Saturday 8/2/74

The surgery is not open on weekends but we are on call 24/7. People are very good and it has to be an emergency before anyone calls me or Sandy out. It is much easier now to be in a partnership and the work load is easier to cope with. Chrissie is also getting tired if she doesn't get a break through the day so we have put on a girl named Amy Brigly who is eighteen and keen to learn the ropes. Chrissie is six months into her pregnancy and Alan is not happy to have her working to full-term and says the baby must come first.

I agree with Alan and will make her stop work as soon as Amy can cope on her own with the reception job. She is a smart girl and it will only take another two weeks for her to do the job on her own. Sandy decided it was time to move into her own home, not that there is not enough room at Mum and Dad's house but she wants to be able to have her parents stay when they come to town and spend time with their granddaughter Jamie.

It was only seven o'clock and the two little monsters had already climbed out of their cots and were wanting to jump on our bed. Ricky loves playing with them, but Donna and Jean can be very boisterous and I soon got out of bed to make breakfast and leave them to their Daddy. They are starting to put sentences together and I think Big Jean is in the background pushing them along.

I was in the kitchen getting breakfast for my lot when Sandy came in and said, “Jamie said she can hear your twin speaking to the twins, and has also communicated with her. She is not making it up is she?”

I replied, “No I'm afraid she is not making it up Sandy, I think Jean does it because of the twins and can see how close Jamie has become to the girls”.

“Can she actually see her, Jean I mean?”

“Well most of us can. I certainly can but then she lives within me because I told her at her grave site many years ago that she would live her life through me. She has been with me ever since and she will be till I pass over to the other side to join her.”

“How will it affect Jamie?”

“Jean will protect Jamie the same as she does with the twins and me,” I said, “Hold my hand and close your eyes and listen in your mind.”

I said, “Jean, please put Sandy at ease and say hello.”

Sandy grabbed my hand tightly as Jean said, 'Sandy, I will look after Jamie as she goes through life just like I do for Carla and the twins.'

I felt Sandy grip my hand even tighter and then Jean went quiet.

I said, “Thanks sis.”

Sandy said, “Bloody hell Carla, it's for real isn't it?”

I replied, ”You have to get used to it, she is half of me.”

After that Sandy gave me a hand to prepare breakfast for all of us, even Mum and Dad. It was eight o'clock when everyone came to the kitchen and all were dressed for the day and it was going to be a hot one, so Sandy said, “Alright everyone, grab some plates and things and we will have breakfast out on the verandah in the cool.”

The twins were clinging to my legs and there is no way I could carry anything while they were doing that so Ricky grabbed both with one under each arm squealing like little piggies.

Breakfast was cereal followed by bacon and eggs. We all like to have a decent breakfast and the twins are no different. Jamie seems to be the one to sit with the two little ones but I think Big Jean is there to help keep them under control.

After breakfast Jamie followed me into the kitchen and whispered “Aunty Carla, could I talk to you about Jean, you know Big Jean?”

“Yes of course darling what is worrying you?”

Just as I said that Sandy walked in and said, “Jamie sweetheart, I know about you communicating with Carla's twin and it's ok”

I then said, “Listen, the others can clean up in here and we'll go into my bedroom and close the door. I will let Ricky know what we are doing.”

Mum came in next to help and overheard us talking and said, “Listen, you three ladies go and talk with Jean. I will organise the clean up so we can go out later.”

I replied “Thanks Mum.” and grabbed Jamie by the hand while Sandy followed us to my bedroom. I closed the door so we wouldn’t be disturbed.

I said, “Sandy, you lay on the bed with Jamie and hold her hand and I will lay beside Jamie and hold her other hand.”

They did as I asked and I lay down next to Jamie and and put her hand in mine and said, “Now I want you both to close your eyes and listen to me communicating with Jean and we will see if she has enough energy to let you see her in your mind, but you will have to keep your eyes closed or I won't be able to keep the connection.” I explained, “You will feel a vibration at first so just keep concentrating and this will work”.

I myself don't have to close my eyes any more because Jean and I are so in tune with each other that we can communicate at will.

I said, 'Jean I would like you to show yourself to Sandy and Jamie and put them at ease with you.'

Jean replied, 'Alright sis, but they can open their eyes and I will let them see me.'

I kept quiet so she could communicate with Jamie and Sandy and just made sure to keep holding their hands or Jean would lose the connection. Once they became familiar with doing this it got easier for Jean to connect. Jean spoke with a voice that sounds just like mine so it was just as well that she let Jamie and Sandy see her or they would think it was me doing the talking.

She said very softly 'Hello Jamie and Sandra, if you open your eyes I am sitting on the end of the bed. Don’t be afraid, but keep hold of Carla's hand.' Jean still wears that beautiful blue gown. She looks just like me, after all we are identical twins.

Jamie said, “Aunty Jean your are beautiful just like Aunty Carla. I hear you talking with Donna and Jean all the time. Can they see you too?”

'Yes Jamie, and I will be with them for their whole lives'

Sandy joined in the conversation and eventually Jean ran out of energy and said goodbye and faded.

Sandy said, “Can Jean talk with anyone?”

“No, only people that are close to me.”

Jamie said “I love the tingly feeling at the start. Will we always have to hold your hand to talk with her?”

“No, once the connection gets stronger there will be no need.”

Jamie was most impressed with the blue shimmery gown that Jean wears and so was Sandy, We then got off the bed and joined the others on the verandah.

Sandy said, “Are you coming down to have a look at the house that’s for sale down the road?”

I replied, “I wouldn't miss it for the world. Is that the one next to Tony's place?”

“That’s the one Aunty Carla, it has a pool too,” said an excited Jamie.

Mum and Dad volunteered to look after the twins while I, Sandy, Jamie and Ricky walked down the road to where the old rambling house stood. It had been renovated and restored to its former glory and was a classic example of an eighteenth century Queenslander homestead. It had a big yard with a swimming pool and large shed at the back and was exactly what Sandy was looking for, and it was within walking distance of our house. Of It's a wonder she didn't fall in.

I said, “Be careful Jamie, we don’t want to have to fish you out.”

she replied, “Aunty Carla, I'm a good swimmer aren't I Mummy?”

“Yes darling,” answered Sandy with a smile on her face. She looked at me and said “Well what do you think? About the house I mean”

“Well let's see what the inside looks like shall we?” Having bought and sold quite a bit of real estate I always like to have a look to see what sort of a job the renovations were like.

Ricky was more interested in the large shed which was set up to work on cars, so we left him out there and Sandy put the key in the front door to reveal a perfectly restored interior with quite a bit of furniture left inside for any one that bought the house. Jamie walked around the large verandah and was looking through the double French doors of one of the bedrooms and discovered it had bed and dressing table in it and came running in through the front door squealing “Mummy!! Mummy!! I have just seen my new bedroom.” and rushed past us to have a look.

I said, “It looks like Jamie thinks you should buy this house Sandy”

“Too late Carla, I signed the papers yesterday”

“Well good for you. How come all the furniture is still here?”

“That was part of my bargaining, I'm good at real estate too!”

“Come on Sandy, we had better go and have a look at what Jamie is up to.”

“I had better tell her that I have bought this place,” replied Sandy.

When we got to the room Jamie was twirling herself in front of a full length mirror and didn’t even notice us standing at the door. Sandy said, “Jamie how would you like to sleep in that bed tonight?”

Jamie didn't say anything but rushed over into Sandy's arms and they both had tears in their eyes as Jamie said, “Mummy, I miss Daddy and wish he were here”

“Me too darling, me too.”

Just then Ricky walked in and said "I just saw Tony and he said, 'Isabella wants us to go over to their house for morning tea so she can spoil little Jamie.'"

I said, “Ok but don’t you want to have a look inside here first?”

He replied, “Carla honey, Iwas the one who took Sandy here the other day.”

I replied, “How come I am always the last to know these things?”

“Just lucky I guess” he said.

It was hard to drag Jamie away from the bedroom once she realised it was hers, so Ricky said, “Jamie honey, you will have the rest of your life to spend here. Come on, Uncle Tony is waiting to spoil you and your Mum.”

As we walked over to Tony's place, Jean was saying something to me that brought shivers down my spine. She said, 'You need to take Jamie to see a specialist and soon Carla! Talk with Sandy and make her aware of how important it is.'

I said in my mind so no one knew what was going on although Ricky was probably tuned in as well, 'Jean, how urgent is it?'

She replied, 'Get her to Brisbane as soon as you can. You don’t want her to go through the same dramas that you did do you?'

'No, that is not going to happen.' I replied. Ricky looked at me in a knowing fashion and nodded.

We were walking into Tony's yard and he was waiting for us on the verandah, “Come on you lot, scones are hot and the tea is made.”

Just then Bella came out pushing a tea trolley onto the verandah, Both Tony and Bella have taken to Jamie and wanted their hugs from her before we all sat down at the table set up in the cool of the verandah. Jamie was so excited and positively bubbled over. I asked Sandy to come for a walk in the garden with me so we could discuss Jamie and what has to happen in the next week. We sat ourselves down on a bench next to the pool and I said, “Sandy I need to talk about Jamie while she is occupied elsewhere.”

Sandy raised her eyebrows and said “It is time isn't it?”

We discussed what had to be done, and sorted out what to do about the surgery while we were in Brisbane. Ross was still able to come in and with Chrissie's help would manage.

Sandy then asked, “Carla, it is Jean that is telling you what to do isn't it?”

“Yes, and she is always there when she is needed, especially where Jamie is concerned, so just relax and we will get Jamie down to Brisbane to see Rose. You will like Rose, she is getting old but she is the one that sorted me out and will do the same for our little Jamie.”.

It was time to go back home and sort out some things so Sandy and Jamie could start spending some time in their new home at least until Ricky could organise Billy and Alan to give him a hand to move all of Sandy's and Jamie's things in the next few days.

Jamie was very quiet and Sandy asked, “Jamie what is wrong? You were talking nineteen to the dozen a minute ago?”

“Mummy I heard what Aunty Jean was saying to Carla in my mind. What is so urgent? Is there something wrong with me?”

I interjected and said, “Jamie, you know you are like me, and it is time for us to take you to Brisbane to let a doctor there have a look at you. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. Mummy and myself will be with you all the time and the twins will also be coming with us so Rose the doctor can meet them.”

The rest of the day was spent packing up enough things so Sandy and Jamie could spend their first night in their home.

To be continued

Next time: Getting organised and going to Brisbane with Jamie, Sandy, myself and the two little ones. It will be stressful

Previously: We had gone to see Sandy's new home just down the road and ended up coming back to pack enough things for them to sleep in their new home that night.

Sunday morning.

It was six a.m., and the twins had climbed out of their cots and were playing on the floor so I nudged Ricky in the ribs and said, “Honey, it's your turn to take the little ones to the shower while I get breakfast ready.”

He complained, “Can't you do it---you're much faster and they listen to you.”

I said, “Ricky, I'm going to have them all next week in Brisbane so, no!! Get out of bed and get moving, we're going to church this morning with Jamie and Sandy and I'm better at making breakfast.”

By this time Donna and Jean were on our bed jumping on their Daddy so he had no choice but to take them to their shower.

When I arrived in the kitchen Mum was already getting breakfast ready while Dad had gone down to get the Sunday Mail newspaper. By the time he got back breakfast was ready and Ricky had the twins under control and in their high chairs feeding them their cereal with bits of chopped up banana. They were both really good eaters, and of course they had their Daddy wrapped right around their sticky little fingers,

I had no more than toast and coffee. These days any food I put in my mouth goes straight to my thighs, while Ricky eats like a horse and stays thin as a greyhound.

Mum asked, “Do you want me and Dad to come to church with you this morning?”

I replied, “Mum, would you and Dad mind the twins this morning? After we've been to church, I want to have a talk with Jamie about what is going to happen when we take her down to Brisbane to be checked out at the Mater hospital.”

Mum replied, “Of course darling, they are no trouble, so you do what you have to do.”

Ricky and I left the girls with Mum and got ready to go to church. When we were ready we hugged the twins and got in the car to go and pick up Sandy and Jamie. We arrived two minutes later because their house is only fifty yards down the road, and they were all dressed and waiting on the wide verandah.

Jamie was dressed in that pretty white summer dress with red sandals and a red ribbon in her long blonde hair. She is such a pretty girl and Sandy fusses over her daughter like Mum and Rita did me when I was her age. Sandy wore a blue skirt and white top with cream coloured sandals; I was in a cream jacket and slacks with red two inch heels. Ricky looked handsome in a light blue shirt and brown slacks, I am still deeply in love with my man, he looks so handsome.

There is a new minister at the Lutheran church, he is quite young and has a pretty wife. They are Robert and Julie Atkins and they have been told about Jamie and have accepted her as just another little nine year old girl. Jamie is bound to make quite a few new friends of her own age which she has already done at the school she attends. We arrived at the church with Ricky taking the lead and introducing himself to Robert, as this is the first time he has come since the new minster took over.

Sandy, myself, and Jamie came to the church a few days ago to make sure Jamie was happy to go to this church because she goes to the Catholic school. She thought she would not be allowed to attend another church. I put her straight on that one and told her God is not in any particular building and you can pray to him anywhere you like. She asked me if Jean was with God and I told her she is in the spirit world and left it at that.

After the service I said to Ricky, “Darling you may as well go home. Sandy, Jamie and I will walk home and discuss what happens next week.”

He gave me a kiss and said, “Ok”. He then gave Jamie a hug and said, “Jamie sweetheart, everything will be ok. Mummy and Aunty Carla will know what to do.” He also gave Sandy a hug and said, “I wish I were going too but someone has to run the business side of things at Croft Air Charter.” and off he went.

Sandy said “Carla, I can see why you love that man so much, he is one in a million.”

I replied, “Sandy, I met him fifteen years ago at the river when he dared me to swim out to the drum in the middle of the the river. It ended up with me saving him from drowning, and we have been soul mates ever since.”

Jean was in our heads and said, 'Don't forget me Sis, I helped you save him, remember?'

We all laughed at that. Jean is never far away, which is why when I fly I know she is there if things go wrong.

We started to slowly walk home, and I explained to Jamie about what I had to go through and reassured her that she won't be unconscious when we arrive at Archerfield airport, and it will not be in the chopper because it is used to do the work at Quilpie. Seeing that Mummy can't yet fly the chopper on her own, it will also mean that having the twins on board we can take turns at the controls.

Jamie said, “Can I have a go at the controls as well?”

Sandy said, “Honey, I think we will have our hands full with the twins don’t you?”

“Yes mummy, I guess I will have to look after them won't I?”

I said, “Now you're thinking girl, you're not just a pretty face after all!”

We stopped at the corner shop to buy some things to put in Sandy's fridge to tide them over for a couple of days till Sandy can fully stock her pantry, and ended up buying a lot more things then we could carry, so had to go back with the car to pick them up. I went with them and helped Sandy put the things away in her own kitchen.

She said, “Carla, as soon as I get settled in I will have a house warming party.”

“I'll help with the cooking,” said a dancing Jamie.

I replied, “That is if we can get you out of the pool long enough!”

“I can cook really well can't I Mummy?”

“Yes sweetheart you certainly can, and you are a great help in the kitchen.”

That put me in my place!! Even Jean had a giggle at my expense.

We went backwards and forwards a few more times through the day with some more things, and by mid afternoon we were exhausted so decided to all get in the pool. Mum brought the twins down and Jamie played with them in the pool. They have been made pool-safe and can float, but we still insist that they wear their little water wings. After a while Ricky got in with them while Sandy and I started to do something about dinner. Mum had already brought some heat up food with her so it wasn't too hard to put on a decent first meal in Sandy's home.

After dinner we left Sandy and Jamie to it and went home to sort out what was to happen the next week while we were in Brisbane. Ricky was busy with the air charter business and Chrissie and Ross would handle the vet surgery, also Amy was in the office. If need be a vet from Charleville would come to give a hand. I packed all the clothes and things needed for myself and the twins, but I also own an apartment at West End that the whole family uses when we are in Brisbane. It is cheaper than staying in hotels. The apartment is always stocked with food and we leave a certain amount of clothes there as well. We do quite a lot of business in Brisbane, so it is a necessity to have somewhere to stay while we are there.

We have our own hanger at Archerfield, and a car is kept there for our use while in Brisbane, so no more taxies are needed. It helps to save money.

At bed time for the little ones, either myself or Ricky will read them a bed-time story till both of them drop off to sleep. They sleep all the way through till six am in the morning. I think Jean must have something to do with that which is ok by me, she is their aunty after all.

It was ten p.m., and it had been a long day so I made my way to bed after saying good night to Mum and Dad. Ricky was asleep in a lounge chair, and I was almost tempted to leave him there but he would only wake me when he came to bed later.

I said, “Darling, time to come to bed.” he mumbled something and was going back to sleep when I gently sat on his lap and whispered in his ear, “I won't be around for a week, would you like to make love tonight?”

I won't go into what happened next ,but I didn't have to walk to the bedroom. The power we women have over men in his situation is complete!!!!

If I wasn't on the pill I would probably be continuously pregnant. I want more kids and so does Ricky, but we will wait till the twins are at least three years old and what if I have another set of twins? I think waiting is a better option.

All too soon it was morning, and our two legged alarm bells were in good form as always.

Ricky said, “Why do they always jump on me and not you?”

I replied above the noise of two little monsters squealing and giggling, “Because you encourage them sweetheart.” and he does. Donna and Jean can just about do anything with him and he just lets them get away with it. Mean Mummy won't, so all I get is warm hugs and cuddles with sloppy kisses.

It was time to get moving so it was up and at 'em. Ricky took Donna and I took Jean and off to the bathrooms we went. Half an hour later, we were all showered and dressed for the day. Mum and Dad knew it was going to be a rush that morning so Dad gave Mum a hand to get breakfast ready and also fed the twins for me. Ricky had an early start and wanted to head out to the hanger to organise what the other pilots had on for the coming few days.

He had his breakfast and kissed me and the twins and said, “I will ring you every night to get an update on what is happening down there in Brisbane, and I will drop into Sandy's place on the way to work to say goodbye to Jamie and wish my little mate good luck.”

Ricky has a special attachment to Jamie because she is so much like me in many ways, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if she didn't also become a vet in the future.

I said my 'goodbyes' to Mum and Dad and gathered up my bags while Mum took the girls by their hands and made them walk out to the car and strapped them in the child seats and we were ready to go. Mum kissed the twins one more time and we were off.

Sandy and Jamie were all ready to go and waiting at their front gate. Both were wearing jeans and tee-shirts to be comfortable for the three hour flight to Archerfield. They climbed aboard my four wheel drive and we were on our way to the air strip and hanger where the Piper was all fuelled up and ready to go.

We arrived to see Alan giving the craft a once-over. He is fastidious about the fleet and mine is even more important to him. I parked the the car in a shed beside the main hanger and started to get all our gear out to load into my plane when Terry one of the maintenance mechanics came and gave us ladies a hand to carry the luggage to the plane. Alan picked up both giggling twins and carried them to the plane and proceeded to strap them into their seats. The plane is a five seater so Jamie was going to sit between the girls to keep them under control.

For some reason she only has to look at them and they behave like little angels. I really think that my twin is in cahoots with Jamie where the twins are concerned, which is fine by me. Who am I to argue with that?

Once everything was put in the cargo hold of the plane and the outside flight checks were done by Sandy we were ready to go. We climbed aboard, closed the doors, gave Alan and Terry the thumbs up and Sandy started the engines. I called flight control and gave them our flight plan and we were cleared for take off.

I let Sandy take the first leg of the flight. It makes it a relaxing trip when two people share the flying. She taxied out onto the runway and turned the plane around ready for take off, did a few more checks and pulled the throttle back. The Piper responded with the familiar growl of the two engines and we were airborne within a few seconds.

She climbed to five thousand feet and levelled out. Our speed was three hundred air knots which is a comfortable speed and easy on the fuel. Jamie was reading the girls a book. The Piper is not a noisy plane inside while in level flight, in fact it is no more noisy than in a car. It's only noisy while climbing with full power on.

Within twenty minutes all three girls were asleep so there wasn't going to be any drama with them. After an hour and a half I took over the controls till we landed at our destination. Archerfield came into sight and I radioed the tower for permission to land and within five minutes we were taxing up to the Croft Air Charter hanger for the plane to be put away for the next week. Barry the head man at our Archerfield end of the business came out to greet us and help load our things into the four wheel drive that we use in Brisbane.

Sandy and I got the three sleeping beauties out of the aircraft and into the car and of course they looked around to see they were on the ground and missed most of the flight which Jamie was not to happy about.

She said, “Mummy why did you let me go to sleep up there?”

Sandy replied “Sweetheart, the last couple of days have worn you out so I let you get some rest before we take you to see Doctor Rose, OK?”

“Yes Mummy,” she said with a girlie pout on her pretty little face.

I said, “That look might work with Uncle Ricky and Uncle Bill but we know about girlie pouts don't we Sandy?” Sandy just winked at me with a knowing smile.

Once in the car and on our way into the city the girls all looked around at the throng of the Brisbane traffic which none of us are used to out at Quilpie.

It was midday madness on the road and took almost an hour to get to the apartment at West End and I think we all needed a nap before we embarked on going into the CBD of inner Brisbane. It was two o'clock in the afternoon so really too late to do anything more than to settle down at the apartment and start again in the morning, so we had a meal and switched on the telly.

To be continued

Next time: at the Mater and doctor Rose San-Lee.

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Carla Bay

The afternoon was spent making some phone calls to various places while Jamie watched a Disney movie with the twins. Jamie seems to be able to get Donna and Jean to sit quietly with her and watch the telly. One usually sits on either side of her and I think that is her secret. I wish they would behave like that with me.

Sandy went for a walk to buy some new curtain material for her home back in Quilpie while she had a chance. Once we get back home we work ten hour days, not that it's all hard work but you have to be there when it is required.

I phoned Rose to confirm the appointment to see her at her rooms at the Mater the following morning with Sandy, Jamie and I plus the twins. Rose said she would make sure that the day was spent with her so she could catch up and organise all the procedures that will determine Jamie's medical condition, and of course get to know my little girls. The study on twins is still ongoing so she can't wait to see what they look like.

By the time Sandy came back, I had ordered in Chinese for dinner and it was only five minutes later that it was delivered to our door step. I don’t believe in doing any cooking while we’re in Brisbane so it will be like this all week except breakfast which is usually cereal with a bit of fruit. I think I have mentioned before that the twins are really good eaters.

Once we sorted out the sleeping arrangements which had me and Sandy in the same bedroom but in single beds, and Jamie and the little ones in the main bedroom with the cots for the twins and the double bed, it was decide to let the twins sleep in the big bed with Jamie. Donna and Jean are dry but we still put a plastic sheet under the sheets just in case of a mishap. There were no drinks after dinner at night and that seemed to have worked so far.

Sandy and I tucked the three girls in and left Jamie to read a bedtime story. They are used to this with either me or Ricky taking it in turns, but with Jamie it is a special treat for the girls. My twin Jean sings to them as well and it would be interesting to see how long all three girls last before dropping off to Dreamland.

Sandy and I sat in the lounge and were discussing our plans for the following day when my twin Jean started to communicate with both of us. Sandy looked at me and said, “Carla you are talking in two different directions.” Jean sounds exactly like me so it can be confusing for bystanders.

I replied and said, “Sandy, close your eyes so you can see Jean. She is sitting right beside you.” Sandy jumped a little as Jean seemed to touch her on the arm and said, 'Sandy don’t be alarmed and just relax so I can communicate with you.'

Sandy looked at me and said, “Carla, Jean looks exactly like you only in that blue gown.”

Jean said, 'But I am just a little bit prettier.'

“Always the joker,” I replied.

Jean said, 'Sandy you can open your eyes if Carla will turn off all the bright lights in here.' I quickly got up and left only a little night light on, and Sandy opened her eyes to see the beautiful twin sister of mine sitting next to her.

“Jean what is on your mind?”

'I am going to let you know in advance what is in store for little Jamie tomorrow.'

I replied, “Ok, I'm all ears, sister dear.”

Sandy was amazed at how Jean and I talk as if it is just normal to do so, well I guess for me it is normal.

Jean said, 'I'm going to be there when both of you are with Rose, and I will also make the twins communicate with Rose.'

“Is everything alright with my little girl?” asked Sandy.

'Yes she is fine and is all girl internally, but she will have to endure all the tests and is going to be stressed out so I will be very close to help her get through it.'

I said, “Sis do you know if she will have any medical procedure done?”

'Carla, you should know by now I will get into the right heads and make it happen so be prepared to stay a little longer.'

I replied, “Jean it's alright for you in the spirit world, both Sandy and I have a business to run”

'You will find a way Carla, with my help.'

The communication went on for a bit longer and Jean faded away blowing us both a kiss.

Sandy said, “Is she always so bossy Carla?”

“I'm afraid so, but she is always right because she sees things we can't and she can get into people's minds and guide them without them knowing what is happening.”

“Like post hypnotic suggestion?”

“Yes and you just sit back and enjoy the ride.”

“What about Jamie, will she be able to hear and see Jean?”

“Yes and she will be in a sort of dream and very relaxed. If and when she is under an anaesthetic she will cross over into the spirit world where I have been many times courtesy of my sister.”

We checked up on the girls before retiring to bed and it was a sweet sight to see two little bundles cuddled up to Jamie. Very softly we could hear a lullaby being sung by their spirit aunt,

'You are the child of moonlight,
There is peace within my heart whenever you're around.
The stars at night they all shine bright
And darling so do you.
You are the child of moonlight,
And I’ll always love you.

Jean

Sandy turned to me with damp eyes and whispered, “Jean is really an angel isn't she?”

I whispered back, “She is half of me in the spirit world.”

We went to bed and and talked about Jamie's dad and how Sandy misses him and wished he could have seen his daughter. I told her he can see her from afar, and then we went to sleep.

Morning came too soon as it always does. It was six a.m., and we could hear three girls singing nursery rhymes. At least Donna and Jean weren't jumping on me. I think I will let Sandy adopt my little ones so Jamie can have them full-time! No, I don't mean that!!!!

Sandy said, “Carla I know what you're thinking and that is a definite 'no'. I could not cope with double speak.” We both laughed and got up to get organised for the busy day ahead.

While Sandy and I were preparing breakfast, Jamie had Donna and Jean in the bathroom with all three in the tub, something only Jamie can manage because she has some way of controlling them. I still think it must be Jean that is helping Jamie with the little ones, there is no way I can do what she does so easily.

I arranged the high chairs so that the two little ones were either side of Jamie and by the time the table was set all three girls came out wearing pink dressing gowns with little bunnies on them. Donna and Jean came running up to me and I picked them up, which I might add is getting harder by the day - they are quite the chubby ones. They both talk in unison and talk twenty to the dozen.

”Mama, Mama Jy, Jy,” is what they were saying.

Jamie interject, “That’s what they call me Aunty Carla, aren’t they cute?”

“Yes, very,” I replied.

“Good morning Jamie and you two monsters,” said Sandy and hugged the little ones which made them giggle and squirm, so I quickly put them down and let Jamie take over controlling them which she does with ease.

Breakfast over it was time to get the girls dressed for the day and with two grown-ups it went reasonably well, but of course with all females a couple of different changes had to take place before everyone was happy, and that includes myself and Sandy. By the time we got down to the car we were almost running late. It was nine o'clock, so we had to hurry to get to the Mater on time to see Rose. As usual the traffic was bedlam but I drive a four wheel drive with a big bull bar on front and I can usually be a bit pushy and intimidating to get my way. I guess that is the bush coming out in me.

We finally got to the Mater parking area and made our way to the main entrance. We opted not to put the twins in their push-chairs and seeing Jamie can control them with just one stern look and they drop the lip, we let her do her thing. She will eventually be a very good Mum.

The Mater is a really big hospital, so lots of corridors and lifts to negotiate, but I have spent quite a bit of time here myself and know the place intimately. (These days it is one of the biggest children’s hospitals in the southern hemisphere.)

We arrived at the reception desk of doctor Rose San-Lee and were told to go straight into her office. I tapped on the door and opened it wide so we could all walk in to see Rose sitting behind her desk surrounded by medical books and charts up on the wall, like any other doctor's office.

She got up and said, “O my god, look at them!” before she even said hello to me,

I said, “Nice to see you too, Rose.”

She replied, “Sorry Carla,” then hugged me and said, “These two are the spitting image of you girl, and this must be Jamie and Mum Sandy.” and she hugged them both.

Spirit Jean was there too, and at this moment she was only in my head but she would communicate with Rose a little later when she examined Jamie. Jamie took the little ones to a play area with toys and sat down with them while Sandy and I discussed what was going to happen today. After an hour the girls were getting restless, so it was time for a toilet break and some morning tea which was brought into Rose's office by the hospital domestic staff.

We let the girls have their cup cakes and flavoured milk in the play area while the grown-ups sat in a lounge area in the rather large office/surgery. This is when Big Jean started to communicate with Rose, who was not one bit fazed because it happened a long time ago when I was in the same situation, only then it was an emergency and I could quite easily have died.

Sandy and I just listened in. Jean didn't make herself seen because if the little ones saw her they would want to have her down with them and Jamie. Jean also blocked Jamie from hearing what was being said. She will know soon enough in the next couple of hours and days what is going to happen to her, and we did not want to have a stressed out girl on our hands.

Jean said, “Rose, I know what is inside Jamie but in human terms the tests will have to be done to satisfy the powers that be, but rest assured that I will be in their head to steer them in the right direction.” Rose nodded that she understood. Jean told us that Jamie is a complete girl internally, apart from not having an opening which is virtually the same problem that I had all those years ago.

Jean said that she would be with Jamie all through the procedure in the next couple of days, and would make sure it would all happen without her being stressed out. She was true to her word and by Wednesday morning a specialist was in Brisbane from Sydney to perform the corrective surgery.

We put the little ones in a day care nursery so we could be present in the operating theatre during the procedure. Being veterinary surgeons, it was no different to what we do when we have to operate on an animal, so there were no surprises for us. We stayed with Jamie while she was being prepared for theatre, and before she was given medication, the surgeon, Mr Anthony Beel introduced himself, first to me and Sandy, he then held Jamie's hand and said, “Hello little one, I'm Tony and I'm going to make things right for you.”

Jamie looked at the doctor with her beautiful brown eyes and replied, “Thank you doctor, and so will my Aunty Jean.”

He said “Oh I don’t see a third lady, is she still coming?”

I interrupted this little exchange between patient and doctor and said, “Jamie sweetheart, I will tell the doctor about Jean a little later.”

Rose pulled me aside and said in almost a whisper, “Carla, Tony has had a full briefing on you and Jean and he is quite intrigued by it all. I am sure that Jean will make her presence felt before too long”.

Most of the day was spent going from one test and scan to another. Jamie was taking it all in her stride. She is a very intelligent girl and very little fazes her. Sandy was amazed at how her little girl just kept up the chatter with the nurses while they were poking and prodding her. I know Jean was talking to her and explaining what they were doing, although only three of us could listen in.

It was two o'clock in the afternoon when it was decided to commence the surgery to rectify Jamie’s medical problem. Sandy and myself were allowed to watch what was happening in the theatre. Sandy held Jamie's hand till she went to sleep and then the medical team went to work.

'Hello Jamie, fancy meeting you here,' said Jean.

'Why am I in a field sitting next to you Aunty Jean, am I dead?'

'No sweetheart, you are with me while they are working on your body back on earth.'

'How am I going to get back to earth?'

'When you wake up you will be back there darling.'

'Aunty Jean, you sound and look Just like Aunty Carla.'

'That's because we're identical twins and share the same soul.'

'Can I come back here again? It is so beautiful and I wish I could wear a gown like yours.'

'Jamie, your Mummy would miss you if you came back here, so you must go back.'

Back in the recovery room Jamie woke up trying to focus her eyes and said, “Mummy I was with Aunty Jean in heaven.”

Sandy replied,”Yes darling I know, was it beautiful?”

“Oh yes, and Jean is very pretty just like Aunty Carla.” After a few more minutes Jamie dropped off to sleep, and Sandy and I went to talk with Tony and Rose to see what they had to say.

It was found that Jamie was inter-sexed and had all the internals of a female, so all that had to be done was to correct the outer parts of her genitals. She will be able to live and function as a normal female.

To be continued.

Please leave a comment.

Previously:

It was found that Jamie was inter-sexed and had all the internals of a female so all that had to be done was to correct the outer parts of her genitals. She will be able to live and function as a normal female.

***********************************************

It was late afternoon and Jamie was well and truly sedated, so we thought we would go to a restaurant for our evening meal, leave the medical staff do their thing and come back early in the morning to see our newly minted little girl. As we were in the lift on our way down to the main foyer of the hospital who else but sister Jean started to talk to us. Just as well there was no one else in the lift or they would have called the men in their white coats to take us away.

Jean said, 'Sandy and Carla, I will stay with Jamie tonight and put some nice thoughts into her head. I will make sure when she wakes up in the morning that she knows what she now has and will not have to hide herself when she gets undressed at school to put on a pair of bathers when they go swimming.'

Sandy asked, “Will you always be there for her Jean?”

'Yes Sandy, just like I still am for Carla, that will never change.' Just then the doors opened on the lift and we were at the ground floor so we left Jean to do her thing.

Sandy said, “Carla, I am so glad that I came here to work with you and that you are my friend as well as business partner.”

I gave her a hug and replied, “It was always going to happen. When I went out to your parents' property to look after that prize ram, I felt that I was there for a reason, and that reason is Jamie.”

We found a restaurant half a block away from the hospital and looked at the menu, Sandy said, “Carla this is on me.”

I replied, “No Sandy, this is on the business expense account. We work long hours at home and the business is doing extremely well so relax.”

We ordered Peking Duck with all the trimmings and for sweets it was a chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries and cream.

Sandy said, “Carla, I can feel the inches go on my thighs already!” and we both fell about laughing. I'm sure that city folk don’t act like this but we're from the bush and don’t have any airs about us.

We paid the cheque and made our way back to the hospital car park to go to the apartment for the night, when we got there Sandy said, “I think I might go and check up on Jamie to see how she is faring.”

I replied, “Sandy, she will be out like a light. Instead, why not get in the car and I will see if Jean will tell us what is happening.”

We no sooner got in and closed the doors than Jean was in both our heads, telling us Jamie was asleep and was having pleasant dreams, so leave it till the morning to come and see her. So that is what we decided to do. it was getting late, but the twins were being looked after by the people at the nursery which looks after kids till at least nine pm at night. It was expensive but was worth it to make sure that they were looked after properly.

When we arrived the twins were wide awake and would not go to sleep and kept the three ladies at the centre amused with their speaking in unison. I walked in and they came running to me.

“Mama Mama,Jy Jy where Jy Jy?” I picked up Donna while Sandy picked up Jean and had to calm them down and tell them they could see Jamie tomorrow if they're good. Again in unison “We good Mama.” So we went back to the apartment after a long day, I don’t think it took any of us long to go to sleep that night.

As usual it was six a.m., and the double-speak little people were singing out “Mama Mama where Jy?” so it was time to pacify, feed, shower, and dress them so Sandy and I could get ourselves ready for the day. We decide that if we didn't take the twins in to see Jamie there would be trouble on the horizon, however Jamie wouldn't be in a fit enough state to have them jumping around on her bed so their visit would be strictly controlled and reasonably short.

After two adults and two little people were dressed, we made our way to the underground car park that belongs to the apartment building, which incidentally is half owned by Croft Air Charter. When Sandy found out that the building was part of the family holdings she said, “Bloody hell Carla, you don’t own a yacht too do you?”

“No Sandy, we're bushies remember?!!”

I let Sandy drive while I sat in the back with the two little munchkins and tried to get them to understand that Jamie was in bed and can not play with them till she got home. In unison they said, “Mama, Jy sick?” All I could tell them was that she had a sore tummy. They seemed to understand that, so they were quite happy to sing and clap all the way to the hospital. The singing comes from my sister Jean. She sings them to sleep most nights, she is a most loving aunt albeit a spirit one.

We arrived at the hospital in good time and made our way up to Jamie's room. When we got there she was having a bowl of cereal and an orange juice. The doctor had already been and given our newly minted girl a clean bill of health. She would have to stay in hospital for at least a week to make sure there were no infections or other complications.

Sandy said, “How are you feeling darling?”

Jamie replied with a big smile, “Mummy I’m a proper girl now just like you.”

Sandy replied, “Sweetheart, you have always been a proper girl”

“Can I have babies now?”

I answered that one and said, “Yes, but try to wait till you're a little older darling and then you might even get married first, what do you think?”

“I want a husband that looks just like Uncle Ricky.”

That made me think just how lucky I have been all these years and to think he almost drowned the first time we met.

By this time the twins were getting restless and wanted to hug and kiss Jamie, so one at a time they were allowed to lay beside Jamie and talk to her in their own language that only Jamie seemed to understand. After ten minutes I got Jamie to tell them to be good little girls and go play at the day care centre with all the other little kids. They just nodded and were happy to do what Jamie asked them to do. Jamie has a special bond with my little daughters, with the help of Jean no doubt.

As all was under control back in Quilpie and Ross had brought in a vet from Charleville I was in no hurry to get back home, and decided to stay with Sandy till we could take Jamie back with us. I went and had a talk with Rose and she said that in another three days Jamie would be healed enough to travel.

So apart from going to the hospital to comfort Jamie, what to do? I gathered up the two little balls of energy and told them to say goodbye to Jamie, which they did by blowing her a kiss as we were going out the door. I left Sandy with her daughter while I took my girls back to the day care centre at the hospital, which I have been helping support financially for a while because this is where it becomes so important for mums with sick kids to have somewhere to leave their other little ones while they look after the ones that are most in need of their love.

I went back to find Sandy holding Jamie's hand explaining to her all the things that will be different in her body now that she is complete. I didn't interrupt this mother-daughter bonding. It took me back to when my Mum did exactly the same thing with me. I also had Rita and I made a smooth transition to everything becoming normal very quickly.

While I sat down on a chair in the room I just listened, 'Carla are you ok?' said someone in my head. Who else but my sister?

I said, “Yes just thinking that's all.” That's when Sandy and Jamie realised I was back from taking the twins to the centre.

Jamie said, “Aunty Carla, did you feel this sore when they fixed you up?”

“Yes sweetheart, but all the pain will be gone within a couple of days and then we will take you home”

“Can I go shopping before we fly home Mummy?”

Sandy replied, “Of course darling, I wouldn't dream of going home without taking my daughter to buy some new clothes.”

“OOH Mummy, I will need some red shoes to go with my white summer dress and ribbons and.....”

I said” “Sweetheart, lets get you healed first.”

Just then a nurse came in and said, “Ok Lady Jamie lets get you to the 'Ladies' and see if all is working how it should.”

With that both Sandy and I left the nurse do her job, waved goodbye to our little girl and left to go to the shops and just relax.

The twins were in safe hands so I could concentrate on enjoying myself with Sandy in the city looking at dress shops.

Sandy said, “Carla, I know that Jamie wants to go to the shops, but do you think she'll be healed enough to do that in three days time?”

“Sure she will as long as we keep her from skipping around like she normally does, and besides Jean will be in her head keeping a tight rein on her movements.”

Sandy replied, “Ok so where to first?”

“Well I need to buy some new things for my girls, they are growing like the garden weeds.” and so it went. We sat with Jamie for a few hours a day and also let the twins have time with her.

It was Sunday morning, and it was Jamie's big day to come out of hospital, The hospital team that looked after her were all in her room to give her advice and have hugs all round, Sandy had bought her a new out fit to come home in. Of course it had to be white with lace work on the top and the hem of the skirt. Jamie was worried that that was the only piece of finery she was going to get and said, “Mummy I will be going to the shops won't I?”

“Yes Darling, we wouldn't dare not take you shopping.”

Jamie replied “Thank you Mummy and Aunty Carla, Jean is coming with us too.”

“Yes of course, what was I thinking?” I could hear Jean giggling and Jamie gave an invisible a
Aunty the thumbs up.

Monday 17/2/74

One more day at the shops with all us girls including Donna, Jean and also Big Jean to watch and give advice on proceedings. Needless to say it was a tiring day, and when we came home to the unit we put the twins down to have a sleep and made sure Jamie was ok. She was a little sore but would be fine to take home the following day.

I ordered in food for our evening meal and it was an early night for all of us. I forgot to say that I phoned my darling husband every night and let him talk to his little girls as well. With them I would have to put the phone on speaker because they both speak at once and for people that haven't had that experience it can be quite confusing.

Tuesday.

All our things were already packed into the four wheel drive so we only had to get ourselves ready and be on our way to Archerfield and the hanger to transfer all our things to the Piper. By the time we arrived at the hanger the aircraft was all ready to go and had been pulled out on to the tarmac. Our staff know what I am like so nothing is missed by them. I have never left the ground till I was sure the the aircraft was one hundred percent flight ready.

Once the twins were strapped in, Sandy got in with them because I wanted to give Jamie a chance to get the feel of the controls and this could be her first bit of training. With me and Sandy both being pilots it will be an easy ride for her to get her licence by the time she is fifteen.

Pre-flight checks done we were on the runway and ready to take off, Jamie had a headset on and listened to the contact with air control and put her hands on the controls on her side, I pulled back and we were on our way. Jamie had almost white knuckles and I had to tell her to relax. I was the same when I first started.

Quilpie airport came into sight and it was twelve noon by the time I taxied to the spot in front of our hanger. Ricky, Mum and Dad were there to greet us but the best surprise for Jamie was her grandparents were there as well. She couldn’t get out of her seat quick enough to greet them.

“Grandpa, Nana” she squealed and almost fell out of the plane. Terry and Grace held their arms open and Jamie rushed straight into Terry's arms and said, “Grandpa I'm a real girl now.”

With that Grace came into the hug as well and replied, “Sweetheart, you were born a girl with a medical problem and that is all. You are a very pretty little girl.”

“Did you see where I was sitting?” asked Jamie.

“We sure did honey, and you will make a good pilot soon enough.”

We all piled into two cars and went to our respective homes to sort out what had to happen for the rest of the week and relieve the people that looked after the veterinary clinic.

To be continued:

Next time: Rita and Peter Jenny and Chrissie are back in Carla's Journey.

Previously:

Quilpie airport came into sight and it was twelve noon by the time I taxied to the spot in front of our hanger. Ricky , Mum and Dad were there to greet us but the best surprise for Jamie was her grandparents were there as well. She couldn’t get out of her seat quick enough to greet them. “Grandpa, Nana” she squealed and almost fell out of the plane. Terry and Grace held their arms open and Jamie rushed straight into Terry's arms and said, “Grandpa I'm a real girl now” with that Grace came into the hug as well and replied, “Sweetheart you were born a girl with a medical problem and that is all, you are a very pretty little girl.”

“Did you see where I was sitting?” asked Jamie.

“We sure did honey and you will make a good pilot soon enough”

We all piled into two cars and went to our respective homes to sort out what had to happen for the rest of the week and relieve the people hwo looked after the veterinary clinic.

*************************************************

Wednesday morning 18/2/74

Ricky was spooning me and we were just enjoying the closeness. It was five am and the twins were still asleep so one thing led to another and, well do I have to spell it out? I am still so in love with Ricky that we seem to melt into one being when we make love, and that's enough information don’t you think?!! The twins slept on which was a surprise but I guess all the traveling had tired them out so both Ricky and I quickly went to the bathroom and showered together.

Later, everything went back to routine; Mum and Dad looked after the twins, Ricky had a charter flight to Cairns and I went to sort out the clinic with Sandy who was already there talking to Chrissie and Amy. Amy is our new receptionist that I have mentioned before and I am well pleased with how she is shaping up, not only doing office work but also helping in the surgery with our animal patients.

Jamie was not going back to school for another week so there would be no pressure on her recovering from her operation. Doctor Ryan was still looking after our family and had taken a keen interest in Jamie. He was getting around a bit slower those days but was still our choice and was probably more of a friend than just our doctor. He wanted to see Jamie that day, so Mum had left the twins with Dad and was taking Jamie to see him. No doubt Mum would look after her for the rest of the week. Sandy went to the school to get some school work for her to do while she was at home. Jamie is a very intelligent girl and is a straight A student so would have no trouble catching up when she went back to school in a weeks time.

There were no problems at any of the out-lying properties with animals, so it seemed it was going to be an easy day.

Sandy said “Carla I will look after any patients today if you want to sort things out at home.”

I replied, “Yes Sandy I might just do that, thanks. If it gets busy just give me a call and I’ll come straight in.”

When I got home Rita and Jenny were there to see the twins, and Jamie when she came back from seeing the doctor. Jenny's little boy Josh was at the crawling stage so the twins were sort of looking after him on the floor in the lounge. They still thought he was a dolly that could move around.

I asked Rita how she was getting on because her morning sickness was giving her quite a bit of trouble.

“Carla,” she said, “How come you got away without any real morning sickness when you had Donna and Jean?”

I replied, “I think Big Jean might have had something to do with that.”

Jenny chipped in and said, “Rita, it won't last too long and you will settle down in a few weeks. Stop going to work at the restaurant, let Peter look after that.”

Another hour and Mum and Jamie arrived home and that was to be the end of the twins playing with their little cousin, but Jamie was just as interested in playing with little Josh, and the twins did as Jamie told them. It's just amazing how she can do that without the girls objecting.

Mum pulled into the post-office on her way home and collected the mail from our mailbox and said, “Carla there is a letter from the states there for you.”

I replied, “Oh I know what that is, it will be a letter from a John Hansen. He is the one I was telling you about that I met at the veterinary science conference centre in Sydney a couple of months ago.”

Jenny said, “Is he the one with a tg daughter?”

I replied, “The very same. I also met his daughter Jennifer, she is a really pretty twelve year old and you would not pick her as being a transgendered girl.”

Rita asked,”So what is the letter about?”

“Well let me open it and we'll see won't we.”

I had a fair idea what was in the letter so I just put it on the table. Three people said, “CARLA!!!!”

“Ok, Ok I’ll open it.”

By this time Jamie was interested in what the letter contained. I opened the envelope and started to read the letter out loud. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, and it said --

'Dear Mrs Smith,

If you can remember we met at the veterinary conference in Sydney and you also met my daughter Jennifer. The reason I am writing you this letter is that my wife passed away two weeks ago and Jennifer is taking it really hard so I have decided to come to Australia to get away for a while and I was wondering if we could visit you in Quilpie?

Yours sincerely,
John Hansen.

There were contact phone numbers in the letter so it would be relatively easy to contact him and have a talk to find out what he wanted to do. He also had his own veterinary clinic near Fort Brack in California, so he would not be short of money.

Jamie was the first to comment and said, “Aunty Carla, did you say Jennifer is like me?

“No sweetheart, she in trangendered whereas you were intersexed and are now a normal functional girl. Jennifer will never be able to have babies.”

“That’s sad, I hope I will meet her,” replied Jamie.

Rita said, “Sweetheart if I know your Aunty Carla, Jennifer and her Dad will be staying right here.”

“Ohhh I can't wait,” said an excited Jamie.

Later Dad went over to Ricky's Dad's place to go fishing in the Balloo to get away from all the female chatter. I decide to phone John Hansen after looking up the time deference between our countries and deciding to give it a go. Once I got through the telephone exchange to be connected to international calls, (1974 was not like today and you couldn't just dial anywhere in the world) I dialed the number and waited. It was six thirty pm in the States so he should be home by then, after about eight rings, Jennifer answered with her broad Yankee accent, “Hello the Hansen's residence Jenny speaking.”

“Hello Jenny, it's Carla Smith calling from Australia, how are you?”

“Wow Mrs Smith I didn't expect to get a call from down-under.”

“Jenny, please call me Carla, and is your Dad home?”

“Yes but he is just in the shower.”

“Ok Jenny, I'm sorry to hear about your mother passing it must be difficult for you.”

“Mummy had been sick for a long while so it was expected”

I then said, “Jenny how would you like to spend some time with me and my family for a while?”

I talked to Jenny for a bit more and then her Dad came on the phone and said, “Hello Mrs Smith I didn't expect to get a call from you so soon.”

I replied, “John, please call me Carla. I thought it might be good for Jennifer to get away as soon as possible, and we would be pleased to have yourself and Jennifer stay as long as you like.”

It was decide that John and his daughter would get a flight on Saturday our time which would still be Friday over there as you gain a day going from one side of the planet to the other. It would be a direct flight to Brisbane and I would fly down and pick them up. I would use the chopper to make it more interesting for Jennifer. It would be a slower trip but I'd be able to fly over some of the more interesting terrain and a lot lower. Besides I needed to get some hours up in the chopper to keep my license up to date.

Once the call ended there were questions all round, so I had to fill everyone in on Jenny and her now widowed Dad. The main thing Jamie wanted to know was about Jenny being transgendered and how long wouldshe stay and could she stay at her house too?

I said, “Sweetheart slow down! We will have to ask your Mummy about that, but I’m sure you'll be seeing her quite a bit just because you have a pool in your back yard.” After that Jamie took Donna and Jean out in the yard to play in the large sand pit that was specially built for them by Uncle Tony.

When Ricky came home I informed him what I was doing and he said, “Carla honey I'll come down with you, and that way the twins can come too, and you know how much they like getting a ride in the chopper.”

I replied, “My husband the jelly bean!” and kissed him.

He replied, “Keep that up and we might have to have an early night.” All I whispered in his ear was, “Darling I can't wait.”

I thought, “I hope the twins go to sleep without any trouble.” As I was thinking that, Jean was in my mind and said, “As good as done sister dear.” Ricky heard that as well and just winked at me with that cheeky grin of his. Anyway that's enough of that.

Sandy dropped in on her way home to fill me in on what her day was like at the surgery and also to pick up her excited daughter who said, “Mummy we're going to have an American staying with us and she is a trans girl”

“Oh!” said Sandy who hadn't been told as yet, so I quickly intervened before a dancing Jamie could tell it all back the front.

I said, “Sandy, the girl and her father are going to stay with us for a while to help Jennifer get over her mothers passing.”

Jamie with a sing song voice said, “Mummy can she stay at our place too?”

“Slow down sweetheart, we'll have to see if it's going to be ok with her Daddy wont we?”

“Yes, Mummy.”

Jamie said bye to the twins for the day and went home with Sandy, but will spend her time with Mum and Dad through the days till she goes back to school when she gets the 'all clear' from Doctor Ryan.

After the evening meal we put the girls to bed before reading them a story and Jean said in Ricky's and my mind, “Ok you two I will make sure the little ones stay asleep so off you go.” We didn't need any prompting.!!!

The next two days went by doing all the normal things that life demands of us, On Friday morning I phoned John Hansen again and told him we would meet them when they arrived at the international airport, and take them back to our unit at West End.

Both Ricky and myself decide to fly down and stay at West End and that it would make everything much more relaxed to let the travellers have a rest before getting straight into another flight the same day. Also Sandy said that if we wanted to take Jamie with us she would not object and that way she would be able to look after the clinic, not that there is a lot that happens there on the weekend.

About lunch time we finally got going and were on our way to Brisbane in the helicopter and it was funny but the twins always seem to stay alert whenever they ride in the chopper. Jamie was the same. I suppose it might be that it is a bit of a novelty flying in a craft that has no wings. We also flew lower and slower so the kids could see more of what was on the ground. Jamie was fascinated by the cattle in amongst the the trees and said they all looked like toy animals from the sky.

It is always good to see Archerfield come into sight and see our own hanger with the Croft name on the roof. Our staff are all very professional and by the time we are sitting on the ground in front of the hanger the guys were ready to pull the chopper under cover and prepare it for a return flight.

We got into our four wheel drive and made our way to the unit. The traffic never seems to change and it feels like peak hour traffic at any time of the day, but than city folk probably are used to that and just accept it as a fact of life in the city.

21/2/74
It was Saturday and the flight was due in at eleven am, so off to the main Brisbane airport to pick up our American friends.

Next time: Our American friends arrive.

Please leave a comment.

Previously:

The flight was due in at eleven o'clock, so off we went to the main Brisbane airport to pick up our American friends.

Saturday 21/2/74

We put the twins in their safety seats with Jamie sitting in the middle to entertain them and set off. I let Ricky drive since he is more used to Brisbane traffic and is a more pushy driver than me. The big four wheel drive with the large bull bar on the front looks quite intimating to other drivers.

We arrived just as the plane was taxiing into its position in front of the terminal and let the twins see the planes through the big glass observation area. Their eyes got really big and both said. “Da-Da Mama's pwane?”

Daddy replied, “She wishes.” and gave me a wink. What is it with people winking at me? They have always done it ever since I was a little girl.

Jamie was used to seeing the big jets so it was old hat to her and she was more interested in the duty-free shop. Anyway we had quite a wait before our friends emerged from the Customs and out to the carousel that transports the luggage from the plane and that is where I spotted the two newcomers.

John was holding Jenny's hand and I walked up and said, “G'day you two.”

Jennifer recognised me straight away and gave me a bone crushing hug and said, “Oh 'wow' Mrs Smith I'm so glad to be on the ground.”

I replied “Jenny, it's good to see you, but you can call me Aunty Carla if you like.”

“Oh that would great Aunty Carla.”

The twins were both restless by now and Jenny knelt down to talk to them and said, “Hi you two!! Aren’t you the pretty ones?” and the girls being the outgoing little ladies, both twirled around and said, “Pweety ones.”

John then shook Ricky's hand and said, “You must be Carla's husband, it's nice to meet you.”

Ricky said, “Likewise I'm sure.”

I then got a kiss on the cheek from John who said, “It's good of you to do this for us Carla”

I replied in the Aussie way and said, “No worries mate.”

Jenny asked, “Aunty Carla, where is Jamie?”

Just then Jamie reappeared with a koala teddy bear to give to Jenny.

Jamie wasted no time in welcoming Jenny and said, “G'day, I'm Jamie and this is for you.” and she proceeded to give Jenny a hug with the bear being squashed between them. The twins then decide they needed a bear each as well and grabbed Jamie by the hand and both at the same time said, “We get bear too?”

Ricky saw what was going on and pulled out his wallet and gave Jamie a ten dollar note and said, “Jamie why don’t you and Jenny take the little ones and get them a koala each? It will keep them happy on the trip home.”

Once the luggage was collected and we rounded up four girls we could make our way out of the main airport building and to where the four wheel drive was parked. The twins were happy being looked after by Jamie and Jenny and hugging their koalas.

John asked Ricky, “Do you fly as well as Carla?”

Ricky replied, “I do about thirty hours doing charter flights a week. Carla would only fly a couple of times a week especially now that her business partner Jamie's mum flies as well.”

John replied, “Is it that isolated in Quilpie that a vet has to fly to attend their patients?” I chipped in and explained that it was only for the more outlying properties that it was necessary to use the planes; anything within driving distance was done by vehicle. I think people think we live in the desert but really it comes down to living in a large country and the vast distance between towns and sheep stations can be hundreds of miles apart. It's called “the outback”.

We climbed aboard the car and made our way through the traffic. Jenny was amazed at how large the city of Brisbane is and said, “Wow!!! I saw the flood coverage on our telly but it looks much bigger in real life and the traffic is just crazy.”

Jamie replied, “Yeah that's why we live in good old Quilpie where you can drive from one end of town to the other in about five minutes.”

Both the twins had to join in and said in an almost sing song voice, “Yeah ody Qwipee” My girls are a constant source of amusement with their double speak.

Forty minutes later we finally arrived at the unit in West End. Once we got up to the apartment the two Americans just wanted to have a shower and lay down for a sleep so I said, “John, there are sandwiches in the fridge so once you have had a shower why don't you and Jenny have a bite to eat and have a rest. The rest of us will go out for a while to give you some peace”

He replied, “Thanks Carla, that sounds good.”

Jamie said, “Aunty Carla we haven't had any lunch.”

Ricky also said, “Yeah we haven't had any lunch either.” The twins who were supposed to be having a nap as well but for some reason were holding on to Jamie's hand saying, “JY JY we hungry too.” Amazing isn’t it how the little ones are tuned in to what the adults are saying. They sound cute when they double speak but I think it is going to be a problem when they get older and start playing tricks on us or worse still driving their teachers crazy with both saying the same things most of the time.

I'm glad I keep a double stroller here in Brisbane as well, it makes it a bit easier to just put the girls in them to get around. Mind you they would much rather walk and get into mischief and keep me and Ricky on our toes.

Ricky said, “Ok girls what are we going to have for lunch? It's almost two in the afternoon and I am getting pretty hungry.”

I replied, “How about we go to that burger shop around the corner?”

Jamie said, “Yes please,” looking at her uncle with that big brown eyed smile.

Ricky replied, “Sweetheart ,you don’t have to twist my arm with that smile, I'm in.”

The twins put their two cents worth in with, “We in we in.” in parrot fashion.

I just shook my head and said, “The vote is in then?”

No-one answered because we were in the burger shop by then and Ricky was already ordering three burgers and some small rolls for the twins. I won't allow my girls to eat junk food; it's bad enough that I was having a burger because whatever I eat these days goes straight to my backside.

The twins were making a bit of a mess and Jamie was fussing over them, so I left her to it and enjoyed my bit of naughty food.

Ricky sat there smiling, looking at the three girls and whispered to me, “God I love my kids honey.”

My reply was, “More than me?”

He said, “I still love you as much as the first day we met and you saved me from drowning darling.”

I replied, “Right answer.“ and for once I did the winking.

By the time we got back to the apartment our guests were up and looking refreshed and full of questions about flying out to Quilpie in our chopper.

“Can we all fit into the helicopter?” asked John.

Jenny looked on with interest as Ricky explained that our chopper has been modified to be able to be used in rescues and carry different things, soit seats seven people. When we take the twins there are special seats we put them in. It all had to be approved by the controlling air safety department.

Jenny said to Jamie, “I found a lot of things in the fridge and I can cook really well. Do you think I would be allowed to cook our evening meal?”

Jamie's reply was, “Jenny, I can cook really well too and we can do it together.”

They both looked at me and Jamie said, “Aunty Carla?”

I said, “The kitchen is yours girls I'm going to put the twins down for a nap and try to have one myself.”

Ricky and John decided to watch something on the telly, so I took the twins in to the bedroom, read them a story and fell asleep when they did. When there was a knock on the door I couldn't work out where I was for a few seconds till Ricky opened up the door and said, “Have a good sleep honey?”

I looked beside me and the twins weren’t on the bed.

Ricky said, “Jean got into my head and said to get the girls and leave you sleep.”

He then sat on the bed and gave me a very passionate kiss and said, “I love you sweetheart.”

My response was, “Wait till I get you home to Quilpie darling, just as well I’m on the pill.”

Ricky's reply was “I can't wait to see you pregnant.”

“Not yet dear.”

The girls cooked a lovely meal, while I was asleep. Ricky went out and bought some fresh salmon so we had that with white sauce, potatoes in their jackets and some greens as well. I was impressed with what the girls had done and decided to take them to the flea market the next day. West End always has a huge market on Sundays. We had planned to fly home but that could wait until Monday morning because Jamie didn't start school again till the next week and I really wanted to go to the markets as well.

Sunday morning 22 /2/74

The men said they would look after the twins while I and two very excited girls went to see what the market had to offer. The markets are held in a park just down the road from our apartment so it's just a short walk and you're there.

I told the little ones to be good for their Daddy and they both replied, “Mama, we be good.”

I said, “Ricky ,no bribing them ice cream or sweets.”

“No dear, yes dear,” was his reply.

John looked on with amusement but kept quiet and gave Jenny some money so she could buy something at the market.

He hugged her and said, “Have a good time sweetheart.”

She replied Thanks Daddy, I miss Mummy and wish she could have been here with us.”

Jamie then grabbed her by the hand and said, “I still miss my Daddy too, Jenny.”

I thought that we had better get going or there would be tears and said, “Come on girls, we have to go or we will miss all the good bargains.”

We spent about four hours at the markets. The girls went off by themselves and came back to a designated spot every half an hour to show me what hey had bought, I myself looked for some clothes for my sister Jenny and her little boy Josh, and also for Chrissie and Sandy. Rita was too hard to buy for so those days I didn’t bother.

When four hours was up I decide to round up Jamie and Jenny to have something to eat and make our way back home. I had bought something for everyone, even the men, and some fluffy toys for the twins. Jamie and Jenny were happy with their purchases and did not object to calling it a day. I think they were worn out. So home we went to show the men and the little ones what we had bought. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and getting things ready for Monday and the flight home.

Jenny

Jamie

To be continued. Please leave a comment.

Carla Bay

Previously:

We spent about four hours at the markets. The girls went off by themselves and came back to a designated spot every half an hour to show me what they had bought, I looked for some clothes for my sister Jenny and her little boy Josh, and also for Chrissie and Sandy. Rita was too hard to buy for those days so I didn’t bother, When four hours were up I decide to round Jamie and Jenny up to have something to eat and make our way back home. I had bought something for everyone even the men, and some fluffy toys for the twins. Jamie and Jenny were happy with their purchases and did not object to calling it a day. I think they were worn out. So home we went to show the men and the little ones what was bought, and the rest of the day was spent relaxing and getting things ready for Monday and the flight home.

****************************************************
18/2/74

It was 5am and the twins were still fast asleep, so my beautiful and randy husband blew in my ear. That was too much for me so guess what, my ever present sister got into the act and said, “It's about time you two!!! The girls will stay asleep so do what you will.”

I whispered “Thanks sis.”

The girls stayed asleep until we had a shower and got dressed and then we got them up to have their bath. John had breakfast all prepared, so Jamie and Jenny decided to have a bath with Donna and Jean so the adults could have breakfast and talk about what the plans for today would be.

Once Jamie, Jenny and the little ones were fed and dressed it was time to get going, so we cleaned up the apartment and packed all the things into the car. By the time we got going it was nine thirty and the morning traffic was as per usual heavy, but that’s city life and it is always a good feeling to be on our way back home where time seems to slow down.

When we arrived at Archerfield, our staff at the hanger had the chopper all fuelled up and flight ready; the car was parked in the hanger and all the luggage and items that we'd bought at the markets were loaded and secured. Ricky had a few things to sort out with the staff at the hanger and workshops and then it was time to take to the air. I let Ricky do the flying with John sitting in the co-pilot seat. John was really impressed with our set up at the hanger so Ricky kept the head phones on and chatted about guy things.

Jamie and Jenny were singing nursery rhymes with the little ones. I just let my mind drift while Jean took me back in time to when I first got my pilots licence. I love flying and it has been part of my life, and of course the remoteness of where I grew up is something that is almost spiritual.

I was brought out of my daydream when Jamie shook me and said, “Aunty Carla, are you alright?”

“Yes darling, the humming of the engine sort of made me go into a dream state”

“It worked for Donna and Jean too, they are fast asleep,” said Jamie over the noise of the engine. I looked at my watch and out onto the countryside about two thousand feet below, and we were nearing familiar territory so I tapped Ricky on the shoulder and said, “How long darling?”

He replied, “Fifteen minutes. Wake up the girls so they can be alert when Mum and Dad are there to greet us on the ground.” Jamie was already softly touching them on their cheeks to wake them.

Ricky circled the airport once and proceeded to touch down and taxi to on the landing apron in front of the Croft hanger. It was just after one pm. Mum, Dad and Sandy are there to welcome us and the Americans home.

Once Ricky shut down the chopper it was time to get out and stretch our legs. Mum and Dad gave myself and Ricky a hug and picked up Donna and Jean, who were speaking twenty to the dozen and really excited to see their grandparents. Ricky's parents were also walking over from our office and of course the twins had to be hugged by them as well.

Sandy then gave Jamie a hug and said “This must be Jenny and her Dad,” and proceeded to hug them both saying, “Welcome to Quilpie and the outback.”

I don’t think John was quite used to being hugged by a stranger, but then I think bush people are more open and trusting than city folk.

We all ended up at our place and had a late lunch that Mum and Ricky's Mum Helen had prepared for us.

Jamie said, “Aunty Carla, will Jenny be able to come stay with me or does she have to stay here?”

I replied, “Sweetheart you had better ask your Mum about that because your not going to school till next week, you were staying here remember?”

“Oh yeah, but can I sleep here as well till then?” Jamie is very out there and does not hold back, and when she wants something she does not beat around the bush and comes straight out and says what she wants. She's 'my kind of person', well it always worked for me!!!!

Sandy said, “Carla, we're not going to keep Jamie and Jenny apart, so if it's ok with you I have not got a problem with Jamie staying here, but come next week when she starts school again we will have to have a rethink.”

I replied, “No worries, as long as Mum and Dad can handle four girls while we're at work!”

Mum said, “They'll be fine, besides the twins won't let them stray too far.”

Jenny and Jamie both replied, “Yeees.” That set off the little ones twirling around like little princesses saying, “We too we too.”

Sandy said, “I'll never get used to these two with their double speak.”

Dad replied,”Give it time luv. Wait till they go to school, that'll be interesting.”

Things settled down. Jamie and Jenny took the twins for a walk down to the park to let them play on the swings. Sandy invited John to go down and have a look at her house, I winked at her and got a wink back, Oh dear !! It looked like Sandy was interested in our American friend.

Helen and Barry decided to go home and asked Ricky to drive them because they needed to discuss some things. Ricky didn’t see them often enough so I encouraged him to also go and see Rita and Peter. Rita was still having trouble with morning sickness. I decided to go and see her in the next couple of days and see if Jean could do something for her from the spirit world.

Ricky stayed at Rita's place which was their home at the back of the restaurant and had dinner there.

Sandy phoned me and said almost in a whisper, “Carla, I'm going to cook John a meal so he will be back later, is that ok with you?”

I replied, “Sandy girl you go for it but take it slowly.”

Her reply was “Carla, do you think Jamie would accept another man in my life or even her life?”

I said “Sandy, Jamie still misses her Dad and so do you, but I think it might be time to move on and give your new life a chance don't you?”

“Thanks Carla I needed to hear that.”

Later the phone rang and I had a fair idea what it was about. It was John.

”Umm Carla, could I speak with my daughter for a moment please?”

I replied, “Yes John, but before I call her I just want you to know that I am right behind you with whatever you want to do in regards to Jenny and yourself and will help you any way I can, but take it slow with Sandy, she is a real nice person and I don’t want to see her hurt.”

He replied, “Carla, Sandy is still grieving the loss of her husband as I am my wife, so we have a lot in common and the friendship will grow slowly so don't worry, it'll be fine”

I called Jenny to the phone, “Hello Daddy what's wrong?” She listened and and then said, “Daddy I just want you to be happy I'll --- I'll see you in the morning.”

She looked at me with tears in her big brown eyes.

“Aunty Carla I miss Mummy so much but I want Daddy to be happy.”

I held her in a hug and softly stroked her hair, “Sweetheart we are all there for you and your Daddy and we'll have a good talk in the morning, now off you go and tell Jamie all about your Daddy and her Mummy.”

Later Ricky came home and said, “Carla honey, is there anything you can do for Rita and that morning sickness?”

“No darling but I think Jean may be able to help.”

Of course Jean is always there and started to do her usual thing in our head and said, “I'm already doing something to make things a little easier for her and her little unborn son so relax and stop worrying”

Half an hour later John came into the lounge where Ricky and I were sitting holding hands and thinking of calling it a night. John sat down in the recliner chair opposite us and rubbed his eyes looking very tired.

I said, “John you look exhausted, why don’t you turn in for the night?”

“Carla, I need to explain why I worry about Jenny so much. I really don’t know enough about what she is going through and I'm afraid I’ll fail her as a father.”

Ricky got up and said, “I'll make us a cup of tea and then let's have a talk”.

By this time Mum and Dad came into the lounge as well and joined the conversation.

Mum said, “John we are all here to support you with Jennifer. Remember I went through all this years ago with Carla. Everything will turn out fine, but if you want I'll have a talk with her in the morning.”

John replied ”That would be great Mrs Croft.”

“John please call me Donna, I think your going to be around for a while.”

“Thanks Donna.”

Needless to say it ended up being a fairly late night by the time we all got to bed but at least John was more relaxed about bringing his daughter to Quilpie and the Croft and Smith families. We will just have to wait and see what develops with him and Sandy; Jean might have to work her spiritual ways with them.

Tuesday 19/2/74

Things were going to have to go back to normal and once everyone had breakfast including the twins, Ricky and I had to head off to work so it was left to Mum and Dad to look after the twins, Jamie, Jenny and her dad John.

***Donna now speaks***

I have seen this all before so I suppose it might be best if I sort of take charge of things for a while where Jenny is concerned. I want to ease the pressure on Carla, She has done so much for other people and needs to think of herself the twins and Ricky, or she will have a breakdown.

Once Carla and Ricky left for work I asked Bill to look after the twins for a while so I could have a word with John, Jenny and of course my other little helper Jamie.

I got out a big photo album and scrapbook on Carla’s life right from when she first started to run around the sheep station with Rita. It really has been an amazing journey for all of us.

On the wide verandah with John and I sitting in a pair of squatters' chairs and the girls on the double love swing where I guess Carla and Ricky spent an awful lot of time daydreaming I said, “Ok I'm going to tell you how Carla became the woman she is today.”

There were lots of questions along the way, especially when it came to the part of the ever present twin of Carla, 'Jean' of the spirit world. Of course Jamie is excited about being able to not just communicate with but actually see her as well.

The next thing Jamie said was, “Aunty Donna, how about we see If Aunty Jean will communicate with Jenny and her Dad?”

I replied, “Ok sweetheart, we'll go into the lounge and pull all the curtains and see if Jean will talk with us.”

Once we were ready I let Jamie explain how people that have not heard Jean in their brain have to keep their eyes closed and keep holding onto her hand I also held Jamie’s hand to make sure the energy would flow from the spirit world.

Jean was there almost instantly, and Jenny and her Dad felt the slight vibration that people get when Jean starts to communicate with them. Jenny kept quiet but John asked if he could communicate with Jessie his late wife.

Jean was coming through very clearly and said, “John, Jessie is fine and sends her love to you and Jennifer and wants you to get on with your lives.”

Jennifer had tears running down her cheeks and asked if she could see her Mummy.

Jean's reply was “Sweetheart, when our communication gets stronger I will see if that can happen.”

After a while Jean said she was running low on energy and said goodbye.

Later we went for a drive to see Jenny and little Josh to let the twins have a play with their little cousin. Rita and Chrissie were already there so the day was spent catching up and planning what would happen in the next few weeks to make Jennifer and John's stay with us a pleasant one.

Carla came home early to see what our day was like and to take the twins down to Sandy's pool.

Donna and Jean

To be continued.

Next time: Jamie back to school and an interesting development with John and Sandy

Please leave a comment.

Previously:

Donnna speaks

Later we went for a drive to see Jenny and little Josh to let the twins have a play with their little cousin. Rita and Chrissie were already there so the day was spent catching up and planning what would happen in the next few weeks to make Jennifer and John's stay with us a pleasant one.

Carla came home early to see what our day was like and to take the twins down to Sandy's pool.

Wednesday 20/2/74

Back with Carla

As it's a normal workday for me and Ricky, we left Mum and Dad to look after John and all the girls. When I arrived at the clinic Sandy was on the phone to her Mum and Dad, talking about John and how she really liked him and would they mind if she came out to the property to show him around the workings of a real sheep station?

Lambing season is around April and shearing starts in early Spring so the sheds were idle at that moment but it would still be an experience for an American to see what happens here in Queensland.

Once she was off the phone I said, “Morning Sandy, sleep well did we?”

“A bit restless thinking about the future for me and Jamie. Carla I need some advice.”

“Yes I thought you might. Ask away Sandy, I'm here for you.”

“Well I really like John and we seem to have a lot in common and well... you know.”

“Sandy I like John as well, but be careful. He is quite vulnerable at the moment like yourself and is still grieving the loss of his wife, but if it feels right go for it and make sure you include Jamie in any decisions.”

“Thanks Carla that’s why I want to go out to Mum and Dads place.”

I decided to cut Sandy some slack and said, “Why don’t you take a couple of days off and take John, Jenny and Jamie out there? Take the Piper; it has more room than the twin Cessna. It's not busy at the moment and I can handle the clinic with the help of Chrissie and Amy.”

She replied with a hug and said, “Carla, you really are just like a sister to me and yes, I’ll do just that, thanks.”

“Sandy, you're most welcome. Take your vet gear with you and check out that stud ram while you're there and say hello to your Mum and Dad for me.”

It was a good time to take Jamie then because she had to go back to school next week and she would also be company for Jenny. Those two were getting on really well.

***Sandy speaks***

I am so glad to have Carla and her family as not only close friends but business partners as well. I packed any medical supplies that I might need to have a look at Dad's animals, said goodbye to Carla and the others, got into my car and drove straight over to the Croft house knowing that everyone would still be on the verandah chatting and working out what to do for the day.

I pulled into the driveway and Jamie and Jenny came running over, “Mummy why are you home and not at work?”

“If you let me get out out of the car I will tell you won't I!!”

I alighted from the car and the girls were dancing around me so I said, “Girls, come and sit down with everyone on the verandah and I’ll explain what I plan to do for the next few days.”

The twins were playing with their dolls keeping their Grandpa busy. Donna was talking to John, asking all about his late wife. He looked up at me with damp eyes and said, “Hello Sandy, just a bit emotional at the moment, sorry.”

I went and hugged him and said, “John I know where you're at and I'm here for you more than you realise.”

He smiled back at me and almost broke my heart when he replied, “Sandy, why does it hurt so much?”

I couldn't answer him, so I took him by the hand and said, “Come with me and lets talk.”

Donna then said “Sandy, you two go out into the garden and sit under the big gum on the swing seat. I'll keep the girls busy for a bit.”

We sat and talked about our past lives holding hands and in the end I told him I wanted to take him out to my parents' sheep station with the girls. We talked a bit more and then I don’t know why, but I just kissed him and said, “John, let's get to know each other and see where it takes us.”

He replied, “Sandy I’d like that very much, but what about the girls?”

I said, “Well knowing those two they will already have us married off!”

He kissed me then, and we went and talked to the girls to let them know what was going to happen for the rest of the week.

The girls were entertaining the twins with their dollies in the little push chairs when John said to Jenny “I have something to discuss with you and Jamie, so let Mrs Croft look after the twins for a while and come with me and Sandy out into the garden and we'll inform you on what is going to happen in the next few days.”

John and I sat on the swing seat and the girls sat on the grass in front of us with an expectant look on their face,

I let John do the talking and made it easier by holding his hand. The girls smiled at each other and both said, “I told you!!!!!!” which made me laugh and I said to John, “They don’t miss much do they?”

So the girls were told to go and pack enough clothes for at least four days and we would all go to the Croft hanger to get on board the Piper and fly out to my parents property.

The next few days were very relaxing for me because Dad and John seemed to get on like a couple of old mates, which made it really exciting for the girls as well because they went with the men to be shown all the workings of an outback sheep station,

It is Sunday morning and it's time to think about getting back to Quilpie. It will be hard to get back to work after being in the quiet outback where all you hear is the wildlife and the farm animals. It has also been good for the girls to get to know each other more intimately and Jenny had a lot of questions about what Jamie went through with her surgery which of course will be quite different to her own since Jenny is transgendered while Jamie is intersexed and basically needed to have corrective surgery.

John and myself have become a little bit closer in the last couple of days and it looks like he might sell his business in the states and migrate to Australia. I think the girls seem to know what is going to happen and I pulled them aside to interrogate them without John being present.

I said, “Jamie what have you and Jenny cooked up between you?” Jamie grabbed Jenny's hand as if she needed some support so I knew there was something going on.

I said, “Jamie girl!!! you know something that I don’t, and I want you to tell me before we head back to Quilpie.”

Jamie was close to tears when she said, “Mummy we didn't mean to but we asked Aunty Jean to tell us what was going to happen between you and Jenny's Dad.”

My reply was “Well!!!?”

“Mummy please don't be cross with us.”

“Darling I'm not cross with either of you, so, are you going to let me in on the big news?”

It looks like we might end up as a family, so I swore the girls to secrecy for the time being so as not to shock John before I had a chance to talk things through with him once we got back home. The girls agreed to keep it our little secret. Poor John, he is such a nice man and I think that I had already fallen for him before this little episode with the girls.

By ten am it was time to get moving so we got all our things together and put them in Dad's four wheel drive to take us down to the landing strip, which is a little way from the homestead on higher ground so when it floods the strip can still be used. Mum came with us as well and it was as expected, a teary goodbye. I have decided to come out here at least once a month for a couple of days especially now that I know what is going to happen in the future compliments of Carla’s twin spirit sister.

***John speaks***

I've had the most wonderful time these last few days and am completely relaxed and I think I am falling in love with a wonderful lady called Sandra. This is something I didn't expect to happen so soon after Jessie's passing, but I guess I'm alive and she is not so I have to think of my future and also Jennifer's and it all feels right. I wonder what Jennifer will say when I tell her of my plans for our future lives here in the land down under?

***Carla speaks***

It's Sunday morning and Mum got the twins early so Ricky and I can have a bit of a sleep in before tomorrow's back to work. We laid back and talked quietly about what we both wanted in the future.

I said, “Darling what is the most important thing you want to do in your life?”

“Sweetheart I'm living it right now just being with you and our family. It's what I cherish more than anything else; another baby would be nice as well.”

I said, “Ricky I want to wait till the girls are at least three years old before we have any more because with my luck it would be a big possibility I would end up having another set of twins, how would you feel about that?”

“As long as they're boys lets do it!”

I threw a pillow at him which led to more than talk, so maybe he'll get his way sooner rather than later.

Jean was in our head and said, “Sandy will be here in half an hour so you two had better get up. There will be some good news.”

I thought, “I bet I know what what the good news will be.”

Jean was right. Sandy drove up the drive just as it was twelve noon. Once the car stopped the two girls rushed passed me to go to the loo. They had obviously not used the toilet at the hanger.

Mum had phoned Peter at the restaurant to have a meal ready for all of us because we were all going there for lunch including Chrissie and Alan, Jenny and Billy and of course little Josh.

Of course the good news was that John had decided to sell up in America and live in our beautiful sun-burnt country called ''Australia.''

To be continued.

Please leave a comment.

Previously:

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

Sunday 24/2/74

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

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

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

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

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

***Jamie and Jennifer ***

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carla speaks:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“But won't she find out?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday 25/2/74

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Well do something will you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will it be a boy? Ricky would be so happy to have a little son.”

“Carla I shouldn't tell you but yes he will get his wish.”

“Jean when will we be together?”

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

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

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

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

“Yes.”

“Well we're pregnant.”
“I know.”

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

“Yes, do you mind?”

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

“I like Paul.”

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

To be continued.

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

Hugs from, Carla Bay

Please leave a comment.

Previously:

I woke up in Ricky's arms with him gazing into my eyes. He kissed me and said, “My sweet Carla I love you. Please don't frighten me like you did last night ever again, I could never live without you.”

I still felt a little sleepy from the effect of the injection Doc Ryan gave me the previous night and I doubted that I would be going to work that morning. There was a phone call and Mum said, “Carla, Sandra is on the phone and wants to know how you are and can she come over before she goes to the clinic?”

“Yes Mum, please tell her I’m o.k., and to come here first, but also to ring Amy and let her know she'll be late and if need be call Ross to help out.”

Ricky said, “Honey, until doc Ryan checks you out you're not going anywhere, is that clear?”

“Ricky don’t you boss me around!”

“Carla I'll tie you to the bed if I have to!”

I thought, “Gee I think he means it, I had better behave or I will be in trouble with everyone.”

I replied with tears in my eyes, “Sorry darling just a bit emotional at the moment.”

“Darling I love you too much to let you have a complete breakdown, so just behave yourself and slow down. You have been running around at a hundred miles an hour and it's time you thought about yourself for a change, especially now.”

“Ricky I have done it all my life, you know that I can't sit still.”

Just as I said that, Jim Ryan walked into the bedroom with a concerned look on his face and said, “Carla you are only twenty four years old. If you keep this up you won't reach your next birthday. You have done more in your short life than most people have who are twenty years older than you.”

I kept my mouth shut and thought “Well doc you are probably right, but how can you ask me to change my personality? I was born this way.”

Ricky then said, “Jim, did you know about Carla being pregnant?”

“Well after I saw the blood test that was done last night I did.”

I thought, “Bloody hell I had better speak up for myself before I get retired by everyone.”

I said, “Ok doc what do you suggest?”

“Well Carla, I want some more tests done but if you want to go the full term with this pregnancy I will tell you in the only way you will listen. Stop running around like a blue-arsed fly!!!!”

That got through to me and I must have been more stressed than I thought because the dam broke once more.

Now Ricky was getting worried and held me tightly in his arms till I quietened down. Jim was about to give me another injection when Mum walked in and said, “Jim, no more drugs, she just needs to slow down and she will be fine. Remember fourteen years ago with all the drama taking her to Brisbane in the helicopter and then to the Mater?”

“Yes Donna I was in that chopper with you too you know, and Carla is like my own daughter. I was there when the twins arrived too.”

I thought, “This has gone on long enough, pull yourself together girl.”

“Ok everyone I hear you. Jean is in my head as well. I will stop work for a bit and I’ll be fine.”

Jim replied, “Carla you need to stop work and no stress till I tell you otherwise or you will lose the baby. Do you understand?”

I replied through bloodshot eyes, “Yes doc, you're the boss.”

“Good. I will send your sister Jenny over to do the blood test shortly and I’ll be back this afternoon to check up on you.”

Jenny wanted to go back to work at the Hospital but Billy wouldn't hear of it while Josh was so young so she did part-time work and collected the blood tests for the hospital. A little later Jenny turned up with little Josh and he was taken out to play with my girls.

“Ok sister dear what have you got up to?” asked Jenny.

“Umm well you know!! No different than when we were growing up and we were the Three Musketeers and helped everyone remember?”

“Carla we were all young girls than; we have families now and you can't always help everyone to your own health's detriment. Now give me your arm and be quiet if you can!!!”

“Yes Ma'am!” I thought, “I suppose I had better do as I’m told I certainly don't want to jeopardise my unborn baby.”

Just as Jenny finished collecting my blood, Jean entered the scene and seemed to be communicating with everyone in the room and said, “I know that all the people in this room can hear me so listen up, I have always been with Carla since birth and we are both one soul. I’m not about to let her slip into ill health; the baby will be fine and Carla dear, you will do as you are told is that clear?”

I felt like a little girl being told to stand in the corner till I could behave myself and burst into tears once more. This time Mum told everyone to get out of the room and she then sat next to me and let me cuddle into her while she rocked me like she used to when I was little and sang to me. I fell asleep in her arms and found myself back in the spirit world with Jean rocking me instead of Mum and it was Jean doing the singing.

When I woke up three hours later I found myself in bed, with Ricky stroking my hair saying, “Hello sweetheart, have a nice time with Jean did we?”

I said, “How did you know I was with Jean?”

“Darling she let me see you in the spirit world and you looked even more beautiful in the blue shimmering gowns that you were both wearing.”

I replied, “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

Ricky said “Now honey you are going to slow right down aren't you?”

“Yes darling, obviously I don’t have a choice but I don’t want to be treated like an invalid either.”

“Don't worry sweetheart you will never be that.”

I thought, 'This could be fun but I had better have a long talk with Sandy and John to see what will happen with the veterinary clinic.'

Ricky said as if he read my mind, “Carla I have asked John and Sandy to come over this morning to sort out what has to happen with the clinic.”

I replied, “Ricky we also need Brian to come over to see what the best way to sort out the legal issues.” I thought to myself, “I don’t think I have much choice but to let this happen and just hope it all works out for the best.”

It all seemed like a dream to me when I finished the discussions with Sandy and John with Brian taking notes to take back to his office. It was all happening too fast but again I also knew that I had to slow down till our little boy was born and then I could go back to work.

I spent the rest of the day with the twins and Ricky at Helen and Barry, Ricky's parents' place. There would be a lot more of that from then on.

Sandra, John and Jenny speak

Jenny said, “Daddy, does all this mean that we won't go back home to live?”

“Well sweetheart I think that it's the best thing if we start a new life and you seem to like Sandra and Jamie or am I wrong?”

“No Daddy you're not wrong but I miss Mummy.”

Sandra then hugged Jenny and said, “Darling I can't replace your Mummy but I will love you just as much as I do Jamie.”

Jenny replied, “What about my little problem? Will I be able to have all the treatment done here in Australia?”

Sandra asked John to make a cup of tea and leave the two of them have a little discussion about girl things.

Sandy said, “Ok Jenny, you already know about Jamie being inter-sexed and that was all fixed without any problems and so will you when the time comes. I will fly us down to Brisbane and get the same doctors to treat you as well.”

By the time John came back with three cups of tea and some cake Jenny was all smiles.

Jamie was back at school and had told a few friends about her friend from the States and that her mum was going to try to enroll her in the same school. Once all the relevant paper work was sorted out with John's and Jenny's Australian residence with the immigration department things would settle down.

To be continued.

Please leave a comment.

Carla Bay

Previously:

It all seemed like a dream to me when I finished the discussions with Sandy and John with Brian taking notes to take back to his office. It was all happening too fast ,but again I also knew that I had to slow down till our little boy was born and than I could go back to work.

The rest of the day I spent with the twins and Ricky at Helen and Barry , Ricky's parents, which there will be a lot more of from now on.

***************************************

The story continues,

Sunday 24th February 1974

I'd settled down a little by now and got used to the fact that my life would be slightly different from now on. I thought to myself, “I will get myself pregnant so it is basically my own doing. Oh well it wont be too bad.”

Over the weekend most of what had to be done was sorted out and it only remained for Brian to draw up all the legals and I would sign the papers that would change my life at least for the foreseeable future.

I was feeling quite queasy in the tummy and of course I knew what it was, so off to the bathroom I went. It was only five a.m., and I didn’t want to wake Ricky or the twins so I stayed in the bathroom till I felt better and then went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. I usually drink coffee but once I'm with child for some unknown reason my taste buds are quite different.

When I put the kettle on I must have disturbed Mum who came into the kitchen in her dressing-gown.

She said, “Sweetheart sit down I'll make us the tea, you look all flushed.”

I replied, “Mum, I know this is all part of being pregnant but it is the only part I don't enjoy.”

As usual Jean was in my head and said, “Carla last time I stopped a lot of that for you so I guess I'll have to do the same this time.”

I replied, out loud, “Sis you're too kind.'

Mum said, “Alright you two, you forget I can listen into your little digs at each other.”

Jean than manifested herself and was sitting on the chair next to Mum who jumped and said “Jean must you do that without warning?”

Both Jean and I laughed but said, “Sorry Mummy.” at the same time, just like my little ones do.

Mum said “Carla I'm glad you are only having one!! I don’t think I can handle much more of this double speak.”

By six a.m., the twins had their Daddy awake and and wanting to know where Mummy was. They are dry now and sleep all night through, which is a blessing.

Ricky put up with the little monsters jumping up and down on the bed for a while and then took them both down to the main bathroom and let them play in the big tub while he used the shower next to the tub. I could hear all the squealing going on and thought I’d better rescue my husband and see to the little ones.

When I got there Ricky was in the tub as well and they were making a real mess on the floor splashing water at each other. Ricky was as bad as the girls.

I said, “Ricky! Going through your second childhood are we?”

All I ended up with was a splash of water directed at me so I disrobed and got into the shower. In the end we were all wrapped in towels back in the bedroom, and I made the girls sit on the bed while Ricky and myself got dressed.

Once dressed we grabbed a twin each and dressed them for the day and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Mum was standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and said, “I hope you two intend to clean up that bathroom.”

Both me and Rick said, “Yes Mum.”

The twins joined in and while climbing into the chairs singing “Yes mum” all Mum could do was to look the other way so not to encourage them to keep it up.

Mum had all the breakfast prepared, and Dad turned up as well and started blowing raspberries on the girls cheeks. Once all the silly stuff was over things settled down. The twins are really good at eating and can feed themselves. As long as they have their bibs on they don’t make too much of a mess.

Once breakfast was over, Mum and Dad looked after the twins while Ricky and myself cleaned up the kitchen and and bathroom. It was Sunday, so Ricky said, “Honey lets go over to Jenny's place and let the girls play with little Joshua.”

I replied, “Ok I'll give Jenny a call and see if she can cope with this unruly mob.”

It was only seven thirty a.m., but being February it was hot already. There is no real humidity in Quilpie but it get very hot in summer and most people get up fairly early especially the ones with little ankle biters.

I went to my home office and dialled Jenny's phone number.

“Hello Billy Wilson.”

“Billy it's Carla. I was just thinking it might be a good idea if we come over today and let the twins play with little Josh.”

He replied, “Sure, I want to catch up with Ricky anyway I'll let Jenny know.”

He hung up before I could tell him what time we would be there so I rang back. Jenny answered and said, “Make it ten o’clock.”

I replied, “What's wrong with Billy? He seems to be in a hurry and hung up the phone before I could tell him that I wanted to talk to you.”

“He was getting breakfast ready and left the milk on the stove and it was about to boil over”

We arrived at Jenny's place and saw that Rita and Peter's car was there and as we pulled up, Chrissie and Alan also turned up, I thought, “I wonder what this is all about? First Billy said he wants to catch up with Ricky and now half the family are here.”

Jenny's place is a typical old Queensland type homestead and has wide verandahs all the way round and there is also a pool with a shade cover over it. Rita had brought an Esky packed with enough food to feed an army.

Again I thought, “There is something I’m missing here.”

I said to my secretive husband, “Ok are you going to let me in on what is going on?”

He replied, “Well dear there are a few things going on and once we all sit down all will be revealed.”

I felt quite annoyed that I seemed to be treated like a kid and said, “Right, that's it!! Give me the keys to the car. I'm out of here.” Tears were already forming in my eyes.

Ricky said, “Calm down darling.” and tried to put his arm around me but it was too late. I was far too emotional to listen to him or anyone and walked off down the driveway and onto the road. I had no idea where I was going and just started to walk down the road, tears streaming down my cheeks. I was heading towards the airport and the hanger. Ricky wasn't far behind me but didn't try to stop me either so I kept right on walking in the direction of the airport. It was not that far and would only take me about ten minutes to get there.

I thought, “Why are they all keeping me out of the picture? I'm only pregnant for Christ sake!”
Just then I tripped and fell hard on a gravel driveway and skinned my knees. Ricky was there instantly and pulled me up into his arms and held me tight. I was now shaking and sobbing so hard that I couldn’t get any words out and then everything went black.

Jean said, “Why are you here again Carla?”

“How would I know? I’m too upset to care any more. They all think I can't handle life any more, but I'll show them not to mess with me.”

“Carla listen to me. You are about to lose your baby, is that what you want?”

“Well if I'm with you they can't find me can they?”

“Carla you are at present on your way to the hospital in Billy's car.”

“How can I be in Billy's car when I'm here with you?”

I came to in a hospital bed with Ricky holding my hand. He had bloodshot eyes and said, “Sweetheart I thought I had lost you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you what was going on, I just wanted you to relax without any worries about the business.”

“The baby, Ricky the baby!! Is Paul ok?”

Ricky didn't answer me but Jean did in no uncertain terms, “Carla the baby is alright but you will have to stay in hospital for a few days. You lost a bit of blood, Now please behave yourself and let your worried husband tell you why the family was gathered at Jenny's place.”

Ricky got on the bed with me and I cuddled into him, “Sweetheart please don’t be upset with me. I know you thought we were leaving you out of the picture, but we were about to tell you when you took off up the road. I think you were heading to the hanger to take the Piper up, weren’t you?”

“Well I was mad at everyone trying to retire me from being in charge of my own life!! What did you expect?”

“Honey you are so close to having a complete meltdown. From now on I promise you I will tell you everything that is happening, but please don’t run off like that again”

“O.k., but I want to be part of any decisions that are being made or I will pull the plug on more than you can ever imagine my darling husband.”

I have more wealth than anyone in the family and that is only because I have invested in property on the Gold Coast and apartments in Brisbane, so if push came to shove I won't need any one to look after me.

I thought, “It's time to pull myself together and be sensible or things will not be very pleasant in the near future, and if they think I can be bullied they are all sadly mistaken”.

I could see Ricky had a worried look on his face and was close to tears.

“Carla what's happened to you? You have never been like this before.”

“No one has ever tried to bully me before, and it's not going to happen now Ricky”

He had never seen me like this but just because I was pregnant I wasn't just going to bed for nine months.

I said, “Ricky you are my whole life and I love you more now than ever. Just think, you will have a little son in nine months time.”

Ricky has never really shown his emotions as much as he did now and he had tears streaming down his face and said, “Carla you have always been there for me. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise our marriage. I'm so sorry about what happened, I love you.”

The next hour was spent with myself and Ricky talking quietly about what was going to happen about the clinic, and what I expected to do till our boy was born. Of course Jean was included in most of the conversation. I decide I would not sell my share of the clinic but become a silent partner for two years and when our little boy turned one I would make up my mind what I wanted to do about going back to work.

There was a knock on the door and I said, “Come in” and in walked every one that was present when I had my little tantrum earlier in the day. I felt a little ashamed at how I was behaving and apologised to my family. No tears this time. We all agreed on what was to happen so my stress level dropped to a reasonable level.

My little girls were being looked after by the nurses while things were being worked out and then I heard them down the hallway singing a nursery rhyme with the nurses joining in. My twins seem to be able sing complete songs and not miss a word or note. I think Jean might be prompting them.

A nurse named Kathy opened the door and in walked my two little girls with a bunch of flowers each, both saying, “I love you Mummy.” and climbed up on the bed and cuddled into me.

I replied, “I love you too my little darlings.”

I spent another two days in hospital and on the third day I had had enough of inactivity so I phoned Doc Ryan to come and see me. He was there within half an hour and said, “Good morning Carla. I know, you want to go home!”

I replied, “Jim I need to do some exercise or I will end up being a blimp, and besides the girls need their mother. I promise I will take it slow but I need to be home or I will go stir crazy.”

Jim replied, “Carla you have promised me before and then ended up in hospital. Can I trust you to do as I tell you from now on?”

“Of course this time I will do as you tell me, now can I go home?”

“Hmm!!! well alright, only because your Mum is already outside to pick you up.”

Mum came in and said, “Ok girl lets get you home.”

I replied, “Mum I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused the last few days.”

“Honey it was all caused by stress, but that’s going to change now isn't it?”

“Yes Mummy.”

The next week was spent with me resting like I should have done before all this started. The twins were happy with me being around and of course my ever present sister Jean was in my head most of time so I did not have much choice but to behave.

Wednesday 27/2/74

I was starting to enjoy being at home with the twins and Mum and Dad. Ricky was leaving for work at least two hours later. I think it is because he wanted to make sure that I was doing everything not to jeopardise his unborn son.

Chrissie was only working a few hours a day as well and was spending a lot of her time with me. She of course was a bit further down the track than me and was not having any real problems with morning sickness, half her luck!!. John had gone back to the States to finalise all he had to do to sell up and than come back to become an Aussie. I was still allowed to drive so it had become my job to pick up the girls from school of an afternoon. Oh by the way, young Jenny had been enrolled in the same school as Jamie and was the talk of the school because of her American accent.

Sandy absolutely loved having the two girls to look after and once John returned I think there would be a wedding. I also had long discussions with Jenny about her being transgendered. She of course was impatient and wanted to go to Brisbane as soon as possible for Rose to start her on the track to womanhood.

To be continued.

Please leave a comment.

Carla Bay [email protected]

Saturday morning 2/3/74

It was as usual 5 am on a warm March morning and my little princesses were awake and wanting to climb into bed with me and Ricky. I wasn't too keen because any minute I would have to make a dash to the loo. Ricky however loved having a romp with them before he took them to the bathroom to get them sorted for the day. Those little ladies had my husband completely wrapped around their sticky little fingers.

I of course did my little trip and emptied out what was left in my tummy, then joined the singing three in the bathroom. Just why water had to be all over the floor I couldn't say but it was usually left up to me to clean it up.

I said to Ricky, “I'm over mopping up after you lot.”

He replied “Sorry dear I'll do that from now on.”

“You're too kind!”

The little copycats looked at their Dad and said in their singsong voices “Mopping up, too kind.”

What could I say? I told them to get out so I could have my shower in peace.

Later I phoned Doctor Ryan to ask him if it would be ok for me to fly.

“Hi Jim, it's me.”

“Yes me,” he replied, instantly knowing who it was.

“I want to take the girls up for a bit of joy flight today but I want to make sure if it's ok to do that.”

“Look Carla, it was stress that made you ill, so fly if you must but just don't rush around and you should be fine.”

I didn't need any encouragement and phoned Sandy.

“Hello Sandra speaking.”

“Sandy can I borrow the girls for the day? I just feel the need to take to the sky and take them out to one of my favourite spots.”

“Well are you sure you can cope with the two of them?”

“Yes Sandy, Jamie has been asking me to start her flying lessons if that's alright with you?”

“Sure, but take it easy, we don't want to have a ''mayday'' call saying you can't make it home do we?”

“Sandy you know me better than that. I am probably the safest pilot in Australia,”

“Alright I'll bring the girls over. Does Ricky know?”

“Does Ricky know what?”

“Carla!!!”.

I told Ricky what I was going to do and he was about to say something when I put my hand up and said, “Darling I have got the ok from Doc Ryan so please don't try to stop me from doing things that are not connected with the clinic.”

He replied, “I think I had better come with you in case you start to feel sick.”

I thought, 'Oh well at least I know he loves me and there is enough room in the Piper.'

“Ok but the twins will have to stay at home with Mum because I want to fly out to River Downs and show the girls where Jean's grave is.”

Ricky replied, “Sweetheart do you think you should be flying the Piper out there? The grave is at least half a mile from the landing strip.”

“Well if you're coming we can take the chopper and you can do the flying and land fifty yards from the grave, and while your at it you can show Jamie how to operate the controls while I talk with Jenny.”

“That sounds good to me,” he replied.

I was feeling pretty good and got Mum to make up enough food for the day because we wouldn't be back till dark. I don’t fly at night but Ricky can fly by instruments, so it wouldn't matter if we stayed till the sun was setting on River Downs which was always my favourite time to watch the birds come to settle in the tall red gum trees that grow in the outback, and of course Jean's grave is under one of those trees.

Sandy turned up with two very excited girls and had also packed some food and drinks for their day trip.

Sandy said, “Is Ricky flying the chopper?” My hubby was standing behind me and was giving Sandy the thumbs up sign.

I said “I saw that Ricky Smith.”

“Yes dear sorry dear.” The banter went on a bit more when Mum brought the twins out to say goodbye. They weren't too happy about not coming especially seeing we were taking the helicopter but Mum said she was taking them down to Uncle Tony's pool later and that seemed to placate them.

We climbed into the four wheel drive and were off to the hanger where the chopper is always flight ready. So while Ricky opened the big sliding doors to the hanger and proceeded to pull the chopper out to the landing apron in front of the hanger with the help of two future pilots, I went in to the office and phoned the owner of River Downs, Tom Granger.

“Hello River Downs.”

“G'day Tom, it's Carla. I'm sorry to ring so early but I thought I’d better let you know that we are coming out that way this morning.”

“Oh right-ho are you leaving now?”

“Yes and it'll be in the chopper because I want to visit Jean's grave, and seeing I’m with child, hubby thinks I am not capable of walking any more than a few steps.”

Tom knows me pretty well and just laughed and said, “Carla I hope you never change, you could always make me laugh even when you were running around in nappies all those years ago”.

Once we got all our things put into the chopper it was time to head skyward and make our way to River Downs which is about one and a half hours flight away. Jamie got to sit in the co-pilot's seat and we headed south-west looking down over the now very green landscape from all the flooding that had taken place.

It made me feel nostalgic about the time that I spent on River Downs learning all about how to survive in the outback. It was near lunch time by the time we were flying over the homestead to let Tom and his wife know we had arrived and then headed straight to the spot where we could land close to where my sister Jean's grave is situated.

Ricky let Jamie hold on to the dual controls so she could get to feel the difference between a fixed wing and rota aircraft, Ricky put the bird down as gentle as a feather about thirty yards from the tree that was marked with a ring of white rocks around the base and the grave was inside this circle.

Ricky showed Jamie how to shut the chopper down while I said to all three to just give me a few minutes by myself by Jean's grave. I almost stumbled as I caught my sandal on the landing skid of the helicopter. Thank God that no one saw that happen or Ricky would have wanted to carry me.

As I made my way to Jean's grave she was in my head saying, “Carla you do realise that there are only a lot of old bones buried there, so don't get all emotional on me will you.”

“Thanks for reminding me sis, but I just wanted to show the girls where your body lies and to sit under this beautiful red gum.”

Jean said, “I have been watching who has been tending to the grave.”

I replied out loud now because the others realised that I was talking with Jean, “Well!!!are you going to tell or do I have to play your silly guessing games?”

This got her cranky and being twins she is no different in her nature than me and won't stand to be told what to do.

Jean appeared sitting on the well kept grave saying, “Carla you remember when you used to go to the aboriginal reserve to take the local school kids to see some burial sites?”

“Yes I do sis.”

“Well the old man you used to visit at his camp site to listen to his stories and be taught about survival in the outback told the traditional owners of this land before he passed away they had to look after this site."

Ricky could see me talking and waited till I said to come over.

Jean said, “I will stay insight for the others especially the girls so they can see that I am not under this pile of rocks.”

As Ricky came closer he let the girls sit on the grave beside my ever present sister. The girls have seen Jean many times now and to them it has become a normal occurrence.

I said to Ricky, “Honey let's take a walk along the river and leave Jean to tell the girls all about what happened here all those years ago.”

“Ok but are you sure your fit enough to walk on all that uneven ground?”

“Ricky I'm pregnant, not an invalid!!”

We walked hand in hand down to the river and went straight to where myself and Rita carved our names in a large gum tree the day before we left River Downs. It is still very visible and Ricky asked, “Do you ever think much about when you were living out here as a young kid?”

“Sometimes, but I was supposed to be a boy and Rita and I had to keep my dressing as a girl secret or my Dad would have belted us both.”

Ricky said, “Your birth Dad was a monster wasn’t he?”

“Well you should remember the day we were at Charleville airport when he and my brother John had a go at me and you jumped on him even though he was twice the size of you. Darling you were my hero than and you still are now.”

We kept holding hands and laid back on the soft grass that grew on the bank of the river that flowed through the sheep station and watched the clouds float by in the warm March skies of outback Queensland.

It wasn't too long when two girls broke the silence. Jamie calls Ricky 'Uncle' and Jenny seems to be doing the same.

“Uncle Ricky,” said Jenny, “can we go and see where Aunty Carla carved her and Aunty Rita's names in a tree?”

Without getting up he just pointed up over his head to the tree just a few yards back from we were laying. It didn't take long before they asked if they could add their names as well.

Ricky looked at me and said, “What do you think honey?”

I replied, “No, let them find their own tree and you help them do the carving with your pocket knife.”

I stayed where I was while Ricky walked over to the nearest tree and helped the girls carve their names and date. Jamie ran back to the chopper and retrieved a camera that I brought just for this sort of occasion. Of course the two of them had to pose with them both holding the pocket knife to prove it was them that carved their names into a tree on the sheep station that was my home till I was nine years old.

Jamie said, “Aunty Carla do you think your horse Cindy is still alive?”

“No Sweetheart, she had to be put down a couple of years after we left. She was bitten by a snake and did not make a recovery.”

“Can we go and see Mr Granger and his wife before we go back?”

“Of course. If you're both finished carving up trees we will get in the chopper and head for the homestead.”

It's only a five minute flight from Jean's grave to the large homestead. Tom and his wife Margaret are now seventy four years old but never wanted to leave the outback life and continue to operate the property as a going concern. It was Tom that came up with the idea to have an air charter business in Quilpie and that is really where all my flying started as a young girl.

Tom was standing on the verandah watching us land and waved to us to come to the house, and was hitting an old cow bell to let us know that Margaret had prepared lunch for us all, so the packed lunch would be going back home that night.

After lunch Tom showed the girls around the property while myself and Ricky caught up with Margaret. It was late afternoon before we said our goodbyes and climbed on board the bird and made our way home before it became dark.

Carla aged seven

To be continued. Please leave a comment.

Author's note. Due to a medical procedure I will not be writing for a few weeks but I will continue my stories as soon as I can. Carla

Author's note: After a two month break, I am returning in excellent health and am continuing the story.

Previously:

Ricky and I took Jamie, Jenny and the twins to River Downs where I spent the first nine years of my life. Ricky showed the two older girls where Rita and I had carved our names in a tree and they asked if they could carve their names on another tree. We also visited the grave of my twin Jean.

After lunch Tom showed the girls around the property while Ricky and I caught up with Margaret. It was late afternoon before we said our goodbyes and climbed on board the bird and made our way home.

The girls were tired; it was sunset and the scenery was like something out of a storybook. The colours in the outback come alive as the sun disappears below the horizon and the sky turns a deep orange, while the mountain ranges change colours till all is dark. When you look up to the night sky the stars seem so bright and close you feel like you can almost reach out and touch them. The outback is a very spiritual place for me and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Jenny and Jamie went to sleep once we were airborne and with the hum of the engine I dosed off as well so it was up to my ever loving husband to get us home.

I woke up when Ricky was gently stroking my face and said, “Honey wake up we're on the ground.”

I guess I must have been more tired than I thought and the events of the last couple of weeks had left me drained.

The girls were still asleep so once Ricky closed down the chopper he got the car out of the hanger so we could transfer them into the back seat. They were rubbing their eyes and Jenny said, “It's dark.”

Jamie replied “Yeah !!!Usually is at night!”

“Ok girls, settle down and once Uncle Ricky finishes with the chopper we'll get you home and fed.”

“Food,” replied Jamie.

Jenny remembered all the food that was packed that morning to take with us for the trip and that it was in an ice chest and said, “Aunty Carla, what about all that lovely food we took with us, can we eat that for our dinner?”

“That's the plan,” I replied.

Ricky got into the car and said, “Carla how about we go to Rita's at the restaurant and eat there before we go home?”

“Ricky we have an ice chest full of food and I don't want to waste that.”

“Well I don’t think your sister will mind if we take it in and eat there.”

“No I suppose not, and I want to see how Rita is getting on anyway.”

The girls liked the idea of taking the food into the restaurant and mixing with the customers. So that is where we ended up.
Rita was pleased to see us and greeted us as only my older sister can. There weren’t many people in the restaurant being Sunday evening and the ones that were there all knew us and invited us to sit with them even though we had brought in the ice chest with our own food.

Ricky's brother Peter sat down with him and started discussing Rita and myself as to when our babies were to be born. While the conversations were going on with the rest of the group Rita and I decided to listen in on them.

“Ricky what’s it like to be a dad and should I be present at the birth of my son?”

“Well Pete I know I'm your younger brother and usually you're supposed to know more about these things, but being a dad is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I can't wait to have our third child to spoil.”

“Well what about being present at the birth?”

“Yeah sure do it, it will make you realise just what women go through and I'm quite sure Rita will want you to be there as well.”

Rita and I kept quiet and just smiled at each other.

3/3/74

Monday morning, I am feeling tired but happy and glad that I took the girls out to River Downs yesterday to let them see a bit of where I grew up and also realise that a grave is just that, and it only holds the remains but not your spirit. I am planning to take a trip down to Brisbane and will have to see if Doc Ryan thinks if it ok for me to fly. Later, Mum and Dad said they would take the twins over to Ricky's parents Helen and Barry to give me a bit more rest time and it probably is time that they got to see them a bit more anyway.

I phoned Doc Ryan, “Jim it's Carla can I come and see you this morning?”

“Good morning Carla what have you done this time?”

“Nothing, I just want you to check me out because I want to spend a few days down in Brisbane and I want to make sure I have your ok before I fly down there in the Piper.”

“Ok make it ten o’clock this morning and we'll see what your health and state of mind is like.”

“There's nothing wrong with my mind thank you very much!”

Jim laughed and hung up before I could have the last word.

Ricky was still at home so I decide to let him in on what I was planning to do. He was playing with the twins out on the verandah so I sat down on the swing seat and said, “Ricky I need to talk to you for a minute.”

“Alright honey I'll take the twins in to Mum.”

“No they'll be fine, come sit with me.”

He sat beside me and said, “What's up sweetheart?”

“Darling I need to go down to Brisbane for a few days and catch up with Sam and her mum Mary.”

“Do you want me to fly you down?”

“No I should be ok to fly the Piper down.”

Ricky replied, “I really don’t think that’s a good idea Carla you know how much I worry about you at the moment.”

I thought, 'Here we go again, but I suppose he's right so I'll see what he wants to do.'

“Look if Jim checks you out and says it's ok to fly than I suppose it’ll be ok but I don’t like it honey.”

“Darling I promise I will only fly if he says I'm safe to fly ok?”

Ricky went off mumbling something about not being in control and 'Why is she so stubborn all the time?' I decided to keep my mouth shut for once and wait till I get the all clear from Jim.

Life is a bit different now that I am not off to work every morning and I'm enjoying spending a lot my time with my little girls, but this morning Ricky said he would look after them and take them out to the hanger where they also have a play area with sand pit. Yes they are well spoilt by all.

I arrived at Doc Ryan's surgery at nine thirty and walked straight into his office, “Morning doc.”

“Good morning Lady Carla.”

“Don’t you start,” I replied.

“Ok lets see what your vitals are doing.”

“Jim I need to get away for a few days on my own and catch up with some old friends in Brisbane,”

Jim did all of the necessary checks and gave me the ok to fly but to take it slow once I was in Brisbane.

I drove straight out to the hanger to tell Ricky to prepare the Piper for my flight. He still didn't think I should be going on my own, but once I whispered a few things in his ear he seemed to succumb to my charms. While he was preparing the plane I took the twins home and than packed everything I would need for a week's stay in Brisbane.

I chatted with Mum and Dad for a while and told them I would ring every day and talk to to the twins at night before they were put to bed, then I gathered the girls up and took them out to the hanger so that they could see me take off.

The Piper Comanche was all set to fly, so Ricky put my gear in the rear of the plane and we went into the office to have a cup of tea before I took off.

Ricky said, “Sweetheart ring me as soon as you get to Archerfield so I know that you are ok.”

“Yes of course I will and stop worrying so much, I am a safe pilot.”

I let the twins sit in the cockpit for a few minutes and told them to be good girls for Daddy.

They both replied in unison “Yes Mama, we be good” with that mischievous little smile that they have.

I said goodbye to my husband, and did all the preflight checks and taxied out to the runway where I gave one last wave to my family and gave her all the power to take off.

I climbed to six thousand feet and levelled out and set my course and speed at 360 air knots. It was a beautiful clear day and the country down below looked green and lush; all the rivers and streams were all flowing with brown water from the previously flooded catchments.

I always like flying over the top of the range and the city of Toowoomba and as you come to the edge it drops two thousand feet and the scenery of the valley below is just spectacular.

I got as far as flying over Oakey, well not over Oakey because there is an army air base five miles out from the town and that is restricted air space, so I kept within the air corridor outside this space. As I was nearing Toowoomba I noticed a smell of burning wiring filling the cockpit. I thought, 'OK now keep your head and follow the right procedure, remember you trained for this, JEAN where are you?'

She manifested herself right beside me and said, “Carla I will protect you but you have to do the flying.”

Ok first things first; radio into the tower, “This is lima foxtrot bravo vh emergency emergency, I have smoke in the cockpit and request to land at Toowoomba Airport.”

“Lima Foxtrot how far out are you?”

“I'm five miles west of the Airport and losing altitude.”

“Carla this is Terry at the Toowoomba tower, we can just pick you up with binoculars, how many are on board?”

“Terry thank God it's you, it's just me; smoke is getting worse, am going to lower the landing gear, right engine has feathered out.”

“Carla you're two miles out, runway is clear and emergency vehicles already on their way.”

My air speed had dropped to two hundred and eighty knots, and as long as I could keep her at that I'd be able to land without too much trouble. The smoke was making me feel sick and as I was approaching the runway the left engine feathered out as well. Now all I could do was to keep her nose up. I could barely see the runway for the haze inside the plane.

'Jean are you still with me?'

To be continued, please leave a comment

Previously:

As I was nearing Toowoomba I noticed a smell of burning wiring filling the cockpit. I thought, 'OK now keep your head and follow the right procedure, remember you trained for this, JEAN where are you?'..............

My air speed had dropped to two hundred and eighty knots, and as long as I could keep her at that I'd be able to land without too much trouble. The smoke was making me feel sick and as I was approaching the runway the left engine feathered out as well. Now all I could do was to keep her nose up. I could barely see the runway for the haze inside the plane.

'Jean are you still with me?'

Carla was in trouble. Unable to see through the smoke haze in the cabin, and both engines feathering she managed to bring the plane down but hit the runway hard which made the landing gear give way. The plane belly flopped and the emergency crew were there within thirty seconds of the plane skidding to a halt – sparks flying everywhere and smoke pouring from the fuselage. Carla was knocked unconscious when her head hit the instrument panel even though she was strapped in to her seat. The crew opened the door and pulled Carla free from the plane just as it burst into flames, and by the time they had her thirty yards away and laid on the ground the Piper blew up in a fireball.

'Hello sister dear,' said Jean sitting in their favourite spot in the spirit realm that Carla seems to visit all to often.

'Jean why am I back here again? I'm supposed to be in Brisbane with Mary and Sam.'

'Well it's like this; because you were knocked out when you crashed at the Toowoomba airport you obviously have a bit of memory loss.'

'Am I dead now seeing I'm here with you again?'

'No sis but you are in the ICU in the Toowoomba hospital.'

'The Piper!! I crashed the Piper! Ricky will be upset. Oh Jean, the baby! Is Paul ok?'

Jean replid 'Yes Carla, he's fine, but perhaps the doctor should have grounded you until Paul is born. As for Ricky, well at he moment he is holding your hand with tears in his eyes wanting you to wake up.'

I started to open my eyes and things were blurry and I could not focus properly. I heard Ricky call to someone, “She's awake!”

My vision was not good but I could see two people bending over me, one was shining a bright light into my eyes which made me squint, One of them said, “Get the doctor now.” The other one was holding my hand and said, “Honey it's me Ricky.” My vision was starting to clear and I could see my husband with bloodshot eyes squeezing my hand.

“Hi honey” I said as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“My God Carla what went wrong?”

“I don’t know. I was nearing Toowoomba and I wake up here with you holding my hand.”

“Honey you crashed, the Piper is a total loss - there is nothing left of it.”

“Oh dear I'm sorry, I can't remember any of that.”

“I'm not surprised! You were knocked out when you hit your head. The emergency crew pulled you out just in time or you would have been with Jean forever.”

Ricky than produced a tape recorder of the exchanges between me and the Toowoomba tower. When I heard it I started to cry because it was starting to come back to me what had occured, I said “Ricky there was smoke and the engines started to fail. I want to know who serviced the Piper. My God I might have been killed.”

“Calm down sweetheart, you need to rest and than we will go through what the possible cause was. The air safety people are now involved and are going through all the records of what has been done to the Piper.”

I was told to stay in hospital for a few days in case of complications from concussion after being unconscious for at least nine hours. Only Ricky was allowed to stay with me while I was in Intensive Care, but now that I was coherent the rest of my tribe were all filing into my room. Jean was present but stayed silent; Mum and Dad both couldn't hold back their tears and hugged me till I couldn't breath.

Mum said, “Carla we honestly thought you were gone till Jean said we had no such luck.”

Mentally I said, 'Thanks sis you'll keep!'

Her response was 'You're welcome, besides you have a son on the way.'

Before they let anyone else in I had lunch to get some strength back and then the twins and everyone was there. Jamie had a lot of questions about how I brought the plane down.

I replied, “Jamie, it is a matter of training and keeping you head and hope you survive.”

After an hour I was left with Ricky and than we both laid on the bed and cried and laughed and discussed what was to happen in the future.

Having gone through something like this you would have thought that I would never want to fly again but I was already talking about what sort of plane I wanted to replace the Piper Comanche.

Ricky said, “Ok my little Carla, I suppose you will want another aircraft to wreck!!?”

“Well husband dear seeing it wasn't my fault that the Piper went down, than yes I do want a new plane!”

Ricky replied, “Alright, once you get the all clear and the family go back home we can fly down to Sydney and have a look at what you would like to buy.”

“What do you mean what I would like to buy? The Piper was a a Croft Airways plane and the company will pay for a new one. Anyway the insurance should pay most of the cost.”

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist sweetheart, the company will pay for a new toy for Lady Carla.”

“Watch it dear or you will never make another baby again.”

After I sorted Ricky out which took all of three minutes, all of the family came in to the room to say goodbye before they all went back to Quilpie. The twins weren’t happy to go back with Mum and Dad so Rita and Peter said they would look after them for a while.

Rita said, “It will be good for Peter and myself to get to look after them before our little boy comes along”

6/3/74 Thursday

It was ten am and I was champing at the bit to get out of the hospital and go to the Toowoomba airport to have a look at what was left of the Piper, and then fly down to Sydney with Ricky to have a look at what aircraft I would end up with.

We arrived at the airport by taxi and went straight to the hanger where the remains of the Piper were all laid out, Ricky was holding my hand and said, “Sweetheart you don't have to do this.”

“Yes I do! Have you any idea how many hours I spent in that aircraft?” I started to shake and tears formed in my eyes.

Ricky held onto me and said, “Carla when I heard what happened I honestly thought I had lost you.”

“Well,” I replied, “I think Jean might have something to do with me still being here.”

“Yeah, why is she being so quiet? She usually joins in on our conversations.”

Jean announced herself and said to us both, 'I'm here but sometime nature has to also take its course and all I do is be there when thing go wrong like a bird falling out of the sky.'

I replied in my mind, 'Thanks sis I don't mean to be a burden to you.'

'Sweet sister of mine how can you be a burden to me when we are two halves of one spirit?'

'Ok point taken.'

Ricky was getting impatient, “Ok lets get out of here.”

I wanted to see the actual spot where I hit the ground before we left so we borrowed a golf buggy type thing and drove down the runway where all we could see was the remains of stains on the tarmac and where grass had caught alight when the fuel tanks exploded. I felt quite numb and got shivers up my back when I thought, 'If Jean wasn't there at the time I would now be with her for good.'

We went back to the hanger where one of our twin Cessnas was parked. A larger plane was charted earlier to fly the family back home.

Ricky had arranged to have the plane made ready to fly the previous day. It was the one he flew down when he got the call to say I had crashed. I hated to think the state he was in then and was glad there hadn't been another accident.

I was getting hungry and wanted to have a meal before we flew down to Sydney so we had lunch at the cafeteria.

I said “Ricky I need clothes. What am I supposed to wear apart from what Mum brought down for me?”

“Honey, Mum and Rita packed all the clothes you will need for at least a week.”

That satisfied me for the moment but once in Sydney I decided to go shopping for clothes before looking at aircraft.

We boarded the Cessna and I said I wanted to take the controls.

“NOOO way,” said Ricky, “You have been unconscious and have not been cleared to fly for at least another three days.”

“Oh bugger!” was my response but the doctor has the say about those sort of things so I guessed I’d just have to bide my time and behave which is not easy for someone as strong willed as me.

I felt a little nervous at first but once we were airborne I settled down. I also kept a close eye on all the instruments which in turn made Ricky nervous.

Jean made herself present in both our minds and said, 'Don’t worry, nothing is going to go wrong. What happened to the other plane was something that happens along the way in life.'

Ricky replied, “Jean are you telling us that you knew the Piper had a problem?”

'That would be telling wouldn't it?' She then added 'Ricky, don’t worry, Carla and little Paul were protected by the spirit world.' She than went quiet before we could ask any more questions.

Three hours later we had parked our craft at one of the hangers that we do business with and also borrowed a car from them.

Ricky wanted to go and have a look at what was available straight away but I was getting tired and blamed my pregnancy, so Ricky wasn't game to argue with me.

He said, “Ok honey we can book into a hotel and have a good night's sleep and be fresh tomorrow to see what suits you.”

“Yes I agree and besides I want to be cuddled in bed by my lover.”

“Only cuddled?” he replied. I miss Ricky when I’m away more than a couple of days so that night was something that I desperately need, especially seeing what we had both been through the last week.

I needn't have worried about not having enough clothes to wear because Mum and Rita know exactly the type of things I wear. They don't call me 'colourful Carla' for nothing. I picked out a business type suit for the day because when I do business I like to look more mature and I seem to get more respect from the people that I deal with, which are usually men who think they know everything, including my husband.

It was Friday morning and we probably wouldn't be home for at least four or five days because on our way back I wanted to stop in Brisbane to see Mary and Sam which was what that trip was all about in the first place.

I said to Ricky, “Before we go to the restaurant for breakfast we had better ring home and talk with Donna and Jean.”

I rang and Mum answered,“Hello Donna Croft speaking.”

“Hi Mum just ringing to say g'day to the girls.”

“Carla they are at Rita's, remember?”

“Oh damn!! Sorry Mum the knock on the head must have done more damage than I thought.”

“Carla sweetheart are you sure you are ok? Let me talk to Ricky.”

“Mum I'm fine, just a bit tired that’s all.”

Ricky could hear the conversation and I just handed him the phone, “Hello Mum, Carla is fine don’t worry I will keep a close rein on her today and if she plays up I will fly her straight home.” I ignored that and went on getting ready for the day.

Ricky rang the right number and Rita answered. After a few minutes the girls were on the phone, so Ricky put the phone on speaker, both girls talking nineteen to the dozen, “Daddy Mummy Unka Pete wet us wird a horsey.”

After talking with them I felt a little bit melancholy and wish I could have brought them with us. Once I get back I will endeavour to spend as much time with them as possible and Ricky is going to cut back on his work as well.

At nine a.m. it was time to head to the airport and where the hangers were to see what was there to look at. We drove up to a large hanger complex which had Cessna Sales written on the side of the main building. We went to the front office where we were greeted by a well dressed lady in her fifties.

“Good morning,” she said looking at Ricky and not really acknowledging me. When this sort of thing happens Ricky steps back and lets me do my thing; he knows how much I hate people thinking women should be seen and not heard.

I said, “Good morning madam, I'm here to have a look at what craft you have to offer. Could I speak to your boss please?”

She replied rather sheepishly, “I am the owner of the business, how can I help you?” Ricky kept quiet and let me handle this lady.

I said, “I'm Carla Smith and this is Ricky my husband. We own Croft airways and need to replace a plane which went down last week.”

She replied “Oh of course, it was on the news. Was it you who was the pilot?”

“Yes, so if you don’t mind we are keen to have a look at a Cessna twin if you have one in stock.”

With this she wasn't game to talk to Ricky which is ok with him, he is more interested in the technical side of things anyway.

She showed us into the main hanger and said “By the way I'm Brenda Lockwood and I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot.”

Ricky had a grin on his face when he replied, “Carla is the business person and I sort out the running of the craft.”

I cast my eye over a brand new shiny twin Cessna. It was exactly what I was looking for but I didn't let her think that straight away.

I never ask the price till later, in case I seem too keen to purchase an item. Ricky started to look around the machine and I was more interested to get up into the cockpit to see what is felt like.

It was a Cessna 414 capable of carrying up to eight passengers, so it could be used to do charter work when I didn’t want to use it. I wanted something in which I could virtually take the whole family or at least most of them when I want to. Ricky had spoken about that for quite some time, so this craft looked like it fitted our needs and was capable of earning its keep in our fleet of fifteen fixed wing aircraft and two choppers.

This plane was flight ready which was a good sign for the business that Brenda was running.

The craft was taken out to the tarmac and ready for us to have a test flight. Brenda, herself a pilot said it is an insurance requirement for her to be with the plane on any test flights which I would have expected.

Once on board Ricky sat in the right hand seat which I normally like to use when flying but at that moment seeing I had been told I shouldn't fly for a couple more days I guess I would have to wait to get my hands on this beautiful aircraft.

We ended up doing a deal with trading in the twin Cessna that we came down in and then decided to fly back on Monday via Brisbane and than home to Quilpie.

Monday 9/3/74.

We were both eager to get going and arrived at the airport at eight am and surprisingly Brenda was there to greet us, “Good morning Carla and Ricky,” and she winked at me while she said that. Ricky had a smirk on his face which said it all but he is used to being married to a strong woman, but can also take control of me if I get too pushy.

We climbed aboard after we both went through all the pre-flight checks and settled into the cockpit with me in the right hand seat. Ricky didn't object and said, “Well sweetheart, radio the tower and give them our flight plan and get clearance to take to the sky.

The power of this craft was more than I have ever experienced and we were up over the western part of Sydney and on our way in no time. I took her up to twelve thousand feet and set our course for Brisbane.

Cessna Twin 404

To be continued. Please leave a comment.