Past Remembering
Page 13
“That’s incredible,” Jack said. “And Peri said the journals were in a hidden compartment in an old box. Any idea how they got there?”
“Not yet, and we may never know, but it’s a wonderful story,” she said and Vivienne agreed with her.
She retold the story of how Asha had come to find the journals. “And I couldn’t wait to tell your grandmother. Grace was as amazed as I was, even though we knew our families are woven together.”
“I’ve heard Mum and Gran talk about Margaret and Georgie Chaseley, of course,” Jack said. “They owned a store in Ipswich I seem to remember.” Jack turned to Asha. “And you’re going to put it in the book for Richard?”
“Oh, yes,” Vivienne replied for Asha. “It’s so exciting.”
Jack chuckled and then quirked his eyebrows. “Lucky we didn’t uncover any family secrets. Although I’ve always fancied having a bushranger on the family tree.”
Asha shrugged ruefully. “I haven’t found any to date. What about the Moylands?”
“All lawyers.” He stopped and grimaced. “Whoa! Say no more.”
Asha laughed and caught Vivienne looking speculatively from Jack to herself.
“I don’t suppose you’re free tomorrow evening, are you, Jackson?” Vivienne asked and Asha almost groaned.
Chapter Seven
“Tomorrow night? Sure. What’s on?” Jack asked easily.
“Um. No. It’s okay, Vivienne,” Asha said.
“Asha has some tickets to a sporting night.” Vivienne turned back to Asha. “What was it again, my dear?”
Asha felt herself flushing. “It’s a Sporting Awards Dinner, but it doesn’t matter. Honestly,” she assured Jack.
“You mean the Sporting Awards night at the Sheraton? You have tickets?” Jack’s eyebrows rose again, and Asha was again reminded of Peri. “I’m impressed.”
“Asha’s father’s getting an award,” Vivienne added.
“Actually he may not even get the award. He’s just been nominated for one. It’s a black-tie dinner and probably with loads of boring speeches.”
“And you need a partner?” Jack stood up and bowed. “I’d be honored to escort you, fair maiden.”
Asha didn’t know what to say.
“She was going to ask Peri,” Vivienne said. “But she’s in Townsville.”
“Peri?” He raised the famous Moyland eyebrows again. “Ah! Then it’s your lucky day, Asha. I’m known as the next best thing. If you can’t get Peri, then I’m next in line.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean—” Asha started to apologize, and Jack laughed good-naturedly.
“I know. It’s okay. But I have to say my sister’s misfortune is my good luck in this case.”
“Well, Dad did say to bring a friend and—” Asha smiled. “I’d be happy for you to come along, but are you sure you want to put yourself through it?”
“Will I get to meet your famous father?”
“Yes.”
Jack grinned. “Then it’s a done deal. What time shall I pick you up?”
“We have to meet at Dad’s at six. He suggested a drink before we all, that’s Dad and Karen and my sister, Michelle, and her boyfriend, go together in the stretch limo he’s arranged.” Asha wrinkled her nose.
“Stretch limo? Impressive. That can only mean a red carpet.”
Asha blanched. “Oh, no. I hadn’t thought of that. Tell me you’re joking?”
“It stands to reason,” Jack said with mock seriousness. “This is the night of nights for Queensland sport.”
“I think I may have to call it off,” Asha said and groaned.
Jack feigned horror. “Can I still go on my own?”
“Are you sure you want to go at all? Black tie and boring speeches, remember?”
“I think I can cope.” He grinned. “I’d really like to go, Asha, if you don’t mind my company instead of Peri’s.”
“Of course she doesn’t mind,” said Vivienne, giving him a tap on his arm. “You’ll be the most handsome man in the room.”
Jack rolled his eyes. “Not that she’s biased.”
“Not that biased.” Asha laughed. At least Jack had a sense of humor. And he was the next best thing to Peri, she reminded herself wryly. Jack had said so himself.
“Okay, I’d best be off,” he said. “I have some work to finish tonight and I have to dust off my tux.” He kissed Vivienne on the cheek and paused by the door. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow evening, Asha?”
She nodded, and with a smile, he was gone.
“Such a nice young man,” Vivienne said, looking speculatively at Asha.
Asha chose to ignore Vivienne’s so-obvious matchmaking. “Do you remember if Georgie and Margaret lived here in Brisbane?” she asked, hoping to distract her.
Vivienne frowned. “I believe they did, although I’m not too sure of the time frame. Mind you, I didn’t see them all that often, only when I went with Grace to visit them. And Jack was right. They did have a small shop in Ipswich. They ran that until Georgie was in his eighties.” Vivienne hesitated, thinking back. “You know, I do believe they must have been in Ipswich for quite a time, because I remember Susannah and her second husband bought them out of their large store.”
“Susannah?” Asha frowned. “Was that Maryann and William Reid’s daughter who lived with her grandparents?”
“That’s right. Maryann and her husband came back from England and took Susannah off with them. Grace told me her grandmother, Susannah, died within the year. Everyone said she died of a broken heart, losing the granddaughter she’d raised from a baby.”
Asha consulted her notes. “That would have been 1904.”
Vivienne nodded. “Then Maryann brought Susannah back. I’m not sure why. Susannah then lived with Uncle Georgie and Aunt Margaret. She married Robert Gaines, Margaret’s son, before he went off to the Great War. He was killed before Susannah had the twins, Bobby and Grace.”
“That’s so sad.”
“Yes. Grace has always regretted not knowing her father, but Uncle Georgie and Aunt Margaret told her so much about him. It was a terrible loss. Susannah remarried when Grace and Bobby were, oh, about eight years old. That’s when I met Grace, when they moved to Brisbane. We’ve been friends ever since that first day she came to school.” Vivienne smiled. “I’d love you to meet Grace. She’s a wonderful person. Peri’s so much like her.”
Asha pushed thoughts of Peri out of her mind. It was way too distracting.
“Now, let me see.” Vivienne frowned again. “Susannah and Grace’s stepfather, Edward Ward, that was his name. That’s right. I remember now. When Susannah and Edward bought the store, Grace was working here in Brisbane, and so she stayed with my family. Bobby boarded with Richard’s family. So Susannah and Edward must have gone to Ipswich about 1935. They bought the store from Uncle Georgie and Aunt Margaret. It was a large general store and the building still exists to this day. Now, Uncle Georgie and Aunt Margaret must have bought the smaller shop at that time, do you think?”
“Probably. I can do some research into that. But they would have been quite elderly by then. Georgie would have been nearing seventy.”
Vivienne laughed. “Quite elderly? My dear, at seventy, Uncle Georgie would have been a spring chicken.”
Asha laughed too.
“I remember they were at Grace and Joe’s wedding in 1942. Uncle Georgie was a very handsome man, I thought. Clean-shaven, thick dark hair, not overly tall, but a fine stamp of a man. He would have been ninety then, but he was very fit and healthy. Aunt Margaret was a good bit younger than he was, late seventies I’d say, but the nicest woman. Such a kind face.
“I know they came to Vera’s funeral, and they were at our wedding, too, in 1950. Uncle Georgie had aged by then, and I do believe he died that same year. Aunt Margaret died not long after Uncle Georgie. They were such a close couple.” Vivienne’s face softened at the memory.
Asha passed her the wedding photo of Georgie Chaseley and Margaret Gaines.
“Yes.”
Asha indicated the stack of typed pages she’d passed to Vivienne. “Now that I’ve finished typing up the second journal I want to do more work on the actual book. Then I’ll start researching the Chaseleys in England. I was going to get onto that as soon as I’d finished compiling the family records here in Australia.”
“Will they be easy to find?” Vivienne asked.
“If the records exist, and they may not, they should be easy because of all the information in Georgie’s journal. There are relative dates and places. It’s wonderful.”
“I was astounded at the amount of history of the period in Georgie’s journals,” Vivienne said. “So much interesting information.”
“Absolutely,” said Asha. “And I was thinking about that. Living in different cities, Richard and Georgie would have exchanged news about everything going on around them. There’s little doubt they both worked hard, worked long hours, and they wouldn’t have had much time for socializing. At least, they wouldn’t have had the spare time we enjoy today. So everything that happened would have been food for Georgie’s journals.”
“I’m sure you’re right. From what I’ve already read, both boys seemed to show a thirst for knowledge and an awareness of the world around them. Dickie would have so enjoyed the journals, too, Asha. And it’s such a heritage for Richard and the children. How will you go about finding the family in England?”
“I’ll begin with the census returns. Richard and Georgie left England before the 1871 census, but hopefully I’ll find them on the 1861 census.”
Vivienne smiled. “This is so exciting. Grace wanted to come home immediately, but I told her I’d send her a copy by express post. I’ll get Peri to do that for me.”
“That’s right. I was going to print out a copy for her, wasn’t I?”
“Whenever you get a moment. That would be wonderful. And Rosemary wants to read it, too. I was talking to her last night and told her about the journals. She was amazed they had been hidden away for so long. Oh, and the most exciting news of all is that my daughter’s coming home soon.”
“That’s great. How long is it since you saw her?”
“A month or so. She hinted then that she might retire, but I don’t dare hope she might come home for good. I miss her so much. But she’s such a busy lawyer. Her father and I were so proud of her.” Vivienne sighed. “She had dinner with Richard, Timothy and Megan last week, and when I spoke to Richard he said she looked tired. So this is especially good news for me, that she’s coming home.” She smiled. “As I think I mentioned to you, it was Rosemary who first suggested I get our family history done. She was home for the weekend when I showed her Betty’s book you’d written. When I told her you had written it, she said she thought she’d heard of you.”
Asha was surprised “She had?”
“Yes. She was thinking about getting someone to research the family and coincidently, there I was with Betty’s book. Anyway, Rosemary’s looking forward to meeting you.”
Asha grimaced. “I hope she won’t be disappointed with what I’ve done. I mean, the journals sell themselves, but—”
“I couldn’t be happier with what you’re doing, Asha. You’re far too modest, my dear.”
“It’s just that I know how much this project means to you.”
“Now, you just stop worrying. Without you we’d never have discovered the journals in the old chest. Now, I must go and read the rest of the journals.”
She left Asha then, and Asha went back to working on Vivienne’s book.
Jack Moyland collected Asha the next evening and, much to her surprise, Asha had a most enjoyable night. Jack was an amusing companion and her father seemed to like him. Of course, she knew she’d have to reiterate that Jack was just a friend, in case the family got the wrong idea.
Asha relaxed back into the comfortable seat of Jack’s Subaru as he drove her home. There was only a minimum of traffic, as the evening had gone on longer than Asha had anticipated. “Thanks again, Jack, for stepping into the breach, so to speak,” she said.
Jack flicked on his indicator and changed lanes. “No worries. I had a ball. Your father’s a great bloke. Thank you for letting me substitute for Peri.”
Into Asha’s mind flashed a picture of Peri in a tux, all long legs and lithe grace, and her mouth went dry. But then, Asha conceded, Peri would look great in anything. And out of it. Desire caught at her and she shifted in her seat, making a show of adjusting her seat belt.
“… and your father really deserved that award.”
With a flash of guilt, Asha realized she’d missed part of Jack’s conversation and she drew herself together. “He was pretty overcome,” she said, feeling bad.
“I like your family, too,” Jack continued. “Michelle told me she’s your half sister.”
“Yes, and the boys are our half brothers.” Asha gave a derisive grin. “The Wests are a very modern family.”
Jack chuckled. “And your father’s a very brave man to take on a second family at his age.”
Asha smiled. “Michelle gives him heaps about that. He seems to thrive on it though.” She stifled a yawn.
“I saw that yawn,” Jack said teasingly and Asha laughed.
“Sorry. Nothing to do with the company. It’s just past my bedtime.”
Jack checked his watch. “What? The night is young, or the morning is early.” He grinned crookedly. “Whichever way you choose to look at it.”
“Well, unfortunately for me, it’s aging as we speak.”
Jack yawned, too. “Oh, no.” He apologized. “Now I’ve spoiled my high-living, hard-playing image.” He shrugged ruefully. “So I guess there’ll be no partying on till dawn at a string of nightclubs for us?”
“I’m afraid not. For me, anyway,” Asha told him. “But there’s always time for you after you drop me off.”
Jack laughed. “The spirit’s willing, but the body is, unfortunately, weak.”
He continued to make easy conversation about various aspects of the evening, and soon they were turning in through the gates and pulling up in front of Tyneholme. Jack switched off the engine and turned to Asha, his face illuminated by the exterior lights on the veranda. He smiled Peri’s smile.
“I’ve had a great night, Asha, and I really am grateful to have had the chance to go.”
“I’m just glad it wasn’t too boring or too traumatic.”
“Even the red carpet?” he asked with a grin, and Asha bit off a giggle.
“Now that part was traumatic.”
“You looked pretty spectacular.”
Asha stiffened. “Thank you,” she said carefully as she unclipped her seat belt.
Jack took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing it lightly. “Maybe we can do this again sometime, hmm?”
“I think the Awards Night is a yearly event.” She tried for lightness and he laughed softly.
“Then, please pencil my name in. No, I meant perhaps dinner one evening.”
“Um. Thank you.” Life would be so easy if she could simply say yes, she told herself. “I like you very much, Jack, but—”
“But your heart belongs to another?”
Asha stilled. “I—I do care about someone else,” she said carefully.
“And does this someone care about you?”
“I don’t know.” Asha looked away from him.
Jack sighed. “Peri does look better in a tux than I do,” he said softly.
Startled, Asha snatched her hand from his. “What? I don’t know what you mean.”
“I could be wrong, but I just had the impression you batted for the other team.”
Asha swallowed again. “Jack, I—”
“It’s okay, Asha. You don’t have to tell me. It’s your business. But we can be friends, can’t we?”
“Of course. Friends.” She drew a stea
dying breath. “I, uh, this isn’t something I talk about. It’s difficult.”
Jack nodded. “I can imagine it would be. Have you known you were all your life?”
Asha paused and then found herself replying. “Pretty much. Since my teens at least,” she said, and felt suddenly light, free.
“And since your father asked me my intentions, I take it your family doesn’t know.”
“My father asked you about our relationship?” Asha said, amazed that her father would do that.
“Very subtly. I think he inferred he’d take a cricket bat to me if I upset you in any way.”
Asha was appalled, and then Jack laughed.
“I was having you on. Sorry, Asha, I couldn’t resist. He didn’t say anything, but he gave me a pretty fair third degree.”
“I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have done that.”
“He seems to think some guy broke your heart, and fairly recently, too.”
Asha shook her head.
“Too painful to talk about?” he asked gently and Asha felt like crying. She’d never discussed her breakup with Tessa with anyone. She hadn’t thought about her in ages, but the betrayal still hurt.
“It was a woman,” she said. “Last year.”
Jack took her hand again and squeezed it. “No doubt about these women. Break your heart every time.” He grinned crookedly. “Happens to the best of us.”
“I suppose it does. Did you … ? Did someone break your heart?”
“Years ago now.” He gave a shrug. “Water under the bridge now, but I still remember how bad it made me feel.”
“Yes, as you say, it is water under the bridge. But I am sorry my father embarrassed you, and I also apologize if I gave you any mixed messages or anything.”
“You didn’t. I suspected you were a lesbian when I first met you.”
“You did? But how?”
“Oh, let’s just say I watched you watching Peri.”
Asha was horrified. “There’s nothing between your sister and me.”
“But you want there to be. Am I right?”
“Jack, please don’t say anything about this to Peri. She’d be mortified.”