Ricky

by Sheila Hunter

  Ricky found a young man who was willing and able to look after his father. He vacated his own room and turned that into a place of comfort for the patient and his attendant. His sitting room gave them a place where they could spend their days. Ricky moved up to the top floor into a room beside Tad's.

  Henry Job grew very fond of his charge. He was a very patient young man who was quite content to attend to someone who showed little response to his ministrations. As time went by Richard recognised them all and would even smile at them when they did anything for him. It was about all he ever did.

  Will's studio was on the same floor and at times Henry would wheel Richard in on his chair with wheels which Ricky had ordered to be made especially for him. At first it was because watching Will paint was a pleasant pass-time and as Henry was content to sit and watch, Will didn't mind him being there. They were surprised to see how interested Richard apparently was. His eyes seemed to be glued to every stroke that the young man put on canvas.

  Will drew and painted several good pictures of Richard and one day fell to wondering what he had looked like when he was younger and in full health. He decided to try to reconstruct what he imagined him to have been, and painting from the side which was least affected by his illness, that is the side that didn't have the scars from the gunshot, he set about producing a portrait which he would give Ricky.

  It was finished and sitting on an easel when Ricky came to see his father one day and it nearly took his breath away. All he could say was, "Will, oh, Will lad. You have caught him just as I remember him as we said 'goodbye' to him in London."

  "Is it right, Ricky?" asked the artist. "Is there anything you can think of that I haven't got right?"

  "No, I think it is just perfect. Will, thank you. Thank you very much. It is the way I had remembered him all that time. You are good to think of it."

  "He seems to have been very interested in what I've been doing, Ricky. Henry and I are amazed at how he keeps watching all the time. He never seems to go to sleep while he is in here."

  It was just three weeks after that that Henry roused Ricky one night with the news that his father was ill and he thought Ricky should get the doctor. Tad heard the disturbance and volunteered to go for him. Ricky found his father very restless and hot and knew that the fever caused by his old injuries had come upon him again. He’d had several of these episodes in the time he had been in the house but this was a very severe attack. Ricky didn't need the doctor to tell him that his father was dying and to their dismay he passed away just three days later.

  It was a sad mourning household when this happened and he was laid to rest in the cemetery at the south end of the town, just near his mam.

  Ricky went back to his new store after playing truant on so many occasions during his father's illness, but with no regrets of wasting any of the precious time he had been able to spend with his dad after all those lost years.

  CHAPTER 12 Ricky’s trip to the Hawkesbury River

  It was on Ricky's mind that he would like to and indeed, should, go out to the Hawkesbury to thank Mr Forrest for all he did for his father. He had written to the man, of course, but this time he wanted to thank him in person so he wrote again and arranged to visit him one weekend. He asked Tad and Will to accompany him, telling them that he expected to stay at the hotel where Mr Forrest and Tim Hinds had stopped in Parramatta. Tad refused, but was torn, for he wanted to see more of that country, but he had promised to visit the Langdon's that weekend and wanted to keep the appointment. Ricky wondered why it was so important, for Tad saw quite a lot of Amabel and it was not like Tad to miss an opportunity for any kind of adventure. However, he accepted the excuse, and in any case Will was anxious to accompany him, so he would not make the journey alone.

  They went to Parramatta by train [3]and checked in at the Duke of Wellington Hotel in time for dinner. They strolled out into the streets while it was still twilight and walked along to the hospital where Ricky's father had stayed. They didn't go in for they knew that Richard had not been there long enough for anyone to remember him.

  Ricky hired a carriage and driver the next morning and they set off at an easy pace for the Hawkesbury River country. It was good to relax and enjoy the countryside, so different to their usual scenery. Ricky asked Will if he felt he wanted to paint scenes like these, but Will explained that he had no real thoughts about it and it was people and streets that interested him.

  "But I like looking at it, Rick, and I wouldn't mind living out here some time, but I want to paint my kind of things, for people and streets have filled my life and ...well, I daresay I don't know any other life. Maybe if I lived in the country I might be moved to paint landscapes. But I daresay I won't be anyway so I don't think about it." Will pondered over the idea.

  "Have you thought any more about Mr Landon wanting to send you to Paris, Will?" asked Ricky.

  "Not really, Rick. I daresay I'll think about it sometime, but it just doesn't seem to fit in with what I am doing right now. Do you think I ought to go Ricky?" he asked rather fearfully.

  "It isn't what I want, Will. I would miss you, as you would right well know. But it isn't up to me, you are the one to make up your mind, and I am happy to go along with whatever you want." Ricky smiled at him.

  "I daresay lots of people would jump at the chance, but ..oh well, Mr Landon hasn't mentioned it for a while, so I don't really have to think about it, do I?"

  Ricky chuckled. "You're too comfortable, that's your trouble."

  "Well, I must admit Paris seems very far away, Ricky and I don't remember any life but Sydney and I'm not all that anxious to leave it. Yes, I daresay I am too comfortable. Sorry if you're disappointed." Will looked sheepishly at Ricky.

  "No, I'm not disappointed, Will. I want you to do just whatever you wish and you're old enough to make your own decisions, goodness knows. And as I know nothing about the art world except what you have taught Tad and me, I daresay I haven't any knowledge to advise you one way or another."

  They passed through a great deal of wooded country and after some time they came out into lovely farming land. The drought which the farmers had just been through for some time was over and the paddocks looked grand in their mantles of green. Sleek beasts were grazing in all the paddocks, mostly dairy herds, Ricky thought.

  "Sometimes I could think I was in England, except for the eucalypts," Ricky mused.

  "Is it all that different, Rick?" asked Will.

  "I think it is. Mind you my memory is not all that good, but I think it is quite different."

  The driver knew where Forrest's farm was and Ricky was interested to see it as they drove up the long avenue of poplars which led to the house. Without knowing much about farming, Ricky could see that it was very tidy and neat and quite prosperous looking. There was a herd of Jersey cows grazing in the nearest paddock and Ricky was quite surprised that he remembered what they were. His father had them in England and he felt sure that his dad would have approved of these.

  Edward Forrest heard the carriage and came out to greet his guests. "Welcome, welcome," he called as the carriage pulled up. He told the driver where to take the vehicle and ushered Ricky and Will into the house. Calling to his wife he took them into a huge living room in which was scattered large comfortable sofas built for size and comfort. It was easy to see that the man of the house had a say in their purchase for he was a big man who appeared to like his comfort. A fireplace stood on one side, the mantle made of the local sand stone, which was very popular in the colony.

  Mrs Forrest came in bustling to meet their guests. Ricky saw a pleasant, smiling woman of medium height who had a bright complexion as though she had been running. Ricky was to learn that she always had that swift way of doing things, he thought she was forever rushing here and there. However she was pleased to sit and talk to them and soon was pouring tea and plying them with superb scones dripping with melted butter.

  "I know you will be famished, Mr English, " she smiled at both men,
"so eat up, for it will be a while before we sit down to luncheon." She continued to pass the scones around until they could eat no more.

  "They are lovely scones, Mrs Forrest. I would never tell her so but our Mrs Keen doesn't make them like that," said Will.

  "Thank you, Mr English, I don't do much cooking nowadays, but I do like to make the scones, for most people seem to like them. The children do in any case."

  Then they spoke of generalities and Ricky found himself asking intelligent questions about the land and after a while admitted that he had thought he had forgotten all he had ever known about a farm.

  "You know farming, then Mr English?" asked his host.

  "Until I was 11, we had a farm in Sussex. I thought that was what I would be, a farmer. I really had no thoughts of doing anything else. It was just accepted that I would work with my father. It was not to be."

  Mr Forrest steered the conversation away from what he thought might be a painful subject but Ricky spoke his thanks again to the man who insisted that he had done no more than anyone would have in the circumstances. "Besides, young Hinds had the matter in hand. All I had to do was provide the transport," he said.

  "And very much more," said Ricky. "I do thank you both. In fact I wanted to come and personally do so, for you have no idea what it meant to me to have my father with me if only for a short time, and I am sure if you had not been able to help he may not have stayed alive long enough for me to see him again."

  "How long did he live? Was he able to speak, Mr English?" Mrs Forrest asked.

  Ricky told his interested hosts about his father's last weeks, telling of the happiness he got watching Will paint and the contentment that had shown in his father's face during that time. "It was as though he knew he was at home, wasn't it Will?"

  "Yes, Mrs Forrest. Henry, the man who looked after him would wheel him into my studio in his chair and there he would be watching everything I did. I got so that I would have long conversations with him and forget that he couldn't answer. Every now and then he would heave a large sigh and smile as though he was as happy as could be. He must have been a wonderful man. I wish I had known him before the accident."

  "Can't you remember him, Mr English?" she asked anxiously.

  Will looked at Ricky and said, "Please tell Mr and Mrs Forrest, Ricky."

  Ricky chuckled, "All right Will. You see I adopted Will and Tad as my brothers, Mrs Forrest, because I was rather lonely and we were all at a loose end."

  "What a way to put it, Rick! Thaddeus and I were just little strays, Mrs Forrest. We were homeless and quite miserable. Ricky found us and looked after us, he has done everything for us. I would never have learned to paint if it hadn't been for him. We owe him everything."

  Their hosts looked rather startled at this and looked at Ricky for confirmation. Ricky looked rather embarrassed and said, "What we did we did together," he laughed.

  "He adopted us and we took his name because we had none of our own, or at least if we did we didn't know. That is great isn't it?" said Will.

  Ricky was quite startled at this because Will rarely opened out to this extent. He just smiled and said, "Well it has suited us and it makes life easier if we have the same name. I am sure if my parents could have chosen they would have given me brothers like Will and Tad."

  Ricky was very pleased that at this stage a maid came to announce lunch and he thankfully got to his feet and followed his hostess to the dining room.

  This room was furnished with colonial Lenehan cedar pieces. The large table shone with the effort of much polishing. It looked quite new and indeed was for Mr Forrest asked, "Do you like our new table, Ricky. I am going to call you Ricky, I do hope you don't mind."

  "No, I will be pleased if you do, Mr Forrest. And yes, I do admire your lovely table. Is it locally made, sir?"

  "Yes. We are both very interested in the furniture made from colonial timbers. We feel that they are as good as we had at home in England. The table we brought out was damaged and we always promised ourselves a good replacement when we found one that suited. Lenehan does a good job, don't you think?"

  "I have furnished our home with all local timbers and we are pleased with it, aren't we Will?"

  The door opened and a young woman entered holding a small boy by the hand. She was followed by two young girls. Ricky thought she might be a governess but seemed more familiar than one would expect from such a one. Mr Forrest introduced them saying, "Jenny, my dear, come along and meet Mr Richard English and Mr William English who have come to visit. And gentlemen these are our three colonialists, Amanda, Nellie and James. Miss Elston came to live with us in this unknown land just three years ago. Wasn't she adventurous to come out all alone?" They both agreed that she was and was introduced to the children, Amanda, Nellie and small James.

  "Come along then," said Mrs Forrest, "If you will sit here Mr English and here Mr English."

  Ricky and Will laughed, then Ricky said, "Truly it would be much easier if you would call us Ricky and Will. Please do this Mrs Forrest."

  Mrs Forrest smiled and said, "Thank you my dear boy. I do feel I want to and having heard about you from Mrs Landon I have wanted to meet you. "

  It was a happy meal. The children were obviously used to dining 'en famille' as they behaved as children do when doing something familiar. It was a relaxed time and the boys felt very much at home with these friendly people. Ricky took note of Miss Elston who was very much part of this remarkable family. He was able to watch her without anyone seeing, he hoped. She was of medium height with crisp brown hair. Ricky would not have called her pretty but she was a pleasant healthy looking girl. At this thought he was surprised at himself for he thought it rude just to think of her as pleasant. She was a very attractive person, not because of beauty but she had a vitality and happy countenance that made her quite ... Words failed him at this stage and he found that he been addressed by his host. He was quickly able to catch enough of Mr Forrest's question to be able to make a sensible answer and decided that he must keep his mind on the conversation and not get caught again.

  They all sat on the wide verandah after lunch and then Mr Forrest suggested that they all walk to the 'Folly" and look at the river view before it was time for his guests leave them. On being told that the Folly was a summer house or gazebo that Mr Forrest had built with his own hands Ricky and Will stated that they indeed wanted to see this marvel. As they set out Mr Forrest asked Ricky quietly whether the walk would be too much for Will's crippled leg and was happy to be told that Will could manage very well. Miss Elston and the children went with them, the children running ahead joyously calling out and playing 'tag'.

  The extensive lawns ran right up to a knoll on which stood Mr Forrest's folly. It was a circular building as such often are, made of oiled timber, looking as though it was happy nestling in amongst some beautiful shrubs. There were six steps up to the floor level and this enabled one to get a full view of the surrounding country from the windows which were set in place right round the building. Below them the ground sloped to the green banks of the Hawkesbury River. There were some very handsome horses grazing in the nearby paddock and they could see Mr Forrest's Jersey cows further down. The property was on a slight bend of the river and so gave river vistas on three sides. The Blue Mountains seemed to be at their bluest on this sunshiny day. In the other direction one could look over the rest of the farm which, on being shown where the boundaries were, Ricky could see that it was very extensive indeed. There were lovely orchards of what Ricky thought would be several different kinds of fruit. The house nestled in amongst beautiful trees and the artist in Will approved of it all.

  "It is almost too beautiful to paint, Ricky. Remember what I said coming out here? Well, I take it back. I can see lots of things I would like to put on canvas. Mr Forrest may I come and paint from here sometime?" Will asked Mr Forrest.

  "Oh, do you paint, Mr English?" asked Miss Elston.

  "Yes, I do, Miss Elston, but nothing like this has come
my way before. I must admit I have not attempted anything like this superb scene. Whenever I have been out into the countryside it had just seemed to consist of fields and cows."

  "Most of it is, young Will. But I must admit I am proud of this particular view," replied his host. "This was all thick scrub when we came here and I almost had to burrow my way through, but I did want to see what one could see from here and I found this. That's why I built my folly."

  "It wasn't folly to build it, sir," said Ricky, "It is a work of art in itself. He's an artist in his own right, isn't he Will?"

  "Well, we enjoy it," said Mrs Forrest, "We often come up here for tea in the summer. Please sit down, do."

  "I'll go down after the children, Aunt Nell. They are getting too near the creek and will end up by falling in.," said Miss Elston.

  "All right, dear. Bring them back and we'll go down for a cup of tea before our visitors have to leave."

  Ricky managed to seat himself in a position where he could watch the muslin clad figure without making it too obvious. He saw her run to catch up to the children who had wandered down to a line of small trees that apparently lined a creek. James saw her getting close and run fast to get away from her. He ran fast and then suddenly jumped as though he jumped over a hurdle, yelling something that the adults could not catch. They saw Jenny stop where he had jumped, giving the girls instructions to get their little brother and go away she grabbed up a stick and began to flail the grass. Ricky jumped up realizing that there must be a snake there and hearing his movement Mr Forrest, who hadn't been watching asked what was wrong, looked down and gasped, running out and down to the group as quickly as he could. But by the time he got there, with Ricky hard on his heels, Jenny had dispatched the wicked looking thing.

  Mrs Forrest had taken the scene in and knowing she could do nothing she had waited, fingers in her mouth, hardly breathing, until she heard relieved voices, then she let out a long sigh of joy. She turned to Will who had started out after them, but realizing he would not help, returned to the gazebo, "I hate those things, Mr English. I don't think I will ever get used to them. If it wasn't for snakes, I think this country would be perfect."