LOVE SWEET LOVE
Part 2: The Great Demise
by
Dave Corrick
FIRST EDITION
Published on Smashwords by:
17 south eBooks
Copyright © 2012 by Dave Corrick
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should delete it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
DEDICATION
To my wife Julie who gave me the courage and encouragement
to publish a story that my peers would probably lambast me for!
LOVE SWEET LOVE
Part 2: The Great Demise
Contents
Author Summary Of Part 1 - "A Gift From My Mother"
Chapter 1 Sometimes - Things Come In Threes
Chapter 2 Another Phase Of Our Lives Begins
Chapter 3 TESSY Appears In The Night Sky
Chapter 4 The Years From 2012 To 2017
Chapter 5 2017 - An Unforeseen Event
Chapter 6 The Brink Of Anarchy
Chapter 7 Bree Realises Just In Time
Chapter 8 Bree Saves My Life
Chapter 9 A Positive Plan
Chapter 10 Facing The Reality
Chapter 11 Preparing For The Future
Chapter 12 Christmas And New Year 2017 - 2018
Chapter 13 Jimmy Makes A discovery
Chapter 14 Below Ground
Chapter 15 An Unforeseen Threat
Chapter 16 A Brush With Death
Chapter 17 A Changed World
Chapter 18 Bree Has An Idea
Chapter 19 The Fruition Of Bree's Idea
Chapter 20 A Chance Encounter
Chapter 21 The Reality Of What Had Been
Chapter 22 The Simple Life Begins
Chapter 23 Communication Is Established
Chapter 24 Poor Bree Is Embarrassed
Chapter 25 Absolute Terror Strikes Once Again
Chapter 26 Reunited
Chapter 27 An Amazing Story Of Courage And Determination
Chapter 28 The Birth Of A New Civilisation
Chapter 29 Setup For Life
Chapter 30 All Good Things Come To An End
Chapter 31 A Footnote From Jules - "True Love Never Dies"
Author Summary Of Part 1 - "A Gift From My Mother"
In Part 1, "A Gift From My Mother" we learnt of James McDonald as he grows up and how he has a hard upbringing under the rule of his father in Birmingham England. This is in the 1960's and early 1970's when James lives in a dour working-class environment that is full of peer pressures not to succeed, yet James rises above this and does succeed.
Later, the Lockerbie air crash of 1988, changes James's life forever when it brings him and the love of his life, Brigitte Lessard (Bree) together. It is then that the most powerful love between two people that has ever existed; is born.
James and Bree are married in 1989 at Fox Hollies Park Birmingham. James at the time is 26 and Bree 30. James becomes a GP and practices in London while Bree teaches mathematics and physics at a London secondary school. They both live in an apartment in Kensington in London.
James and Bree are very happy living in their Kensington apartment while going about their respective careers and being very much in love. They remain in London until February 1991 when an I.R.A. bombing is too close for comfort. It is then they decide to "up sticks" and head for Auckland New Zealand.
In Auckland New Zealand, James and Bree find a unique place to live "in the bush" not far from Auckland City. James later takes up a position as a GP in west Auckland while Bree lectures in maths and science at Auckland University.
The property where James and Bree have chosen to live is beautiful beyond description. There is an old Kauri house; there is a lake and a stream, and there are native birds and acres of rain forest. The property requires a lot of work to bring it to the condition James and Bree want; and it takes at least five years to do so. This is while continuing to work in their respective careers. It should be noted that the property is secluded and private. This allows the pair to get up to what can only be described as much "lovemaking mischief"!
It's in 1997 that life takes on a new direction for James and Bree. James as a GP encounters as two of his patients, a set of three year old twins (boy and a girl) who have suffered badly from child abuse. In essence James saves the lives of the Twins. It is then that James and Bree; after much frustration with waiting for the outcome of a court case and enduring red tape, manage to adopt the Twins.
At the end of 1997, James as a GP begins to realise that things are changing in the world of medical General Practice. GP's are being expected to "push" pharmaceutical drugs. This is because the medical centre where he works is regarded as being a business to make money - not to genuinely look after the welfare of patients. James's attitude to health is one of administering as few drugs as possible. He wants to encourage patients to change their lifestyle, reduce weight, and exercise; so they can reduce their dependency on pharmaceutical drugs.
James's attitude to the administration of pharmaceutical drugs doesn't fit into the business culture at the medical centre where he works. The culture at the medical centre has become one of capitalistic greed, money making and outright dishonesty. After a run-in with the owner-operator of the medical centre, James leaves to setup his own practice so he can practice what he believes.
By the end of 1997, James and Bree have become aware of changes in the education system. Discipline and standards by then are disappearing. Parents can no longer control their children because of the disappearance of this discipline and the powerful influence of peer pressure in schools. On this basis, Bree decides to leave Auckland University to educate the Twins at home.
So it is at the end of Part 1, life has moved on for the McDonalds. The Twins have grownup and moved to England to take up careers in the Royal Air Force. James and Bree have become aware of an object in space that will have a near miss with Earth in 2017. The object has been named by the scientific fraternity as TESSY.
The powers that be, have in their wisdom determined that TESSY should be destroyed, the consequences of doing so are revealed in Part 2. In the interim, life moves on for the McDonalds and we rejoin them not long after the Twins had departed for England.
Be prepared for the unexpected in this second part of a story where true love triumphs above all else.
All the best.
Dave Corrick (Author)
Chapter 1
Sometimes - Things Come In Threes.
It was towards the middle of August 2011, the month after the Twins had left, that Bree and I were having lunch together at Lopdell House. Bree reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
'James, Honey', she said. 'I hate it when you are working at New Found Health and I can't be with you. Just to take my mind off wanting to be with you; I think now that the Twins are no longer with us, I might go back to Auckland University and do a little part-time or even full-time lecturing. Would you mind? What do you think?'
'Of course I wouldn't mind Honey if you want to', I said. 'Your happiness comes above all else. I know it can't be all that mentally fulfilling for you now the Twins have gone. Is that the reason?'
'Only partly Honey', said Bree. 'No it's more the times when I can't be with you when you have things to attend to. It's particularly when I have to be on my own at home. I hate being on my own. I feel if I threw myself into lecturing again it would help take my mind off wanting you Honey'.
'Oh Bree', I whispered with a sigh. 'God I love you. I feel the same when we can't be together too. I miss you terribly. It seems as the years go by I just want to be with you even more. However, let's be rational about this; before the Twins came along we were perfectly happy - well near perfectly - when we both worked and then met up again in the evenings. We could do it again, we would soon adapt. Actually there is no reason why I couldn't work full-time again at New Found Health. There is always work to be done.
'I know and I must admit, it is a shame that I do have to spend several hours a week at New Found Health - especially now you are no longer teaching the Twins. Quite honestly, as I have already said, I would prefer to be with you all the time. Believe me Honey, there is no greater happiness for me than when I am with you'.
'Oh my beautiful James', said Bree. 'Please kiss me you wonderful thing'.
I leaned across the table and kissed Bree ever so tenderly. I then clasped her hand and said. 'Sometime we will be able to sell New Found Health for a good price and then we can be together for the rest of our days. We would need to do it at a time when Michael and Anne are agreeable to sell. It was part of the agreement when Michael and I set up our partnership that one couldn't sell without the other. This was so that neither of us would end up with an incompatible partner. I couldn't stand it if say Michael sold his fifty-percent share and I ended up with someone I couldn't work with. God only knows - drug companies could even become involved and totally destroy me!'
'Yes I see what you mean Honey', said Bree thoughtfully.
'So', I said. 'Until such time as we do sell, you could go back full-time to University and I could go back full-time to New Found Health. In some ways I feel quite positive about it. It will be like turning the clock back and becoming younger again - well sort of - you know what I mean. It would help us take our minds off each other for at least a few hours of the day'.
'OK my darling', said Bree. 'Let's do it. I think it will do us both a world of good. I must admit at times, especially if I am on my own that not only do I miss you Honey, but I miss the company of the Twins too. Throwing myself into lecturing again would help take my mind off such things'.
****
Deep down Bree did miss the Twins. We had both thought that we could put the leaving of the Twins behind us and that it was just a case of moving on and enjoying each other's company. This is what we had thought when we had talked about our future at the Orbit Restaurant at Sky Tower Restaurant back in July. It was in the following weeks though that the true reality of the situation came to fruition. We found that we really did miss the Twins - we missed them in spite of trying to convince ourselves otherwise. There was one big empty space in our lives.
Missing the Twins was especially the case if either of us were left on our own at home. Memories of how it had been were all around us; and the one being left at home was, more often then not, Bree because I would be busy at New Found Health.
As far as memories of the Twins went; for starters there was the classroom where Bree had taught the Twins. Here the computers, text books, the white board and the desks lay idle. Then there were the Twins bedrooms where there were pictures of aircraft on the walls. There were also posters of pop and film stars that no doubt they had crushes on at one time or other in earlier times.
In Megan's room on top of a bookshelf was a doll she had when she first came to live with us. That once much loved doll now lay gathering dust. In Jules's room there was a train set; broken and disused that lay at the bottom of a wooden chest - accompanied by other toys and games that had fallen into disfavour as the years had passed. In the Twins bedrooms we could see things we had given them with all our love over the years; things that were no longer wanted. Sometimes it brought about a fleeting desperate desire to turn the clock back.
Not that we felt sad - it was just part of life - and let's face it, the Twins had turned into the finest of young adults. It really was very hard, particularly for Bree who had been so close to the Twins if she was left at home on her own; her mind would turn to reflect on what had been.
Not that these feelings Bree had were constant. As soon as I returned home from being at New Found Health, Bree would be her usual bright bubbly self once again, and any nostalgic memories would be immediately forgotten. We have to remember of course that Bree, because of what had happened to her as a child would always have an underlying fear of being alone. Being alone; often frightened her.
There were other things that brought back memories of the Twins. There were of course the Optimist sailing dinghies in the filter station along with the tethers that had been used for "Cocoa" and "Peanut Butter". Just looking at the lake brought back the times when the Twins had caught "dad poles". Oh dear, yes the odd tear would well up on occasions.
Even in the past year when the Twins (so they could have their independence) had moved from the house to one of the cottages - there were memories of when they had lived there. When they had lived close by, at least we could still go and see them, love them and talk to them if we wanted to. Now they were gone. The cottage no longer "rang" with their excited voices as they enthused about life while learning and growing to be young adults.
Of course we still had constant contact with the Twins; they hadn't just disappeared off the radar from our lives. Virtually every week they would email, phone us or we could see them on Skype. There was a bond between the four of us that would never die. However our contact with the Twins via electronic means wasn't enough to offset the loneliness either Bree or I felt if one of us happened to be alone at home.
There was no question of it. Bree and I realised that to be truly happy at this point of time in our lives, we needed to be together twenty-four hours a day. We had become absolutely dependant on one another's company - we lived for one another. This worried us a little and really we somehow needed to do something about it. The best option seemed to be for Bree to return to lecturing and for me to return to work fulltime at New Found Health - just so we were mentally occupied and didn't have time to reflect on our need for each other's company.
It's amazing how things work out in life sometimes. It was in the last full week of August 2011 (the week commencing Monday the 22nd to be exact) that our lives changed once more.
It often seems to be that things do come in "threes". We had been through the wrench of the Twins leaving for England and that was the first of the three. The second was when on the Monday night of that last week of August that Michael and Anne called over to see us to tell us about something they needed to do.
It was after tea when Michael and Anne dropped in. The fire was going in the lounge so we sat around with some glasses of some of our own wine. It was all very nice and cosy. Erehwon was also there with us, curled up in his basket by the fire.
Yes it was all very pleasant as the four of us sat in front of the fire that evening. The four of us always got on extremely well and had done so for the past twelve years or so. We were open and relaxed when in one another's company and had no reservations about displaying affections for our respective partners as we talked.
After some wine to relax us and some general laughter and small talk, Michael got straight to the point of what he and Anne had come to talk about.
'James; Bree', said Michael. 'Anne and I are now into our late sixties. I would like to take Anne home with me to England to live. I have a few relatives left in Berkshire, so for our final years we would like to live in Buckleberry. My sister moved there a couple of years ago. I would like to show Anne where I grew up in Birmingham too.
Michael paused to see our response and was pleased to see that at least there was no immediate negative reaction.
'James', Michael continued. 'There is no way we will let you end up in a compromised position with an unsuitable replacement share holder in New Found Health; but I do need to sell Anne's and my share. We have got our hearts set on going to live in Buckleberry.
'I am sorry to drop this bit of news on you two like this. I guess there are two alternatives - you two buy us out or we find a compatible buyer that you could work with James. You two have been so good to us over the years. We will do anything to make things satisfactory for you; but please appreciate that Anne and I are into the later years of our life and we want to take the opportunity to spend some time back in England. Anne and I are certainly open to any suggestion you might have'.
When Michael had finished what he wanted to say, there was a stony silence. I think he and Anne were expecting a negative reaction from Bree and me. I think that they somehow thought we would feel betrayed, and that the close friendship between the four of us could be at risk.
Bree turned her head and looked directly at me. We smiled. Between our eyes unspoken messages flashed "Yes! For god's sake sell our share!", "We could be free!", "We could be together all the time!", "The money from selling our share would set us up for a lifetime!", "Bree wouldn't have to go back to University", and "The sadness of the Twins leaving would at last fade to insignificance".
Bree started to laugh with joy as did I! She pulled me close and kissed me; and then spontaneously we both let out a "Yippee. We can be Free!"
Michael and Anne were initially a little nonplussed by our reaction but we soon explained why we felt so happy. We wanted to be free from New Found Health ourselves and start a new life together. There was now a golden opportunity to sell New Found Health as a very successful "going concern".
'Michael and Anne', I said. 'As far as Bree and I are concerned this couldn't be a better time for us to sell New Found Health. With the departure of the Twins; Bree and I just want to be together now. As with you two - even though we are a little younger - our need for each other dictates that we have to be together. You two have just made it possible - it is so simple and so easy for us now. You just don't know how happy you have made us!'
Michael and Anne were ecstatic with our reaction. We were all ecstatic; it was just a case of selling New Found Health "lock stock and barrel". There would be no messy business of trying to find a compatible partner for me; or trying to determine a fair price for fifty percent of the business. Price would be determined by outright market value - and - it would be substantial!
Excited chatter followed. Michael and Anne were excited by there being nothing standing in the way to prevent them from moving to England. As far as Bree and I were concerned there would be enough money to live at Dodge City for the rest of our lives - as well as do what we wanted to the place.
The wine flowed and we talked about each other's plans. Of course it was already arranged (almost as if it was going to be tomorrow) that we would be visiting Michael and Anne in Buckleberry.
I had never really thought too much about it up until that night when Anne and Michael called on us. This was what New Found Health might fetch if it was sold. Selling had just seemed to be something that might happen "someday". I suppose it was in the back of my mind that we might go on for another ten years or more - or even until we died and then it would pass to the Twins as an asset. Life for Bree and I was now a whole new "ballgame"!
Michael informed us that he had taken some tentative advice from a property investment analyst as to what the value of New Found Health might be. He had needed to do this before even considering taking Anne to England - or talking to Bree and me for that matter. There was no sense in pursuing the idea of moving to England if it wasn't going to be financially viable.
I really had no true idea what New Found Health might be worth so I asked Michael what he had found.
Michael smiled. 'Tell you what James', he said. 'Pour us all a glass of Champagne and I will tell you. When I have told you, lets all propose a toast to our future. I think you will be pleasantly surprised'.
Bree kindly fetched us each a glass of Champagne. The Champagne was from some bottles we had kept for very special occasions, and for sharing with good friends. Of course the Champagne was French - nothing less for my Bree. It happened to be some 1999 Alfred Gratien Cuvee Paradis Brut. What an incredible wine. I can only describe it as having the aromas of walnuts, honey and white fruit - absolutely sumptuous it was, and it had been chilled to perfection.
The four of us stood in front of the fire and held our glasses. Michael took command and said. 'First of all, Anne and I would like to propose a toast to you two for being the most wonderful people to live and work with over the past nearly twelve years. You two are exceptionally fine people. You have made Anne and me incredibly happy during our stay here at Dodge City. We just regret that unfortunately life is finite and the time does eventually come to move on to other things. We will miss you two more than you will ever know'.
Anne had tears streaming down her face as she and Michael raised their glasses and said. 'To Bree and James, may you two have health and happiness for many, many years to come'.
Before Bree and I could respond, Michael pronounced. 'I now propose a toast to us - Bree, Anne, James and myself. The estimated value of New Found Health - wait for it! - is between seven and eight million dollars!'
We couldn't help it. We yelled at the tops of our voices as we responded with a unanimous "To us!!" We hugged each other in turn as we congratulated ourselves on the success that had been achieved over the past twelve years. Bree and I couldn't believe it. The price we would get for New Found Health was phenomenal!
After much talking and merrymaking, I noticed we had woken Erehwon in his basket. He had a puzzled and worried look on his face. With the noise we had made in celebrating, he wasn't sure whether to run or stay; he was a little frightened!
I whispered to Bree. 'Honey I just need to look after Erehwon for a moment'.
'Don't worry James', Bree whispered as she slipped her hand affectionately down over my bottom and kissed me. 'I'll look after our guests. Love you terribly Honey'.
While the others talked amongst themselves I excused myself for a moment and went over to Erehwon's basket. I knelt down to reassure our dear old cat that all was well, and that he was part of the celebration. I wished at that moment that we had had some whitebait to give him - just so that so he could celebrate too!
Erehwon knew the word "whitebait"; so when I stroked him to reassure him; I told him that in the morning we would get him some so that he could celebrate too. He gave me the most longing and loving look. It was almost as though he was trying to talk with his eyes and relay to me a very special message. I was mesmerised by the way he was looking at me. I wished then that I could understand what he was trying to say to me. It was almost a look of pleading.
I never forgot that look in Erehwon's eyes at that moment, not until the day I died. I understood later why he had looked at me in such an imploring manner.
I reassured Erehwon once more by stroking the soft tabby stripes on his head. He went back to sleep seemingly happy that there was nothing to worry about with all the noise we had been making. I whispered to him "I want you to live forever - that's an order mate!" I think he understood because if I listened closely I could hear him purring.
With the image of the way Erehwon had looked at me, firmly implanted in my mind, I stood up and went back over to join the others.
Michael and Anne stayed with us until just after eleven that night. When they had departed, Bree and I put some more wood on the fire. I checked that Erehwon was OK and whispered to him once more that his whitebait would definitely be here for him in the morning.
I sat back on one of our armchairs and Bree positioned herself across my lap. To please me she had raised her knees and let her dress slip down to the top of her thighs. She knew if she did this that I would be totally under her spell! She then put her arms around me and pulled me close.
I felt supremely happy as I sat looking at the exceptional beauty of my Bree as a woman. I gently caressed the soft warmth that lay between her thighs and savoured the scent of an exquisite French perfume she had worn to please me. My love for her overwhelmed me.
We said nothing for a while and thought about how our future would be. We both felt supremely happy in the knowledge that we could, from that moment on, be truly free to be with one another. There was a realisation that it could be twenty four hours of the day until our lives ended - there was nothing preventing us from doing so now.
The money we would receive from the sale of New Found Health was "nice" to think about and it presented us some exciting opportunities. However material things were way down the list of things that would make us happy. Happiness for us comprised of only three things and that was: "someone to love", "something to do" and "something to strive for".
Well we both certainly had "someone to love". As far as "something to do" was concerned, we wanted to totally refurbish our house and make it just as it had been when we had arrived twenty years before. We would now have the money to invite contractors in to do the work just as we had done back in 1991. There was also our garden to look after, grow vegetables, make wine, and to run the steam engine to cut up firewood. Our water turbine needed another overhaul. We could also travel and return to England for holidays. Then there was running, swimming in the lake and our martial arts to practice. Yes there was a never ending list of "things to do"!
As far as "Something to strive for"; there was our health and fitness so we could always look and be at our best for one another. There were new activities we wanted to pursue that I will touch on later.
So in having those three essentials for happiness - Bree and I were indeed very, very happy.
****
Bree and I had a superb sleep that night. Subconsciously we were both thinking about the opportunity we now had to be together twenty four hours of the day. It gave us the most pleasant of dreams.
I was first awake at 6.00a.m. My Bree was still asleep. I looked at my sleeping Princess; just looking at her brought a tear to my eye. I carefully slipped out of bed so as not to wake her and grabbed my dressing gown. I needed a dressing gown because it was quite cool. The dressing gown I put on was looking a little frayed around the edges. I had had it for nearly twenty three years and I would never, never part with it. This was because it had "James" in red, embroided just below the shoulder. It epitomised the unconditional love of my dearest Bree.
I tiptoed down the stairs as quietly as I could and headed to the kitchen to make a cup of tea to take back up to Bree. On the way to the kitchen I checked in the lounge. The fire had long since died and Erehwon was still asleep in his basket. The house was particularly cold downstairs. The barometer in our bedroom had showed a reading of 1030 millibars so in all likelihood there was a slight frost outside.
In the kitchen I lit a fire in the wood stove and put plenty of wood on so that the kitchen would be warm by the time we had breakfast. The wood stove took a while to produce any heat so I put the electric jug on for our tea.
Next I retrieved some cold chicken from the fridge for Erehwon. I put it on a plate and warmed it briefly in the microwave. Normally Erehwon would have jellimeat; however I felt a little guilty that we hadn't had anything special for him the night before when we were all celebrating - so chicken (the next best thing to whitebait) it was to be!
I thought it a little strange that Erehwon hadn't come into the kitchen for his chicken. The sound of the microwave that early in the morning was usually a signal there might be something special for him and he would come and investigate. Not thinking anything was amiss; I took the plate of warmed chicken into the lounge and put it beside Erehwon. He didn't stir so I stroked him gently to wake him.
Erehwon was stone cold. I froze and fell to my knees beside him. I quickly realised that our dear, dear friend had passed away during the night. Tears welled up in my eyes. "Oh no, no please no." I pleaded to myself.
Unfortunately and with great sadness, it seemed our dear old mate was gone. It was like kneeling beside my mother when we had found her in Lockerbie. Even though Bree and I knew Erehwon wouldn't live forever, a voice inside me screamed at me. "Why? Why? Why?"
I stroked Erehwon in the vain hope that maybe he was alive and that maybe he was just cold because it was a cold morning. It was not to be. He was still curled up in his sleeping position. I picked up his rigid form and held him close to me. In my mind I could see clearly the Christmas morning when Bree had given him to me as a Christmas present - he was just a tiny little mischievous kitten then. It was the Christmas when I had brought Bree the MG. Memories of good times flooded back.
It was while I was holding Erehwon that it suddenly dawned on me. When he had given me that special look the previous evening - he was telling me that it was time to go. "Oh god", I thought." He must have been trying to say goodbye and I hadn't recognised it". I thought back to when I had comforted Erehwon and told him I would get him some whitebait - he had purred for me. I liked to believe that he purred because maybe he felt he was going to a place where there was plenty of whitebait - maybe "whitebait heaven".
I held Erehwon close to me for many minutes. I couldn't help it with the feelings for that cat that had welled up inside me. I cried softly while wishing desperately I could bring him back to life. Nothing in all the complexities of my medical training could come anywhere close to performing such a miracle.
It was then I felt something against my neck and a soft kiss - it was my dearest Bree and she was crying too. She had her black dressing gown on to keep her warm. From behind she slipped her hands around my waist and pulled me close. She rested her chin on my shoulder. She said nothing, and continued to kiss me softly to comfort me in my loss.
I turned to face Bree and we held Erehwon between us.
'Well', I said with tears still streaming down my face. 'This is the third thing. It's been the Twins leaving, Michael and Anne leaving and now Erehwon leaving. I sure hope there is nothing else'.
'Darling', said Bree. 'I am so sorry. Don't be too sad. Erehwon has had a wonderful life. It had to come, we both knew it. At least he has gone peacefully; he knew no pain, there was no suffering - be glad my darling'.
'I know you are right my love', I said still choking back the tears. 'It's just all the wonderful memories that come flooding back. He has always greeted us when we arrived home. He has been with us when we have done naughty things in front of the fire during all those winters over the years. Erehwon is the only one who knows us intimately. He has always loved us unconditionally'.
'I know Honey', Bree whispered. 'It is truly a very sad occasion. He has been the most wonderful cat. Like you James I can feel the memories come flooding back. I can still see him as the frightened little kitten that I found along the Scenic Drive. I can see him playing with the Twins when they were young. Remember how he used to like to ride in the car or even the Dodge when he would wait for us to come home at the tunnel gate. Oh yes Honey, believe me I know what you mean. It is terribly sad to know our dear friend is gone'.
Bree, with tears now streaming down her face, embraced me while I held Erehwon in my arms.
Bree began sobbing uncontrollably as a means of releasing the sadness as indeed the memories did come flooding back. God they were such good memories.
Erehwon's furry body was locked in the warm space between us. We stayed embraced for many minutes, saying nothing, while we remembered what had been.
'Come on Honey', said Bree. 'Let me love you in the shower. Then let's have breakfast and move on with our lives. We have got an exciting future'.
'We certainly have my dearest Bree', I said. 'I love you Honey'.
Chapter 2
Another Phase Of Our Lives Begins
Bree and I could have remained sad about the departure of dear Erehwon, but we didn't. We made a determined effort not to allow ourselves to dwell on the sadness of what had happened.
First thing after breakfast that morning we drove the MG to a garden centre in Henderson and bought a "young" chestnut tree. This was all part of being positive in staring our new life together and not dwelling on what had been with Erehwon.
We planted the chestnut tree not far from the lake edge and buried our dear Erehwon beneath it. The tree was not far from our kitchen window. It would remind us of Erehwon in a positive way for the rest of our lives. This was because as that tree grew up; there would be just a tiny little piece of Erehwon in every branch, leaf and chestnut.
Of course we remember that I had promised Erehwon some whitebait and unfortunately he had passed away before I could give him some. When Bree and I were out picking up the chestnut tree, we purchased some whitebait at a fish shop in Henderson. We buried this along with Erehwon as we said our goodbyes. One might very well say what an idiot I was to waste a whole 500 grams of whitebait! However the fondness and respect we had for that cat, far outweighed any temptation on our part, to keep the whitebait for ourselves.
When we had buried Erehwon and the young chestnut tree stood proudly awaiting the warmer days of spring, I turned to Bree and said. 'Wouldn't it be nice if instead of getting chestnuts we got kittens and whitebait?'
We laughed; the sadness for our dear Erehwon had been put to rest as best we could. There would be the occasional moment when we would be reminded of Erehwon but we couldn't dwell on it. It was time to move on and put the sadness behind us - we did just that.
After burying Erehwon, Bree and I sat out on the veranda on our old couch in the sun and had a coffee. It was one of those cool cloudless days where it could be sensed that spring - yes wonderful springtime - was only days away. In fact, right then, there were green shoots on our oak trees as well as some of our fruit trees.
As we sat with our coffees I had an idea and discussed it with Bree. I was quite excited.
'Honey', I said. 'Until New Found Health sells, as you know I am going to have to spend some time there. For example, tomorrow Michael and I are meeting with an agent to do the selling on our behalf. In meeting with this agent we need to talk about how we will advertise, and whether we go worldwide or just advertise locally. It means you will be here on your own for a while.
'Bree It really worries me about leaving you on your own. I know you hate it. I hate it as well. However, I have thought of something that might help while we go through the business of selling New Found Health'.
'Oooh my James', said Bree. 'Tell me, what is it?'
'Well', I said. 'We have just said goodbye to dear Erehwon. Let's get ourselves a puppy!'
'Oh James, James, yes, yes!' said Bree. 'That is a wonderful, wonderful idea. What sort of a dog would you suggest?'
'Well Honey', I said. 'I must admit I have "kind-of" pre-empted the situation and I've had a look online. At Kumeu, a few kilometres up the Northwest Motorway from Henderson, there are some delightful looking young Cocker Spaniel puppies for sale. When we have finished our coffee I will show you.
'A Cocker Spaniel would be ideal with the space we have here. A spaniel is not too big to take with us in the MG or the Holden either. It would be the ideal sized dog to have inside as well. I just feel if we got a puppy, you could start house training it and bonding with it now while I take care of the sale of New Found Health with Michael. It would at least take your mind off the departure of the Twins as well as Erehwon - particularly when you are here on your own'.
'Oh James', said Bree as tears welled in her eyes. 'You just never stop loving me do you? I just can't believe how lucky I am to be married to you. It would be so wonderful to have a puppy. I would love it more than anything!'
'You mean you would love it more than me?' I said, teasing Bree.
'Oh no, no, no. I didn't mean it like that!' said Bree a little worried.
'Just teasing', I said. 'Come on Honey; let me show you where I saw these puppies for sale.
Bree kissed me profusely a dozen or more times to reinforce the fact that she really did love me above all else! We then ran inside and up the stairs to our bedroom. It was then onto our computer to have a look online at the puppies I had seen earlier. We were both anxious to ensure that they were still available - there wasn't a moment to be wasted! By all accounts the puppies were still available; and there was a phone number and address.
Bree phoned. Yes there were still four puppies remaining. With the confirmation we wanted to hear, we ran down the stairs, secured the house and headed for the MG. We ran hand in hand, glancing at each other and smiling as we went. There was much joy and excitement at the prospect of perhaps getting a puppy.
Bree drove the MG. We were on a high as we powered along the north-western motorway towards Kumeu. The sun was shining and we had the windows part way down. As we headed out into the countryside there were the early smells of spring in the air.
We arrived at the place where they had the puppies at about 11.00a.m. We met the breeders; a Mr and Mrs Newman; Stuart and Michelle were their names. I guess they would have been a little older than Bree and me - maybe their late fifties. It was hard to tell because they were both lithe and fit and looked a little younger than I they actually were.
Stuart and Michelle were incredibly fine people and it gave us a good feeling to be dealing with them. It was important that we buy a dog from someone who loved animals and didn't just treat breeding as a business. It was also important that we acquired a dog that was cherished rather than treated as a commodity.
Well the pups were cherished alright, we had no worries there. Stuart and Michelle invited us inside their house. The house I suppose would have been built in the 1930's and had a large kitchen. At one end of the kitchen was a sunny alcove. Here there was an enclosure or pen that was not dissimilar to a child's playpen. It was situated just below sash windows that were opened sufficiently to provide plenty of ventilation.
Inside the pen were the four pups. They were bouncing around and playing with one another on a woolly blanket that had been spread out within the confines of the enclosure.
Oh my god! - Bree and I just melted when we saw them. All of them were black; one had a dash of white on its chest. They were just a little more than eight weeks old and by all appearances were very healthy and full of mischief.
I knew we were dealing with the right people when Stuart offered to show us the parents of the pups. He also supplied us with certificates showing that the parents were free of any genetic defects such as hip and eye defects as Cocker Spaniels can be prone to.
The pup's parents were apparently outside on the veranda of the house, relaxing in the sun. Stuart took Bree and me to introduce us to them.
'Honey before we commit', I whispered discretely as we headed out to meet the parent dogs. 'It's a good idea just to check that the parents are healthy and of good temperament because the pups will grow up to be like their parents'.
Bree squeezed my hand and said. 'You're wonderful James, I would never have thought of that'.
The parents of the pups were indeed much loved dogs. They were of even temperament and had no signs of any health defects. Stuart, to emphasise their devotion to the dogs, said "shake hands". The two dogs sat up on their hind legs and extended a paw in response. Bree clapped her hands in absolute delight.
'Aren't they just wonderful James?!' Bree exclaimed. 'You obviously love them very much Stuart'.
'We certainly do Bree', Stuart replied. 'You and James can be assured that Michelle and I don't breed dogs to make money. We just love animals and the companionship they give us'.
'Well that's settled', I said. 'Honey you go and pick the puppy you would like. You will be looking after it initially'.
When Bree had headed back to the kitchen I turned to Stuart and said. 'I like what I see Stuart. Your dogs are in excellent condition'.
'Thanks James', said Stuart. 'Yes our dogs are Michelle's and my life now. Our two adult children were tragically killed in the 2005 London bombings when they were in England for their "big OE". Our daughter was twenty two and our son twenty four at the time. We have never really recovered from it. Breeding dogs helps'.
I put my hand on Stuart's shoulder. I detected a tear in his eye as he was reminded of his progeny. I then told him about the death of my mother. It seemed to help Stuart in meeting someone else who had also had tragedy in their life. We both expressed anger about the acts of terrorism that the world faced. I must admit with what Stuart had said I secretly hoped that our Twins would never come to any harm.
Stuart brightened up a little and said. 'James, why don't you and Bree have a bite to eat with us before you go? Michelle and I are just about to have lunch; you two would be more than welcome. We just don't seem to come across nice people like you two that often. If you will forgive me for saying it James; quite frankly I really wonder sometimes if the world is just full of "arseholes"'. You should see some of the slack types that have been out here to look at the puppies'.
I laughed. I reached out and shook Stuart's hand. 'Put it there mate', I said. 'I couldn't bloody well agree with you more about the world being full of "arseholes"!'
Stuart and I walked back to the kitchen. By the animated chatter I could hear it seemed to be that Bree and Michelle were getting on like a house on fire. While talking to Michelle, Bree was cuddling one of the pups in her arms. It was the one with a small amount of white on its chest and it was a male.
I went over to Bree. What a beautiful little creature it was that she held in her arms. Its face almost had an imploring look of "I like this lady". Hmmm, what male wouldn't?
'Please James', said Bree. 'Could we have this one?'
I put my arm around Bree and said. 'Now tell me, why do you want this one?'
'Well', said Bree. 'It smells all nice and warm and cuddly just like you James!'
My face went a little pink. Stuart and Michelle were standing close by and they laughed. My wonderful Bree always said exactly what she thought!
Having decided on the puppy we wanted, Stuart gave us copies of vaccination certificates. We also talked about neutering. Stuart recommended it to be done at six months. We wanted to know as much as we could because neither Bree nor I had ever owned a dog before.
We chatted for another half an hour or so; then Bree and I took great delight in accepting Stuart's invitation to stay for lunch. Over lunch we talked further about the finer points of keeping a spaniel. We felt very happy with what we learnt and knew that potentially we would have a loving companion with us for maybe twelve to fifteen years - or even more.
Over lunch and then on into the afternoon, Bree and I also talked about our own lives and how life had been with the Twins. Stuart and Michelle also opened up to us about their children. I think they found it good to talk about something that had been a terrible tragedy in their lives.
Stuart and Michelle also opened up about their past. It was amazing; we learnt that Stuart was a highly qualified scientist and engineer. Michelle was a qualified GP like myself and ran a small practice from the house for the local community - just for a few hours a week. Stuart and Michelle had qualifications and abilities that were I suppose the reverse of Bree and me. Once this was established conversation flowed - there was plenty to talk about and time flew!
Stuart had been one of the most senior scientists with NWI (National Weather Institute) some five years earlier. NWI was a government funded organisation. I suppose Stuart's passion was really anything to do with planet Earth from geology to atmospherics and advanced physics.
The position Stuart had with NWI had been one he had really enjoyed. He had been responsible for atmospheric research being carried out at the Nelson headquarters in the South Island. It was research mainly relating to global warming and creating computer models for the prediction of future atmospheric conditions and weather patterns.
It was unfortunate for Stuart that NWI in being a government funded organisation, paid its scientists to support the theory that the burning of fossil fuels was the cause of global warming. The government paid scientists to do this because the "carbon tax" had become a convenient way for governments to reap more money from the masses. Anyone who didn't conform to this requirement to "prove" global warming was caused by the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; was ostracised and even dismissed from their employment by surreptitious and devious means.
Unfortunately for Stuart this had been the case. The computer models he had developed (with by all accounts a great deal of brilliance) clearly showed global warming was not being caused by the production of carbon dioxide but instead increased levels of energy from the sun. This led to Stuart being relieved of his responsibilities after having put a great deal of conscientious effort and time into his work. With the resulting stress from the situation, he had suffered a mild heart attack.
To Stuart and Michelle life was too short to allow such stress to ruin it, so they had moved north and purchased the lifestyle block where they now lived at Kumeu. They had hated leaving Nelson, however when personal threats had been made over Stuart's research, it had been felt it best to move well away. They hoped to return someday when things might be a little different.
Stuart and Michelle weren't particularly well off in the area of cash flow having sunk their life savings into buying their Kumeu property. However they were extremely happy living off the land and breeding their dogs. It was a low stress environment. We could see that they were very close - similar to how it was with Bree and me.
Stuart and Michelle had learnt as we had, that most problems in life come from contact with other people. The four of us had learnt that except in rare cases, close contact with others meant exploitation, busy-bodying, peer pressure, arguments and jealousies. Arguments amongst families getting together at Christmas was a clear demonstration of this!
When it was time to leave, Stuart and Michelle loaded us up with plenty of the food and other necessities our new found friend had been used to having. I paid Stuart; we said goodbye and left about half past four. It had been a great time talking on into the late afternoon. Stuart and Michelle had become friends that we would remain in contact with for many years.
When we headed home, I drove the MG while Bree held the puppy. Bree was sublimely happy and leaned her head on my shoulder.
'Love you James', said Bree. 'Thank you James, you wonderful darling for thinking of getting a puppy. I love him'.
'I love him too', I said as we cruised back home along the north-western motorway. 'Any ideas as to what we should call him?'
'Well', said Bree. 'I must admit I have thought about it. I have two males I love now. I can't call both of them James. Jim is short for James so why don't we call him Jimmy!'
'Yea!' I exclaimed. 'Brilliant Honey! Yes it suits him - "Jimmy"! It's certainly better than calling him something like "Cuddles"!'
'James!' said Bree. 'I would never call him Cuddles!'
'I know Honey', I said. 'Just teasing!'
Being a week day, the traffic was heavy as we approached Auckland. We didn't arrive home to the peace and tranquillity of Dodge City until about 5.30p.m.
When we went inside the house we closed all the doors so that Jimmy couldn't "escape". I lit the stove in the kitchen while Bree went and lit the fire in the lounge. We (at our peril) let Jimmy have free reign of the house!
Jimmy tore about the house like a mad thing with his new found freedom. He barked and yelped as he ran up and down the stairs like a "crazy horse"! Bree and I laughed until our sides ached!
Fortunately by about six o'clock, Jimmy was tiring with all his "tearing around". He was a little drained with the excitement of coming to a new home. We fed him, loved him, and then placed him on a thick fluffy blanket by the fire in the lounge. To Jimmy this was something in the order of five star luxury! I had thought of putting Jimmy in Erehwon's basket, but no, that wasn't appropriate and later I put Erehwon's basket under our bed as a memento of a dear friend.
When Jimmy was asleep, Bree and I had a shower. After we had showered we both put on a couple of T shirts and headed down to the kitchen to make our evening meal. Naturally; while we cooked our meal we checked the lounge every five minutes to ensure Jimmy was OK. With the amount of running around he had done I was sure he would sleep for a week!
Of course you would realise by now that in mentioning that we wore T shirts - that was all we did wear! Yes there was nothing more delightful than to warm our bare bottoms in front of the wood stove in the kitchen while the tea cooked - and then again later in front of the fire in the lounge!
There was another motive for wearing just T shirts that evening. We wanted Jimmy to become accustomed to nudity in his formative years! Hmmm, well that was our excuse.
Our tea that night was pan fried trout - trout that the Twins had caught in our lake some time before. It had been kept in the deep freeze and it was absolutely delicious. I couldn't help thinking how incredibly lucky we were to live where we did - it really was a paradise. It was such a paradise that secretly I hoped Anne wouldn't regret the move to England.
We took our meals, along with some glasses of white wine into the lounge and sat on the couch. That way we could be close to Jimmy who was sound asleep by the fire. Occasionally he would open one eye to see what we were up to. He would then close it, sigh a big sigh and go back to sleep. We felt supremely happy as we sat and watched over the new addition to our family.
When we weren't looking at Jimmy, we watched the TV news while we ate. We felt thankful to be where we lived with all the violence we could see that was going on around the world. Incidentally; now being 2011, our TV was a sixty inch 3D plasma screen that was mounted on the wall to the right of the fireplace. I must admit it was a fantastic piece of equipment to watch Blu-Ray movies on a Saturday night if we felt like it.
When we had finished our tea and had a coffee, I cleared the dishes away and then sat down beside my Bree on the couch in front of the fire. Jimmy was still sound asleep, as no doubt he would be for many hours to come.