Ricky

by Sheila Hunter

  This was the main topic of conversation at the Landon home, too. Sadie was on tenterhooks waiting for the young couple to make up their minds. She didn't want to hurry them and was quite determined to let them make their own decision. She hated the thought of her Amabel going so far away from her, but knew she just had to wait and try to be patient. She, too, was concerned that they might like the life in England so much that they may wish to stop. Mead Park sounded as though it would have a great deal to offer a young couple. "I mustn’t think of that," she thought.

  Tad and Amabel did decide to bring the wedding forward and take up Mr Falconer-Mead's offer of a visit to England. The date fixed was the last day in January. That would allow them to have two weeks at Rocklea before catching the ship for England. Will, too, decided to go with the young couple. So there was much hustle and bustle to get everything done in time. Seamstresses worked long hours at the Landon house and Tad spent a lot of time getting his affairs in order so that he could take a year off, which was the time they expected to be away. Mr Hughes had given him leave and told him to have some good stories to tell them all when he returned. He also gave him introduction to various friends and one who was editor of a large London Paper. Tad looked forward to presenting that.

  As the time drew near, Ricky could see that Will was feeling very apprehensive about it and tried to spend time with him to allay his fears and show him as much brotherly concern as he could. It was difficult to find the time for so much was happening in his own life, with wanting to spend as much time with Jenny as he could; overseeing the plans and beginnings of their new home; settling things up for Rocklea and establishing the boys he sent there, as well as the normal business things he had to deal with for if he let his business run down there would be a fall in the cash flow and he would not be able to carry out the plans he had for his various schemes. If all this was not enough Tom became ill .

  One night, on his return from the store he drove into the yard and as Joe, who was the stable hand that Tom had trained to look after the English stable, came out to take the horse, he said, "Mr English, could yer go an' see Tom? He ain't the best."

  Ricky went to Tom's room and found the old man in bed. He knew that things were pretty serious for he had never known Tom to take to his bed before. "Hello, Tom. Not feeling the thing?" he asked.

  "It's me ol' ticker, Rick. It's gorn an' let me darn."

  "What happened?" asked Ricky, sitting at his bedside.

  "I just sorta collapsed wi' a pain in me chest. Frightened young Joe silly, I did. 'e ran for Mrs Keen and they got me 'ere, and then she sends 'im for the doc."

  "And?" prompted Ricky.

  "'E says its me 'eart and' I gotta stay 'ere. "'E give me some drops that ain't too good ter take, but 'e said it might 'elp."

  "I'll get you moved into the house Tom, so I can watch over you."

  "Thet yer won't, young Ricky. I don' wanna leave me beautiful room thet yer 'ad done fer me. I'm happy 'ere an' very comfortable and warm. Young Joe looks after me real good. 'E's in the room next door and I only have to knock and 'e comes quick."

  "I take it, Tom, that you have had this pain before?"

  "Yairs, Rick. I admit I 'ave, but it was real bad today."

  "You silly fellow. Why didn't you tell me?"

  "Yer got enough on yer plate, mate. I'll be all right, but I wanted yer to know." Tom looked up at his friend wistfully. "Mate, ah want yer ter know I think a lot 'o you. You've been thet good ter me, thet, well, if yer was me son yer couldn't 'ave done no more. In fact, I never known a son what did as much. I appreciate it, mate. I just wanna tell yer." Tom put his old gnarled hand out to the young man.

  Ricky took it and held it. "Tom, when I think of how you helped me and sheltered me at the risk of your job, the little I've done never repays it. And who is talking of repayment anyway? You are my friend and always will be."

  "Not for long, mate. I think I got me notice, this time."

  "Not if I can help it, Tom. I'll see you have everything you can need."

  "That's real good 'o yer, mate." He closed his eyes and then opened them again, looking up at Ricky. "Thenk yer."

  "I'll come and see you later, Tom. I'd better tell Mrs Keen I am here."

  Mrs Keen was able to tell him more and the news was not good. The doctor apparently thought that the old man's heart wouldn't serve him for much longer.

  "But, don't you worry, Mister Rick. We'll look after him. But young Joe is very good to him and looks after him well."

  "Let me know then if there is any change," he said.

  So in between all the other things that Ricky had to do he sandwiched in as many visits to Tom as he could, seeing that his friend was getting weaker by day and not ever being really free of pain. His lips were very blue and he knew that it was only a matter of time. Tom was quite prepared and spoke openly to Ricky about his dying. Ricky found it a very moving experience and so was able to speak about it without reluctance. He had asked many times if there was anything Tom would like and was amazed when he told him one night, that he would very much like a real funeral with beautiful shining black horses with black plumes. "Thet would be real somethin," he said with a smile. "I got a bit saved, Rick, and thet should pay fer it."

  "You shall have it, old friend, and I won't be using your money," said Ricky, with a squeeze of Tom's hand. "It will be the best I can get for you. Just like I had for my father. Would that be all right?"

  "I won't ask yer ter do thet," came the reply.

  "Why not?" Ricky replied. "You have been a father to me for a long while, Tom."

  Ricky didn't realise how soon it would be that he would have to arrange the funeral. Tom died that night. Joe had been sleeping in his room and early in the night he came to Ricky saying that he thought Tom was unconscious. All three of the boys went out to see him and he was certainly deeply asleep, at least. Ricky sent the others to bed and stayed with Tom until he saw that his breathing was getting shallower. He spoke to Tom at one stage and the response he got filled him with emotion. Tom opened his eyes and said "Hello, mate," faintly and gave Ricky's hand a slight squeeze. He just seemed to go into a quiet rest and then Ricky realised that he had gone. He took the pillows out and lay him flat. He covered him and blew the light out. Joe heard him moving and came in. "He's gone, Joe," he said.

  "I've lorst a real mate, Mr English. 'E were a real gentleman was old Tom."

  "The best mate a man could have Joe. We will all miss him."

  Tom had his funeral with black horses all decked with black plumes. Ricky made it as special as he could. Joe and the household staff attended with the three boys and several of Tom's ex-convict friends.

  Ricky's next social occasion was a farewell to the Flaconer-Meads. They were not waiting for the wedding but going in the new year. Ricky put on a dinner party for them and the Landon's. It happened that it was the day of Tom's funeral and Mr Falconer-Mead had heard about it. He thought it was very strange that Ricky had gone to the trouble of giving Tom the funeral he had and could not understand why he even attended it with Tad and Will.

  Tad was about to say something and Ricky forestalled him by saying to the Englishman. "We all thought a great deal of Tom, Mr Falconer-Mead. He has been a friend for years and we will miss him greatly." Ricky frowned at Tad who took the hint and said nothing. Mr Landon changed the subject with quiet skill. Obviously Mr Langdon thought these young men should look down upon Tom but they knew otherwise.

  There was much chat about the various plans and it was mostly a pleasant evening, but Ricky wondered how his breezy Tad would fit into an English home that apparently was ruled with a rod of iron by this patriarch of a man.

  Two days later they all went to see the ship sail, Tad assuring his grandfather that they would not be far behind them, just a few weeks. He seemed relieved when the ship sailed and grew smaller as it made its way down the magnificent Sydney Harbour.

  The wedding day was as hot and humid as a summer day can be, and
it was well that they had planned a morning wedding. Amabel wore a lovely white dress, for this reason. It was made of light weight cotton voile with an overdress of openwork lace. There were wide frills all round the hem. The neck line was demurely high and a wide swathe had been set around below the neckline covering the full sleeves. She wore a fetching flowered hat over her piled up golden hair.

  Tad thought she was the loveliest thing he had ever seen. He quite gasped at her beauty and as he began to sway Ricky put a hand out to support him wondering what he would do with a swooning bridegroom, but he stood straight again and was able to receive his bride from her father without any further worry.

  The Rector of St James married them smiling at this lad he had known for so many years, watching his growth from a small urchin to grown man and now seeing him marry one of the loveliest girls in the colony. He felt no doubts about this marriage for he felt it was truly one made in heaven.

  A beautiful open carriage carried the couple to the Landon home where the reception was held. They were followed by the various members of the wedding party and family and friends all in like carriages. It was a grand procession to traverse the city streets on this hot Saturday morning. Tad and Amabel were little conscious of their surrounds but only of themselves, but they were duly admired by all who had lined the streets to watch. All crowds love a bride and even though this one was not looking their way they appreciated her beauty and knew the well known young reporter from the newspaper.

  The reception took the usual form of magnificent food and many speeches and at last Tad began to realise that he should come out of his rosy cloud and demand that he take his love away to catch the train for Parramatta where they would spend the night. The whole gathering once more took to their carriages and set off to see the happy couple on to the train. By this time there was much merriment and jollying, Tad and Ricky being surprised at Will's frivolity. He had succeeded in tying all sorts of peculiar things to the train carriage that they were to travel in and eventually when the engine puffed its way along it was festooned with tins and ribbons and all sorts of bunting that Ricky was sure would not please the Railways staff.

  Sadie Landon bid her Amabel a sad and damp farewell knowing that even though so far she would not be so far away, this was the beginning of losing her eldest and perhaps, dearest. She was on this day, anyway.

  The party dwindled and the main guests looked at each other in that lost way that a group does when an exciting event is over. The Landons looked so bereft that Ricky took pity on them and suggested that they all go to his home and look at some of Will's pictures. He was about to package them for storage and had them out in the studio. Sadie had not seen them for some time and they jumped at the suggestion, and so spent a pleasant afternoon quietly recovering from what Sadie felt was almost a trauma.

  John Landon was able to speak of Will to Ricky during the afternoon after seeing the portraits in the studio. "That boy really has something, Ricky. I hope he is able to benefit from some decent tutors in Paris. I feel confident he will and I hope you do to."

  "Yes, I do, sir. I will miss him badly for I saw much more of Will than of Tad. Tad always seemed to be at your home, sir, but Will was always here. I am sure he will benefit, but I am concerned about his coping with being alone," said Ricky.

  "I am sure my brother-in-law will look after him. He will like Robert and I am sure his wife will take to him," assured John. "I look forward to his letters eagerly. I imagine he will keep us informed."

  "Of course, sir, I am sure he will do that. But it does take an age to hear if anything goes wrong," put in Ricky.

  "Yes, but he will have Tad and Amabel near enough for him if he isn't happy. They will be there for some months at least, and he should know by then if he is going to settle."

  "Yes, I suppose so," admitted Ricky reluctantly. "I am acting like a mother hen."

  CHAPTER 17 The Boys spread their wings

  Will was frantically busy during the last two weeks before they sailed. There was so much to do and organize but he was pleased to be busy, for if he ever did find time to sit and think he rather got cold feet about it all. He was thankful that in the end it had all happened quickly. He was forever running to Ricky and say, "Now don't forget, Rick, I want you to ..." and then go on to tell him about something he had been involved in. Ricky had no idea that the young man was involved in so much. He was learning to know Will better and better.

  "Now Rick, you know that boy in the hostel, Cliff? Well, he wants to draw plans for houses and I have been teaching him the little I know. I would like him to get a draughtsman's job and so have been teaching him the basics of drawing. Can you see that he has an interview with an architect. Harvey, your architect, may give him a job. I have been meaning to see him myself but haven't had time. Would you see to it?" Another time was, "Rick, young Phil Yates is old enough now to be really getting out on his own. See about getting him a job somewhere where he can develop his sculpting skills will you? He's done some good work and I think he would like to work with a monumental mason. Jarvis might help."

  Tad and Amabel came back full of love and good feelings for the world in general. They went to the Landon's house for the few days before sailing for Sadie wanted to have Amabel near for emotional reasons and also so that the final packing could be done more easily.

  It was a forlorn group who wished 'bon voyage' to this party of travellers. It took at least ten weeks to sail to the homeland and it would be the same back and so even if they were to turn round and return quickly it would be many months before Sadie saw her Amabel again, and it would take that long to get the first news of her.

  Ricky had such an empty feeling in his 'innards' as he called them. It was so long since he had been alone he wondered how he could cope without the boys. They always had some doings to tell him about each evening at home. He felt they kept him in touch with the world. Especially Tad with all his news. But at least the Forrests and Jenny were coming up to stay next week and that was something to look forward to. There was so much to do anyway and the foundations of the new house to go down when Jenny was here so she could see the first of her new home in place.

  Ricky looked at Will. He was so pale and drawn. He hope he would keep well. He wondered if they would be seasick. "I don't think I was too bad when I came out." he mused. Tad and Amabel were still floating on a cloud. He thought he would float on a cloud when he married Jenny, too. Jenny was so lovely.

  They suddenly realised that the ship was leaving the wharf. Last minute shouts were called and they all waved as the vessel slowly made her way up the harbour.

  "Let us go along to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, John," said Sadie. "Then we could go along at other places and wave to them again," she added.

  "No, we will not, Sadie," said John Landon in a stern voice. "You would have us go all the way to the Macquarie light and down the coast. No, we'll go home and quietly cry there," he added tenderly as he put his arm about her waist. "Come, let's go. In you get girls, wave your last waves." He bustled his family into the carriage and Ricky watched them drive off. He knew how they felt.

  The house was quite as empty as Ricky had feared but he took out the plans of the house after dinner and tried to fill his mind with them. Mrs Keen kept popping in to see that he was all right and Ricky wondered whether she felt the loss of the boys, too. It was strange for they were so often out at their own things that he wondered why he missed them so soon, for he was used to them being away for an evening. He tried shaking it off by thinking of Jenny.

  The Forrests and Jenny came a week later and settled into the house. They intended staying two weeks for business and pleasure. It was the first time they had stopped with Ricky and he was very pleased to have them. They had a busy round of social engagements and Ricky felt that the time was going too fast.

  He noticed that Jenny was very quiet on the day they drove out to see the foundations laid for their new home. They had all been so busy that Ricky had little time a
lone with his love and he felt a great excitement that he at last had her on his own and they were going to see the beginnings of their future take shape. They walked up the slope of the house block to where the men were working, and watched as the men poured the first concrete into the trenches which would be part of the foundations of their home. There were massive stones cut and dressed waiting to be used for the bulk of the house. It would certainly be a substantial building.

  They watched for a while and then Ricky led Jenny to a log where he lay a rug down suggesting that she sit in the shade. He ran down to the sulky and brought back a hamper of afternoon tea which Mrs Keen had prepared for them.

  After serving Jenny he said, "Now, my dear, I want to know what is troubling you. I've noticed you have been very quiet and I'm wondering whether you are having second thoughts about our marriage. Please tell me. This is the time to say what is in your mind." Ricky felt his stomach tighten as he said this, but was determined. " I have felt that we haven't had as much time together as we should have but circumstances seem to have prevented that." Ricky took her hand and smiled at her encouragingly.

  Jenny put her cup of lemonade down on the hamper and said, "Yes, Ricky, I have been a bit upset. I have had a great deal to think about and I am troubled. I know I have to speak to you about it, but haven't for the reasons you have said and also that I don't want to hurt you."

  "Thank you for that, Jenny," he said, his heart in his mouth, by this time, wondering what was in her mind, fearful of what he was about to hear. Her sweet face looked so troubled but he continued to smile encouragingly at her. "Whatever you have to say must be said and now is a good time to say it as we will not be interrupted."

  "Well," she said, sighing over her thoughts. "I think the first thing that upset me was that I had no idea what a big business man you are and what a busy life you lead and I wonder whether I could live up to you."