 
### THE FARM ON ROBERT'S PLATEAU

by

Trevi Formea

Copyright 2013 Trevi Formea

ISBN 978-1-3118289-7-2

Smashwords Edition

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### Dedication

To my daughter Christina, who always urged me on and believed in me. To my dear friend 'Suzy' who remarked to me when I told her I was writing "Well it's about time you did it." - And finally my youngest daughter Jackie, who painstakingly listened while I read each draft aloud to her – editing mistakes along the way. To all the above beautiful ladies - I give my eternal appreciation and love.

### Prologue

The invitation to work on a dairy farm from my best friend was like a dream come true. Vaunie and I hadn't seen each other in eighteen months and had a lot to catch up on. It was 1967 and life was different then – things were always changing. Our letters kept us informed on each other's life but there was a lot more happening. Little did I know, the experience of a month on Robert's Plateau, was about to make me grow from a naïve sixteen year old girl into a young women. Living on the land was not what I expected - or thought it to be, and I was soon to learn some harsh realities of life . . . . . . .

### THE FARM ON ROBERT'S PLATEAU

By Trevi Formea

**Chapter 1:** **The Swinging Sixties**

On my thirteenth birthday in March 1964, I began to realize that life was changing. Not just for me but everyone else too.

I was facing my final year in primary school and about to embark on life as a teenager. Gone were playing with my dolls and cats in my make-believe world. Now I was beginning the 'evolving years' from 13 through to 18 – when a child learns how to become an adult and hopefully also learn how to be responsible. The prospect of a career and my future adulthood was looming. From this moment on my life was about to change forever.

Mum had told me in January she didn't have the money to buy my text books for the new school year, and so I had to pay for them from my school bank account by draining it of the Five Pounds 14 Shillings and sixpence ( _$11.45_ ) that it held.

My parents had been married during the Great Depression (1937) and it appeared that the Depression lasted a lot longer for us. I'd been born the youngest child of four children with two older brothers and a sister. John was the eldest and 12, then came Ursy 9 and finally Chris – who was five years older the following month. We lived 5 miles ( _8kms_ ) from the Brisbane GPO on the bus route and side of a steep hill.

Even though we lived close to the capital, we still had outhouses down the end of the back yard. Finally by 1965, the last of the sewerage lines in Brisbane were finally being piped through back yards. Connection was compulsory and BCC gave households a year to connect their new 'toilet' to the sewer system. You either installed a toilet into your existing bathroom, or built a room 1500 x 900 especially for it. Many homes in Brisbane were suddenly building little 'outhouse' extensions by their backdoor to comply with regulations. Although a flushing toilet suite in the home became a modern day fixture - many people still had to 'go outside' to use it.

Daily living was affordable and most dreams were attainable with well planned household budgeting and strict savings. We could freely water our gardens and were given alternate lawn sprinkling days, three times a week. Our mail deliveries came twice daily weekdays with a Saturday morning delivery by a postman riding a pushbike, and every convenience store on his route where his pick-up spots for more mail to continue his delivery.

I began work as an apprentice dressmaker on my 14th birthday the following year in the city and commuted half an hour each way daily. But I looked forward to my 15th birthday, as it meant I could go to the discos in the city. New dance crazes were sweeping the world and by extension - our nation. Rock n Roll and Jiving were out. Now each year we rushed to learn the dances as seen on TV shows like Bandstand – just to be 'in' and not be 'square'.

There was The Twist, The Stomp, The Monkey, The Swim, The Shoulder and The Skate to name a few. We danced to Chubby Checker, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Seekers, and Donovan. There was also the Two-step, for the slower love songs and it seemed every teen knew that dance.

Discos like 'The Scene' and 'Uncle's' were commonplace and teenagers fifteen and over would flock into the city with their friends by using public transport of bus, tram or train, very few teens were driven there by parents – unlike today. We listened and danced to the latest singles of the Top 40 in deafening stereophonic sound, amid an explosive rainbow of flashing lights pulsating to the beat. Speaking to your friends involved shouting at the top of you voice just to be heard.

Uncle's was probably the more popular of the two discos. Its big attraction was the use of in-house telephones on each table. The tables there were round and had an umbrella roof antenna housing built into them. Atop each umbrella was the table number.

By dialling the house prefix first, then the umbrella's number, teens could talk anyone at any table in the room. Great for boys or girls who were shy and liked someone, but it was very hard to get a line through to be able to do it, as there were only a certain amount of lines available. Every hour or so the Disc Jockey would halt the music and request all teens to hang up their phones. Then he'd announce that those who hadn't been able to call a table - could do so now.

Another favourite place for teens to hang out was The Cave. It was a below ground coffee shop fitted out in a cave-like atmosphere, with fake rock walls, ceiling stalactites and subdued lighting of a purplish pink hue – very eerie, yet very inviting.

You would go to the Cave after discos with your friends and grab hot and cold drinks, pan-toasted sandwiches, hot chips, cakes and meals. The Cave didn't close until 1.00am and it also played background music which were more subdued and sedate love songs. After all, they only wanted you to dine there - not dance there.

We had social groups who were called either Mods or Surfies. My friends and I were neither – I guess you could refer to us as 'Morfies', as we copied whatever appealed to us of the other two, whilst keeping up with the latest hair trends. The sixties also announced the arrival of the Bikini, the Mini skirt and The Pill. And I found myself wearing the bikini, mini skirts and flared pants.

In my fifteenth year, decimal currency was introduced. The impending conversion was heralded on radio and television by a jingle to the tune of 'Click Go The Sheers' and everyone was soon brainwashed into knowing the exact date of the switch over - the 14th February 1966. Gone were the pounds, shillings and pence of our childhood - now it was just dollars and cents.

It was also the dawning of the 'Age of Aquarius' touted by 'Hippies' - or flower folk, whose men wore beards and grew their hair long like their women and the new clothing style of 'Uni-sex Wardrobe' began. Perhaps it was to 'hide' from authorities as a lot of guys shunned war. The Hippies avoided being recruited at all costs.

The 1960's hippie counter-culture movement involved a variety of social concerns and beliefs. Their "if it feels good - do it" attitudes included little forethought, nor concern for the consequences of their actions. The Hippies' primary belief was that life was about being happy, not about what others thought you should be.

Most lived in communes - dissatisfied with what their parents had built for them. They rejected middle class values, opposed nuclear weapons and the Vietnam War. They embraced aspects of eastern philosophy and sought to find a new meaning in life.

Hippies professed to be all about peace and love, smoked pot ( _marijuana_ ) and floated, or went on trips of L.S.D. ( _lysergic acid diethylamide_ ) while openly practicing free love. They gave their children flower, fruit or nature names, often re-naming themselves in the process.

Their wardrobe was made of psychedelic cotton or cheesecloth. Loose comfortable caftan tops with braiding and flared pants. They also wore happy-beads around their neck. They gaily painted their VW Kombi or Bongo Vans - which were homes to some, in psychedelic colours and patterns too, the colours seen on one of their 'trips'. 'Bubble writing' adornments also adorned their vehicles with anti-war slogans.

Hippies rejected traditional institutions. They called them "The Establishment", "Big Brother" and "The Man". They believed that the dominant mainstream culture was corrupt and inherently flawed, and sought to replace it with their idea of a Utopian society – a perfect world.

Their public demonstrations against National Service Conscriptions were supported by placards reading 'MAKE LOVE – NOT WAR' drawn in flourishes of colourful bubble and flowers were as common place, as their wardrobe. Back then, citizens had the right to demonstrate outside Parliament House in Brisbane, or march down the streets in a protest - if it was believed that the government were being unjust.

Government conscriptions into National Service for twenty year old males for the Vietnam War came twice yearly. Ballots were conducted for males with corresponding birthdays and were recruited via an official letter. The 'draftee' was then required to attend an appointment with a medical and intelligence test into their capital city.

This had been going on for two years when my brother Chris was called up for 'Nasho Service' just after his twentieth birthday. My dad – was an ex-commando of WW2 and had fought for the entire duration of it – six years. Doing his tour and coming home for Rest and Relaxation and then signing up for an additional stint in another area of the forces. Dad wanted to qualify for a War Service loan so he could buy mum a home – the home I was born in to.

John like dad, had a brilliant mind, and would stay working at the Telegraph as a typesetter ( _guys who set up the printing machines by placing the letters backwards_ ) until he enlisted for the Vietnam War in 1967. At the age of twenty-eight and a father of three, he joined the Army as a silk screener – or map maker in Vietnam. John had hoped to be able to qualify for a War Service home loan for his wife and family, just like dad.

To say that Chris was concerned about his impending appointment with the Army would be incorrect. He wanted to do his bit like dad and John, but he was more indecisive. Chris attended his early morning interview as directed by his official letter, and into Victoria Army Barracks in Brisbane city for his pre-enlistment appointment.

Late that afternoon around tea time, Chris arrived home off the bus, smiling and very pleased with himself. "What happened we all asked – are you in. When do you leave?" Chris began to relate to us all the details of his appointment and what had transpired.

Chris was of average weight and was 181cms tall and very strong. He had passed his physical with flying colours. But when given the intelligence exam, he failed dismally because of the head accident he had as a small child which affected his comprehension.

I believe that was the only time in his life, that Chris was ever grateful for being dense - he had dodged a bullet and he knew it!

* * * * *

Chapter 2: My Friend Vaunie

It was back in 1964 and two years earlier when I first met Vaunie. Vaunie was fourteen when we first met. She was attractive, 166cms tall, slightly over average build and busty. She had mid brown shoulder length hair and hazel eyes, which were framed by brown circular lens spectacles – just like the ones her dad wore.

A local girl Donna, who was Vaunie's school friend – used to regularly tell Vaunie about this good looking guy who lived around the corner from her. Eventually, when Vaunie's curiosity got the better of her, she asked Donna to take her meet 'this hunk' that had captured Donna's heart and mind.

That hunk was my big brother Chris, who was eighteen and five years older than me. It seemed that Chris was a 'chick magnet' and all the local girls were smitten with him. He was tall, dark and handsome and totally unaware of his attraction to the opposite sex. At that stage his ego hadn't set in.

Chris wasn't home the day that Donna came calling with Vaunie - but I was. I knew Donna quite well and both she and Vaunie looked visibly disappointed when I told them Chris wasn't home. Donna whispered something to Vaunie and then turned to me and asked "Could you tell Chris that I visited him please?" and the both left, giggling as they walked away.

The next time Vaunie visited – she came alone. Chris was home and she developed a major crush on him - just like the other local girls. Chris fobbed her off as she was a minor and wasn't interested. Vaunie thought if she became my friend first, she could come around and hang with me and secretly ogle Chris – hoping one day he might notice her and eventually ask her out.

But Chris 18, wasn't interested in any of my friends and he made that abundantly clear. "Your friends are all too young for me and I'm not interested in any 'jail-bait'. Make sure you tell your little friends that too!" Chris had stated strongly to me.

Oddly enough Vaunie and I became best friends instead, and we used to do everything together. Go to dances in town with our group of friends, or walk to the movies, go to the pool in the hot weather, or just take turns hanging out at each other's places.

Daily living was affordable and most dreams were attainable with well planned household budgeting. We could freely water our gardens and were given alternate lawn sprinkling days. Our mail deliveries came twice daily weekdays with a morning delivery on Saturday.

Families appeared a lot more relaxed and could sleep at night with their front and back doors open in summer to catch the breezes, and without fear of an intruder. Our family dog slept by dad's bedside and we didn't have fly screens or safety/security doors. But we did have milk and bread deliveries to our door daily – except Sunday.

Sunday was the noted day of rest and mostly only corner shops, milk bars and essential services would be open – never department stores or any other retail businesses. It was the Lord's Day - a day of rest, and we observed it.

The legal drinking age was 21 and the age of consent was sixteen, and in the sixties teenagers from nice middle class families like ours, went to their parents for advice, respected and usually obeyed them. We never went anywhere without asking permission first - well most of the time. Back then our parents were morally and legally responsible for we minor children until we reached twenty-one or were married!

Our parents word was final – no ifs or buts! If you didn't do as your parents asked, then your only alternative was the street and most kids didn't want that. You were friends with your neighbours and helped each other out. Parents knew their children's friends and where they lived.

So when Vaunie was fifteen and still at high school, she had met an eighteen year old guy riding a motorbike while walking home from high school. She began seeing him without her parent's knowledge and became infatuated with this older boy.

Well meaning neighbours told Vaunie's parents about seeing her riding pillion on his bike, a few weeks later when she was supposed to be in school. On learning that Vaunie had been seeing a motorbike rider, her parents were shocked. That night at the dinner table they questioned Vaunie about it and later voiced their disapproval. This caused friction between Vaunie and them, as they were a very close-knit family.

Vaunie's parents also heard about how this 'bikie' – Ronnie, had gotten a girl into 'trouble' and then left her with their unborn child, to fend for herself. Vaunie's parents tried at length to reason with her, telling her all the negatives about seeing a boy like him. They told her of the pregnancy incident and how he rode with a gang who were known for their underage bonfire booze-ups, hooning around the area and some break-ins.

Compelled by her parents disapproval, Vaunie told her parents she wouldn't see Ronnie anymore. She said she understood how they felt and would break up with him the next day. Both her parents were very relieved and things returned to normal at home.

But Vaunie began sneaking around to see Ronnie. She liked him a lot and the whole relationship with him was very exciting for her, as he was her first boyfriend. Vaunie asked me to give her an alibi. I replied "I am sorry Vaunie, but I couldn't lie to your parents like that – what if you were in an accident – what then?"

Vaunie didn't answer but just shrugged and showed her disappointment in me. She made me feel like I was a bad friend – but I cared about her and didn't want her ruining or losing her life with this bikie either.

There were five members in Vaunie's family. Her parents were much younger than mine and the kids closer in age. Vaunie had an elder sister Jaynee – who was twenty, married and expecting twins and lived in the next suburb with her husband Jimmy. Vaunie also had a brother two years younger \- Paul junior, whom the family called Spud.

Paul senior - their father, was an ex American GI soldier. He and their mum Valerie met when he came to Brisbane on R & R during WW2. Valerie was eighteen at the time and a theatre usherette and Paul was twenty. He and his two fellow GI mates had chatted with Valerie before the movie and when the lights dimmed, she showed them to their seats in the theatre.

After the session was over and Valerie was cleaning up the theatre, Paul had gone up to her and began chatting to her further, eventually asking her out. They saw each other daily during his leave and ended up falling in love.

When he returned to his battalion, they kept constantly in touch by mail, and Paul promised Valerie he would come back to her.

At the end of the war Paul relocated to Australia from the states, and married Valerie upon his return. That was twenty-one years ago and they had been happy ever since.

Now things were serious at home. Word had gotten back that Vaunie was still seeing Ronnie and her parents were very upset. That night at the meal table, her father spoke to her. "He's a bad boy and we don't want you mixed up with him Vaunie."

They explained their reasons more fully and then pleaded their case.

Now Vaunie was denying to her parents about meeting up with him.

Paul and Valerie needed a positive way to put an end to this relationship and quickly before it was too late. They didn't want to alienate their youngest daughter, but how would they handle this without doing so?

Paul finally suggested to Valerie later that night in bed, "Maybe if we sent Vaunie away from home to work, it would make it near impossible for Ronnie to track her down and Vaunie could move on?"

Valerie agreed and as much as she would miss her daughter, this was the best thing to do for Vaunie's well being and good name.

The following day in the lounge room, Paul read the employment section for live-in work, and saw an ad for a farmhand's job advertised in the Courier Mail. The farm was situated in the Green Mountains and the job description read:

Teenage girl aged 14-17yrs required for live-in position on Dairy Farm with woman. No experience necessary as training given. Full board with small wage offered. Please apply to: Sam Huebner c/- Robert's Plateau Dairy Farm, Green Mountains. Queensland.

Perfect, Paul thought and read the advertisement aloud to Valerie, asking for her opinion. Valerie agreed also that it seemed the best way to go about things, and the sooner – the better.

So Paul wrote a letter on behalf of Vaunie and had a response within the week. Sam was the runner of the farm and welcomed the thought of a young offsider like Vaunie, who had an interest in animal husbandry.

Arrangements were finalized with Sam and directions were given for their journey up to the mountains the following weekend. But Paul and Valerie decided it was best not to mention it, until closer to the date.

Vaunie wasn't told anything about the work, until the night before she was going to leave and after she ate dinner. When the meal was finished, her dad began speaking with her.

"I have some good news for you Vaunie. Remember how you've been asking if you can leave school and start work? Well, your mom and I believe you are old enough to leave and I have organized a job where you can start immediately." Paul explained in a confident voice with a smile on his lips. "Since you have always liked animal husbandry at school, when I saw this job advertised in the paper - I thought it would be perfect for you and applied on your behalf."

"What kind of work is it exactly dad?" Vaunie asked tentatively, totally taken aback by his declaration.

"It's working on a dairy farm with another lady Vaunie. There'll only be the two of you there and the job is a live-in one." Paul replied smiling, in an attempt to add levity to the situation.

"Where is it dad?" Vaunie asked her dad rather dejectedly. Paul looked at his daughter and felt a little saddened by her face, which was now on the verge of tears. But he knew sometimes you had to be cruel to be kind, and this was definitely one of those times.

"It's up in the mountains on a dairy farm, milking cows and feeding pigs. They also have chickens too I believe." Paul now enthused, trying to stir up some excitement in Vaunie. But to no avail. "Mom and I will come and visit every so often, and Sam the boss sounds lovely and friendly. She is looking forward to having you live with her."

He felt like he had sentenced his daughter to death and wasn't prepared for such an emotional reaction. Paul asked Vaunie to go and get her things together, as they would be leaving for the mountains first thing the following morning.

"Make sure you pack warm clothes as well as summer Vaunie. Plenty of underwear and a couple of good dresses with a nice pair of shoes - in case you go out somewhere." Valerie told Vaunie matter of factly.

Vaunie did as her mum asked and packed her bags. Summer and winter, good dresses, shoes, toiletries, socks, underwear, long pants, shorts, a hat and winter woollens. When her bags were done, Vaunie showered, put on her pyjamas, brushed her teeth, got into bed and cried herself to sleep.

The following morning at 8.00 Vaunie stopped by and told me she was going away. She didn't know where she'd be staying, as her parents wouldn't tell her. "It's all because of Ronnie, I know that for sure." Vaunie told me "But that's all I know."

"Your parents are doing this because they love you Vaunie, not to hurt you - but to save you from being hurt. Please don't mad at them, try to put yourself in their place." I tried to explain.

All Vaunie knew, was she would be somewhere working on a dairy farm with pigs and chickens and they were about to travel up there. Her parents and Spud were waiting outside in their station wagon.

Vaunie told me she'd miss me and would write as soon as she could and give me the address, so we could write to each other. She hugged me tightly and said goodbye with tears in her eyes. I walked her back outside and waited as she got into her parents car. I watched them as they drove down the hill and away out of sight. Now tears welled in my eyes and I knew that it would be some time before we'd see each other again.

* * * * *

Chapter 3: A Road to Life

It had been nearly two years since I last saw Vaunie. I missed her company terribly and hoped that her absence wouldn't be for too much longer. She was 17 now and I was 16 and my work was in the midst of a slack period.

It was the middle of April and I'd been off work for just over two weeks when I received yet another letter from Vaunie. Odd for her to write me twice in a week, I thought. This second letter had me intrigued. I dropped what I was doing, opened her letter and began reading it. She wrote.

Dear Rosie,

A lot has happened up here since my last letter to you. Sam told me that the farm's owner contacted her by letter today, and is putting the place up for auction at the end of May. Apparently they just want to put the farm's sale money into a nice house and live out their years by the sea. So I guess it looks like Sam and I will be out of a job. The country life really agreed with me and I will be sad to leave my new friends.

Sam said there's not much around up here now-a-days and the prospects of finding similar work in the area were very remote, to say the least. We'd need to go out west to some cattle station, if we wanted to stay around cows and it would be very hot and dusty, unlike up here. That thought didn't appeal to me, as I liked working at my own pace up here in the mountains and without someone breathing down my neck.

But the main reason for writing to you again so soon is this. Sam said I could invite you up here for a month and for the farms last weeks of operation. The bus terminates at the guest house in the Lamington Mountains and we will meet you, so you won't need to worry about being left stranded. I think Sam said that because she knew how upset I was about the news. When I said that you'd never worked on a farm before and were a city farmer, she laughed and said it didn't matter, as you would soon learn.

So if you wanted to come up here, you were most welcome. I did tell her that you like horses and can ride, but there aren't any horses up here on our farm - only the cows, chickens and the pigs. Without any farm work up here after the sale, I will be travelling back home with you, so we will be together again! I have missed you like crazy and all our fun times together.

Hope you can make it.

Love Vaunie xx.

P.S. Please write back soon and let me know if you are allowed.

Being with Vaunie again? I couldn't believe it! I missed her companionship terribly and her departure from our suburb had become a great loss to me. With no work to occupy me now, every day had seemed like the other as weekends rolled into weekdays and there was nothing to look forward to.

But now Christmas had come early and this was going to be fun! I was overjoyed! I was rapt. I would be seeing Vaunie again and working with her on the dairy farm also – WOW! Now at the end of May, Vaunie would be coming home with me. My mind raced with thoughts of the farm and I wondered if they had any horses up there. I loved horse-riding and used to go for the odd ride at a riding place at the Gap.

This was going to be great, but I must admit that I was concerned about travelling up to the mountains alone though.

The bus terminated at O'Reilly's Guest House in the Lamington Mountains, Vaunie wrote, but my final destination would be fifteen kilometres further on, at the farmhouse atop Robert's Plateau in the Green Mountains.

Now I was going to meet the people and see the places that had only been names to me in Vaunie's letters. I pondered if I didn't go, that I may never have another chance at this experience.

My parents would need to approve of me going first, but I thought they would, as they liked Vaunie. I was still very naïve for sixteen and had never travelled any further than work or to town on a bus alone, and that was less than eight kilometres.

Now I would be travelling 160kms!

After I told mum about Vaunie's invitation, I gave her the letter to read for herself. Afterwards, mum replied that she'd have to speak with dad when he arrived home from work tonight, but she felt sure he would agree to it.

I waited for dad to come home, and then joined him in the kitchen while he ate his dinner and spoke to him about Vaunie's invitation. I said how it would be a really great experience for me - a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Dad replied he'd think about it and would need to discuss it with mum first and they would give me an answer in the morning. I barely slept that night. I was imagining life on the farm and Vaunie and I working together. YEE HAA!

The next morning I looked at them both as I walked into the kitchen for breakfast, said good morning and sat down. I waited patiently for one of them to say something about the farm, anything - either way.

Finally mum looked at me and said "Dad and I have talked about you going to the farm to be with Vaunie . . . and it's alright for you to go." I rushed over to them, hugging them gladly.

Dad phoned O'Reilly's Guest House from the phone booth outside the shop next door and enquired about their timetable. They told him that buses ran once a week from the Brisbane terminal at West End, and not to delay in booking from there, as the seats were always limited.

After that dad came home and told us the information. Following some discussion, dad returned to the phone and made my reservation. He was given a booking number and advised by the receptionist that I needed to be there at least half an hour before departure, for loading.

I was now becoming excited – it was all happening! Soon I'd be seeing Vaunie again.

I wrote a letter to her immediately after dad came home the second time from the booth and told her when I'd be arriving. Then I stamped it and walked back to the shop to post it. I was beginning to feel the rush of excitement and began making preparations for my journey.

On the following Friday, we arrived at the terminal at 3.20pm and dad parked outside. We entered the building and I walked up to the counter, gave the girl my booking number and then paid for my ticket. My port was taken from me for loading into the bus.

At 3.30 they announced "Passengers to O'Reilly's please make your way to the boarding bay." My parents walked with me out to the bus, and I kissed and hugged them both goodbye and boarded. I managed to grab a single seat to myself on the kerb-side and behind the front seat.

Within five minutes, our bus was fully loaded with holiday makers and staff members returning to work their shifts at O'Reilly's. My trip was about to begin! Dad and mum were standing at my window, waiting for my departure.

At 3.45pm the bus pulled away and I waved them goodbye with tears in my eyes. Our journey was to take three hours and rain clouds were forming in the sky.

The 'bus' was a little larger than a large, family station wagon and seated fifteen people, including the driver.

It towed an enclosed metal trailer of luggage and both vehicles were painted white, with 'O'Reilly's Guest House' painted in fat emerald green letters and adorned with small shamrock flourishes.

The seats were set out with groups of two on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side, with a narrow aisle in between. The rear seat sat four. There were two passenger seats in front next to the driver's console.

I was seated in the second row passenger side and behind the sliding door. I caught glimpses of the road ahead through the windscreen, and between the heads of the front seat passengers as we drove, but mostly I looked out my side window at the countryside.

The air-conditioning was set at a pleasant 24degs and it felt very comfortable to me, but once the sun had set and night took over, I was feeling less so.

My semi-obstructed view through the windscreen of the road up ahead illuminated by the headlights beam, seemed insufficient to me now and everywhere else outside our bus was pitch black. We were deep into the country and there were little if any, street lights out here.

I listened to the front-seaters as they were talking to the driver, and gleaned we were now about to begin on our last leg of the ride. The mountain climb would be the slowest part of our dark journey and the most dangerous.

We began to climb, slowly, but gradually upwards. I was beginning to panic, suffocating, and turned my mind to the buses motor and listened as it groaned along, steadily under the strain and the weight of its cargo.

The bus hugged the road, and I was grateful for its small size. If this had been a normal sized bus, we would have never negotiated this road, let alone pass any oncoming traffic. Easy does it I thought, willing the driver not to rush.

He was obviously proficient in this leg of the tour and knew every bend and blind corner, which lay ahead. Then it began to rain.

After about twenty minutes climbing, nausea began to sweep over me and I felt myself getting hot. Both my fear of heights and the suffocating black which lay outside were winning. The buses continuous swerving in and out, around the mountain's road was making me ill.

I gulped and swallowed hard and rifled in my hand bag for some chewing gum as my ears had blocked, but I had none. Dad said it always helped to chew gum when going up mountains and in high altitudes to 'pop' your ears.

As a child I had always suffered from carsickness on long journeys, and obviously, this was something that I hadn't outgrown. Oh Lord help me, I cried to myself. I tried to put my mind elsewhere to take it off my nausea - but it wasn't working, it was getting worse.

I thought about Vaunie, up there waiting for me, about my home and my cat. I was beginning to feel the water in that pre-vomit rush at the back of my throat. I prayed that I wouldn't throw up in front of the other passengers and embarrass myself. Please God, I prayed, help me?

Suddenly, I remembered the sandwiches in my handbag that mum had packed for my trip "In case you get hungry." she had said as she gave them to me. In the buses dark interior, I didn't notice them when I was looking for the gum, as my mind was looking for a small package.

I took them out and began eating them – slowly at first. Fortunately there were no interior lights on inside the bus, so no-one could see me - as food and drink consumption were not allowed.

The fresh bread and butter ham sandwiches eased my stomach acid and I thanked God that I couldn't see just how close to the edge, or high up we were.

I caught glimpses of the road ahead in the buses headlights. The black outside was similar to travelling in a long, continuous winding train tunnel, but without any light at the end. I found mum's sandwiches helped my nausea and began feeling much better.

The rain that had begun falling earlier was growing steadily heavier, and I was beginning to panic all over again, and then after ten minutes the rain stopped. A short time later, I thought I saw some mottled lights between the bushes up ahead through the windscreen.

But with the wet leaves flickering and reflecting the buses headlights with each turn in the road, perhaps I was mistaken and it was just wishful thinking. But no, it wasn't – it was the Guest House!

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we'd arrived and exhilaration overcame me. When we stopped, I could see Vaunie standing outside through the window and waving to me, smiling and just as excited.

I waited for the driver to open the door and almost leapt into Vaunie's arms. We hugged each other and tried to squeeze the events of the past 18mths, into our first five minutes together, while we waited for the driver to unload my port.

We walked arm in arm into the guest house where I was first introduced to Samantha, or Sam as she preferred to be called – Vaunie's boss.

Sam was a fifth generation born, country girl, of German ancestry and was born into these mountains. Her parents were both deceased, killed by some freak accident on their farm when Sam was sixteen. The exact details Vaunie told me were uncertain.

Her parent's double death was not only tragic for Sam, but also put a heavy debt upon her. Not only of the double funeral costs, but the running costs of their farm and it was virtually sold from underneath her to recover these debts and the mortgage.

Alison, Sam's only sibling, was five years older than her, and had married and left to live in the city with her husband, two years before the accident. Alison and Tony came back for the funeral and after the wake, discussed with Sam her living situation.

As a minor child, she required a legal guardian. But Sam didn't want to leave the mountains and become the responsibility of Alison in the city.

So a neighbouring farming family, who were good friends of Sam's parents, on learning of her desire to stay in the mountains, offered to take her in.

This made Sam happy, as she could still live in the mountains and enjoy working on a farm.

Sam managed to get most of her mum's treasured possessions including a full dining room suite, her parent's double bed, crystal glassware & matching lamps, a china dinner-set, a silver cutlery canteen, some linen, towels, doyleys and her mum's jewellery.

Most of these items except for the jewellery were stored in the barn under heavy tarpaulins and in sealed tea-chests at her new home. There they stayed until Sam moved on to a new place and would use her things.

Sam was almost forty now and solidly built. She had thick hair that was shoulder length and a gingery brown in colour. She was a good-looking woman and had lovely blue eyes.

I smiled and said hello and Sam replied likewise, eyeing me up and down and at what I was wearing. Then she said "There'll only be the three of us women at the farm – are you okay with that?" I replied to her that I was.

From there Vaunie introduced me to Bernard O'Reilly who was famous for his daring rescue of Stinson air crash survivors, thirty years before in 1937. He was a soft spoken man and very humble. Then I met some locals, a few off-duty staff and some regular guests.

Once the pleasantries were dispensed with, some-one decided that we should play some 'Parlour Games' as an ice-breaker for me. One game in particular I excelled in, as it dealt with television commercials, and before long I was nicknamed 'The Commercial Kid'.

Around 8.30pm supper was served and we tucked into a decent variety of country cooking and cups of hot creamy cocoa. Not long after, Sam told us it was time to go, as we'd be up early next morning for milking.

_What? I thought to myself – it's Friday night! Don't they have weekends off up here_ **?** I was soon to learn what life as a farmer was really like!

Being May in Australia and nearing the end of our autumn, the mountain air had a distinct bite to it and was much cooler than our suburbs. We walked outside and climbed aboard Sam's Mini-Moke.

Vaunie went into the front and I put my port went into the back seat. Sam started the engine and we began our 15km journey to the farmhouse on the neighbouring mountain.

I started to regret my decision to wear a winter 'mini', pantyhose and heels for travelling. Jeans, jumper and flatties would've been far more suitable. I felt the cold air biting me through my clothes as we drove along.

My loose, long hair was flying in the wind and whipping me in the face whenever we changed direction.

Every part of my body was cold, and so I pulled my port up from the floor beside me and onto my lap, to use as a windbreak and held onto it. I would have welcomed windows, or some sidewalls, or merely a blanket to wrap around myself.

The air was thick with fog or maybe it was cloud. At this altitude, it was hard to tell the difference. The Moke's headlights only appeared to make it even denser by reflecting off it.

Worried, I leant forward and whispered into Vaunie's ear "How can Sam see where the road is?" but Vaunie reassured me saying "Sam knows the road like the back of her hand, and can drive it blindfolded." Which to me, she appeared to be doing. I prayed that Vaunie was right!

* * * * *

Chapter 4: Robert's Plateau

The farmhouse stood on the side of a hill and because it had been raining earlier, we were forced to leave the Moke at the property gates and walk downhill to it some 200mtrs away. "The driveway is far too muddy and treacherous to risk driving down there in this condition." Sam explained.

"I tried that once many years ago, and when I applied my brakes to stop the Moke, I skidded for another 20mtrs and almost ended up in the lounge room." She confessed laughing.

Now guided only by the beam of a single torch, we began our slippery and hazardous descent to the farmhouse.

There was a heavy fog coming up from the gully and beginning to engulf us, making our vision ahead even worse.

My patent-leather; chunky heeled shoes were becoming twice as high and I seemed to be adding a millimetre to them with every step.

I couldn't see where my feet were stepping, but felt squelching under my feet; I prayed that it was only mud and not cow pats. I heard rustling in the bushes nearby us, which had me jumping with every sound.

Whatever creature it was in those bushes, it appeared to be stalking us and getting closer with each step. The bushes were only about one metre away and we were easy prey for the picking. I was also frightened of snakes and anything else that might forage for food at night.

After about five minutes and some unexpected slips, we finally reached the farmhouse. It stood in shadow and its silhouette was outlined beneath the faint moonlight through the clouds behind it.

I would need to wait until the next morning to see what it actually looked like, I thought to myself.

We went inside removing our muddy shoes at the door and it was like being in a cave. Sam walked ahead and lit two candles, giving one to Vaunie and then asked her "Show Rosie to your room and where the toilet is. The full tour will need to wait until morning."

I asked Vaunie why didn't Sam just turn on a light, and she told me there was no electricity at the farm. We made our way through the kitchen and out into the bathroom and the toilet.

Then we came back the same way and back into the entry which formed the start of a short hallway between the massive lounge and kitchen and dining rooms.

This entry hall led out to an enclosed verandah. Vaunie said they called it the sunroom. The sunroom was about 6mtrs by 3mtrs in size and appeared to run between two rooms at either end.

According to Vaunie, it looked north out over the hills and down into the gully below and used to be a verandah. It had large aluminium sliding windows without curtains and was decorated with two cane furniture chairs, a cane two seater and a small round matching coffee table.

Over against the wall stood a chrome and red laminated kitchen table with a pot plant on top and two red vinyl chairs with chrome legs. A set of French doors led into the lounge, but were shut.

Suddenly Sam appeared then and suggested that we go off to bed, as we'd be up at 4.30am. "What – is she joking?" I asked Vaunie when Sam left. "Yes it was true." Vaunie replied and she took me into her bedroom which led off the sunroom and backed onto the lounge.

Sam then walked into her bedroom, which was the room at the other end of the sunroom and next to the dining room.

We walked into Vaunie's bedroom. It was furnished with a dark timber stained wardrobe that had a middle mirrored door with a large drawer underneath. There was also a dutchess with drawers and an old armchair in the corner.

Her bed was an old cream wrought iron and brass double bed, with a mosquito-net tester. She remarked "I hope you don't mind sharing with me Rosie, as there was nowhere else for you to sleep, unless of course, you wanted to camp down in the lounge?"

I answered "No, it was fine to share," and nearly froze as I stripped down to my singlet and into my flannelette pyjamas for bed.

I couldn't remember when I last shared a bed with anybody - even growing up, so having a sleeping partner was going to take a few nights to get used to. When we got into bed, Vaunie asked me what our friends had been up to. So I gave her the answers she sought.

Then Vaunie told me about Brett, a local boy whom she liked and I would most likely get to meet during my stay.

We talked well into the night, and I caught her up on all the local gossip. Eventually our talk died down and sleep finally came, and we drifted off all cosy and warm under the weight of the blankets and eiderdown.

My first morning was filled with anticipation. It seemed that we had only gone to sleep, when Sam appeared in our doorway, candle in hand and waking us.

"Time to get the cows!" she called, as she set a candle down for us to dress by on the dutchess, near the doorway. I guess I should've been prepared for this - but this 'city slicker' wasn't.

It was still dark, but with the candlelight's glow I managed to see my clothes still packed in my port and on the arm chair, to dress into. I donned my jeans, long sleeved flannelette shirt over my singlet, jumper, socks, sneakers, beanie and navy showerproof jacket.

Yup – I was all set for milking!

Sam looked at me when I walked into the kitchen for breakfast. My long brunette hair styled in two pigstails. She scanned me from head to toe - like the night before, and when she caught sight of my red and white checked sneakers - she burst out laughing.

"You won't get far with those on your feet!" she laughed "Haven't you got any boots?" I shook my head, so she asked me my size and got me a pair of hers.

I changed into Sam's boots and after eating breakfast, this 'city farmer' - as Sam now called me, was ready to learn about being a dairy farmer.

Sam's boots were a size too big, but I didn't care and was grateful that Sam's feet were slightly bigger than mine, as it made the boots - something I was not used to wearing, more comfortable on my feet.

Around 5.30am, Vaunie and I made our way down the side of the plateau rather cautiously with the dogs and shooed up the 30 cows for milking. The sun still was not up, but the early morning pre-dawn light was enough to guide us and see where the ground was.

It had rained lightly throughout the night, making the descent very slippery and challenging. I slipped and fell down twice, and the second time I felt something bite me.

I pulled up my jeans leg to see some small black insect, about the size of a small fly on my sock top which was sitting above the boot and flicked it off.

There were two working dogs for herding the cows. A small Red Cattle dog called Buddy and a larger Blue Heeler called Matey. Both dogs knew their job and were great at rounding up the cattle strays.

We herded up the cows with some gum tree switches and the dogs chased any stragglers. Back up the hill we trudged to the milking shed, where Sam stood waiting in the light, machinery humming away.

The milking and separating machines were run on petrol, along with the shed's lighting.

"Where have you been?" she asked, "I've been waiting here for over ten minutes!" Vaunie, told her we needed to free up a cow stuck in the mud in the bottom paddock and she just grunted and said to get started.

There were ten stalls in all, each with its own set of five suction cups attached to another much larger hose. "Machine milking is much faster and easier Rosie." Vaunie told me but before we could start, we first needed to wash the mud from the teats on the cow's udder.

We cleaned the udders so the milking suction cups would adhere properly and for hygiene purposes. Vaunie warned me to make sure to tie down the cow's leg with the rope attached to the stall before I started, so I could get in close enough and not be kicked. "How?" I asked.

Vaunie came into my stall and showed me what to do with the rope and I managed it without any problem, even though I was a bit nervous at first. I couldn't get over hold placid the cows were as I began cleaning the cow's teat with the warm, slightly soapy disinfected water.

The cows didn't seem to mind me at all and just chewed away on their cud, or at the hay in the stalls. Vaunie told me the 'milkers' did all the hard work - ha, it wasn't until the hand stripping of the cows that I soon realized just how many muscles I had between my fingers and elbows!

Warm milk was carried up through the main hose connected to the milkers and into stainless steel piping affixed to the shed's open rafters in the roof. The milk was then carried down to the end of the milking shed.

Finally it was piped out into a large vat with many rotating horizontal discs. This vat was called the separator.

Once the milk was separated from the cream, the non-fat milk was emptied into large urns for the pigs via a tap on the vat - as no-one those days drank it. The cream was kept for both selling and our own use.

Sam took care of cleaning the vat every day, along with stoking and lighting of the boiler for our baths. She also took care of filling the machinery with petrol and it became abundantly clear that each of us had set chores to do and only those chores - unless Sam asked you to do something else.

It was a healthy lifestyle but not for the elderly or feeble person. The work although free from stress was at times gruelling and at times heavy and I quickly developed blisters on my soft hands. Sam kindly gave me gloves to wear which made things a lot easier for me.

* * * * *

Chapter 5: The Farmhouse

This was the sixties; men wore long hair, packaged food didn't have expiry dates, we drank from glass soft drink bottles and long before the days of skim, trim, light and non-fat milk. There were only two kinds of cow's milk that I remember – and both were full cream!

Although the farmhouse was devoid of electricity and gas, it did have a bore-water flushing septic toilet and a bathroom of quite modern standards complete with a wood burning boiler outside for hot water.

Sam lit this every afternoon for our baths while we were cleaning up the milking shed.

The lounge room was rather spacious around 6mtrs square with a big open stone fireplace. It was situated at the farmhouses southwest and to the left of the front door and entry hall.

There were two windows either side of the fireplace looking out to the neighbouring Lamington Mountains and where we'd driven from the night before.

Another three windows looked up to the top of the hill and beyond to the bitumen road. The lounge was furnished with a three piece brown brocade lounge suite, a nest of tables, a coffee table, some rugs and a walnut pianola with matching piano seat.

There was a verandah 5mts long and 2mtrs wide off from the back door and ran between the bathroom and Sam's room and past the dining room. Both the dining room and Sam's room, which was the master bedroom, had French doors leading out to the verandah.

This is where the dogs slept at night. They were never allowed inside the house and with all the red clay around, I could understand why.

The kitchen was around 5mtrs by 4mtrs with an old painted pine table sitting in the middle and miss-matched cream painted wooden chairs. An old wood burning stove made of black cast iron, stood proudly in its recess and seemed to dominate the room.

A cream coloured ice-chest was on our right as we walked in and kept the milk, butter, meat and vegetables surprisingly cold.

The sink was pressed stainless steel and sat in a pinewood cupboard with lime green painted doors on a cream painted cupboard and under the window next to the stove recess and at its right.

This window also looked out and up to the top of the hill and our driveway, which I now noticed had tall bushy shrubs of pink Hibiscus running down the right side as a boundary fence.

This is where I had heard the creature rustling the previous night as we walked alongside it and down to the house. This was also the driveway into the farm and as the road approached the house, it made a sharp turn and continued on – stopping at the milking shed.

A large kitchen cabinet was on the left of the stove and it was painted green and cream also. It had a long door in the middle and two small doors either side which were all done in coloured leadlight.

The small doors at the top were for crockery and glassware. It had two drawers on the right, one each for cutlery and tea-towels and food storage was below.

The dining room was 4mtrs square with timber floorboards and early forties, solid walnut furniture. It was decorated with a table, 6 matching chairs including two carver chairs, which sat at either end of the table.

There was also a matching sideboard and a mirror-backed bow china cabinet, which were against two of the walls. This furniture was Sam's inheritance.

Kerosene lanterns or lamps were in all of the living rooms, and candles or a torch guided our way throughout the house at night. There were boxes of matches lying about next to them for convenience.

The farm itself consisted of around 200 hectares of lush, cleared hilly grazing land, dotted with the odd gum tree and covering the complete side of the plateau which was about a 33degree angle.

A clean mountain stream running through the valley below, formed part of its north boundary. Halfway down the hillside were the pigs and their sty.

On a level to the farmhouse's west and about 50mtrs away from the house, was the chicken run, with the vegetable garden adjacent for ease of fertilizing.

There were five gardens there, each with staggered crops of tomatoes, potatoes, beans, peas and carrots. Over a little further on the ground and growing wild - were pumpkins.

To the farmhouse's east, but some 100mtrs away, was the milking shed. The farm's road ending there made for easier filling of engines and offloading fuel, hay and grains. It also made easier access to the farmhouse and bathroom.

The immediate farmland was fenced off from the cows and kept them from wandering out of the property and onto the road. There was one bull, which was mostly kept separate.

* * * * *

Chapter 6: Pig Tales with Pigtails

After Vaunie and I stripped the last of the milk from the cows, we opened the gates and shooed them back out into the paddocks to graze, then closed the gates behind them.

The cows weren't allowed to stay in the top area. Sam cleaned up the separator after she had filled the urns with the skim milk for the pigs.

Now we began the shed clean up. Shovelling up steaming cow patties into a barrow for drying out, and then later bagging it into hessian bags for sale wasn't exactly a pleasant job but someone had to do it.

When the bag was full we tacked it close with string and a large darning needle in big long stitches. Nothing got wasted on a farm.

When finished, Sam asked us to carry the full urns of skim milk down to the pigs. We struggled under their weight, but eventually we made it to the sty. I had never seen such large pigs in all my life!

The truth be told, I'd never seen a pig up close before and was surprised at how clean they looked, even though they lived in mud.

The sty was cut into an embankment of dark, red clay, which had a wall of about 1.2mtrs high and this top side formed one boundary. The balance of the sty was fenced in wire mesh fencing and timber posts.

The sty house was corrugated iron nailed onto timber studs and the whole area measured around 8mtrs square in size.

Rain overnight had made the sty appear very boggy from above, and the pig's hooves walking through it wouldn't have helped. We pondered our job of how to empty the urns into the trough, as Sam usually did this job and brought the urns down with the tractor.

Not actually seeing how it was usually done, gave us a disadvantage. We needed to figure this out for ourselves!

No doubt we were given this job to see how well I would handle it – if at all! I suggested to Vaunie, that if I climbed down to the pigs first, she could lower the urns to me, one at a time. Whilst this seemed viable in theory, it proved much more difficult when actuated.

As I was climbing down the embankment wall and holding on to some wet grass to steady myself, I lost my footing in the wet clay wall and slid down back first, into the mud. Vaunie was reeling with laughter.

The pigs disturbed from their scraps, came running over to me and started snorting and sniffing me as if I was something new on the menu.

I was terrified, squealing with fright. I rose to my feet as fast as I could, but they still gathered all around me, sniffing me all over. Their backs were three-quarters the way to my thigh and I was scared of the pigs and I think they knew it!

"Vaunie, Vaunie, do something." I squealed again and asked her nervously "Do pigs bite?"

The mud was ankle deep and was grateful I was wearing Sam's boots, as my sneakers would've been ruined. Vaunie began to lower the urns down to me, one at a time and I poured the milk into the pig's trough. The pigs gathered around and drank away greedily.

With their attention elsewhere, I hurriedly passed the empty urns back up to Vaunie, but when I tried to scale the wall to get out, I once again lost my footing - this time sliding down frontwards. I was now covered from head to toe in sty mud. I stank and I was cold!

Ticked off, I called out to Vaunie to help get me out but she just stood there looking at me and almost falling over - laughing! When she had composed herself, she eventually reached a hand down to me and I clambered out.

As we were walking back up the hill, I began limping. I could now see the farmhouse in all its glory.

It was around thirty years old and had chamferboard siding that was painted in a powdery blue, with double-hung windows picked out in white – similar in style to my home in Tarragindi.

The sunroom which now faced us had big silver aluminium windows. Obviously it was a verandah which had been closed in within the last ten years and the arrival of sliding windows.

The gutters and downpipes were painted navy and the roof was corrugated iron in its natural state. A large stone chimney was at its right and to the west and a much smaller navy painted chimney made of metal to its left and at the front of the house and was now emanating smoke.

I continued limping back to the farmhouse, as my leg was now aching. I removed my muddy boots at the back door and walked inside in my socks. When Sam caught sight of me, she broke down laughing. She told me to go and get ready for a bath; she'd heat up the boiler for me.

Before I went to the bathroom, I took off my socks and pulled up my jeans leg to investigate why my leg was hurting.

To my surprise, I found that the small black insect had left a stinger in its wake, which had poked through my sock and was still in my leg. It was this which was causing the pain.

Vaunie went to the medicine cupboard, came back and removed it with a pair of tweezers and swabbed it with some antiseptic.

I thanked her then walked into the bathroom and stripped down. I washed my hair and body thoroughly, towelled off, then dressed into clean clothes and returned to the kitchen.

The ache in my leg was easing and Sam was now dishing up lunch which smelt appetizing. I asked what we were having and she replied "Mince–a-la-Sam _._ " Arrgh – I thought.

Sam was a big girl and stood 175cms tall and weighed around 100kgs. Not so much fat, but big boned, muscled and very solid. I was a mere 163cms and 54kgs. I wasn't about to question her menu choice, but didn't we have mince for breakfast with beaten eggs through it?

I wasn't a fan of mince at the best of times and twice in one day was making my stomach turn. I covered my lunch with as much tomato sauce as I could handle without it burning my throat, and washed it down with several cups of tea.

Later Vaunie and I washed the breakfast and lunch dishes.

Normally the last morning job before lunch was feeding the chickens, collecting the eggs and picking any ripe vegetables. So immediately after the dishes I followed Vaunie into the coop with a basket and watched her as she went into each nesting box in the henhouse.

There were six laying hens - four reds and two black, some month old chicks and a rooster that Vaunie called Cornelius after the rooster on Kellogg's Cornflakes packet.

Vaunie gave me the eggs to hold while she filled the trough with water then scattered the laying pellets, vegetable and food scraps. I was surprised at how warm the eggs were as I placed them into the basket.

We walked over to the vegetable patch and picked the veges that were ripe and put those in the basket too. Our morning chores took between four to five hours to complete, and the afternoon milking around two hours.

We always seem to finish before sunset, which was good, as it meant we didn't have to find our way around in the dark.

The bulk of the work was always done after breakfast. With the Saturday morning chores now completed and lunch over, we finally went into the sunroom.

The view was spectacular, just as Vaunie had said and the sunshine in there, stayed for most of the day. Now I could see everything from here, down the hill to the pigs sty and past them to the stream and across and up the mountain to the neighbours beyond.

This room was to become 'our' haven.

That night after dinner, the dishes and a bath, I welcomed crawling into bed. My body ached everywhere and the eiderdown quilt, blankets and sheets beckoned to me - like a mother's welcoming arms caressing her hurt child.

Now I was so tired, I didn't even notice Vaunie moving beside me in the bed and once my head hit the pillow, I was asleep.

Each day, either side of lunch time, we'd get around four hours to ourselves before we needed to go back to work. So after we finished the morning milking and chores, we'd go to the sunroom to vegetate and sometimes have a nap in the warm sunshine.

Vaunie and I also used it for sunbaking, reading, writing letters or just talking about what we'd do when we got back home.

We'd walk around in there in our socks in the sunroom and give our feet a break from the Cuban heels on the boots. Stretching out between two chairs and putting our feet up, to get the blood flow running up to our hearts again.

By the time the afternoon round-up came, we were refreshed and ready to tackle any stubborn cow or fresh cow patty that came our way.

At 3.00pm we were down in the bottom paddock rounding up the cows again with the dogs, and started the milking process all over again - but no pig sty urn run this time. Sam would resume doing that for us. She'd had her laugh at my expense and was happy.

All we needed to do now was just to take the pigs food in the morning and ensure that they had plenty of clean drinking water. They pretty much looked after themselves.

I was beginning to realize just how hard a farmer's life was, and felt ashamed that I thought they had it easy being their own boss and no-one telling them what to do!

They were slaves to their animals and their crops. No sickies, no holidays – just work every day and I held them in a much higher regard from then on.

* * * * *

Chapter 7: Meeting Mountain Neighbours

Whilst doing the Sunday breakfast and lunch dishes, Vaunie gave me some good news. When Sam was up at the shops buying the Sunday paper, she ran into the Daniels - neighbouring farmer friends who also happened to be Brett's family.

Sam told them that I was visiting and we'd all been invited over for dinner on Wednesday night. It was going to be a special welcome dinner and the whole family were looking forward to meeting me.

Vaunie had told them previously that we were best friends. It was a fortnight since she had seen Brett at their monthly dinner and before they had the news of the farm's auction.

Now, they were going to cook me my favourite meal! WOW, I thought. Vaunie had told them what I loved most. Talk about your country hospitality - I could hardly wait. Any more meals of Sam's mince variations, and I was thinking about becoming a vegetarian.

On Monday, after the morning's milking and chores, Sam told us "We're driving down to Canungra to get supplies, so go and get cleaned up girls." Canungra lay at the foot of the Lamington Ranges and was a sleepy little township.

It was around 10.20am and Canungra was a forty-five minute drive each way. Sam told us "We'll be back in time for me to cook us a late lunch." So Vaunie and I washed up and changed clothes, before we left and then went outside to the Moke.

The trip down the mountain was a lot more pleasant than the trip up in the dark, although we were also going down from a different starting point. At least now I could see where we were going and Vaunie and I decided to share riding shotgun with Sam.

When we arrived in Canungra, we went to see Paul, who was Sam's friend and the local butcher. He stood behind the counter in his white shoulder buttoned shirt and striped blue and white apron, with long shirtsleeves rolled up to the elbow. He was a good looking man and single.

Sam was constantly given free mince with her regular fortnightly order, which was a standing order with Paul and he would freeze it up for her in his cold-room for her trip back home the night before. Sometimes, he would even give her sausages when he had made too many.

It was obvious that Paul really cared for Sam and would like to take their friendship further, but she only liked him as a friend. Many years ago Sam had told Paul that she had loved a man from when she was still only a teenager, but he never returned her love.

He only looked upon her as a mate and to make matters worse, he fell in love with her best friend and they married when she was twenty. It broke Sam's heart to be at the wedding and witness what she had always hoped would be 'their' wedding, and she never really recovered.

From then on Sam just concentrated on farm business. There were no men in her life or a love life. She was still in love with him but never divulged to Paul who they were. It was her pain alone and no-one else's business.

Paul had liked Sam from the first time she came into his newly acquired Butcher shop, when he was twenty-three. He had bought the Canungra business from the retiring butcher and been there for a week, when they first met.

His dad Brian was a butcher too in the suburbs of Brisbane and had given Paul an apprenticeship at fifteen. His mother Cecelia had died the year before of cancer and Paul was keen to start working.

Paul was a Ranga - a red head, with green eyes and a cheeky smile, and fine freckles all over his body. He was also a very friendly and likeable guy.

He stood around 192cms tall and had bulging biceps. These he had built up from lifting meat carcasses, on and off the meat-hooks and in and out of trucks, at his dad's butcher shop in the Brisbane.

Sam and Paul were the same age, and he had chatted away merrily while getting her order ready that day years ago - openly flirting with her and winking as he did so. When he gave her the completed order, he asked her not to be a stranger. She looked at him and replied that she wouldn't.

Her trips down the mountain with her farm employers to buy the meat, was a fortnightly occurrence, and on subsequent visits for meat orders, they became good friends.

Paul looked forward to seeing her and always danced with Sam at any of the local soirees. He was a good dancer and knew how to do all the latest moves, as well as old time and country ones. She was definitely the apple of his eye and he just wished that she would return his love.

"How are things up at the farm?" Paul asked Sam and wasn't prepared for her reply. "Not too good Paul, it's going up for auction next month." His jaw dropped in surprise. "What - will the new owners keep you on?" he asked concerned.

"No unfortunately. All the stock and milking equipment will also be sold off separately, prior to the farm auction and I'll be without a job. Then the farmhouse and land will be auctioned as acreage." She continued unhappily.

Paul asked her rather delicately "What will you do then Sam - have you given it any thought?" Sam replied "Yeah, I'll probably have to move away, further out west and see what there is around for me. There's no work up here for me – nobody's hiring."

"I don't want to move away, as I've lived here all my life - but I have no other choice." Paul's smile vanished.

He had lived in hope that maybe one day her loneliness would surround her, and she would see him in a different light, giving him the opportunity to court her and eventually propose. Now all his hopes for a future with Sam seemed gone.

Deep in thought Paul handed Sam her order. She thanked him and we all left the shop. We walked outside, then Sam turned to me and gave me the meat parcel and asked us both to wait there for a minute - she'd forgotten to tell Paul something.

When she returned a few moments later, she was smiling.

"How about we go to the local café and have some fish and chips for lunch?" I suggested to Sam but she declined and said we needed to get home with the meat. Then I said "I'll pay for it and we can eat it the Moke on our way home." Sam agreed. YAY!

I soon learnt that Sam was very careful with spending money – perhaps it was because of what happened with her as a teenager? I felt sorry for how life had dealt such cruel blows to her and thought she probably looked upon Vaunie and me as the children she never had.

She was definitely old enough to be our mum and sure treated us like her kids, telling us when and what to do all the time and looking out for our welfare. She was more than a boss – she was like our second mum.

Sam placed the meat in a metal esky that she'd brought along. Then we drove across the road to Karen's Canungra Café. Karen was a divorcee and thirty something and had a young twelve year old son Chris.

They had relocated from Sydney to Canungra some years before for a new start and because Karen had bought the café business.

We ordered our lunch from Chris and he gave Karen the order to cook up for us. We collected our lunch when it was ready and began our trip back home.

When we arrived back at the farm, I could see how it looked from the front as you approached it. This time we were able to drive down to it on the dirt road which led to the milking shed and not hike it. A welcome treat to view it as visitors did.

That evening I was able to eat Sam's mince meal with delight. Perhaps I was adjusting myself to it, or maybe it was the break of a fish and chips lunch, or perhaps the thought of 'my favourite' meal in two days time whetted my appetite.

Whichever way it was, Wednesday night's dinner with the Daniels was playing out in my head.

I could see the roast meal set before me and smell its aroma. I was salivating at the mere thought of it. What roast meat would it be - Beef, pork, lamb, or perhaps a roast chicken? Maybe there might be pudding too? Desserts - how I missed them!

Mum always had puddings during the week; baked custards, stewed apples, junket, apple-crumble, bread and butter pudding.

Now I was missing my dear mum and her Irish cooking with gravies, braises and stews, and of course our daily bread - sandwiches for lunch! My bread I really missed.

On Tuesday, Mum had to have been thinking of me also, because I received a letter from her in the mail. She must have written it on the weekend, I thought.

This was the first time that I had ever been away from home and I think she was missing me too. It has been four days since I left and it felt comforting receiving her letter.

Being the youngest child and a later-in-life baby, I guessed when the time finally came for me to leave the nest, my parents, who were now in their fifties, would need to give full approval of my husband to be before they would allow me to marry.

Unless I waited until I was twenty-one and then I could decide for myself.

So before we milked the cows in the afternoon, I wrote a reply to mum. I had lots to tell her and was proud of my efforts and what I'd learnt so far. I was becoming a dairy farmer.

I guess this was a good experience for me after all, and felt that maybe mum may have had a hand in my invitation from Vonnie.

Being laid off from sewing until work picked up, my days had become quite boring. I missed the daily grind, my work friends, paydays and my commute into the city. Mum was very astute at organizing things and this 'farm stay' could very well have been of her doing.

She could be sly that way.

That night for dinner, we had a break from the usual mince meal and had braised beef snags in gravy with vegetables instead. Thanks Paul, I said quietly in my head, as I looked down at my plate.

We rarely stayed up past 8.00pm nowadays and even that sometimes was stretching it. I was surprised at how well I'd adapted to life as a farmer, well the 'no power' and no television side of things, at least.

Nights on the plateau were getting colder and the winter months were looming. I thought if this is Autumn, then winter must get really cold.

The cream we left out on the ice chest overnight for butter churning the next day, would freeze solid with the low overnight temperatures. We would make our own butter every other day and always around noon.

It took that long to thaw enough to be able to beat it with a hand mixer – we didn't have a churn.

First we'd add some salt to the cream and beat away, rinsing off the whey as we whipped. After taking turns on the beaters, our farm fresh butter was ready for chilling.

The butter wasn't used for sandwiches though – Sam rarely ate them; "Bread makes you sluggish." she'd comment disapprovingly and preferred to cook meals starting with porridge in the mornings.

The butter was mainly used in Sam's cooking and for making a tea cake, biscuits, or scones. Sometimes she made hard fried eggs with crispy brown sides. I hated my eggs that way – I liked them soft and runny.

We seemed to go through quite a lot of butter though. Sam always hand milked the same Friesian cow for our household milk straight into a billy, while we started on the mechanical milking. I was surprised just how creamy milk straight from the cow was.

The milk mum bought only ever had a couple of centimetres of cream on the top, and you needed to shake the bottle well before opening to mix it through.

Although, you could buy homogenised milk for only a few cents more with the cream mixed all through it, mum always bought the pasteurised, claiming it was better for you.

Wednesday finally came and I awoke eager to begin the day. Vaunie couldn't get over the change in me as I attacked all our chores with gusto. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she asked me why I was so happy.

I replied "Don't you know what today is – it's Wednesday? We're having Dinner at the Daniels!

I can hardly wait. I wonder what it will be - do you think it will be a roast?" I asked like a big kid. "Don't know." Vaunie smiled.

Then I commented "Well, no matter what it is, it will be a welcome change from Sam's cooking. I am so sick of the sight of mince. It seemed to be the only thing Sam liked to cook and after five days of mince every day, I was losing my appetite.

How can you stand eating mince all the time – don't you get sick of it too Vaunie?"

"We don't have it all the time Rosie – you just happened to arrive at the end of the shopping fortnight. Anyhow once we go into Canungra, Sam will add some variety to the menu." Vaunie replied defending Sam.

I felt guilty for knocking Sam's menu and decided to keep my mouth closed. The last thing I wanted was to have a clash to spoil the night.

Then I realised that I was becoming homesick again - as I was thinking about home every day. I sure missed mum's Sunday roasts. Leg of Mutton, roast potatoes, pumpkin and onions, all baked in the drippings from the week's grilled meat.

Roasts so full of flavour and crisp from her gas range. Mum made the best roasts ever.

Vaunie's voice interrupted my thoughts and brought me back to reality "You know Mrs D is an excellent cook Rosie, and all her jams and baked goods have won various ribbons at the local fairs." she remarked.

"Really, well that's something to look forward to. Guess tonight's dinner is going to be something worth eating, eh?" I replied.

Our chores seemed to get done extra fast and Sam passed a comment about my getting into the swing of things. I just let out a knowing laugh and glanced at Vaunie, winking as I did so.

Nothing was going to put me off tonight, and I smiled to myself happily. I was really looking forward to meeting our mountain neighbours on every level.

Sunset arrived, and with the milking completed, Vaunie and I headed for the farmhouse and our much needed baths. Sam had gone up for hers half an hour earlier, after loading up the boiler and lighting it. Sam was most likely all dressed and ready to leave by now.

Vaunie and I had our baths quickly and talked about the evening, and Vaunie spoke about Brett. She had liked him from the first time she met him eighteen months ago.

His family were good friends of Sam's and she had known them since she was a teenager – long before Peter Daniels – Brett's dad, was even married.

It was surprising how quickly you can bathe and dress, when you don't need to worry about a hairstyle and make-up. With our teeth well brushed, fragrance on and hair done, we enthusiastically headed for the door.

At 5.45pm we were in the Moke and on our way to the Daniels. Vaunie and I were happily singing some songs as we drove along. Vaunie also seemed overly happy - but I didn't know why. Maybe it had something to do with Brett – only time would tell.

Vaunie was a little over a year older than me, although only I knew how to drive - but not a stick-shift. Vaunie couldn't drive at all. Dad had taught me to drive when I was thirteen on my Aunt's cane farm outside Bundaberg, but our car was a Holden hydramatic.

Automatics were less complicated and impossible to stall - as they didn't have a clutch.

In fact - dad was the only person I knew who could 'clutch start' an automatic! I remember once he went to go out and couldn't get it to start. So he came inside and asked me if I could give him a hand to push the car out of the yard.

I said "You can't clutch-start an automatic Dad." "Can't I?" he said smiling "Just watch."

Dad rolled his window down, put the car in neutral and steered it out onto the road through the open window, as we both pushed it. Once it was straight across the road, he got in behind the wheel and asked me to push it so he could turn the car to face downhill.

Then off he went. Just before he reached the bottom of the hill, the engine kicked over and away he went around the corner.

* * * * *

Chapter 8: Paddy What?

Fifteen minutes later we arrived. Peter and Jo-Anna Daniels farm was on much flatter land, but still very elevated. Our hosts were a typical country family - mum, dad and four kids.

The two older teenage boys were helping their dad with a chore outside when we arrived, and just looked up to see who it was, and then back to whatever they were studying on the ground.

But Mrs D and their two daughters had been watching for our arrival from the kitchen window and came out, welcoming us with open arms. I was introduced to them and invited inside out of the cold night air, but Sam said "I'll go see what the men are up to."

After entering the house, Mrs D returned to checking her pots on the stove and invited Vaunie and I to sit down. She was a middle aged woman around forty and of slim build. She was still very attractive, even without make-up and her lipstick outlined her full lips flatteringly.

Her hair was light brown and curly and she had the loveliest blue-grey eyes. Their two daughters took after Mrs D in features. Their frames slight also and they had her same light brown hair and eye colouring.

Tina was aged twelve and Jackie who was three, were both very inquisitive and asked me all about where I came from and what the city was like. And did I like working on the farm.

_Obviously, Jackie was a late-in-life baby too_ , I thought to myself, and felt quite at home there. I'd never had anyone pay so much attention to me before. I felt like I was a movie star and the girls were my fan club!

The kitchen was large and inviting and dinner's aroma filled the air. It wasn't a roast baking, but whatever it was – it smelt delicious! I looked around the room, taking in everything.

Multi-coloured crocheted rugs were thrown over the lounge and armchairs, which formed part of the large open living area at the opposite end of the kitchen.

A few small Kangaroo pelts were down on the floor, along with a Persian rug, lying directly in front of their open sandstone fireplace and the lounge was arranged around the fireplace and rug.

Above the mantle was a framed mirror of considerable size. It appeared to be an heirloom along with the rug. Some old family photos in oval frames hung on the wall, yellowed with age and next to an oil painting done of the bush.

The Daniels had linoleum floor coverings throughout the living areas and leading through into the bedrooms. Their home although modest, was rich in love - making it warm and homey.

Unlike the farmhouse, the Daniels had gotten electricity that year and Mrs D took delight in cooking on her new range.

This was because their farm had power poles running through it and carried power straight up the mountain to the Guest House at O'Reilly's.

The power company didn't always follow roads in rural or mountainous areas, and would often travel through farmer's paddocks to keep costs of wiring down. Our farm was off the beaten track a bit and hence why we had none.

"Dinner won't be for another 30minutes." Mrs D remarked. She asked Vaunie to show me around the farm and told the girls to bathe for dinner. Vaunie grabbed me by the arm and took me back outside.

Not far from the kitchen door, we saw the boys with their dad and Sam, huddled over something on the ground.

There were hurricane lamps around them illuminating their work. Obviously the men were busy repairing a motor and Sam being more male than female at times, was keen to observe.

She was after all, the 'man' at our farm and did all the heavy work. Perhaps now she was getting a course in machinery.

We walked over to join them and Sam moved aside for us to observe. I moved in to see what was happening and wasn't prepared for what I was about to see!

To my horror, it wasn't anything mechanical being fixed at all!

Mr D was busy skinning what appeared to be a small kangaroo and giving Sam instructions on how you went about it! I swallowed hard, determined not to let this bloody and gory sight, deter me from enjoying my well earned meal.

I quickly walked away and back inside to the kitchen, with Vaunie close behind me. Mrs D remarked "That was quick girls." and Vaunie told her what had just happened. "Oh, dear . . . . . sit down on the lounge love."

"You get used to sights like that living up here. It's not a pleasant thing - I know, but they're in plague proportions and if we don't cull them, they'll eat all our cattle's good grazing land!" she explained.

Then she went on to add "We'll be eating tea soon and you'll feel a lot better then."

' _Feel a lot better_?' I thought - I was sick to my stomach, having trouble with what was left in there from lunch. More food was the last thing I wanted in it! Mrs D offered me a glass of tank water and remarked how pale I looked. "Are you sure you are alright, Rosie – do you want to lie down?" she asked concerned.

The sight of what I just witnessed disgusted me. I'd never seen anything so horrible in my entire life – not even at the movies!

How could Sam just stand there and watch - like it was a pot of eggs boiling on the stove, it bewildered me! That poor little creature - our native fauna being slaughtered and then desecrated like that? I fought back tears.

Suddenly dinner didn't appear to be so appetizing and I wondered if I'd recover enough to be able to eat at all. I wished I was home.

I started to feel homesick again and began to rethink about staying on at the farm. Maybe I was too soft to be working up here and should go home. Mrs D started talking to me from the kitchen, stirring me back to the present.

She asked "How's the dairy farming going Rosie – do you like it?" I think this may have been her way of taking my mind off what I'd just seen.

When I opened my mouth to answer her, I had to swallow really hard and gulped out. "Umm yeah . . . umm . . . yeah great." I eventually replied. Mrs D just smiled back at me in an understanding manner and returned to her preparations.

The men finally came inside and Vaunie introduced Mr D and then the boys to me. Mr D was quite handsome, around 1.88mtrs tall, dark haired and was greying at the temple.

He was heavyset and muscular and dressed in typical farmer attire of bib and brace overalls, flannelette shirt and boots. Their two sons were dressed the same.

Both were both good looking lads too and well on their way to catching up to their dad in height. The boys were nineteen and eighteen years old, but Brett, the eldest, had his mum's fair hair and blue eyes and Glen, the younger - inherited his dad's dark colouring and brown eyes.

They all said hello to me, flashing big friendly smiles, then Mrs D asked them to go and wash up for dinner, as it was almost ready. The girls returned from their bath, dressed in their pyjamas and joined me on the lounge.

Vaunie stayed in the kitchen talking quietly with Mrs D and helping dish up.

Tea was served and I was called to the kitchen table, arriving last. A red, yellow and blue tartan seersucker tablecloth adorned the table, with some wildflowers and native ferns as a floral arrangement. These I'd been told, the girls had picked especially for me.

Vaunie, Brett and Sam were already seated on the opposite side of the table, and my place was next to Mr D at the head. Then seated next to me were Glen and Tina. Jackie sat at the opposite end with Mrs D, but her chair was empty.

Mrs D was still setting down the plates of food. I took my seat at the table and glanced over to Vaunie's place which was still empty.

My dinner was served after Mr D's and it was clear that Mrs D was working her way around the table.

I looked down at my plate and there set down before me on my dinner plate was mashed potatoes, pumpkin, home grown beans, carrots, rich onion gravy and . . . . . . . . . meat balls!

I tried to smile and look surprised, complimenting Mrs D on her meal. I waited until she joined us at the dinner table before I began to eat, just in case the family said grace. They did and I was glad I had waited.

As it gave me the strength to work up an appetite and not offend. Vaunie was smiling at me and I asked her why.

She replied with great delight in herself, "Mrs D asked me some time ago, what your favourite meal was, and I told her meatballs with onion gravy and mashed potato." She announced - smiling even broader.

'Ah, so you're the culprit - I thought to myself' and smiled back at her, thanking her for her thoughtfulness through gritted teeth!

Mrs D's rissoles were like nothing I had ever tasted before. They were absolutely delicious! The mince was lean and full of flavour, but a little darker than normal. It must be her seasoning, I thought to myself.

Surprisingly, I found myself savouring every delectable mouthful, but every time I looked up, Vaunie and Sam were watching me eat intently and smiling.

Half-way through my meal, curiosity got the better of me and I asked "Why are you both watching me eat and smiling?" Vaunie just shook her head smiling and replied that she would tell me later and Sam said nothing.

I thought it may have something to do with one of the lads. Vaunie liked Brett a lot, but he was shy around her in company. Perhaps Brett had told her that he liked her too?

I finished my meal last, as it was a generous serve, much more than I was used to eating. Now everyone was watching at me - smiling. I was feeling embarrassed and asked "Okay – what is it – why are you all smiling at me?"

"How were the rissoles Rosie?" Vaunie asked me. "Delicious!" I replied and thanked Mrs D on her cooking expertise. "What did you think of the flavour?" Vaunie enquired again. "The best I've ever had – why?" I asked again.

Then Vaunie said "Well, remember when I took you outside and we went over to see what Mr D was doing?" I gingerly answered "Yes?" "Well you've just eaten one of those!" "I'VE WHAT?" – I managed to say, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"You mean like that kangaroo he was skinning? I've just eaten kangaroo?" I spluttered. "No, not kangaroo silly!" she replied "It's Paddymelon!" I just looked at her and asked "It's what?"

"A Paddymelon – it's a small type of scrub wallaby. They run through the mountains in plague proportions and have to be killed" Vaunie explained.

Suddenly my mind cast back to all of the mince I'd been eating since I had arrived! Oh no, I was never going to eat mince again. Well not while I was up here, at least.

"Have I been eating Paddy melon all the while I've been here?" I finally managed to ask, looking at Sam. "No, Rosie, what I've been cooking was beef mince – and all from Paul's shop." Sam replied smiling.

Mrs D could see from my face that I was upset again and asked the girls to give her a hand to clear away the dirty plates. "Then we can all have pudding." she remarked. "Its apple crumble and custard." Mrs D tried to distract me from my thoughts as I just sat there overwhelmed.

I was lost for words – speechless! Maybe I was over-reacting, but I felt sick, hurt and betrayed. This was a mean trick for Vaunie to pull. How could my best friend do this to me?

After pudding, everyone except Mrs D and I, left the table and moved into the lounge room. Mr D was over at the fireplace and lighting a fire, as it was starting to get cool.

Vaunie was on the lounge with the boys and Sam was seated in one of the armchairs with the girls colouring in on the rug.

I just sat there at the kitchen table stunned. Mrs D began to clean up the kitchen and I offered to help with the dishes. "No Rosie, you're a guest – it's okay, I have girls here to help me do them." She sweetly replied.

I apologised to her for sounding ungrateful and told her the meal was delicious and I truly appreciated all the trouble she had gone to for me.

"It can come as a bit of a shock when you learn about the meat Rosie. But we've been eating Paddymelons for a few years now and we are just fine."

"Don't be angry at Vaunie, Rosie – okay?" she pleaded with me. I assured her that I wouldn't and picked up a tea-towel to dry up the dishes. Mrs D smiled at me when she saw me join her at the sink and then Vaunie came back into the kitchen.

She gave me a hug and then said "I'm sorry for not telling you – forgive me? I thought you might like to try paddymelon and see what it's like. I wasn't trying to be mean – honest." Then Vaunie picked up a spare tea-towel and started drying up too.

We seemed resigned to doing dishes together, Vaunie and I. Twice a day we did them and why should tonight be any different?

Mrs D was a lovely woman and a loving wife and mother. During the dishes she began telling us about how she and Peter had met through Sam. Sam and her had known each other most of their lives and had been classmates in primary school together.

Sam had liked Peter first, and had known him most of her life. Both their parents had been long time friends. Then at sixteen after her parent's sudden death, Sam came to live on this farm with the family and worked as a farmhand for Peter's parents - Jack and Louisa.

Peter was nineteen then. "When Peter and Sam weren't working on the farm, they were constant companions." Mrs D said. "Sam was Peter's best mate and they did everything together.

He could never look upon her as anything other than that - she was like the little sister he never had."

Then she continued. "But when Sam introduced Peter to me in Canungra shopping one day three years later, Peter and I ended up falling hopelessly in love." She confided.

"I worked in my parent's haberdashery store in Canungra back then, and often took in dressmaking for the local women to help with the family bills."

Then Mrs D continued to relate the story of how after their initial introduction, Mr D found himself buying his mother dress fabric and wool, fancywork and lace randomly every fortnight.

After receiving these unexpected gifts, Louisa soon realized that her only child was smitten with the pretty girl in the haberdashery store. Every time he went to Canungra, Peter found a reason to buy something in the haberdashery store, just so he could see and talk to her.

Hoping each time he could pluck up enough courage to ask her out.

Eventually after a couple of months he did and Mrs D accepted. "We were married less than a year later and Sam was Maid of Honour at our wedding.

After the honeymoon, Peter and I returned to live with Jack, Louisa and Sam, on the farm – just one big happy family." Mrs D smiled.

"My younger sister Judith was old enough by then to help my parents in the store and that made everything that much easier for us. I was able then to come here with a clear conscious and begin my new life with Peter and not feel guilty for leaving." She concluded.

That had been twenty years ago. Mr D - along with their family, was her life now and she felt rich beyond her wildest dreams. Very grateful for her family and the lifestyle they shared in this family home.

Jack had built the three bedroom house for Louisa some forty five years earlier, and Peter was born there. Louisa had several miscarriages before giving birth to Peter.

He was a big baby and their only child, as poor Louisa had a difficult birth and was left unable to bear anymore children. He was a good son and was beloved by both his parents.

When Jack and Lou had reached their sixties, they decided they were too old to farm and retired, moving to a home in Canungra, near Mrs D's parents and thus making more room for their growing family. Their move made Sam feel awkward and she felt she needed to move on too.

So after Jack and Lou left, Sam decided to look elsewhere for work and heard of a job for a live-in foreperson on Robert's Plateau Dairy farm and took it. Sam explained her hasty departure away by saying with the new baby coming they would need her room for young Brett.

She moved out within a month - but she never forgot about Peter or her love for him.

It was now their home and had been theirs for over eighteen years. All their children had been born there too. It was a gift to them and their young family from Jack and Louisa, to work on and keep the family farm going and their family regularly employed.

Once the dishes were done, Mrs D decided to make some hot cocoa and put some freshly made lamingtons out onto a tray. When the cocoa was ready, Vaunie carried it into the lounge room first and then sat back down with the boys.

A moment later I took the tray with the home-made lamingtons and placed them down on the coffee table, next to the cocoa and returned to the kitchen. Mrs D asked me to grab a chair for myself from the kitchen table and she took one too.

Everyone was now huddled around the fire and talking with each other in little groups when we re-entered the room. We put our chairs down on the linoleum and sat down near Mr D.

I looked across to Vaunie, Brett and Glen all seated on the lounge - like the three wise monkeys chattering away quietly to each other. Mr D was in his armchair and Sam in the other.

We tucked into supper and I noticed Vaunie was still talking quietly with the boys across the room.

The adult's conversation turned to the Robert's Plateau farm and its auction, and Sam confided that she wasn't looking forward to leaving her beloved mountains. Mr D could see that Sam was deeply saddened by the sale but was unable to give her any comfort.

So he changed the subject by asking if we were going to the monthly dance up at O'Reilly's hall on Saturday night. I looked at Vaunie and she looked at Sam. "Can we all go please?" We both asked in unison.

Sam was put on the spot and a reply was needed and since it was Peter who had asked her – Sam replied "Yeah, why not? Might be just what the doctor ordered"

Vaunie asked me to move my chair over to be with them in their huddle. We spoke about our hobbies and life back at home in the Brisbane suburbs. Glen in particular seemed keen to know more and especially about further education courses.

I told him all I knew, which was very little and he seemed disappointed.

I guess he needed details, but I couldn't help him. I was a primary school dropout myself, and although I wanted to continue onto high school and study to be an architect, I was never given the opportunity.

Then Glen and Brett asked Vaunie and I, if we wanted to meet them at the hall on Saturday night and be their dates. Vaunie was equally surprised by the invitation too, as she told me Brett usually was shy around strangers or when his parents were around.

Maybe he was finally growing up and coming out of his shell, I thought. We'd know for sure this Saturday night whether the knowledge of Vaunie leaving would force Brett's hand, and Vaunie secretly hoped that romance would be in the air.

At 9.00pm, Sam announced that we needed to go as we had an early start, and we thanked Mrs D for her lovely meal, hugged everyone and said we'd see them all Saturday night.

This time when we arrived back at the farm, we were able to drive right up to the front door of the farmhouse, as there had been no rain and the ground was reasonably dry. Thank God, I thought to myself, as I didn't care for the night walk down the hill.

* * * * *

Chapter 9: Surprise, Surprise.

Thursday turned out to be a day like any other – nothing surprising happened at all. Up at pre-dawn, dress, eat and do the chores. We also did some washing before lunch in the shed's wash-house, as I'd been there nearly a week and pegged it out in the bright sunshine.

The wind that was blowing up the hill would have it dry after an hour, Vaunie commented.

Both Vaunie and I decided to have a nap then, as we were tired from the late night before and awoke up around 2.00pm. We bought our washing in off the line and folded it, made a cuppa, drank it and then it was time to go and get the cows again.

Where did our days go to? After our afternoon milking, Vaunie and I headed back to the farmhouse and to our baths.

Friday was to be a day full of surprises. After our morning chores, Vaunie and I took the eggs and ripe vegetables we had collected and went into the house. There was an aroma of meat cooking - not mince, emanating from the kitchen!

Curious, we removed our boots at the door, picked up the vegetables and eggs we set down on the hall table and walked into the kitchen. Sam said lunch was almost ready, to wash up and then come back and sit down.

We did as we were asked and a few minutes later were happily surprised by lamb chops, chips, vegetables and gravy! "WOW Sam – what's the celebration?" I asked.

Sam replied that "This was part of my fortnightly meat order from Paul, and when you had arrived, you'd happened to hit the end of it with the mince meals."

"The older potatoes were growing eyes, so I decided it was chip time, and I thought some fresh mint from the garden, made into a sauce, would be a nice garnish." I was also pleasantly surprised by Sam's presentation.

She could cook after all, and what a feast we were having! My thanks went to the Lord – our saviour.

It was a lovely warm autumn afternoon, so after the kitchen lunchtime clean-up, Vaunie and I decided to go outside in the fresh air and enjoy the sun.

The ground had dried from the few days of continuous sunshine, and we took a rug with us to lie on and played around as only teenage girls can.

I pretended that I was Calamity Jane, and ran up a small hillock singing at the top of my voice, 'Once I Had a Secret Love' and 'The Black Hills of Dakota', while Vaunie pretended to have a movie camera and was filming me. Oh we were young and being mad and wasn't it great?!

We were having some fun and laughing together again and carrying on like we used too. I'd missed our 'mad' days - those days when we could just act our age. We had a great afternoon, rolling around in the grass and making daisy-chain crowns and necklets.

The cows watched us as we frolicked and then just looked away, chewing on their cud with incomprehension.

This was going to be one day that I would always remember. One of those days that remained forever locked in your memory, that you relived when you were having a bad day and then recalling it, smiled to yourself.

This was the day when I got my best friend back and we had fun again.

The day wore on and it was time for us to round up the cows for their afternoon milking. We whistled to the dogs and they came running down to us.

I picked up the rug, shook the grass off it folded it an put it over my shoulder and we shooed the cows up to the milking shed with renewed vigour, and spoke of Saturday night and the dance.

"Do you think Brett will ask me to dance?" Vaunie asked. "I'm sure he will. Has he ever asked you before to dance?" I enquired. "Well to be truthful . . . Um, sometimes." Vaunie confided and then changing the subject asked me "What do you think of Glen? I think he likes you!"

I looked at her in surprise. "Really – what makes you think that?" I asked. "We barely spoke more than a few sentences to each other." Vaunie smiled at me and I got the distinct impression, that maybe he had said something to her before I joined them in the lounge.

Anyway, come Saturday night - I would certainly find out.

We reached the milking shed and to my surprise, found that Sam was still getting things ready. She asked us both to shovel some hay into the stalls for the cows, while we were waiting.

After milking was done and the manure shovelled into the wheelbarrow for the next day's bagging, we went into the house with the fresh eggs and veges.

There on the kitchen table was a decorated cake with Happy Birthday written on it - but without a name. I knew it wasn't Vaunie's birthday and asked her was it Sam's? "Dunno, I don't think so." Vaunie replied.

We made ourselves a cup of tea, took it out to the sunroom, sat down and put our feet up.

Dusk was beginning to fall when Sam came into the house. We finished our cuppas, picked up our empty cups and carried them back to the kitchen. Sam was peeling the vegetables for tea when we walked in, and had something roasting in the oven.

When we asked about the cake, Sam smiled and said nothing. Vaunie asked if it was her birthday and Sam just shook her head. "Whose then?" she asked. Sam told us both to go and have our baths and dress nice, we were having company for dinner.

We both asked together "Who" and Sam replied "It's Paul, and it's his 40th birthday today." Talk about surprises!

After our baths we went to our room to dress. Paul arrived just on 6.00pm and we called to Sam who had bathed and was in her bedroom dressing.

Paul looked really handsome and had obviously given a lot of thought into dressing nicely for Sam. His hair was combed and styled with some hair oil and a side part. The top was flicked back and combed back at the sides, and he smelt really good.

Paul had a bottle of red wine and lemonade in one hand and a bunch of coloured Chrysanthemums with a box of Roses chocolates in the other. He was being very thoughtful and it was really sweet of him to bring chocolates.

It was strange to have a man in the house - we were so used to it just being us and we were usually in our pyjamas at this time and ready for bed. Not entertaining.

We took Paul into the kitchen and then Sam came around the corner from her bedroom. She was wearing lipstick and a dress. WOW we thought - looking at each other, what's going on here?

Sam greeted Paul with a smile and a peck, then went over and put on an apron and checked on her cooking.

Then Sam took the flowers from Paul, thanking him for his gesture and arranged them in a crystal vase with some water, and placed them on the kitchen table.

Jokingly Sam said to Paul "You know my favourite flowers are pink roses Paul" and then laughed at his surprised face.

Next Sam asked Vaunie and I if we'd please set up the dining room for her, as she was tending her cooking in the kitchen and she told us what to do.

"First light the two crystal lamps on the sideboard in the dining room, so you can see what you're doing and then leave them there for now. "Next you'll find cutlery in the top drawer of the sideboard in a canteen."

"Please take out four forks, four knives and four dessert forks." "In the next drawer down, take out the white damask table cloth with matching serviettes." she told us.

"Now set the table with the crockery from the bow china cabinet. I'd like four dinner plates and four side plates. I'd also need four crystal glasses - two red wine ones for Paul and myself, and two scotch tumblers for you girls."

She continued with "Finally, I'd like you to place the two lit lamps carefully at either end of the table." I was trying to guess what might be going on, but wasn't sure. Sam was using her late mother's silverware, good china, crystal glasses and lamps and double-damask tablecloth!

Sam was obviously giving Paul a 'last supper' – well all of us for that matter and there was nothing that was too good for us to use tonight. This would be my first and our last formal dinner here and it was looking like it was going to be a great night.

"Had we missed something?" I asked Vaunie. "Nah, Sam had kept poor Paul at arms length for donkey's years. Nothing would be going on – it was just too obvious a conclusion to arrive at." She replied knowingly.

"This is just Sam's way of saying thank you for all the meat and goodbye – mountain style." Vaunie added confidently. After we'd set the table, we went back into the kitchen.

Whatever was happening had both Vaunie and I intrigued and only time would tell?

Sam asked me to put the vase of flowers in the middle of the dining table, and to please bring her back the four dinner plates from it, so she could dish up.

Sam opened up the oven door to take out dinner and placed it on the oven top. And to our surprise – it was a roast meal!

* * * * *

Chapter 10: A Decent Proposal

Vaunie and I carried in the dinner plates for all of us and set them down on the dining table. Paul carried in the opened bottle of Claret and the lemonade and stood waiting for Sam.

Sam then entered, her apron removed and sat at one end of the table in the carver chair, opposite Paul. He smiled at Sam and she blushed. Vaunie and I sat down opposite each other on the sides.

Paul then walked around to the top of the table and poured the Claret into a glass for Sam, poured out the lemonade for Vaunie and I, and finally filling his own glass before setting the bottles down on the table and sitting down.

He then asked if he could make a toast and held up his glass. "To the most beautiful woman in the world – may God bless you with your heart's desire." he announced. Sam smiled back at him sweetly and we all took sips from our glasses.

The meal was really romantic under the soft glow of the table lamps and Sam's cooking rivalled Mrs D's. There was only one thing missing. The absence of Vaunie and me!

This dinner should have only had two people - Paul and Sam – not us! But we savoured our roast dinner.

Sam's lamb roast was tender and juicy, roasted potatoes and pumpkin cooked crisp, baby carrots and whole beans, coupled with her pan-juice gravy, I was left amazed and thoroughly sated.

After we finished the meal, Sam arose, placing her serviette onto the table and walked into the kitchen.

Vaunie and I picked up the empty dinner plates and took them to the sink, rinsed and stacked them and returned to the dining room and sat down again. We were gone for only a few minutes but whilst we were away, Paul had refilled all of our glasses.

A few moments later, Sam appeared carrying the cake, which was now aglow with forty birthday candles into the dining room. Paul was dumbfounded, a tear in his eye. Sam set his cake down before him and returned to her seat.

We all sang Paul happy birthday. He stood up, bent down and blew out all his candles in one breath. Vaunie and I clapped and called out speech, speech.

Paul remained standing and smilingly thanked Sam for all her effort and kindness in making his fortieth birthday, so very special and a night he would always remember. He then sat down and looked at Sam with love in his eyes. She sat there just smiling at him.

He cut into the cake and passed a slice to Sam and then sliced more for Vaunie and me, and then finally gave a piece to himself. The cake was Madeira – Sam's speciality with her special frosting made up of butter and icing sugar with some sprinkles, topped it off nicely.

Then Paul did something odd. He took a drink from his full glass, put it down, then picked it up again - and took an ever bigger mouthful. It appeared like he was working up the courage for something.

Then he rose from his seat and walked around to Sam's end of the table, then went down on one knee beside her and said.

"Sam, you must know by now, that I have loved you ever since I first met you. I know that you have had your heart broken and don't want to ever feel that pain again. But I promise you this.

If you will trust me enough to marry me, I will never hurt you and will love you until my dying day!" WOW – Vaunie and I just looked at each other and back to Sam.

Tears welled up in Sam's eyes and began to fall slowly down her cheek and then Paul took her into his arms and kissed her - long and tenderly. Sam then told Paul "I have always liked you and love the way you make me laugh and feel beautiful.

If that is enough for you to begin with, and you are willing to wait for my love to grow, then yes - I will marry you!"

Vaunie and I got up from our seats and ran over to them both and hugged and congratulated them. We were almost as excited as they were. They were both smiling now and Sam suggested that we move into the lounge room and be more comfortable.

Paul went back into the kitchen and returned with the Roses chocolates. For my girls he said, placing them down on the coffee table.

We looked at Sam and she said "No, they're not mine - they're yours. I don't eat chocolates." She said smiling. "Paul already knows that." And she looked at him now smiling.

"Now we need to make some plans and a date booked, but not too far away." Paul said to Sam. They had already wasted seventeen years. So they put their heads together and began talking about what things needed to be done.

Once the farm was sold, Sam had to move out and they would work around it, so everything would fall into place.

If they contacted the local Lutheran pastor tomorrow, they could post their intent to marry on Saturday 24th. June. That's a month after the auction and in six weeks time. "Plenty of time." Sam said.

Despite farm's sale, she would move out after the auction and down into Canungra. Paul said she could leave whatever furniture she wanted and any other items with him.

Sam suggested that we could go down to Canungra tomorrow morning after chores and look at some dress patterns and materials in the haberdashery shop, which was now run by Jo's younger sister Judith and her husband Colin.

Perhaps she could ask Jo to make her wedding dress. She would also need to think about bridesmaids, and would ask Jo to be her Matron of Honour - she was her best friend after all.

"At noon I'll meet up with you Paul and we can go and talk to the pastor together and ask about the availability of the non-denominational church at O'Reilly's."

Things were getting very exciting now. There was so much to plan, and not a lot of time to do it. Sam would need to talk to Jo, this she knew. Maybe Jo could come into Canungra with them too? Yes, after the chores tomorrow, they would call around and tell Jo and Peter the good news.

Sam and Paul went to the kitchen and to make us all cups of cocoa. It went very quiet in there, only the cups and saucers rattling were heard at first – and then nothing.

We guessed that they were creating more than cocoas in the kitchen, it was too quiet and we sensed that they were making love and making up for lost time.

Vaunie opened our chocolates and were nibbling on them, when Paul and Sam carried the hot drinks back into the lounge room and set them down on the coffee table. It was nearly 8.10pm and we would need to drink our cuppas fast and go to bed.

We wondered if Paul would stay over and drive down in the early morning.

When we were awoken by Sam at 4.30am, we heard an engine kick over and guessed that they had spent their first night together. We didn't say anything about it to Sam, only that we were so glad for them both.

Sam looked ten years younger and went about smiling all morning. It was nice to see her smile and we were glad that Paul had finally won his lady love and we were his girls.

We seemed to rush through our chores and then had a quick wash and changed for the trip to the Daniels and then to Canungra. Mr and Mrs D were extremely happy for Sam and both hugged and kissed her.

Mrs D said that she would proudly be both her dressmaker and her Matron of Honour. Then all four of us climbed into the Moke and set out on our trip.

It was nearly noon by the time we arrived in Canungra. Today would be a very tiring one, as not only were there patterns and fabrics to look at, but the dance tonight.

Sam stopped and parked outside the haberdashery store and walked up to the butcher shop across the road and up the hill 150mtrs away. Mrs D, Vaunie and I stood outside the store and wondered what to do next.

We would have to amuse ourselves while we waited for Sam and Paul to be finished with the Pastor Lou. I suggested to Mrs D and Vaunie that we go to Karen's Canungra Cafe for burgers and milkshakes for lunch and Vaunie agreed.

But Mrs D said she'd like to go in and see Judith in the haberdashery store. She told us that she'd be back in an hour and walked inside.

Vaunie and I walked down the road to the Karen's café and studied the menu board. What do I feel like - I said to myself? A hamburger was definitely out of the question – especially around these parts.

You just never knew what you might be eating. I know what I'll have and counted out my money.

Karen asked for our orders. Vaunie ordered a Hawaiian burger and strawberry malt and I asked for a steak burger and vanilla milkshake. "Paul and Sam might be there for some time Vaunie" I observed and decided to order a bowl of chips to eat with our burgers also.

We could see the Butcher shop and church clearly from our booth window seat in the cafe. Watching intently as Paul came outside with Sam and locked up the butcher shop, and then they both walked holding hands across the road to the churches parsonage.

Ten minutes later our lunch was before us and we nibbled on our chips in between burger bites, glancing occasionally towards the church for sign of the happy couple. We spoke of the dance tonight and what we were going to wear and about the Daniels boys.

"What do you think of Glen, Rosie?" Vaunie asked me. "He's really quite nice – isn't he, but I can't see anything happening between us Vaunie," I divulged honestly. "Why's that Rosie?" Vaunie asked me, surprised at my reply.

"Well, let's be sensible here Vaunie. We're both going home soon and long distance relationships just don't work," I sensibly replied. "You don't know what the future holds. You really need to keep an open mind.

Anyway, tonight is all about letting our hair down and having some laughs – don't you agree?" Vaunie remarked.

"Of course. Heaven knows we've need to have some good laughs, you know what they say about all work and no play." I laughed. Vaunie said that we needed to laugh, that's for sure and Brett was very funny when away from his folks. "Quite witty actually, Vaunie confided.

"So are you and Brett going to be dancing with each other all night then?" I asked, trying to figure out if I'd be stuck at the table all alone, like the proverbial wallflower.

"I dunno. Maybe. We can have some dances together, but it's not the type of music that you're used to though Rosie – it is country music." Vaunie warned. "I'll be right." I replied self assured and full of confidence in my dancing prowess.

I knew all the dances – well the ballroom dances any way, surely a country dance wouldn't be that much different, I thought to myself.

We continued talking about the boys and what we would wear tonight, while watching for signs of Sam and Paul leaving the parsonage – but still nothing.

Around thirty minutes later Paul and Sam re-emerged smiling. Paul was carrying some papers and they walked smiling and holding hands towards where we were seated at the café's window.

Sam and Paul came inside and up to us. "Where's Jo?" Sam asked. "Oh, she's in the haberdashery shop." Vaunie answered. "She'll be here soon."

Vaunie asked Sam how everything went and Sam replied "Pastor Lou told us there wouldn't be a problem at this stage. He said he would post off the bans on Monday and start getting things organized at his end."

"Then he congratulated us and said he looked forward to seeing us on our next visit, which would be in a fortnight." Sam continued smiling.

"He also said that we needed to fill out some paperwork and have our birth certificates and proof of identity with us next time." Paul added smiling as if he was in a dream. Then Sam announced that the following Saturday they would be having their engagement party.

At that moment Mrs D came back into the café with some white, ivory, pink and green colour swatches and a book with wedding dress patterns for Sam to look at. Sam kissed Paul goodbye and told him she'd see him tonight.

Then we drove up to Jack and Lou's home for a quick visit. Sam told them of her engagement to Paul and that the farm was being auctioned and that she would be relocating down to Canungra.

But her main reason for calling in was to ask them to their engagement party next Saturday.

Jack and Lou said they'd be at the party with bells on. "We are so very happy for you Sam. It's about time that you and Paul got your act together," Lou admitted to Sam.

Then Lou asked Sam where she was staying in Canungra after the auction, and Sam replied "I need to find a place to board for the month until our wedding."

Lou immediately replied and offered "Sam, why don't you stay here with Jack and I? We'd love to have you here, you are like one of our own children – you know that." Sam thanked and hugged them both, and replied "It looks like all our plans are falling into place nicely.

Pastor Lou was booked and the ceremony would be held in the chapel at O'Reilly's."

Then we all said goodbye to the Jack and Louisa and climbed into the Moke and made our way home. We dropped off Mrs D and told her we'd see her tonight. Then Sam said "With a bit of luck we might be able to squeeze in a nap before milking." Which we all did!

* * * * *

Chapter 11: Last Tango in Parish

After the afternoon milking was done and stalls cleaned, we followed Sam up to the house and took our turns bathing. Sam had made a savoury mince for tea and we sat down to eat it in our dressing gowns as fast as possible. Then afterwards went to our bedroom to dress.

Vaunie's dress was a lime green cotton mini which had an A-line gored skirt and had flared sleeves with a square cut neck and armholes. It had gold buttons on its two pockets at the hips.

She wore her small thick gold hoop earrings and wondered what to do with her hair, which now was short and sat on her collar.

Vaunie asked me to style it for her so I teased it out a bit to fluff it up, then hair-sprayed it. I grabbed one of my metal gold-toned headbands to hold her fringe back from her face.

Vaunie then asked if I could make her up too, as when she removed her glasses she couldn't see well enough to apply it.

The soft green eyeshadow brought out her hazel eyes and I envied her lovely long eyelashes. But as soon as she replaced her glasses and blinked, she placed vertical lines of mascara onto the lenses.

I asked her to give me her glasses and cleaned them for her, and suggested she wait five minutes until the mascara dried before wearing them. Afterwards I looked at her and thought she looked beautiful. Then Vaunie sprayed herself with Tweed.

I wore my pink linen mini which had three-quarter length puffed sleeves of matching pink lace, with a lace overlay empire lined bodice and scoop round neck with a softly gathered linen skirt.

Then I quickly applied foundation, picked out my cheeks too with rouge and added some to my eyelids, as a contrast to my grey eyes. Next I applied my mascara, my favourite candy pink lipstick and Heaven Sent perfume.

My gold pearl pendant and pearl stud earrings were my finishing touches and I left my hair out, but pulling my fringe back and keeping it in place with a pearl hair clip. It was a nice change from my buns and pigtails and to feel like a female again.

We walked out into the kitchen with our lamp and it was now almost 7.00pm. Sam came out too and everyone was ready for the dance and wearing dresses and black high-heels! Not only that, we all wore make-up and had styled our hair.

Sam's hair was out and she swept it up at the sides, and held it back with two antique looking silver hair combs. Some matching silver and blue opal jewellery adorned her neck and ears and I could smell distinctly, a lovely Magnolia fragrance.

I think that the jewellery and hair combs had been her mother's and family heirlooms. Her face looked lovely too. She had applied make-up and her face looked flawless - foundation, rouge, soft blue eye shadow, mascara and lipstick.

Her dress was a powder-blue polished cotton with short sleeves, fitted bodice and had box pleats at the waist. She looked lovely; I thought to myself and pictured how Paul would re-act when he saw her, smiling to myself.

"Do I look alright girls?" Sam asked tentatively. "It's not too much is it? It's been ages since I wore any make-up, not since Jackie's christening and I'd like to let Paul see that there is a female under all my jeans, boots and ponytails." And then she laughed.

No doubt at her own words and her transition into a girly girl.

Both Vaunie and I said WOW, Sam, and I wolf-whistled her. We all looked pretty! Hmmm, looks like we are all making a special effort tonight, I thought. Maybe romance was in the air, and not just for Sam - but for us as well?

After we checked each other out from top to toe 'Sam' style, we all smiled at each other, let out a giggle and went outside with our jackets and scarves. Sam had put the side walls on the Moke which came as welcome surprise.

We climbed into it and set off for O'Reilly's. Tonight was going to be great!

When we arrived, we had to park way down the hill and around the bend, as it seemed all the locals from within fifty kilometres were there at the dance. Cars were everywhere.

Obviously these mountain shin-digs were very popular and we could hear the music playing as we walked up to the guest house hall.

As we got within forty metres of the door, we saw a man walking down the road towards us. The guest house lights were behind him and his face was in shadow.

He was a big man and looked threatening coming toward us. I was a little concerned, as it was obvious to this stranger, that we were women by our dresses and I began to panic, I stopped walking and grabbed Vaunie's arm.

Then a familiar voice called out "Hello lovely ladies, I was wondering if you were going to make it?" It was Paul and as he neared us we could see he was smiling from ear to ear. He walked up to Sam and greeted her with a kiss and then stepped back, holding her hands.

Next he stepped aside so the lights behind him would shine on Sam's face and eyed her up and down smiling. He said nothing but shook his head slowly and just said "WOW!"

With eyes filled with admiration and love he added "You look absolutely beautiful, my love – I'm the luckiest man alive." And he kissed her again.

With that said he took her arm in his, holding it with his other hand on her arm and walked back up the hill with us. When we got within five metres of the hall's porch, we were suddenly greeted by the Daniels who had obviously been waiting for our arrival there, along with Paul.

Mr D complimented Sam on her dress and make-up. Then looked at Vaunie and me and added smiling "You'll do." Jo was all dressed up too with make-up on and in one of her own creations, and far from looking like the farmer's wife I'd first met on Wednesday.

I could see now why Peter had fallen in love with her. She was definitely a knockout and still had a good figure.

All of we women greeted one another with a kiss and then paid each other compliments. Brett and Glen weren't anywhere to be seen though – only the two girls were with their parents. "Maybe dancing wasn't their thing after all." I reflected and whispered to Vaunie.

We were both disappointed and it was hard for us to pretend to be happy when we'd obviously been stood up. Vaunie remarked dejectedly in my ear "Looks like the boys had better plans Rosie." And I agreed with a sad nod of my head.

Both of the girls who were also in dresses, came running up to us from the porch and put their arms around Vaunie and me in a group hug.

I looked down at them and asked "Hello - what's this?" Tina replied "We thought you weren't coming. The dance has been on for nearly thirty minutes." Then Tina took me by the hand and Jackie grabbed Vaunie's, and we all walked inside.

This was some soiree. We looked around the room at everyone, secretly hoping to see the boys – but no, there was no sign of them.

The place was surprisingly crowded; the music was a typical country genre and being played by a five piece band consisting of a piano, drums, violin, banjo and guitar. The band called themselves **Clean Living Clive's Good Time Palace Orchestra**. _A funny name for a country band_ , I thought.

Half the people were up on the dance-floor, and all the tables seemed to be taken either by people seated at them drinking and smoking, or by jackets draped over the chair backs.

Vaunie and I stood there disappointed, just watching the people dancing and waiting for the others to come in and wondering where we'd sit. At this point we both felt like just going back to the Moke and waiting until it was time to go home.

It didn't look like we'd be having any fun tonight.

We scouted the room for any teenagers around our own age, but they were either too young or with partners. Yup, tonight was going to be one of those nights. Guess Vaunie and I would be dancing partners all night.

Suddenly a male voice from behind up, made up both jump. We swung around and almost into the boys behind us. It was Brett and Glen! They said hello to us and smiled. "Oh you came." Vaunie said smiling at Brett. "Yes of course – we wouldn't have missed it for quids." He said.

"Dad asked us to mind the table while they waited outside for you to arrive." Brett replied smiling back. I tried to mask my excitement and remarked "The place seems pretty full."

With that Glen said "Come and sit down, we have a bench-table over there in the corner and have saved you all seats!"

They took us by the hands and led us over to it and we found that Mrs D, Sam and the girls were now all seated there – except for Paul and Mr D. Their jackets were draped over their chairs. Apparently Mr D and Paul were up getting drinks for everyone.

On the far side of the table and against the wall were four empty chairs – obviously ours. We navigated our way between the chairs and the wall, semi bending as we passed each one.

I went first, and then Vaunie and we sat down next to each other. Brett sat down next to Vaunie and finally Glen sat next to him.

We sat there silent listening to the band. Well Vaunie was right. This was country music and not quite what I was used to dancing to. Maybe I could just sit here all night and enjoy being a wallflower.

I could always talk to the girls opposite me and even colour in some pictures. Who said I had to dance any way?

After a few minutes, the silence at the table was broken by Glen who was now leaning forward towards me and resting his hand on Brett's lap for support. "What do you think of the music Rosie?" he asked. "It's good." I replied. "Would you like to dance then?" Glen offered.

I looked towards Vaunie who was smiling at me. "Are you guys going to get up too?" I asked. Brett turned to Vaunie and said "How about it Vaunie, reckon we can show them how it's done?"

With that, we all clamoured out from our seating places and moved onto the dance floor.

Being a modern girl and used to pop music, I felt a bit awkward on the dance floor. Pretty much like a duck out of water. I looked around at the other dancers and then to Vaunie who was beaming, trying to imitate her moves.

Country music certainly had a different tempo to pop, and I was very self-conscious of myself. Glen got straight into the rhythm and was dancing up a storm. I by comparison, appeared to resemble a zombie. _This is ridiculous_ _,_ I thought. I can dance and knew all the old time dances.

First being taught by Arthur Murray School of Dancing and then some more modern dance steps at Dick and Nola Orchard's Dance School on Saturday mornings, when I was twelve. What's wrong with me? – I found myself asking in my head.

Glen was really nice looking and a good dancer and I kept watching him when he wasn't looking. Relax girl, relax, I kept telling myself.

I glanced across to Vaunie and Brett, who appeared to be getting along just fine and Vaunie, had no problem keeping in rhythm with Brett. I thought - why can't I do that?

I was moving my feet from side to side and swinging my arms around and thought I must look like a love-crazed chimpanzee. Please band - play something I know and can dance to the beat of, I pleaded in my head. The song finished and they began to play the Tennessee Waltz.

Ah finally, something I could dance to. I looked at Glen for an indication of what he was going to do and, if he might decide to make a beeline for our table after watching me.

But he moved in towards me and placed one hand on the small of my back, and with the other took my hand holding it firmly but gently in his and assumed full waltz position.

Wow, I thought - he knows how to waltz too? We completed our waltz like we'd been dance partners all our life and then the band called a break. "Do you want to go back to the table or to the porch?" he asked me.

Surprised and caught off guard by his offer, I paused for a moment and then replied "To the porch – it's a bit warm in here."

* * * * *

Chapter 12: Unfamiliar Territory

It may have been late autumn, but it was getting warm inside - I was feeling hot all over and the thought of some fresh air appealed to me. When we walked outside, the fresh mountain air took me by surprise and I gave a shiver.

Glen noticed it and put his arm around my shoulders and drew me in next to him to share his body warmth.

Then he began the conversation with some small talk. He asked me if I had a job back home and when I replied yes, asked me where I normally worked. After I answered he then asked if I had a boyfriend back home and what it was like living in the city.

I told him that I didn't have a boyfriend, and life in 'the big smoke' was great - but mountain living was much cleaner.

He laughed at my answer, perhaps thinking I was trying to be funny, or maybe my answer was just silly to him. I looked at him in surprise and the next thing I knew, he was drawing me towards him and began kissing me, holding me firmly in his arms.

Glen stood about 20cms taller than me, even with both of us wearing heels.

WOW, steady on girl, I thought to myself. Glen kissed me for a few seconds, stopped, looked deep into my eyes and started to kiss me again. I became all hot again but this time it wasn't from dancing. I had been kissed by boys a few times before – but never like this.

My head was reeling. I was awash with feelings that I had never experienced before. All I could think was I didn't want him to stop, I felt tingly all over - but I knew we needed to.

These mountain men sure knew their stuff where women were concerned, I was thinking - who would've guessed it. The next time we broke for air, I heard the band start up again and suggested that we should go back inside as our folks might be worried.

We saw that Vaunie and Brett weren't at out table and noticed they were dancing again, so joined them on the dance floor. "Where have you been?" Vaunie whispered in my ear. I smiled and whispered back in her ear "Outside in the fresh air – why?"

"Your lipstick is all smudged." Vaunie replied and continued with "It looks like Glen's is too!"

Then she laughed and whispered something into Brett's ear, and he instantly looked over at us and started laughing too. Under the hall's lights I could see my bright pink lipstick all around Glen's mouth.

Great I thought, we are going to be the talk of the town. I began feeling more relaxed on the dance floor this time as I had finally found the country beat and the next song was 'Thank God I'm a Country Boy'.

It was a real toe tapper and we were reeling with Vaunie and Brett. We danced to a few more tunes and then after the next song, I bent forward and asked Glen if we could sit down.

Vonnie glanced over and noticed us leaving the dance floor, and took Brett by the hand and came along too. I asked Vaunie where the ladies toilet was before we reached the table and we both headed for there.

I needed to fix my smudge and then reapply my lipstick before sitting back down. I didn't want to appear like I was cheap and easy to the Daniels - because I wasn't. I was a good girl after all, and was saving myself for marriage.

The line-up to the ladies was considerable, but we decided to wait our turn. After about ten minutes, we occupied its only two cubicles, peed and then walked to the basins to wash our hands.

I wiped off the smears with some wet toilet paper and soap, checked my mascara wasn't smudged also and withdrew the lipstick that I had in my dress pocket with my hanky, and applied it.

I said to Vaunie "I hoped Brett told Glen about the smear on his face before he got back to the table." and we giggled at the thought. They would notice it for sure as it was a candy pink.

Then I asked Vaunie how things were with her and Brett – were they going along as smoothly as with Glen and I?

Vaunie replied smiling "Yes – they're good, really good." And having said that she began to walk back to our table, but I sensed there was something she hadn't told me.

When we arrived back at the table, Mrs D and the girls were the only ones seated and their faces turned to me, smiling.

Glen and Brett were still standing, as if waiting for us to return and I noticed that Glen's mouth was clean of lipstick now. A little embarrassed, I sat down in my place and Glen followed me in and sat next to me this time.

He picked up my hand and held it in his, our fingers intertwined. When I looked up he was looking at me, smiling. I smiled back and then Mrs D asked "How do you like the dance so far Rosie, are you having fun?"

"Great, they certainly have a good turn out – don't they?" I replied.

Vaunie then sat down next to Glen and then Brett sat down next to her and picked up her hand also. Sam and Paul were up dancing and they seemed to be really enjoying themselves, and then the music stopped and people returned to their places.

Mr D was nowhere to be seen; perhaps he was in the gents I thought.

Next thing we heard was a drum roll and I looked up to see Mr D standing on the stage holding the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? I have a very special announcement." "Tonight my very dearest and oldest friend Samantha Huebner and Paul the butcher from Canungra have become engaged. Sam and Paul, would you please join me up here?"

All eyes were upon them as they made their way through the tables and onto the stage. When they were standing next to Mr D, he took Sam's hand and continued with his toast.

"Now would everyone please charge your glasses and be upstanding in a toast to their future?" Everyone in the hall stood up with their glasses, including the girls.

"Here's to Sam and Paul - may all your problems be little ones and your joys be big, may your hearts remain forever in love and may you both be as happy as Jo and I." Mr D finished. **"To Sam and Paul."** The crowd proclaimed.

And that being said, Mr D kissed Sam on the cheek and shook Paul's hand. Paul then took Sam into his arms and kissed Sam softly on the mouth, and the room went wild with wolf whistles, applause and cheers.

Then all three of them returned to the table together. Paul pulled out Sam's chair for her, and then left to buy the next round of drinks and Mr D went with him.

Five minutes later they re-appeared with a jug of Lemonade, two bottles of coke, a bottle of Champagne and four wine glasses. "This is a night for celebration." Paul exclaimed smiling.

A few minutes later the band resumed playing and the boys asked Vaunie and me up to dance again. This time Mr and Mrs D got up along with the girls, and Sam and Paul. It was one of those nights you just don't want to end – those happily ever after moments.

Everyone was enjoying themselves and having fun and we wanted time to just stand still.

Vaunie and Brett were getting along nicely too and next band break I would need to take her aside and ask how it was all going with Brett. The band played another waltz. The singer announced "I have a special request here from Paul and it is dedicated to Sam – his lady love."

The song was 'The Last Waltz' by Englebert Humperdink and Paul knew Sam loved that song. Sam kissed Paul gently when she heard it start playing. The singer sang it with great feeling and delivered a nice rendition. The two love birds cuddled upon the dance floor.

Glen pulled me in close and I began feeling hot all over and light headed again too. I could smell his cologne, it was Brute and on him it was intoxicating. I told myself that I needed to exercise control.

He was a good dancer and led easily and then I noticed Mr and Mrs D looking over at us, they smiled and Mr D winked.

Apparently they approved of me and I wondered if this little romance ever had a chance for continuing. The band took another break and I whispered to Vaunie to come out to the porch with me. The boys went back to the table with the others and we walked outside.

"Okay, give me the details." I said to Vaunie. "How are things going between you and Brett?" Vaunie smiled and then proceeded to tell me. Brett had asked her while they were dancing if she thought she could ever love him.

Vaunie had replied that she already did, but now with her going back home soon, could there ever be a future between them. She continued that Brett said he was sorry that he'd wasted a lot of time.

Even though they saw each other once a month for dinner, they could've declared their true feelings to each other sooner.

Brett apologised to Vaunie and said that he was sorry again that he hadn't made his intentions known to her before this. But now with the farm's auction, things had changed. "Would you ever consider staying on at the mountains and living with us?" he had asked her.

I was totally taken aback at Brett's proposition and I asked Vaunie what she had said.

She continued "I told Brett that I needed to think about it, as my arrangements for going home had already been made and there was you to consider, and besides, had he even spoken to his parents about this idea of his?"

"Maybe they might have other plans for him. Let's just wait until Sam and Paul's engagement party next weekend and we can discuss things further then, without any noise or interruptions." She had replied.

I asked "Do you think there could be a future for you and Brett together? Do you think you could learn to love him?" "There was never a doubt in my mind Rosie. I do really love him in a big way.

I'm sorry for not telling you what's been going on between us, but I didn't want you saying anything to anyone." Vaunie explained. "It's really my parents that are my main concern." "Why - don't you think they will approve of Brett?" I asked.

"Perhaps you should ask Sam if you can invite them up her for the party, introduce Brett to them and talk to them and Brett's parents about it." I suggested. Vaunie agreed that seemed like the best way to go.

She'd ask Sam if it was okay to invite her parents and if Sam said yes, then write them a letter tomorrow, inviting them up and telling them it was very important for them to come. She would do this after the morning chores.

Geoff, the band singer came back to the microphone and announced that this was the last dance bracket and someone had asked for them to play a square dance.

"So all you lads and lassies, come on down – it's time to Dosado!" he declared. With that Vaunie and I went back into the hall.

Brett and Glen were waiting just inside the door for us and grabbed us by the hand. At that moment Glen asked me. "Are you ready to learn some country dancing?" "I guess so." I replied gingerly.

Vaunie and I smiled and looked at each other, then walked with the boys onto the floor where we joined Sam and Paul and the Daniels, who were the rest of our 'square'. We waited until everyone had their groups of eight and then the music began.

Directions were called this way and that and the caller shouted directions we'd never heard of or understood, but before long we were in time with everyone else and Dosadoing, promenading, slipping the clutch and allemanding.

The band played another square dance and this one was a little different. Sam and Mrs D talked Vaunie and I through it and again before long we got the hang of this dance too.

We were having a ball and laughing at our mistakes, along with the rest of our square and after we'd done four of them, the caller asked "One more for the road or a nice slow one to cool down?"

"A slow one" the crowd called and once again I found myself in Glen's arms. I didn't want this night to end, I felt like I belonged with Glen and he with me. I rested my head on his shoulder and felt his warm breath on my neck.

Then the band played their final jingle and the dance was over.

We started to walk back to our table holding hands and then Glen stopped and asked me to go outside for a moment. He told me he wanted to show me something. "What?" I asked? "Just wait and see." He replied.

After we went back out to the porch, Glen pointed out the moon to me and when I looked up, he pulled me into the porch's shadows and took me in his arms and kissed me goodnight. And once again I was swooning.

This feeling was unfamiliar territory for me and I didn't want his kiss to end. His arms were so strong and I felt safe and secure in them.

I knew we'd be missed so reluctantly after ten minutes, suggested we go back inside. But before we left, I wiped the lipstick off Glen's mouth with my hanky and re-applied mine. Then we returned to the others at our table.

Everyone was standing there now and waiting for us.

"Where were you both?" Tina asked and I replied "Just outside on the porch, looking at the moon." Then Mr D said "Okay - well it's been a great night but we all need to get up early tomorrow." "We'll see you all at the engagement party on Saturday." Paul said.

We kissed and hugged every one goodnight and Sam said that she looked forward to seeing them all again at the engagement party and we left.

Paul walked us all back down to the Moke, then on arriving there he kissed Sam and said "Goodnight Sweetheart – until next Saturday. Stay safe."

Disappointed Sam asked "Aren't you coming back home for the night Paul - it's too late and long a drive for you at this time?" Paul was taken by surprise too and said "Oh yes - thanks Darling.

I'm so used to walking you back to the car after these soirees and just driving home." and he laughed at himself. With that he told us that he'd go and get his ute and see us shortly.

We all took turns talking about our evening's events driving home. Sam brought up about Glen's pink lipstick smudge. How Peter had poured some of Glen's coke onto his hanky to remove it while we were in the ladies, and how it was so bright - and we all laughed.

After we composed ourselves Sam asked what we enjoyed the most about our evening.

Vaunie couldn't wait to answer and said "Feeling like I actually belonged somewhere – was the best part for me." Sam went next and divulged "Knowing she now had a man of her own who loved her and everyone knew it – that was the best part.

Then Sam asked me, "What about you Rosie – what part did you like best?"

I sat there silent for a moment in the dark of the back seat, knowing the answer - but not wanting to say it aloud. So I eventually replied how great the square dancing was and how I really enjoyed it – _a lie if ever there was one, but a safe one_ , I thought.

After we arrived back at the farm and got out of the Moke, we glanced up and saw Paul's headlights coming down the drive. He made good timing I thought.

We waited for Paul to walk over to us with his torch and he said "Allow me ladies." Then opened the door and shone his torch so we could see inside. Once inside Sam told us we'd better go to bed as it was almost 11.30.

So we took our shoes off and lit our candle – then wished them goodnight and walked off to bed. When we reached our room and while we were changing for bed, we began exchanging in a whisper with each other, some more personal events of the evening.

I asked Vaunie what else had happened between her and Brett after we spoke and if there'd been any more romance. She paused and then smiling began filling me in.

"I couldn't tell you this before Rosie, but Brett and I have been seeing each other quietly for well over a year. We are in love and he wants me to stay behind when the farm is sold." Then she continued.

"He proposed to me tonight and suggested that I go and live with him on the farm." She whispered. I was totally taken aback – "He what?" I asked, trying to keep my voice down but was shocked.

"He wants to get married. But not for a year or so." Vaunie repeated. "How do you feel about this – I mean, do you really want to live up here forever?" I whispered.

"Oh yes Rosie – I'd live anywhere with Brett. He means the world to me and I love the mountains." Vaunie replied. "I never said anything because the farm sale put a damper on things and I was resigned to going back home."

She explained and then continued "But now we have divulged our true feelings and planned a future together."

"We need to speak to both our parents as soon as possible to sort things out. I'm thinking we can speak to his parents too at the engagement party on the weekend."

"WOW – this new information had taken me by surprise. "Where will you sleep? You won't be allowed to sleep together." I replied. "Oh, Brett's worked that all out. He has spoken to Glen and he's agreeable to bunking down in the loft over the barn.

Brett reckons that Glen told him he could build some walls out of scrap timber there and fully enclose the loft. Glen's very handy that way – quite the builder."

"Then he'll put in a window for them against the weather and they can take their beds and dressers out there and hoist them up into the loft. Brett said they'll be okay there – and it's clean and dry and reassured me and it's only for sleeping anyway." Vaunie explained further.

"All we'll need then is a double bed for us which I'll use until we're married, or maybe Sam might let me buy this bed from her – it was hers anyway, Louisa gave it to her when she left." Vaunie replied.

It seemed like she and Brett had worked it all out – except the part about getting parental approval for all their plans. Then we said goodnight to each other and went to sleep.

* * * * *

Chapter 13: When Did All This Happen?

With Saturday morning's chores completed, we began cleaning the house in readiness for the engagement party. The party would be held on the grass outside but the cake cutting and toast would be inside.

Sam had been busy all morning after milking, baking the sponge cakes, boiling the eggs, and making mashed potato. I swept the linoleum floors and Vaunie mopped while Sam made food preparations in the kitchen.

We put up some twisted crepe streamers and balloons to make it look more festive in the dining room and then returned to Sam in the kitchen. "Anything more you want done?" We asked.

"Grab some sandwiches off the breadboard and make us all a cup of tea please. It's not worthwhile making a cooked meal for lunch when we'll be eating again shortly." Sam explained.

With that we heard a car pull up outside and then Paul walked into the kitchen all dressed up. He was carrying a carton of assorted things and he set the box down onto the table.

Inside were a packet each of green and pink serviettes, paper plates, plastic forks & spoons, with a dozen Pink Roses and Babies Breath fern lying on the top.

Then he returned to his ute and brought in another carton which contained a jar of cocktail onions, a bag of oranges, a packet of toothpicks, a block of cheese, two packets of Jatz biscuits and a package wrapped up in butcher's paper.

Paul told Sam it was cheerio's, some sliced corned beef, leg ham and finely sliced luncheon sausage. There was also a small Strasburg sausage knob and he put them all into the ice chest. Then he went over and kissed Sam and asked her if there anything she wanted him to do.

"Yes please." She answered. "Would you mind stoking up and lighting the boiler for me, so we can take our baths?" He replied that her wish was his command. With that he removed his tie and good white shirt and revealed his muscular physique framed by his white singlet.

Then he draped his shirt over the back of a chair with his black tie and went back outside. I hoped he wouldn't get his slacks dirty, as they were his good pants and he had no other pants to change into - if he did.

After we had our tea and sandwiches, we asked Sam if there was anything more she needed us to do before we bathed and got ready.

She thought for a moment and then said "Yes, I need some cream whipped, then spread on the sponge cakes with some fresh sliced strawberries, oh and some more bread buttered for the sandwiches."

Vaunie and I picked our new chores and were finished in fifteen minutes.

Paul came back inside and said the boiler was on. "Anything else my love?" he enquired. "No thanks – Oh . . . did you remember to bring the engagement cake?" she asked worried.

Paul answered yes and apologised for forgetting to bring it in, then went to the ute and came back with a large boxed cake and two bottles of champagne and chocolates.

Jakob and Flossie owned and operated the Canungra Bakery and Jakob had made their engagement cake. He was a retired Chef from Switzerland.

Jakob had met Flossie on a working holiday in New Zealand when she was still a teenager, and they fell in love and married. They now had three adult children and had been married for over forty years.

"Jakob did a wonderful job on our cake my love." Paul said. "I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of asking him to use both our favourite colours for the colour scheme." He said as he placed them down on the table.

Paul lifted the lid off the box to show the cake to Sam and asked her what she thought.

Sam looked inside the box at the cake – and she was speechless, a tear came to her eye.

It was a large rectangular Madeira cake decorated with mock cream frosting and the words. 'Congratulations Paul and Sam' in pale-pink writing with mint green frosting swirls piped along the cake's top and bottom edges.

At the top left and bottom right diagonal corners, it boasted a large cochineal coloured pink hard icing Rose, resting softly on two emerald-green roseleaves. So realistic you thought you could smell them.

Flossie had done a wonderful job on the flowers. The sides had variegated sprinkles in shades of pink and green mixed in with coconut, and all resting on an alfoil covered masonite board. "It is truly beautiful." Sam said, and kissed Paul in gratitude.

Paul went into the bathroom and washed up, then returned to the kitchen and re-dressed. He picked up the champagne and put it into the icebox, telling Sam that the champagne was for later on tonight after the guests had left and winked to her, smiling as he did so.

"I've organized a keg, beer jugs and beer glasses with Jayme the hotelier." Paul said and also told Sam "Jayme is also bringing a few bottles of toasting wine & glasses.

There's also two dozen large bottles of mixed soft-drinks, including lemonade, for the ladies shandies and a large tub with bags of ice. Jayme is also bringing us 40 chairs and 6 trestle tables and said they would be here by 1.30pm."

Sam looked at Paul as if for the first time and thought to herself how blessed she was to have a good man like this, and thought of the many years she'd wasted pining over Peter.

Paul noticed her looking at him in silence and gingerly said. "Are you alright my love? You aren't having second thoughts – are you?"

She just looked at him speechless, shook her head and broke down and cried a thousand pent up tears. It was like she was crying tears for a lifetime of heartache and disappointments.

Paul walked over to her and cradled her in his arms, not knowing why she was crying. Later when Sam had composed herself, she apologised and dried her eyes with her apron, then looked up at Paul and said. "I've been such a fool.

I can't believe I never saw how good a man you are. I love you Paul." And with that said they kissed gently.

Shortly after Vaunie and I came around the corner and back into the kitchen. We were dressed in our best clothes, makeup on, hair done and smelling of floral bouquets. We noticed Sam had been crying and asked Paul if she was okay.

"Oh yes." He replied smiling broadly. "She's as right as rain."

Sam finished making the sandwiches and covered them over with fresh tea-towels. Then she excused herself, but before she left she asked if we'd mind laying out the white damask tablecloth on the dining room table for her.

I arranged the Roses in the large crystal vase with some water and placed them in the centre of the dining table along with the two crystal lamps either side. This was going to be the cake and engagement present table and needed to look extra pretty.

The first guests to arrive were the Daniels. We went outside and greeted everyone and they followed us inside to the kitchen. Vaunie and Brett went into the sunroom to talk and Paul and I stayed with the Daniels in the kitchen, as Sam was still getting ready.

Mrs D said "I hope you don't mind that we're early, but we thought you might need a hand with something." I answered that we'd pretty much finished the food preparation side of things.

Glen smiled at me then and told me "You look very pretty Rosie." I thanked him and told him he looked very handsome too. He was wearing black slacks with a white long sleeved cowboy shirt with a black cowboy tie and black corduroy jacket.

His shoes were also black and polished too, I noticed. He was a good looking guy and my heart skipped a beat at this realization.

With that a truck pulled up outside. It was Jayme and his wife Pauline with their six children. They had been teenage sweethearts and now had two families over an eighteen year period.

The first three children were born within three years and then ten years later, another three children over five years.

The older three looked after the younger three, so they were a good help to their parents. The youngest three rode in the truck's cabin with their parents and the older ones on the tray behind. Country kids knew how to rough it.

Paul asked Mr D if he and Glen could give him a hand setting up and the three of them went outside to meet Jayme. Pauline came inside and had brought a plate of her famous sausage rolls and lattice squares and joined us girls in the kitchen while the men unloaded the truck.

Paul suggested that they put the tables outside the front door on the western side for some afternoon sun and they began to set up. I went outside to see how things were going and asked for the food table to be away from the beer table and nearest the front door for servicing.

Next I placed a pink and green chequered seersucker tablecloth over the table, and began setting it up with the green paper serviettes and green paper plates that Paul had brought along in the box.

There were also a packet of plastic disposable cups with plastic forks & spoons. There - I said to myself that should hold until the food comes out.

Another car arrived; I looked up and saw it was Vaunie's parents. I went back inside to the sunroom where Vaunie and Brett were talking and told them that her parents had arrived.

Vaunie came out and greeted both her parents with a kiss and hug and ruffled her brother Spud's hair.

"Mum and dad, will you follow me please - I need to talk to you." Vaunie asked.

Her parents went with her into the sunroom and then Vaunie asked "Would you mind going back outside and staying with Rosie please Spud?" Spud left and came back outside.

"What's going on Vaunie?" her mum asked.

"Sit down please mum and dad." Vaunie asked, and then she and Brett sat down also.

"Firstly, this is Brett Daniels. His family are very old and dear friends of Sam's." Her parents said hello and looked back at Vaunie who continued speaking. "Well I need to tell you something, it's very important to me and I hope that you will agree."

Then Vaunie told her parents about Brett's proposal and his asking her to stay behind with him after the farm had sold. "I'll be eighteen soon and Brett will be twenty. We would like to get married - but not for at least another year, maybe two.

But we want your consent to become engaged in the meantime." Vaunie asked.

Valerie just sat there speechless and Paul finally broke the silence and asked. "So you are both serious - Is this really what you both want to do – are you ready for such a commitment? What have your parents said about this idea Brett?" Brett replied "Oh - we haven't told them yet."

"Well I think we need to call your parents in here and talk with them – what do you think?" Vaunie's dad asked again. With that Brett rose and said he'd bring them back with him.

A few moments later the Daniels and Brett were standing in the sunroom. "Mum, dad these are Brett's parents, Mr and Mrs Daniels." Vaunie said. Both fathers went to each other and shook hands. "Paul – I'm Peter, nice to meet you." Mr D said and Vaunie's dad responded likewise.

Vaunie asked Mr and Mrs D to sit and they sat on the two-seater. Then she and Brett sat at the red laminated table, facing both their chairs towards their parents.

"Okay, mum and dad, Vaunie and I have something to tell you." Brett said. "We are in love and would like to become engaged. Now before you start thinking the wrong thing - no – we haven't done anything.

We've known each other for nearly eighteen months now – so it's not a sudden thing." Brett continued.

"When did all this happen?" Mr D asked.

"It's been going on for some time Dad. We used to hook up at the monthly dances at the hall, and when Vaunie and Sam would come over for dinner and after tea Vaunie would hang out with Glen and me in our room – remember?" Brett explained.

"I love Vaunie and she loves me and we don't want to part when the farm is auctioned. We'd like your consent to become engaged and also for Vaunie to come and live with us after the farm sale." he concluded.

"Well, I guess you both have known each other long enough and are old enough to know your own minds. What do you think Jo – do you think they are ready?" Mr D asked his wife.

Mrs D thought for a moment and cast a glance at both Vaunie and Brett. Their solemn faces spoke it all. They were obviously in love and needed their sanction.

"Yes, I believe you are. If you father approves too – then you have our blessing." Mrs D replied. Mr D nodded a slow assent.

Vaunie turned to her parents and asked "We'd like your blessing too, and also for me to be able to live the Daniels until we are wed."

"Where is Vaunie going to sleep?" both mothers asked together, then looked at each other and laughed. Their levity seemed to break the tenseness in the air and suddenly everyone appeared more relaxed.

"Vaunie can have our room." Brett replied. "Glen and I have spoken about it and we can bunk down in the loft over the barn. That is, if it's all right with you?" Brett finished. He looked at his parents who were equally lost for words.

"Wow" Mr D replied after a pause. "You have definitely been giving this matter a lot of thought," and looked at Mrs D. "Reckon we could use another hand at the farm Jo?"

Another big smile and nod and all the parents hugged Vaunie and Brett. Then Mr D said, "We'd better join the party – it is Sam and Paul's day after all. Your news can wait for a bit kids – okay?"

And with that all three couples walked outside to join us in the engagement celebrations.

Glen, Paul, Spud and Jayme had set up the tables and keg whilst Vaunie, her folks, Brett and his parents were all in the sunroom. The area looked great. A party was definitely happening here today and the décor was relaxing and inviting.

Sam and I had set out white single sheets on four of the trestle tables for eating at and placed some wild asparagus fern and some pink hibiscus on each. The whole area looked very festive.

I looked at Vaunie and Brett as they walked out for some kind of sign, and then Vaunie smiled at me. I walked up to her and hugged her and Brett and whispered congratulations and told her I would miss her, fighting back tears.

Eleven more vehicles arrived and everyone who'd been invited was there now. The ladies were seated at the tables with their shandies or softdrinks and talking women talk, and the men were standing around the keg drinking and talking – as men did.

Vaunie, Sam, Pauline and I returned to the kitchen and began cutting up the sandwiches and plating up the food. Paul was in there helping us too - until Sam asked him to join their guests outside and that we were fine.

"Go play host." Sam told him smiling. He gave her a peck and went back outside.

The next moment Mrs D brought in a basket and was followed by Valerie, with some scones. Pauline was arranging her famous sausage rolls and lattice squares onto two plates and we began organising the rest of the food.

Mrs D removed from her basket two plates. One plate was mini pikelets and the other a plate of lamingtons. Then she took out her award winning corn relish, apricot conserve and a can of sardines and a cooking apple.

We made up 6 oranges with toothpicks of cubed cheese, cocktail onions and luncheon knob cubes and two plates of luncheon potato boats - finely sliced luncheon sausage filled with a creamy mashed potato and shallot seasoned filling, held together with a threaded toothpick.

Next we plated a mixture of the egg & lettuce, corned beef & pickles, grated cheese & onion and ham sandwiches onto four plates and sprinkled them with some shredded lettuce.

The cherrios with tomato sauce were on another dinner plate and two plates of buttered Jatz with Mrs D's famous corn relish, cheese slices and seasoned sardines with vinegar and grated cooking apple.

For sweets there were two plates of fresh cream & strawberries sponge cakes, a plate of little pikelets just buttered and ones with apricot conserve & cream dollops, Pauline's lattice squares and a plate of scones also buttered and spread with strawberry jam & cream dollops.

Mrs D's lamingtons were there too on another plate. We carried out all the fare and placed it on the food trestle table which was now overflowing.

When were we're finished setting out the food, Paul thanked us girls for all our hard work and invited their guests to come and grab a plate of food and enjoy.

After everyone filled their plates and returned to their seats and was comfortable, Mr D stood up and asked the guests to please be upstanding for a toast to Sam and Paul. "To Sam and Paul" everyone said together and drank.

Paul responded with "On behalf on Sam and I, we'd like to thank everyone for coming along to celebrate our special day and for your lovely gifts." Then he thanked the men for all their hard work and Jayme for the chairs, tables and glassware.

The party continued on and everyone appeared to enjoying themselves. Around 4.00pm, the night air was starting to settle in and around a dozen of the guests with small children and older guests bade farewell to Sam, Paul and the others, and then left.

Vaunie and I began to clear away the leftover food and took it into the kitchen.

We re-plated the leftovers and placed them on the dining table. There was now a mixture of savoury items on three dinner plates and two plates of sweet. We covered them all with clean tea-towels.

Sam collected the sheets and seersucker tablecloth and some men began helping Jayme stack the trestle tables and all but ten chairs back onto the truck, along with the empty glasses and extra jugs in their crates.

The ten chairs were taken into the lounge room and then Jayme and Paul moved the keg into the kitchen and put it on one end of the sink cupboard. The tub of softdrinks went down on the floor.

Vaunie's parents, The Daniels, Jayme and Pauline, Jakob and Flossie, Bernard and Mrs O'Reilly and Jack and Lou Daniels came inside to the lounge and sat down. Paul lit a fire. Then Bernard O'Reilly was introduced to Paul and Valerie.

Valerie asked Bernard "Your name seems familiar – but I can't remember where from." Smiling with embarrassment, at her forgetfulness. "Bernard's a bit of a celebrity up in these mountains." Paul said, smiling as he did so.

"He rescued some chaps from a plane wreck over thirty years ago, back in 1937."

Paul and Valerie told him how honoured they were to meet him and asked him to please give his account of everything that happened.

Bernard related how he was only in his thirties then, and had left the Guesthouse with some drinking water and food after hearing on the radio about the crash. He continued with great emotion.

He followed the rugged McPherson Range to the west and then pushed his way through dense rainforest which was dominated by large vines. That night he had slept huddled with his back to a tree, to stay warm.

The next morning he climbed Mt Throakban and sighted a tree 8kms away that appeared to have been burnt. Three hours later a 'coo-ee' startled him and he came upon the crash site and found two men; John Proud and Joe Binstead - still alive after ten days there.

Four men had died in the crash but Bernard was told of another man, Jim Westray, who survived and had gone for help. Bernard then related how he left the two men at the wreck and went for assistance.

When he reached Christmas Creek, he found Westray's body. He had died as a result of a plummet over a waterfall.

Bernard returned with a rescue party including a doctor. Local farmers cut 16kms of tracks through the rainforest of Lamington Plateau to rescue the two survivors.

The four men who died in the crash were buried in a common grave beside the wreck of the Stinson, while Jim Westray was buried at Christmas Creek

"How incredible!" Valerie enthused. You must be very proud of your husband Mrs O'Reilly. Valerie commented. Mrs O'Reilly stated that she was and thanked Valerie for her kind words.

Vaunie and I interrupted and asked Sam if we should change and do the afternoon's milking, and she smiled and replied that it was okay to leave it for today. Then Paul suggested that they sing some songs on the pianola and volunteered to be the pumper.

The first spool on there was 'Roll Out The Barrel' and Sam and the Daniels gathered around him, ready for the sing-along. All the voices in the room seemed to echo in tune to the music and everyone appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

On went the next spool and it was 'Bye Bye Black Bird'.

The girls were seated on the rug and were smiling, busily colouring in their colouring-in books along with two of Pauline's youngest, so we teens decided that we'd leave them to it.

Brett, Vaunie, Spud, Dylan, Luke and Katie followed each other out to the sunroom. Glen and I, grabbed some soft drinks and disposable cups and went out after them, setting the drinks and cups on the table.

Brett and Vaunie sat in the two-seater and Brett placed his arm around Vaunie.

They really looked like a couple now and no doubt were thrilled that everything was now out in the open and no more sneaking around.

Glen and I sat in the two single cane chairs and had pulled them close together and Spud and Katy sat on the red vinyl chairs. Katy's brothers Dylan and Luke just sat on the floor. "Well, now time to talk – what happened exactly?" I asked Vaunie.

She smiled, looked at Brett then put into plain words what had transpired with their parents and how everything was going to work out. Spud just sat there mouth open - this was all news to him.

Tears welled in my eyes. "I just can't believe it. I'm going to lose you forever now." I said tears in my eyes. Glen bent over to me and put his arm around me and kissed me on the cheek.

"Don't cry Rosie – please?" He pleaded. I replied that "I was sorry, but whilst I was happy for Vaunie and Brett - I was also very sad that she wasn't coming back home with me."

"Hang on a minute, Rosie." Vaunie said. "I'm still coming back with you, as I need to spend some time with my parents and get the rest of my things from home.

Mum and dad will bring me back in a month for Sam's wedding and by that time everything should be organized at Brett's."

"Really – you're still coming home with me?" I asked now smiling. "Yes, Rosie, so you see we still will have a little more time together – okay?" Vaunie reassured me. I sighed, a sense of relief flowing over me.

Then Glen spoke to me. "I really like you Rosie. I would truly like to see you on a regular basis and go steady with you."

I was completely shocked by his revelation, but before I had a chance to respond, Sam's voice broke into our conversation and she was calling for us to come into the dining room.

The music had stopped now and we could only hear their voices. Walking in there we noticed that the others were assembled in the dining room and waiting for us to join them.

Sunset was looming and the lamps and lanterns were all lit in the living areas. The rooms had a soft glow to them – very romantic I thought. Normally there was only one or two lamps lit at night, but tonight we had eight, including the bathroom.

Now there were only Sam and Paul, the Daniels, Jayme and Pauline, Paul and Valerie and us here – the rest had gone. "Firstly we need to open all these wonderful gifts Paul." Sam said and set about opening their gifts, as Paul wrote what the gift was on the back of the card or tag.

There was a chrome toaster, Birko drink heater - an electric frypan - an electric hand beater - a set of tumblers - a set of sheets - a double wool blanket - a pair of His & Hers bath towels - a crystal 25x20 picture frame \- a pair of crystal candlestick holders - a set of 6 silver napkin holders - 6 white crocheted edge napkins - matching bath robes - a flimsy black negligee for Sam (obviously from Paul) - a week's holiday in the Honeymoon Cabin at O'Reilly's and 6 tea-towels from us.

Paul went into the kitchen and Mr D followed. They took out the sparkling wine and filled glasses for everyone - including the four of us, then took the glasses into the dining room. The rest of the kids were invited to help themselves to a softdrink.

Mr D once again asked us to toast the happy couple. Which we did. Then Paul and Sam went out to the kitchen and took the cake from the box and Paul carried it back to the dining table and set it down at top end. There were gasps and comments at how lovely it was.

"Time to cut the cake." Vaunie's dad said and Sam and Paul stood together at the end. Vaunie's dad asked them to pose with the knife touching their cake and then took their first pictures together with one of those new Polaroid self-developing cameras.

He said that his brother in the states had posted it out to him with a dozen packets of film for his birthday last month.

We stood in awe as we watched the photos develop before our eyes. WOW – we all seemed to say.

After everyone looked at the photos, Vaunie's dad asked couples and families to line up for their photos together and then took two group ones of all of us, with Mr D swapping positions with him.

Glen came over to me and asked "Would you like to have a photo taken with me Rosie – as a memento of your time in the mountains?" I looked at Glen and he had the sweetest smile – how could I refuse him?

I liked this guy but this relationship would go nowhere and I needed to remind myself of that fact.

Couples lined up and posed and we did for our photo too after Vaunie and Brett. _Their engagement photo_ , I thought to myself and was stirred back to the present by Glen's voice asking Vaunie's dad "May I have a second one taken please - so we each can have a copy?"

Vaunie's dad obliged and remarked "You pair make a good looking couple." Winking at Glen and smiling at my surprised look. _Really?_ I thought, and looked at my photo which was almost developed. Hmmm, we did at that and it was a shame there was no future for us.

It was now almost 8.30pm and time for everyone to leave. Vaunie kissed her parents goodbye, hugged Spud and told them she would see them soon. The Daniels were ready to leave too but before they went Glen told me that he was coming over with Brett tomorrow after lunch to see us.

"I hope you don't mind me calling around Rosie, but I want to be able to spend as much time as possible with you, while you are still here." Glen divulged, laying his heart out on the table.

His declaration took me by surprise and I replied indifferently "No – that's fine Glen. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Jayme and Pauline were the last to leave after ensuring everything was loaded back onto his truck. "What a great day." Paul said when we walked back inside and into the lounge room after seeing everyone off, and Sam agreed then she turned to us and said.

"Thank you both for helping make our day so very special. I could never have done it without you." And she hugged us both. We told her they were welcome and then sat down and looked into the fire.

Paul said "I have saved the best for last, my love." He went back out to the kitchen. We both looked at Sam who appeared to be just as surprised by his announcement as we were. "I wonder what he's up to now." Sam whispered to us.

The next moment, Paul brought back a tray with a glass of champagne each for them and glasses of lemonade for us. He sat the tray of drinks down on the coffee table, then returned to the kitchen and came back with the box of Cadbury Roses chocolates.

"For our girls - Vaunie and Rosie." Paul announced smiling.

Then Paul raised his glass in a special toast – "To you and me Sam, may we be forever in love and may we be blessed with at least one girl like these two."

We raised our glasses too and after we drank a few mouthfuls out of our glasses, Paul poured champagne into our glasses and filled them up - winking as he did so and then topped up Sam's and his glasses.

Next Paul stood up and pulled a ring case from his pocket, went down on one knee and asked Sam for her hand. She looked at him in complete surprise as he opened the case and slipped the ring on her finger. It was absolutely stunning.

The diamond reflected the fire's glow and acted like a mirror ball bouncing light around the room. It was by far the most beautiful solitaire diamond I had ever seen. Sam was speechless and then hugged and kissed Paul.

Finally, she had her Prince Charming and was going to be completely happy.

Vaunie opened the Roses and offered me a chocolate. I only liked the hard centres and fortunately for me, Vaunie only liked the soft centres, so we eat a few each. Paul and Sam were lost in each others arms in the chair and it was nice to see.

Ten minutes later Vaunie picked up the box and we both said goodnight, taking the chocolates with us to our bedroom and setting them down on the dutchess. Vaunie and I changed quickly into our pyjamas and climbed into bed, said goodnight to each other and fell immediately to sleep.

* * * * *

Chapter 14: I Don't Know

We arose with Sam's candlelight call and heard the ute start up and head off. We dressed and went into the kitchen for breakfast. Party leftovers were still evident under covers and so we asked Sam if we could just toast some leftovers in the wire toaster for breakfast.

She thought that was an excellent idea and replied that she'd have some too and put the kettle on. Then we set about doing our morning chores. Afterwards we returned to the house with the eggs and vegetables and found lunch was cooking.

Sam was sitting at the kitchen table looking at some wedding dress styles in the book that Mrs D had given her to look at. She pointed to one style and asked us what we thought. It was simply elegant and would be very slimming on her with its cut.

It was an A-line style gown with three gored panels in the front and four at the back, and full length sleeves with a cuff. The neckline was wide and slightly off the shoulder with a small collar of about 7cms, pinched together in the middle of the front with a large fabric rosette.

Sam suggested that perhaps the ivory satin would be better suited to her colouring - but she'd ask Jo first.

"Jo will be wearing mint green and the girl's dresses will be pink. Which swatches do you like? Paul told me he would go with whatever colour scheme I wanted – even if it was Hawaiian." Sam enthused.

"Oh – it's going to be so lovely and you girls will need to come back for it – please say you will?" Vaunie looked at me and I said "I think you should tell Sam now."

"Tell me what?" Sam asked curiously. "That Brett has asked me to marry him and wants me to stay with the Daniels after the farm is sold and until we're married." Vaunie blurted out. "What – when did all this transpire?" Sam asked now shocked.

Vaunie told Sam all about the dance and Brett's proposal and then of yesterday's events with their respective parents. "So both your parents are agreeable to all these arrangements?" Sam asked again.

"Yes, they are and feel that we have known each other long enough and are both old enough to be engaged." Vaunie replied.

"Wow. . . . Then I guess we'll need to have another engagement party." Sam replied. Vaunie smiled. "Not till after your wedding, but may I request a very big favour Sam?" Vaunie said and then asked. "What's that Vaunie?" Sam asked.

"Could I please buy the bed from you that we sleep in and my bedroom furniture – if you don't need it – that is?" she asked. "Ooh – yes, of course. I'd probably only have to sell it anyway, as Paul has his own furniture and I won't be taking that much of mine from here."

Then Sam paused for a moment in deep thought and said. "Look Vaunie, you may have the furniture as an engagement gift." Vaunie hugged and thanked her and with that Sam got up from the table and went to check on lunch.

After lunch and the dishes Vaunie and I went out to the sunroom with our cuppas and she asked me to tell her about Glen and what was happening with us.

I replied that "Yesterday we had stolen a few moments together in the sunroom and Glen said that they were coming here today after lunch.

"I really like him Vaunie and he might be the one. But I don't think I'm cut out for this farming life – its way too harsh. I don't have the stomach for it and don't want to be eating Paddymelon for dinner every night either." I said.

Vaunie laughed at me and shook her head. Then we heard the Daniels truck pull up outside and went out to meet the boys.

They came inside, removed their boots and followed us into the sunroom. Brett took Vaunie into his arms and kissed her and Glen kissed me too. We felt like we were on top of the world but Glen and I still had things to sort out - if we were going to be together.

We needed to tell each other our plans for the future too and decide if we both wanted the same things.

Glen did tell me one thing. That he wasn't interested in staying on at the farm and being a farmer like his dad; he wanted to attend college in the city and study for an architectural degree.

How ironic I thought - we both shared a passion for design. But the chances were that Glen would definitely see his dream realized and it could possibly work out to our advantage.

"I want to live in Brisbane too Rosie, so I can attend college and get my degree. But I'll need somewhere reasonable to stay and a part-time job to pay my way.

I've looked up the courses in the newspaper and contacted the college. They wrote that their next intake isn't until January next year." Glen said. "So what do you think – do I have a chance with you?"

I was indecisive. Not about my feelings for Glen, but about my future. I was only sixteen. I was watching the floor, too embarrassed to look at Glen, but listening to his voice and after some thought I replied. "Glen, I really am fond of you – you know that.

But aren't we a bit young to be making future plans like this? Can I think about this a bit longer, please? We have a lot of things to work out. I'll definitely give you my answer before I leave – okay?"

The boys stayed a little longer and then left to return home. They kissed us goodbye and then Vaunie turned to me and asked "Okay Rosie – what's wrong?"

I looked at her and replied "I really care a lot for Glen, but this has happened so quickly and now everything is so complicated. I don't know what I want - or what to do."

"How?" Vaunie asked me. "You know I'm a city girl - but Glen's a country boy. He might decide after a short time that he misses his family or wants to return to the mountains and I'll be left broken hearted." I explained.

"Well you need to give this all a good deal of thought and talk about your fears with Glen, since it affects you both. Then give Glen your answer – okay? Don't keep him dangling" Vaunie advised me.

I said I would and doubted if I would be getting much sleep over the whole thing.

On Monday night after Vaunie and I had just gone to bed and blown out our lamp, we lay in bed just talking for a while and listening to the wind which was howling outside. Suddenly the wind stopped and in its place - there was a whirring sound.

The dogs were barking madly and we were freaking out. Too scared to go outside and see what was making the noise.

The whirring sound was completely over our house and hovering! It was not a helicopter, as they chop into the air with a whoop, whoop sound. This was an electronic high pitched whirring sound and it felt like whatever this was – was scanning us!

It seemed to stay immediately overhead just scrutinizing us for at least five minutes. During this time the dogs were continually growling and barking and I couldn't understand why their noise hadn't awakened Sam.

Surely their racket would awaken the dead. Maybe Sam had taken a sleeping pill or had a secret stash of Sherry in her room as a nightcap or two.

We looked over to our bedroom window from the safety of our bed, and could see a faint pinkish glow outside through the curtains. It was really eerie and certainly not normal.

Where had the wind gone – and what was this strange light? Was this thing that was now hovering above, us interrupting the wind's velocity as it blew up the hill?

"What is it Vaunie?" I whispered petrified. "I don't know." Vaunie replied whispering "But I've never heard anything like that before." "Make it go away please GOD." I prayed aloud. A few moments later it went and the wind started up again.

We sighed with a sense of relief . . . . . and made ourselves comfortable in bed again. Then it was back a moment later and hovering above us again – appearing to be closer this time as its whirring seemed to be louder.

What was this and what was it doing? The dogs were going crazy again and whatever this was - it wasn't concerned about two barking dogs. I was scared that maybe something might happen to them. Whatever this thing was, it was on a mission and it needed to complete it.

We wanted to run into Sam and wake her - but were too afraid. She was such a sound sleeper; she may not hear us anyway. So we just stayed there, cowering under our bedclothes, pulling them around and over our heads, covering our ears and trying to stifle the whirring sound.

"What is it Vaunie? I'm scared. Make it go away please Lord" – I whispered.

"I'm scared too. I don't know what it is Rosie - just stay under the covers." Vaunie answered. The second hover lasted for only for about ninety seconds, like perhaps it didn't get all the data it wanted – and then it was gone.

The wind resumed blowing, the dogs went quiet again and we lay there for a while – just listening, terrified, in case it returned. Eventually we drifted off to sleep.

The next morning at breakfast we asked Sam if she had heard anything strange last night. "Like what?" she asked. We both said a whirring noise and the dogs barking their heads off.

"When was this?" Sam asked again. We told her just after we went to bed - surely you heard it. But Sam told us that as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was down for the count.

When we described to Sam what had happened, she laughed and said we probably imagined or dreamt it. Then Vaunie asked Sam "What about the dogs – they heard it too, they were barking up a storm – didn't you even hear them?" But Sam just shook her head and said sorry.

So after breakfast we went and got the cows and continued with the milking and chores, not discussing 'the experience' any further and trying to forget it ever happened.

It was like if one of us spoke about it, there may be a repeat of it here and we didn't want that \- Mum was the word.

That afternoon the boys came over again and we asked them if they heard anything strange last night. They said no - only the wind, why? We said don't worry about it, and we just looked at each other and decided to forget about it. No-one would believe us anyway.

But we both knew, deep down in our souls - that we had experienced something. Something that was not normal or of this earth!

On Thursday I received another letter from mum. There were a couple of pages and a newspaper clipping in with her letter. I opened up the clipping first which was dated Tuesday and read it aloud to Vaunie.

UFO sighted over Weller's Hill. **A young 23 year old man - who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters last night that he sighted an unusual light in the sky over his home and towards the south. The light appeared to be hovering for around five – ten minutes and that it emitted a faint pinkish light. It was definitely not an aircraft because it was stationary, unlike a moving object, he said. The young man added that he watched it intrigued, and then it suddenly took off at great speed into the night-sky and vanished from sight. He phoned the Air Force Base at Amberley the next day and they said they knew nothing about it, nor had they any other reports. The UFO was sighted around 8.15pm and appeared to be heading in a south-westerly direction towards the NSW border.**

Vaunie looked at me and my blood ran cold. We were both now white and goose-bumps covered our bodies. It was true. It was what we both thought it was - but were too scared to admit. It had been a UFO!

"WOW Rosie, that's incredible. It's a good job we stayed in bed. Who knows what might have happened if we went outside to see what it was." Vaunie announced apprehensively.

"Yeah, I agree. You hear about alien abductions all the time. My cousin had an experience many years ago driving with her husband along an out back road." I replied. "What happened, Rosie?" Vaunie now asked me intrigued.

"Well apparently they were driving along in the middle of nowhere when they noticed they were being followed by this light in the sky. It was hovering over them and followed them for some time.

Bernice told us that the car's radio went all weird and the glow from whatever the thing was almost blinded them. And Noel had problems trying to see the road, but her told Bernice, that they weren't stopping for anything."

Vaunie looked at me in complete shock – her face as white as snow. I could see my story had affected her and so I now read the rest of mum's letter aloud, hoping to calm her down. Mum asked how things were going and wrote she was looking forward to seeing me again.

Then she commented on the newspaper clipping and asked if we had heard or seen anything on that night.

With my going home in a few days, I decided to wait until I got to the safety of home before I gave mum our experiences of Monday night. Just in case 'they' were listening.

But one thing I knew for certain now, I would be worrying about going to bed now. Worried that it might come back and this time – take us.

* * * * *

Chapter 15: Coming Home

Vaunie's future was now all planned but I was left with some big decisions and life changing events to think about myself. Was I ready for a commitment? Should I have faith and give my heart to Glen and trust that he knows what he wants to do with his future? I asked myself.

The days passed like the ones before them and my time was drawing near to go home. Brett and Glen came over the day before Vaunie and I we were due to return home. We asked the boys to go into the sunroom.

Vaunie went to the ice-box and took out the last bottle of soft-drink from the party and I grabbed four glasses and we went back out to them.

Brett and Vaunie sat in the two seater and Glen and I sat on the single cane chairs. Glen asked me "Have you thought about us and made a decision Rosie?" "I don't know Glen." I told him. "You don't know what Rosie?" Glen asked me sweetly.

I explained "There are a lot of things we had to rely on to fall into place. I really care for you Glen but I was scared of being left broken hearted." I admitted to him honestly.

Then I added "What happens if you come down there Glen, and decide after a year that the city life isn't for you – what then?" "I don't know Rosie, but it's a chance I'm willing to take – a leap of faith I guess." He answered looking at me with solemnly.

I felt Glen wasn't telling me what I needed to hear and it was making me uneasy. How could I get him to say what I needed to hear? Make him understand that a relationship takes time to build, not something that springs up conveniently when you're on holiday.

Changing the subject I began talking to Vaunie and Brett "When do you think you would be getting formally engaged?" I asked them. "It wouldn't be until after Sam's wedding – probably in the Spring sometime." Vaunie said.

"Well then, I hope I get an invitation. I can always grab a lift with your folks – you know." I replied smiling. Vaunie nodded. Then I asked her if she was looking forward to going home tomorrow and she just shrugged.

So I decided to muster up some bravado and announced "Well I for one, am looking forward to sleeping in till 7.00am."

The boys just laughed – but it was more of a mocking laugh. "So tomorrow the farm will be auctioned, we won't just be leaving here, but Sam will be moving down to Canungra too. Everything will be changing," I mentioned matter of factly.

I could see that my topic of conversation wasn't what Glen wanted to hear or discuss, so shut up. The auction was set for 1.00pm and we needed to be at O'Reilly's to catch the bus home for 10.00am.

"We only have this arvos milking to do here now and then we can sleep in a bit tomorrow." Vaunie looked at me and then to the floor, saying nothing.

"I'm going to miss you Rosie." Glen confessed and looked at me with tears in his eyes. "I'll miss you too Glen, but this will be a test for us – don't you agree?" I asked. "Yeah, I guess so." Glen replied.

"Look if things work out for you with the course, we'll be seeing each other in no time." I re-assured him. Glen nodded in agreement.

"Besides I'll be back in a month for Sam's wedding and then there's Vaunie & Brett's engagement party a few months after that. We have plenty of time to work things out." I suddenly found myself able to put in plain words.

With that Brett looked over at his brother and said that they should go now and both boys rose up and pulled us up to our feet, and we kissed goodbye. There was a lot of feeling in Glen's kiss – there was no doubt about that. I did have a lot to think about.

We walked the boys out and waved to them as they left. Then Sam called to us and asked if we'd mind helping her pack up the dining room. "I've already done most of the kitchen." Sam said.

Vaunie and I walked out to the washhouse and brought the last two empty tea-chests back into the house and began packing it.

After the afternoon's milking, Vaunie and I went and had our baths and put on our pyjamas. Sam was cooking dinner when we had finished and so we decided to go and pack up our things. This was our last night here and then tomorrow we were back on the bus for home.

We heard a knock at the door and looked at each other wondering who it could be? We heard a male's voice talking to Sam and walked into the kitchen to see.

It was Paul! "Hello girls. I couldn't let you go without saying goodbye now – could I? He asked. We smiled and said he was correct.

"I'll be staying over night so I'm here for Sam and the auction tomorrow. I suggested to Sam that I could run you both to O'Reilly's at 9.30 to catch your bus." "Great." I said. "Vaunie has a fair bit of luggage and we were wondering how it was going to fit in the Moke."

"No worries there Rosie." Paul replied. "The ute will take it – no problems at all." "I've bought you both a little going away present from Canungra." Paul said. "What?" We both asked excitedly, smiling like little kids at him.

"Here you go." Paul said and handed us both two identical little packages, from each of his trouser pockets. We opened them up and found they were key-rings. Mine had O'Reilly's Stinson rescue on it and Vaunie's had a Friesian cow.

We both hugged and thanked Paul and then he added "There's something else in the ute for you. So we both hurried outside to see.

We opened the ute's door and there on the front seat was a paper bag. Vaunie opened it and looked inside. "What is it?" I asked. Vaunie showed me.

It was a box of Roses chocolates. "Good old Paul – he never forgets that we like chocolates." Vaunie said. "And lemonade" I added laughing.

We walked back inside and thanked him again. "You're welcome." He said.

Sam began dishing up dinner and we set up the dining room. Not with the good crockery or damask tablecloth this time, just the seersucker one. This was our last dinner here for all of us and we all seemed a little saddened.

I admitted to everyone that I was going to miss them and the farm, fighting back tears.

Paul replied to me "You know where we are if you want to come and visit or stay for a bit - okay Rosie?" "Yes." I replied. Paul raised his glass of claret and Sam raised hers and together they said "To Vaunie and Rosie."

Then Sam added "To the daughters I always wanted - but never had." We thanked them both and then I raised my glass of lemonade and toasted them saying.

"Thanks for everything – I'll never forget you - either of you." And I drank to them. "You have to come up for our wedding Rosie." Sam said. "Of course I will. I wouldn't miss it for quids." I told them and with that they both smiled.

After our farewell dinner, Vaunie and I said goodnight and took our box of chocolates into our room. We still had packing to finish and we didn't want to be doing it in the morning. I felt sad as I took one last candlelight look around.

This was the last time I'd be sleeping in here, tomorrow I'd be going home and back to my old bed on the sleep-out.

"Are you okay Rosie?" Vaunie's voice broke my thoughts and I replied with tears in my eyes. "Yes – just thinking this is our last night here. It's been an interesting experience and I loved having this opportunity to spend time with you and learning more about life.

Thank you for inviting me, Vaunie."

Vaunie just smiled at me and looked away. I think she began crying too. Then we finished our packing and climbed into bed. Some habits were hard to break and going to bed early would be one of them.

We awoke at 5.50am to the hum of the shed's machinery. We dressed and went out there to see what was happening. Sam and Paul had started milking the cows and were sharing a few laughs at Paul's expense.

"Hello sleepyheads." Paul said when he saw us. We smiled and said hello back. "Are you all packed for your trip home?" Paul asked further. "Yes thanks." I replied. Vaunie asked Sam did she want us to change and help, but Sam said they had things under control.

"Just fix yourselves some breakfast; we'll be up for a cuppa in another hour or so." So we walked back inside and got something to eat. Neither one of us were feeling very hungry. I guessed we were thinking about our trip back to Brisbane and our future.

Paul came in an hour later and went to the bathroom and washed up. Half an hour later Sam came in and did the same. It was now 9.00am and we began to get our ports and things out of the bedroom and into the entry.

Sam told us not to worry about making the bed, just strip the sheets and pillow cases off it and put them all into one pillowcase, fold the blankets and eiderdown and put them on the foot of the bed.

Paul would be taking the bed and dutchess around to the Daniels after he dropped off us off at O'Reilly's, and then come back again for the wardrobe with one of the boys.

We said okay to Sam then picked up our ports and took them out to Paul and he placed them in the ute, along with the rest of Vaunie's things and fastened the tarp over everything, hooking it down on its pegs.

It was now time to leave. We hugged Sam and I thanked her for having me and for being so patient and understanding. She smiled and said "Anytime Rosie, anytime."

With that Vaunie kissed and hugged Sam goodbye too and we climbed into Paul's ute and we drove up to O'Reilly's.

We arrived there with twenty minutes to spare and were surprised to see the boys up there to say goodbye to us. Paul said to go and see them and he'd off-load our things and make sure they were put in the buses trailer.

Brett went over to Vaunie and Glen came over to me. "You didn't think I'd let you go without saying goodbye Rosie – did you?" Glen asked me smiling. I smiled back and said "I hoped you'd be here, but wasn't sure if you would come."

"Wouldn't have missed it for quids." Glen replied and then he took me in his arms and kissed me. The same dizzy feeling swept over me.

"Will I see you at Sam and Paul's wedding?" Glen asked. "Of course." I replied. With that the driver called for the passengers to embark and Glen gave me another kiss goodbye. I walked over to the bus and could feel Glen's eyes on me, but I didn't look back. Vaunie followed me.

I grabbed the same seat I had coming up to O'Reilly's and Vaunie sat behind me. I then looked over to where I left Glen and saw him still standing there, looking as confused as I felt.

If anything, we were a pair of lost causes. There were so many things to work out and not a lot of time to do it. At least I had the engagement photo of us and so did he.

The bus started up its engine and we began moving slowly forward. I waved to Glen and he waved back and then we were on the road and heading down the mountain.

It was much better travelling during the day and Vaunie and I spoke very little on our trip back, both lost in our own little worlds.

I thought about the events of the past month as we were driving home. I had come of age up on Robert's Plateau. Experienced how hard a farmer works and learnt about life in so many ways, some cruel and to me even barbaric.

There was so much outside my little closeted world to learn about and I had only experienced a small part.

I was no longer the naïve little sixteen year old who left my parents a month ago - I was a young woman who had felt the passion of love and the torments one had to face when there was uncertainty and decisions.

Glen kept going through my thoughts and if we were to ever have a future together. If he loved me – why couldn't he just tell me and not hold back. I could feel it in his kisses. Why was it so hard for him to just say it? That's all I wanted to hear – I love you Rosie.

Our times together were replaying in my head – especially how he held me and treated me like a true gentleman. He was respectful and I appreciated that in him. He never once put a hand out of place.

I felt his lips upon mine and how he made me feel under them. ARRGGHH men! Why did love have to be so impossible?

Three hours later we were back at West End terminal and I saw mum and dad waiting for me. I got off the bus and waited with my parents while they unloaded my port. Vaunie's parents weren't there and I asked her if they were coming.

"Yes, they're probably running a little bit late." She said and then we heard a car horn and it was them.

Valerie was all smiles and obviously happy to see Vaunie again and both her parents kissed and hugged her. Spud was there too and our parents said hello to each other. I hugged Vaunie and told her I'd see her tomorrow and she replied "Okay."

When we arrived home I took my port out to the sleepout and unpacked. Putting my clean clothes away and taking the dirty ones to the laundry basket in the bathroom. When I went to the kitchen mum had lunch spread out on the table.

There was bread, butter, salad fillings and ham from the shop next door. Oh how I had missed this.

I made myself a sandwich, filling it up with the assortment of ingredients mum had laid out on the table. How I missed my daily bread. Maybe it was the Irish in me, but nothing spoke lunch louder than a fresh sandwich. And mum had made some of her own mayonnaise too.

Mum began asking me about the farm and what I did exactly up there. I replied and told her our daily routine. "So what did you think of that article in the newspaper?" mum asked me "Had you seen or heard anything that night?"

I had just taken a bite of my sandwich and hurriedly swallowed my mouthful so I could answer her. "Yeah – it's funny you should ask me about that. Well it's not funny really – more eerie."

"What do you mean Bubby?" mum asked me concerned. I spoke about the night of the UFO and gave them both a full account of it. Mum and dad were quiet as I related our experience to them.

"Did either of you go outside to see what the noise was?" dad asked now concerned. "With the dogs going berserk dad, neither one of us were game to go outside and see what it was dad." I answered almost defensively.

"Meet any people up there during your stay?" mum asked realizing I was still upset from our experience and tactfully changing the subject. "Yes – some friends of Sam's our boss.

She's getting married soon and asked me to the wedding up there next month. Is it okay for me to go? Vaunie said her parents will take me with them."

"Oh and Vaunie is engaged to now. It only happened last week. He's the eldest son of the Daniels family; they're really nice people who would like them. Mum and dad, two boys and two girls. They live on a farm about 15minutes away from the farmhouse.

"Well, a lot has happened since you've been away – hasn't it?" mum replied surprised.

That night I slept like a log in my old bed and woke up with a start when the first bus came past my bedroom at 4.55am. I'd forgotten how noisy it could be living on the bus route and main road through our suburb. I went back to sleep and slept for another two hours.

When I awoke I went to the toilet, washed my hands and brushed my teeth. Then mum called me for breakfast. I walked out to the kitchen table. There in front of me was a soft fried egg with toast and onion gravy – yum, and a cup of white tea.

Now everything seemed back to normal and it was like the farm on Robert's Plateau had all been a dream. Mum asked me about how was it up there on the farm and I told her some of the funnier events and we both laughed.

After breakfast I walked around to Vaunie's and we spent most of the day just talking. Once again she asked me what I was going to do about Glen, and still I couldn't answer her. Finally I answered "It all depended on Glen. He still hadn't said what I wanted him to say."

"What was that Rosie?" Vaunie asked.

That I couldn't answer. But I knew I needed him to say something to convince me he was serious and I was not just a holiday romance.

* * * * *

Chapter 16: I Do - Do You?

Invitations had been sent out and all the engagement guests were invited to attend, along with Jo's parents – Ron and Trish and her sister Judith and Colin.

There were also some guests who were unable to attend the engagement party, but were also good friends of Paul's from Canungra and some more coming up from Brisbane.

Their 3-tiered wedding cake was made by Jakob and Flossie. The cake had the Bride and Groom figurines on the top tier and marzipan icing with a life-size pale pink Rose on two green rose-leaves on each tier - it was lovely.

For 'Something Old' - Sam had her mother's silver hair combs. Her gown was Sam's 'Something New'. For 'Something Borrowed' - Jo lent Sam her bridal veil and for 'Something Blue' - Sam wore her mother's Opal necklet and ear-rings jewellery set.

Jo and Judith had devoted every spare bit of their time in sewing the dresses from the colour swatches Sam had selected. They were now completed and looked lovely.

Jo had sewn Sam's and her dresses, and Judith made the girls. The bouquets and boutonnieres had been ordered and the bridal cars organized.

The wedding breakfast food was also finalized with all the seating and place-cards written up, and all the other preparations were made. Everyone had accepted and this wedding would be the talk of the mountain for years to come.

The Butcher and the Dairy Farmer getting married – it was kind of funny in a way, when you thought about it.

Then there was only one more thing to organize, or rather - do. A simple, but very important request of Sam and this special favour she had to ask from her oldest and dearest friend. Sam knew she had to do this straight away.

Sam called around to see the Daniels and asked Mrs D where Peter was. "Out in the shed Sam." Mrs D replied. Sam walked over to the shed and went up to Peter and said she had a special favour to ask. "What's that Sam?" Mr D asked.

Sam looked around the shed and then mustering up the courage asked "Would you mind giving me away please Peter?" Peter smiled totally unexpecting this request and replied "Sam, you are my nearest and dearest - I would be honoured."

Jack offered Sam the loan of his white Falcon sedan for use as the Bridal car and asked Brett to drive it. Brett tied the white streamer ribbon onto the car with the bridal doll. The Attendants rode in Ron and Trish's white Holden sedan and Glen was driving that.

Glen also tied the pink and green ribbons on the attendant's car and was honoured to be their chauffeur.

Alison and Tony came up too from Brisbane. So did Grant - Paul's younger brother, who was Best Man and partner of Matron of Honour Jo. Grant's wife Robina and their daughter Charmaine were there too.

Paul's father Brian and his stepmother Lynda had also driven to Canungra from Brisbane.

Robina was a Florist in Brisbane, and had made up all the flowers and boutonnieres as a wedding gift for her favourite brother-in-law. This day had been a long time coming and Robina was very happy, as Paul had told her of his love for Sam.

Paul wore an ivory and Grant's was a mint coloured bow tie that Jo had made. Both ties were made from the bridal material and matched perfectly with their dark suits and white shirts.

The men would be driving up in Grant's black Zephyr with Ron, Trish, and Jack as soon as they were ready. Jack had gone over to Ron and Trish's home to give the girls some space. When Lou was ready, she and Robina left for the chapel.

Leaving the men to dress, Robina drove to Jack and Lou's home to deliver the bouquets, petals and Baby's breath to Sam and Jo. Judith was there helping the girls get ready too. Robina would be driving Paul's Ute up to O'Reilly's from Canungra and was also giving Lou a lift up there - as Robina didn't know the way.

Brian and Lynda would be following Robina in their car up the mountain with Charmaine. They waited outside for Lou to come out with Robina so they could leave. This would have to be one of the longest drives to a church in history – Charmaine thought.

We had received our invitations just over a fortnight ago and the wedding was scheduled to begin at noon. Vaunie, her folks and Spud came around to my place and picked me up at 8.30am.

I was complimented on my clothes and climbed in the station wagon's back seat next to Vaunie. She was all excited and I had to admit I was too.

Today she was returning to Brett and the mountains for good and had her entire wardrobe and belongings in the rear of the wagon. I felt very sad as I knew this time I was definitely losing her. She was going back to the mountains to live and to her fiancé Brett.

Vaunie said the Brett had written her that he had bought her a ring and it was on lay-by in the Canungra Jewellers - a solitaire diamond, just like she always wanted. It had been a month since we left and Vaunie had really missed Brett.

Every other day we'd see each other and Brett was all she could talk about and how much she wished he were with her.

Brett was all Vaunie spoke of travelling up to O'Reilly's and she couldn't wait to be with him and to be milking cows again. I could see it was going to be a long three hour journey.

I took every opportunity to change the subject where I could - even pointing to things outside the car window to divert Vaunie's attention.

I was grateful that I had a window seat and could wind the window down for fresh air. We eventually arrived at the chapel and Paul, Valerie, Spud and I entered and found a pew in back and sat down.

Vaunie waited outside the chapel for Brett to arrive. He had written that he was driving Sam to the church and Glen was driving the attendants.

The little Chapel at O'Reilly's was adorned with Pink Flowers and Green Fernery, with Ivory Bows on alternate pews. Tall vases of Pink Carnations and Baby's Breath were on the altar and around the church.

A very nervous Paul and Grant were already in place inside and standing in front of the altar.

Brian and Lynda were seated in the front pew on the groom's side with Robina and Charmaine. The chapel was filling up nicely and was almost at capacity. Only the Bridal party to arrive now Paul thought, as he looked up the aisle and around at his guests, smiling.

Arriving first was Glen driving Mrs D and the girls. He pulled up at the chapel's door and helped his mum out of the car. Sam, Peter and Brett arrived next. Peter helped Sam out of the car and they all posed for pictures.

Vaunie stood outside and waited until Brett parked his grandfather's car. When he began walking over to the church, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a big kiss. The Bridal party waited for them to go inside and be seated, before entering the chapel.

I watched Glen walk down the aisle and sit down in the second row behind his family and next to Judith and Colin. My heart skipped a beat at seeing him. He looked so handsome in his dark suit, white shirt and black tie. I wanted to rush up to him and kiss him - but knew it would be wrong.

Then Brett and Vaunie walked in and hurriedly sat down next to Glen. I suddenly noticed how lovely and relaxed Vaunie now looked, and realized the thought of her new life with Brett was definitely agreeing with her. They would be the next couple to be married and then?

Things still weren't sorted between Glen and I and I didn't want to give him the wrong idea by sitting with him - or even kissing him. He may have met someone else. We hadn't spoken or heard from each other since I left the mountains.

Everything now depended on whether he was still coming to Brisbane for his course – and if he could leave his home and family behind.

The organist began playing the wedding march. Everyone stood, turned and watched the procession. First there came Mrs D carrying her bouquet and she looked lovely. Mint green was definitely her colour.

Her hair was combed up into a French roll with Baby's Breath woven down one side. Next was Tina carrying her pink and green posy with Baby's Breath.

Jackie followed with her basket, sprinkling rose petals on the floorboards for Sam to walk on. Both Tina and Jackie were adorable as the junior Bridesmaid and Flowergirl.

Their hair was styled in ringlets, which were pulled up at the sides above their ears and fastened with bobby-pins and Baby's Breath. Thin pink and mint green ribbon tendrils also fell from their bobby-pins.

Finally Sam appeared in the doorway. Sam was as beautiful as any bride could be. Her hair had been curled and was swept back at the sides with the silver combs under the veil. The style of her gown was definitely the right choice and was very slimming.

Her ivory satin heels shimmered under her gown as she took each step and the Blue Opal jewellery set the ivory ensemble off.

She walked proudly on Peter's arm down the aisle, as she had once envisioned it many years before as a teenager - but this was what she now wanted it to be. No more regrets or pining for an unrequited love.

Today she was marrying 'Mr Right'. He was the best man in the world for her - and she knew it without a doubt.

Paul watched Sam as she seemed to float down towards him. She was smiling broadly and fighting back tears. Mrs D and the girls watched her walk down too. When they reached Paul, Mr D took Sam's arm and presented her to Paul, and then stepped back.

Pastor Lou asked "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Mr D answered "I Do." Then he lifted Sam's veil, folded it back and kissed her on the cheek - then sat down in the aisle seat of the left front pew next to his parents – her extended family, with Alison and Tony.

With that the ceremony began and lasted for barely thirty minutes. At the pronouncement Pastor Lou then announced "Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce to you . . . ."

"Mr and Mrs Paul Wright."

Everyone stood up and applauded them, and then followed the Bridal procession out of the chapel. The bridal party stopped outside and posed for pictures and the rest of the guests walked over to the hall next door.

Mrs D, Grant and the girls walked inside the hall first and sat down at their places and awaited the arrival of the guests and the newly weds.

Paul and Sam waited outside for everyone to be seated. Then their arrival was announced by the MC and everyone stood, clapping and cheering. The band played Johnny Mathis singing 'The Twelfth of Never' as they entered and then Paul and Sam sat down at the table.

There were 66 guests including the bridal party – six tables of ten people and six at the Bridal table. The hall looked marvellous.

White tablecloths adorned the tables with pink and green floral arrangements and alternating pink and green serviettes – except for the bridal table, which had only white.

The Guest House catered for the guests and Paul supplied all the meat. The Bush Band, who played at the dances – played for the reception but more contempory music and everyone danced and had a good time.

The band took a break and when they came back, the band singer announced the bridal waltz and Paul and Sam danced to The Last Waltz.

After that everyone was invited up to dance in turn with the happy couple. Paul was so handsome in his suit – he reminded me a lot of Robert Redford and we had a nice chat about Glen on the dance floor. The band broke again after everyone had danced with the couple.

When they came back on they announced the cutting of the cake. Sam and Paul went up to the cake table which was placed in the middle of the dance floor and posed for more pictures and then cut their bottom layer. Mrs D and the girls took it around the tables for everyone to take.

It was the best wedding I had ever been too and I enjoyed myself immensely. Brett, Vaunie, Glen and me sat at a table with Jack and Lou, Peter, Spud, Paul and Valerie. Then Glen asked me up for a dance and we danced like we had at the bush dance – like we belonged in each others arms.

He never spoke to me on the dance-floor, but I could sense that he wanted to. I was getting all hot again and knew that I must still have feelings for him. When the band took a break, Glen asked me to go to the porch with him.

I agreed, I needed to cool off – winter or not and as it was still early afternoon, I doubted Glen would try to kiss me in the daylight.

Glen told me I looked very pretty and that he had really missed me. I thanked him and returned his compliment. "How's life in the loft going – have you finished it now?" I asked him. "Yes – it was finished last week." He replied.

"That's good then." I said and then looked down the road at a roving Paddymelon.

Reaching for my hand, Glen took it in his – as if to tell me that he was there and I wasn't alone. I looked at him and smiled - and he smiled back. Then he pulled me towards him and kissed me. Once again I was reeling and feeling hot all over.

After we broke Glen began to speak of the future and I asked him if he still wanted to do the course in Brisbane. "Yes Rosie – I do. Nothing's changed there." Glen replied seriously.

"Have you made any further enquiries about it?" I asked. "Yes – I have, but I'm waiting on an answer." Glen replied.

We stayed out on the porch and shared a few more kisses and then Glen asked me "Will you give me your address Rosie before you go home - so I can write to you please?"

"Yes, of course. But I'll need to go back to the table, so I can get my notebook and biro out of my purse – okay?"

When we arrived back at our table, I wrote down my details and gave it to Glen and he tucked it away into the inside pocket of his jacket on the chair. Then Glen told me his and I left it in the notebook for safe keeping.

With that there was a drum-roll within the hall. We both looked up to see what was happening. The Bride and Groom were leaving and everyone needed to form a goodbye circle. We got up from the table and went to where Vaunie and Brett were.

Vaunie looked at me and then to Glen and back to me and smiled knowingly. Then we all joined hands in a circle.

Sam and Paul began going around the circle in opposite directions, kissing and hugging every one of their guests. When they met up again in the same place they started out from, they kissed each other.

Then Sam and Paul left the circle and walked out of the hall, and across to their Honeymoon Cabin at O'Reilly's with a bottle of champagne that someone had given to them - and celebrated their marriage.

All the guests partied on until dark. Around 7.00pm the locals said their goodnights and left. The guests from Brisbane who were staying on at O'Reilly's - walked over to Reception and made their way to their cabins.

I was sharing a four person cabin with Vaunie's parents and Spud.

Vaunie kissed and hugged me goodbye and said she'd write. Then at that moment we both cried. I guessed that the next time I would see her, would be at their engagement party in the Spring - at least another three months away.

Valerie told me they'd be back in an hour, as they needed to drop off Vaunie's things at the Daniels farm. I stood and watched her drive away with Brett, her parents and Spud in their station wagon.

She was gone now, back to the Daniels and offloading her belongings into her new bedroom and home.

Glen stood there watching our goodbye and turned to his parents and asked them to please give him a few minutes, as he would like to say goodbye to me.

Glen walked with me to the Reception area in O'Reilly's and stood there with me, silent - just holding my hand, while I asked for our cabin key. Then we walked together to the cabin.

On arriving, Glen took the key off me and put it into the keyhole and opened the door and turned on the light. Then he pulled me close and gave me one of the sweetest and longest kisses I had ever experienced. I could feel his love and passion.

When we broke, I stood there reeling. WOW – I said to myself. With that Glen held me for a moment longer in his arms, his chin resting on mine and then walked away. His eyes were forward and he never looked back at me.

Tears trickled down my face as I watched him leave. I wanted to call out after him – to ask him to wait, but couldn't. I still didn't know. I didn't know if we had a future – only time would tell.

* * * * *

Chapter 17: A Realization

By the beginning of September, I received an invitation to Vaunie and Brett's engagement party in a fortnight and a letter. In her letter Vaunie said it was okay with the Daniels for me to sleep there overnight.

Her folks would give me a lift with them and Spud up there again and we'd work out for someone to drop me home the next day.

I wrote back an acceptance and told her I could hardly wait. It was going to be great seeing her and everyone else again.

Spring came and the engagement party drew near. I felt myself getting excited now and was counting down the days. Vaunie's parents came around on the day of the engagement party and I got into the wagon with my gift and overnight bag.

There were only Vaunie, Brett, the Daniels, Sam and Paul and us at the party. Thirteen people and although it was small – it was friendly.

Mrs D put on a lovely spread of salads and had made Vaunie and Brett's engagement cake – a layered sponge with fresh cream and strawberries and chocolate shavings.

I gave Vaunie and Brett their gift. I had bought them a set of his and hers bath towels and matching face washers. Vaunie was rapt. She had passed a comment on Sam and Paul's at their engagement and how she thought they were great.

Paul had bought up steaks, lamb chops and sausages from his shop for the barbecue. There were also fresh bread rolls from the bakery and home made butter. This time I wasn't so wary about what meat I was eating. I saw the butcher's paper parcel and what was inside from Paul.

Glen and I didn't really get to talk until later after the party, when Vaunie's parents and Spud left to go home. The four of us went out to the loft and sat on each of the boys beds.

Glen had really made it nice for them with a window which looked way out over to the other mountains. For a farm boy he had done a good job.

The boys had painted the walls cream and had posters up of their favourite singers and bands. It had a comfy feel to it and I was really impressed. Glen was really very good at designing.

He'd made an inbuilt wardrobe in one wall for their clothes, where the roof pitched and a staircase up to their loft with a handrail on one side.

They had tapped into the barns lighting and installed a light as well. Mrs D had made them blue and white gingham curtains for their window which had views over their farmland and to the valley beyond.

Now Glen and I were able to talk and the first opportunity he had, he kissed me. Oh be still my aching heart, I said to myself and thought that I was really not in the right place for this.

I suggested that we go outside and for a walk. Glen let me go down the stairs first and then followed. I suggested that perhaps he could build a home for Vaunie and Brett and he laughed and replied "Sorry, I can't do that Rosie.

I won't be here for too much longer." Surprised at his revelation I asked "Oh – where will you be then, are you going away?"

"Yeah, in January I start at my course at college." He answered. "Really – so you still want to learn architecture?" I asked, trying to keep my excitement in tact. "Yes Rosie – I still do. Nothing has changed there at all." Glen replied, looking at me for a reaction.

The sun was setting and the night air was coming in fast and so we walked back towards the barn. Then Glen stopped and took me into his arms again and kissed me. Again all those feelings swept over me and I knew I loved him - but was holding back.

He still hadn't convinced me of anything. _Tell me Glen_ , I was saying in my head, _tell me_.

We broke and I called to the Vaunie and Brett, are you guys up there? Vaunie answered "Yes Rosie – why? Is everything okay?" I replied that it was and that Glen and I were going into the house and asked if they were coming in too.

The rest of the evening was spent with the family and began with talk of Sam and Paul's baby.

"How lovely that they should be having a child, but Sam is showing already – it must be a big baby." Mrs D commented then added "Now Sam has everything she ever wanted; I just hope she will be okay." "Of course she will – she's a strong girl," Mr D replied.

Sitting there listening to life with the Daniels was sweet. The girls were on the rug colouring in as usual and we were all sitting around talking. Vaunie and Brett came in from the loft and joined us.

"So what have we missed?" Vaunie asked. I replied that we'd been discussing Sam's pregnancy.

The next day after the morning chores and just before 11.30, I said goodbye to the Daniels and Vaunie. Glen was driving me home and back to Tarragindi in the Moke.

He carried out my overnight bag and placed it behind the front seat on the floor. Sam had given Glen the Moke as a birthday present last month – as she no longer needed it.

Paul had bought Sam a lovely sedan after the news of the baby coming. Mokes aren't for babies my love he told her – and then he presented her with the Holden's keys. Sam was overwhelmed. Paul was a good and caring husband and she loved him with all her heart.

It was a beautiful Spring day with a cloudless sky – only the blue that seemed to go on forever. The trip down the mountain was enjoyable. Glen was a good driver and knew what lay ahead of every turn and took it with care.

He spoke about college and how he was looking forward to it. I asked him if he'd miss life on the farm and his family.

"No, not really Rosie. I'm nineteen now and need to think more about my future and what I want to do – not what dad wants. Sure I'll miss my family, but I need to do this for me."

"I will be where I want to be and doing what I want to do for a change. It will be good to follow my heart and not the herd." and then he laughed at his own joke.

We pulled into the next petrol station and Glen asked me if I'd like a drink and a burger. It was now afternoon and we walked into the café and placed our order. We ate our food with little conversation and I wondered what Glen was thinking.

When we had finished, I went to the ladies and then washed my hands and returned to the Moke. Glen was already in there waiting for me. Before he started the engine, Glen pulled me over to him and kissed me.

It was a long passionate kiss and I think now I knew why he was quiet in the café – he was thinking it was going to be some time before he saw me again - if at all.

I knew now without a doubt, that I loved Glen – but no declaration had been made to me from him and I wasn't about to make a fool of myself.

We started on our last leg of the trip home. Now I was quiet and thinking. Should I put myself out there or what?

After almost an hour of silence we hit something on the road and then heard a flapping noise. "What's happened?" I asked Glen. "We have a flat tyre." He replied. I got out of the car and stood back and watched him.

"Sorry about this Rosie." Glen said. I jokingly replied to him "Why are you sorry? It gives us more time together so don't worry about it Glen, we'll get there eventually." Then I laughed at our situation, in an attempt to lighten the moment.

Glen took the spare off the back and jacked up the car, changed the tyre and put the flat in the backseat. Then took out a bottle of water and washed his hands, drying them on a towel from the back seat. I was watching him but off with the pixies.

"Have you missed me at all Rosie?" Glen asked me, surprising me back to the present. I looked at him and replied "Of course I have Glen - don't you know that?" Glen walked over to me and took me into his arms and hugged me and then kissed me with all his body and soul.

A thousand emotions swept over me and I just enjoyed the experience and ecstasy.

We arrived back at Tarragindi around 4.30pm. I asked Glen if he'd like to come in and meet my mum and dad. My parents extended a warm welcome to Glen and mum made us a cup of tea and served it with biscuits.

Then after we drank our tea, mum invited Glen for an early tea for Glen before he left. "We can't have you driving all that way on an empty stomach." Mum said. Glen thanked her for her hospitality and tucked into a meal of Curry and Rice with another cup of tea.

It was now around 7.00pm and I walked Glen outside and we kissed goodbye for the last time. There was still no admission of feelings from him and so I said "Goodbye, don't forget to write and let me know how you are."

"I won't." He said and got into the Moke without looking back. Then he drove off beeping his horn twice as he went down the hill.

And once again that feeling of loneliness swept over me. What could I do? Mum told me that girls didn't chase boys – they were the ones to do the chasing. If a guy really wanted to be with you, they'd find a way. So I guess it was up to fate and I would need to wait for him.

* * * * *

Chapter 18: A Happy Ending

After their honeymoon, Sam was more than happy to settle for helping Paul as his assistant in the butcher shop – their butcher shop. Sam worked by Paul's side as long as she could, and then rested for the last month under doctor's orders.

Almost nine months after their wedding and on the first of March, Sam gave birth to twin daughters. They would be their only children, as Sam's delivery was a very long and difficult one - due to her age.

Paul was sitting on the bed in the maternity ward surrounded by all of Sam's flowers and he turned to Sam and asked her "What are we going to call our beautiful daughters my love - have you given it any thought? We need to register their birth before you leave for home tomorrow."

Sam said she knew and was still thinking about it. A moment later she told Paul "I wanted to name one after my mum, and I thought the other after yours in honour of them – what do you think?

They both looked at their baby girls in their bassinettes sleeping peacefully and then at each other. Both of them were deep in thought.

Paul broke the silence and asked Sam "What was your mum's name my love?" Sam replied "Philomena." Paul pulled a funny face. "Well, what was your mum's name?" Sam asked Paul smiling as she did so. "Cecelia." Paul replied, pulling another silly face.

They both laughed out loud and Paul said "Well that's one thing we both agree on. Neither baby is going to have their late grandmother's names - as a first name."

Then they looked down again at their baby girls as they lay sleeping, and Sam said "How about we call them La-Vaun Philomena and Rosemary Cecelia – after Vaunie and Rosie?"

A week later I received a letter from Sam and Paul and read the news about their girls being born on my birthday. What a great seventeenth birthday surprise I thought. Then I read further on and found that one was my namesake. _How great was that_? I thought.

But when I read the invitation to be joint Godparents in a month's time, I was absolutely rapt. Not only a baby named after me - Sam and Paul wanted me to be one of their baby's Godmothers too? WOW!

On the christening day we drove up from Brisbane to Canungra in just over two hours to attend the Baptism of Sam and Paul's daughters in April. It was a beautiful Autumn day. Vaunie and I knew we were the twins Godmothers – but didn't know who the Godfathers were.

When we arrived at the church, we went over to where everyone was. I congratulated Sam and Paul and gave them their gift - two silver baby spoons with their babies names engraved on them.

I had a look at my little namesake and took her into my arms. She was absolutely beautiful.

Paul went over to the boys and spoke to them, and we soon discovered that Brett and Glen were asked to be their Godfathers. It seemed like Glen and I were destined to be together – well where Sam and Paul were concerned anyway.

The christening party was great and all our friends were there talking to each other. It was good to be able to catch up with Vaunie and the Daniels again.

I watched Glen as he stood talking with his parents and Brett, serious at first and then laughing together, and decided not to interrupt him as anything I needed to say could wait for later.

So I asked Vaunie how Brett was enjoying sleeping in the loft by alone, now that Glen was no longer with him. Vaunie replied "Oh that? Bailey his dog kept him company at night now, but the conversation was a little one sided." And we both laughed at her joke.

Then I asked "Have you and Brett set a wedding date yet?" Vaunie replied "We decided that it was going to be next year - most likely early December. We need to have it towards the end, so we can save for it.

You are going to come up for it – aren't you? I also want you to be my Maid of Honour?" "Oh yes." I replied totally overjoyed. "I'd love to and wouldn't miss it for quids."

It was also hard to believe it had been seven months since Vaunie and I last saw each other. That was at their engagement party in September last year. How fast the time had gone. So much was happening in my life now.

Then I filled Vaunie in on what had been happening in my life since my last letter to her and how I had a full time job working for a school teacher and looking after her three little girls.

Then Vaunie asked "How's Chris these days Rosie? Is he still living at home?" "Oh, didn't I tell you?" I laughed at my own forgetfulness.

"Sorry Vaunie, a fortnight after the New Year Chris moved out and went to Sydney to live." I replied. Vaunie seemed surprised to hear the news and remarked further "So it must be quiet with just you and your parents there now Rosie."

"No - not at all. Mum and dad decided to take in a boarder. Someone they knew and he's been living with us since the week after Chris left." I explained to her.

With Chris gone my parents decided to take in a boarder to assist with household finances and he took over Chris' old bedroom.

"I'm still on the sleepout. I like being able to watch things happening out there," I offered. Things were always changing around me and this was a fact of life. "My parents like their star boarder and treated him like he was one of the family," I added laughing.

"And how do you and the star boarder get along Rosie?" Vaunie enquired, her interest suddenly aroused. I laughed at her inquisitiveness and replied "We get along just fine – no worries there at all."

After that, I decided I had to tell Vaunie my big news; I couldn't keep it in any longer.

"Vaunie guess what? I'm engaged too!" I blurted out and she gasped and then she hugged me crying.

"Oh Rosie, I'm so happy for you – remember I expect an invite to your engagement party?" Vaunie said. "No worries Vaunie, yours will be the first invite written." I replied.

"So when did all this happen?" Vaunie asked me. "Well it had only happened last night at dinner." I answered elatedly. Vaunie hugged me again and told me how very happy she was for me and how she couldn't believe it. "Please give me all the details Rosie." She asked.

I told Vaunie how we were all seated at the table eating tea and talking, when my boyfriend suddenly asked my parents for my hand in marriage. My parents were almost as happy as I was and told us they approved whole-heartedly.

Then they added how they were always confident, that when I finally married – I would make the right choice and it would be for life. Just like it should be - just like theirs.

"Is it a boy from our neighbourhood Rosie – anyone I know?" Vaunie asked keen to discover if she knew him. "No, it's no-one from our neighbourhood Vaunie. He's a college boy and has his mind set on a good career – he's definitely not a farm hand."

"We've made all these plans together for after we're married and even designed our home together" I replied, teasing her with his anonymity. "I can hardly wait for our married life to begin." I remarked dreamily.

We eventually caught up with each other's events and I finally gave Vaunie the identity of my fiancé. She hugged me again and said that it had made her day. "Have you told anyone here about your engagement Rosie?" I replied "No, not at this stage."

Then Vaunie told everyone "Guess what everybody? Rosie is engaged!" There were congratulations by all with a roaring toast. Mr and Mrs D came up and hugged and kissed me, telling me they couldn't be happier, along with Sam, Paul, Brett and the girls.

Tina and Jackie asked "Can we be bridesmaid and Flowergirl at your wedding too – just like we were at Sam and Paul's?" I replied smiling "Of course you can, but it might be a couple of years yet." And they smiled back at me.

Glen looked over at me after the announcement and just stood there waiting. Everybody congratulated my fiancé too and he was smiling with happiness. I looked across at where Glen was and smiled at him.

When the crowd had died down he came over to me. He looked at me with eyes full of love and then he took me into his arms and kissed me.

It was such a passionate kiss and it left me reeling – just as it had done each time before. My mind was firm on my choice and I knew my fiancé was the man for me. There was no doubt about it at all.

The day had been wonderful all round, but it was time to leave as the sun was beginning to set and we said our goodbyes, hugging and kissing everyone again. I told them all that we'd see them at our engagement next and I walked over to the car with my new fiancé, holding hands.

We were deeply in love and we didn't care who knew – we were engaged. My Darling man had told me that he loved me and now all and sundry knew it!

As we reached the car he stopped me before I got inside and looking deep into my eyes, pulled me into his arms and gave me the most beautiful kiss ever - in front of everybody.

There was woo-hooing and whistling and someone called "Don't let this one get away Rosie – he's a keeper!" When we finally broke, we just turned to them and waved and they all cheered.

My sweetheart opened the car door for me and then closed it after I got inside – just like he always did. He was a true gentleman that way and I loved him for it.

As we began driving back to Brisbane and our home in Tarragindi, I turned to my fiancé and said "Well I think that was a lovely day. It was great seeing everyone again and catching up. Yes it was a happy ending to a perfect day – don't you agree Glen?"

* * * * * THE END * * * * *

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