by John Bishop
things you can’t plan completely. People turn up when you don’t expect them. Someone blocks the drive. Mrs Kingsley might not be there at the time. In my experience, there’s always something has to be played by ear, but I’m good at that, and I can usually engineer the result I want. It’s a bit like the old war movies you see—the night before the battle the general knows how he wants things to pan out, but the result is never certain. If all else fails, I’ll do a Custer and make a memorable last stand. Getting here has been a real effort. If I don’t come out in one piece, I won’t come out at all. And if that happens you’ll really have a story to tell. Are you still with me, Mr Froyland?’
‘I’m with you Mr d’Aratzio. Win lose or draw. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m someone important. I’m not about to let you down.’
‘Good man. Any queries or comments?’
‘Yes, there is one comment. Banabrook is on a hill. The driveway slopes up from the roadway. If the load isn’t secure, you might lose it before you’re ready.’
‘Good thought. We should be okay, though. The driver has to get the load here to start with. It was secured under canvas when we came up yesterday. He was planning to rope it and tie it off with a knot he can release from inside the cabin. When they inspect the truck later on, they’ll already know it was on a sabotage mission so it won’t matter what they suspect. If we lose the load early we’ll all have to improvise.’
‘I’m learning all the time. I can’t tell you how sorry I am you’re so crook Lenny. Otherwise, I’d enjoy this. I think I’d apply to be your apprentice.’
Lenny started to laugh but winced and stopped. ‘Punch-line to an old music hall joke: It only hurts when I laugh! The truck will arrive at Banabrook soon after nine tomorrow morning. I’ll be spending most of today, resting up. You do whatever you’d normally do.’
‘Okay, I’ll go and have lunch at the Garden of Roses Café. I’m a regular on a Sunday. It’s the weekly outing for some locals, and there’s a few families come into town to go to church and treat themselves to lunch afterwards. Sometimes they tell me they’ve spotted an outbreak of lantana or something. They’re keen as mustard to help out. It won’t do any harm for me to be seen around.’
Morning Prayer at St Mark’s was unusually well attended. News of the break-in had spread, and the ranks of the faithful were augmented by the ranks of the curious. The old confessional, roped off as elegantly as possible, had been inspected by each new arrival. The Blake family pew at the front of the church was full. Despite Max being the vicar, members of the family were not regular churchgoers and took it in turns to be there to support him. For Tony, going to the services was no imposition because he loved to sing and was a great admirer of Max’s beautiful tenor voice. Today, they had all felt a compulsion to attend. Judith, Emily and Tony were joined by Tom, the farm manager, and by Ginny, who had been considered family since her time as carer to Judith’s father. The visiting survey team from the lands department must also have been religious, for all three arrived in their two grubby vehicles and sat at the end of a pew at the back.
There was a ripple of laughter when Max mounted the pulpit and, with a glance at the damaged confessional, announced the text for his sermon — Proverbs Chapter 16 Verse 18: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” He informed the congregation that the injured man was making good progress at Calway Junction Hospital.
There being no organist available, as was usual these days, one of the teachers from the school accompanied the hymns on the sturdy old upright piano. Max stood beside her to turn the pages and lead the singing.
As the congregation drifted from the church, Tony took Judith aside and said, ‘Judith, my angel, you must wait while I get my overnight bag from the car. You have an uninvited guest for the next few days.’
‘You know you’re always welcome; but why?’
‘If I am reliably informed, you and your surveyor friend will be the only residents in the homestead for most of the week. I won’t be much use if it comes to fisticuffs or a duel or some such. But Emily and I thought another pair of ears in the night might be worthwhile. If necessary, your minder and I can take turns watching over you. Don’t bother to argue, I’m pulling rank. As elder statesman of the Blake family I’m moving in.’
‘How could I refuse such gallantry?’ Judith kissed his cheek.
Murphy’s Law
Monday 24th August 1992
It was still dark on Monday morning when a dilapidated truck pulled up near the railway yards and its lights were extinguished. Soon afterwards, Lenny emerged from the gloom, opened the passenger door and climbed into the back of the cabin.
‘I have a water bottle to keep me hydrated and an empty one to keep me drained,’ he told the driver. ‘We’ve got quite a wait.’
‘Time for a nap. I’ll set my alarm for eight thirty, okay?’
‘I’d rather you stayed awake.’
‘A bit edgy are we?’
‘Don’t forget who’s paying the bills.’
‘Okay, boss. I’ll stay awake.’
Lenny slid himself into a long toolbox, padded with a sleeping bag. ‘I feel like I’m prematurely in my coffin,’ he said. ‘But it got me here. And it will get me where I need to go...if the bloody driver stays awake!’
Judith and Megan were making breakfast when Tony entered the kitchen shortly after six.
‘I make good toast,’ Megan said. ‘But it doesn’t seem much of an achievement after such a scrumptious dinner.’
‘You are too kind,’ Tony said.
‘I mean it. You two should open a restaurant somewhere.’
‘Judith and I have long been a great culinary partnership. I say so without any false modesty. Working with her is great fun. Now, my angel, tell me what activities are planned for today.’
‘Nothing, if possible,’ Judith said. ‘I might read for a change. I’ve given the staff the day off. It’s the first break any of us have had for a while. I’ve switched the telephone to the shire offices. Cookie Cate is going into town to do some shopping.’ She paused, and waved through the kitchen window as a tractor left the manager’s cottage. There was a piercing whistle in response. ‘Tom and Fred are dismantling the old windmill. He wants the new one in place for summer.’
‘Where’s our artist in residence?’ Tony asked.
‘He’s off on a field trip until tomorrow.’
‘I must say I like his work,’ Tony said. ‘I had a peek into the studio; there’s a piece there I might buy for my place.’
Judith smiled. ‘He’s a delightful young man; we’ve had lots of good comments and several sales. It would have been unfortunate if the first resident’s work was not well regarded, though that isn’t the be-all and end-all of a project like this.’
Turning to Megan, Tony said, ‘Do you know, in my entire experience of Banabrook, I cannot recall another time when there were only three people in residence. The place has always been buzzing with energy.’
Judith laughed. ‘I’m sorry we have so little to entertain you.’
‘No matter. I will begin my day by taking a longish walk in the forest to keep faith with my doctor. He’s a bully, but I obey him without demur—coward that I am.’ Tony patted his substantial waistline and rolled his eyes. ‘Later I will select a book from Banabrook’s impressive collection and put my feet up somewhere—inside, I suspect; it’s a bit too breezy to sit on the verandah.’
‘Well I’m looking forward to a day not pretending to be a surveyor,’ Megan said. ‘I really have to concentrate sometimes to be sure I’m playing the role.’ She looked at Judith. ‘Keep me posted on where you are. I know it’s tedious. But it’s when you let your guard down things go wrong.’
‘Okay, I’ll do as I’m told. Although I must say I think the protection for me is a waste. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’d rather Brody assigned you to help Ziggy look after Max. He’s the target.’
‘Understood. But we have our order
s, and we follow them.’
At eight thirty, Gavin got into his truck and started inspecting verges. He drove slowly on a route that would eventually take him past Banabrook.
At eight forty-five, Eamon called Megan’s mobile to get her morning report. Soon afterwards he called Ziggy. Both assured him they were remaining vigilant despite the boredom of waiting for something to happen.
Soon after nine, an old truck passed Gavin. It appeared to be loaded with drums of chemicals. ‘What the blazes is he doing here?’ Gavin murmured to himself, grinning at his own joke. He followed at a distance and saw the truck turn into the Banabrook driveway.
Judith heard the tooting of a horn outside. As she went to investigate, Megan arrived and said, ‘Let me take a squiz through the window first.’ Having done so she said, ‘Were you expecting a delivery?’
‘It might be something Tom’s ordered.’
‘Check it out, but with care.’
Judith went out onto the verandah. The truck driver had climbed down from the cabin and was peering at papers on a clipboard. When he saw her he said, ‘There’s meant to be a big shed.’
‘What are you delivering?’
The driver peered at his clipboard again. One drum of…toluene di-iso…something or other. Adderley Farm.’
‘Adderley Farm is further up the road.’
‘Oh. Must ’ave misread the map. My mistake, lady.’
He climbed back
