Without You I Have Nothing (37 page)

_{“You’re honored. Mum
is really out to impress you,” he remarked as he tossed Peter’s bags onto the
bed. “You’ve time to freshen up. The bathroom is through that door.”}

_{Five minutes later,
he was back.}

_{“Come on. Mum will be
furious if we’re late.”  He laughed. “Well, she likes to believe she’s the boss
and we do everything to keep her happy. She’s gone to great lengths to please
you and she’s worried that her cooking won’t be as good as what you’re
accustomed to.”}

_{“What, steak and
eggs?”  Vainly, Peter tried to explain how basic was his day-to-day cooking,
but obviously Andrew didn’t believe him.}

_{He watched the family
carefully and bowed his head while Eric said grace. Peter added a silent prayer
of thanks to his God for bringing him safely to this sanctuary.}

_{The moment the family
sat, Elizabeth uncovered the steaming soup tureens and Eric served. “I hope you
like our plain food.”  Elizabeth began fussing over Peter but Eric winked at
him, cutting her short.}

_{“Leave the boy alone,
Mother. Can’t you see he’s hungry?  Besides, by his leanness, I guess it’s a
long time since anyone cooked for him.”}

_{Jennifer defended
herself. “Hey I have been cooking for him since he left hospital and he hasn’t
stopped eating.”}

_{Ignoring her
complaint and Andrew’s hearty laugh, her father continued. “I know bachelors. Andrew
and I almost starved the last time Elizabeth went away for a couple of days.”}

_{Peter was the honored
guest. A pure white, fine damask cloth covered the rich mahogany table and the
silverware was exquisitely delicate. Fine crystal glasses were at every place
and he silently blessed Jennifer for her patient teaching of how to handle
wine.}

_{This was one time
Peter didn’t want to appear gauche.}

_{As soon as Peter
emptied the plate of food before him, another, equally heavily laden, took its
place until he had to beg for mercy.}

_{“The meal is
delicious, but I have to stop before I burst. I just can’t do it justice.”}

_{Dinner ended.}

_{“Jennifer, give me a
hand to clear up.”  Elizabeth was once more in control.}

_{Peter couldn’t
remember having eaten so well. He could hardly move, and longed to lie down.}

_{However, Elizabeth
still wouldn’t let the men rest. “You men go into the lounge room and make
yourselves comfortable. We won’t be long.”}

_{“I’ll give a hand.” 
Peter wasn’t prepared to be alone with Jennifer’s men folk. He wanted to be
near her for protection.}

_{“You’ll do nothing of
the sort!”  Jennifer gave him a push as he stood. “You’re resting remember? 
Besides, Mum and I want some peace so we can talk.”}

_{“Come on, Peter.” 
Andrew led the way. “We know when we’re not wanted.”}

_{The lounge room was a
huge room and just as richly furnished as the dining room.}

_{“Sit down and make
yourself comfortable,” Andrew said, indicating a comfortable settee.}

_{Eric did his best to
make Peter feel part of the family as he and Andrew sat back in their favorite
chairs, close to the beautifully ornate fireplace of marble and sandstone. Gratefully,
Peter sank into the heavily brocaded settee and stretched out his legs.}

_{As an after-thought,
Andrew dragged a heavily carved rocking chair close to their chairs and the
family circle was almost complete. He and his father leant back, eyes closed in
a shared silence. They were enjoying the pleasure that came from such a meal.}

_{Thinking they were
uncomfortable with him in the room, Peter stood to go out and join Jennifer.}

_{Eric opened his eyes,
his look as soft as his words. “Sit down, lad, sit down. We won’t eat you, or
didn’t you notice how well fed we are?”}

_{His whole face beamed
with a smile that crinkled around his lips and eyes.}

_{“We’re all delighted
that you’re here. We’re so much in your debt. Even Andrew is delighted, though
he realizes his sister may disappear with you any time.”}

_{Desperately trying to
change the topic, Peter admired the room. “This is a beautiful room. I know
nothing about furnishings and furniture, but it really is so elegant. It’s as
though we of the present have stepped into a most graceful past.”}

_{“Well, yes I suppose
so.”  Eric looked about. “Elizabeth has taste and I know I indulge her. We’ll
get her to play for us when she arrives.”}

_{He waved in the
direction of the grand piano standing in an alcove near the bay windows. “Perhaps
she’ll indulge us.”}

_{Giggling like
teenagers, Jennifer and her mother swept into the room.}

_{They were so alike. Elizabeth
was a more mature Jennifer, fuller of figure and slightly shorter, but her eyes
were also green. Their hair, so different in color, had the same waves. Their
eyebrows had a similar softness, tilting up slightly at the ends and
emphasizing their high, aristocratic cheekbones.}

_{Elizabeth sat in the
rocking chair while Jennifer flopped beside Peter. She gently lifted his arm
around her and leant against him. With her hair against his cheek and her soft
hand in his, Peter sneaked a kiss.}

_{The family noticed his
action.}

_{“Cut that out!  Stop
it!  Will you stop attacking my sister?”  A rumble of mirth from Andrew
heightened Peter’s confusion. “Hey, Dad, protect your daughter. Make her sit
over here!”}

_{Smiling broadly,
Andrew threw a cushion on the carpet at his father’s feet.}

_{“Stop teasing your
sister.”  Elizabeth came to their defense. Obviously pleased by the interaction
of her twins, her face glowed with happiness. “Leave your sister alone for
once.”}

_{“But I’m only
protecting her from this Sydney ruffian.”  Sounding hurt and very serious,
Andrew added, “The first time I met him he was rolling around the floor with
Sis. God only knows what he was trying to do with her.”}

_{Flying out of Peter’s
arms, Jennifer began battering her brother with a cushion.}

_{“You’re a brute. You
haven’t changed one bit.”}

_{Trying to grab her,
Andrew retaliated, but as he rose to the attack, Jennifer shrieked and fled
back to the protection of Peter’s arms. With her arms around Peter, she buried
her head in his lap like a little girl, believing she was safe.}

_{“Can we have some
music, Elizabeth?  Perhaps it might calm these savages.”  Eric’s laugh told
them he was enjoying his children’s game.}

_{“I’m just too lazy to
play tonight. Besides, I want to talk, so it will have to be background
music.”  Elizabeth was queen in this house and they were all her minions. “You’re
the guest Peter, what would you like?”}

_{Peter was speechless,
wondering how to reply. He didn’t know their taste in music and if they were
like Ted and Bob his choice would just make them all groan.}

_{Tentatively he began.
“Well,” he paused.}

_{“You might be
surprised at the range of our music, Peter.”  Elizabeth’s tender look of
acceptance gave Peter the confidence to continue.}

_{“Well, if you have
Mozart’s aria, ‘Non piu andrai’...”}

_{He stopped.}

_{Andrew hissed through
a groan, “Oh, my God. Not another one. Mum has a friend.”}

_{“Oh, good.” 
Elizabeth swept to the far wall, which Peter believed was rich paneling of
polished Australian Silky Oak. Part of the wall swung open to reveal extensive
audio equipment.}

_{“Elizabeth loves her
music.”  Eric explained, and his eyes shone with adoration. “You’ve made a
friend.”}

_{As Elizabeth walked
to the equipment and bent to adjust the machine, again Peter marveled at the
similarity between mother and daughter. Not only had Jennifer inherited her
mother’s striking features, highlighted by her auburn hair, but also she had
the same graceful walk.}

_{The opening bars
sounded. As Peter listened to the familiar music, it reached deep into his soul
and he began to stroke Jennifer’s hair lightly, bending close to sing softly in
her ear. “Now my days of philandering are over...” he began. As the music
continued, he moved into Italian.}

_{Jennifer sat up and
softly kissed him. His mood, affected by Mozart’s music, had affected her too.}

_{A soft cough brought
them back to the present. Elizabeth was watching them closely. “I knew music
appealed but...”  The quiet tinkle of her laughter told Peter of her feelings
for her daughter.}

_{“There, I told you
she was misbehaving.”  Andrew tried to imply even more.}

_{Jennifer curled her
body into Peter’s lap like a kitten.}

_{“Your voice is well
trained and your Italian is impeccable. We must talk later as you must have
such a lot to tell us,” remarked Elizabeth. She had overheard Peter’s soft
singing to Jennifer and with a change of heart led him to the piano. “I’m sure
Jennifer can spare you for a few moments.”}

_{Her fingers lightly
danced across the keys, bringing Chopin into the room. She patted the piano
stool, insisting that Peter sit beside her. “Jennifer told me you have two
favorite hymns. I’ll sing the soprano and you assist me by singing baritone.”}

_{Peter glanced at
Jennifer as if begging her to save him, but she just grinned at his beseeching
look.}

_{The opening bars of
Cwm Rhondda rippled off the piano and Peter opened his chest and started,
“Guide me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah,” with Elizabeth’s voice soaring above his. When
the piano accompaniment ceased, Peter was away, deep in his mind. Ignoring the
silence, he continued in Welsh.}

_{The sound of polite
clapping brought him back to reality and Elizabeth put her hands out to him,
taking his hands between hers. “Jennifer said you were accomplished, but that
really was something special. Thank you.”}

_{Peter shrugged,
trying to explain, but Jennifer joined him and put her arms around his neck,
determined to make her family realize the depth of their affection and
demanding they accept Peter.}

_{Looking up at her
daughter, Elizabeth gave a secretive smile as she commenced playing a Strauss
Waltz. It seemed natural for Peter to stand, to swing Jennifer into his arms
and begin swaying to the music. Jennifer’s eyes closed and she let her body
melt into Peter.}

_{He was floating in
ecstasy until a deep voice broke into his thoughts.}

_{“Mind if I cut in?”}

_{Father and daughter
began waltzing.}

_{“Help me make the
coffee.”  Andrew ordered Peter into the kitchen.}

_{The evening was
ending - an evening such as Peter had never experienced - a family evening of
fun, music, warmth, laughter and love.}

_{Peter woke the next
morning and lay still with eyes closed and his breathing rate unchanged. His
years of jungle living could not be shaken off as he lay listening carefully to
the sounds of gentle tapping at his door.}

_{He heard the sounds
of someone placing a tray on the bedside table and he knew by the soft
footfalls a woman was standing beside his bed. Knowing that Jennifer was in for
a shock, he lay still, as he grinned into his pillow, and waited until she was
in easy reach so he could grab her.}

_{Repeatedly the woman
tugged at Peter’s arm but he lay still. When he was sure she was close, he shot
his hand out towards her and made a grab, rolling over as he did so and pulling
her on top of him, down onto the bed to share his pillow.}

_{There was a loud
shriek as he wrapped his arms around her.}

_{Gasping through her
laughter Elizabeth informed him, “I’m not Jennifer,”}

_{That laugh brought
goose bumps to Peter’s skin. His eyes sprang open with horror. He was looking
directly into a face close to his - not into Jennifer’s eyes but instead into
Elizabeth’s, crinkled in amusement as she laughed at his discomfort.}

_{Breathless, she tried
to sit up a little. “So that’s why Jennifer went off early to fetch the horses.
She knew that she’d be running a risk coming in here.”  Elizabeth laughed as
she struggled to her feet, straightening her dress and patting her hair back
into place.}

_{The grin on her face
showed that she was forming her words for a message to the men on the tractors.
Her eyes twinkled as she thought, ‘Guess what!  This old girl’s still got it!’}

_{Peter felt his
confusion heightened by a wave of embarrassment sweeping over him.}