The Blake Adventures: Slow and Steady

March 1962

All of Ballarat was buzzing with excitement. Not much ever happened in their town, not on a national level, certainly. But the All-Aussie Motorbike Race was routed right through Ballarat as one of the last stops before the finish of the long-distance journey. Tourists and race enthusiasts and team crews and sponsors were all pouring into the sleepy town.

There was also quite a lot of excitement at the Blake residence. Jean was sitting on the floor in the parlor, her trouser-clad legs spread wide in front of her. She held little hands in hers, keeping the baby steady. Well, she wasn't much of a baby anymore. Valerie was perfectly able to stand on her own tiny two feet now.

Lucien was sitting on the sofa in front of them with his arms stretched out. "Come along, darling girl," he cooed to his daughter.

Valerie beamed excitedly at her father. She took a tentative step toward him. Jean let go of her hands, keeping them nearby in case she fell. But Valerie waddled the three feet ahead to be scooped into Lucien's arms.

Jean applauded, radiating pride and joy. Lucien pressed a thousand kisses to her rosy cheeks. She giggled merrily, her dark brown curls calling in her face as she tried to escape Dad's tickling beard. Jean hauled herself off the floor to join her husband and daughter on the sofa. She rested her cheek on Lucien's shoulder, staring at their little girl with so much love, she thought her heart might burst.

"Valerie, you're walking now, and we're very proud, but I do hope you'll be careful and not give us too much trouble. You see, darling girl, we're getting rather long in the tooth to be running after you all over the place," Lucien said with mock seriousness.

Jean just sighed. "She's going to be a nightmare."

"Yes, but she's our little nightmare."

Grinning, Jean replied, "Yes, and what a dream come true."

Lucien turned his head to give his wife a small kiss. It still astounded him constantly that this was actually his life, that he had been given this beautiful life with his girls. He'd never dreamt he could ever be so happy.

Jean could see he was starting to get a bit misty. Best to distract him. "Lucien, why don't you play us something?" She reached out for Valerie and took the toddler on her lap.

Poised at the piano, Lucien asked, "What would you like to hear?"

"Something we can all sing along to," Jean requested.

He launched into the old rock 'n roll ballad he'd learned when he'd investigated the death of Bobby Lee many years before. It was the first time he and Jean had sung together after Thomas Blake died; they'd sung together for the elder Dr. Blake to keep his spirits up. But it was many months after that before Lucien sat at the piano and sung, and many months after that before he'd asked Jean to sing with him.

Jean smiled and began to sing, "I don't want to break it…"

Lucien harmonized, and little Valerie, having heard this song her whole life, babbled along with her mother, trying to form the words.

In the middle of the song, the front door slammed open and slammed shut. Startled by the noise, the music ceased. Lucien turned to Jean and frowned curiously. He stood up to investigate.

Mattie was hurriedly hanging up her hat by the door. "Lucien!" she exclaimed upon seeing him. "The race is coming into town!"

"Yes, I know, the signs are everywhere."

"No, I mean right now! I came to change out of my uniform so we could all go watch."

Lucien furrowed his brow, confused. "I thought the racers weren't due until the morning?"

"The frontrunners are making better time than anticipated," Mattie explained. She was practically breathless in her excitement.

He had to chuckle at the youthful exuberance she displayed. "Alright, Blake family, we're off to see the race!" he announced loudly.

It took a little time for Jean to get Valerie settled in her pram before they could go. As she pushed it down the street, she noted, "I'll be glad when we don't need this anymore. Though it is rather comforting to not need to worry about her running off in all directions yet."

Mattie cocked her head in interest. "She's not walking yet, is she?"

"Actually," Lucien told her proudly, "Our Valerie took her very first steps this afternoon. Just before you came home, actually."

With a happy gasp, Mattie bent down and ruffled Valerie's curly hair. "Well done, baby sister!"

Jean and Lucien just beamed with pride.

They made their way to the crowds of people lining up along the raceway. One of Mattie's friends waved them over and made space for the pram to put Valerie right in front. Jean knelt down beside the baby and explained that the motorbike race was coming through, and they'd get to watch the racers come through.

"Bike?" Valerie asked.

Jean couldn't help but smile. Every day, it seemed, she was saying more and more words. Soon enough, they'd be able to have real, proper conversations with her. "Yes, sweet girl, the motorbikes are coming," she replied gently to her daughter.

Patrick and Susan Tyneman pushed their way to the front with the power of their social standing. He opened his mouth to say something derisive about the couple using their baby to get to the front of the crowd, until he saw the baby's mother. "Ah, Jean!" he exclaimed pleasantly.

Jean turned and smiled brightly. "Patrick, how lovely to see you!"

Lucien rolled his eyes, all too fascinated by his wife's strange friendship with the most powerful man in town. Susan Tyneman scowled; she'd always liked Jean and appreciated her kindness, until Patrick had begun spending one or two afternoons a month having tea with her in in the Blakes' sunroom.

Patrick bent down to greet little Valerie. "And how's your beautiful daughter doing?"

"She started walking today," Lucien answered, puffing out his chest proudly.

"Oh you'll want to get a nanny now, Jean," Susan insisted. "You can't possibly be expected to deal with a toddler running about!"

Jean knew Susan meant well; Susan always meant well. "I think we'll be alright, Susan, but thank you," Jean replied politely.

Lucien opened his mouth to tell Susan Tyneman that he and his wife were more than capable of taking care of their own child, thank you very much, but he was cut off by the roar of an engine. The racers were approaching.

Everyone was cheering and applauding as the first blue-clad racer sped down the street. Coming closely behind was another biker in red, and right behind him was one in yellow, vying for second place into Ballarat. As the yellow rider was gaining, he suddenly spun out, fell off his bike, and rolled for a few feet as the motorbike crashed into a lamppost. The crowd screamed and ran out of the way.

Ever the prepared doctor, Lucien dashed out into the street to the fallen rider. Jean stood by the pram, watching in horror along with everyone else.

"Someone call the police!" Lucien shouted at the crowd.

Other racers were starting to enter town and were veering to avoid the crash. Not a single one stopped to provide any aid.

When the coast was clear, Mattie ran over to help Lucien. "What happened?"

Lucien looked at her with a grave expression. "I have no idea. But I don't think falling off the motorbike killed this man."

"No?"

"I think his death caused the crash. Not the other way around."