Red Hot

by Cheryl Alldis

  The announcement crackled through the wireless announcing that the worst bushfire in ten years was finally under control, that the danger was over. Hamilton Valley had been spared!

  ***

  Digger finally received the message that he was needed at home. His heart plummeted, a feeling of dread shot through him and he rushed home, anxiety replacing weariness, arriving at the same time as the doctor.

  Ellie broke the news first about Mary. Digger couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His exhausted dirty face clearly displayed his shock. Then Ellie had the task of telling him about Win and Beth.

  She went about it as calmly as she could, trying to prevent more pain and shock as much as possible. He had been through hell out there with the fire and all this on top of it could completely break him.

  He sat with his head in his big hands. He didn’t glance up as Ellie told him everything, right down to the fact that she, Win and Emmie had known about Beth for some time. She explained why they had kept it quiet.

  When she finished, he looked up and quietly asked, ‘Karl?’

  ‘He just walked out, Dig. I’m at a loss. I just can’t believe all this has happened… I just can’t.’ She dissolved into heavy wracking sobs.

  ‘Where is he now? Merv or whatever the bastard calls himself.’

  Ellie shook her head. ‘I don’t know… Nobody knows. They’re pretty sure he burned in the hills.’

  Digger stood up. ‘I’ll go up and shower. I have to see Win, then I’m going to find that mongrel and kill him myself… if he hasn’t burned to death!’

  ***

  Karl kept walking. On and on he went. He was crying, broken. He was utterly exhausted. He had not slept at all because of the fire, and now the news about Mary was too much for him to comprehend. He loved her with all of his heart. She couldn’t be dead. Karl walked in the direction of the creek, not really paying attention. It wound through the Kia-Ora property near the disused well. He kept going until he came to the bank of the creek. He stopped under the shade of an old gum tree. He leant back against its trunk, staring straight ahead. He thought about Mary, of everything she had told him about her life with Harvey… Harvey! Karl felt the anger rise inside him. Harvey, the animal who had taken Mary’s life!

  Karl felt something touch his face. He put his hand up as he felt what seemed to be a gentle caress on his scarred cheek… Tears drenched his face.

  He remembered your sweet smile, the light in your lovely eyes.

  The gentle touch of your hand. He heard again, your soft voice as you told him you loved him. Sweet Mary, your love will be embalmed in his heart forever.

  He will hold you in his dreams and touch your perfect face with fingertips of love.

  He will always love you

  Sweet Mary

  ***

  Ellie answered the persistent ringing of the telephone. It was the Base Hospital; Win was on the other end. She told Ellie that she and Beth would be home within the hour. Ellie was surprised, but Win assured her that they were both well enough and wanted nothing more than to be at home. She said the police were driving them home.

  Ellie told her that everyone, including Dig, knew about the night’s events and about Merv. Win said she felt relieved that it was now all out in the open. She told Ellie that Merv had disappeared into the fire and the firemen and police all agreed it was not possible for him to survive that inferno.

  Win said she too was convinced Merv had burned to death.

  Digger came downstairs as Ellie hung the phone up. She told him what Win had said.

  ‘Well, I hope the bastard suffered, because he certainly deserved to. He put Win through hell years ago and then to come back and have another go at her, as well as kidnappin’ Beth. My God, I tell you Ellie, if I’d got hold of him…’ He let the sentence trail off.

  Ellie could feel his anger and she sympathized with him. He looked at her and held his arms out to her.

  ‘Come here, Ellie. You’ve had a helluva shock too.’ They stood together, comforting each other as best they could.

  ‘Poor bloody Karl, he must be devastated.’

  ‘I really can’t grasp it all, Dig. I really can’t. It’s worse than any horrific nightmare. The hell we’ve been through, and now this dreadful thing about Mary. How much more is going to be dished out to us?’

  The doctor came down and told them that Emmie was alright and if she kept resting she would remain fine. He said he would call in again that evening just to be on the safe side.

  Digger and Ellie went outside to wait for Win and Beth. They still had to tell them about Mary.

  ***

  News travelled fast in the valley and it wasn’t long before everyone was telling their version of Win and Beth’s horror experience. The reality of their horrible experience was greatly exacerbated as it travelled from one household to the next.

  The horror of that ordeal had not even begun to sink in when more news began to filter out. The media began reporting unconfirmed news that the police were certain that Merv Spencer, who had at one time been a Hamilton Valley resident, was responsible for all the fires over the past four years. The reports stated that police were still conducting investigations into Mr Spencer’s activities and further reports would be announced as they came to hand.

  Mixed emotions spread throughout the valley. The locals were worn to a frazzle, all exhausted from fighting the bushfire. They didn’t know what to think of this latest news, so they waited, hopeful that the man who called himself Mick had actually been the firebug and had perished in the very thing that gave him pleasure.

  ***

  One by one, the Mason clan gathered at Kia-Ora. Win and Beth were home from hospital. They had superficial burns. Beth’s injuries where she had been bound were bandaged and Win’s cuts and grazes from thrashing through the bush were treated. Fortunately, their burns were not deep and would heal without scarring. However, they had many emotions to deal with.

  Win told Digger about her terrifying ordeal. He was very emotional about it all. The very thought that he could have lost Win forever played in his mind. The deep hatred he had for Merv Spencer consumed him. He was thankful he would never have to set eyes on the bastard ever again; if he did, it would be Digger serving time, he was certain of that. Accepting Beth as a daughter was going to take some adjusting to, but he reassured Win they would get through it. They could cope with anything after this ordeal.

  Kathy and Tammi were happy to have Beth as their older sister and had begun making plans for her already. Win was relieved that they had taken the news so well. She had spoken privately to them when she got home. They had been deeply shocked by what she told them had happened up in the hills. They promised her that they could accept Beth. They already loved her as a person, so it would be easy to do so as a sister. Win cautioned them that it was an emotional situation and there would still be some adjusting to do, so they were to be open and talk to her and their father if they had any issues about anything. Win had the same conversation with Beth when they sat together alone discussing their past and their future.

  ***

  Detectives Bennett and Simpson arrived at Kia-Ora that afternoon.

  The detectives had talked to Win and Beth at the hospital. After going over all the facts Win had provided about Merv, they felt confident that the firebug had indeed been Merv Spencer.

  ‘So you definitely reckon this fella was our arsonist?’ Digger asked.

  ‘Yes, we do,’ Bennett said. ‘We’ve gone over the information thoroughly and the bloke’s history and the fact that he was riddled with revenge doesn’t really leave any doubt. He was released from May Day Hills at the time the first of the fires occurred and he was out to get revenge on you Masons. Isn’t that motive enough? We’ll put out a press release shortly. We’ll leave it to you, to inform your relatives.’

  A sigh of relief rippled around the room. The detectives stood and, after shaking hands, they left the family alone to digest the information.<
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  ***

  The next day, the newspaper headlines screamed about the Hamilton Valley fires and the identity of the firebug finally being revealed after terrorising the valley and eluding capture for so many years. Everyone was relieved that the four year reign of terror was finally over.

  Sydney and Melbourne newspaper reporters swarmed the valley.

  ‘Just think,’ Ellie said quietly at breakfast. ‘He burnt in fire. It must have been destined to happen that way. I mean, Merv terrorized us all with fire and he met his own demise in fire!’

  Win was silent for a time. Something had been niggling in the back of her mind. She had struggled with so much the last twenty four hours that her mind had become a fuddled tangle of emotions.

  The reason for Beth’s adoption was discussed again with her and the family this time. She had discussed it privately with Win earlier and now they had the girls, Ellie and Emmie there. Beth had many questions and Emmie could answer these best for Beth. Win had been in such a state at the time of the adoption, some things were blotted from her memory. Beth became quite upset during the conversation. This was understandable after the trauma of the abduction on top of everything else. She eventually calmed down and, after further discussion, more questions and several family stories, everything seemed to be on the road to ‘recovery’. It would certainly take time for everyone involved to adapt, but they were the Masons. They were a strong bunch and, considering everything they had endured in these last years, they could certainly tackle this.

  The other major news headline the paper was carrying was about Mary. Harvey had admitted strangling her. However, according to his solicitor, there were mitigating circumstances. Mary had been a chronic alcoholic and often abused him. He had suffered her addiction for years. When Harvey arrived at their home to warn her about the approaching fire, he had found her drunk and she refused to adhere to his plea that they leave immediately. Mary provoked him and the ensuing argument had got out of control, resulting in Mary’s accidental death.

  Harvey did not get bailed. His court appearance was set for the following fortnight.

  Karl was furious. ‘That bastard’ll get away with this, you watch and see. He’ll claim that Mary drove him insane. Temporary insanity is what he’ll say. He’ll get off because of her drinking!’ Karl’s voice rose to a shout and he got up and stormed out.

  The rest of the family could only watch him leave. It was now common knowledge that Karl and Mary had been lovers. It was also very apparent how much Karl loved her. They all felt so very sad for him.

  More news headlines told about Eddie Chancellor. He had been to court for his part in the recent armed robbery and sentenced to twelve months in Goulburn Prison with a non-parole period of eight months.

  ‘Well, that’s another crook gone, if only for a while!’ Digger remarked tiredly.

  Kathy replied sadly, ‘I feel kind of sorry for him though. He was so good when he was going out with me. You have to admit, we all thought he had changed. Just goes to show how wrong we were!’

  Win remembered what had been niggling in the back of her mind.

  ‘It wasn’t Merv!’

  They all looked at her. ‘What’re you talking about?’ Ellie asked surprised.

  ‘Merv wasn’t the firebug. I asked him if he’d done all those terrible things and he denied it.’

  Digger shook his head. ‘Course he’d deny it, love, he was definitely the bloody firebug!’

  ‘Dig, he would have wanted to take credit for all that devastation if he was the culprit, that’s exactly what he was like, but he didn’t, he denied it! He did say he hoped the valley burned though. He hoped we’d all be destroyed like we destroyed him. The more I think back to what he said, I’m just not convinced it was him.’

  ‘Win, it had to be him, he phoned us as well, remember?’ Ellie added.

  ‘Ok, he called us, but he said it wasn’t him that lit those fires. He wished he had thought of doing those things. He said someone out there hates us even more than him. He said it and laughed. It’s all coming back to me now.’

  ‘Win, it was him. He hated us and he got his revenge, everything fits.’ Digger pulled her close and kissed her forehead. ‘It’s over Win… It’s all over.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  People celebrated throughout the valley relieved that at long last, they could relax. Finally they could rebuild without the fear of being burned down again.

  Some friendships were resumed, some were not. Much had been said over those years, creating rifts that would never be repaired.

  A service was held for Mary. It was small because she wasn’t that well-known in the valley and her parents had died many years ago and she was an only child. It was heartbreaking for Karl. He held himself together until her casket was lowered into the ground. He stepped forward and placed a single red rose on top.

  Then he kissed his fingertips and, briefly touching the casket, he whispered, ‘Goodbye my lovely Mary… Goodbye, my love. You will always be in my heart.’ He turned and walked away with tears running down his scarred face.

  Merv Spencer’s body was eventually discovered, burned beyond recognition. However, in effect, the army personnel were the last people to see Merv alive. Given the location and the circumstances of the inferno, the authorities concluded the body was his. His body was laid to rest in a pauper’s grave in the Albury Cemetery.

  Harvey Winters did go to goal, but on the lesser charge of manslaughter. He would never show his face in Hamilton Valley again.

  ***

  With the support of Win and Emmie, Ellie endeavoured to put Harvey out of her mind and devote herself to her music. She took on more pupils and her successful music school became well known throughout Albury and Wodonga and as far as Melbourne. She soon became one of the most respected music teachers around. Win and Emmie hoped she would find love again one day.

  ***

  Karl’s heart was completely shattered. He had attended the court case. He hated Harvey Winters with a vengeance. He said if he had a gun in the courtroom that day, he would have used it. His life felt empty now, a huge void had formed where Mary had once been. He felt bitter and broken. Meanwhile, his mother had urged him to go ahead with the skin grafts and hopefully his face would not bare too many scars. No one could say the same for his heart.

  ***

  Emmie remained as well as could be expected throughout all the trauma, which amazed everyone. The doctor said he felt she still had many a good year in her yet.

  Now the stress of the fires was over along with the other upsets the family had endured, he was confident she would be around for quite a while longer. She was a strong woman and everything she did was for her family. Now she wanted to be there for Beth. She also wanted to do whatever it took to help her son Karl through this heartbreaking time. She didn’t want to see him condemned to eternal despair. She prayed he too would be happy again one day.

  ***

  Win felt a huge weight lifted from her. Now she was complete. Her first born child was back where she belonged and she would never have to fear the crazed Merv again. It was a strange and very tragic sequence of events that had actually given back her daughter and her life.

  ***

  Digger accepted Beth. He was adjusting to everything well. He was pleased Beth was back with her mother. He knew Beth was an innocent victim just as much as Win. His deep love for his wife and his family was what he lived for.

  He threw himself into his work and took each day as it came, relieved like everyone else that he and the family could sleep at night without being woken by sirens screaming through the valley. He also made sure he kept a ‘brotherly’ eye on his brother-in-law. He knew Karl needed a mate to help him through the tough time ahead.

  ***

  The girls loved their new sister. They were coming to terms with their mother’s past and were sad for what she had been through. They were very proud of her strength and proud how she had fought to protect their sister a
nd her eldest child.

  Kathy eventually bought her own salon. Barbara, her boss, decided to retire and offered her salon to Kathy. She redecorated and introduced several beauty services, soon becoming known as the best hairdresser in town!

  Tammi loved her job at the local television station. She was considering journalism as a career. Neither she nor Kathy were in a hurry to settle down, marry and have babies. They felt they had plenty of time for that. They both were ambitious and wanted to live life to the fullest. Win and Digger agreed wholeheartedly.

  ***

  Beth felt she had come home, settling down with the Masons happily. With the help of Johnny Hanson, she took up singing professionally, eventually leaving to study further in England. It was an emotional farewell, but she would be coming home often to visit her family.

  She and Win were sad for the years they lost but were thankful for every moment they now had together. They were a family at last, no matter how far the distance.

  ***

  Francis recovered from his romantic feelings for Beth. The tragic events of the last fire and the shock revelations of the ‘family history’ changed all that very quickly.

  He and Beth eventually became comfortable in each other’s company, able to have a laugh at past times they enjoyed.

  Beth invited him to visit her in England where he met a young woman who stole his heart. He married her twelve months after they met.

  They were blessed with a baby girl. They named her Emmaline Mary-Ellen Fraser.

  Quite a mouthful, the family said, but he was determined to dedicate those names to this new little life he held in his arms. He also told his new wife that little Emmaline was destined to play the piano, pointing out his new baby daughter’s long fingers.

  ***

  Eileen and Darcy announced their engagement and soon after had a beautiful wedding held on Dawn’s property. Tom, Harry’s dog, carried the wedding rings tied to his collar and he delivered them on cue when Eileen whistled him. He was the star of the day. Eileen also built a house where Harry’s hut once stood. Dawn gave her the land as a wedding gift.