by Di Morrissey
‘That’s how I feel. And well, I – Tom and me – we thought that maybe the time had come. He’s not as fit as he used to be. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch,
Mrs P, but we thought this might be the time to buy a little place on the coast and retire.’
‘Oh, we will miss you both dreadfully. It’s your decision, of course.’
‘Don’t you worry about Mr Parnell. I’ve made arrangements with him for someone to come in three times a week. She’s a most reliable person who’ll do the cleaning and laundry and make sure Mr Parnell has plenty of food. She’ll do a bit of cooking, too.’
‘We’re going to miss you so much,’ said Cindy. ‘We’ve been through quite a bit together, haven’t we?’
‘We have got on well. I’ll miss all of you, but we’ll keep in touch,’ Mrs Flowers promised, her eyes glistening with tears.
*
The new year had usually been a happy time for Cindy, but 1991 turned into a disaster when, in February, the government finally made the decision to stop guaranteeing the Wool Corporation’s financial borrowings. This decision created the worst business collapse Australia had ever seen, sending the corporation into a freefalling spiral which ended in the morass of a twelve-billion-dollar loss for the wool industry.
Even though Cindy and Murray had suspected that a disaster was looming, they were still devastated when it finally happened. Cindy was in shock when they heard the news on television.
‘What will that mean for us? Does this mean that wool prices will collapse? Will we be able to keep this place going? Oh Murray, I couldn’t bear to lose Kingsley Downs. Or our home.’
‘I really don’t know, Cindy. Everything will be up in the air. I’ll have to speak to Dad, so we can devise a plan.
I can’t do it without him, because he controls our finances, but I can tell you one thing for sure: there’ll be no replacement for Tom. A station manager on Kingsley Downs is a luxury we can no longer afford,’ said Murray grimly.
But Lawrence was reclusive, refusing to talk to them, remaining in his study with the door closed.
‘He’s in total denial,’ Cindy said to Murray. ‘We’re going to have to do something. And quickly.’
‘Yes, I know. But it’s really hard to talk to him at present. It’s as though he refuses to acknowledge the truth about what has happened to him.’
‘And to us as well! Murray, we must have a serious talk with him. The three of us. Everyone is trying to get out and salvage something and we don’t even know what the debt is on this place and Mirooball. How can we make rational decisions about the future if we don’t know the true state of affairs?’
‘You’re right, but he won’t agree to anything if he thinks we’re pushing him into a corner,’ said Murray.
‘We’re on the edge of a precipice, not a corner. Your father can’t just ignore the situation. Why don’t we go over this evening, have a civilised drink and ask a few hard questions?’
Murray bit his lip. ‘We can try.’
‘You’ll just have to take control. That’s the end of it,’ said Cindy firmly. ‘Thank goodness Russell got that job offer, even if the veterinary practice is in Inverell, and the job doesn’t actually start for a while. But it’s kind of him to agree to stay with us and help out in the meantime. You can certainly use his help right now.’
*
As arranged with Murray, late that afternoon Cindy walked into Lawrence’s sitting room, unannounced and uninvited. Lawrence looked up from his conversation with Murray and frowned.
‘Did you want something, Cynthia?’
She sat down. ‘Yes, both of us do. Murray, could I have a glass of wine, please?’
Lawrence half rose out of his seat, then sat back down as Murray poured her a glass of wine. Lawrence frowned as Murray handed Cindy her drink.
‘Dad, I asked Cin to come over and join us, as the three of us need to have an urgent talk. Cindy and I are extremely worried about the situation here since the collapse of the wool industry. I know you’ve always kept the finances of the property to yourself, but circumstances have now most definitely changed, and Cindy and I think we have a right to know exactly where we stand, financially. What actions do we need to take to make sure that Kingsley Downs is secure?’ Murray looked anxiously at his father.
‘We’ll be fine, son,’ Lawrence answered somewhat airily. ‘No need for you to be concerned.’
‘But Dad, we should all be concerned. And unless you take Cindy and me into your confidence and let us look at the finances, I can’t be sure we have a secure financial plan to keep our heads above water,’ said Murray desperately.
‘It’s only fair to the children that we take constructive action now,’ said Cindy impatiently. It seemed ridiculous to her that, in this time of crisis, Lawrence would refuse to be frank with them. ‘Kingsley Downs is important to them, too. I think it only right that you let us know exactly where we all stand.’
Lawrence glared at her. ‘How dare you dictate to me?’ he snapped. ‘I’m in charge here. What would you know about the running of this property? You’re an interfering woman who doesn’t know her place.’
‘If you’re so confident that everything is fine, then show your son the books. Just what is our debt?’ said Cindy, unperturbed by his insult and determined to get Lawrence to agree. ‘I know there are many places around here in trouble. I’ve heard that the banks are querying the viability of properties we always thought were successful. We just want to make sure Kingsley Downs isn’t in the same boat.’
‘Bloody banks,’ said Lawrence angrily. ‘When they think they can make money from you, they can’t lend you enough, but then, at the first hint you’re in trouble, they pounce like the scavengers they are.’
‘What’ve they said to you?’ asked Murray warily.
‘They send me letters, and I’ve had the odd phone call, but as I tell them, I’ve been with their organisation for more than fifty years, so I expect to be treated with a bit of loyalty and respect,’ Lawrence replied haughtily. ‘They can come and see me.’
‘Dad,’ said Murray, now deeply alarmed by his father’s disclosures, ‘the banks are pushing landowners to sell their properties if they think they can’t meet their obligations; and if they won’t or can’t do that, then the banks will move to a mortgagee sale. We need to see the books so we can work something out fast, to make sure that a mortgagee sale doesn’t happen to us.’
‘Rubbish,’ protested Lawrence.
‘Then let us see what we owe and how we can cope with the debts,’ said Cindy, now completely exasperated. ‘The longer you leave it, the worse it will be. We need to plan some strategy to get us out of this nightmare.’
‘We! Listen to her!’ exclaimed Lawrence, his voice rising. ‘You’re not part of Kingsley Downs. I don’t see that you have any right to examine my affairs. No right at all.’
‘Dad …’
‘It’s all right, Murray,’ snapped Cindy, dropping any pretence of politeness now, thoroughly angered by Lawrence’s stubbornness. She pointed at her father-in-law. ‘You are a selfish man! Your son has worked all his life for you and Kingsley Downs –’
‘Just as I did,’ interrupted Lawrence. ‘He has to wait his turn, just like I did! You’re the pushy, greedy one here.’
‘If we wait, there won’t be anything for your son and your grandchildren to inherit! Don’t be so stubborn and irrational. I will not stand by and see my children’s future ruined because of your selfishness! Just let us look at the accounts before it’s too damned late!’ Her voice rose in anger as Cindy slammed down her glass. She jumped to her feet. ‘Murray, I am going to wait in the car. You are going to take your father into his office and get the account ledgers. It’s now or never, because if we can’t work out a way to save this place, then we’ll walk away from here with nothing and your father can see out his days in a
nursing home by himself.’
Ashen-faced, she stomped past Murray, who looked at his wife in a mixture of amazement and admiration as she went outside, drawing deep breaths in the warm twilight before shakily getting into the car. She had stood up to Lawrence before, but never like this, and she thought that their fragile relationship might now be shattered forever.
*
To Cindy’s surprise and relief, it didn’t take long for Murray to appear with an armful of manila folders and ledgers.
Murray dumped them on the back seat of the car.
‘I don’t believe it. We’ve finally got hold of the accounts.’
‘What did your father say?’
‘Absolutely nothing. Maybe your standing up to him did the trick, or maybe he’s relieved to share the burden. Or perhaps he thinks we won’t be able to fathom the accounts at all.’
‘You forget I was a bright maths student. I’m sure we’ll work them out,’ said Cindy firmly.
It took her two days of hard work, poring over the figures, checking them again, until she emerged, grim-faced, to confront Murray with her findings. She made them both a cup of coffee and they sat at the kitchen table to face how extensive the debt over Kingsley Downs really was.
‘Murray, I can’t believe this. It’s far worse than I ever dreamed. Your father has borrowed way over his head.
I think we’re going to have to do something drastic if we’re going to save this place. See what you think.’
Cindy quickly showed Murray a summary of the financial situation.
Murray gave a long whistle. ‘I can’t believe what a precarious state we’re in, Cindy,’ he said, clearly horrified by his wife’s conclusions. ‘We’ll need to come up with a few options quickly, just to be able to make the repayments on the loans, and then we’ll need to look at some more permanent solutions, if we’re to salvage anything from this mess.’
In the end, they decided that instead of selling Mirooball, they’d lease it for the time being, until land prices stabilised.
‘Good fat lamb country. Someone could make a go of raising lambs on it, I’m sure,’ said Murray. ‘And a lease would give us a definite revenue stream.’
‘Maybe whoever leases it could use Gordon on the place. Of course, he could come back here to work, now that Tom’s gone, but we wouldn’t be able to pay him much,’ said Cindy.
‘I’m also thinking we might have to divide up Kingsley Downs and sell part of it,’ said Murray softly.
They sat in silence for a moment as the terrible words hung in the air. Cindy could see that Murray’s eyes were wet. She reached across and took his hand.
‘Murray, I’ve been hoping that there’d be some way we could avoid that,’ said Cindy sadly.
Murray shook his head. ‘Darling, I might not be able to add up as quickly as you can, but I do understand the bottom line. If we can’t sell part of the place, then we’ll have no place at all,’ said Murray.
‘That’s a very brave decision, but it’s the right one,’ admitted Cindy. ‘It means you’ll have to go over your father’s head.’
‘I know, and I can’t do that, because everything is in his name. I’ll just have to make him see reason. I’m not entirely sure that he understands the terrible position he’s got us into,’ said Murray. ‘But yes, for the moment, I’m going to take charge. I’ll run this place in such a way that when we have to put some of it up for sale, it will look the best it possibly can. We need to get top dollar.’
‘I don’t think Kingsley Downs will need all that much sprucing up,’ said Cindy. ‘You and Tom have always kept everything well maintained, but I suppose you could get rid of those terrible noxious weeds and blackberry bushes that have spread. Remember when the kids were little and we used to go for picnics at the creek? Can’t get close these days, the bushes have grown so. I haven’t been able to get to that lovely peppercorn tree in years.’
‘Yes, good idea. Not a good look to have noxious weeds making it difficult for the stock to access the waterways,’ said Murray in agreement. ‘I’ll get someone to bring in some equipment to get rid of them quickly. In the meantime, Russell and I can do some maintenance around the sheds and check on all the fences and the windmills. But the most valuable thing here is the name Kingsley Downs,’ said Murray with a sigh. ‘I can’t believe it’s come to this. What would my grandfather say?’
Cindy went and put her arms around him. ‘You’ve done your best. What’s happened to us is your father’s fault.
All we can do is try to salvage what we can, sell what we have to, and try to hang on in the hope that we’ll eventually be able to build it back up again,’ she comforted him.
Murray and Cindy held each other for a long moment. After everything they’d been through, neither could believe that they might be facing the end of Kingsley Downs. It was a nightmare come to pass.
*
Once they’d made the decision to act, events quickly rolled forward.
Murray made an appointment to see the bank manager. Cindy was not sure how he did it, but he also managed to drag his father into the bank with him.
Murray, still quite shaken by their dire financial situation, told Cindy later how Lawrence had sat in the manager’s office, stony-faced, as the full horror of their debt was revealed. The bank manager was sympathetic, but told them that head office was demanding their debt be brought under control immediately. He agreed that selling off a parcel of the Kingsley Downs land, leasing Mirooball, if possible, and diversifying into cattle, would be the best way to go. Extravagances like Lawrence’s beloved plane would have to go.
After that, Cindy and Murray didn’t see much of Lawrence, as he kept to himself at the big house. Russell went over to see him, but said Lawrence made it clear he didn’t want company. Sometimes they spotted him at the woolshed, or riding slowly beside the fences; a solitary figure.
‘Is selling the big house part of your plan?’ asked Russell.
‘Not at present. An undeveloped block might prove to be more attractive, but it will really depend on what we’re offered by interested buyers,’ Murray told him. ‘I’m going over to see your grandfather later today and run a few things past him, so I’ll have a word with him. There’s still a bit we have to sign off on. Dad and I should have sorted this out years ago,’ admitted Murray.
‘If we can’t save the place, there won’t be much to spread around for you or anyone else,’ Cindy said grimly to her son.
‘Don’t worry about me,’ said Russell. ‘I don’t think you have to worry about Sally, either. Neither of us really wants to end up on Kingsley Downs. But Gordon does, so it would be nice if there was something left for him.’
‘Then, let’s do it for your father and Gordon,’ said Cindy, sounding more cheerful than she actually felt.
‘When I take this paperwork back to Dad, do you want to come with me?’ Murray asked Cindy. ‘You stand up to him and you really understand what’s happening.’
*
Lawrence did not offer either of them anything to drink, or even suggest that they all sit down together around the dining room table, so that they could discuss things more comfortably. Instead, he busied himself behind his desk in his study, as Murray sat in the chair opposite and Cindy hovered in the doorway. Lawrence didn’t bother to greet her, turning his attention straight to his son. Murray made no comment about his father’s rude behaviour, but stood up, gave Cindy his seat and went and found himself another chair.
Murray was businesslike and, pulling his notebook from his top pocket, he ran through some figures and projections.
‘So, Dad, we could try to sell the north-eastern paddocks near the creek. Here are the papers that need to be signed so we can go ahead and put it in the hands of an agent. Of course, we might have to sell other parts of Kingsley Downs as well. And I reckon if we get a couple of hundred head of good beef cattle, that mi
ght give us an income stream, but I can discuss that idea further when I get back.’
‘Back from where?’ Lawrence asked.
‘I have a buyer for the plane, Dad. Of course, I’ll need to get the ownership papers from you before I can finish the transaction –’
Lawrence’s head shot up. ‘Is it necessary to sell my plane? Have you been through my wardrobe and picked out my boots, hats and coats to sell as well?’
‘Dad … please.’
Cindy spoke. ‘We need cash to pay the crew coming to clean up. No one will buy a place full of weeds. Besides, if we’re trying to salvage this place, you can hardly keep an extravagance like the plane. If we don’t sell it, then the Jag might have to go instead,’ she said firmly. Really, she thought, Lawrence is in such denial about everything.
Trying to avoid any more fireworks, Murray hurried on. ‘The buyer is offering a good price. He lives in north Queensland, so I’m flying the plane up and, if he likes it, I’ll leave it with him and then get a commercial flight back.’
Lawrence didn’t answer, but went to his safe and found the papers for the plane. Then he signed the other documents Murray had placed on the desk before pushing them across to his son. He stood up.
‘If you’ll both excuse me. I do have other commitments.’
Cindy rose from her chair and went into the hallway, while Murray said quietly, ‘It’s all for the best, Dad. For us, for all the family. We’ll be okay.’
‘Whatever you say, Murray.’ Lawrence sounded bitter, almost as though he was about to add, ‘You’re the boss, son.’ But Cindy was sure that Lawrence was not yet ready to relinquish the reins of Kingsley Downs entirely.
*
‘How’s Grandfather taking the thought of selling part of Kingsley Downs?’ asked Sally in a phone conversation with her mother.
‘He was really upset, and I suppose I can understand how he feels, but we just can’t afford to be sentimental in times like these.’
‘He must feel the world he’s always known is crashing down around him. Not that it’s all that easy for Dad and you, either. When will Dad fly to Queensland?’
