'Dear Albie' she wrote

'Note the change of address.' Alice was finding this letter hard to write. Her letters to her brother had hardly been chatty, more informative and, she had to admit, lacking in warmth. Since she had married Frank it had become easier to show her emotions. Sympathy came a lot easier, she allowed her gentler side to show, especially with the young. This letter was still hard to write. She had not told Albie she was involved with anyone, not that she was engaged or that she had accepted a proposal of marriage. She and Frank had found a small, three bed-roomed house to buy. It was close to the Blake's, had a small garden and so they had determined it would be just right. Room for the occasional guest should that be required, or when Bobby and Jenny were old enough to stay if Jean and Lucien wanted to go out for the evening. While it was still possible for Alice to bear a child they had not considered they would need a nursery. She needed to let Albie know where to send his infrequent letters, where to find her if it was urgent.

'You will be surprised to hear I am now married. My new name is Alice Carlyle. My husband, Frank, is a Police Superintendant here in Ballarat. We have a home near some friends who have also made me godmother to their son. I am going to continue working as a Pathology Registrar. Please pass on my regards to mother,

Your sister

Alice'

She looked at the letter. It was cold, but what could she say, all she wanted to do was make sure her brother could contact her if necessary. She had little to say to her mother, knowing she had disappointed her. She still believed she had done the right thing, she had not felt it was for her, marriage, children, dinner parties; she was too inquiring, too bookish, oh, it had all been so confrontational; and so she had walked out of the family home, never, she thought, to return. Now, to her great surprise, she was married, she was in love and she was loved.

Alice posted the all too brief letter. She wished she could make it more loving, more of what a sister should write to her brother, but she didn't know how. They weren't close, she hadn't spoken to her mother in years, all that passed between them were 'regards', no 'love'. She began to regret the distant relationship.

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The reply arrived a week later. Alice knew it was from her brother, just from the handwriting on the envelope. She put it aside to read after work. Frank noticed it on the table as he and his wife ate breakfast, but decided to ignore it. He knew relations were strained between her and her family and it had been hard to write to let them know she had moved and was now married.

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'I suppose I'd better let my brother know I've changed address,' she had said, one morning after they had moved.

'Have you let them know you're married?' he'd asked.

'They wouldn't be interested,' she'd sighed.

'I thought that's what your mother wanted,' Frank had pulled her into an embrace, it was all so sad.

'Only when I was eighteen and able to provide several grandchildren.' Alice muttered, she had hoped the past could stay in the past, not rear its ugly head now.

'I'm sure they'll be happy for you.' He kissed her cheek.

Alice had given him a look that said 'Don't bet on it.' But, she had written.

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'Dear Alice,' Albie had written,

'Firstly, thank you for letting me know your new address and secondly, congratulations, from me, on your marriage. I hope you're happy. I have told mother your news, and she has asked if you both would come for a visit. I hope you will come, so we could at least meet your husband once. Mother is her usual self, quite well but not as active as she once was.

Hoping to see you soon,

Albie.'

Alice was happy to receive congratulations from her brother, but noted that they were from him and not from her mother as well. She showed Frank the letter and he asked,

'Shall we take a break in Sydney? We haven't had much of a holiday recently. We could go on somewhere else afterwards.'

She wriggled closer to him on the couch, she would rather close the door and stay where she was for a week, rather than go off for uncomfortable meetings with family.

'We could, I suppose,' she whispered. 'What are you thinking? I don't want to spend too much time with mother.' He looked at her sadly. He wished he still had a mother or father to see, and she was doing her best to avoid hers.

'Well, if we go to Sydney and see your mother, we could take a flight to Europe afterwards. We never had a proper honeymoon, after all.' He grinned.

She thought for a moment and then said, 'Can we go to England?'

Frank looked surprised at her request, 'Any reason?'

'Well, my grandfather; dad's dad; was from England, the Lake District, I believe. Granddad always said it was the most beautiful part of England. I'd like to see it.'

'Were you close?' He had a feeling this was probably the love she missed most.

'Very. ' She smiled, remembering the times they had spent together, walking, talking, reading, singing; she could still hear his lovely rich baritone. She moved over to the sideboard and searched in a drawer, finally bringing a photograph over. 'This is one of the few pictures I kept when I left home; that's me at about eight with granddad.'

The picture showed a pretty little girl with dark curls and a bright, happy face. She was sitting on the knee of an elderly man, weather beaten face beaming down at the child with obvious love.

'Then England and the Lake District it is,' he kissed her lovingly.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxAnd so they stood on the doorstep of Alice's childhood home. Albie had insisted they stay at the house and no matter what Alice said over the phone, he would not be dissuaded. Alice said she'd rather stand in front of Bill Hobart, naked! Frank had laughed at this and said he'd arrange it if she thought it necessary! At which she'd finally relented and laughed with him. With Frank by her side she felt she could handle whatever her mother threw at her.

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The door opened to their knock and Albie stood there. He was taller than Alice remembered, but then he had only been twelve when she left for university. He stepped forward and held out his arms to her. He remembered when she left she had looked stubborn, resolute; now she looked poised, smart and happy, happier than he remembered her.

Alice stepped forward and suddenly she was enveloped in a warmth she had not felt from her family for many years. She suddenly wondered why they couldn't have this closeness in their letters, it was something she would have to remedy.

'I'm sorry,' she whispered, in his ear, 'I've not been a very good big sister, have I?' Pulling away she turned and indicated Frank standing a little apart from them, 'This is my husband, Frank.'

Albie reached out his hand and greeted Frank cheerfully, this man made his sister happy, and that was all he needed to know. 'Pleased to meet you,' he said.

'Has mother said anything?' Alice asked when they were inside the house.

'Not much,' Albie looked rueful, 'I think she's pleased, but to be honest I can't tell. It was her idea that you should come and stay, though.'

'Probably wants to inspect me, see if I'm suitable to be her son-in-law,' Frank could see that Alice was not looking forward to seeing her mother and was trying to inject some humour into the situation.

Albie smiled, he rather liked his brother-in-law, 'Oh, she'll tell you, there's no doubt about that. Mother speaks her mind.'

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Mrs Harvey was sitting, rather grandly, in an armchair by the fire in the living room. Frank took a minute to study her. She was nothing like Alice. Mrs Harvey was not particularly tall, he could tell even though she was sitting, thin with a pinched face. She pursed her lips as she looked up at the couple. She tilted her head, an indication to Alice that she should kiss her cheek. Alice couldn't remember the last time she had kissed her mother but did as she was bid.

'This is Frank, mother, my husband.' She held out her hand to bring her husband forward and was grateful to feel his warm had against hers.

'Pleased to meet you, Mrs Harvey,' Frank help out his hand to the woman, smiling as he did so.

'Hmm,' she didn't return the smile but did take his hand which he gallantly kissed the back of. His old fashioned chivalry pleased her. Alice knew he had picked it up from Lucien for whom it was a habit and she was grateful, her mother set a lot of store by such things.

'Well, sit down,' she pointed to the sofa, 'Albert,' she always used his given name, 'tea for our guests.'

'Yes, mother,' Albie turned,

'Would you like some help, Albie,' Alice volunteered.

'Alice, you were always a disaster in the kitchen,' Mrs Harvey sniffed.

'Really, 'Frank raised his eyebrows and smiled a little smile, 'please, enlighten me, Mrs Harvey.'

Alice gave him a warning look and followed her brother into the kitchen.

'You look happy, Alice,' Albie said as he set the kettle on the hob, 'and I think Frank has mother sussed.' And he grinned.

'I am happy, Albie, very,' Alice was beginning to relax, certainly Frank seemed to be coping, but she wondered when the acerbic tone she so vividly remembered would reappear, especially over the fact that she was going to continue as Pathology Registrar.

Alice laid the tray with the cups, saucers, milk and sugar. She wanted to really apologise to Albie for being, well, for being her.

'Albie,' she touched his arm as he stood waiting for the kettle to boil, 'I am sorry. I was angry when I left, I couldn't see myself as the little woman at home with a tribe of children running around. I know it doesn't change how I acted, but I am sorry, nevertheless.'

'Alice, I'm just glad we kept in touch. Our letters, well I suppose they were just written out of the initial frustration you felt at mother. And me, I was never good at letter writing, anyway. I am proud of my big sister, all you have achieved, it couldn't have been easy, as a woman, and now here you are, a Pathology Registrar and married too! Don't let her upset you, I'm sure Frank will keep her quiet.' Albie made the tea and they took the tray into the lounge.

'Ah, there you are, I thought you'd gone to China to fetch the tea.' Mrs Harvey's barbed comment immediately irritated Alice.

'It's India, mother, this is tea from India.' She couldn't stop herself from correcting her.

'Nobody likes a clever clogs, miss.' Her mother went right back to treating Alice as she had done when she was getting good grades at school, better than the boys.

'I do!' Laughed Frank, 'That's why I married her.'

Alice and Albie couldn't help it; they both burst out laughing and Alice realised that nothing her mother said was going to make one iota of difference, Frank was going to have an answer for every cutting remark she made. Mrs Harvey looked daggers at Frank for an instant, but then her expression softened a little. She wasn't used to being contradicted, but something in the way Frank did so made her take a back step.

'Well, even so,' she continued 'Alice can be rather too big for her boots.' Frank looked at first his mother-in-law and then at his wife,

'My first wife was independent, bright and inquiring, Alice is more than I could have hoped to find again in a wife. I like someone I can discuss the issues of the day with, the cases we deal with, and understand the world. You have underestimated your daughter, Mrs Harvey, but I hope I haven't and I hope she knows just how much I love her, for the person she is.' Frank sat back on the sofa. He had never said much about his first wife, but now it seemed appropriate he should mention her.

Alice could not believe what she was hearing, Frank had just effectively told her mother to stop belittling her and to love her for who she was. She moved over to be closer to him on the sofa and he put his arm around her, kissing her softly on the lips. Unusually for her she wasn't embarrassed.

Mrs Harvey sat open mouthed, she had been put in her place by her son-in-law and she wasn't sure how to take it.

'I didn't know you had been married before,' was all she could grip on to.

'My first wife died three years ago, we had no children, and I was glad of the transfer to Ballarat. It was a fresh start for me, and the bonus was finding Alice, I feel so lucky, she is everything to me.' Frank looked a little embarrassed at his declaration, he had never said as much to Alice, hoping she felt it.

Alice was astounded, all she could do was look at him, open mouthed at his words.

'Dinner, Albert,' Mrs Harvey broke the tension, 'What have you decided on.'

'Don't bother, Albie,' Frank interjected, 'Alice and I would like to take you both out to dinner, we have made provisional reservations at The Metropole, please, it would be our treat.'

Alice looked at Albie, she pleaded with her eyes, a dinner on neutral ground would stop the barbed comments she knew would come if they stayed at home.

'That's very generous of you, Frank,' Albie said, knowing full well what Alice meant with that look, he looked at his mother and made the decision, 'we'd love to join you, wouldn't we mother?' He emphasised the last three words, daring for him, and daring her to reject the idea.

'Most kind,' was all she could say.

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The dinner at the restaurant went quite well. The food was good, Alice and Albie caught up on all the news, filling in the gaps for Frank and drawing, or trying to, Mrs Harvey into the conversation. She remained reserved and watched the interplay between her daughter, son and son-in-law. Frank made it his business to see that his new mother-in-law never had an empty glass, although he did not overdo it. Alice at one point had put her hand on his arm to indicate she didn't want her mother carried out, the worse for drink. Alice made sure her mother did not see her drink more than one or one and a half glasses of wine, she was not going to be told she did anything to excess. Alice was again on her guard and Frank knew it. He watched her, touched her knee under the table to let her know he was aware, at one point running his hand a little higher under her skirt than was respectful! Alice jumped, and instantly hid it in a hiccup, giving Frank a raised eyebrow, he smirked in return.

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They strolled back to the house, Frank linked arms with his wife and offered his other arm to Mrs Harvey, but she declined and slipped her arm through the one Albie offered her. As they neared the house Frank slipped his arm round Alice's waist and she leant her head against his shoulder, he kissed the top of her head and hugged her a little tighter.

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'Tea, I think Albert.' Mrs Harvey instructed as they entered the house.

'Actually, mother, I'm rather tired, all the travelling...' Alice stifled a 'yawn'.

'You're quite right, darling,' Frank agreed, 'it's been quite a day.'

Alice went to kiss her mother goodnight and Frank again took her hand and kissed it.

'Goodnight, Mrs Harvey.' He smiled and followed his wife up the stairs to the room she had inhabited as a child. Albie had apologised for giving them the room. The bed was a small double, but at least it wasn't a single. Alice and Frank didn't mind, it would do for the two nights they were staying.

As they lay in bed Alice cuddled close to her husband, he could see she was tired, but not, he thought from the travelling. He tipped her face to his and kissed her gently on the lips. She smiled and returned the kiss, letting him deepen the connection. At first she balked at the idea of making love so close to her mother, but he was so loving, she couldn't help but give in to him; she just hoped the bed didn't squeak!

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Alice stirred as the sun streamed through the curtains. Frank's arms automatically tightened round her. He had been awake a little longer but had spent the time watching her sleep and he didn't want to break the spell. This was his favourite time of the day, before they had to give way to the cares, the worries and sometimes the anger that went with their professions. He liked the way she stretched against his body, running her feet down his legs and sighing deeply. He would like to bottle this so he could open the feeling whenever things got tough.

'G'morning,' she whispered, kissing his cheek.

He kissed her in reply and looked at her lovingly.

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Alice got up and washed and dressed ready to face the day. She went downstairs and entered the kitchen. Albie was there, making tea, frying bacon and eggs, she stood at the doorway watching him. It was a bit like watching Jean, quiet before the storm.

'Can I do anything?' Her voice made him jump.

'I didn't know you were up,' he grinned, 'you could lay the table.'

'Mother still in bed?' She inquired.

'Yes, she rises late, about nine.' Albie filled the teapot and placed it on the table.

'Can't remember the last time we stayed in bed that late,' a voice from the doorway, Frank, leaning against the frame and smiling as he watched his wife mend the break in her relationship with her brother. Alice coloured a little, she could! But she wasn't going to enlighten Albie.

They chatted, easily, as they ate. Albie told how Alice's name was not spoken for a long time after she left. Albie had kept her letters a secret until he felt brave enough to tell his mother they wrote. Mrs Harvey had not been pleased but had decided to ignore the contact and had listened when Albie had told her the news, scant though it was. The other two brothers had left as soon as they could, Davey had gone to Adelaide and joined the army, Joseph, the baby of the family, had Alice's stubborn nature and had gone to university and was now a teacher in a Reform School, in, of all places, Ballarat! Alice spluttered at this news, Joseph had been eight when Alice had gone away, she had no idea he was so close. How had she missed him? Alice and Frank wondered why Albie could spend so much time looking after mother. Albie had never told her that when he worked in the docks he had been injured in an accident. A crane had dropped its load of steel and it had sent Albie flying into a container. His back had been damaged, ribs shattered, he would never work again. An insurance claim, hard won, had ensured he did not need to work, and he would be able to live, albeit frugally. He did not show any sign of disability, but he admitted he was in constant pain, and he also was a disappointment to his mother.

'Albie,' Alice's voice was soft and tender, 'why didn't you tell me? You know I'm a doctor. I didn't always deal with the dead, you know.' She squeezed his hand.

'I was told there was nothing they could do. I suppose I just accepted it.' He gave a wan smile and patted her hand.

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'Am I interrupting something?' The voice was strident, Mrs Harvey had risen. Frank rose from his seat,

'Good morning, mother-in-law,' he grinned, taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently. 'I hope you slept well.'

'Hmm,' she was finding the relaxed atmosphere a little disconcerting. She no longer felt as much in control as she usually did. She moved to her seat at the table and Alice poured her some tea. Albie placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her. Breakfast continued almost silently, apart from requests for toast, or more tea.

'After breakfast,' Mrs Harvey broke the silence, 'I'd like to see you alone, Alice, in the living room.' Her tone said there would be no argument, Alice just nodded.

Finishing her food, Mrs Harvey rose from her seat and with a:

'When you're ready, miss,' she went out of the room.

'What have I done now?' She asked the two men, placing her hands palms up on the table.

They moved to either side of her and squeezed her shoulders, 'You know mother,' sighed Albie, 'she'll have some bone to pick with you, she could have an argument in an empty room.' Albie was finding it so much easier to open up to Alice, even in front of her husband, about how things were with their mother and him. Alice gave a sad smile and went to see what on earth her mother could want. She had hoped that with her marriage and successful career, her mother could at least let bygones be bygones.

Her mother was sitting in her customary chair by the fire. Alice stood in front of her, feeling something like the way she did when she had openly defied her mother and headed off for university. She clasped her hands behind her back, unlike all those years ago when she had chewed her nails nervously.

'Well, miss,' her mother began, 'you seem to have made a reasonable life for yourself, after all.' Alice still couldn't relax. Her mother continued, 'I expected you to come crawling back within the week. You left me with three young boys to bring up on my own.'

'You are their mother,' Alice interrupted, 'my friend raised her two boys after her husband was killed in Malaya, she also had to keep the family farm going before finding work as a housekeeper. You were relatively lucky, dad did at least provide you with an income after he left.'

'That's as maybe, I still expected you to stay and help. Then make a good marriage and bring up your own family.'

'Mother,' Alice was getting just a tad annoyed, 'I was never going to be the homemaker, I'm sorry, I would have felt stifled. And I know you wanted me to stay nearby so I could look after you in later years.'

'Too much like your father, headstrong, wilful. So I suppose I can't rely on you to look after me if something happens to Albert, you know he's not in the best of health.' She had a whine to her voice that Alice had not noticed before, probably because they had stand up rows when she was younger.

'You will always be taken care of, you are my mother after all, but no, I am not going to give up everything to look after you. You will be welcome in our home, and if necessary I will make arrangements for professional care should you need it.' Alice turned on her heels and strode out of the room, head held high. As she rounded the corner into the hall Frank and Albie were standing there. They had huge grins on their faces, they had obviously been listening. Frank held out his arms and pulled her into his chest. She hung onto him, she felt she had won the first ever battle with her mother, but she just felt dreadfully sad that even now she could not make peace with her.

Albie left them and went into the living room. His mother was sitting as ever, grim faced and straight backed.

'Well, mother,' Albie stood directly in front of her, he was filled with renewed courage, 'what did you expect? Alice has done well, she has a husband, she is respected in her profession and she has friends. Don't you think it is about time you forgave her? We've survived, quite well really, and I for one intend to strengthen our bond; because we have one, a brother sister bond that has never broken no matter how hard you tried.'

'Albert...,' Mrs Harvey tried to find the words she wanted to say, but, strangely for her she couldn't, because she didn't want to admit she was wrong.

Albie left her, staring open mouthed at her son's rebellion, and went into the kitchen where he found his sister and her husband in a rather passionate embrace! He coughed politely, and smiled.

'Tea, anyone?' was all he could say.

Alice and Frank first grinned, and then laughed, long and loud. And then Alice went to hug her brother, tighter than she ever had before, proud of the man he had become in the hours since she had arrived. After her 'interview' with her mother she had resolved to ask Frank to find them a hotel for the remaining stay in Sydney, but now she felt she could manage another twenty-four hours at the house.

'So, what now?' asked Albie as they sat round the kitchen table drinking tea.

'The invitation to come and stay stands, for both of you,' replied Frank. 'Perhaps if your mother sees our life first hand she might start to accept Alice's choices and understand her a little better.'

'It would be lovely to spend some time away from here,' he sighed, 'but, if I can't get her to come how can I leave her?'

'I've offered to get her professional support, it's up to her.' Alice answered sharply, 'But, really, Albie, we have the room and she would be well looked after if she came, even for a short holiday.'

'We're going to England for a couple of weeks, delayed honeymoon,' Frank informed him, 'We'll call here when we get back and you can let us know how things stand, then.'

'I'll work on her,' Albie grinned, the first proper grin Alice had seen since they arrived.

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They stepped off the train at Carlisle after a long journey. Sydney to Singapore then Singapore to London, then the train to Carlisle, Cumberland. The Lake District. They had booked into a small hotel and Frank had arranged a hire car so they could tour the region. They had arrived in Autumn and the first thing Alice noticed was the glorious colours: greens, golds, russets, yellows and reds, it was truly, just as her granddad had said, the most beautiful place on earth. She loved her home country but this was something she had never seen and she felt a connection. Frank was equally impressed with the views, the reflections of the trees in the waters, he found the area relaxing and at the same time uplifting.

They crammed so much into the two weeks they had, sending postcards to their friends, and family back home, telling of the beauty of the land. Trying local produce, walking for miles and at the end of the day, revelling in each other's company. They found the local population welcoming and friendly, especially when they found out that Alice's grandfather was a local man.

All too soon it was over and they had to hand back the car and board the train back to London and then the interminable flights back home.

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Landing back at Sydney late one afternoon they took a taxi back to Albie and Mrs Harvey. Both were very tired and really only wanted to get some sleep. They had dozed on and off on the plane but not enough to make it count.

Albie opened the door to Alice's knock with a huge grin. He welcomed his sister with a hug even tighter than the last one,

'Welcome back, Sis,' he said, nodding at Frank, 'thanks for the postcard, it arrived yesterday.'

'Glad it got here before we did,' smiled Frank, barely stifling a yawn as he shook Albie's proffered hand.

'You must both be exhausted with all the travelling,' Albie noticed, 'I'll make some tea and a light meal, then if you want to head off to bed you can.'

'Oh, thank you, Albie,' Alice hugged her brother back, 'It's true, we're absolutely shattered! How's mother?'

'No different,' Albie replied with a shrug of his shoulders, 'but I have got her to agree we will come to you soon; once you're settled back at home.'

'Good, I'm glad,' Alice smiled, tiredly.

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Mrs Harvey's visit will be another chapter, otherwise this is going to be very, very long one to read all in one go!