Part 37 (2/2)

'I think you might know where I'm going with this, Mr Louden,' said David affably.

'I'm not staying. You have no right to use my home as some point of reference, and hold it up to ridicule. I'll have you know that my house was designed by a top-notch architect, built by a master builder and featured in several magazines,' snapped Fred Louden.

'Is it your your place, Mr Louden?' asked Caroline. place, Mr Louden?' asked Caroline.

'Whatever you may think of the design, this is Mr Louden's house, which was plonk in the middle of the original route for the bypa.s.s. And he didn't want to see his home demolished for a bypa.s.s,' exclaimed David. 'Isn't that so, Mr Louden?'

Fred Louden, red-faced and angry, glared at David. 'You are right. Fortunately that route was changed and no houses were demolished,' he answered.

There was a sudden murmur among the group.

'Yes and no doubt very convenient for you. But may we know how you were able to avoid having your home demolished, while the heritage homes in this area are now earmarked for such a fate? Would it be because you used your influence to change the route of the bypa.s.s?' asked David.

Fred Louden jumped to his feet. He could feel the open hostility directed towards him. 'You can't prove that! It's outrageous for you to impugn my reputation,' he began.

'Before you threaten me with legal action,' said David calmly picking up a sheaf of papers, 'you might want to read the minutes and motions moved in Council two years ago when the bypa.s.s was originally mooted. It makes for some very interesting reading.'

There was now a surge as people grabbed the doc.u.ments from David and shouted questions and sharp comments at Fred Louden and the startled councillors.

'Outrageous.'

'What a d.a.m.n cheek.'

'Were bribes paid?'

Fred Louden stood up and pushed his way through the group. 'I'm not listening to this garbage. You'll be hearing from me.' He was hurrying down the steps into the night just as Paul pulled into the driveway.

'What's going on?' asked Paul as he kissed Caroline.

Julie filled him in on the evening's events and her father smiled.

'Sounds like we should break out the good stuff. Well done, David.' Paul pumped David's hand as the academic joined them, looking rather pleased with himself.

'I'll see how the champagne stocks are going. Everyone will want a celebratory drink,' said Paul as he and Caroline headed indoors.

'Congratulations, that was quite a coup. A great piece of detective work,' said Julie.

'Thanks. I wonder how he a.s.sumed it would never come to light. I don't think that we can prove anything untoward happened, but the fact his house was in the middle of the original bypa.s.s plan, which was changed and that he was part of the decision-making process puts a rather unpleasant cloud over him,' said David.

'So what will happen now? Do we get a reprieve and some other neighbourhood suffers?' asked Julie.

David shook his head. 'I don't think so. I have heard, although it's still unofficial, that the council is now considering a tunnel. Seems your campaign has stirred things up.'

'You mean you and my mother! You've been doing all the stirring. Thank you, David,' added Julie with feeling.

He nodded. 'Least I could do. I like a challenge. And, it's been nice to get to know your family. And you.' He smiled at her. 'Julie, I owe you an apology, I guess I blew it with you. Came on too strong. I didn't read you correctly. I can be a bit of a bull at a gate. But I hope we can be friends.'

A great feeling of relief, and warmth, rushed through her. 'Of course we can. We are friends. And my mother adores you.'

'I think my stocks went up a bit after this,' he said as Caroline came out bearing a bottle of champagne and gla.s.ses.

'You were brilliant. Well done, David. I wish I had a photo of Fred Louden's face when he saw his home up on the board!' said Caroline. 'Here's to you, David.'

Caroline poured them each a champagne and they touched gla.s.ses.

'So, what's next, David?' asked Julie.

'Plugging on. I'll be going back to Sarawak. Y'know, I'd love to meet your Aunt Bette before I go. Is that possible?'

'I'm sure she'd love to meet you,' said Julie. 'After all, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have found her.'

The bypa.s.s meeting transformed into a neighbour-hood party to celebrate with people rus.h.i.+ng home and bringing food and children back to the Reagans for a barbecue dinner. It was late when Julie headed home, but after a shower she curled up on her bed in her pyjamas to send a long email to Christopher filling him in on all the news about Bette and the bypa.s.s.

As she was brus.h.i.+ng her teeth she heard the ping of an incoming email and hurried to her laptop, hoping it was a reply from Chris. But it was Shane, answering her email at last about Roland's friend Bill.

Found him! He used to send Christmas cards to Grandfather Roland years ago, but the last address we have for him is 6 Park Place, Goondiwindi, Queensland. Best of luck and stay in contact. S. xx Julie stared at the screen then burst out laughing. 'Goondiwindi! I don't believe it. Well, that is a turn up! Bill, I hope you're still out there!'

14.

CAROLINE WALKED THROUGH THE garden of Bayview to the letterbox and found a letter addressed to her in a spidery hand, from Goondiwindi. garden of Bayview to the letterbox and found a letter addressed to her in a spidery hand, from Goondiwindi.

'It's from Bill!' she called to Paul. 'Well, Shane and Peter were on the money with the right address,' said Paul.

Caroline skimmed the letter and said, 'Actually, he's moved from that address. Listen: ”I've moved into a retirement village, still in Goondiwindi. Mrs Peterson, who bought my house, was kind enough to bring me your letter when she received it. I remember Roland very well. We were very good friends, especially during the war, and I would love to meet his daughter, if you can get to Gundy.”'

'I think we should contact the staff at the retirement village to find out how strong he is,' Caroline said later over the phone to Julie. 'We don't want to race out west and find that he's really not up to visitors.'

'Mum, he sounds as sharp as a tack, but I will ring, just to check,' said Julie.

When Julie finally spoke with the manager of the retirement village, she was a.s.sured that Bill d.i.c.kson was brilliant for his age. 'He still plays bridge and does the crossword puzzles in the daily paper, and his mind is quite active. Mind you, he's a bit slow to get around these days. His arthritis can be a problem for him at times. But I can a.s.sure you that he certainly loves visitors. In fact, I can guarantee that he'll give you a warm reception. Bill likes a chat.'

When Julie spoke to Bill on the phone she found him to be as alert and strong as she expected.

'What a surprise, la.s.s. You're related to Roland, you say? Let me get this straight, you're his granddaughter? Are you Philip or Caroline's child?'

Julie explained that she was Caroline's daughter, and that she and her mother would love to drive to Goondiwindi and meet him.

'So, you're little Caroline's daughter. That makes me feel like an old-timer. Where do you live? You're welcome to drop by any time.'

'Both my mother and I live in Brisbane. How long have you been there, Bill?'

'In Gundy? Or this retirement place? We came out to Australia in the late fifties and my wife Vera and I had a nice little house down the road. Vera died a few years ago, so I moved in here. Our kids are all scattered to the winds, all over Australia, but they like to visit me. They're good kids.'

'You didn't stay in Malaya?' asked Julie.

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