NOEL HEARD FROM ROGER an hour later who said their small misunderstanding with a certain car salesman had been dealt with.
"Oh yes," the caretaker grunted over the phone after covering the brief details. "He was told his membership at the gym had lapsed, not that he'll be swinging on the bars for a while."
"Who was it?" Kate asked when Noel placed the phone down.
Noel grinned. "It appears Adrian Funnel ran into a spot of trouble outside the gym. Some hoods attacked him and he's spending the night in hospital with a couple of broken ribs and a broken nose. "
"And you had nothing to do with it?" Kate accused.
"Me!" replied Noel. "You know I abhor violence, Kate. There's far too much of it around these days."
WENDY'S APPOINTMENT at the abortion clinic was at eleven the Saturday after the school term had begun. She arrived with Noel and Kate at the well-maintained colonial house with a few moments to spare. A modest sign at the gate stated, The Blue Swan Clinic and had the names of three doctors beneath it.
Noel stopped in the small car lot next to a handful of other cars and grinned at the pair. "I'll slip down to the local and be back later," he said, gave Wendy a tiny hug and kissed Kate.
Wendy appeared nervous but glanced at Kate. "You can go with Noel, if you wish. I'll be fine."
"No, I'm coming with you even if it is to just sit in the waiting room. You aren't alone in this, Wendy. I want to be with you."
"Thanks," the young woman replied and, together, they walked inside.
CHAPTER 19
"Oh Damn!" Sarah groaned as yet another pile of paper came through the duplicating machine with only part of each page printed.
The normal twenty minute print run of the three hundred newsletters had now been going three quarters of an hour with only half being readable. She wiped ink-stained hands on an old apron and pulled the toner out for the third time. There seemed to be plenty of ink so something else must be wrong.
A small knock sounded on the sliding glass window and she glanced up to see Richard Green grinning at her. Since befriending Noel, Richard visited Kent Drive at least once a week, usually in their lull time of about one thirty in the afternoon. By this time the daily problems with parental requests or complaints had been dealt with, the mail had been read and Noel's daily meeting with the caretaker over.
"Is Noel around?" Richard asked?
Sarah gazed up at the tiny pegboard on the wall where Noel always indicated where he was when he was away from the office.
"Sorry Richard," Sarah replied. "He's tied up at the moment."
"Oh, well," the principal of Summer Heights School replied. "It's nothing important." He glanced at Sarah's slightly dishevelled appearance and chuckled. "The machine winning, is it?"
Sarah wiped her hands again and smiled. "You would think that at a new school, they'd give us new equipment. This duplicator is ancient."
"Yes the Education Board recycles them," Richard said. "Old ones are replaced and they get the broken ones reconditioned and sent out to another school. It's all false economy, if you ask me. They should be tossed away." He glanced at the pile of screwed up paper overflowing the rubbish bin. "Can I help?"
"Would you?" Sarah replied and smiled in appreciation as Richard took off his suit jacket and took out the toner she had just replaced.
He peered at it and grunted. "Got something sharp?" he asked.
Sarah handed him a large needle from her tray of bits and pieces and watched as Richard poked around. "The ink goes hard in the valves and blocks them," he said. "Clean them out and you should be fine."
He reassembled and started the equipment, then stood back with satisfied grin as the newsletters began to emerge in crisp, clear condition.
Sarah thanked him and began sorting the newsletters into class piles for distribution to the oldest child in each family. Richard, though, just stood and watched her with a hesitant expression and coughed slightly.
"I was wondering..."he stammered.
Sarah gazed up. "Yes, Richard," she said.
"There's a local amateur drama production on at the Abbey Theatre," he muttered but couldn't look Sarah in the eyes. "You know one of those ones where you go an hour before the show and have a meal before watching the performance?
"I know the type," Sarah replied in a hushed voice.
"I have a couple of tickets and wondered if you'd like to go with me on Saturday evening." The words all tumbled out and Richard's eyes finally settled on Sarah's.
"Richard," she said. "I'll be thrilled to come."
"You will?" he replied and broke into a broad grin. " I thought that with..."
"No, I'm free," Sarah interrupted. "Noel and Kate tell me I'm either at school here cleaning up messes or at home doing the same thing. It'll be lovely to go out with such esteemed company."
THOUGH THEY BOTH APPEARED self-conscious, the evening went well and Sarah readily accepted more invites from the lonely man. Nights at the theatre turned into movie visits, onto meals at quite upmarket restaurants and weekend afternoons together doing things in the city or just visiting beaches or bush walks.
It was late November when after another night out having a delicious meal, Sarah, like her daughter before her all those years earlier, took the initiative. On the way home she glanced at her companion and whispered. "I told Noel and Kate I wouldn't be home until the morning," she said. "If you'd like, I can spend it with you."
Richard flushed. "You mean..." he flustered.
Sarah laughed for she was used to his little ways now. "Yes," she replied. "Your place or a motel?"
"Jesus," he grunted. "I thought..."
Sarah reached across the car and squeezed his hand. "It's 1988 in a month, Richard. We can either live in the past and grow old on memories or begin to live again. I love my adopted family..."
"Adopted?" Richard queried.
"Kate is not my daughter, Richard. My daughter, Lisa died when Alexia was born and I just sort of hung around to look after my granddaughter. The news of her tragic dead killed my husband and I've been with Noel and Kate ever since." She leaned over so her head was on Richard's shoulders. "I miss being loved, Richard." Her own voice trailed off and lapsed into silence but the arm around her shoulders told it all.
Richard's house was a large 1930s vintage home kept in immaculate condition. Sarah, though could sense the loneliness of the place as soon as she walked in and a grey cat stared at her with yellow eyes.
"Dusty," Richard explained and picked the puss up. "She was just a kitten when my wife died but is now my friend and companion." He patted Dusty. "This is Sarah, " he said. "I hope you'll become good friends."
"Oh, I'm sure we will," Sarah laughed. "I love cats. We always had two or three on the farm."
The pair stopped talking and gazed at each other. Richard reached out his arms and Sarah cuddled in close. The soft kiss that had become a norm for the pair did not stop this time as the lonely woman opened her lips and became passionate. She seized lover's hand and placed it on her bosom.
"My room," he gasped, took her hand and led her up the corridor.
Within minutes the giggling middle-aged couple, peeled twenty years off their lives until they were so aroused they couldn't wait. Soft hands clutched vital body parts and their love was consummated. Two lonely souls became one.
IT WAS AS IF THE GENERATIONS had been transposed for across town that Saturday night, Wendy sat alone in the living room of the flat with schoolwork around her. She had immersed herself in her chosen profession and was half way through organizing an operetta due to be presented at the end of year function. It was one of those copyright free ones for educational institutes and had sections that could be changed to suit local conditions. Almost entirely by herself, Wendy had adapted the words and music to fit the theme of their first year as a new school. Overall, there were a dozen main parts and dozens of minor roles to bring together. She hummed a little section to herself, changed some words on the music sheet and
sat back with a satisfied smirk. That completed the draft copy, now all she had to do was present the changes to the choir to practice.
She stood up, stretched numb limbs that had been in one place too long and glanced at the clock. It was still only nine twenty and Yvonne with that new boyfriend wouldn't be home for hours.
Without warning, a pang of loneliness shot through Wendy's body and her mind went back to the abortion. She had had no problems at all and a sense of overpowering relief drove out any conscience worries. Without her friend's support, though, it may have been different. Yvonne, like Kate and Sarah treated her with such fuss she felt thoroughly spoilt. It was when she was alone, like now that she would stop and wonder about her decision and life in general.
She could not face males at all and had not gone back to the gym. It was if everyone there would be staring at her and whispers start. This wasn't true, of course, as nobody, as far as Wendy knew, had any idea what had happened. Anyway, most people were too preoccupied with their own lives to worry about her.
"Oh well, a bit of supper then I'll try get that last chart written," she said to herself when there was a loud knock on the door.
Her heart thumped. She wasn't expecting anyone and the realization she was alone made her scared. Perhaps she could keep quiet and the person would go away? No, that was stupid. All the lights were on and the television was blaring out. She glanced at the telephone and wished she had installed a security chain Yvonne had mentioned they should have.
Her hand trembled as she turned the porch light and opened the door.
"Alexia," she gasped in relief.
"Hi Wendy," the youngster almost shouted. She always called her by her first name when they were away from school. "Guess what?"
Wendy noticed the excited face and the girl's wet hair. Of course, Alexia had been talking about the swimming club tournament all week.
"You got in the finals?" she said.
"Not only that," Alexia gave little jumps of excitement and brought her hand out from where it had been behind her back. She held a blue ribbon and large golden coloured medallion. "I won the junior girls hundred metres freestyle."
"You did!" Wendy gasped and grabbed her young friend in her arms. "Wow-wee! That is just so grand"
"Not only that but I came second in the backstroke and Dad reckoned I was only half an arm swing behind the leader." Her eyes shone with pride as she produced a second silver medallion from a jacket pocket.
"Oh Alexia," Wendy congratulated. "You've done so well. Aren't you glad you practiced every day like your Dad made you do?
"It was hard at times," Alexia said, "Dad's always right, isn't 'he?"
Wendy nodded. "But where are your Mum and Dad?" she asked.
"We're here," Noel's voice sounded out of the darkness. "Alexia just had to run in and tell you her news. Not too bad, was it?"
Wendy glanced up to see Noel and Kate smiling at her. "Come in," she said. "God, it's good to see you all. I was just going to put the kettle on..."
"There's more news too," Kate said in a quiet voice and gave a twist of a smile. "I hope you'll be as thrilled as we all are."
Wendy frowned slightly. "Why shouldn't I be, Kate?" she asked. "Anything that you are excited about would thrill me, too. You should know that."
Kate grabbed Noel's hand and glanced into his eyes. "Tell her, Sweetheart." she said.
"Mum's pregnant," Alexia butted in. "We're going to have a baby next May."
"Alexia," Kate scolded. "We told you not to say anything."
"Sorry Mum," the girl flushed but here eyes were still excited. "You said to tell only our family. Wendy's family, isn't she? Her and Grandma."
"She is," Kate laughed and turned back to smile at Wendy.
The younger woman felt another surge of emotions ... surprise, doubt, embarrassment and regret all flooded her brain until she saw her friends' faces. They showed pride but also empathy about her reaction. Wendy reached forward and gripped Kate's hands.
"Junior is three months on her way and I guess I won't be able to hide my bulging stomach for much longer," Kate explained. "We didn't want to tell everyone too quickly with that other thing that happened."
"Mum!" Alexia yelled. "Stop it! I know what happened so stop treating me like a baby and pretending I'm not here." She turned to Wendy. "I know you were sick and were in hospital," she said with the authority of a district nurse. "Mum called it woman's trouble but I know better."
Wendy gulped and caught Noel's eyes. He said nothing but had just stood there grinning.
"Alexia!" Kate chastised.
"There was something wrong inside that had to be stitched up," the youngster rattled on and added something even Kate and Noel didn't know she had knowledge of. "Just like with my real mum when I was born. Grandma said there was a terrible accident when she slipped on some ice. She died but the doctor cut me out of her tummy." The youngster turned serious. "I'm glad you didn't die, Wendy," she whispered.
"Damn," Noel groaned. "Grandma told you all that, Sweetheart yet you didn't say a word?"
"I love Mum and you, Daddy," Alexia said. "I thought Mum would be sad if I talked about my real mother."
"No Sweetheart," Kate said. "You talk about Lisa, your mum, any time you like. I told you that. Remember and she was part of the family, even before I was."
"And Wendy is part of it now, too," Alexia added.
Wendy felt tears in her eyes but why, she didn't know. Perhaps it was because she was accepted into the Overworth family. She turned and grabbed Kate in her arms.
"My God," she whispered. "I am so thrilled, Kate. Really I am! And it couldn't happen to two such wonderful people," She turned and caught Alexia's eyes. "Three wonderful people," she corrected, "But come in. This calls for a celebration with Alexia being a swimming champ and a baby on its way. What an exciting Saturday night."
She turned and walked inside with her friends only a step behind. The loneliness of mere minutes before disappeared with the darkness when she shut the door.
WENDY WAS ALREADY IN the North Block standing on a stepladder when Kate walked in on Sunday afternoon.
"My God, Wendy," she said. "Why are you here?"
Wendy glanced down from the stepladder and grinned. "I've been doing so much for the operetta, my own class work has got behind. I'm just catching up. The kids did some excellent art last week and I'm putting it on the wall."
"Fine," Kate replied and chatted for a moment before going off to her office at the other end of the block to catch up on her reading records. Noel and her didn't usually come in on a Sunday but this late in the year everything seemed to happen at once. Noel had a mountain of work over in the administration block and was working there. Sarah had taken Alexia back down to the swimming pool for the afternoon and the promise was that they'd all go to the beach that evening for a barbecue tea.
A MAN SLIPPED ACROSS from Kent Park with a small can of petrol in his hand. He glanced around, saw the area was free of any witnesses and slid along under the veranda of North Block. There was a small section where the veranda covered an area between the main building and the children's toilets so when he was between the two buildings, anyone who happened to be on the field could see him.
"No bitch gets the better of me," he hissed as he unscrewed the can and sloshed liquid down the block wall and poured a trail along a small concrete drainage area. The reek of petrol filled the air.
After another quick glance around the man stepped back, studied his escape route behind the Kent Park trees and smirked. "Burn in hell, Miss Know-it-all McEwen," he whispered, scratched a match and lit a tiny rag soaked in another inflammable liquid. It began to burn with black smoke rising in a tiny cloud when the man stepped back.
With a quick underarm toss he sent the flaming material into the petrol soaked drain.
With a whoosh, the gasoline ignited and a blast of hot air almost knocked the arsonist off his feet. He flung up his hands, stepped back and retreated.
&nb
sp; WENDY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT sense reacted first. From out of nowhere came a violent bang! A blast of superheated air hit her legs for she was still on the stepladder when the wall opposite burst into flame. Seconds later putrid black smoke began to fill the open plan.
In one jump, she leaped to the floor but the door along the wall was in flames. She had to go the other way. A though pierced her frantic mind.
"Kate!" she screamed and stared through the clouds of smoke and burning ceiling. Kate's office was around the corner from her alcove and not in direct line of sight.
Wendy grabbed her jersey that she'd earlier flung on the floor, wrapped it around her face and headed towards the office. Already the heat was unbearable and air difficult to breathe! She ran forward, head bent and side jumped a streak of flame before she reached the office, ran through and slammed the door.
"Kate!" she shrieked.
Her friend was lying on the carpet but even as Wendy watched she grunted and staggered to her knees.
"What happened?" she gasped, her eyes filled with terror.
"The building's on fire," Wendy howled. She pointed to the pulsing yellow light beneath the door.
"We have to get out," Kate screamed and headed for the door.
"No. Don't open it!"
Kate stared at the door and nodded. A line of puffing black smoke had replaced the yellow light and the varnish on the door was already blistering from heat.
"Where?" she gasped, turned and seemed disorientated
That was when Wendy noticed blood running from a cut on Kate's forehead. "We go out the window!" she screamed and looked up at the line of glass above them. These small windows were long but barely half a meter high and were designed for light, not ventilation so did not open.
"The door!" shrieked Kate.
Wind Across the Playground Page 18