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.

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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.

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Renee Dallow ( Author. )