do anything, I don’t know how far the main road is from here and I don’t want you walking in the dark.’

‘You’re right John I will go now and get you some help but before I go I have a confession.’

‘What confession?’

‘Well when you were telling me the story of how we met it opened up my mind and I remembered nearly all of it and then some more, it must have been the knock on my head, she smiles, but no one can tell it like you John so I just let you carry on, you made my heart sing you always have. She leaned in close to me her face just a few inches from mine; she looked intently in to my eyes.

‘I will go now John I won’t be long, you just rest and with that she gave me a soft kiss on the cheek,’

‘I love you John.’

‘I love you too.’

She turned and started walking slowly down the hill, everything rested on Georgie now and I felt a pang of guilt in not being able to help.

I watched her for as long as I could before she disappeared out of sight swallowed up by the dense bush, I wondered if I would ever see her again, if not I felt content in knowing I had at least given her a chance to live and that’s all that mattered to me.

Georgina had been walking for twenty minutes and in that time her mind had a profound nagging thought that she could just not shake, so much so that she had sat down to try and appease the thought.

‘If we both get out of this alive they will separate us again and I will be put back into a nursing home never to see John again, if John dies we will also be separated for life. I do not want to live without him’.

She looks forward to the track leading to safety she then turns and starts her walk upward; back to the man she loves so dearly, back to the man she could not live without.

The light fading, John was startled from a sound of what he thought was the snapping of twigs on the track. He looked in the direction he had heard the noise come from and for a minute he thought he was hallucinating as he saw Georgie’s figure walking slowly back towards him ,as she got closer he realised it was no hallucination and Georgie had come back but where was the help ,she was on her own.

Georgie spoke first.

‘Don’t be angry john.’

‘I couldn’t leave you.’ She begins to cry.’

‘They will never let us be together John and what am I to do without you, languish in a nursing home, I want this John I want to be with you to the end whatever that is.’

Overcome with emotion he could not answer her right away, pulling back the blanket he gestures to her to join him. Arms around each other he speaks softly to her.

‘It’s ok Georgie we can try again in the morning.’

‘I want to stay here with you John.’

He felt totally helpless unable to help the woman he loved, to live, and the stark realisation that it was her undying love for him that could be the price for both their demise.

The night air became markedly colder as the wind raced up the hill from the Southern Ocean forcing Georgie and John to pull the blankets over their heads to keep some warmth in their shocked bodies.

They spoke of many things that night, they laughed and cried as vivid memories were recalled, interspersed by each other professing their love for one another,

 Somewhere in the early hours of the morning there was a understanding by both of their plight and that their love and memories may end here on this hillside.

 They took comfort in knowing that if this was to be the end that they would face it together as one.

An hour had passed since they last spoke, their energy sapped,

 Georgie is startled as  John started to shake uncontrollably she  tried in vain to comfort him and stop him from shaking, tears coursed down her face at her futile efforts.

 ‘It’s alright my love, its cold I know, but the sun will be up in a few hours’.

Georgie’s mind was tormented, throughout the early hours of the morning she had heard her mother calling her more than once.

‘Come home to me Georgina it’s your time to be with your Mother.’

 On each occasion she answers,’ Oh Mum I can’t, I want to but I cannot leave John, I told you all those years ago I loved him but you would not listen.’

 The voice fades, silence once more as she hugs John tightly, she repeatedly tells him to hang on but he doesn’t answer her.

 At 3am the moon cast a light through the forest canopy illuminating the couple where they layed covered from head to toe by their blanket.

 John opened his eyes and tried to speak

’Shhh love its ok, my Mum has been calling me but I told her I am not leaving you.

Georgie thought she saw a slight smile of acknowledgment in John’s eyes, she instinctively squeezed his hand his eyes closed and his head ever so gently fell forward onto his chest blocking his airway.

 He had less than four minutes to live if she did not move his head backward to unblock his airways; he along with Georgie been unaware of his impending death as a calmness encompassed his mind followed by the visions of the most beautiful flashing colours he had ever seen, the colours started to make shapes. The shapes taking the form of two figures, he holds his arms out stretched to greet a young sixteen year old girl as she eagerly runs towards him her long auburn hair bouncing from side to side; she hugs him tightly around his neck, Georgie he whispers.

 Georgie hears him whisper her name, moving his head gently back his eyes slowly open, a gentle smile forms on his lips then he slips back into an unconscious state

 As the early hours of the morning wore on, Georgie was becoming more fatigued by the minute; but she could not allow herself to go to sleep for a second.

She cradles his head which stops him involuntary closing his airway, all the time talking to him hoping beyond hope that John would make it through till daylight and hopefully help would arrive to save his life..

 Realising Johns plight and desperately not wanting to lose him, she now ponders the decision she had made earlier  to return to her lover, she now feels the hurtful  pangs of guilt of the selfishness of her action and vows to strike out for help at the first signs of daylight,

 She hears her Mothers voice once more this time stronger and clearly demanding her attention,

 Removing the blanket from over her head she sees the vision of her Mother not more than twenty feet away.

 Getting to her feet she walks towards the figure that does not move.

 ‘Come on our Georgina it’s time for you to come home, John has gone he doesn’t need you anymore.’

 ‘Mum I can’t go with you I need to be with John.’

‘Why, Georgie? He doesn’t need you now.’

 ‘Mum he has always needed me and me him I tried to tell you and Dad but you wouldn’t listen.

The figure disappears and Georgie Edwards turns away and slowly walks back to be with her beloved John.  

                                                                    Chapter 17

Georgina layed under the blanket her head exposed looking skyward for the first signs of daybreak.

The cold air made her shiver violently; she thought she could feel herself slipping away, instinctively she pulled back the blanket off John, she looked at his peaceful face, there was so much she wanted to tell him, her mind frustrated by the loss of some of their memories and yet so strong for the love it held for this man.

She shakes him gently.

‘Wake up John,’

He does not answer her.

 ‘She feels her eyes gently close, alarmed at the dark void that had mysteriously settled behind them, she quickly opens them, the darkness still  remains, unsure of what is happening, she smiles broadly as a surge of terminal lucidity courses through her brain.

 She feels the warmth of John's hand as it encompass hers, his face clear and youthful, he listens intently to her as she describes and relives every moment of all her memories of the love they had shared together, the pictorial of images flowing serenely through her mind, memories that had been lost for so many years were now so very clear. The last image took her breath away, she saw herself, a young girl of sixteen running to greet John, her arms wide open before placing them lovingly around his neck.

‘I love you John,’

The vision in her mind stops, and she slowly starts to regain her eye sight and with it comes the reality of the present.

She becomes aware of John layed beside her, his face gentle in appearance, unlined and at peace; she holds his cool hand and lays her head upon his chest.

 Her time on this earth was almost at an end, the love she had felt for John was reaffirmed with the many memories she had just experienced of their time together.

She believed John had taken her back there, just one more time so she could remember all the love they had shared together, and that he was now guiding her to go forward to follow him too where he was  now waiting for her  on the other side, a special place where no earthly force could intervene in their happiness. She felt reassured, instinctively knew they would be together forever.

 She gently squeezes his hand and whispers Thank you My LOVE, before gently closing her eyes, to join the love of her life.

THE END.