by Roo

Part Three - Chapter Ten

A close thing

Editing by Bronwen

Previously:

The good news was that John had decided to sell up in America and live in our beautiful sun burnt country called Australia.

Sunday 24/2/74

After Sandy and John told us what was planned for the future, Jamie and Jenny got their act together and changed into something pretty. I let them get the twins ready as well. Just imagine what went on in the girls' bedroom with the twins wanting to look just like Jamie and Jenny! However I think my ever-present sister sorted them out and when they finally appeared all four of them looked very feminine and pretty.

While this was going on I took Sandy aside and asked, “Ok madam do tell what's going on?”

She replied ”Well it's like this Carla, I think I have fallen for John and I think he has for me, so umm well you know and umm.”

“Well yes, I do know and as long as you take your time everything will work out ok for you both.”
She hugged me and said “Carla you have almost become like a sister to me. It means so much to me to have your blessing for this.”

“Ok then sis, lets get our act together and get down to Rita's place for lunch.

***Jamie and Jennifer ***

Jamie said, “Jenny what do you think will happen with my Mum and your Dad?”

Jenny replied “I hope they get married and we can stay here forever and then we'll be sisters with the same last name.”

Jamie replied, “You know what, when we get back home, I think we should ask Aunty Jean to tell us what will happen.”

“Yeah I forgot about that, and you're sleeping at your own house tonight aren’t you?”

“Yep, and that means I have to go back to school as well, 'bummer'!!!”

“Ok Jamie seeing we will be sleeping in the same bedroom lets see if your spirit aunt will tell us anything.”

Carla speaks:

I thought, “I don’t know what Jamie and Jenny are up to because the amount of whispering they're doing. I had better warn Sandy to keep an eye on them tonight.”

Before we got into the cars to drive down to the restaurant I had a quiet word with Sandy.

“Sandy you need to check up on what the girls are up to when you get home later today. I think they are planning something.”

Sandy replied, “Thanks Carla but what could they be planning to do?”

“Whatever it is I think my twin sister will be involved.”

We all arrived at Rita and Peter's restaurant and as usual with the Croft clan everyone was speaking at once which is what family gatherings are all about, at least it is with our lot. Sandy was holding John's hand as if to stop him from escaping.

Dad grabbed the old cow bell that was on the counter that is normally used to get service when people are in the kitchen and rang it loudly and said, “Alright you unruly lot we have a couple of new people in our clan that might not be used to our noisy way of communicating.”

Finally all was quiet so Dad could welcome John and his daughter officially to Quilpie and the outback. There were fifteen people plus restaurant staff present so Rita decided to close the restaurant for the afternoon and concentrate on the family reunion.

As the afternoon progressed John made a little speech telling us a bit about himself and his daughter and what he planned to do in the near future. All was quiet when he announced that he had fallen in love with Australia and would we mind if Jenny and he stayed?

I decided to get up and said “John, I for one will welcome you and Jennifer with open arms and I think there might be a lady called Sandra that will be even more welcoming for you to stay.”

It was time for desert and more noise. I watched John and Sandy being more comfortable being accepted by the family and thought, “If all this comes to pass I might be able to go part time at the clinic and start planning to do what Ricky wants to happen.”

It was three in the afternoon and time to clear the restaurant of family members so it could be opened up to the public and let Rita and and Peter make some money for the rest of the day.

Sandy took me aside and said, “Carla I know that John and Jenny are your guests but would you mind very much if I invited John to stay at my house for a while so we can get to know each other a little more?”

My reply was, “Sandy I thought you would never ask. I think it is a good idea and it will make it a lot easier for Jamie and Jenny as well.”

“Thanks Carla, I think John is looking to buy into a business here as well.”

I thought “Here's my chance to tell her what I’ve been thinking.” I said, “Sandy, why don't you ask him if he wants to buy into our business because I’ve been thinking of having another baby. Ricky has been keen to add to our family, and if this all happens I would go part time, what do you think about that?”

“I'll talk to him about it tonight and see how serious he is about us getting together.”

At bedtime after the twins were well and truly asleep, I cuddled into Ricky and said, “Honey I know you want us to have another baby and the way things are progressing with John and Sandy it will be a chance to take time out to add to our own little clan.”

“Do you really think it is that serious with John and Sandra?”

“Well I will know tomorrow when Sandy comes to work. I don't think poor John has a chance with all us women around, plus that spirit sister of mine do you?”

He replied, “Hell Carla that’s hardly fair on the guy but I guess by the time Jean is finished with him he won't know what hit him.”

***Jamie and Jenny***
“This is great” said Jamie as she and Jenny were making up their beds. “Jamie are you still going to communicate with with your aunty Jean?”

“You bet I am, but we will have to do it without Mummy knowing.”

“But won't she find out?”

“Yeah probably but we'll do it anyway. Don’t you want to know what the future holds?”

“Yeah but I don’t want to get into trouble doing it.”

“Don’t worry about it I'll take the blame, just get into bed and we'll start”.
They turned all the lights off except a little night light and lay on the bed holding hands.

As soon as the girls started to concentrate Jean appeared at the end of the bed and told the girls, “You can open your eyes girls, I will let you see me.”

Jenny was in awe of the beautiful angel sitting on the bed and said, “Oh my God you are so beautiful.”

Jean replied “Ok girls I shouldn't do this but if I don't you will only try again till I give in.”

Jamie said “Aunty Jean we won't tell Mummy or Jenny's Dad, 'promise'!!”

“Well my little ones in a few days it won't matter because they will tell you anyway.”

Jean then explained what would happen. She revealed to the two excited girls that there would be a wedding in the future but to leave life to take its course, and swore them to secrecy or she would never let them see her again. The girls promised not to tell anyone about what they had been told and the spirit angel called Jean sang to them till they fell asleep.

Ricky and myself talked late into the night about what our hopes and dreams were for the future and Ricky said “Sweetheart there's one way to find out what's in store for us, lets just ask Jean.”

I replied “Ricky darling, my sister will only give us a general outline of the future but let's see what will happen.”

Jean was already in our heads and said “I am only allowed to tell you certain things and you will have to decide what you do with information that I give to you.”

We questioned her at length and pretty much got all the answers that we wanted. As to what those answers were you will just have to keep reading to see what happens as I continue to write my story.

Monday 25/2/74

It was the beginning of the week and things had to go back to normal if there is such a thing. Ricky went off to do some work at the hanger and to see what charter flights he had for the week, but more and more he was just as happy to run the business so he could spend more time at home with me and his little daughters who hang on his every word. We both decide the time was right to have another baby, so I went off the pill and would let nature take its course.
I sorted out the twins and let Mum and Dad do their grand-parenting and went off to work, Amy was there sorting out some paperwork at Chrissie's desk. I asked what she was doing and she replied, “Christine won't be in today because she took ill last night and is in hospital. Alan phoned me this morning to let me know so I thought I had better see what paperwork needed to be done.”

I thought, “I wonder why they didn't ring me instead? There must be something wrong with her pregnancy. I will go to the hospital when Sandy turns up for work”.

Sandy turned up a little bit later than usual because she had to take Jamie to school and then run John and Jenny over to our place to pick up one of our spare cars for them to use while here in Quilpie. John had an international drivers licence; the only thing he had to watch was that he stayed on the left side of the road.

Sandy said “Sorry for being late Carla but I had to sort out Jamie for school and take my visitors to pick up the car.”

I replied, “It's ok Sandy, but seeing you're here now I have to go to see what's happened to Chrissie. She is at the hospital so I will leave you with it and find out what I can do to help.”

When I arrived at the hospital Alan was in the main entry with Jenny and little Josh. Alan looked distressed and I asked what had happened.

Jenny replied, “Sis, it looks like Chrissie might lose the baby.”

I put my arm around Alan and said, “Al honey that is not going to happen. You wait here with Jenny and I will go and see sister Marie and have a talk with Doc Ryan.”

As I walked to where they had Chrissie I said, “Jean where are you sis?”

“Right here,” came the reply in my head.

“Well do something will you?”

“Calm down Carla, the baby is fine and so is Chrissie.”

I replied in my head this time, “Why didn't you let me know sooner?”

“I was rather busy saving a little life, sister dear.”

“So what went wrong?”
“Chrissie had bad cramps and started to bleed but all is well and I have been in her head when you interrupted me.”

“Ok sorry, I am outside the room now so do your thing and I will also talk with her.”

I knocked on the door and did not wait to be told to come in. Seeing my family paid for most of the equipment in this place I tend to throw my weight around, but where my own are concerned I become very protective. Jim Ryan and a nurse looked at me and were about to say something when they recognised me and Jim said, “What took you so long Carla?”

I ignored him and went straight to Chrissie who was sitting up on the gurney bed and said, “Chrissie I have been talking to Jean and the baby is fine.”

She replied “Carla, remember she talks to me as well.”

“Of course, silly me. Well I had better go and fetch Alan who is on tenderhooks down the hall.”

By the time I left the hospital I was ready to have a nervous breakdown and had to pull up on the road and have a five minute cry to release the tension. With Rita and Chrissie both in their fourth month it was all getting to me.
Instead of going back to work I went straight home and called Ricky to come home too; I needed him, right now!!

I was sitting in the lounge when Mum brought the twins in and she asked “Carla what on earth are you doing at home?”

I started to cry and sob, she called Dad to come and take the twins outside to play while she looked after me.
I was a bit calmer when Ricky walked in and when he saw that I had been crying he sat on one side of me with Mum on the other,and then the dam really burst. Mum called for Doc Ryan to come and he arrived within ten minutes. I was total wreck and he gave me an injection. All I can remember is Ricky carrying me to the bedroom, and then I was with Jean in that green field that she seems to take me to when things go wrong.

This time I was dressed in the same gown that Jean wears and I guess if we'd been on earth there would be no way of telling us apart.

I said “Jean have I passed over and left earth behind?”

“My dear sweet sister, your time on earth is nowhere near over. You have a young family and husband to take care of and there is also one more to add in nine months time.”

“Carla we have always been together. When you said I would live my life through you at the grave site I went went with you that same day. We will always be connect in spirit and soul.”

I woke up in Ricky's arms with him gazing into my eyes.

He kissed my and said “My sweet Carla I love you. Please don't frighten me like you did last night ever again, I could never live without you.”

“Sorry Darling I’ll try not to and I love you too. Honey you know how you want us to add to the family?”

“Yes.”

“Well we're pregnant.”
“I know.”

“You listened into me and Jean didn't you?”

“Yes, do you mind?”

“No of course not, what will we call him?”

“I like Paul.”

“So do I. Paul it is, do you hear that Paul?”

To be continued.

Next time: Sandy ,John and Jenny sort things out that will change things for me and my time as a business woman into full time mum and enjoying my time with my little girls and only occasionally helping out with the business side of things.

Hugs from, Carla Bay

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