My new page will feature reviews to be published on The Bourgeoise Bloomers website under Bourgeoise Reviews And Banter. Beginning with ‘The Hound Of The Baskervilles.’
Bourgeoise Reviews And Banter
Australia Day
Still Lucky
The Song Of Cicada Wings
An Embarrassing Encounter
Edith remembered back to the day her mother had arrived from Adelaide with baby Madoline. Now it was she bringing a new baby into the house. She felt exactly as her mother had done. Proud and full of love for the new life that she had brought into the world. She looked up and there was her little sister, Maddie, all in white muslin, wearing a little white daisy chain tiara. She was an angel and her magic seemed to envelope them all. She and Rudolpho held hands and were representatives of the united front of heaven.
The month long stay in Brisbane before returning back to New Zealand had gone so fast that Edith had hardly the time to blink. There had been trips to the theatre, sightseeing with Herbert and Sunday church services. Rudolpho, as head choir boy, was sublime leading the choristers in hymns and in the mass. Like his brother Vincent before him he had been given a scholarship. Hopefully his voice would not break as Vincent’s had done and he would go on to the end of his term which was a period of five years. At nine years old he was safe enough his father hoped. Millicent’s voice rang out over the rest of the faithful and there was pure joy in her heart when she sang. Her face was positively radiant with the love of God. At barely fifteen she was now the shining star of the Richardson family. Madoline too, next to Millicent and holding on tightly to her hand, sang with the same gusto. Looking up to watch Millicent’s mouth movements, trying to figure out the words. Every so often Madoline’s pupils would disappear up behind her eyelids and she would blink very fast, but this was only fleeting.
It did seem odd, when after the service, the family joined the rest of the congregation for tea and Millicent became suddenly pious. She was always sending up her brother when he spoke of God and Saints. Yet here she was, an expert on the bible. Edith observed her behaviour with great amusement. She observed Herbert too. All charm and good humour. An honorary Catholic and proud young father, showing off his first son. He was humbly bathing in all the accolades. Funny, she thought, it was almost as if she had no part in it. He was so popular with everyone she almost felt invisible.
When the family arrived back at the house they found Charles and Leona on the sofa in a compromising situation. They both stood up quickly. Their clothes ruffled and their faces flush. Charles suspenders hung about his waist and his shirt was half unbuttoned. His hair too was ruffled. Very unlike Charles who always dressed with military precision.
William Albert was furious. Girls go to your room! Charles what goes on here? Military maneuvers eh? Your excuse for not coming to mass? Seems like you’ve been maneuvering all right. This is not the place for it! Do you hear me?
So sorry Sir
And you… Who might you be? He asked Leona who hung her head in shame.
Leona, Sir.
Got a last name?
Cooper Sir. Leona Cooper.
I’ve heard that name before. I remember you were on the front page of the Argus as I recall.
She’s a friend of Florence. Edith offered.
I see. Shame on you Miss Cooper. Please leave my house at once! William Albert demanded.
Just then Harold returned from the park where he had been waiting for Leona. They had prearranged a luncheon date but Charles had beat him to the finish line telling Leona that Harold wasn’t coming. Now Harold understood everything. Leona rushed past him in tears and Charles was in the midst of being heavily reprimanded. Harold’s day couldn’t have got any better.
Edith felt the need to defend Leona.
Don’t be so hard on her father. It wasn’t her fault. Charles is quite obviously a bit of a lad.
I’ll just take the baby to the nursery. Interrupted Mathilde. I think it’s time for his feed. Come Edith let’s leave them to it. Children you come too.! The three yongest, Millie, Madoline and Rudolpho, reluctantly tagged along behind and were sent to the play room.
Harold, who had stood smouldering in the doorway, smirked at Charles humiliation. You and me! Outside! Right now brother!
Charles smiled. With pleasure.
Novel Template copy 3
Both walked outside into the back yard for a fist fight.
William Albert looked at Herbert, poured two glasses of his best sherry, gave one to his son in law, and together they raised a toast. May the best man win! William laughed.
Of course, Charles had won the fight that day. Harold didn’t stand a chance due to Charles military training. Still he didn’t see himself as a loser at all. It was Charles who had lost face. He’d lost Leona too. As a matter of fact they both had. Leona was her own woman and had led them both on. She didn’t need them anymore. Officer Farthingale had been transferred and she had her own battles to fight. She had only agreed to come to the Richardson house as Charles had assured her that the family would be home straight after church. It would only be a moment anyway, as he had forgotten his wallet. He had shown her a recent training photo and she had sat down to have a close look under the light. Charles had sat down too and made his move. Leona had flirted with him. Charles was a very good looking young man after all. Tall with chiselled features, an aquiline nose and quite astonishing sea blue eyes. She loved his golden honey blonde hair too and felt the need to run her fingers through it just once. When it became obvious, however, that there was no-one home she had got up to leave and that was precisely the moment the Richardsons returned from tea with the congregation. Poor Leona was just as embarrassed as she could be.
Why was it that men thought being a suffragette meant loose morals. Leona, like Florence, was determined to fight on for the cause. This did not make her open slather. She would go to Melbourne, she decided, and join her friend, Florence. Maybe they could both find work with Louisa Lawson as printers. Whatever happened she knew she wanted nothing more to do with either Charles or Harold Richardson.
Copy right
Renee Dallow ( Author. )
The Song Of Cicada Wings
Dealing with the bullies
In due course my career will pick up again and J. C. will be knocking on our door. Young George Musgrove seems to be doing well for himself and as you know Nell Stewart is here now in one of his shows.
Speaking of Nell, I must speak to you, on a matter concerning this lovely one here. Mathilde confided, kissing Madoline on the cheek.
Mathilde made sure her husband was seated comfortably on the sofa with a glass of sherry and some savoury treats, brought out from the pantry, including various cheeses, cold meats, jellies, relishes and little home made mince pies. She then proceeded to tell him of all that had happened in his absence and the terrible illness which had again tried to take Madoline. An illness that they could no longer pretend did not exist.
It was decided that Madoline should be sent o Melbourne hospital for checks. She would spend two weeks there under observation. While these tests took place to see if there was anything that could be done for her, poor Madoline would be induced with things she was allergic toin order to monitor responses.
Everything from Friars Balsam for the fevers, to Tincture Of Myrrh, was administered intravenously to stop the spasms. Finally they resorted to potassium bromide which had an immediate effect. The child was pronounced cured. All could go on as planned in the Richardson household. Still, knowing the stigma that others would attribute to his youngest daughter, William Albert resolved to keep her out of the public eye as much as possible. To be sure it was absolutely certain that she was out of danger. It was not until that day four years later when out picking, or stealing, cherries with Rudolpho, that she succumbed again to an epileptic fit. By that time the rest of the family had resolved to keep the incident a secret from the head of the family. They did not want the poor child being sent back to the hospital yet again for more tests. The bright eyed energetic four year old had, that first time, returned from the hospital refusing to speak to anyone and completely lacking in energy. It was not until the first day of the new school term for Rudolpho and Millicent that Maddie, whom Edith had taken along in the pram, spoke again.
I go to school too? Maddie asked.
Maybe darling when you are older, Edith answered, fearing that her baby sister may never be allowed to attend school.
Arriving home, Madoline was all excitement again, at the prospect of going to school and followed her mother around the house eagerly awaiting answers to her questions.
When I go to school mummy?
When you are old enough, Mathilde replied, as she dusted the figurines on either side of the mantelpiece.
How old?
Oh about six or seven I should think. Now go and wash your hands before lunch. Did you take your medicine today?
Yes mummy.
Good girl! Now, off you go.
Mathilde hoped and prayed with all her heart that the day would come when she really could send Madoline to school. Why shouldn’t her daughter have the same chances in life? Why should she be kept out of the public eye? It seemed to Mathilde that this kind of intolerance toward her daughter had no rhyme or reason. People were always too ready to ostracise those who were different and it all started in the playground.
That afternoon, Charles, on his way home, had lost his heart.
He had seen her from the window but had averted his eyes as she boarded the train. He did not want to appear fresh. The last time he had been caught staring at a girl his mother had slapped him with her fan. The humiliation in front of his friends had been complete. He had been way too obvious about it, Mathilde had told him, back then. Still Charles was no coward. With his mother nowhere in sight he could stare as long as he wanted. He decided that the benefits far outweighed the risks. His eyes followed her as she moved down the carriage in search of a seat. She was smarty dressed in a lovely cream fluted skirt and a tightly fitted silken blouse which caressed her figure.Her chestnut hair was swept up under a wide brimmed hat. As she found her seat Charles was ready to make his move and board the train too when there was a tap on his shoulder. He turned half expecting to see the ticket officer. The train closed its doors and moved off the platform. Millicent stood in front of him. The look on her face was strained.
Come quick Charlie! There’s a fight at school. It’s Rudolpho. They’re hurting him!
Reluctantly Charlie pulled himself away. The image of the incredibly stylish creature he had just seen, still disappearing into the distance, under a giant puff of steam.
He followed Millicent to the school gates where there was indeed a fight brewing. The dust was flying as fists were pumping. The voices of the schoolboy rabble were egging their friends on to victory. There in the midst of all the commotion was Rudolpho on the ground with a boy standing over him ready to lay a punch.
So what’s happening Alfonso? You been picking fights again? He said as he walked over to his brother and helped him up whilst at the same time holding back the aggressor with one arm outstretched. As soon as Rudolpho was on his feet Charles had lifted the other boy by the front of his shirt and had turned him round to face him.
What’s all this then eh? Charles asked.
The boy, on seeing Charlies uniform through the dust, was shaking. The others were beginning to file out of the school yard.
Charles looked the boy up and down like he was one of Rudolpho’s worms. Looks like its just you and me. Wanna punch me too? C’mon lets see how good y’are. No?
He turned the boy around and seeing his friends waiting, biffed him one, just for good measure Then slapped him on the rump in clear view. The ogling throng sniggered accordingly. With that he grabbed his brothers hand, winked at his sister, and off they went toward home. Millicent was in complete awe of Charles and grinned back at him as they opened the squeaky gate. Mathilde opened the door to find the dusty threesome and shook her head, dreading the amount of washing she would have to do.
It’s A Wonderful Life- Genesian Theatre Co
Kindness goes a long way.The first scene of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is set in heaven with the angels looking down on earth. Their focus is on one George Bailey. A young man with great promise for a bright future. The angels know that he will need help and decide that he is worthy of their intervention. George Bailey lives in a small town and, as a boy, has big dreams of leaving for good as soon as he grows up. He has big dreams and wants to go to college. His father is a banker who runs a small loans office helping the people of the town keep their heads above water. When his father dies suddenly George is forced to take over the business to prevent the bigger banker, Mr.Potter, from taking a monopoly on the town and forcing people to default on their mortgages. George’s dreams of a college education are shelved.
So George marries his small town girl, builds up his small town business, provides affordable housing for the towns folk and even puts his brother through college. As his family grows George is sucked in deeper and deeper. The big bank tries to buy him out but George stands firm. Just when Bailey’s loans office starts to make a profit disaster strikes and the big banker gets the money. George has a breakdown and runs away from home. Clarissa, an angel second class trying to earn her wings comes to the rescue. While standing on a bridge in the snow, contemplating suicide, George meets Clarissa, who puts him straight by showing him all the wonderful things that would never have been accomplished but for his existence. George at last realises the value of his life and of his influence on those around him.
He has everything. The love of his family, the loyalty of the towns people, who actually make a collection for George. In fact they manage to donate the equivalent sum to the amount that’s been stolen. They want to give because George is a giver. When we give we receive and that is the true meaning of Christmas.
The Genesians have always been good at bringing old classics to life and this one, originally a Frank Capra film, is poignant and meaningful. The company has given it their all. From the clever set evoking the country charm of George’s home town of Bedford Falls to the soft moody lighting reflecting dreams and reality in heaven and on earth. A sterling performance from Oliver MacFadyen who seems to have taken a few notes from Jimmy Stewart. A sensitive and heartfelt performance right the way through. Amahlia Day as Mary Bailey is well cast as George’s kind understanding wife. Equally sensitive but also pretty resilient just like George. A match made in heaven.
Have a wonderful Christmas
Give, give and give some more.
By Renee Dallow
Bourgeoise Bloomers 
