Everybody sat silently, each of them thinking of that day so long ago. Mama handed out the coffee and delicious biscuits. When they were ready to say their goodbyes, Giancarlo’s mother kissed Annie on both cheeks, grabbing her in a hug and turned to Giancarlo speaking rapidly. Giancarlo said.
“Mama, says she is so glad that Cecilia did not die that day, she lost many friends then and she is upset because Cecilia never came back to visit her,” He continued,
“If you find anything more, she wants to know if you will tell her.”
Giancarlo pressed the old photo into Annie’s hand, she looked at mama and smiled bowing her head.
“Thank you. Of course, tell your Mama, when I have learnt more I will come back and tell her everything.”
The old woman smiled, lifting her hand to say goodbye.
When they reached their apartment, they changed into their swimming togs, Denise set out rolls and cold meat and cheese on the small table on the patio, the rooster, Jean Paul, came clucking around with his family and Leo as usual waited for his share. They relaxed for a while and then went down to the pool and spent the afternoon swimming and dozing. That was where Vincenzo found them, he had changed into his swimming trunks and Ilana was with him, flashing her magnificent body in a ‘teeny bikini’ Vincenzo sat down close to Annie, sharing her towel. Denise noticed Ilana shooting dagger glances at Annie, as she sat sulkily down on the other side of Vincenzo on her own towel, Denise smirked.
“Tomorrow I have nothing to do” announced Vincenzo. “Would you like to go into Rome? We can visit St Peters, the Coliseum and of course see the Trevi fountain and throw money to make a wish,” as Annie turned to look at him he smiled into her eyes and said. “I know what I will wish for.”
To Annie his meaning was clear and she blushed remembering the passionate kiss they had shared.
“Okay” said Denise with a grin “Does this invitation include me?”
“Of course,” exclaimed Vincenzo. Turning to Ilana he said. “Unfortunately, Ilana you are working tomorrow,” he continued apologetically, “You have that contract to type out and print. Sorry, I sound like a slave driver, but it is important.”
Ilana tossed her hair over her shoulders and nodded, not saying a word.
Soon after that Ilana excused herself and flounced away, Vincenzo gazed after her with a slight frown, then addressing Annie once more said.
“Well, have you anything more to tell me about your mysterious Cecilia, has she made another appearance at all?”
Annie sighed “No and you know what? I actually miss her.” She frowned, “I don’t think her boy died, who is Cecilia asking me to trace?” she looked around at Vincenzo and Denise pensively.
“We must still look for Francesca Raimondi, or the family at any rate,” said Vincenzo, “And the reason why they never came back here to claim their property.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Melbourne - 1933
C ecilia reluctantly opened the message. She focused on the words, her heart beating rapidly.
HELENA RECOVERING STOP
WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN STOP
LOVE MOTHER.
Thank God. Tears of relief and joy traced a stream down her cheeks. Her little sister was alright and she would be seeing her soon. Cecilia was so happy, she ran up on deck and threw her arms above her head, laughing. There she found the other passengers also enjoying their reprieve from the horrific storm the night before.
“Good Morning Cecilia.” A voice spoke behind her; she turned around and noticed it was one of the gentlemen she had met when she first boarded the ship. She liked him and he often accompanied her on deck.
“Good Morning Eric,” she smiled “What a beautiful morning, after last night’s ordeal.”
Eric nodded, “Would you care to join me at my table for breakfast? It’s been a few hours since we had a good meal.”
She was about to reply when she heard somebody shout.
“Look, look is that a whale?” She swung her head towards the sea and noticed many of the passengers crowding the rails but she couldn’t see anything over their heads
Eric said to Cecilia. “Wait here, I’ll get my binoculars - go further up to the top deck and I’ll join you.” Cecilia climbed the stairs to the top deck and waited for Eric, when he returned he handed her the binoculars and she gasped delightedly as she peered through them.
“Eric, it’s so huge. Look its blowing water in the air, what a sight. It’s magnificent.” then she shrieked “And there,” she pointed. “Flying fish, Ooh, Eric” she laughed merrily. “There’s a rainbow, it’s so clear.” She glanced at Eric grinning “I am sure the rainbow is nature’s way of apologising for the frightening moments we all experienced last night”. Eric laughed and taking her arm said “Come on. I’m starving.”
When they all crowded into the dining room to have breakfast, there was an atmosphere of gaiety, the passengers laughing and chatting, they were thankful they had come through the horrific storm safely and were praising the Captain and crew. Cecilia thought about the captain turning his vessel around to miss the worst, she couldn’t begin to imagine what it was like in the middle of the storm.
Cecilia was standing at the railing watching as the ship pulled into Fremantle two weeks later, the passengers who were about to disembark were all excited, collecting children and luggage, waving to friends on shore, the sound of the gang-plank being put into place and the calling of instructions back and forth from the crew on the ship and stevedores on the dock A few more days and she would see Mother again, and dear Helena, it felt as if she had been away for a lifetime. She went to her cabin and lying down on her bunk she wondered what she planned to do now that she was back home, her thoughts drifted to Liam, what had happened to him in the two years she had been gone? Had he returned to Ireland with his wife? God, why was she thinking about him again, she chided herself.
Just forget him. Get on with your life. Eventually she dozed off and woke up with the sound of the lunch gong.
The new passengers came on board the next morning and at last the ship pulled away from the wharf. Next stop Melbourne.
Cecilia was anxious to get home now, it was nearing Christmas, and her twenty-first birthday on Christmas Eve. There had been a letter waiting for her in Fremantle. Mother wrote and told Cecilia she was sorry but she was not going to have a huge party at The Cabaret, Helena would not be fully recovered. They planned a quiet lunch on Christmas day at home. Cecilia didn’t mind, she was relieved that Helena was recovering and all the family would be together once more.
As the ship pulled into Melbourne, she could see the crowd of friends and family milling on the wharf, eagerly searching for loved ones. The vessel drifted nearer and gradually she could make out the faces, her eyes roved the wharf searching, searching – there. There was Mother and dear Archie, Cecilia jumped up and down, waving and calling, she gave a small sob, it was so good to see them again. Finally, she could rush down and she threw her arms around Mama, they were both crying, happy she was home at last. . Archie then kissed her heartily and went to find out about Cecilia’s luggage.
When they arrived home, Cecilia ran into Helena’s bedroom. Mother had told her she moved Helena downstairs as it was more convenient while she was ill. The sisters were hugging and babbling at the same time. Ida was there to keep an eye on the invalid while Mother and Archie had gone to meet Cecilia and she was beaming, delighted to see Cecilia. Helena still looked very frail and Agnes told Cecilia it would take a long time for her little sister to recover from her ordeal. The next morning over breakfast Mother informed Cecilia that the Cabaret took up almost all their time and Archie felt they deserved a holiday. They wished to do a bit of travelling and now that Cecilia was home they could be sure that Helena wouldn’t be on her own. Ida could take over the running of the Cabaret and the balls. Agnes asked Cecilia if she would like to act as hostess and help Ida in the arrangements and booking of Cabaret artists.
Helena was deli
ghted that her sister was home once more and they spent time together enjoying each other’s company. When Agnes saw them whispering secrets, she was thankful that her two girls were once again happy and well. She breathed a sigh of contentment, the family was together again. .
They had a quiet family lunch to celebrate Cecilia’s return and her twenty-first birthday and her sibling’s recovery. Cecilia missed her friends in South Africa especially Patrick and Aunt Eloise. She thought she may one day return for a visit, maybe Mama, Archie and Helena could go with her. During the year Agnes and Ida kept the girl busy learning to arrange bookings for balls and interview artists for the cabaret acts. As another festive season approached Cecilia and Ida arranged a New Year’s Eve Ball and it was rapidly booked out, they planned to have a buffet supper upstairs and the dancing would begin at 10. She was enjoying her role as Hostess, Agnes and Archie stayed in the background, occasionally helping Cecilia with the arrangements and advertising. Ida was always there to lend a hand. Helena went back to finish her last year at school and she had enrolled in a course for Cordon Bleu cooking. The Rheumatic Fever had left her with a slight murmur of the heart, but the Doctor told her if she didn’t do anything too strenuous she would live a normal healthy life. Cecilia heard that Liam was often at the Cabaret although he did not attend the balls, he was mostly upstairs gambling. She never saw him and concluded he was avoiding her, much to her satisfaction.
In her role as hostess Cecilia met many men, but she always had the excuse she was too busy to go out, occasionally she was invited to the cinema or to dinner and she accepted a few gentlemen, maybe she would find somebody she loved as much as she had loved Liam, her thoughts often turned to Patrick and although she knew he would be a wonderful husband, she wasn’t sure she wanted to marry him. Helena had fallen in love with a young man called Trevor Murray and Mother approved of him, his parents were a nice couple and he had two younger brothers. He had asked Helena to marry him, but she couldn’t make up her mind, she wanted to finish her cooking course first.
New Year’s Eve 1936. Cecilia and Ida once again started organising a grand ball, they were discussing the arrangements with Agnes.
“There are many venues springing up around Melbourne now,” she said earnestly “We have to think of a unique idea to draw the crowds,” she wrinkled her brow “maybe Mama, if you and Archie agree we could give a prize at midnight,” she had a thought, “a-a free ticket to the cabaret or something?”
Helena was the one to come up with the idea, she had finally become engaged to Trevor and she also enjoyed her Cordon Bleu cooking course and often gave little suppers at home. When Helena heard her sister and Ida discussing the festivities at the Cabaret she offered her opinion.
“Why don’t we have a masked ball?” She said with a smile, “The guests can dress in costume or not, but everybody must wear a mask.”
Eventually Cecilia and Ida decided to go with Helena’s suggestion. Their plans started to take shape. Cecilia advertised the ball in The Argus and the tickets were sold out.
The sisters had a wonderful time thinking up their costumes. Cecilia decided to go as Cleopatra, as she had admired the costume the girl on the ship to South Africa had worn. Cecilia’s dress was made of ivory silk, almost see through, her left shoulder was bare and a gossamer train dotted with gold and green sequins draped down from her right shoulder, as she moved, glimpses of her leg were revealed through a daring split down the side, looking in the mirror she saw a dark sensuous woman gazing back. Helena’s dress was white, Grecian style- not as daring as Cecilia’s costume. When Agnes saw them, she thought how beautiful her two darlings were, Bernard would have been proud of them.
Ida and Cecilia arrived early to greet the guests. Watching the couples on the floor, she glanced at Ida and they both grinned and nodded at each other. They had surpassed themselves this year. Cecilia was dancing with a portly gentleman, who kept stepping on her toes, she winced, relieved as somebody tapped her partner on the shoulder, who relinquished her hand, bowed and turned away. The gentleman who cut in was a tall man, he wore a black suit, a black satin cummerbund, and a white frilly cravat, his hair was completely covered with a black satin scarf tied in the mode of a pirate. He didn’t utter a word just looked down at her through his black mask. She looked up and saw the distinctive green eyes. Suddenly she knew who it was and she caught her breath.
“Liam.” she whispered and tried to pull away, but he was too strong for her.
“Cecilia, don’t, people are watching, just finish this dance with me please,” as he breathed in she felt her hair quiver. “I promise I won’t bother you again,” he sighed. “I just wanted to hold you once more.”
She realized he was right she didn’t want anybody to see her agitation and went on dancing, it was wonderful being in his arms again, but she was hoping for the dance to end soon. The music stopped, he didn’t take his arms from around her waist.
“Cecilia, you are even more beautiful, My God, how can I let you go,” he continued whispering “I love you, please know I never meant to deceive you, please forgive me, I was going to tell you about Bridget, but I never seemed to find the courage to do so.” Shaken by her emotions she went back to sit at her table with Agnes and the others. As the evening wore on she tried to get a glimpse of Liam, and saw him occasionally dancing with different partners.
Ida whispered to Cecilia. “It’s almost midnight; let’s get ready for the unmasking.” She caught Archie’s eye who was to announce the hour and looking at his watch he made his way to the front of the room and mounted the stairs to join the orchestra on the stage, tapping the microphone, he called out.
“Ladies and gentlemen please get ready. It’s almost midnight and 1937.
As the crowd started counting down, Cecilia glanced around and noticed Liam looking at her; he was standing a few feet away. She rapidly turned back to watch the stage. “5.4.3.2.1.” came the shouts from around the room, “Happy New year” they all yelled.
“Take off your masks everybody,” As Archie shouted, balloons and streamers floated down from the ceiling and people were turning to see their partners and laughing. Cecilia was also laughing and enjoying the spectacle when she felt somebody grab her around the waist, she was enveloped in two strong arms and was swung around and kissed.
“Happy New Year Cecilia,” Liam whispered, before releasing her. Then, he was gone. She gazed after him and her eyes widened as she saw him walk to his wife’s side, Bridget was glaring at her with pure naked hatred.
The evening was winding down and Cecilia and Ida were saying goodbye to the guests, it started to rain and Archie arranged for the guests to be picked up at the front door.
“Well” said Ida turning to Cecilia. “That was the best New Year’s Eve ball yet, we are going to have to work pretty hard to think up something for next year.”
Cecilia nodded her agreement absently, she hadn’t noticed Liam leaving and wondered if he was still upstairs, she knew he usually joined some of the gentlemen to play cards. But also knew that his wife was still lurking somewhere if Liam was still in the building.
Don’t think about him. she chided herself.
It was getting late and most of the revelers had finally left. Turning to Ida, Cecilia said. “I am going upstairs to check if all the guests have departed safely and lock up the terrace doors.”
As she reached the top of the stairs she heard a couple quarrelling on the terrace. Always somebody dawdling, she sighed. Cecilia walked towards the doors intending to tell them she was preparing to lock up when there was a blood curdling scream and after a pause, a dull thud. Rushing across the floor and out to the terrace she found Liam looking down; he turned towards her and whispered. “She attacked me, slipped on the wet tiles and went over the railing,” He sobbed and said. “I think she- she is dead.”
Cecilia horrified, walked to the side slowly not wanting to slip on the tiles herself and looked down. She noticed there was a car below with the driver’s doo
r open and Bridget’s body was lying on the roof - her head hanging over the edge. Cecilia turned to Liam who stood as if frozen.
“What have you done Liam?” she gasped.
“Nothing, I swear nothing, she just went over.”
Cecilia turned to run down the stairs, Liam following, it took forever to run out the door and down the lane, when they reached the car, there was a young chauffeur standing at the side of his car with the door open, looking at the body on the car roof, he was holding his head. He turned as Liam and Cecilia rushed up.
“She just fell out of nowhere and her head caught the door as I was opening it.” He said. There was blood pouring from a wound on his forehead. Cecilia felt faint and turned away in horror to get help, just as Archie arrived on the scene.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Melbourne - The Early hours of January the 1st, 1937
A rchie ran up to the group standing around the stationary car. The rain was pouring down and they were all looking at something.
“What happened here?” He asked. He then saw the body on the roof of the car, for a minute he couldn’t move; he could see Bridget’s head hanging over the side. He turned back to run inside and phone for an ambulance and the police. He knew Bridget was most likely dead, it looked as if the car door had broken her neck; however, he thought he had better get an ambulance. He then went back to the lane to make sure Cecilia was alright and found Ida there, consoling her. Thank God for Ida, he thought “Take her inside Ida, and give her some Sal volatile” He whispered, “If the police want to question her they can damn well see her inside.”
Cecilia and Ida went upstairs. Ida put Cecilia’s coat around her shoulders, the girl was shivering and deathly cold. They sat down at one of the tables, as far from the terrace as they could get. Cecilia relived the moment when she had heard the terrible thud, saw the woman’s body with her head hanging over the side of the car, her eyes staring straight at Cecilia, stark fear was forever stamped on Bridget’s face. She noticed that Bridget’s dress was torn, her legs sprawled. The poor woman only had one shoe on. The other shoe was lying on the ground, a distance away.
Cecilia's Secret Page 10