Myvanwy and the House of Dragon Read online

  Josh’s mind raced ahead with myriad possibilities that screamed out. Fantastic! Does that mean you’ll pick us up at the first sign of trouble?

  Count on it, said Myvanwy.

  Okay, but I’ll give you the job of breaking the news to Clare. Sweet Pea, give some thought to the defence of the place and we’ll compare notes at a later date. Josh went to bed afterwards, the way ahead a little clearer and ideas for the cave system’s defence leaping out at him until finally he drifted off to sleep, exhausted.

  Monday was a rostered day off, which allowed Josh an extra hour of rest. The driving school picked him up at 10am and by 11 o’clock he had his provisional licence.

  Ben called by after lunch to pick him up to be fitted for a hire suit for the big day.

  ‘So how did you go?’ he asked.

  ‘A piece of quiche,’ Josh said.

  That evening he rang Andy and went over the filming required along with the timing and venues.

  When Ben and Clare visited mid-week, Clare was her happy and carefree self. Even Sally was calm and collected these days. It was Ben’s turn to be hyper. The four talked about the various preparations for the wedding, such as the catering and bridal dress. Josh was to be Ben’s best man and Clare, the maid of honour. Ben’s nervousness showed throughout until the subject turned to the honeymoon and Fiji. The bridal couple looked forward to the holiday away.

  After the dishes were done the two teenagers left their parents alone and retreated to the bedroom. They took Molly with them, Josh patting her on the head before she disappeared under the bed.

  Josh turned his attention to Clare and kissed her.

  ‘You’ve certainly changed since the weekend. Has Myvanwy spoken to you yet?’

  She nodded and Josh waited expectantly, ‘And?’

  ‘Its fine, I totally agree with her.’

  Josh looked at her and tried to figure out her mood swing, ‘Is this a hormonal thing?’

  She punched him playfully in the ribs, ‘I was upset that we may be targeted and didn’t want to lose what we have, that’s all.’

  He held and kissed her again, ‘Neither do I, but it’s not that simple anymore. If they do come this way, then we’ll have to honour our alignment to Myvanwy and Sweet Pea.’

  ‘Yes,’ Clare agreed, ‘and she does have the best solution. I’d rather have her at my back any day.’

  ‘Even in the cave system?’

  ‘Especially in the cave system. It limits the attack.’

  ‘What if they use explosives?’

  ‘They wouldn’t dare. For one thing, it would draw attention to themselves and secondly, they wouldn’t risk destroying the dragons they were hunting or the treasure. Just imagine if they did come, it would give you a chance to wear your birthday present.’

  ‘Which one?’ he asked, and they both burst into laugher. Josh turned the computer on and they talked of more general things.

  ‘The school holidays start tomorrow,’ Clare informed him.

  ‘That explains your relaxed mood, although Ben seems to be feeling the pressure a bit.’

  ‘Yes, I hope you won’t be like that on the day.’

  Wedded Bliss

  The wedding day rolled around unstoppable. The birds warbled in the grey dawn as the sun peeked over the horizon and rose brilliantly in the sky. Josh sat at the table having breakfast with his Mother one last time before she became Mrs Sally O’Toole and took up residence on Ben’s farm. They reminisced about the years spent together in the house and a tear came to Sally’s eye. Josh reassured her and wished her well.

  A car horn sounded and someone knocked on the door. It was Clare, carrying all she would need for the day.

  ‘Hurry up, Dad’s waiting.’

  Josh gulped the last of his coffee down and took the suitcase he had packed, plus his hire suit and put them in the back of Ben’s car before they departed.

  ‘How’s your mother holding up?’ Ben asked.

  ‘Good. There was a tear in her eye this morning, but it’s just the fact of leaving a house full of memories.’

  ‘Well that’s to be expected.’

  ‘How are you going?’

  ‘Me? Fine,’ Ben lied.

  On reaching the farm they pulled into the driveway and parked at the back of the house. Josh took all his gear inside to the spare bedroom. At least now he had a room to himself when he stayed over, although he couldn’t see himself using it while Clare slept only metres away.

  Ben’s voice called out from the lounge room, ‘Do you want a drink? I’ve got some good whisky that I keep for special occasions.’

  Josh joined Ben, who handed him a glass with two fingers of whisky in it. A warm feeling spread throughout Josh’s body as he drank and watched as Ben steeled himself for the day ahead.

  ‘I want to thank you again for everything you’ve done for me.’

  ‘But I haven’t done anything,’ Josh replied.

  ‘What about flying that balloon contraption. You call that nothing?’

  ‘The truth is I think we helped each other. If it wasn’t for your daughter’s support and morale, I doubt that we would have had the same result.’

  ‘That’s about what Clare says, too. She speaks very highly of you,’ Ben said, as he poured another drink.

  ‘One outcome it seems, is that it’s brought you and Mum together,’ Josh said, and raised his glass.

  ‘To you and Mum.’

  They downed the toast together.

  ‘Okay, now let’s get ready,’ said Ben.

  Back at her house Sally showered and dried her hair before dressing as far as a camisole and slip. She sat on a chair, while Clare curled her long dark hair and applied hair spray to keep it in place. After that it was Clare’s turn to be fussed over.

  ‘How old were you when your mother left?’ Sally asked.

  ‘Eight.’

  ‘Do you still see her?’

  ‘Once in a while she’ll call by when she’s in the country. These days it’s not a priority with her—or us, for that matter.’

  ‘That seems very strange behaviour for a mother.’

  ‘Not really, if you knew her. She’s made a new start for herself overseas, which means she has new people in her life.’

  ‘Does that mean you have step brothers and sisters then?’

  ‘No way. She lives for her work and friends these days. Another child would just slow her down.’

  ‘How do you feel about your father and me?’

  ‘To tell you the truth I was a little put out at first, but I warmed to the idea. I can’t keep him all to myself and pretty soon I’ll be the one leaving, and I can’t think of anyone better to take care of him than you.’

  A tear came to Sally’s eye. Clare reached over for the tissue box.

  ‘Here, take one. We don’t want you with red eyes today.’

  Sally took two and dabbed at her eyes before blowing her nose.

  ‘Thank you.’

  Andy and Janice arrived only minutes before the bridal car. Their taxi waited while they filmed Clare and Sally as they left the house to enter the limousine, and then again as it departed for the church. The bridal party took the longer scenic route, while the taxi sped ahead so that footage could be taken of the waiting groom.

  On arrival at the small church Andy went inside and panned the camcorder around at the waiting groom, best man and minister, followed by the pews full of guests. Janice waited outside and hailed him via her mobile when the bridal car came into view, so he rushed back out to film its arrival.

  Sally looked stunning in a full-length blue satin gown, with matching head-piece and white veil. She wore long white gloves and clutched a bouquet of multi-hued daisies from her garden. Clare wore a similar outfit, minus the veil. Andy filmed them both as they entered the church and walked up the aisle to join Ben and Josh.

  After the short ceremony Andy filmed the bridal couple as they signed the marriage certificate and then went outside to catch them as they em
erged from the church. Afterward Janice grouped the bridal party together for some of the more traditional footage, while Andy panned around at the friends and relatives who had spilled from the building. When finished, the limousine whisked Ben and Sally away to the reception in the small community hall next to the farm. Josh and Clare followed in the family sedan, taking Andy and Janice with them.

  Ben and Sally led the way into the reception and sat at the head table. The guests followed, all searching for their correct tables until everyone was seated with a drink in hand, and the hall filled with conversation and laughter. Andy panned slowly along the bridal table and around the hall. When satisfied he’d captured everyone in their best light, he signalled for Janice to join him and went forward to congratulate the bride and groom.

  ‘Mrs Brown, I’d like…’

  ‘O’Toole! Mrs Sally O’Toole,’ Ben corrected.

  ‘Of course, forgive me,’ said Andy, ‘old habits die hard. Mrs O’Toole, I’d like to introduce you to Janice, a friend who is assisting me today.’

  Sally looked more closely at Janice’s brown hair and athletic frame that seemed to shade the slighter red-headed youth beside her.

  ‘We’ve met before, haven’t we?’

  Janice nodded, ‘Yes, I’m in the same unit as Andy and Josh.’

  ‘So you two are an item now?’

  Andy looked uncomfortable and didn’t know what to say until Janice moved closer and put her arm around his waist. A big smile spread over his face in answer to Sally’s question.

  ‘Well I must say you’re a lot quicker off the mark than Josh is. He hasn’t so much as looked at a girl,’ Sally complained, whereupon Andy and Janice burst into laugher.

  Clare joined them in their merriment and Josh put a finger to his lips to silence them.

  ‘Yes, he is a bit slow,’ Clare agreed.

  ‘Nothing wrong with that,’ Ben said, ‘sometimes it takes a long time to find a good partner, like your mother here.’

  ‘Anyway, congratulations to you both,’ said Andy.

  The first course was served and the toasts began. Afterwards the tables were abuzz with different conversations as the guests worked their way through the rest of the courses. When they were finished and the tables cleared, the wedding cake was cut and Ben led Sally out onto the dance floor for the bridal waltz. Clare and Josh joined them soon after and swapped partners briefly.

  Other couples got up to dance, even Andy and Janice. They moved to the slower music with their arms around each other while deep in conversation. Finally they kissed and Janice rested her head on Andy’s shoulder.

  Clare brought them to Josh’s attention. Until then they had been dancing at arm’s length, but on seeing the other two Josh held Clare a little closer, although without the intimacy.

  That’s much better, she purred.

  Ben and Sally stayed on for another hour to catch up with friends and well-wishers before leaving. Sally stopped briefly to toss the bridal bouquet over her shoulder. Clare didn’t wish to compete and stood on the sidelines—her future was already a given. She watched as Janice snatched the bouquet out of the air. It would seem that Andy’s days were numbered as well. Afterwards the newlyweds went home to change, and took their gifts with them. They would respond to them later, but now more importantly was their impending honeymoon. While they were away Josh took the opportunity to film Andy and Janice on the dance floor. So far they hadn’t appeared on any of the footage, so now he captured them along with the other guests.

  The noise from the myriad conversations filled the air, making it hard to be heard, so Josh leaned over as if to speak to Clare. When she moved closer he kissed her on the earlobe.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ he whispered.

  Clare looked at the people in front of them as they busily chatted away, and spoke telepathically to Josh.

  To think none of this would have happened, except for a quirk of fate.

  Cause and effect, Josh replied. From one act like a pebble thrown into a pond it sends out its ripples to change everything in its path forever. The funny thing is, that the initial stone was the result of some other act and the whole thing will never end.

  Well it certainly changed us.

  Are you complaining?

  No, what about you?

  Not me. I come out of it a winner.

  Clare looked at him worriedly, How?

  Well, at least now I’ve got the spare bedroom all to myself.

  She laughed and elbowed him in the ribs. They both looked up to see Andy and Janice filming them as they approached from the front.

  ‘Great job, Andy. And thanks Janice, I owe you one,’ said Josh.

  ‘Thank you for thinking of us—we’ve really enjoyed doing it, haven’t we?’ Andy said, looking at Janice.

  She smiled and said, ‘Anything for a fellow unit member.’

  Josh frowned, ‘Next Thursday will be my last night though.’

  ‘Yes, I heard,’ said Andy. ‘It’s a pity you’re leaving. We’ll miss you.’

  ‘What about the two of you, will you continue on?’

  ‘Of course. We’ll both be joining the local Rover crew in another six months,’ Andy confirmed.

  Josh held out his left hand and they both shook it in turn.

  A car horn sounded from outside, so Josh slipped Andy some money for taxi fares and said goodbye before leaving with Clare to drive the newlyweds to the city. They would be spending their wedding night there before catching the shuttle bus up to the airport in the morning and flying off on their honeymoon.

  On arrival at the hotel Ben and Sally took their luggage from the car and then after a brief goodbye, they turned and went into the foyer.

  Josh drove back through town again and headed for his place in the eastern suburbs. On reaching there they parked and went inside, but it seemed strange. The house felt both warm and familiar to them, and yet empty as they went from room to room.

  After Molly was fed, Clare picked up the things she had left earlier in the day and they went back to the reception to see if had finished. It had, so they continued on to the farm instead. Josh parked the car and helped Clare carry her things to her room.

  Once there she fell back on her bed, ‘Phew, I’m glad that’s over.’

  ‘Me too,’ said Josh.

  He kicked his shoes off then lay back and kissed her passionately. She broke free of his clutches in order to save her dress and draped it over a nearby chair before going to the en-suite. Josh lay there a moment longer, listening to the sounds of Clare as she brushed her teeth.

  He picked up his shoes and went to the spare bedroom to change also, and hung his hire suit over the back of an armchair before going to the main bathroom to shower. When finished, he towelled off and put some shorts on before going back to his room. Clare was already there and he laughed as he joined her.

  Later as they lay together, Myvanwy spoke to them.

  Well that’s one down, Kiddos. Josh put his hands under his head and smiled.

  Clare elbowed him in the ribs, You do mean the wedding don’t you? I thought you might have been watching. What did you think of it?

  Positively dreamy! You kids really started something there. I’m a sucker for weddings and have one coming up at Christmas. I’m just trying to gather a few ideas together.

  Nothing too elaborate, I hope, in fact the simpler the better. We don’t want to scare the groom off.

  I don’t know, he’s very robust that one. It would take more than that to scare him off—besides, I think you’ve hooked him pretty well.

  Clare laughed, Do you think so?

  Hook, line and sinker, Myvanwy agreed.

  You two, honestly, Josh complained.

  Are you still alright to come over? Clare asked.

  Sure, how does a week from tomorrow sound? But we’ll only stay a few hours this time around.

  Anything you need? Josh asked.

  Sweet Pea interjected, Could use another battery for the telev
ision set and maybe a sheep or two.

  Josh laughed, Anything else?

  No, that’s about it I guess. Our needs are simple.

  How are our friends going, Myvanwy?

  If you mean Ullric, there’s still no sign of movement I’m afraid. Whatever it is they have in mind I don’t think we’ll like it, she said worriedly. Anyway, we’ll leave you two kids be and go hunt up a meal, I’m feeling a bit peckish. We’ll be in touch during the week, bye.

  After the goodbyes the telepathic link was broken to leave them alone once again.

  ‘How about you, are you worried at all?’ Josh asked Clare.

  ‘About what? Getting married?’

  ‘No, about the possibility of trouble.’

  ‘I told you, I’m quite happy about Myvanwy’s fallback plan and I’ve every faith in you. All that I’m worried about now is where my next kiss is coming from.’

  Josh shook his head and tried to read her thoughts on the subject, but all he picked up on was her playful mood. He reached for her and put all other thoughts on hold. Clearly they were safe for now. They kissed and then curled up together to sleep until dawn.

  Incoming

  On Sunday morning neither wanted to leave the sanctuary of their bed, but duty called. After breakfast they collected the key to the hall next door from their letterbox, where the caterers had left it. Then once in the hall they stacked the chairs and cleaned the tables prior to sweeping the floor, finishing the chore by noon.

  Lunch was a sandwich and cuppa before driving over to Josh’s house to check on Molly. He had considered taking her with him, but decided it would be better to leave her to guard the house. At least that way she could alert him to anything out of the ordinary. Molly had heard them and waited at the back door to greet her master, and then once her food was replenished he took her inside to his bedroom.

  Of all the rooms to choose from, they chose that one out of habit: Molly underneath the bed, Clare on top, while he sat at the desk. The fact was not lost to them and they laughed.

  ‘I was thinking. When Dad and Sally get back I might see if I can stay here with you during the week,’ said Clare.

  ‘Ben’s not going to like that.’

  She shrugged, ‘I don’t know, there are a lot of plusses to the idea. It would give them some alone time and be handier for me, not having so far to travel to school every day.’