Previously:

Rita hugged me and said. “Thanks Sis. I'm glad your my little sister. I hope that the doctor in Brisbane can make sure you stay that way.”

“Well”I said, “If she can't then I would rather be with Jean.”

“Don't say that Carla —you're freaking me out with that stuff.”

“Don't worry Sis. Jean is right here with me and can hear everything that is being said.”

Rita said “I wish I could communicate with her too -- I'm her sister too you know.”

I replied “When it is all quiet tonight before we go to sleep, why don't we both concentrate and see what happens when we hug real tight? It might work.”

Mummy said “Ok girls, seeing we have got a few hours before we have to get ready to go to church, lets clean this place up.”

“Yes Mummy.” we both said with a sigh.

We had to be at the church at five, and it was three pm already so Mummy said, “You girls had better start thinking about what you're going to wear to church, because I don't want the same silly drama we had this morning, Ok?”

We both replied “Yeeees Mummy.”

“Don't you mock me you little monkeys!!!”

“Sorry Mummy.” we said as we ran out of the kitchen to our bedroom and looked for some things
to wear.

I said “We had better have a shower now, before Daddy comes home so he can make Mummy
squeal again.”

“Yeah they like being in the nuddie don't they?”replied Rita.

I said, “They really love each other don't they?”

Rita said “Mum deserves to be happy after everything that she has been through and Bill is a really nice man.”

“Do you think they will get married?” I said.

“Can't 'till Mum gets a divorce can they?”Rita replied. “Anyway Dad might not want to. Hey!”

Mummy was standing at the door and said, “Already did last night!

“Oh Mummy you said 'yes' didn't you?” I squealed.

Just then Daddy came from behind the door and put his arm around Mummy and said, “Donna!! what was your answer again?”

Mummy said “What do you reckon girls? Should we make him your real Daddy for keeps?”

“Oohhhh yes please!” we said.

“Well as soon as I can get the divorce papers signed by you know who, we will set a date.” she replied.

“Mum!” said Rita, “How will they find James to get him to sign anything? He and John could be anywhere!”

Daddy said “Oh! they'll find him alright. The copper in Charleville got all the details we need to track them down.”

Then Mummy said, “As soon as I ring the lawyer in Charleville tomorrow morning I 'll tell him to get cracking with the legal papers and then it won't take too long to get things organised.”

Rita and me looked at each and said in unison “What will we wear to the wedding?”
.
Mummy said “Listen you two - what about finding something to wear to church today and worry about the wedding later?”

By this time we only had three quarters of an hour to get ready for church, so Mummy chose what we were going to wear and said “You’ve got ten minutes so hurry up,- if you don't want me to get mad.”

“Yes Mum,” Rita replied, and looked at me and said “Wedding —YEEES!!”

I was nearly falling over trying to put my pink denim skirt on and had to slow down. I was so exited about Mummy and Daddy going to get married.

I thought, ''Bridesmaid, Shopping, Brisbane.'' when Rita said. “Lets go Carla. Mummy is in the car waiting.”

I said, “Aren’t we walking?“

“No Carla, too late for that. Hurry up.” replied Rita.

We arrived in plenty of time and I said, “What’s the rush? People are even later than us.”

The service this afternoon was not a mass but a special service that Brian would probably be in trouble for with the his boss the Bishop and could even be sacked. Brian was a bit of a a rebel and eventually left the priesthood to go back to being a lawyer.

Mummy looked at me and said “You're not going to be late for my wedding I hope?”

I said, “Nah! I'm goin' to be in the wedding party so I can't be late can I?”

Mummy and Daddy laughed at that and said “Bridesmaid eh?”

Rita said “Make that a double!”

Daddy said “What scotch?” and laughed at his own joke.

I didn't get the joke. What has Scotland got to do with what Rita said I wondered.

“Alright, time to go into the church” said Mummy.

“I can't see Ricky anywhere!”

“I expect they are inside already.” replied Mummy.

We went into the church and found the Smith family sitting in the same place as the last time we were at church. It looked like people had left the pew behind them empty so we could sit there. ''Strange or what?”

The priest entered from the presbytery and went straight to the pulpit to greet the congregation and delivered his sermon, and we stood and sat at the appropriate times. Only Daddy was Catholic. We are Lutheran and only went to church when we were on holidays or away from River Downs. But the School of the Air had religious lessons once a week if you wanted to join in, which I did because I believe in God and Jesus and all that stuff, 'and Angels'' — like Jean. Did I tell you I'm heavily into Angels?

Anyway after an hour of sitting, standing, and singing hymns, we all looked around at each other and said “Peace be with you.” and shook the hand of the person next to us, It felt really nice being part of all this I thought to myself.

When we filed out of the front of the church where Father Brian Allsen was talking to Helen, he said,
“G'day I'm Farther Allsen,” looking at Mummy, “but everyone just calls me Brian” he said with a big smile on his kind face. Helen said “Brian, this Donna White and her two daughters Rita and Carla and of course you know Bill.”

Father Allsen shook Mummy's hand and said, “I've heard Bill rave about you and your pretty daughters and I can see what he was on about, now that I have finally met you Donna. May I call you Donna?” he asked.

Before Mummy could answer Daddy said “Brian I call her sweetheart-- but you can call her Donna.” while he was looking at Mummy with a sheepish grin.

I’ve never seen Mummy blush before but she did this time and then she gave Daddy hug and said, “Bill your embarrassing Brian.”

''Nah. Takes more than that to embarrass our good priest.” Daddy replied.

Anyway, by this time Ricky and Peter were grabbing Rita's and my hand to go out the back to the games shed. When Barry, Pete's and Ricky's Dad said, “Um boys. I think Father Allsen might want to talk to Carla's Mum--so we might get going and leave them to it.

Ricky said, “But Dad, I told Carla I would play a game of darts with her after church” in a whiny type of voice.

Rita and Peter were already around the corner of the church and making their way to the games shed, when Daddy said, “Let 'em go and have some fun Barry! I'll drop Peter and Ricky home when Brian is finished talking with Donna and Carla.”

Daddy said “Let's go Rick and see if we can whip the backside off those two.

Helen said to Mummy “How about having tea at our place when you bring the the boys home?

Mummy said, “OK. Thanks Helen, that sounds great. We'll see you shortly then.”

“Right Donna and Carla, lets go into the presbytery office and have a talk shall we?” said Brian.

Mummy said “What is this all about Brian?”

“Well.” he replied “Bill has been worried about you not being Catholic and is not sure if you will want to marry in a Catholic church.”

Mummy said, “I love Bill and will marry him anywhere he wants me to, Brian.”

“Ok Donna, so what are you doing about divorcing your present husband?”

Mummy said, “Look I know you and Bill are mates, but that does not concern you till the time comes for me to make the arrangements for our wedding. I didn't think the church would marry a divorcee in any case so it's irrelevant is it not?”

Brian replied, “Well that's not quite right. The church has dispensations in these cases or we would soon have no one left in the congregation.”

Mummy then said, “Well Brian you had better get it sorted out with Bill because my divorce will be going through pretty quickly after what happened in Charleville.”

Brian said “Yes, Bill rang me this morning to fill me in and told me how he felt about you and the girls.” He continued, “When he lost Ann his whole world came tumbling down around him,and for the last two years he was a very sad man.”

Mummy said “Brian, I've tried to talk to him about Ann but it seems to upset him and I usually change the subject to make him feel better.”

Brian replied, “Donna, after he met you and your girls he came out of his depression almost the next day, because he came and told me he had met this special lady with two kids. But he wasn't quite sure whether one was a boy or a tom-boy because the young one was dressed in boys clothes; And after you said where you were from he phoned River Downs to ask Tom Granger about the repairs to the Land Rover that you said Tom had loaned you.

Seeing it was me he was talking about I said, “Excuse me I'm not a tom-boy — I'm a girl with a birth defect.”

At this stage I was already in tears, when Mummy said, “Brian what does this have to do with you or the church for that matter? I think this conversation is over! Come on Carla, lets find the others and get out of here”.

“Donna wait! You don't understand.”

“I understand perfectly well.” replied Mummy. We left Brian standing in his office with his mouth open.

Mummy was angry that he was talking about me and thought he had no right to mention anything about me at all. Anyway as we were walking out of the presbytery Daddy, Rita, Pete, and Ricky were coming to look for us. As soon as Daddy saw my tear stained face he looked at Mummy and said “What on earth happened in there?”.

Mummy said “Bill you had no right to tell a priest anything about Carla and I'm not very happy about it. Look what it's done to her? She is really upset. Now take the boys and us home please.”.

Mummy doesn't get angry very often but when she does there's no talking to her.

Daddy said, “No hang on just a minute Donna! I'm going to sort this out right now.” and he went to talk to Brian.

I thought 'this could get ugly' so I followed him and said “Daddy, please lets just go. It's ok. I don't want to cause Mummy and you to have a fight.” and started crying again, "I'm allowed cause I'm a girl."

Just then Brian came down the path and stopped dead in his tracks because he could see Daddy was angry with him. Brian held both his hands up and said, “I'm sorry Bill. I didn't mean to upset anyone, least of all Carla.”

Daddy replied, “You did a real good job of that didn't you Brian?”

Brian said “I tried to explain that I haven’t got a problem with Carla when Donna thought I was having a go at her about being a tomboy. Donna misunderstood me completely and got quite angry and left to find you.”

“Right,” said Daddy, “I want to sort this out right now because I love Donna and her two girls far too much to let the church interfere with my plans for our future.”

While all this was going on Rita and the boys backed away a little bit; because I don't think they really knew what had happened to upset me and Mummy.

Mummy grabbed Daddy's hand and said “Bill, I might have been a bit hasty and not given Brian a chance to explain what he was trying to say, because anything to do with Carla's little problem is off limits to anyone but family and her doctors.”

“Well,” Brian said before Daddy could say anything; “When you lost your son Paul I was there for you as well as when we buried Ann; so why would I not be right behind you when I can see how happy you have been the last few weeks with your new adopted family?”

“Ok, I was a little bit hasty, but Brian you made Carla cry, and when that happened I got angry. She is going to have enough to cope with as it is.”

Brian said “Look Donna, I have known Bill for a very long time. In fact we grew up together, so you can trust me completely with anything concerning Carla. I will help in any way I can legally or spiritually because before I became a priest; I was a lawyer and still handle all the legal stuff for this church.

Well after a while all was forgiven and it was smiles all round; so we said 'bye to Brian.

Mummy even gave him a hug and said “We need to talk more Brian If I 'm going to let you marry me and Bill.”

Brian said “Any time you're ready Donna, and you too Carla” and he came and gave me a hug as well.

“Right, that's sorted. Lets go and see what these lads' Mum has cooked for us.” So we all got into Daddy's car and went to the Smith's for Sunday dinner. Ricky was holding my hand all the way to his house but didn't say anything. Rita was in the front and dropped her hand behind the seat and held Peter's hand.

Mummy and Daddy looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and smiled and said “Young love.”

Daddy parked the car, and we all stopped holding hands long enough to go inside the Smith residence for tea. Helen had a roast chicken and baked vegetables all ready to dish up; so we all sat down at the dining room table.

Barry asked what took so long at the church, Daddy replied, “There was a bit of a misunderstanding about Carla's medical condition, but it's all sorted now.”

Mummy said “Yeah, I got a bit annoyed about Brian not being careful how he mentioned Carla being a tom-boy, because Carla was crying at that point.

“Mum” said Peter, “I thought Uncle Bill was going to snot Father Allsen before things quietened down.”

Helen replied “That would have been unfortunate wouldn't it Bill?”

Daddy said, “Yeah, but my girls are not to be messed with as anyone will find out.”

Barry said, “But Brian and you are mates from way back. You wouldn't have hit a priest would you Bill?”

Before Daddy could reply Mummy said, “Most of what happened was my fault and I feel just awful that Bill might have gone that far.”.

Helen lightened the mood and said, “Ok guys let's hit the food instead of people.”

The conversion then went to Mummy and Daddy getting married in the Catholic church; and how long it would take to sort out all the paperwork for that to happen.

Seeing it was work time tomorrow morning we didn't stay too late and got home by eight o'clock. I had to do my school work so Mummy got all my lessons sorted for the next week; and said I had better get on the radio in the morning to get some help from the School of the Air as well. Daddy was going to sort out stuff for the garage, so he would be gone before we even got up in the morning. Mummy and Rita were going into the restaurant and sort out the menu for tomorrow night and start preparing food; It wouldn't be as hard for Mummy now that Linda and Alice were there to help out.

By nine o'clock we were all ready for bed so Mummy and Daddy said good night and disappeared into their bedroom. I thought Daddy might be grovelling a bit that night if he wanted lots of hugs!!.

Rita said, “Carla! Tomorrow when you have finished your school work, get the bike out and ride down to the restaurant and meet Alice. You will like her.”

I replied, “Yeah, I want to go for a ride on my bike anyway; it's been sitting in the shed since the mail truck brought both our bikes back from River Downs.

“Yeah I know,” said Rita “I want to do some riding as well and lose some of this waist; or Pete won't want to be my boyfriend any more.”

I replied, “Yeah but don't lose any off your tits, because that's what he looks at most of the time you know!”

Rita said, “Go to sleep Carla, you're only jealous!”

“Yeah you bet.” I replied. We both had a giggling fit and went to sleep.

I was dreaming about being a bridesmaid at Mummy’s wedding when Jean decided to talk to me. She hadn't been communicating with me since the incident at the airport in Charleville. She seemed to be sitting on my bed and was still wearing that beautiful gown.

She said with a clear voice that sounded just like mine “Carla, I want you to concentrate on Rita to see if I can talk with her through you.” As this was happening I woke up but kept my eyes closed and kept thinking as hard as I could to just see Rita in my mind without opening my eyes.

I don't remember anything after that; because the next thing I knew it was morning and Rita was shaking me and, she was trembling just like I used to when Jean first started to communicate with me.

I quickly hugged her and held on to her and said “I know Rita! Jean was in your dream wasn't she?”

All she could say was “Wow she looks just like you and was wearing the most beautiful gown I have ever seen and; she said in my mind “Hello Rita” and then she just faded; that's when when I woke up with the shakes and thought I had better wake you up to see if you saw her too”

“I saw her before she appeared to you in your dream and she asked me to concentrate on you as hard as I could. It must have worked because if that’s the first time she appeared to you in a dream; it will get stronger every time it happens.” I said, “Wait till you can actually hear her talking Rita. That will freak you out because she sounds just like me.”

Rita said “I sort of heard her in my mind but not her voice.”

I said “You will in time.”

It was time to get up have a shower and start a new week.

To be continued

Next time I meet Alice at the restaurant and the three school girls at the park.

Previously

All she could say was “Wow she looks just like you and was wearing the most beautiful gown I have ever seen, and she said in my mind, ''Hello Rita'' and then she just faded away. That's when I woke up with the shakes and thought I had better wake you up and see if you had see her too.”

“I saw her before she appeared to you in your dream; It will get stronger every time it happens.” I said, “Wait till you can actually hear her talking Rita, because that will freak you out! She sounds just like me.”

Rita said, “I sort of heard her in my mind, but not her voice.”

I said “You will in time.”

It was time to have a shower and start a new week.

It was only six thirty, and we decided to quickly have have a shower, get dressed, and make a cooked breakfast and surprise Mummy and Daddy with breakfast in bed.

Rita said, “Carla you go and start the shower and I'll get our clothes ready and I'll come and join you in a minute.”

I 'scarped' down and got into the shower. Rita was there five minutes later with nothing but a towel wrapped around her. She dropped the towel and stepped into the shower with me, so I soaped up her back and gave her a rub with a bath sponge.

She said “I wish Peter was doing that, it feels really nice.”

“Yeah well it's only me.”I replied, and I began to tickle her on the back of her neck.

She turned around and started to do the same to me. Well! I am ''super ticklish'' and once I start laughing I usually end up with the hiccups, but she stopped pretty quick when I started to make a lot of noise because we didn't want to wake up Mummy and Daddy till we had breakfast ready. We finished in the bathroom and wrapped towels around us and ran back to our bedroom to get dressed.

I wore my pink denim skirt and the white puffy sleeved blouse that had red roses embroidered onto it. I had a pair of pink thongs on my feet; and brushed out my hair which was getting so long that Mummy said it would have to have a trim and tidy up very soon. I put a red barrette in it to hold the hair out of my face. Rita put on a pair of jeans and a blue polo shirt with the Restaurant logo sewed onto the pocket. It read 'Donna's Carvery'.

I said “When did you get that!!and do I get one too?”

Rita said “Carla why do you want one? I don’t think it is legal to have someone as young as you are working in a restaurant in any case.”

“I can do stuff.” I said with a pout.

Rita said, “I know you can Sis, but I don't think Mummy will let you actually work in the restaurant apart from after hours.”

Before I could whine any more Rita said “Look we'll talk to Mum about it later alright? Come on we had better get this breakfast cooked before they wake up.”

Rita finished getting dressed and we went to the kitchen and got out the ingredients for a full English breakfast with all the trimmings, beef sausages, eggs, bacon, and fried tomatoes with a piece of toast on the side. Also a pot of tea and cream and milk on a separate tray. We put it all on a tea trolley on wheels.

Before we went to serve it to Mummy and Daddy, we put on some rolled oats to boil up for me and Rita to make porridge with cream and strawberries. 'Yummy!' it's our favourite. This was all done on the big old coke burning stove that never went out; it just got stirred up every four or five hours.

Anyway that done, so off we went with the trolley loaded up with all the goodies. We didn't knock on the door of their bedroom but opened it very gently and pushed the trolley up close to to bed and started to sing very softly the song "Oh what a beautiful morning." I think that they were already awake but pretended to be asleep, because they had a smile on their faces and I don't think you can smile when you're asleep can you?

Mummy and Daddy both sat up and said, “Come here you two and give us both a great big hug.”

Daddy said, “And people asked me why I would adopt a ready made family like you lot.” and had damp eyes as he said it.

Mummy said “Alright you two what are you to up to or shouldn't I ask?”

Both me and Rita said in unison “Mummy, Daddy, 'wedding'?”

“What's that got to do with this lovely breakfast you bestowed on us?” replied Mummy. “You two will be the first to know when all the paper work is sorted out and completed, so stop stressing out Ok?”

Daddy said, “God I love my three girls. I never thought I would ever be this happy again.” He looked at Mummy and said, “Donna sweetheart, I love you.” and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips.

Rita said, “Get a room you two.” and we ran out of the room with two pillows following us as we had a fit of the giggles.

We got back to the kitchen just in time to stop the porridge from boiling over the top of the saucepan, so while Rita got the saucepan off the stove I got the strawberries and cream out of the fridge and cut up the strawberries to put on top of the porridge once the milk and cream was added. We were chatting away when Mummy came into the kitchen with the trolley and put all the dirty things into the sink to be washed up by me and Rita “of course'' what else? But we don't mind helping Mummy, she does so much for Rita and me.

Mummy said she was going to have a shower and get ready to go to work with Rita at the restaurant. Daddy was already in the shower when we heard Mummy get in with him and of course we were waiting for the normal squealing to start, but Daddy must be behaving himself this morning as there was no tickling going on. We cleaned up the kitchen and Rita got her stuff ready to go with Mummy and Daddy. I settled down in my school work room. It was all set up with a desk and the two way radio so I could talk to the teachers at the School of the Air if I needed help with the work that Mummy had set out for me to do for the day. I would be so glad to be able to attend a regular school the following year or sooner if I could pressure Mummy into it. There were two schools in town, the Catholic one and the state school. Ricky went to the state school because his dad was the principal there, but I thought the following year Helen wanted to send Ricky to the Catholic school and leave Peter at the state school or send him to a Brisbane boarding school. Rita wouldn't like that at all; because they were all lovey dovey when they were together.

They all went off, leaving me by myself and the kelpie dingo cross. She was a really quiet dog. and Daddy got her about ten years previously as a pup from a truck driver that had two pups given to him by a station owner. So Daddy ended up with a pup that he named Ginger because of her colouring. Me and Ginger got on really well because I used to let her come inside the house, and she wasn’t supposed be inside. She would just lay down beside me in my school work room and just look at me with those sad brown eyes. Did I tell you my eyes are brown?

I had to get on the radio to ask some questions about a maths problem that I couldn't understand. I switched on the the radio and pressed the button on the mike and said “This is Carla in Quilpie. Do you receive me? Over.” There was a bit of crackling, and then Mrs Dickson answered and said, “Good morning Carla It's nice to hear your voice again. I've missed talking with you, What can I do for you this morning?”--- “Over”.

I replied “I have a problem with some maths Mummy wants me to do and I didn't want to disturb her at the restaurant. Over.”

After that was sorted that out we spoke for another ten minutes, and I brought her up to date on everything that had happened since we left left River Downs, a two hundred and fifty thousand acre sheep station. (I made a mistake and said it was fifty thousand acres in my first chapter. --Well I hate maths!)

I was finished with my lessons for the day and it was close to lunch time, so I packed all my school stuff up on the desk for tomorrow and was about to go to the kitchen when Daddy walked into the room. He had come to get some paperwork for the garage that Henry needed. Oh no me and Ginger were busted. Of course the first thing I did was start to cry, and Ginger came and licked my hand.

Daddy being the soft Jellybean that he is put his arm around me and said “What am I going to do with you Carla?”

I replied in between sobs, “I'm sorry Daddy. Ginger looks so lonely when she is out in the yard and she just lays at my feet when I let her inside.”

Well, Daddy can't stand it when I cry so he said, “Ok brown eyes dry those tears, She can be inside when you're inside but not when there’s nobody in the house ok?”

I said, “Yes Daddy! thank you. You're the best Daddy I've ever had.”

Daddy walked away saying something to himself that sounded like 'I must be going soft in the head, that kid has just conned me I think.'

I asked Daddy if I could make him some lunch before he had to go back to work. And he said “Well Carla if your offering, yeah thanks.” I got some eggs and sausages out of the fridge to make lunch for us both. I also gave Ginger a sausage on an old plate. Daddy just smiled and said, “Carla I’m glad your going to be my daughter. You make me happy just to be around you.”

We had lunch and Daddy went back to work, so I decided to take Ginger for a run on a long lead riding my bike. The bike is a Malvern Star and it has three gears in the hub and hand brakes. It is a twenty six inch girls bike. Rita's bike is a twenty eight inch which is too big for me.

Ginger loved running behind me, but I made sure I wasn't going too fast for her to keep up. It took twenty minutes to get to the restaurant and by this time Ginger was panting, so I got her some water in a bucket and tied her up under the tree beside the shop.

I opened the door and announced myself and said, “G'day everybody I’m here.”

Rita replied “Out in the kitchen Carla.”

There were no customers at the counter, but there was a two way mirror between the kitchen and the Restaurant so they could see if anyone was there to be served.

I walked through to the kitchen and Mummy, Rita and Linda were all chopping up food for tonight’s menu for the evening meal. The kitchen part closed at eight pm. Most people that came to eat at the restaurant were happy to be able to have meals served from six pm. It meant Mummy could put some food in sealed containers to bring home for me to heat up for my supper. because Rita and Mummy wouldn't be home till after nine pm at night and they would eat before they came home. Sometimes Daddy would come home early but not always. It would depend on how busy the restaurant was on the night.

I said, “Ok, where is Alice?”

“She'll be back in a minute. I sent her down to the shop to get me some more flour.” replied Mummy. Just as she said that, in walked this very pretty girl with light brown skin and hair tied in a long ponytail with a white ribbon to hold it there. She was only a bit taller than me but had a perfect figure. She was wearing the same clothes as Rita with the logo of the restaurant on the pocket.

She gave Mummy the flour and came over to me and said, “G'day Carla. Wow! You are as pretty as they said you were.” Then she gave me a great big hug. I think I’m going to like her.

Mummy said, “You had better take Ginger home before Daddy sees her tied up out there all by herself Carla.”

“It’s alright Mummy, Daddy already knows I’ve taken her out for a run to get her weight down a bit.”

“Yes Carla you have been over-feeding her.” replied Mummy.

I said “Yeah and Daddy is letting me have her inside the house too.”

“Carla you haven't been wrapping Bill around your little finger again have you?”

“No Mummy” I said rolling my eyes.

Alice looked at me and giggled.

Mummy said to Alice “See? I told you she is a little monkey.”

Alice said “Mrs White, I like Carla she is really cute.”

Mummy said “Yeah I suppose so.”

I went before I outstayed my welcome and untied Ginger and started to ride home. It was just after three pm so the school kids were already starting to walk home from school. As I was riding my bike past the state school I was looking out to see if I could see Ricky, but I think he was playing football. He wouldn't be out for awhile so I kept going.

As I got to the park just down the road from the school, I saw the three girls that I met a couple of weeks ago, and I pulled in to give Ginger another drink of water. I got off my bike and walked over to where the girls were sitting on a bench talking about their home work and said, “Hi girls remember me? I met you a couple of weeks ago outside your school.”

“G'day” said the girl named Jenny, “Yeah we remember you. You're the girl that doesn’t go to school aren’t you?”

I replied, “ Well I do sort of go to school at home and on the two way radio, but I hope to be at a proper school at the beginning of the new year.”

“Gee” said Brenda, “that would be great wouldn't it?” to the other girl named June.

June replied, “Wouldn’t you get lonely not being able to gossip and talk to other girls?”

I said, “Um no. I am used to that because there were no other kids except my older sister to talk to on the sheep station we came from.”

I was thinking to myself 'What if these girls found out about my little plumbing problem, but my willy is that small that it is really not a problem to just tuck it up; and there is not even a bulge to see as long as I don’t take my panties off nobody will know. I hope that the doctors can do something about it not getting any bigger, or I will have to do something about it myself.'

I said 'bye to the girls and made my way home with Ginger running behind me without the lead on. We got home and she laid down on the verandah all puffed out. I decide to have some food now. It was only five pm, but I was hungry after riding my bike and besides there was plenty of food in the fridge to be heated up. I chose the spaghetti bolognese it is my favourite that Mummy makes. I put it on the stove to heat up.

I had just finished eating when the phone rang. I picked it up and said “Bill Croft's residence.”

It was Ricky and he said, “Carla, is that you?”

I replied, “Yeah it's me Ricky, what's up?”

I was told that you were on your bike with with your dog Ginger going past the school. You should have come down to the footy field and watched me play a game of footy against the Catholic school football team .

“Well I didn't know that the football ground was behind the school. Anyway how was your day?” I asked.

Ricky replied, “It would have been better if I could have talked to you for a bit Carla.”

I said “Ricky, you know about my little problem. Are you sure you want me to be your girlfriend?”

Ricky replied, “Carla! Dad explained everything to me and Peter and said that it is a medical problem, and it will get sorted out in time and that you are definitely a girl -- so yeah of course you are my girlfriend, unless you don’t want to be?”

I replied “Mummy said we are a bit too young to be any more then good friends, but what does she know?”

“Yeah my Mum said the same thing.” said Ricky.

Anyway we talked for about half an hour and hung up. Just then Mummy, Daddy, and Rita came into the kitchen and and Daddy called out “Carla we are home. Put the kettle on luv.”

I came out of the office and went to fill the kettle with water, when Mummy said, “You have been talking to Ricky haven't you sweetheart?”

“Um yes Mummy, but he rang me and just wanted to talk.”

“Look that's fine Carla. He is a nice boy, but friends only ok?” said Mummy.

“Yes Mummy I know, and he knows all about my little problem and still wants to be my friend.”

Rita was tired and said she was going to bed, get an early night and read a bit, and she'd see us in the morning. We said goodnight and she was gone. This was my chance to ask Mummy about going to the state school next term, because I have made friends with three girls and they asked me when I was coming to their school.

“Oh Carla that reminds me, Doctor Jim Ryan rang me today and he wants you to come and see him tomorrow at ten o'clock to ask you some questions for Rose in Brisbane and do a physical examination. Don't worry sweetheart, I'll be there with you.”

I said “Mummy you didn't answer me about my question about going to school next term.”

“Carla we will have to sort out a few more of your appointments in Brisbane, and it will make it easier if you are home schooled till that gets sorted out a bit more ok?”

Yes Mummy I didn't think of that” I replied. I said good night to Mummy and Daddy and went to bed next to a sleeping Rita. It didn't take me long to go to sleep. but I woke up to someone calling my name, and thought it at first it must have been Rita trying to wake me to get up, but when I looked at the clock beside our bed; it said it was four am in the morning. It was Jean who was calling me, and I closed my eyes and in my mind saw her sitting on my bed as she had done before.

She said “Carla open your eyes and you will see me.”

I said in a whisper so I didn't wake Rita up, “Jean I can see you and hear you as though you are solid.

She said “Carla I am in a different dimension to you. You can hear and see me but you can not touch me because I am an illusion. I am real only on the other side.”

I asked “Are you always there when I need you Jean?”

She replied “I am with you till you are old and grey and come to me when your time comes.”

Rita was awake by this time and was listening to a one side conversation, and said “Wow Carla is she going to come and talk to me again too?” Jean seemed to fade when Rita started to talk.

I said, “I don't know Rita, but she seems to be getting more clear every time she communicates with me. Maybe it will happen like that with you too.”

Later that morning me and Mummy went to see Doctor Ryan, and he asked me all sorts of questions about what I feel about girls and boys and about my twin sister Jean and how I can see and hear her, and he then said that I was very lucky to have Rose as my doctor in Brisbane because she has helped a few girls like me to become complete. Dr Ryan then spoke with Mummy about when my next trip to Brisbane was, and he would ring Mummy as soon as he found out.

Mummy took me home so she could go to work, but when we got back to the house there was a new car in the driveway that I did not recognise.

Mummy got out of the car and said “You stay in the car Carla, till I see who it is.”

I thought, 'Oh no, it couldn't be James and John come to hurt Mummy.' and started to panic.

Then Mummy sang out “Carla come and see who is here to see you.”

To be continued.

Next time: Visitors, another trip to Brisbane, and my ninth Birthday.

Previously:

Dr Ryan then spoke with Mummy about when my next trip to Brisbane is going to be and he will ring Mummy as soon as he finds out.

Mummy then took me home so she could go to work, but when we got back to the house there was a new car in the driveway that I did not recognise. Mummy got out of the car and said, “You stay in the car Carla till I see who it is.”

I thought 'Oh no! It couldn't be James and John to hurt Mummy.' and I started to panic.

Then Mummy sang out, “ Carla come and see who is here to see you.”

I jumped out of the the car and ran up to the house and nearly tripped going up the steps. When I reached the front door I got a real surprise to see Tony and Bella sitting in the lounge room. I raced over to Tony and jumped onto his lap and made him wince when I hit his leg which was still in plaster from the accident with his taxi. While I was still sitting on Tony's lap, Bella gave me a hug as well as she could, and we ended in a three way hug. I of course started to crying I was that emotional.

Tony said, “Hey little one, calm down and dry those big brown eyes. We are here for a whole week to spend some time with you and your Mum, and Bill who we met at the service station this morning. We stayed at the caravan park last night but we were too tired to go and eat at the restaurant, so we pretty much went to bed after we had a cup of tea.”

Bella said, “Your Daddy told us how to get here and make ourselves at home.” Just as she said that I heard the toilet door close and said “Is Daddy home too?” Mummy said “No, not that I know of, I wonder who it is?” She had just finished saying that, when in walked Samantha the daughter of Mary, my nurse at the hospital after the car accident.

I very nearly fell off Tony's lap and squealed in delight when I saw who it was.

Samantha said, “Tony rang Mum and asked if I wanted to come with them to visit you as well, and she said 'Yes as long as it was only for a week I could', so here I am.”

''By the way Sam is TG like me'' I said “Wow, what a surprise! Mummy, can they stay here? We have two spare bedrooms.”

“Yes of course they can. You can sort the rooms out with Sam after lunch, and Tony can collect their things from the caravan park and bring them back here.”

Tony said “That's quite a trip from Charleville to Quilpie isn't it Donna?”

“Well it is when you have just had a three hour flight from Brisbane.” replied Mummy.

Bella said “I'm dying to meet Rita, Carla.”

I said “Mummy, can she come home early from work this afternoon?”

“Well I have to go back for a while to sort out the food for tonight’s menu, but I think that Linda and Alice can cope. It's not that busy on Tuesday nights anyway.”

Bella said “Donna, do you mind if I come with you? I would like to have a look at your restaurant?”

Mummy said “How would you like to come and work for me Bella, and leave that overcrowded city you live in?”

Tony said, “That can be arranged Bella. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to slow down and do something different for a while now.”

Bella said, “Do I have a say in that Tony dear?”

Mummy and Bella left, and I said, “Tony would you like a beer and sit out on the verandah?”

He replied, “I'll hobble out to the car and go back to pick up our gear at the caravan park, and then you can offer me that beer again when I get back sweetheart.”

“Ok Uncle Tony” I replied.

Tony said, “Carla that sounds really nice, and I feel privileged to have you call me and Bella, aunt and uncle.” He got in his hire car and went to pick up their gear from the caravan park.

Sam gave me another hug and said “This is great Carla! We can really get to know each other and talk about our little problem without any worries about someone freaking out. “

“I'll be coming down to Brisbane in the next couple of weeks, I would imagine because Mummy and me have just come back from seeing Dr Ryan this morning, and he poked and prodded me and asked a lot of question about what I thought about boys and girls. I don’t know what that has got to do with me being a girl.”

Sam said “Yeah I know what you mean, Rose does the same thing.”

I said, “Do you have to take any medicine at all? Because Dr Ryan told Mummy that I would not need anything yet for a couple of years.

Sam replied, “Yep I have to take two pills a day to stop my thingy from becoming any bigger.”

We both got the giggles and had to sit on the bed or we would have fallen over.

Sam said, “Wow, this is a big house isn't it?”

I replied, “Yeah, it it is the original homestead that the town was built around. Wait till you meet Rita, you’ll just love her. We are very close and tell each other everything.”

Sam said “Where am I going to sleep Carla?”

I replied, “We'll get a bed out of one of the other bedrooms that are not being used and bring it in here. I think it should fit ok. Tony and Bella are going to sleep next to Mummy and Daddy’s room.

Sam said, “Just how many bedrooms has this mansion got?”

So me and Sam went and manoeuvred a bed into mine and Rita's bedroom. By the time Tony came back we had the room all set up and Sam and I went out to the car to give Tony a hand to bring all the bags inside the house.

I said, “Uncle Tony, how much longer do you have to have that cast on your leg?”

He replied, “Coming off when I get back to Brissi - the bloody thing is getting really itchy.”

Once we had all the stuff brought up, I got Uncle Tony that beer that he wanted and told him to relax out on the verandah in a squatters chair which is a large deck chair. It was twelve o'clock and I didn’t think Mummy and Bella will be back for a little while yet, so I said to Sam, “How about we make some lunch? There’s plenty of food in the freezer. All we have to do is put it in the oven to heat up.”

We went to the freezer and had a look at was on offer. I said my favourite is Mummy's spaghetti bolognese and there were still six containers of that in the freezer, so that is what we chose to heat up for our lunch. The containers were made of tin so all I had to do was to take the top off and put them in the oven. The stove needed to have more coke put in the fire box and stirred up to give it more heat.

Sam stood in front of the stove and said “Holy shit, that is one big stove Carla.”

“Yeah, Mummy said it was at least eighty years old and would have been brought out from England for the family that lived here at the time.”

Anyway we heated up the food, got some plates out and dished it up and took it out to the verandah to eat. It was May, so it was still ok to sit out on the verandah in the daytime, but it gets quite cold in western Queensland at night at this time of the year.

When we walked out to where we were going to sit we noticed Uncle Tony had got so comfortable he was snoring and was fast asleep. I thought it was a pity to wake him up but if I didn't he would be awful hungry by tea time.

I said “Wakey wakey Uncle Tony” and we put the plates of food on the table on the verandah.

Uncle Tony rubbed his eyes and said, “Gees! It is so peaceful here I think we might move here to live and retire.”

I said “What about your taxi business Uncle Tony? You can't sell that! Who are we going to get to drive us around Brisbane?”

“Oh!” he said, “I didn't think of that but wouldn’t you like to have me and Bella here so you can boss us around?”

I replied, “I do not boss anyone around” with a pout.

Tony said, “No, you just say it with those eyes of yours, and then we melt and you get what you want.”

Sam said “She is rather cute isn't she?”

“Yeah too cute by half, the little minx.” replied Tony.

I changed the subject and said “I'm going to dish up your lunch now so come over to the table and sit down.” as I fluttered my eyes at Uncle Tony, He came and wanted to tickle me but almost fell over because the plaster cast on his leg got caught on the leg of the chair.

I said, “ Ha Ha! You've gotta be quicker than that Uncle Tony.”

Anyway I dished up Mummy's heated up spaghetti bolognese and we settled down and had our lunch.

Uncle Tony said, “That's as good as Bella's food Carla! Your Mum's a really good cook.”

I replied, “No Uncle Tony, she’s a qualified chef!”

Then Tony said more to himself than me “I wonder if Bella would agree to sell up and move out here?”

We finished lunch and me and Sam cleared the table to do the bit of washing up there was. Uncle Tony stayed out on the verandah mumbling something to himself about bloody city life. By this time it was one thirty and I hadn't done any of my school work yet.

“Oh well tomorrow is another day,”I said, and shrugged my shoulders.

Sam said, “I will give you a hand tomorrow if you want Carla because I am a year ahead of you don't forget.”

“Yeah that will keep Mummy happy too.” I said. Just then Mummy and Daddy both pulled up in the own cars. Mummy was in the old Land-rover that she ended up buying off Tom Granger, because it was a four wheel drive and was very reliable.

Daddy and Rita got out of the car and came straight over to the house where Uncle Tony was still sitting in the big old squatters chair.

“How's it goin'?” Tony said to Daddy, “And you must be Carla's sister Rita?” he said getting up to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Rita blushed and said, “Well one of them anyway.”

Uncle Tony looked at Daddy and said “Yep, same dry wit as Carla.”

Rita then went and gave Sam a hug and said, “Nice to meet you Samantha, Carla couldn't stop talking about the girl in Brisbane with the same problem she has.”

Uncle Tony and Daddy went off to look at some stuff in the shed, and Mummy and Bella were coming back from looking at the large vegetable garden that is situated in the rather large back yard. These days Daddy hasn't got the time to tend to it so he pays an old age pensioner to do it once a week. Aunty Bella was suitably impressed with the garden, because being Italian she has always had a vegetable garden. As they walked into the kitchen Aunt Bella said, “Where’s that hubby of mine? I think we have some talking to do. I love this place and wouldn't mind at all if we retired out here.”

Well Sam and me looked at each other and started to giggle.

Mummy said, “Alright you two what is so funny?”

Once we stopped giggling Sam said, “Tony has been mumbling to himself about if you would agree to move out here to live.”

Bella said “I would, but lets leave him sweat a bit shall we?” We all off us giggled and agreed to play along with Bella.

When the men came into the house we girls were sitting in the lounge having a cup of tea and Daddy said “Ok, where's ours ladies?”

“Where's your what?” said Mummy

“Never mind, we'll get our own tea.” replied Daddy.

Bella said, “Samantha dear, would you mind getting these poor underprivileged men a cup of tea? We have something to discuss.”

So me and Sam went to the kitchen to make the tea. When we got back to the lounge all the grown ups were laughing and seemed to be in a really good mood. We gave Daddy and Tony their cups of tea and asked what the excitement was all about.

Uncle Tony said “Come here you little monkey and sit on my lap, and I’ll tell you some good news.” Of course I knew what he was going to say. And just enjoyed being spoilt like the little girl that I was, and it felt really good to be me.

Anyway it transpired that Uncle Tony was going to sell his taxi business and their big house in Brisbane and come to live in Quilpie and semi retire. Aunty Bella was excited about working with Mummy in the restaurant, and Uncle Tony would help Daddy out with the Greyhound bus ticketing business, which was getting to be too much for Daddy to handle on his own.

They stayed the week and had a look around in town for a house that suited them to buy, and there were a couple of homes that Aunt Bella liked just down the road from Daddy's house, so it looked promising. Samantha helped me catch up with my school work and that put me ahead about two weeks, which was really what I needed at this stage, because I had to go to Brisbane again for another round of tests with Rose and her associates.

We waved our visitors goodbye as they drove off to Charleville to get the flight home on Monday morning. I of course cried and Rita had to calm me down, so she took me inside to the bedroom and lay down beside me and said I have to get used to people leaving.

The next trip to Brisbane was the next week, so I could keep doing more school work and Mummy wouldn't have to worry so much that I might fall behind, just in case she decided to send me to a normal school the next term. Everyone went off to work of a morning and left me to it. Mummy called me every couple of hours to check up on me. As if I can get into any trouble ('eye roll'), anyway the week went by without me getting into too much mischief. I took Ginger for walks in the afternoon so I could get to see Ricky and my three friends at the park. Tit was Friday so if I was going to see my three girlfriends before I had to go to Brisbane for a week I had better be at the park that afternoon. I would catch up with Ricky on Saturday or Sunday at church.

I was at the park when only Jennifer turned up, she said, “Hi Carla, Brenda and June had to go straight home this afternoon. Their parents were do something, dunno what, but they were told to come straight home after school this afternoon.”

“Oh that's a pity because I will be in Brisbane all next week and I was hoping to say bye to all three of you” I said.

Jennifer said, “Why do you go to Brisbane so much anyway?”

I thought 'Will I tell her the truth or make up something?' I decided to not lie to much because I believe in God and I don’t want to be punished for telling lies. So I said I had a problem with my bladder and have to get treatment in Brisbane because that is where the specialist is. There! I thought that should be enough information for the moment I turned around and shut my eyes really tight and in my head thought 'Jean where are you I need you?' I needn't have panicked she was there all the time. All I had to do was talk to her in my mind and there she was. I wished I could remember that.

Jennifer said “Oh you poor girl! I had a problem like that a couple of years ago, but I had to do some exercises and that fixed it.”

I thought 'I might have a bit more of a problem than that and I'm sure I could hear Jean giggling in my mind. 'Cheeky bugger!' I thought. I had a bit of a tremble in my chest so I guess she heard me. Anyway I talked with Jenny for about half an hour when Ginger was getting restless so I said bye to Jenny and got on my bike and went home .

When I got home Mummy and Rita were already home so I didn't have to worry about getting my own supper.

"Yay." I said “What's the score Rita, why are you home early?”

She replied, “Mum wants to make sure we get everything ready for next weeks trip to Brisbane. Don't forget I’m coming this time Carla.”

I said “Yeah, you'll love it in Brisbane with all the shops to look at.”

Then I said “What about the restaurant tonight, are you and Mummy going back to help Linda and Alice?”

“No Dad is going to do that. They'll be fine.” she replied.

I helped Rita and Mummy pack all the clothes we needed for a week in Brisbane, and by the time we were finished it was well and truly bed time. I had a bit of a restless night and couldn't get to sleep properly, because I was worried about what the tests in Brisbane were going to be like. It is always just on waking up in the morning that my twin seems to want to talk with me. That morning was no different. She was sitting on my bed and said 'Wake up Carla. I want to communicate with Rita before she wakes up.'

I said in my mind 'Can't it wait till later?' which was a silly thing to think because Rita obviously had to be asleep for Jean to get into her mind, I know! I worked that out all by myself.

Jean said, 'Just like last time close your eyes Carla and think about Rita' which is what I did. It was a strange feeling to hear her in my mind while she spoke to Rita through me. I got into bed with Rita and cuddled up close to her because I knew she would start to tremble once Jean started communicating with her. I don't get the trembling any more.

It was like watching two people having a conversation with me looking on.

Jean said 'Hello Rita. I'm here in your mind so don't be frighten I can’t hurt you.'

Rita said with her own voice as in talking in her sleep “Wow Jean you are pretty just like Carla.”

“Well we are identical twins after all. That is why I can be in her head so easily.

Rita asked “Where are you Jean?”

Jean replied 'I am on the other side in the spirit world and we will all be joined again when it is time for you to cross over. I will leave you now because you are going to wake up.'

Jean faded and Rita was trembling, so I just stayed there and cuddled her till she became normal.

Rita woke up with a start and sat up in bed and said, “Carla!! Jean —Jean she wow!!”

I replied “Calm down Sis. Did you see how pretty she is?”

“Yeah she looks and sounds just like you.”

After Rita calmed down, we got up and had a shower together, and got dressed in jeans and the restaurant polo shirts, and yes I got wear one too because I was going to help out today with doing a lot of food preparation to put in the restaurants freezer for the next week, so Linda and Alice could cope on their own, but Mummy has also asked Alice’s Mum to come in and help out as well.

We worked all day and got it all put away in the big industrial freezer at the back of the restaurant's kitchen. Rita was in dream land all day and couldn't stop talking about Brisbane, and how she saw Jean before she woke up this morning.

Mummy said, “You girls are so lucky to have that happen and I am quite jealous that I can't see my little twin daughter.” and she sat down and started to cry. That had all of us in a tizz and we all started to cry at the same time. How silly is that?” We got home and were exhausted and went to bed early. I think we all slept like logs.

Sunday morning was a bit of a rush because Daddy said he was not going to to put up with being late for church again like the last time. We all said “Yes sir!” and got moving.

I saw Ricky and Rita saw peter at church and had a bit off a cuddle in the games shed after the service. We wouldn't see them for a whole week so this was our last chance to have a cuddle .

My birthday was on next Sunday so I hoped we will be back on next Friday early enough to see my girlfriends to invite them to my birthday party.

To be continued

Next time: Brisbane,Doctors ,''SHOPPING'', and staying with Uncle Tony and Aunty Bella.

Previously

We got home and were exhausted and went to bed early. I think we all slept like logs.
Sunday morning was a bit of a rush. Daddy said he was not going to put up with being late for church again like last time. We all said “Yes sir!” and got moving.

I saw Ricky, and Rita saw Peter at church and had a bit of a cuddle in the games shed after the service. We wouldn't see them for a whole week so this was our last chance to have a cuddle. My birthday was on the following Sunday so I hoped we would be back on Friday early to see my girlfriends to invite them to my birthday party.

Sunday was spent cleaning up the house, and washing and ironing, so that Daddy was ok just to go off to work in the mornings, and he would eat at the restaurant. Mummy did a lot the paper work for all of Daddy's business. She really spoils him (rolls eyes) um I s'pose I get spoiled too! ''giggle''.

We went for drive down to the river in the afternoon once all the work was done and took the Land Rover, because Ginger got so used to me taking her for a walk behind the bike that whenever I made my way to the front gate she thought that she could come with me. So we put her on the back tray of the Land Rover because she was a big dog and wouldn't fit inside with us.

We got down to the river picnic grounds and let Ginger go for a swim. She loved the water and I had a ball with me to throw out into the river and she would swim out to retrieve it and place it in front of my feet to throw it again. She would shake herself and wet me every time she came back to me.

The water was far too cold for me and Rita to go for a swim. It was heading into winter so swimming had to wait till spring. We spent another hour at the picnic ground and made our way home.

I said “Mummy, don't you have to go to help out at the restaurant tonight?”

She replied “No sweetheart, it is all taken care of between Linda, Alice, and her mum Jenny.”

Rita said, “I don't think I could concentrate anyway, I'm so excited about going to Brisbane and staying at a big posh hotel.”

Mummy said, “Um Rita, we have been invited to stay with Tony and Bella, but to make up for no hotel I will let you go to a beauty salon and they can give you and Carla the works!”

We got home just on dark. Ginger jumped off the back of the tray, came to me and nudged me with her cold nose which meant she wanted to be fed. I am afraid I have spoiled her, and Daddy said, "You will just have to cater for her now, you cannot UN-spoil a dog, Carla.”

I said, “But she is my friend, so we will just have to two spoilt girls.”

Mummy said, “Got that right”, rolling her eyes - “and don't you look at me with big puppy dog eyes you little monkey.”

“Sorry Mummy.” I said. Then Daddy said “Come here and give me hug kid. You know I didn't mean it about Ginger. You go right and spoil her all you like. She was Ann's dog and she spoilt her too.”

Mummy got some food out of the freezer to heat up and asked me and Rita to set the table. We had an Irish stew, and some ice cream and strawberries for desert. After everything was cleared away and the washing up was done, Mummy said, “Right Rita and Carla, you can both have your showers tonight so we won't be running late in the morning.” She continued, “We are going by bus to Charleville so we have to be on time in the morning OK?”

“Yes Mummy.” I said.

Rita said “Don't worry, Mum I'll make sure we're ready. What time do we have to be at the bus stop in the morning?”

“Seven thirty” Mummy replied.

While we went and had a shower, Mummy went to our room and laid out all the clothes we were to wear in the morning.

“Gees! doesn’t she trust us to be ready or something?” I said to Rita.

“Well you do have a habit of day dreaming when your getting dressed Carla.” replied Rita.

We got dressed in our warm nighties, but not the nice ones, they were packed to go to Brisbane.

By nine o'clock we were in bed and hit the pillows.

Rita said “Night Carla and Jean”

“Night Sis” I replied.

Daddy was shaking us awake at five thirty in the morning and said “I don't want to have to drive you to Charleville, so out you both get and have a good breakfast. Your mother is already cooking it now.”

We said “Yeah Yeah.”

“I will be back with a bucket of cold water in five minutes.” he said.

“Ok I’m up” I said.

We had eggs, bacon, fried tomatoes, and toast washed down with a glass of milk. Daddy had everything in the car ready to take us to the bus stop so we quickly cleaned up the kitchen and were about to get in the car when I said “Wait a minute, I just want to give Ginger a cuddle and say 'Goodbye'.”

Daddy said, “Ok Darling, but make it quick please.”

I said 'bye to Ginger and ran back to the car and got in.

We got to Daddy’s garage, and the bus was just getting fuel put in it. There were about twenty people standing around waiting for the driver to load all the luggage into the bus so we could get under way. Daddy gave the driver a hand to do that because Henry had to do the stuff with the tickets. We all gave Daddy a hug and a kiss and said “Goodbye” with wet eyes.

We settled down in our seats for the long ride to Charleville. We all wore jeans and t-shirts. Mine was pink of course, and I got to sit beside the driver again.

He said “G'day cutie.” and winked at me when I got into my seat.

I winked back and replied, “G'day how are ya?”

He said “Pretty good, now that I have Bill's pretty little daughter as my co-driver.”

I settled down and within half an hour I was asleep because the trip was pretty boring. To me it was just a long dusty road with bush on both sides and while it might get people from another country excited, to us it gets a bit boring.

We arrived at the Charleville airport at ten thirty, so we had about half an hour to get all the stuff with the tickets and luggage sorted out. There is a little cafeteria at the airport, so we had just enough time to to have something to eat before we had to board the TAA DC3 and fly to Brisbane.

Rita said, “Shit! Carla, I hope this thing doesn't fall out of the sky before we get to the other end.” She was holding my hand pretty tight as she said this.

I replied “Well Sis if it does we will be visiting Jean for good won't we?”

“Carla stop freaking me out like that.”

“Rita, she is on this plane with us so don't worry. We will get there in one piece so you can do your shopping.”

I sat with Rita in the aisle seat, because I wanted Rita to see out the little window from high up, and she was very excited when the plan took off and did a circle over Charleville and she could see the town from the air. Mummy sat behind us and was looking at some papers for my visit to the Mater Hospital In Brisbane, because this time Rose wanted to have some x-rays done of my abdomen to see what I look like inside. I think that is silly. All they have to do is ask me and I can tell them what's inside my head. I'm a girl and that is that, and they had better not try to change that or I will go bush.

We landed in Brisbane at two thirty and it took another hour to get all our luggage on a trolley and out to where all the taxi cabs were waiting. When we got to the front exit doors of the terminal there was a guy with a cardboard sign, with Carla written on it in pink crayon with little stick on roses on the corners. I blushed as the man came over to me and said, “Is your Uncle's name Tony Bagla?”

Mummy came up behind me and said to the man, “Are you Bill's relief driver?”

“Yes I'm Kenny Bailey, and I hope to buy the cab and licence from him. Tony made this sign last night and said you can't miss the three pretty women when you see them. Well, he was right about the brown eyes of this little blondie that’s for sure.“

I was blushing red by now and then he said “This must be Rita and she is just as pretty as her mother.”

I thought he was laying it on a bit thick when Mummy said “And how is your wife Kenny?” Tony warned Mummy over the phone about Kenny, he is a bit of a flirt apparently.

Mummy said “Ok Kenny, enough of the complements. Take us to Tony's place please.”

Kenny said “Sorry I get a bit carried away Donna, can I call you Donna? I promise to be good or Tony might not let me buy his taxi business.”

Mummy replied “Yeah, but watch it or I’ll have to break your legs.” Mummy's the last of the big ''jokers''. Me and Rita just giggled, but Mummy tried to keep a straight face. Kenny said to himself 'Trust me to run into a load of rough bushies' and loaded our things into the trunk of Uncle Tony's brand new taxi. The old one was wrecked beyond repair. Actually Kenny turned out to be a very nice and helpful man, just typical Aussie guy.

We arrived at Uncle Tony's house in South Brisbane where all the real nice old Queenslander houses are. Some of them are heritage listed and cannot be pulled down for redevelopment. Bella was waiting for us at the front gate when Kenny pulled up. I got out of the car first and gave Aunt Bella a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and then Goldie the Labrador came bounding over to me and almost knocked me over with her enthusiasm to greet me because she knew me from our last visit there.

Then Mummy and Rita came and gave Aunt Bella a hug, while Kenny the driver took all our things up on to the verandah. Mummy was about to pay for our fare for the trip from the airport when Kenny said, “Donna, Tony would kill me if I charged you anything.”

Mummy replied “But you have to earn a living, and nothing is free in life now. How much do I owe you?”

Bella stepped in and said “Tony will fix Kenny up later Donna. You are our guests this week so just except our hospitality ok.?”

Mummy said “Ok, thanks Kenny. I'll call you on Monday morning when I find out what time we have an appointment with Carla’s doctor.”

“Righto.” replied Kenny and he took off.

The old house had five bedrooms so it wasn't any trouble to have a bedroom each. But me and Rita were not used to sleeping alone by ourselves, so we ended up in the room with a double bed. The bed was one of those old ones that you see in the movies with the cast iron bed ends and big round balls on the four corner posts with pretty decorations on them. Mummy took the room beside us “to keep us under control” she said. (eyes roll) 'As if' I thought.

We got all our clothes sorted out and hung them up in the order that we thought that we would want them day by day. Most of my clothes are pink, bright yellow or white with embroidery on them and everything even the jeans are really girlie. Because I'm a girl silly. Rita was the same but she liked blue with a lot of lace around the sleeves and hem of her skirts and pretty summer dresses. She did a lot of her own dress making but now that she was working in the restaurant she hadn't got the time any more. She was slowly teaching me how to use the Singer sewing machine that she got for her tenth birthday from Tom Grange’s wife Margaret.

Mummy rang the receptionist at Doctor San-Lee's surgery but only got an answering machine that gave an after hours number to ring in an emergency.

Mummy said, “I forgot it's bloody Saturday, and they wouldn't be there. I'll have to ring first thing on Monday morning.”

We were all in the kitchen helping Aunty Bella prepare dinner when Uncle Tony walked in minus the cast on his leg. he opened up his arms and I practicality flew into them to give him a hug. He said, “Hey gorgeous! I've missed you too.” Once I was finished hugging him to death, he gave Rita and Mummy a hug and a kiss on their cheeks.

He said “Come outside and have a look at my new four wheel drive I bought today. That is where I’ve been.” We all followed him down the stairs where Goldie was sniffing the tyres of the brand new Land Rover.

Uncle Tony said, “Looks like the local mutts have already pissed on my new wheels doesn't it?”

Mummy said, “It looks a bit different to my old girl doesn't it Tony?”

“Yeah, well it is twelve years younger but I hope it is just as reliable as your old girl has been.” Tony replied.

Well it was getting dark outside so we went in and sorted out tea. Uncle Tony said “Alright ladies I hope all the sleeping arrangements have been sorted so we can relax after tea and watch the game on telly.”

“Um, I think the girls would probably like to see a movie instead,” said Aunty Bella.

“Oh well I'll have to listen to it on the radio then won't I?” he replied.

I said “You had better get used to that, because there is not real good reception in Quilpie, unless you spend a fortune and build one of those high towers that you see out west.”

“Well that's exactly what I am going to do, I’m way ahead of you bushies. I’ve already had a quote on doing just that, I'm not missing out on my telly that’s for sure.”

“Tony you go right in and watch your game, because us girls are going to look at all the catalogues that Bella has got for us.” said Mummy.

Rita's eyes lit up and said, “Mum how much can I spend on myself? I don’t have much money saved up yet.”

Mummy replied, “Rita sweetheart, you are sixteen next month, and have made most of your clothes yourself. I think it's about time I spoil my eldest daughter don't you?”

“Ohh Mum! Does that mean I don’t have to spend my own money?”

“Not this time Darling.” replied Mummy. “Carla did you hear that we can buy some nice stuff for a change and not go to a second hand shop to get our clothes?”

“Yeah, but I did get some nice things from there last time we were here.” I replied.

Mummy said, “Don't worry, we will be going back there too, girls.”

Bella said, “I’ve heard about that place. I think I had better come along and have a bit of a look myself before we move out to Quilpie.”

We finished looking at all the thing we were interested in and marked the items that we wanted try on. We would have to hire a truck to take it all home if we bought every item that we marked. Anyway we all went to bed dreaming of shopping and woke early when Goldie came into our bedroom and got up and licked my face with her sloppy wet tongue. What a nice way to wake up. I was dreaming that it was Ricky kissing me. I thought 'I won't tell him what I think of his big tongue.'

By the time we all got up and had a shower and breakfast, it was near on nine o'clock.

Mummy said “Hell, I had better make that call to the doctor's office.” While she did that, me and Rita got dressed in our denim skirts and blouses and sensible shoes to go shopping in. We did each other's hair and were ready to hit the shops, when Mummy stood at the bedroom door and said, “I hate to tell you this girls but we have to be at the Mater Hospital in an hour's time, because Rose has organised a meeting and consultation with her colleagues for you Carla.”

“Aww shit!” both me and Rita said at the same time.

Mummy said, “Now now girls settle down, there will be plenty of time to go to the shops after we've seen Rose at the hospital.”

There was no need to call any taxis because Uncle Tony was going to run us around all week, so we did not have to worry about not being on time. The Land Rover was fitted with a two way radio that somehow was connected to a base station that you could ring and they would relay the message to the taxis. Clever or what? But Tony did not do taxi work any more and just wanted to keep in touch with Kenny in the cab.

Uncle Tony said to Rita that he would run her to the hospital when we were finished with my appointment.

Rita said “No, I want to see what a big hospital looks like inside, and I’ll go with them.”

“Ok, you'd better get down to the Rover then and we'll be off.” replied Uncle Tony.

Uncle Tony dropped us off at the main entrance to the big private hospital and said, “Donna, just ring when you're ready and I'll come and get you.”

So we walked to the main receptionist desk and gave our name; and who we were here to see and the girl behind the counter looked in her book and looked up at me and said, “You're a friend of Samantha Riley aren’t you - Carla is it?”

Mummy was about to get annoyed when the girl said “Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean, - I mean I am a friend of Samantha’s mother, Mary, and know all about the programme that Ro - um Doctor San-Lee is conducting here at the Mater Gender clinic.

She said “My name is Jo, short for Joanne.” I got a feeling in my chest that let me know Jean is right there with me and approves of Jo.

Jo said “You can go up to the third floor and ask at the nurses station where to go to Doctor San-lee's consultation room. Your appointment is the next one in line so you had better get up there.”

We went up in the lift and Rita said, “I don’t think I like boxes that slide up and down in a square hole in the wall.”

Mummy giggled at that and said, “Your sister had the same trouble at first Rita. You'll get used to it when you have been in the city for a couple of days.”

We got the nurses' station and were told to go straight in to the room three doors down the hall with the doctor's name on on it. We knocked and waited for someone to answer, then Rose opened the door and came straight out and hugged me and said, “Hello Carla dear, your prettier every time I see you, and look how long your blond hair has grown.”

I was blushing and she said, “You are such a girly girl aren't you Carla? And this must be Rita” and she gave her and Mummy a quick hug and said “Ok we had better get into what we are going to do this week Donna, so you know what sort of tests and things we want Carla to go through. By the way Carla dear, you do not have to worry about any of the male doctors that you talk to. We have weeded out anyone that might be a bit funny about what we do here at the gender clinic. So here we go, first a blood test, and then down to x-ray so we can have a look at what you look like inside that abdomen of yours. So off with your clothes and put one of those funny back the front gowns on.”

“Ok” I said, “but can Rita and Mummy stay with me please?”

“Yes, but not when you go into the x-ray room, because the radiation can make people very sick if they are not wearing protective clothing.”

“Well what about me? Won't it hurt me too if it zapped me?”

“No sweetheart, you will be fine. Now stop worrying about things and just relax and go with the flow ok?”

“Yes ma’am.” I replied, but I was not convinced I would be alive at the end of having been zapped with Gamma rays.

Rita held my hand while a nurse took a gallon of blood from my arm, but this time they made me drink some water straight away, because last time I went out to it. Then they put me in a wheelchair and down the square hole in the wall and into the "Gamma ray" room where they kill people that have been naughty. Rita and Mummy had to wait outside the killing room and wait for me to be wheeled out on a stretcher, I’m really being silly here but it stops me from worrying so much if I joke a lot.

They took a lot of pictures of my abdomen, and I hoped that the Gamma rays would do their job and shoot my little willy off. I was there for about an hour and then got wheeled back up to the doctors rooms for some prodding and to interrogate me for crimes I have committed. I really have to stop being silly.

I wanted Mummy and Rita with me while the other doctors examined me so I didn’t have to answer anything I feel I should not tell them. I was asked to get up on this bed that had had big arms at one end and to put my legs on the arms. Mummy just nodded at me and said, “It's ok Darling, all girls have to do that some time so you might as well get used to now.”

I was pretty scared and closed my eyes tight and asked Jean if she was there but I said it out loud and the doctors herd me talking to Jean, it must have sounded like I was talking to myself. But Rose knew what was happening and a movie camera and voice recorder was switched on because this is part of her study on identical twins.

After the examination, they asked me a lot of questions about how I communicated with my dead twin. But I kept telling them she was not dead but in the spirit world and could hear everything that they are saying. That freaked the nurse that was assisting the doctors out, and she had eyes like big saucers. Then it all got too much for me and I started to sob.

That's when Mummy said “Alright, that’s enough for today.” She helped me of that stupid bed with the arms and helped me get dressed. Mummy wasn't all that happy and thought that the doctors pushed me too far and they should have stopped before I got so stressed out.

When the three other doctors left, Mummy said to Rose, “I will not let you stress Carla out like that again Rose or I will cancel this whole thing do you understand?”

Rose said “I am so sorry Donna. I had no idea that the other doctors were going to be like that. It won't happen again I promise you that.” Then as she looked at me she had tears in her eyes, and said as hugged me “Oh Carla darling, please forgive me. I am so sorry that they made you cry.

In between sobs I said it was ok, but then Rita started to sniffle too, so Rose said right I’m going to take the three of you out to a nice restaurant lunch. When we walked out to the receptionist Rose said “Cancel all my other appointments for a couple of hours.” and we got into the lift and went to lunch at Rose's expense.

When we were finished lunch it was one thirty in the afternoon, and Mummy found a public phone and called Bella and asked her to come shopping with us in the city, Uncle Tony was there with Aunty Bella within ten minutes and dropped us of in the centre of Brisbane where all the important dress shops were, so we spent the rest of the day spending all of Mummy's money. Rita was over the moon with how many things she bought. I got a few more things for the winter, and Mummy and aunty Bella had a ball trying on a lot of things but not really buying much.

My next appointment was not till Wednesday morning, so we had all Tuesday to enjoy more shopping, but Mummy said we would visit the second hand clothes shop because we had spent too much already.

Tuesday morning we slept in because Mummy said we should all take things a bit slower today, and we would go to the second hand dress shop and that was it, which is exactly what happened. We bought a few more things and will have a fashion show when we get home.

Wednesday morning. Our appointment was at eleven am, so there was no need to rush about. Rita decide to go with Aunty Bella to the Queensland museum and not go back to that nasty hospital that made me cry.

The results were in on the blood tests and all the doctors conferred on what the x-rays showed, and that was that I had no sign of any testicles. Oh wow, so I am a girl with a bit of a plumbing problem, which will be discussed by all the doctors involved and when I come back to Brisbane next time a course of action will be formulated. Mummy said she would sit down with me when we get back home and explain to me what the doctors are planning to do. We did not have to stay In Brisbane any longer so Mummy made arrangements to fly back home on Thursday morning. Bella decided to come with us because she has decide to buy a house in Quilpie.

On Thursday morning Uncle Tony took us to the airport to catch our flight home. We said goodbye and got on the plane. Daddy was at the Charleville airport to drive us home to Quilpie.

After a stressful week it was good to be back in the bush and back with Daddy. I really missed him and Ginger while I was in Brisbane.

Friday. Everyone was back at work and I was back doing my school work again. I made sure I was at the park in the afternoon so I could see my friends and tell them to come to my birthday party at Mummy’s restaurant on Sunday. Jenny, Brenda, June all said they would turn up so I went home happy. Oh and I forgot to tell you me and Rita got to go to that beauty salon on the Tuesday, our 'day of rest.'

To be continued.

Next time: the birthday party, wedding plans and a visit to a 'grave.'

Previously

After a stressful week it was good to be back in the bush and back with Daddy. I really missed him and Ginger while I was in Brisbane.

(Friday) Everyone was back at work and I was back to doing school work again. I made sure that I was at the park in the afternoon, so I could see my friends and tell them to come to my birthday party on Sunday at Mummy’s restaurant. Jenny, Brenda and June all said they were coming to my birthday party on Sunday. Oh! And I forgot to tell you all, that I and Rita got to go to that beauty salon on the Tuesday our day of no appointments.

WARNING tissues needed at the end of this chapter.

(Saturday) We all slept in till eight am that morning. I think the trip to Brisbane wore us all out, but we had a lot of things to get ready for my party at Mummy's restaurant the following day. I really didn't know a lot of people so I asked Ricky to ask a few friends to come and keep him company, because it is a girls’ party and he might get bored with girl talk. Jenny said she would do the same and ask as many of her friends to come, so it should be a nice way for me to get to know more kids my age.

Daddy said, “I hope you don’t mind Carla but I asked Brian to come and help out tomorrow because he is a real whiz at organising games and things at kid’s birthday parties.”

“Daddy, I like Father Brian. He said I might be able to go to the Catholic school if Mummy agrees to it.”

“Well we will have to see won’t we sweetheart?” replied Daddy.

Anyway everyone chipped in to decorate the restaurant for tomorrow with a happy birthday sign with my name on it. The people that were having their meals there today will just have to put up with all the decorations. Mummy said the restaurant will be closed to the public till two pm tomorrow afternoon. After that we will all have to help to tidy up so the public can come back in.

Rita said, “Mum, how many people are coming?”

Mummy said, “I'm not sure Rita but it really doesn't matter because there will be enough food to cover it.”

I even got to help out in the restaurant later because we all stayed there to make sure that no-one was inconvenienced by all the stuff hanging on the walls. 'Wow! That is a big word! I usually just say 'bovvered', but Mummy wants me to use proper grammar and spelling when I write anything down, ''Rolling eyes,'' so when I go to a normal school the teacher will be impressed on how good Mummy has taught me. Well that's her story anyway.'

We left the restaurant at eight thirty leaving Linda and Alice and her mum to close up for the night. Alice's Mum is working a few hours a week to help out when things get really busy. When we got home, me and Rita made hot chocolate drinks for ourselves and tea for Mummy and Daddy and sat down in the lounge to relax before we went to bed.

Mummy said, “Carla, we need to talk about what is going to happen in Brisbane next time you see Rose. Sweetheart, do you want Rita and Daddy to know as well or is it going to bother you to talk about it in front of them?”

I replied, “Mummy, I love Daddy and Rita and they are going to have to put up with me so they might as well know what is going to be happening.”

“Alright, here we go,” said Mummy. She had all the papers with the hospital report on what was found when they poked me in the you know what, and did all those X-rays. Mummy explained, “Carla, you do not have any testicles or a vagina but you will never become a boy either. The blood tests showed that you were more girl then boy, so what they will do is wait till you get a bit older and start you on some hormone treatment so you will have a female puberty and develop like a girl your age should. Any questions so far?”

I said, “Mummy will I be able to have a vagina when I get older?”

“Carla, that cannot happen till you are much older, but yes that is the plan that Rose discussed with me before we left the hospital gender clinic, and before you ask, no it cannot be done till you are at least eighteen. So my darling you will have to be very patient. But it will happen in the end I will make absolutely certain that it does I promise Ok?”

“But Mummy I don’t want to have a willy anymore,” and I started to cry.

“Carla, you really haven’t got a penis, it is just an oversized clitoris which is going to be needed when they perform the gender reassignment surgery.”

I calmed down and Rita said, “Don’t worry Sis, you won’t ever have to go back to being a boy and we are all here for you.”

Daddy waited till I stopped sniffling and said, “Come here darling.”

I went and sat in his lap but got all emotional again and sobbed into his shoulder. He shushed me and stroked my hair and said, “Sweetheart, you are a pretty little nine year old girl that needs to have a medical procedure done when you are a little bit older, but if they can't or won’t do it here in Australia we will take you to where they will. Now, if you don’t stop crying you will have red eyes when you greet all your little friends tomorrow and we can't have that can we now?”

“Nn–ooo Daddy. I love you Daddy.”

“Stop that now or I will cry too. Look what you have done! You have your Mummy and sister crying too.”

I said, “I'm sorry Daddy, but I thought that they were going to tell me I had to go back to being a boy again.”

Daddy said, “Sweetheart, that is not ever going to happen while I'm around.”

We all settled down and talked for another half an hour and finally went to bed. I concentrate on Jean and she was there straight away and talked to me in my mind because she did not want to wake Rita up but just talk to me and make me have a peaceful night.

(Sunday May the seventeenth 1959)

I was awake before anyone else because Ginger snuck into my room and was licking my hand. It was just sunrise and she was hungry because I forgot to feed her last night with all the crying and ''all'', so I got up and fed her out on the verandah, and had a shower before anyone else was up and about. It was cold so I put on a track suit and put my fluffy winter dressing gown on as well. I thought 'I might make breakfast for everyone this morning for all trouble I have caused in the last couple of days.'

Aunty Bella stayed at the hotel last night because she was meeting with an estate agent and wanted to discuss things with the lady selling the house she was thinking of buying. I hope she makes it to my party today. Anyway back to cooking breakfast, ''I can cook you know! Mummy is a chef and as they say the apple does not fall far from the tree.'' So it was bacon and eggs, fried tomatoes and a pot of tea. When I had it ready to serve I got a large pot from the cupboard and a wooden spoon and went close to the bedrooms and banged on the pot and said “Wake up! Breakfast time.” Just as well we haven't got any close neighbours or I would be in trouble.

Mummy, Daddy and Rita emerged out of the bedrooms in winter dressing gowns and looked like something the cat dragged in. They quickly sat in the warm kitchen and had their breakfast and a cup of tea, I had my breakfast earlier and only had some wheatbix and milk. I don’t really like a cooked breakfast myself.

Mummy said, “Thank you Darling that was really nice of you to get breakfast for us.”

Rita said, “Yeah Sis, could have been a half hour later though.”

Daddy then said, “You’re my princess Carla and I’m glad I have such a talented daughter.”

Rita said, “Hey! What about me? I cook meals at the restaurant you know!

Daddy said, “Alright then Rita, you’re my princess number two and that means you get to do the washing up.”

Mummy said, “Ok Bill, you're my prince and that means you get to help Rita clean up the kitchen. In case you have forgotten it is Carla's birthday today and nobody has said 'Happy Birthday' to her yet.”

“Oops,” said Daddy “Sorry luv.” and then the three of them sang 'Happy Birthday' to me, and I added “Happy Birthday, Jean.”

Mummy said, “We are going to church this morning so get your backsides into gear and get moving.”

They all had to have a shower so I was left to clean up the kitchen anyway. Great init? On my birthday too!

I went to my bedroom to work out what I would wear to church. It would be what I was going to wear to the party, because we were going straight to the restaurant after church. It was rather cool weather at the moment, but it would be reasonably warm in the restaurant. I opted to wear my pink lacy skirt and white tights with red open toe sandals. You could just see my red painted toe nails through the white tights. The blouse I picked was one that Mummy bought me at the seconds dress shop. It is a pink long sleeved dressy blouse with a lot of dark blue lace work around the collar and at the bottom of the sleeves. I stood in front of the full length mirror and did a twirl and was suitably impressed with just how girly I looked.

Rita came in and said, “Sit down at the dresser and I’ll get your hair done Carla, you need something special seeing it is your birthday today.”

I said, “And don’t forget it is Jeans birthday as well. She seemed to help me choose what I picked out to wear today.”

Then Rita said, “I wonder if she has more gowns like the one she has on when we see her in our dreams?”

I said, “Rita, I can see her any time I concentrate on her and I also feel some small trembles when she is listening to me talk, or when I'm being silly and crying.

Rita said, “Do you think Mum will ever be able to see her in her dreams as well?”

“Yeah I hope so, but I don’t want to push it in case it is too much for Jean to cope with.”

Rita finished with my hair, putting it up and tying white ribbons in it. I was ready. Then Rita got dressed but said seeing she was going to be doing a lot of stuff with food and drinks she had better wear jeans and a simple top and her flat work shoes. Mummy did the same, so I guess I was the only one dressed up to the nines.

Mummy said, “Carla we have enough time to do your nails if you want?”

“Yes please Mummy.”

Just as she was finished doing my nails in pink, (of course! What colour did you think I would choose?) Daddy stood at the door and said “Wow who is this then? Where is my birthday girl?”

I said Daddy “It's me, your princess remember?”

“Oh so it is! Well little one it is time to go to church, so let’s go or we will be late as usual.”

We got to the church in plenty of time, Daddy always panics when he has to wait for us girls to get dressed (Rolls eyes) 'Men just don't understand I thought.' Ricky and his family were all there to greet us and tell me 'Happy Birthday,' and hugs all round with a longer hug from Ricky 'Of course.' Aunty Bella was there and gave me a hug and said “Carla, I have some good news. I was talking to your Uncle Tony last night and told him about the house we were looking at buying and he said to just sign the contract and seal the deal so we will be living just down the road from you.

I replied, “Wow, Ginger will have a sister to play with and I will be able to take them both down to the park and meet all my friends.”

We went in and sat in our usual place behind the Smith family with one exception, Ricky was sitting next to me. Ricky held my hand and winked at me and whispered in my ear “Carla, you are really pretty today and I'm going to show you off to my friends that are coming to the party.” I winked back at him and squeezed his hand. Helen, Ricky's Mum turned around and smiled at me and gave me a wink as well. What is it today? Everyone is winking at me. I'm starting to blush, 'Oh well it will match my pink blouse I thought.'

When the service was over Father Brian came over to where we were talking to my girlfriends who were all Catholic but went to the state school.

I thought 'I must ask them why when I get a chance to get them alone.'

Anyway Father Brian said Happy Birthday and he would see us at the party to do some organising of games. We got into Daddy’s car, and Aunty Bella came with us because she will come back to stay with us for a few days to finish off all the paperwork for the buying of the house. By the time we arrived at the restaurant it was eleven am, so it was action time and all the food and things were organised because the party was to start at midday.

The party ended up being a great success. Thirty kids and some parents were there as well. I made more friends in two hours then in my whole lifetime. Ricky got to show off his pretty girl friend — ''I'm not vain or anything like that,'' and walked around ten foot tall. It was two pm and I thanked everyone for coming and the presents that they bought me. ''I’ll tell you what they were later, so be patient.''

We cleaned up the restaurant, even Father Brian helping so it really didn't take too long. Mummy asked Linda if she would be able to handle the Sunday night meal, and Linda said, “Donna there is still a lot of things in the freezer that have to be used up so it will be easy for me and Alice to cope tonight.” So home it was. It was four in the afternoon and we all sat in the lounge having a cup of tea. Normally we would be out on the verandah but it was quite chilly out there.

Anyway Mummy had some news that she said she needed to share with us, so Aunty Bella said, “I'll go and sort out my bed for the night.”

Mummy said, “Bella you will do no such thing. You are going to be part of what I am about to discuss so sit and listen. I have received all the signed papers of the divorce from you know who and that leaves me free to marry my darling William.”

I interrupted and said, “Mummy who is William?” - then realised and said, - “Oh um sorry Daddy, not thinking again.”

Mummy then said, “We are free to set the date any time it is convenient to have the wedding, and of course a honeymoon.”

Daddy just sat there with a silly look on his face.

Bella said, “Where do I fit into this Donna?”

“You my dear lady are going to be my matron of honour, that is if you want to of course.”

Bella said, “Donna, I'd be delighted to be your matron of honour.”

Rita looked at me and then at Mummy, but before she could say anything Mummy said, “Oh by the way I’m going to have two bridesmaids as well I wonder where I will find two pretty girls that are willing to be available in spring for my wedding.”

Both me and Rita started waving our hands in the air and said 'pick me pick me'.

Daddy was still just sitting there and said “Who's William?”

(Monday) Everything was back to normal again - work, schoolwork, housework, walking dogs and washing. Mummy said that Daddy had something to tell me when he came home that night, but did not elaborate to what was, 'Don't you just hate that?' Well I will ambush him with my eyes as soon as he comes through the door. 'I can get anything I want with my eyes I thought.'

It was a work day and I had to get my own tea, so I gave the freezer a miss and made myself a steak sandwich. As I was cooking that, Aunty Bella turned up in Mummy's Land Rover which she is borrowing while she is here for the rest of the week.

She walked into the kitchen and said, “Carla, I was going to cook you a meal but you beat me to it. I’m sorry, I should have come home earlier.”

I replied, “Aunty it's ok, I'm used to looking after myself and they will be home soon anyway.” I then said “I will put another piece of steak on to cook so you can make a hamburger like mine.”

Aunty replied, “Carla you are treasure, and I am so glad that Tony met your little family the way he did, I will enjoy being around and watch you grow up and will treat you as my adopted niece.” Of course me being me started to cry and had to be hugged by my Italian Aunty, I am a real cry-baby these days.

Aunty made herself a hamburger just like mine, and then said, “What do you think your Daddy has to tell you when he comes home from work sweetheart?”

I said, “I will hypnotise him with my eyes and he will tell me anything I want to know, because I have magic eyes.” Aunty Bella nearly choked when she had to laugh at what I had just said.

Me and Aunty Bella were sitting in the lounge reading and having a cup of hot chocolate, when Mummy, Rita, and Daddy, walked in.

Daddy said, “Ahh, hot chocolate before we go to bed.” I jumped up and looked Daddy in the eyes and said, “Look into my eyes and you will tell me what I want to know.”

Aunty Belle started to laugh and said “Bill I think you are being put under a spell.”

Daddy played along and said, “Yes oh Great One what do you want to know?”

I couldn’t keep it up so I fell in to his arms in a fit of giggles. Mummy and Rita just shook their heads and went to make their chocolate drinks. Daddy carried me to the lounge and we sat down still laughing.

Aunty Bella said “Bill you had better tell her or she will conjure up her twin sister to zapp you.”

“I believe she could too” said Daddy. “Speaking of your sister Jean, how would you like to visit her resting place sweetheart?”

I started to tear up the minute he said resting place, “Hey don't cry darling, I'm not joking. Tom Granger has bought a four seater helicopter and he needs to get his hours up to keep his chopper licence current. He rang me the other day and asked if I would be able to refuel his machine if he came to Quilpie. There is an air strip that small plane owners use as well as the Flying Doctor Service. It is being upgraded to an all-weather strip I think. Anyway there is no problem refuelling Tom’s chopper.”

I was speechless! This is pretty strange for me I must say. I calmed down and asked a lot of questions and so did Rita. Mummy didn't say much because she knew what was on the cards a few days ago.

The rest of the week went by pretty quickly and Aunty Bella got the bus to Charleville on Thursday morning to catch the flight back to Brisbane.

(Friday) I was getting excited about flying in a helicopter but more so, that I would visit Jean's grave. Everyone went to work as usual and I did my school work set out by Mummy as always, and I even talked to the School of the Air and told the teacher about my trip to Brisbane and how I was going to go by helicopter to River Downs and visit my twin sister's grave on Saturday. Late in the afternoon I could hear a helicopter fly over the town and I knew it was Tom Grange landing out at the air strip.

The flight from River Downs takes about three hours so the chopper has to be refuelled before the trip back to the station. I concentrated on Jean and told her what was happening and she seemed to think it was rather funny that I wanted to visit a lot of old bones buried in the ground. Anyway, I got a bit annoyed with her but I guess she is right because she is in the spirit world, so as far as she is concerned she is alive and well on the other side.

(Saturday) Tom Granger stayed with us overnight so we could be up at sunrise and go to where the helicopter was parked. Daddy drove us to the helicopter, and watched as we got on board and put our seat belts on.

Rita said, “This thing has no wings. What happens if the motor stops working?”

Tom Granger said, “We will just have to call on Carla's sister to stop us from falling out of the sky.” Rita went real quiet after that and held my hand most of the way to River Downs. Tom circled over the homestead to let them know he had returned so they could get things ready to refuel the chopper again to take us back to Quilpie.

We landed about fifty yards away from the tree where Jean's remains were buried. He said he would leave us there for an hour while he flew to the hanger where the chopper is kept and refuelled it to take us back home. Once the noise of the chopper was gone it was quiet in the bush apart from the birds in the trees building their nests to lay their eggs, to hatch for when spring arrives. I used to love watching the little birds being taught how to fly by the mummy birds when I lived out here.

Mummy and Rita hung back and Mummy said, “Carla you say your piece with your sister and let us know when to come by your side.”

It was winter time and there were no wild flowers out in bloom, so I brought some flowers with me from Quilpie. I was in tears as I walked slowly to my sister lying in the cold ground. I was now sobbing uncontrollably and lay myself down on the grave and cried out in anguish and pain that I could not explain, when from inside me I felt that Jean was truly inside my being as one joined soul. I sat up and prayed to God in heaven to keep my sister Jean safe till I myself will join her. Mummy and Rita came and wept beside me and we held each other in a three way hug but were too overwhelmed to talk.

Tom returned to pick us up to take us back to the homestead to have some lunch before he flew us back to Quilpie, but we were too distressed to eat anything so we said 'Hello' to Toms wife Margaret, but she was affected by the way we looked and couldn't speak without tearing up, so we said 'goodbye' and got under way. It was a silent trip home and we were deep in thought. It was late afternoon when we landed in Quilpie. Daddy was there to pick us up and help refuel the chopper. He took one look at us and choked up and helped Tom get his chopper ready for his trip back home in the morning. Tom was going to stay with us overnight again.

When they were finished with the chopper they looked at each other and, Tom put his arm around Daddy’s shoulders, and must have warned him how stressful the grave experience had been for me. Daddy knelt down and opened up his arms, and I fell into them and sobbed all over again because he was now openly crying as well. He had lost his wife two years ago and his son a year before that, and seeing me in this state brought back all his pain once more.

To be continued.

Next time getting over the visit to my sisters grave and making plans for Rita's sixteenth birthday.

Previously:

When they were finished with the chopper they looked at each other, and Tom put his arm around Daddy’s shoulders, and must have warned him how stressful the grave experience had been for me. Daddy knelt down and opened his arms and I fell into them and sobbed all over again, because he was now openly crying as as well. He had lost his wife two years ago and his son a year before that, and seeing me in this state brought back all his pain once more.

Daddy was as bad as me and couldn't stop sobbing because he had been bottling up his feelings for so long that the dam just broke when he held me. We must have looked a sorry sight as we were hugging each other.

Mummy came up to us and said, “Come on you two, lets go home and have something to eat and have a quiet talk about what happened out at Jeans grave.”

We all got into the Land Rover and Tom Granger drove us home because Daddy was too upset to drive. Mummy put her arm around him and Rita put her arm around me. Tom Granger must have thought 'What have let myself into?'

When we arrived home no-one said much in case we all started to cry again, and we all had a hot chocolate drink in our hand. It was then that Tom said maybe it wasn't such great a idea to visit Jean's grave after all.

Mummy replied, “I think it was a good idea because the grieving that went on out there is exactly what we all needed.”

Tom said, “Well I’m glad that we accomplished something today and not just keeping my flying hours up. Margaret has been nagging me to buy a house in a town so that when she wants to get away from the isolation of River Downs she has somewhere to go. Seeing we have both known Bill and his late wife Ann for along time it would be appropriate to have a little look around Quilpie.”

I piped up and said, “My Aunty Bella from Brisbane has just bought a house just down the road from us.”

“Well that’s real handy for you to visit any time you feel like it Carla,”said Tom. “By the way,” he continued, “Donna where is that ex-husband of yours?”

Mummy said, “Well Tom, I really don’t care about him, but it is a shame that he has turned young John into a copy of himself. That boy was such a quiet and nice little boy till James took him out with all the grown up workmen on your station. Mind you,Tom, it wasn't your fault. It would not have made any difference if you had tried to stop James, he would have left me even earlier. I would not have lost Carla's little sister like that, if James had taken me into Charleville a week before I was due to give birth. Even if Margaret being a nurse, had been there to help, things might have been different and we would now have two identical girls.

Tom liked Mummy, and I think he was feeling a bit guilty for not doing more to make sure that Mummy had all the help that she needed. It was getting late and it had been a big day so we all said goodnight and crawled into bed.

Rita said, “Carla, how about we try and talk to Jean. Do you think you will be able to concentrate enough to be able to let her talk to me as well?”

“Dunno, she might if I try hard enough. Let's lay down and hug each other real tight and see what happens.” I didn't know if this would work. I knew I could talk to Jean any time I wanted to, but Rita had always been asleep when she had seen her.

Rita and I cuddled real tight and I said, “Rita, just relax and think of what Jean looked like the last time you saw her in a dream and it might just work.”

I closed my eyes and thought of my twin, and she was there instantly, and was giggling and said in my mind “Carla you are funny, why did you cry over a heap of bones in the ground this morning? I am here with you, I'm not in the ground.”

So I decide to get a little bossy with my clever sister on the other side of life.

I said in full voice. so Rita could hear what I was saying to Jean, “Ok smarty pants, if you’re so clever then you should be able to make Rita and Mummy be able to hear and see you too.”

Jean replied and said “Ok here we go Carla, you concentrate on Rita, and I will see if I can communicate through you but don’t fall asleep or the contact will be lost.“

This was exciting because if this worked, Mummy would be able to see her other little daughter as well.

“Alright here we go,” I said “Rita don’t go to sleep, and concentrate on Jean and if she appears to you, just start talking as though she is right here in bed with us.”

I kept quiet and let Jean talk to Rita, and low and behold Rita said, “Oh wow Jean I can see you in my mind as clear as a bell.”

Then Jean spoke to Rita and I could listen in to their conversation but kept quiet. The whole thing only lasted for about thirty seconds but was enough for me to want to try and do the same with Mummy. It was obvious that the three of us were closely connected in spirit and soul alike.

We dropped off to sleep still in a cuddle. We didn't need an alarm clock those days because I left the bedroom door ajar to let Ginger in and she came in at the same time every morning. She was usually very gentle and licked my hand, or if my foot was out of the blanket she went for that. She was a very loving animal and we had become very attached to each other.

(Sunday) Rita and I dragged ourselves out of bed, had a shower and went into the warm kitchen. It was winter and the only warm place was in the kitchen because of the combustion stove that never went out. Tom was coming with us to church and he was already in the kitchen and started cooking breakfast for us all to save Mummy from having to do it. That was a big change from when we lived on River Downs because Mummy did all the cooking back then.

Rita and I were already dressed so we sat down and ate and decided to walk to church that morning and take Ginger with us and we would tie her up outside the church till the service was over. We left the adults to do their own thing and strolled down the road to the church and when we got there it was half an hour before the service was to start, so we sat down on a bench and let Ginger run around and sniff all the places where some other dog has left their calling card.

The Smith family turned up just before Tom, Mummy, and Daddy arrived and as we were walking towards the entrance to the church, us kids hung back so that we could find a seat away from the oldies for a change. I don’t know if Mummy approved but it was too late now because Father Brian was already at the pulpit. When the service was finished we slipped out to the games shed to have a quick game of darts. The adults always wanted to talk for a while and have a cuppa and some cake in the hall, so we were safe for a little while to have some fun. We went home and did some cleaning and washing before Rita and Mummy went to work at the restaurant and give Linda and Alice a well deserved break. Tom and Daddy went off to have a look at the house that Tom was thinking of buying so I was left to do my own thing once more.

I decide to to sort out all the clothes that were bought for me in Brisbane, and the things that I received for my birthday. All had to be ironed and put away in the wardrobes and drawers. It was nearly five pm when I finished doing that, and I was dog tired and sat down in Daddy’s favourite lounge chair and promptly fell asleep. Daddy and Tom must have been real quiet when they saw me asleep, because when I woke up at six thirty I had a blanket over me and a pillow under my head and Ginger laying at the side of the chair watching over me.

Tom came in to the lounge and said “Hello Sleeping Beauty, awake at last! Your Daddy was going to carry you into bed, but Ginger wouldn't have a bar of that and growled at him when he went to pick you up, so he got a blanket and pillow and made you more comfortable where you were.”

Daddy had made some sandwiches and brought them into the lounge for me to eat, so I just stayed in his big chair.

He said, “Sweetheart, Ginger is so protective of you now that even I can't touch you when you're asleep, so no-one is ever going to steal my little princess are they?”

“Daddy what am I going to do when I have to go to normal school? She will cry all day till I come home.”

Daddy said, “Well Carla, I don’t think we will have to worry just yet because I think your Mummy wants to home school you a bit longer till we sort out your medical problem.”

I replied, ”Yeah I know, as long as I can have some friends over sometime it wont be to bad I guess.”

“Well! have you asked that little Jenny over yet? I know her dad pretty well, and I think it is a good idea to invite her to stay over for a whole weekend. I'll tell you what, I’ll ring her Dad tomorrow and see what we can work out.”

Mummy and Rita walked through the door at nine o'clock, and they both looked really tired and said seeing that they had eaten at the restaurant they would just go to bed. After the kitchen was cleaned up that is what the rest of us did as well.

(Monday) Everything was back to normal this morning people rushing around getting ready for another day of toil. When all the workers gave me a hug and said “Be good today” I was a little bit depressed not to be going with them.

Tom Granger was still there and could see how I was sulking and said, “Carla, how is your school-work coming along?”

I replied, “Well I am so far in front that if I went on a months holiday to Surfers Paradise I would still be ok.”

“Ok” he said, “I’m going to give your Mum a ring and see if you can come with me this morning to get your approval of the house down the road that I will buy before I fly back to River Downs.

I thought 'Wow he wants me to approve of the house he is going to buy.'

Mummy must have said it was ok because he came back from Daddy’s office and said,“Ok Kiddo lets go and have a look to see if the house meets with your approval shall we?”

I replied, “Sure boss let's go.”

Tom was using Mummy's Land Rover to get around while he was in Quilpie and said as we got in “It's good to get behind the wheel of this old girl again.”

I said “Yeah, Mummy loves to drive it better than Daddy's automatic car.” We arrived at the house and it was only three doors down from the house that Aunty Bella bought the other day. Won't that be handy for me to go and visit them when I take Ginger for a walk?

The estate agent was waiting there for us to turn up.

Tom said “Good morning Jill, I brought a little friend of mine along to give her approval of the house, because she will most likely be spending some time here as well.”

It was a large rambling old Queenslander with verandahs all the way around.

'I'm going to own one of these one day' I thought to myself.

“Well!” said Tom, “What do you think Carla? Is it the right one for me and Margaret to spend some time in?”

I replied, “Will I be able to bring Ginger inside when I visit you?”

“Well if that is all it takes to meet your approval than of course you can bring Ginger inside!”said Tom.

After that, Tom followed the estate agent back to her office, which was two doors down from Mummy's restaurant and he said, “Sweetheart, you go and say 'G'day' to your Mum while I sign some papers so I can get back to River Downs before nightfall.”

I walked into the restaurant and saw Alice wiping down some of the tables and said, “G'day Alice, can I give you a hand with that?”

She replied, “What are you doing here Carla?”

“Got bored so here I am.”

“Ok, here's a dry cloth. You dry after I wipe the tables.” Mummy was out in the kitchen so she didn't know that I was there.

Just then Tom walked in and said to Alice “A coffee and a couple of scones please.” Mummy heard Tom and came out to where I was still wiping the tables and said, “Carla, you know you should not be out here working. Some one will think I am using child labour.”

Tom winked at me and said “Yeah and we will all have to go to jail.”

I replied, “OHH” and promptly sat down and said, “But I’m a customer officer.”

Mummy shook her head and said, “Ever the joker! That's my Carla.”

Tom had his morning tea and called Daddy to take him out to his chopper. He gave me a big hug and a kiss,and said “See ya” and he was gone.

Mummy said “Right Missy! I’ll drive you home so you can do school work, and not wipe down tables in a restaurant.”

I replied “Mummy I'll walk home.”

“No Carla, I don’t want you walking around town without Ginger being with you, do you understand?”

“Yes Mummy” I replied. I thought 'What does she think, some one is going to kidnap me or something?' ''rolling eyes.''

The rest of my day was normal, and I did as I was told like a good little girl and finished all my set work for the day, and took Ginger for her daily walk to the park.

The rest of the week went by pretty quickly. I met Jenny at the park on Wednesday and she was all excited that her Mum and Dad said she could have a sleep over on the upcoming weekend.

(Thursday) I saw Ricky at the park and we were sitting on the double swing and he pulled the swings together and kissed me full on my lips. 'OOHH boy, I am never going to wash my lips again.'

Ricky said, “Yummy, you taste nice Carla.”

I couldn’t speak for a full minute and said, “Um -um Ricky, Mummy said we are only supposed to be friends and no kissing is allowed.”

Ricky replied “Yeah, but what they don't know won't hurt 'em.” I went home with shaky legs, and kept licking my lips. 'So much for just being friends I thought.'

I told Rita about Ricky kissing me and all she said was, “Yeah! did you like it?”

I replied, “What if Mummy finds out?”

“You don’t have to tell her do you?”

“But if I lie too much God will punish me won't he?”

“But Carla, kissing someone is not a punishable offence.”

“Oh, ok then, - and yes it was really nice. “

“Yeah I know! Peter is a real good kisser too.”

Mummy came into our bedroom but didn't hear what we were talking about because we were almost whispering about our kissing episodes.

Mummy said “Your Uncle Tony and Aunty Bella are coming to inspect the house that they have bought tomorrow morning, and they are coming in a small private charted plane and we will be putting them and the pilot up tomorrow night. They will fly back to Brisbane on Saturday morning.

I said,“But Mummy, Jenny is supposed to be coming to stay for the weekend and there will be nowhere for every one to stay.”

“Carla don’t be such a drama queen. You can put that bed you used for Samantha back in your room ok?”

“Yes Mummy.”

Rita said, “Mum, now that you are here do you want to try and see if we can get Jean to communicate with you through Carla? It is working with me.”

Mummy said, “It is getting late, but if Carla really wants to try this then ok, lets try it.”

I said “Ok Mummy, you haven't seen what she looks like, so I will have to concentrate on her first and see if she is willing to have a go at making you see her in your mind.”

Rita stayed on her bed, and Mummy came and cuddled me and then I began to concentrate on my sister, again she was there instantly and she knew what I was trying to do. I told Mummy to just close her eyes and think of the day that she saw Jean after the birth while she was still alive.

Through me it was happening. Mummy started to tremble and I knew then that she had seen Jean her twin daughter in her mind. There was no talking and it only lasted for thirty seconds but Mummy started to cry with emotion so Rita came and hugged Mummy from the other side. This was a very emotional experience for all three of us. Mummy had seen Jean in her pretty blue and white gown and was overwhelmed by the whole experience and went to sleep with me in my bed. Rita went out to Daddy and told him what had happened so he wouldn’t be worried.

To be continued

Next time: Jenny's stay and Rita’s sweet sixteenth birthday. Maybe more ''kissing.''

Previously:

Through me it was happening. Mummy started to tremble and I knew then that she had seen Jean her twin daughter in her mind. There was no talking and it only lasted for thirty seconds and Mummy started to cry with emotion so Rita came and hugged Mummy from the other side. This was a very emotional experience for all three of us Mummy had seen Jean in her pretty blue and white gown and was overwhelmed by the whole experience and went to sleep with me in my bed. Rita went out to Daddy and told him what had happened so he wouldn't be worried.

(Friday 29/5 /59) Mummy was still in my bed and Ginger didn't know whose hand she was suppose to lick seeing I was already awake. I pulled my hand back under the blanket so she could lick Mummy's hand instead of mine, just to see what Mummy would do. I know! I have a "wicked sense of humour." Ginger hesitated for a minute but I nodded my head and to my surprise she knew she was allowed to lick Mummy's hand. By this time Rita was sitting up in bed with a grin on her face and her hand over her mouth, so as not to start to giggle before our little joke was over. Ginger licked Mummy's hand very gently and sat back. Mummy had a smile on her face and opened her eyes but didn't even realise that Ginger had licked her hand. Ginger is a very gentle dog unless she or her master is threatened.

Mummy said, “Wow Carla, I slept like a log after I saw Jean. I must have fallen asleep because I could feel myself tremble and then Jean seemed to be sitting on this bed. It was a dream but so vivid and so real. She was speaking with me and said she loved me and then she just faded. Carla, thank you darling. Now I know what you experienced with your twin.”

I said, “Mummy, it is not a dream. She is as real as you and me only in the spirit world.”

Daddy knocked on the half open door and said “Well ladies, was it a success?”

Mummy got up and gave Daddy a big hug and a very passionate kiss and said, “Bill darling, my life will never be the same after what Carla did for me last night. Do you realise that I actually saw Carla's twin sister, and she looks exactly like this little one. If I didn't believe before then I certainly do now.” She kissed Daddy again, and both Rita and I said, “Do you two want to get a room or what?”

Mummy and Daddy walked hand in hand to have a shower together. Rita and I looked at each other, rolled our eyes and had a giggle fit.

It was a work day so everything was all systems go, and here I was doing damn school work again. I thought to myself, 'How many bloody years do I have to do this anyway? I just want to work with animals. How many sums do you have to know to study wild animals?' I don't like maths but I do like social studies, so I will know all about the world.

It was eleven o'clock and I was getting hungry so I decided to go out to the vegie garden and picked the last of this year's strawberries, so I could have some of Mummy's home-made ice cream and strawberries. I know that is a dessert but no one is looking and it's like Ricky said, 'What they don’t see wont hurt 'em'.

I was sitting out in the warm sun eating my morning "tea dessert" when I saw a plane fly in a circle around the town and thought 'That must be the plane that Uncle Tony chartered to come for a visit.'

I gave Daddy a ring and said “I think that plane that just flew over us must be Uncle Tony, Daddy! Are you going to pick them up from the landing strip?”

“Yeah I’m on it boss,” replied Daddy.

I thought, 'I wonder how long before my aunt and uncle would be living just down the road from me?' I went and made sure that the two spare bedrooms were clean and tidy with clean sheets and pillow cases on the beds. 'Well I am a girl and girls do these things.' It was getting close to lunch-time, so I went to the freezer and pulled out some Irish stew and put the containers in the oven so that when people arrived they could have a nice hot meal because it was blowing a cold westerly at that moment and the chill factor was really low.

I heard a car pull into the driveway and knew it would be Daddy because Ginger seems to have a special bark when she greets Daddy. He didn't come inside because he had to go back to the garage to sort out some stuff he said. So Uncle Tony came in first, and picked me up like a little kid and hugged and kissed me on both cheeks like they do in the movies. Very embarrassing I must say. Then it was Aunty Bella's turn but she didn't pick me up, thank God.

Uncle Tony said, “That smells mighty good Carla, is that for us?” and added, “Awe you shouldn't have.”

Aunty said, “Tony stop teasing the girl will you?”

I replied “ Its ok Aunty Bella, he's a man and and they are allowed to be funny.”

Just then a tall man with little wings attached to his shirt pocket knocked on the kitchen door and said, “May I come in and join the party?”

I said, “Yeah you're just in time to have some of my Mummy's Irish stew.”

He said, “Thanks. My name is Steve and you must be the famous Carla?”

I felt my face get hot and thought steam would come out of my ears any time now. Steve is a nice man and he asked me all about where we came from and what I was doing at home and not in school. I told him why I was home schooled and he seemed to be amazed when I showed him all the radio equipment in my special room set up for me. I even let him say hello on the two way to my teacher, he was truly impressed with how it all worked. Then we all got into Mummy's old Land Rover and drove into town and dropped Steve off to have a look around Quilpie and probable go and have a couple of beers at the pub.

We then went back to the house that Uncle and Aunty bought. All the papers have been signed and they can move in any time they want. It is a nice big home and has a large shed which is why uncle bought it, Aunty Bella said their house in Brisbane was already sold and, so was the taxi business, so there was nothing stopping them from packing up and moving to Quilpie in the next couple of weeks. Uncle was waiting for someone outside to turn up, and I asked Aunty Bella what he was up to and she rolled her eyes and said there was a man coming to build a tower for a television antenna.

Uncle Tony was not going to miss his football for anyone. Aunty Bella and I walked through the house and made a note of what had to be done once she was living there. Of course I made lots of suggestions about colours for new curtains “and lots of pink is needed” I said, and Aunty Bella said, “Yes of course dear,” but I think she was just saying that to make me happy.

Anyway the man turned up to give Uncle Tony a quote to build his tower. He gave the go ahead to do it and only then did he come in to look around inside and went straight to the lounge room to see where he would set up his television set. Aunty Bella said, “Carla dear, you Rita, and your Mum will be able to come down and watch movies when we can get Tony away from the football.”

I said, “I will just look at him with my magic eyes and he will watch the movies with us Aunty Bella.”

She replied, “I believe you could too. Tony is putty in you hands.”

Tony said, “Well as long as she comes and visits us often I wont mind.”

It was getting late so we went looking for Steve the pilot and found him talking to Mummy at the restaurant, We all stayed there to have tea with the rest of the customers and people from the caravan park who all ate at Donna's Carvery.

We all got home at nine pm and were tired, Steve, Aunt and Uncle all needed a shower so we left them to it and went to bed. Rita and I talked for a while about her birthday in a weeks time and I asked her if she was going to have a big party just like I did and she replied “Nah don’t want nothin' like that, just family and the few people I have met while working with Mum, and Peter of course.”

“Of course” I said, rolling my eyes.

(Saturday) Rita and Mummy didn't have to be at work till mid afternoon and had quite a bit of housework to do, but I had Jenny coming to stay for the weekend and had to move a bed into my room because Rita wanted to get to know Jenny as well to make sure if she found out about my little problem she wouldn't cause me any trouble. Jenny's Mum drove into the driveway at nine o’clock and carried Jenny's bag up onto the verandah and said, “Hello Carla, I've seen you at church talking with Jenny and her friends. It's nice to meet you.”

Just then Mummy turned up and said, “Hello Mrs Carson, thanks for letting Jenny stay for the weekend with Carla. They have been friends for a while ever since they met at the park down the road,”

“That's ok, but call me Jan. We have known Bill for a long time and I was friends with Ann,”

Mummy said “In that case I'm Donna and that's Rita my other daughter.”

Jenny and I hugged and went straight to my bedroom and were talking twenty to the dozen when Rita followed us and said “Jennifer I know you are a good friend of Carla's but have to be told something straight away so we don't have any trouble later.” I started to panic and looked at Rita with a worried look on my face.

Rita said, “Carla, she has to know because she is sleeping next to you.”

Jenny interrupted Rita and said, “If it is about Carla's medical problem, it's ok Daddy knows Mr Croft, and that was discussed before I was allowed to come and stay here. I love Carla and I would never do anything to hurt her in any way.”

I was in tears by now and Jenny sat down with me on my bed and hugged me till I stopped crying.

Rita said “I’m sorry Carla, but I had to make sure that you do not ever have any problems.”

Jenny said, “Carla, Mummy has told me about what your problem is and I don’t care about that and I will not let anyone hurt you. I was only six when Paul committed suicide and I was so sad and cried for days, because he used to baby sit me and I always called him my brother. I knew he was different and that he liked boys instead of girls but he was so gentle with me, so Carla I will always be your friend.”

While this was going on Mummy and Jenny's Mum were having the same conversation outside. Jenny and I walked out to where Mummy was, holding hands and I said “Mummy, Jenny is cool with my problem so don't worry,”

“Yes I know darling. Jenny dear, come and say 'bye to your Mum so she can go home.”

After Jenny's Mum left, Aunt Bella, Uncle Tony and Steve the pilot asked Daddy to take them to the air strip to where the plane was parked, which Daddy had to help refuel because he had the contract to supply the special petrol they use for aeroplanes.

Daddy took the Land Rover because he had some pumping equipment on the back of it, so Mummy had to take his automatic car which she really didn't like driving. She and Rita made some lunch for me and Jenny before they went off to the restaurant to get things ready for the Saturday night rush. It was always the busiest night of the week. So we were left to do what ever we liked as long as we didn't get ourselves into trouble. Jenny wanted to see all the clothes that were bought for me In Brisbane. And I still hadn’t had a chance to have my little fashion show, so I got stripped down to my undies and started pulling things out of the wardrobe, Jenny was the same size as me so she stripped off to her undies too.

When we stood there looking at each other in panties and nothing else she said “Carla you don't look any different to me down there are you sure you have a problem?”

I replied, “Yeah I don't have a vagina like you do but they will fix that when I get older.” She said, “Can I have a look, and you can see mine if you want?”

I said, “You can have a look but you can't tell any one about it ok?” So we both pulled down our panties at the same time.

I said, “I know what a girl is supposed to look like because I always shower together with Rita.”

Jenny said, “Carla you don’t look a lot different to me. I thought you would have a bag down there but you only have a bit more of a button than I have.”

“Does it get bigger when you play with it?”

“No, it stays the same all the time but feels nice when I rub it, but don't tell Rita or Mummy will you.”

“Carla you are a girl like me, but have to have an operation to fix you up when you get older, and I will be you best friend forever and ever, cross my heart and hope to die.”

After the inspection of each other's bodies, we got in to our fashion show and tried all my new things on, and Jenny said, “When you come to stay at my place you could try all my things on too and we could do some swapping, because Brenda and June always swap clothes but they are not my size, so until now I have been missing out.”

I said, “Isn’t it great that we are the same size? I like pink - what’s your favourite colour Jenny?”

Jenny replied, “Yellow definitely yellow.”

I said “My twin sister Jean wears a blue and white gown and she looks just like me.”

I thought to myself 'I might as well tell her about my ability to talk with my twin sister on the other side.'

Jenny said, “I was told that you had a twin sister that died a few hours after she was born but you can't see dead people.”

I thought 'Here goes - I am going to have to tell her everything now.' Jenny just sat there with big eyes as I told her all about me being an identical twin and we shared one soul. She didn't say anything till I was finished explaining all about how the spirit world is as real as our own and when we die we will live on the other side.

Jenny said “Wow, can I see her too?” I said, “I don’t think it works with anyone that is not related to them. Mummy and Rita can, but it has to be through me.”

Changing the subject, I said, “How about we take Ginger for a run down to the park? You can use Rita's bike and we can ride to the restaurant to have lunch there.

Jenny replied, “I should have brought my bike, I will next time, but Carla I haven't got any money to buy any thing at the restaurant.”

I said, “Mummy won't charge you anything, silly.” So off we went and got our bikes out and took Ginger with us to the park. She had learned to run after the bike without needing a lead. She listened to me and did anything I ask her to do.

We got to the restaurant and I got Ginger her bowl of water and told her to sit and stay. She didn't need to be tied up any more, she didn't move till I come back to fetch her. I went into the kitchen with Jenny and said 'Hello' to Mummy and the others and asked for a bone for Ginger.

Rita said, “Do you two want to have lunch? I take it that is why you're both here, am I right?”

We both nodded and said at the same time “What's for lunch?”

Alice said, “The same as what the other paying customers are having.”

Jenny said “But we don’t have any money.”

Alice replied, “Just kidding! go and sit down at a table and I will get it for you.”

After we finished eating our lasagne, we collected Ginger who wanted to take her bone, so I put it in a carry bag and hung it from the handle bars of my bike. We rode to Daddy's garage to say 'G'day.' He was in his office when we got there, so we walked right in and I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Jenny did the same and said, “Oops sorry! So used to doing that to my Daddy.”

Daddy said, “That’s alright Jenny, it is not as if I don't know you is it?”

Jenny said “Can I call you Uncle Bill now that Carla and me are joined at the hips?”

Daddy said,”Sure no worries Jenny, but you better tell your Mummy or I could get into trouble.”

Jenny said,“Ok Uncle Bill.” with a big smile on her face and winking at me. We went home and I gave Ginger her bone and told her to stay outside till she finished the bone. I think she must have buried it because she came inside the house five minutes later minus the bone. We didn't really need the bed for Jenny because we cuddled up and went to sleep giggling, much to Rita's annoyance.

Sunday was spent much the same and Jenny's Mum came to pick her up late in the afternoon, Jenny was all excited and said, “Mummy, I scored an uncle over the weekend, and I had the best time, and can Carla come to our place next weekend?” all in one breath.

Jenny's Mum replied,“Darling, I don't know about next weekend. We will have to talk to Carla's Mum first, and yes Bill called me and said you called him Uncle and yes it is ok to do that if you want. He might want to adopted you like he has Carla.

Jenny said “Mummy that's silly - what would Daddy say?”

“He might say that'd be cheaper for us.”

I waved Jenny and her Mum goodbye and rang Mummy to pick me up to take me to the restaurant to have my tea there because the freezer at home was near on empty.

To be continued.

Next time: Rita's birthday, Aunty Bella and Uncle Tony come to town, and a visit from a Brisbane Doctor with some news.

Please leave some comments. Roo :)

Previously:

We didn't really need a bed for Jenny because we cuddled up and went to sleep giggling, much to Rita's annoyance, Sunday was spent much the same way and Jenny's Mum came to pick her up late in the afternoon.

Jenny was all excited and said, “Mummy, I scored an uncle over the weekend, and had the best time, and can Carla come over to our place next weekend?” all in one breath.

Jenny's Mum replied, “Darling I don't know about next weekend, we will have to talk to Carla’s Mum first, and yes Bill called me, and said you called him uncle and yes it's ok to do that if you want. He might want to adopt you like he has Carla.”

Jenny said, “Mummy that's silly, what would Daddy say?”

“He might say that'd be cheaper for us!”

I waved Jenny and her Mum goodbye and rang Mummy to come and pick me up to take me to the restaurant to have my tea there because the freezer at home was near on empty.

Monday 1/6/1959
The start of another boring week of school work, but what else can a kid my age do? I finished my set work by eleven am and was bored, so seeing Ginger was pacing up and down the verandah, it was time for me to take her for a run behind my bike down to the park where I could throw her a ball for her to fetch and bring it back to me to throw again and use up all her pent up energy.

We got to the park and Ginger was barking at something in a trash can, I thought it must have been a snake or a lizard but as I got closer I could hear a little kitten crying. I got closer and had a look and couldn't see a kitten, but there was a hessian bag tied off at the top with some wire I was careful not to put my hand straight into the trash can because snakes sometimes get in them to hunt mice. I picked up a stick and poked into the trash can making sure there was no nasty surprise waiting for me. If it was a 'red belly black snake' in there and I got bitten I would only have minutes to get help or would be unconscious and I would be joining my twin. Anyway there was no snake, just a little white kitten put in there by some horrible person with a sick mind. I pulled it out of the sack and it clung to my hand because Ginger was sniffing it but not to harm it in any way. Ginger is a very gentle and intelligent dog with a lot of Australian dingo in her. I took the little pussy to the water tank in the park and put some water in my cupped hand and the little thing just lapped it up like there was no tomorrow.

I was really good with animals because back at River Downs I got really friendly with an aboriginal station worker and he didn't like living indoors but had set up a camp a little way from the homestead. I used to hang out there when he wasn’t working and listened to him tell me stories about the dream time, and this is also how I learned about bush tucker and as I said earlier I could go bush and survive and hide forever. I also learned how to tell the sex of animals that live in the bush, that is why I knew the little pussy cat was a girl. She was pure white and would be no more than a month old. Ginger was looking like she was going to lick her but I said 'no' in case she frighten the poor little thing. Maybe later Ginger can play mother.

It was cold weather and I was wearing jeans, boots, and had a woollen jumper on and I put the little kitten inside my jumper to keep it warm, (it actually went to sleep there!), got on my bike and rode home. It was lunch time so I made myself a sandwich and fed Ginger some raw mince mixed with some vegies in it.

Once I had my sandwich I decided to make a bed for the little pussy and went out to the shed and got an old washing trolley basket and put an old baby blanket in it. I took her out of my jumper and placed her in her new home. She looked like a ball of white cotton in a pink baby blanket. I decided right then to call her 'Fluffy'. Ginger was doing the mummy thing and laid down beside the basket which I left in the warm kitchen.

I rang Mummy and asked her to buy a baby's bottle so I could feed my new little friend.

Mummy said, “Alright darling, but you will have to wait till I get home to night, I might get Linda to drop it home for you. It sounds like the poor little mite needs to have some food or it might not survive.

I said, “Mummy, Ginger is acting all concerned and is lying beside the basket.”

Mummy said, “Ginger had puppies two years ago so she probably thinks she has to look after the little kitten.”

“'Fluffy' Mummy, her name is Fluffy.” I replied

“Alright sweetheart, I’ll see you tonight.” said Mummy.

Linda dropped the bottle off and came in and had look at Fluffy, and said to see if I could get it to take some milk and build up its strength because heaven only knows how long the poor little thing was in that trash can. I warmed up some milk and put it in the baby bottle with a teat on. I picked up Fluffy and got her to suck on the bottle and was surprised when she sucked for all she was worth. She is going to survive quite well.

When everyone got home that night, Fluffy was the centre of attention and they could see why I named her Fluffy.

Daddy said “I would like to get hold of whoever put her in a bag like that. They would walk away with a higher voice.”

I said, “Daddy what would you do to their voice?”

He replied “Never mind darling, you don’t want to know.” Don't you just hate it when they say something like that? Ginger wouldn't move from her position so we just left her there looking after her new charge, and left the door ajar so she could go and do her business in the night. No one would get past her if they valued their life because at one time she was used as a guard dog at the service station station after it got broken into. No-one ever tried again after she was there.

It was really cold that night because there was a westerly wind blowing all day and after a day like that it gets to almost freezing temperatures at night in the outback, so both Rita and myself used a hot water bottle to keep our feet warm in bed. We also wore fluffy flannel pj's, it was to cold to wear nighties. I checked up one more time on Fluffy and she looked fine, and Ginger was leaning up against the basket as though she was trying to keep the kitten warm by getting closer to it. She is indeed a mother. I went to sleep feeling pleased with myself for having saved a little life that day.

Tuesday.
Ginger came in and woke me up a little earlier then she normally does, and seemed to want me to get up. She was standing at the bedroom door wagging her tail and whining a little bit as if to say 'Come on you have a little one to feed.'

I rolled my eyes, shrugged my shoulders and said, “Oh alright mummy, I am coming to feed your little baby.” 'Gee mothers' I thought. When I got to the kitchen, Fluffy was making quite a noise and I picked her up and she cuddled into me so I made her a bottle and she drank the whole bottle in minutes. 'Wow what a greedy guts'.

Daddy came out into the kitchen and said, “Bloody hell! It's only five a.m., what's all the noise about?” Then he saw me holding Fluffy like a baby and giving her the bottle of milk and he said, “Carla you are a true girl and don’t let anyone try to tell you any different. Just send them to me if they do, and I’ll sort them out real quick.”

I replied, “Thanks Daddy.”

Everyone was at work and I was in the middle of doing some horrible sums that I couldn't make head nor tail of, and was about to get on the two-way radio to the School of the Air to ask some silly question about maths, that I thought I would never have to use looking after animals anyway, when the phone rang on my school work desk. Mummy had an extension put in there so it would be easier for me to stay in touch with her at a moment's notice.

Anyway I picked it up thinking it was Mummy and said, “Hello, animal refuge, can I help you?”

It was quiet for a bit and then Uncle Tony was on the other end of the line and said, “Carla is that you you little monkey?”

I replied,“Oops sorry Uncle Tony, I thought it was Mummy.”

“Well,” he said,“We have just finished loading up the removal truck and will be driving to Quilpie in the next hour. We will probably be there before the truck, so if you can let your Mum know we should be there tomorrow afternoon some time after lunch.”

I replied, “Is Goldie coming with you in the new Land Rover?”

“Yes, she sure is. It is going to be a long trip for her, so she will have to be taken for a run when we get there.”

I said, “I'll will take her for a run together with Ginger and they can get to know each other that way as well.”

“Ok sweetheart, we'll see you tomorrow 'bye.” and he was gone.

I rang Mummy and told her the news and she said, “Oh hell, I had better get some food back in the home freezer. I'll bring some home from here tonight, Carla I’ll be coming home a bit earlier from now on too because I don’t want you to spend so much time by yourself any more.”

I said, “What about Rita and Daddy? Will they be coming home earlier too?”

Mummy replied, “Daddy probably will, but Rita will start running the restaurant a bit more with the help of Linda and Alice and her Mum Jenny.” We said 'bye and ended the call. Back to my sums, the damn phone rang again but I thought I had better not be funny this time and answered it “Hello Carla White.”

“Hi Carla sweetie, it is Jan Ryan. I forgot your Mum would be at her restaurant sorry to bother you I'll hang up and give her a ring there.”

I said “Mrs Ryan can I help you with anything?”

She replied, “Oh I might as well tell you it concerns you anyway. You probably already know that we are friends with your doctor in Brisbane.”

I replied, “Yes, Rose told me that she studied with Doctor Jim at uni, and she said she wanted to come out here to visit.”

I asked, “Is she coming to see me too?”

“Yes Carla, I think she might have something to tell you, but you will have to wait, because I am not allowed to talk about private doctors' records sweetheart.”

I replied, “Ok, but I will grill Mummy when she comes home anyway.”

She said, “I’m sure you will Carla and she will have trouble with those big brown eyes of yours.”

I replied, “I know. I have magic in them.”

She said, “Bye Carla.”

I thought 'I hope they don’t tell me I have to go back to being a boy because I will take Ginger with me and disappear into the bush, never to be found again.'

I was waiting eagerly for Mummy to come home so I could grill her about Doctor Rose's visit. I made sure everything was ready for Aunty Bella and Uncle Tony because they would want to stay with us for a few days till their house was all set up and of course Uncle Tony's television to be set up. Mummy came home at four o'clock. and Rita was with her as well.

I said, “Wow, I must be important for both of you to come home early.”

Rita said “You’re not the only one that is important around here you know sis.”

I gave Rita a hug and said,”Rita I love you and you are the most important person in my life.”

Mummy said,“Hey watch it kid.”

I said, “Sorry Mummy.”

She replied, “I should think so.”

When things settled down, I cornered Mummy and said, “Mummy what is Rose going to tell me when she visits on Friday?”

“Carla, I doubt that it is anything bad, so you will just have to be patient like the rest of us, I know that is going to be hard for you but that is just the way it is ok?”

“Ok Mummy.” I replied.

While Mummy got busy with filling the freezer with food she brought home from the restaurant and getting our tea ready for when Daddy arrived home, Rita and I were playing with Fluffy and Ginger and I said, “Rita what are you going to do on your birthday on Saturday?”

She replied, “Mum said seeing that I didn't want to have a party at the restaurant, we would have a barbecue here in the backyard at lunch time and I can invite anyone I want have here.”

I said “Can I have my friends over too?”

“Yeah of course, the more the merrier.” she replied.

Wednesday
It was another normal day and I waited to take Ginger to the park until Uncle Tony turned up so I could take Goldie for a run after being cooped up in the back of the Land Rover for hours on end. It is usually a two day trip by car from Brisbane with constant driving, so with two drivers it is not too bad. They arrived at three thirty in the afternoon, so it gave me plenty of time to take the two dogs for a walk. I didn't ride my bike this time because Goldie would not be used to going for a walk without a lead. Goldie greeted me by jumping up and putting her paws on my shoulders and licking my face and almost knocking me over. Ginger came bounding out and they hit it off straight away much to my surprise, well, they are both girls after all!

After being hugged and kissed to death by two Italians, I took the two girls for a walk down to the park, and Ricky was there on his bike, I think he must be missing talking to me. We played around with the dogs and sat on those swings again, I thought 'Oh boy I am going to be kissed again.' and Ricky said “Carla I felt really strange last time I kissed you. What about you, what did you feel?”

I replied, “Kiss me again and I will tell you.”

Ricky complied with my command and I closed my eyes and Jean was there with a big smile on her face and said, “Go on then, I wont tell Mummy if you don’t.”

It was too late. Ricky had planted the kiss and it was like an electric shock going up and down my spine. and I could hear Jean in my mind laughing and then fading away. Ricky fell of the swing on to his bum and said “What the hell was that?”

After I recovered I said, “You have just been kissed by my twin sister, Ricky.”

He said, “Shit, that could kill someone Carla.”

I replied, “But did you like it?”

He said “Yeah, but I don’t think we had better do it again today or I won't be able to ride home.” We both swore each to secrecy about our kissing and said bye.

I collected the two girl dogs and walked home with wobbly legs and tried to get Jean to come back into my mind but the rotten sod didn't respond.

Thursday went by fairly quickly. Uncle Tony and Aunty Belle went to their house to make sure their furniture was all unloaded without too much damage.

Friday.
I was getting anxious about Rose and what she had to tell me, so I told Mummy she had to take me to Doctor Ryan's surgery first thing or I would ride there on my bike and knock on the doctor's door myself.

She said, “Settle down Carla, it has all been arranged. Rose will be here in half an hour with Jim and they will tell you all about it.”

I was sitting on hot coals and was thinking all sorts of things and not all good either. They turned up and by this time I had Mummy hugging me because I was so upset I was crying.

Rose walked in and got on her knees and put both her hands on my shoulders and said “Sweetheart, it is good news, so stop all this and dry those pretty brown eyes of yours and let me tell you what we have discovered from the x-rays and blood tests ok?”

I said in between sobs “Oo -k-k-y,” Rose.

“Right, here it is. Carla you are what is called intersexed which means that you have a bit of both boy and girl in you, but in your case you seem to be eighty percent girl so we are going to put you on a very low dose of female hormones for now till you reach your puberty and reassess the situation about any surgery in a couple of years, so don’t worry, you will never be a boy, do you understand?”

I said, “So I can stay being a girl for the rest of my life?”

“Yes Carla, that is what I just said.”

I jumped into her arms and just said “Thank you Rose.”

Doctor Ryan then said, “Carla, I will see you next week and we will sort out what you have to do so far as medication goes. It can either be given by injection or by taking tablets but I will talk to you Mum about that in due course ok ?”

I said “Yes doctor.” and gave him a hug as well.

Rose then got back to the subject about the study she was conducting concerning identical twins and said she will be around for a couple of days and would I mind if she brings her tape recorder and camera to do the the interview? She also said that Mummy had agreed to do the filming for her.

I shrugged my shoulders and said, “As long as I can stay a girl she can film me any time she wants.”

Mummy and Rose both laughed and Mummy said “That's our Carla.”

To be continued.

Next time: The interview and Rita’s barbecue with Peter and some new friends.

Please leave some comments.

Red belly black snake

Previously:

Doctor Ryan then said, “Carla, I will see you next week and we will sort out what you have to do as far as medication goes. It can either be given as an injection or by taking tablets but I will talk to your Mum about that in due course ok?”

“Yes doctor.” I said, and gave him a hug as well. Rose then got back to the subject about the study she was conducting about identical twins and said she will be around for a couple of days and would I mind if she brings her tape recorder and camera to do the interview, and that Mummy has agreed to do the filming for her. I shrugged my shoulders and said, “As long as I can stay being a girl she can film me anytime she wants.”

Mummy and Rose both laughed and Mummy said, “That's our Carla.”

Saturday 6/6/1959. It was Rita’s sixteenth birthday and Mummy told her she didn't have to go to work, so she could organise the barbecue for lunch today and ring the people that she wanted to come, and tell them the time to turn up. Mummy, me, Daddy, Aunty Bella and Uncle Tony were there to help with all the food so Rita didn’t have to do anything but be the hostess.

Rita is basically a very shy person and she would have preferred to have only family and the love of her life Peter to be there. Mummy talked her into inviting some of the people that are regulars at the restaurant, so we ended up with about twenty people at the barbecue Of course after the obligatory 'Happy Birthday' song, and 'She is a jolly good Sheila', Rita was asked to make a speech. Rita is a person of few words unless she knows someone really well, so her speech was short and sweet.

She said, “I want to thank every one for coming to my sixteenth birthday barbecue. Thanks for the presents, and enjoy the food and free beer.”

That was it, and then she got a big kiss from her precious Peter. Ricky looked at me and winked and I had to quickly look away because it made me think of the killer kiss we had at the park earlier this week. If Mummy found out what I was getting up to with Ricky she would probably never let me out of her sight again. Anyway it was only a kiss. Admittedly, because of 'Jean' it sat Ricky on his behind, and made me feel weak in the legs. I will not let Ricky do any more than that. I think that Jean did that on purpose so to make Ricky respect me or she will zapp him. I would have to have words with her that night in bed when all was quiet and I could concentrate on her.

Rita got some nice things given to her, mainly jewelry and a signet ring from Peter, and various dresses and shorts. The one present that surprised me was a beautiful silk skirt and blouse with matching three inch pumps. The skirt was a powder blue and the blouse was the same colour and it had delicate cream lace around the collar and at the edge of the sleeves. The shoes were two inch heels in a cream leather with a little bow just above the toes.

Mummy made her change and show Mary Winton the dress shop owner who gave it to Rita. Let me tell you Peter was dumbfounded when Rita walked out looking like a fashion model, make-up and all. I can only hope that I will look as pretty as her when I am sixteen.

Alice and her Mum Jenny, and Linda had to leave early because of the restaurant. All three hugged Rita and said goodbye. It was about three o'clock when most of the people started to go home but there a couple of people that stayed back and they were Peter's friends. The boy's name was Jason Bailey and the girl was Denise Walker and they both went to school with Peter. So it looks like there is a friendship building between the four of them which is exactly what Rita needs to bring her out of herself. Me? I'll talk the pants off a kangaroo, or like Daddy says, ''Carla, you can talk under water.''

My girl-friends Jenny, Brenda and June all stayed for a couple of more hours and because they missed out on my fashion show the other day, it was time to show them what was bought for me in Brisbane. Brenda and June were a bit miffed because they weren’t my size and couldn't try anything on but Jenny certainly did.

Anyway, their Mums eventually said, “Come on girls, time to say goodbye to Carla and go home.” Poor Ricky hung around with Uncle Tony and Daddy while I was doing girly things, but he wanted to see me before he got on his bike to ride home. We went out in the backyard to where the big gum tree was and sat on the old swing that was hanging of a branch, and I reckon it must have been there when Daddy was a boy. It is a single swing, so I had to sit on his lap and he had to put his arms around me.

It felt really nice and he said, “Carla I really like kissing you and I can't stop thinking about you. Are you the same?”

I replied, “Yeah sort of, and it feels nice when we are close like this, but we can only kiss in secret alright?

“Yeah I guess so.” he replied.

It was then that I felt his penis digging into my buttock and I realised that I must be a girl because I don’t get hard down there at all. Even when I rub it, just feels really nice, but it stays the same size, so what Doctor Rose said about the tests must be true.

I said “Ricky, I know what is happening to you down there so I had better get off your lap now.”

He said “Yeah I suppose so. I can't wait till we get older and can do what we want.”

I replied, “Yeah me too, and I jumped off his lap but, not before giving him a quick kiss on the lips.

I don't think any one saw me do that but I had to giggle when Ricky stood up and had to put his hands in front of his crotch and walked funny for a couple of minutes I thought 'Wow I did that!' and then felt a little tremble as if that naughty twin of mine was having a giggle too. I'm going to have a serious talk to her about her wanting to share my boyfriend.

Anyway Ricky got on his bike and rode home before it got dark.

Rita pulled me aside and said “Carla, I saw that and you had better behave yourself or you will find yourself in big trouble with Mum.”

I replied, "But Sis I didn't do anything!”

Rita said, “Don't you play the little innocent girl with me Carla. Next you'll be telling me that Jean made you do it.”

I replied, “As a matter of fact - ohh forget it.” and stormed off to my bedroom and cried into my pillow.

I must have fallen asleep because Mummy came in and said, “Sweetheart, Rita told me what happened on the swing earlier and this is just the type of thing I was trying to explain to you the other day about not taking things too far with Rick. He is a real nice boy but you must realise that boys are aroused when a pretty little girl like you goes sitting on their lap and giving them a kiss.”

I just looked at her with fresh tears in my eyes and said “Mummy when can I be like Rita and kiss Ricky on the lips like she does with Peter?”

Mummy replied, “Carla, I know you and Ricky are really close and tell each other everything, but if you want to kiss him just make it a peck on the cheek ok?”

“Yes Mummy.”

“Alright, now go wash your face and join us in the kitchen and have some tea.”

“Yes Mummy.”

Rita and Peter's friends were still there and were going to play a board game after tea, and Daddy would drive them home later. I sat down and had something to eat which was left-overs from the barbecue and there would be enough for a couple of more meals after tonight as well. I got up from the table and said I had better feed my baby which made them all look at me and say, “What!!”

“The kitten.” I said, “Fluffy”, rolling my eyes and said “silly people.”

After a while the laughter died down and Aunty Bella said, “Carla If you keep feeding her every few hours all we will be able to see is a big ball of fluff with a pair of blue eyes and no legs.”

I replied, “But won't she stop drinking when she is full? I do.”

Anyway there was a lady that I talked to that lived just down the road from us and she asked me to bring Fluffy down so she could identify what breed she was. The old lady ''Irene” she said her name was, said, “Fluffy is a long haired Persian and looks like a pure breed. Why anyone would want to get rid of her in such a cruel way is beyond belief.” Daddy said that he will take her to the vet in a couple of days and get her checked over and have her shots because she is a really valuable cat. I am sure Ginger and Goldie think so too. I didn't want to play in the board game, and said 'good night' to every one and went to my room to read up on how to look after pure breed cats.

I was just about to drop off to sleep when Jean made her presence felt and I closed my eyes and there she was sitting on my bed, when she said, “Carla you can open your eyes and you will be able to see me for a short while but it takes a lot of my energy to do it so if I fade you will just have to close your eyes again ok.?”

I said, “Can you do this with Mummy too?”

“No, it can only happen between us because we share the spirit soul, and we will always be connected till you come and join me when the time comes for you to cross over.”

I said, “Did you zapp Ricky on purpose when we kissed?”

“Yes Carla, we are too young to be doing that, and if Ricky keeps it up I will zapp him harder next time. Remember I am with you all the time, and I have to watch over you so you can't ever get rid of me.” Then she said “Bye for now Carla, my energy is fading.” She was gone and I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Sunday. Daddy, Rita, and Aunt and Uncle went to church, but Mummy and I were waiting for Rose to turn up to do the interview about identical twins. She arrived just after the others had left for church and also had doctor Ryan with her because he got roped into doing the whole twin study as well.

Mummy said, “Jim, I see Rose is getting you involved with this as well?

“Yeah” he said, “She is pretty pushy, but I must admit it is very interesting to find out that your daughter is part of a spirit soul that can communicate with her.”

Mummy said, “Jim, you don’t know the half of it.” Once we were set up in the lounge with tape recorder switched on and Mummy had the very expensive looking camera worked out, the interview started.

I got to tell my story as I saw it, and both Rose and Jim asked questions and said, 'Would I think that it would work if I tried to contact Jean while they were recording?

I said “No, that it would take far to much energy for Jean to accomplish.” So I was not going to agree to that at any time soon.

Rose said, “That's ok Carla, we have more than enough to take to my next meeting with the study group.”

I replied, “What about a vagina? Will I be able to get a vagina?”

“Yes you will, but your body has to finish growing first Carla or it wont turn out right.”

I asked, “When will I stop growing then?”

Rose said “I should think that in four or five years time, so you will have to be very patient”.

I replied, “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

Doctor Ryan said “Well we will have to see how you develop and do some more x-rays and also the new ultrasound equipment these days is pretty good, so next trip to Brisbane I will be accompanying you so we don't miss anything. There might be something that they missed last time.”

When they left Mummy sat me down and said, “When they know more after the next visit to Brisbane, I will get Father Brian to look further into your birth certificate and see if we can get it to say your real name and gender and have you called 'Carla Jean Croft', because Bill is going to fully adopt you and Rita when we get married in September. How will you like that sweetheart?”

I said, “Ooh Mummy yes please! But what happened to the guy in Charleville that did the divorce for you?”

Mummy replied, “Seeing that Brian is a lifetime friend of Bill and he is a fully qualified lawyer he is going to do it all for nothing and seeing you and Rita had never been christened in a church, I told him that he could be a godfather to you both.”

I said “I didn't know Rita wasn't christened either.”

“Well,” she replied “James didn’t believe in God and wouldn't hear of it.” she continued and said, “There will be a wedding and christening at the same time if the bishop will allow it. If not one will follow the other.”

While Mummy was telling me this, the others were standing behind Mummy, because she had sat in front of me on an ordinary chair and couldn’t see the others sneak in and listen to what Mummy was telling me. It was a bit naughty of them but I think they knew most of it anyway.

Daddy came and sat beside me and said “I love you kid and I will be proud for you to carry my name.” and he had watery eyes when he hugged me tight and Rita sat down and joined in the hug.

Mummy, Aunty Bella and Uncle Tony all said in unison “Aww look at that. It's a love in!” and we all started to laugh. It was lunchtime and there was still left overs that had to be used up so that's what we had for lunch. Rita said that Ricky was asking about me and said he was worried that I wasn't at church, and thought I was in some sort of trouble.

I said, “You didn't have a go at him about kissing me did you?”

“No Sis, but I just want you to be careful ok?”

“Yes I know! The birds and bees thing.” and rolled my eyes.

Mummy said “Now now girls, no harm done.”

I was worried about Ricky and asked Mummy to ring his Mum Helen, and make sure he is alright because when he got on his bike yesterday to ride home he was in tears.

Mummy said, “I saw what was happening and had already warned Helen to talk to Ricky and explain things to him.”

I replied, “Can I ring him and make sure he is ok Mummy?”

Mummy said, “I suppose so, otherwise you'll be worried about him the rest of the day.”

I talked to Ricky for about an hour and he was ok. He said his mum sat him down and he understands and he just doesn’t ever want to lose me as a friend because of what he did. I know I shouldn't have but I said, “I love you Ricky.”

To be continued.

Next time: Another visit to the Mater in Brisbane, and the wedding and christening.

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Previously

I was worried about Ricky and asked Mummy to ring his Mum Helen, and make sure he is alright because when he got on his bike yesterday to ride home he was in tears.

Mummy said, “I saw what happened and had already warned Helen to talk to Ricky and explain things to him.”

I replied, “Can I ring him to make sure that he is ok Mummy?”

Mummy said, “I suppose so, otherwise you will be worried about him for the rest of the day."

I talked to Ricky for about an hour and he was ok, He said his Mum sat him down and he understands and he just doesn't want to lose me as a friend because of what he did.

I know I shouldn't have but I said, “I love you Ricky.”

Monday 8/6/59

Mummy had set the date for the big day. It was the first Saturday on September the fifth which was only eight weeks away, 'See I can do sums when I have to.'

I was already in the kitchen giving Fluffy a bottle when Mummy walked in and sat down at the kitchen table and said, “Carla sweetheart, you will kill Fluffy with motherly love if you are not careful, you should be trying to get her to lap milk up out of a bowl.”

I replied, “But if I don’t feed her she might die.”

“I doubt that will ever happen in this animal loving household.”

Uncle Tony and Daddy were both rubbing the sleep from their eyes.

“Ok” said Daddy, “How about feeding the workers instead of pandering to the little ball of fluff which should be drinking from a saucer?”

I said, “I know Daddy. I will wean her off the bottle in the next couple of days.”

Bella and Rita walked in to the kitchen. It was the only warm place in winter in those old houses. Western houses were built with high ceilings and breeze ways to cool the house in the hot dry summers.

Bella started to prepare breakfast for all of us. She said that she was feeling bored and would do the cooking while her and Tony were staying at our house for a couple of days, because the painters were doing some work that she wanted done before they moved in. Daddy and Uncle Tony were going down to the house that night after after work to get the television hooked up to the big antennae in the back yard. We knew we could probably have to take their tea down to them because once the television was working they would want to watch all the replays of the football over the weekend. I liked to watch 'Skippy the Bush Kangaroo' which I watched while we were in Brisbane.

I was hoping to be able to go to the state school once my birth details had been fixed because I was getting bored with being at home by myself. So I am putting the pressure on Mummy to talk to father Brian to hurry things along, as if they would take any notice of a ten year old girl 'ha!'

They all took off except Aunt Bella, who asked me, “Carla how long does it take you to do your school work?"

I replied, “That depends on what subjects Mummy and the School of the Air have set out for me for a whole week.” Aunty Bella was still in her warm dressing gown having a second cup of tea. She liked tea instead of the strong coffee that the the Italians usually drink. She said that Uncle Tony liked his coffee so strong that the stirring spoon would stand up by itself in the cup one day.

She then said, “Well I know you have your little birth defect but what is the problem? It's not as though you are going to be parading around with your knickers down around your ankles is it?”

I got a fit of the giggles at that and Aunty Bella did the same and spilt her tea over her nice white fluffy dressing gown.

“Oh shit! I will have to sponge that out straight away or it'll leave a yellow stain,” she said.

Once I stopped giggling I said, “I can usually do all my set work for the day in about three hours Aunty. Why do you want to know?”

“Well” she replied, “I am going to your friend Mary Winton, you know the lady that gave Rita that pretty outfit on Saturday,and I would like you to come with me to choose the material for the new curtains I want to sew to make the place more my style.

“Well” I replied, “If I start now I can be finished by ten o'clock, or I can just leave my school-work until we come back from the shop, but Mummy likes me to do all my stuff in the morning because she reckons that if I don't, I will not do it in the afternoon and play with the animals instead.”

Aunt Belle said, “Yeah she is probably right, with two dogs and a cat, I can see where she is coming from Carla. Alright, you get stuck in to your school work and I’ll clean up the kitchen and have a shower.”

I did all I had to do and was finished at nine thirty, so off we went to Mary's shop to choose the material for the new curtains. Of course there was a lot of pink material. Just as well Aunty Bella likes pink too. When we arrived home, Mummy's car was there and so was Father Brian's. Aunty Bella parked the new Land Rover in the shed and we made our way over to the house. I could hear Mummy crying and I ran inside to see what had happened. Father Brian was sitting next to Mummy rubbing her back saying we can work something out.

I went straight to Mummy's side and said “Mummy what is wrong did some one get hurt?”

She replied in between sobs, “I can't marry Bill in the Catholic church because of me being a divorcee.”

Aunty Bella said “I could have told you that Donna, but Bill can marry you in any other church so all is not lost.”

Brian said, “I'm good friends with the Lutheran minster and will have a word with him when I leave here Donna.”

I gave Daddy a ring and told him that Mummy was upset and could he please come home and talk with her about the wedding? He was there within ten minutes and sat down beside her on the lounge, put an arm around her and said, “Everything will be ok Darling. No bloody church is going to tell me who I can marry."

I then asked him, “What about me? Can I still be christened?”

“Yes of course you can, just not as a Catholic”

“Oh is that all?” I said. Anyway Daddy didn't go back to work because Uncle Tony was now running part of his business, which let him take things a little bit slower. Brian and Daddy went into the office and closed the door behind them, so I guess it had to do with the paper work that had to be sorted out about my birth certificate and also the process about wanting to adopt me and Rita so we could have his surname as well as Mummy when they got married.

Mummy and Bella were in the kitchen preparing lunch so I decided to have a go at making Fluffy drink from a saucer I carried the little ball of fluff out onto the verandah, put her down and put her nose down to the milk and to my surprise she started lapping at it. Of course Ginger and Goldie were there as well so I thought I would give them both a treat and gave them a bacon bone each. It wasn't long and Mummy called me to come and have some lunch. It was one o'clock, and I was wondering why my tummy was rumbling.

Before we sat down to eat, Daddy said, “Ok, some things have been sorted out so listen up ladies. Brian has spoken with Pastor Miller at the Lutheran church, and the church has been booked for Saturday the fifth of September.” He was looking at Mummy when he said it with that silly grin on his face. Mummy jumped up and wrapped him in a tight hug and let all her emotions loose and cried into Daddy's shoulder.

All I was worried about was my birth certificate being changed so I could get christened and be able to go to a normal school.

I went up to Brian and asked him straight out, “What about me Father, what happens about me? Can you fix up all my stuff too?”

Brian replied “Carla, I have been working on 'your stuff' as you so elegantly put it, for a couple of weeks now, and it is all in hand ok?” That shut me up for a few minutes, and I sat down and ate my pea and ham soup that Aunty Bella made earlier.

So the rest of the day was spent with all the adults talking about legal stuff and I left them to it. I had a basket on the verandah for Fluffy so she wouldn't wander off and get lost, and put her in there while I took Ginger and Goldie for a walk down to the park. It was getting close to school being let out, so I hung around the park a little bit longer in the hope that my friends might turn up after school. I didn't have to wait long all three girls turned up and were still in their school uniforms, which I hoped to be wearing soon as well.

If all goes to plan, once I get some papers signed from Doctor Rose and Jim Ryan after the next Brisbane visit, I’ll be able to attend a normal school. Because I look almost like a normal girl down there I will even be able to go to the girls toilets, 'it's not as though I am going to walk around without my panties on is it?' I thought to myself.' We all played with the two dogs for a while and the girls said they had a lot of homework to do so we all hugged and said bye. It was getting late so I walked home with the dogs.

When I got back, Rita was sitting on the verandah in a squatters chair playing with Fluffy.

I said, “How come your home Sis?”

Rita replied “Uncle Tony said he had done all his catching up at the service station and he gave me a ride home, seeing Mummy was home already.”

I said, “Have you been told all about the wedding in September at the Lutheran church?”

"Yep, Aunty Bella has told me all about that and also how we are going to be baptised before the wedding, so we can then also be adopted and change our name to Dad's surname.” She continued and said, “I can't wait to be called by another name Sis, what about you?”

I replied, “I don’t care what they call me as long as I am a girl. Who cares?”

Daddy came out onto where Rita and I were sitting and said “Carla, there is someone on the phone that wants to talk to you sweetheart.”

I replied “Who would want to talk to little old me?”

“Well it's long distance, so move it.”

“Yes sir, Daddy.” I replied, and as I ran past him I got a small pat on the bum, and kept running and giggling and almost ran into the wall.

Rita said, “Stop being silly and answer that phone. Hurry up!”

I got to the phone and said “Carla speaking.”

“Carla, it's Rose. Are you ready to come down to Brisbane on Thursday?”

I replied, “I guess so. Wait a minute and I’ll call Mummy to talk to you.”

She said, “Hang on a minute sweetheart, I want to talk to you first.”

I replied, “Is there a problem?”

"No Carla, on the contrary, but I will want to talk to you and your Mum and also Bill so we are all clear on what's involved in your future treatment. I have spoken with Bill and he has agreed to come down to Brisbane as well.” She then said, “You are a very lucky little little girl Carla, Bill really must love you to do this for you."

I replied “Yeah he loves all three of us girls.”

Rose laughed and said, “I'll see you on Thursday. 'Bye.”

I looked at the phone and was day-dreaming when Mummy came in and said, “Well!!”

I said, “Mummy what was all that about?”

She replied, “Well darling, you will just have to be patient till we get to Brisbane wont you?”

I replied “Aww why can't you tell me now?”

“Sweetheart, I don't know a lot more than you do but I think they will be talking to us about some sort of surgery a little bit further down the track."

I said, “Ooh Mummy will it hurt?”

“Darling you wont feel a thing because you'll be asleep when it's being done.”

I went and sat in Daddy's big old lounge chair that I reckon must be at least a hundred years old because it was left to him by his Dad and had been reupholstered a few times but he will never throw it out. Anyway I was daydreaming about being a bridesmaid at Mummy's wedding when Mummy said, “Ok, we are going to leave for Brisbane tomorrow because Bill has some business to attend to there as well."

I sat up straight and said “What?”

“Carla, you really have to stop daydreaming all the time and listen to what is going on around you or you will be left behind."

I replied, “Sorry Mummy, I was thinking about your wedding.”

“Don't remind me! We have a lot to do before then, so go and pack your clothes to take to Brisbane and remember it's winter time so jeans and warm tops ok!?”

“Yes Mummy.”

Daddy came into my room while I was packing a bag with winter clothes and said “Carla I have a chartered plane coming in the morning at eight o'clock so it will be an early start ok?”

I said, “Wow Daddy, are we going to fly from here?”

“Well from the air strip anyway Carla so get to bed and get a good nights sleep. It's going to be a big week for us all."

Tuesday

Aunty Bella was going to go with Rita to the restaurant to help out while we are away, so Mummy gave her some last minute instructions of what menus to use, not that Rita didn't know what to do but to make it easier to manage the restaurant. Uncle Tony drove us to where the six seater twin engine plane was parked and ready to take us to Brisbane. The pilot was doing his final checks outside the plane when we arrived. He opened up some doors on the side of the plane and put our luggage inside the luggage compartment. He was looking a bit worried when he saw how much we were wanting to take, because the plane had a weight limit. Anyway it must have looked heavier than it was, and it was all coming with us. We boarded the plane and it was more comfortable and bigger than it looked from the outside. There was no control tower at the strip but the pilot must have been talking to some one because he was on the radio asking permission to start the flight.

Then the engines started and within minutes we were airborne and on our way to Archerfield airport on the outskirts of Brisbane. I think it took about two hours and we were touching down at an airport that did not have any big buildings because it was only used for smaller planes and mainly for private planes. I saw a few helicopters parked outside some hangers. The pilot taxied along the runway and to a building near the road where we had to get a cab into town. Daddy talked to the pilot and arranged for our flight back home when we were ready. Mummy said if we did a lot of shopping it would have to be put on the train to send it home because we right on the limit for weight on the plane as it was.

The guy that was in the building where the plane stopped, rang for a taxi to take us into town.

I said, “Where are we going to stay while we were in Brisbane this time Daddy?”

He replied, “Donna, you can tell Carla all about what you have arranged.”

Mummy replied, “I rang Samantha’s Mum last night and I am sure you wont mind spending some time with her will you?”

“It'll be real nice to see her. Do you think she'll be allowed to go shopping with us too?”

“Sweetheart, first thing first ok? Let Daddy sort his stuff out first and then we can work out what time we can spend shopping.”

The yellow taxi arrived and we loaded all our things into the boot and got into the car. Mummy gave the driver the address to take us to and it was only a block away from the Mater hospital on Stanley street. The driver stopped in front of an apartment building. We got all our things out of the boot of the cab and Daddy paid the driver.

Mummy went up the steps and pressed a button of an intercom with a number on it and I could hear Samantha’s voice come out of the speaker she said, “Samantha Aldridge, who is it?”

Mummy replied, “Samantha, it's Donna. Can you press the unlock button on the entrance door so we can get in off the street.”

The door clicked and it was unlocked, 'It must be a security thing' I thought.

I said “Mummy, I don’t think I could live in the city if you have to lock yourself in like this.”

She replied, “Don’t worry darlin,g you're not the only one who doesn’t like the city for any more than the shopping.”

Daddy rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah well once a year is enough for me. I'm always glad to be on the way home.”

By the time we were in the foyer of the building Samantha was coming out of a lift and jumping up and down with excitement and grabbed me and gave me a bone crushing hug.

I said, “Where are the stairs?” and she pointed to a door next to the lift. I think she knows that I worry about getting stuck inside a lift if it breaks down.

She said, “Don't worry Carla, there is a panic button if that happened and it lights up a light in the building superviser's office."

The apartment was on the second floor, so we were only in the lift for a couple of minutes. The apartment was as big as a normal city house only you had no outside apart from a little balcony that fronted a busy road and all the car fumes came up from the road. Samantha’s room had a television in it, so I was thinking I might be able to talk Daddy into putting up a big tower like Uncle Tony and have a television too. We settled in and Mummy, myself and Samantha went for a walk to a little restaurant and ordered a meal. Daddy went off on his own to deal with the business he had come to Brisbane to sort out. We had our meal, walked back to the apartment and settled down and watched a girlie movie.

To be continued.

Next time: the Hospital visit, papers signed, and a look at the city from Mt Cootha.

South Brisbane in 1959.

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