CHAPTER 85
The saloon was fairly busy when they arrived, Saturday nights tended to be now. Colin was already there and was sitting with Faith, Fiona, Mike, Bill, and Molly.
"Come sit you two, let me get you both a drink, what's your fancy?"
" A sarsaparilla for me please Bill."
"Beer for me Bill and thank you."
"I have to say that the photograph of you in the newspaper this morning is beautiful, are they all as good?"
"Molly they are, once we have them in the album I will show you. Lee and Rosemary did a terrific job. We have been choosing some to send out to family and it has taken us a few days to decide. Colin and Faith had the job of picking the best one, Rosemary and Lee had a competition, the winner is my favourite, one of Nathan."
"What a tough decision that was Molly, it took Colin and I ages to decide."
"So you have seen them Faith?"
"Yes Nathan and Bea invited me to dinner last Sunday and that was the day Lee and Rosemary brought the photographs over."
"Here you are Bea, Nathan enjoy."
"Thank you Bill."
"Any more news on the pipeline yet Mike?" asked Nathan.
"Just waiting for the go-ahead now, this week we hope, then we can get everything on site and make a start. I was going to ask if anyone has seen Henry these last few days? I have been trying to catch him, wondered if he was out of town."
"Bea has been watching for him too and we are getting a bit concerned, he seems to have gone missing again. Is everything alright up at the drilling site?"
"Yes in truth we could put another well in if we wanted to, he has seemed troubled these last few weeks, no idea why though, you know Henry."
Nathan looked at Bea and read her mind, this he feared had something to do with Lucas, he was another who had vanished into thin air. Well until Henry showed up there was little they could do."
"What sort of week have you had Colin, settled in alright?"
"Actually much better than I could have hoped for Fiona, the work is coming in thick and fast and thanks to my helpers I am loving my new living space. Perfect for me it is. Coming here feels like a great move again now. I have been very lucky."
"Well I am going to have to find somewhere new to live in the next few weeks, my landlord has told me he wants the flat for a family member. If anyone hears of anything let me know, it took me ages to find that place."
"What about one of the row houses Fiona or would that be too big for you?"
"Why, might one be coming available? That would be a dream for me."
Nathan looked at Bea and she just smiled and nodded at him, "Well Bea and I are going to be moving, hopefully at the end of the month and we are going to rent ours rather than sell it. So it's yours if you want it. We actually only decided to rent a couple of hours ago so it's hot off the press."
"Oh Nathan, Bea yes, yes yes, I will take it."
"Hang on where are you two moving to then?" asked Bill.
"We have bought Jamieson's, or will have as soon as the papers are signed. Our forever home. When Bea starts her practice up the land will come in really handy and have lots of scope for us. We are fortunate that Mrs. Jamieson agreed to sell it to us, she has already turned offers down."
Lee and Rosemary came in at this point of the conversation and of course, wanted to know who was moving where.
"I have heard it is a truly remarkable house, has anyone actually seen it?"
"Me a couple of years ago, well from the outside, the river runs through the land then down into the plot I had doesn't it?"
"It does Bill, I have dreamt of owning somewhere like it and Bea fell in love with it the moment she saw it. We can't wait to move in."
"Well Miss Bea you kept that quiet" laughed Rosemary.
"With everything else that was going on we only finalised our plans last weekend. We may as well tell you all we buying the livery too. That is where I will start my practice."
Everyone just looked at the pair of them. " Well have we shocked you all?" laughed Nathan. "Bea and I are building our new life, we had a plan and everything has just fallen into place, quicker than we thought it would but we are grasping it while we have the chance."
"Yes we are seizing the day, that was a term of my inheritance, my uncle made me promise to use it to live my life, "don't die with your dreams unrealised, get out there and create them, " he told me, so that is what we are doing. We are very fortunate and we will be forever grateful to him for giving us the chance."
"Well have you any other surprises you are hiding?" they all laughed.
"Not at the moment, but who knows with this remarkable lady." She just blew him a kiss.
"Right who is for a game of darts? Actually, I wondered if I could just take a moment of everyone's time as there are so many residents in tonight. Colin knocked on the table and everyone turned to look and listen.
"As you all know we have now got the check-in scheme off to a start. What we need now is to form some sort of rescue team. A team of people who would be willing to drop everything and help in any search or rescue if one occurs. All I need for now are names, we will plan some sort of meetings further down the line, if anyone who would be willing to help if needed could leave their name. I am there, of course, Colin has already signed up as has Bea, she has done this before, any help would be welcome. Faith as town doctor can we count you in?"
"Yes of course Nathan."
The response was beyond what they imagined. They had fourteen names on the list.
"Thank you everyone, now all I will say is that if an incident is reported if we are needed we would need a call-out signal, some way of letting everyone know. The church bell we think is the best way, so if you hear the church bell toll at an unusual time and it rings 3 times then stops then continues in threes that will be the call out. If everyone can then make their way to jail-house we can go from there. We live in hope we will never be needed but will be organised if we are." Thank you all.
"Right darts was it."
Bea caught his eye and smiled at him, he really didn't like talking in front of people like that, he had done well again.
The men all went to play, the ladies were all firing questions at Bea about the Jamieson house. She deflected that conversation by asking
"Did you come up with any ideas about the next town get-together?"
"Nothing really and we are running out of time again, much longer and we may as well wait for the harvest festival dance."
"We normally start planning that in mid-August, so we don't have long if we are going to do something before then."
"What's that, "said Florence " we are late, had a late rush. What have I missed?"
"I will update you," said Molly " we were on about another social event just now."
"We will really be pushing that."
"What you need then is something that organises itself, have you ever held a talent contest or a musical night, then you only have to promote it really, the actual organising is minimal. They can be really fun."
"Bea yet again you seem to have found the perfect solution. What do we think ladies, as far as I can see we pick an evening, provide food, promote it and then let everyone do their thing? We just watch and enjoy, oh and take part of course."
"I remember having something like that years ago Molly, can you remember?"
"Yes, that was a fun night. I think we should do it, I am in."
They were all in. Rosemary went to ask Clara what she thought and they would have a word with Minnie after church tomorrow. If they agreed then a talent contest they would have."
"What on earth are these men doing, seems like a lot of noise for a game of darts."
"It does Fiona, let's investigate."
"I am here as a peacekeeper " laughed Bea, " what are you all shouting at ?"
"Well, we have four all on the same score, everyone saying they are the winner."
"That's easily sorted, one dart each, nearest the bull wins."
They all looked at her, Faith and Fiona just burst out laughing
"What ?" laughed Bea, "that is how we would settle a game of arrows back home."
It was Lee who laughed first "Why am I not surprised you play darts, or arrows did you call them?"
"I did but you pronounce it ar-ras."
"So one dart each, who is first ?"
Mike went first he just missed the outer bull ring, Bill was even further away so Bea removed his dart, Nathan went next and he too just missed the outer bull but was slightly closer than Mike, "Come on them bro, let's see what you can do?" Colin's dart landed in the outer bull ring and so was the winner.
Bea pulled the darts out of the board, walked up to the oche, and threw a dart, the men just looked in wonder the girls howled. "Bullseye" they shouted.
"I might have known sis " laughed Colin, "too much time spent with those grouse beaters."
"With who?"
"Oh Lee don't even go there or you will regret it when she starts singing you their song."
"What song would that be?" asked Rosemary,
"Noooo" laughed Faith. Colin and Nathan knew what was coming and just burst out laughing.
"Well if you insist, you can all join in the chorus."
"No, we can't."
"Spoilsports."
They were all laughing and Bea hadn't sung a note yet.
It goes like this...
"I've been a wild rover for many's the year
And I've spent all me money on whisky and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more"
"And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more"
I went to an alehouse I used to frequent
I told the landlady my money was spent
I ask her for credit, she answered me nay
Such a custom as yours I can have any day
All together she laughed, surprisingly Florence, Molly, Rosemary and Ned all joined in
"And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more"
"Oh you are good, more fun than that lot"
I brought from me pocket ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
She said:'I have whiskies and wines of the best
And the words that you told me were only in jest'
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And when they've caressed me, as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
"Oh why not," said Colin and joined in the last chorus, Nathan shook his head and joined in too
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
Their laughter filled the saloon. "We should form a choir for the talent contest, or would that be cheating, yes maybe it would."
"For the what ?"
"Our next social event, hopefully in a couple of weeks there is going to be a talent contest Lee. So husband dearest have you any hidden talents I am unaware of?"
"Well, I can whistle."
Everyone roared with laughter, " Now that is a sure-fire winner " said Nathan.
"This is going to be fun, I can tell, the stranger the talent the better."
"Molly you may regret saying that "
"You could be right there Ned" she laughed.
The fun and laughter continued for most of the evening. Nathan caught Bea as she was coming out of the lady's room. "Have you seen those two Bea, is that what you meant the other day?" He was looking at Faith and Colin who were standing at the bar talking."
"It was, I really must try and have a word with Faith, see if she will open up about what is going on with Carson, I am not sure Colin even knows of him. I never met him as he left just before I arrived."
"It could be all innocent I guess, maybe we are reading too much into it."
"No I don't think we are Nathan, I will speak to her this week. Now, husband dearest I think we should finish our drinks and head home, if you are wanting to take photographs of me tomorrow I need my beauty sleep."
He leaned in and kissed her "No you don't Mrs. Grant."
Everyone was making a move to head home, a great night had been had by all. Lee and Rosemary were talking to Clara so Bea and Nathan were waiting by the door for them. Colin and Faith came across " Bea were you planning on taking Hero out tomorrow?"
"Well yes but not far, just to stretch his legs really."
"Could I do that, I have promised to show Colin a few of the hidden gems we have around here and can't take the car."
"Faith you don't have to ask me, he is your horse after all. He will enjoy that and he and Mack are the best of buddies. You two have a great time. We will see you at church though before you go?"
"You will sis and thank you." He gave her a knowing look. As she watched them leave she couldn't help but think a talk with Faith was a must, she didn't want Colin caught up in a love triangle.
The two couples walked home together laughing as they went, nights like this were so special, the best of friends enjoying each other's company.
Having locked the door Bea went to switch the lights on, "Leave that princess."
He cupped her face and kissed her then wrapped his arms around her waist. He was just standing looking at her, "What is it Nathan, what have I done?"
"You haven't done anything, I was just looking at you wondering if you have always been this way if as a little girl you could make people laugh the way you do. If you have always spread joy the way you do especially after this morning. Have you?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "No not always, from the age of about 10 I guess. It is my defence shield, it is one thing I can do to deflect everything else. I really wish you could feel what it is like to me just for an hour. I wouldn't wish any longer on anyone. I know in many ways it is a blessing but on days like today, it doesn't feel that way. After what I saw and felt this morning the last thing I needed was to pick up on everyone's woes tonight, if I can make people laugh then those woes vanish. The laughter deflects those, Does that make any sense?"
"It does princess, you are remarkable you know."
"Not really darling, I am just different. Years ago many like me were thought to be witches and burnt or drowned. At least I don't have that to worry about and I have one huge asset" she moved his hands and held them just below her ribs, "This old soul, the one who loves you so much keeps me right."
"I love that old soul Bea, more than I can ever express."
"I know darling, you express it so well believe me when I say that."
Taking her hand he went to lead her upstairs, "Is it bedtime then?"
"Not quite I feel the need to express myself again."
"Oh if you must" she laughed.