Life’s Tapestry of Love

With the exception of her time at University India Harris had lived all of her twenty six years on Teardrop Lake.

India was a tall tomboy of a girl with short dark hair who generally wore baggy shorts and equally baggy t-shirts and rather unfeminine footwear on her feet.

She lived in Shoe Buckle House, on the northwest corner of the lake with her parents and her younger sister Dakota, and it wouldn’t have surprised her in the least if she found out she would live there until the end of her days.

Though the prospect wouldn’t have alarmed her in any way as she loved the lake and loved living there.

After she graduated from Abbottsford University with a 2-1 in English Literature she was delighted, but the delight very quickly gave way to indecision.

She had a degree didn’t have a clue what to do next.

In the end she decided to take a year out to figure out her next move towards her future, after the year was up India still had no notion what to do next.

Which was about the time her parents had started to give her a hard time, so she got a part time job at the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel which was where she first met her best friend Penny Davies.

Just next door Paul Spreadborough was convalescing at Chapel House, his sister Ellen Huston’s home, although in truth he spent most of his time down at the boathouse, which his brother in law James had converted into a Gym.

He was transferred to Teardrop Lake from the Army hospital at the end of April.

The reason for his convalescence was necessitated by a horrific accident while he was serving with the Downshire Light Infantry.

It was ironic really as he had only just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan completely unscathed only to be severely injured in a freak helicopter crash during a training exercise on Salisbury Plain, when Captain Spreadborough suffered leg, hip and pelvic fractures.

But much to his credit he had fought and battled his way back towards fitness, but it would all be for nothing if he failed his medical in a few months’ time.

Failure would mean, best case he’d be off active duty and worst case discharged altogether.

Paul was a driven man and Ellen was concerned it might break him if he failed.

The army was his life and if he was discharged he would be devastated.

It was a filthy wet morning on the first weekend in June and India was on her bike on the southern perimeter road, and as usual was racing along at breakneck speed.

She was on her way to see her best friend Penny who lived with her Aunts at the eastern end of the lake.

The southerly route was longer for her but was the much easier ride in terms of an absence of hills and it was definitely the less sweaty route.

She and Penny worked at the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel five mornings a week and at the Shallowfield Garden Centre on three afternoons and as they were single and of similar ages they spent a lot of their free time together as well.

Sometimes they would hike the woods, on others they would go out on the lake or just sit and talk.

That particular day Penny gave India the dirt on the new tenant at Lake View Cottage.

India thought by the way Penny talked about him that she fancied him.

On the way home she went on the northerly route.

India always took the northern perimeter road on the journey home.

It was a hard slog up the hill but it was worth it for the exhilaration of the long descent.

That particular afternoon as she was powering down the hill she noticed another cyclist ahead of her.

She hadn’t seen the rider on the steep ride up and whoever it was they were descending slower than she was and then the rider disappeared.

India pulled up sharply at the point she last saw the phantom rider and found him lying beneath his bike in the undergrowth.

She recognized him as her next door neighbour Ellen Huston’s Brother Paul.

She didn’t know all the details only that he was staying with her while recuperating from a serious injury.

She knew it was him even though she had only seen him from a distance, she thought he was even better looking close up.

“Are you ok?” she asked

“Yes” he said weekly

“Are you hurt?” India asked

“Only my pride” he replied

India lay her bike on the ground and then lifted his bike off of him and leant it against a tree.

Then she helped him to his feet.

“What happened?” India asked “You were there one minute and gone the next”

“I think I just over did it” he said with a wince

India didn’t really understand his answer so she asked

“Did you bang your head?”

“No I’m fine” he said but he was clearly unsteady on his feet

Just then a car came over the brow of the hill and as luck would have it, it was Claire Andrews the resident GP and more precisely his GP.

She stopped the car and quickly got out.

“What happened?” she asked

“He said he overdid it” India said

“Too much too soon, I agree” Doctor Andrews said

“Can you help me get him into the car India?” asked the doctor

She agreed and manhandled him into the passenger seat

“What about my bike?” he said feebly

“I can take it down to the Huston’s” India offered

“Thanks” he said and sank back into the seat

“Thanks India” The Doctor said and drove away.

Pushing the two bikes, she got down the hill much slower than she normally would.

India normally flew down the hill like a thing possessed, in fact she’s almost come a cropper there herself on more than one occasion.

When she reached the Huston’s House

She overheard that Doctor Andrews was grounding him.

“You mustn’t let him go out on his own again” Doctor Andrews said “At least for a while”

“He’s very stubborn” Ellen said

India carried on pushing the bikes up the drive and met the Doctor and Ellen coming down it.

“India thank you so much” Ellen said

“He was so lucky you were riding by when you did”

“Yes you did great” Claire agreed

“It really was just luck” She said

“Well thank you” Ellen said and kissed her cheek

“He won’t be doing that again”

India smiled and turned around and headed down the drive but then she stopped suddenly and said over her shoulder.

“I don’t mind riding with him when he’s stronger”

“Well” Ellen said doubtfully

“I could keep him in check that way” India said

“I think that’s a great idea” Doctor Andrews said

As she walked home India was rather chuffed with herself that she had suggested something that the Doctor had thought was a good idea.

It was nice that a profession had some faith in her, it bolstered her confidence no end even if as she suspected nothing would come of it.

The following Saturday was India’s twenty seventh birthday and as usual on very important occasions she was always in the company of Penny Davies.

For her birthday they went into Abbottsford, to the Phoenix Centre to spend the day doing girlie things and to have lunch and of course spend her birthday money.

She wasn’t an adventurous shopper she wasn’t extravagant.

Nor was she a collector or a hobbyist so her money went on the usual sort of things, baggy shorts and baggy T-shirts and a little perfume.

What she really enjoyed about outings was the company of her best friend.

In the evening she went out with her family for dinner, to the Brown Windsor Restaurant in Shallowfield, which wasn’t quite as much fun as spending the day with Penny as she had to dress up, which was not something that came natural to her.

Early the next day Ellen phoned the Harris’s to speak to India.

“Hi India”

“Hey Ellen, how’s Paul?”

“Actually he’s feeling a little stronger” Ellen said

“Great”

“Which is actually why I called” Ellen added

“Do you want me go for a ride with him?” India asked

“Would you?”

“Of course”

“But I would just ask one thing” Ellen said

India guessed what it was and said

“Be strict with him”

“Absolutely”

“No problem”

“It’s going to be a hot today” India said “So if he’s ready we can go in half an hour or so”

“Oh he’s ready” Ellen said “he’s chomping at the bit”

“Ok I’ll be round in five minutes”

That day was the first of many times they rode together but it began with a lecture.

When she got to the Huston’s Paul was already on the drive

With Ellen

“At last” he said grumpily “my escort has arrived”

“I’m not your escort soldier boy” she retorted “I’m your babysitter”

Paul just grunted

“Just because you’re an army captain and I’m a civilian girl” she said with authority as she mounted her bike

“Don’t think I’m going to stand for any nonsense”

Paul said nothing

“I set the pace and when I say stop, we stop” she barked “Are we clear captain?”

“Yes sergeant” he replied sourly and they peddled slowly off.

“Good girl” Ellen said as she watched the ride off the drive

Despite his bravado and eagerness to get started and India setting him a relatively pedestrian pace they only achieved just short of three miles and had a slow walk back.

India planned after that first day that they would go out a couple of times a week even if they would invariably have to walk the bikes half the way home.

She was sure that with patience, not something he had in abundance, they would get just a little farther on each outing and with each subsequent ride India would be able to be less and less of a babysitter keeping him out of trouble and more and more of an escort giving advice and guidance.

Gradually they would be able to build up to riding every other day providing of course she could curb his tendency to push himself too far.

When she had safely delivered her wounded soldier back to his sister she went home for a well-earned shower and a bite of lunch.

She was spending that afternoon with Penny and her artist so after lunch she went down to the jetty to wait for them.

“There’s Indie” she heard Penny say

Indie was wearing her customary baggy shorts and equally baggy T-shirt and unfeminine footwear.

“Hi Indie” Penny called

“Hey Pen” she called back

Penny came alongside the jetty and quickly tied up.

Once on the jetty Penny introduced him

“This is Danny”

“Hello Danny” India said

“Hi India and Happy birthday for yesterday”

“Thanks” she replied

“Where to first?” India asked

“The Chapel” Penny replied putting on her backpack, India was already wearing hers.

Danny had his by his feet with his camera and some basic artist materials in and quickly put it on and broke into a trot to catch up with the girls.

The Chapel was Olwen’s Chapel and the Olwen in question was an Anglo Saxon Lady who was one of the early converts to Christianity but her pagan husband’s tribe would not accept the new faith and she was forced to worship secretly in the forest.

Her chapel was in actually just an assortment of stones on the forest floor arranged around a granite altar stone in a woodland clearing.

It had been rediscovered early in Queen Victoria reign and had been lovingly maintained ever since by a local society.

They yomped up the hill and the moment they entered the forest they instantly felt the coolness of the shade.

But even with the drop in temperature it was still quite hard going climbing up the hill.

However when they arrived Danny had to agree with Penny’s earlier assessment, it was indeed atmospheric.

They spent a very pleasant hour there and he sketched the two girls, as they sat on the altar stone.

From there they headed towards Shoe Buckle Falls so named, so legend had it, after a 17^th century fugitive who was pursued into the forest by Parliamentarian soldiers, but disappeared in the vicinity of the falls and all they ever found of him was his shoe buckle.

The falls were not grand or spectacular but they were nice enough.

The water tumbled and spilled over the rocks gathering briefly in deep pools and then tumbling down again to the next pool.

It was dark beneath the ancient trees and refreshingly cool as the misty spray settled on them.

The rocks and trees closest to the falls were covered in bright green lichens.

Danny sketched the two girls again this time as they soaked their feet in one of the deep pools.

It was early evening by the time they followed the path of the falls back down towards the perimeter road.

All afternoon the girls had regaled Danny with the stories and legends of the area and when they reached the now disused 16^th century stone bridge he quite naturally asked

“Does this have a name?”

The girls looked at each other and then Penny replied

“Yes, it’s called a bridge”

And she and India went into hysterics, and Danny couldn’t help but laugh himself, they were still laughing when they reached the road and then Penny stumbled on a pothole and that set them all off again.

After saying good bye to Pen and Danny, India stood on the Jetty and waved to them, but they didn’t notice so she just smiled to herself.

Penny had said to her that she was just showing Danny around because he was a stranger and she felt sorry for him but she could see by the way he looked at her as he sketched her that he was smitten and Penny clearly liked him too.

Still smiling to herself she went indoors for dinner.

A couple of days later she was out with Paul again on the bikes.

And as she suspected the ride ended with them walking the bikes home.

This happened a lot when they rode out together much to Paul’s annoyance.

“You’re not very patient are you?” she said

“It’s not a question of impatience” he insisted

“I have a medical in November and I have to be fit for that, so I’m not impatient, I just have a target, and it’s looming large”

“Which you are never going to achieve if you push yourself so hard you can’t do anything” India pointed out

“So everyone keeps telling me” he said

“Well then” she retorted

The completed the remainder of the walk back in contemplative silence.

“Thanks Indie” he said as they reached the Huston’s drive way

“Same time tomorrow?”

“The day after tomorrow” Indie corrected him

“Ok the day after tomorrow” he agreed

They kept up the twice weekly rides for a couple of weeks in July, then they increased it to three and almost immediately to every other day.

India welcomed the extra rides as Penny had gone away to Canada for three weeks so she needed something extra to fill the time.

She was at a bit of a loose end while her best friend was away, At one point India did think about going over to see Danny the artist but she didn’t want to step on Pens toes because she knew she liked him and he definitely liked her.

She couldn’t understand what was holding them back.

Riding every other day really built up his stamina so that after exactly one month from the day of their first ride together he completed his first circuit of the perimeter road.

“Wow” he panted as he brought the bike to a halt

“Well done Paul” Indie said

“I didn’t think I was ever going to do it” he confessed

“Let’s do it again”

“Absolutely not” Indie said “just enjoy the moment”

“But...”

“But nothing” she reiterated

“Ok” he said resignedly “you’re very bossy”

It was two days after he had completed that momentous first complete circuit of the perimeter road that Indie called at the Huston’s house looking for Paul.

But when she arrived he wasn’t ready and waiting on the drive as usual so she had to go and look for him.

She eventually tracked him down and found him sitting on the jetty in front of the boat house

“Come on then let’s be having you” she said

“I’m not riding today” he said sulkily

“Why not?” Indie said “What’s the matter? Are you a tired little soldier?”

She laughed very loudly at her joke but she soon realized he wasn’t laughing.

“I have a slight muscle strain in my hip and Doc Andrews has banned me from any high impact exercise” he explained unhappily.

“I’m getting so close to fitness and then I get this”

“It’s just a minor setback” India said encouragingly

“It’s not fare” he said “I’ve done as I’ve been told, and I’ve been patient”

“Well there is a simple solution” India said

“What solution?” he asked

“It’s staring you right in the face” She said

“What?” he said standing up “Tell me”

“Swimming” she said

“What?” he repeated

“You can swim” she said and pushed him off the jetty.

India roared with laughter as he splashed and floundered in the lake in fact she was laughing so hard she didn’t notice him leap from the water.

And it was Paul who was laughing after he pulled her by the t-shirt to join him in the lake.

After that Paul and India swam every day for the next week until Dr Andrews passed him fit to resume heavy exercise.

India had been on an errand to the surgery to pick up a repeat prescription for her mums migraine tablets when Dr Andrews tapped her on the shoulder and made India jump.

“Hello India” she said

“Oh hi doc” India replied

“Well done for what you’re doing with Paul” she said “he’s coming on in leaps and bounds”

“That’s ok” India replied a little embarrassed

“And getting him to swim was pure genius” she continued

“I wish I’d thought of that”

Then she went back into her room.

On her way home she thought about what the doctor had said and why she was embarrassed about it, and it suddenly dawned on her how much she fancied Paul.

She was thinking about that and what she should do about it,

“I’ll ask Penny” she thought to herself.

Which was when she bumped into Danny as he returned from Shallowfield with some supplies.

He was also walking along the Lane that passed the Hotel and was gazing into the River Brooke which ran parallel to the lane and flowed from the head of the lake and on through Shallowfield.

“Are you looking forward to this afternoon?” Indie asked

“This afternoon?” he responded

India would have been at something of a loose end while Pen was away and would have been counting the days but for the fact she was otherwise engaged helping a convalescing soldier, she had assumed quite rightly that Danny would not have been so distracted, he would surely have been counting the days.

She knew Penny liked him and she was pretty sure he liked her back.

“Penny’s coming home today” she said

“No, she’s not back until the 19^th” Danny said

“It is the 19^th” India pointed out

“What? Oh God how did that happen” Danny exclaimed

“I have to go”

“It’s ok, you’ve got hours yet” Indie said and laughed

“She’s going to ring me when she lands”

“Oh ok” Danny said more calmly

“I can ring you when I hear if you like” Indie suggested

“Yes that would be great” he said “Thanks Indie”

It wasn’t until after lunch that Penny phone Indie and it was a very quick call just to say that the flight had been delayed but they were now boarding and she wouldn’t be home until the early hours and then she was gone.

India really wanted to tell her about Paul but that would have to wait now.

She picked up her phone again and called Danny to give him the information.

India didn’t expect to see her friend the next day, she knew Penny would be with Danny.

India just hoped that the three weeks apart would have focused their minds and that by the end of the day they would be a couple.

The next day Pen called India bright and early and said she had good news.

Penny then abandoned her new boyfriend for the day and went in search of her best friend so they could share each other’s news.

They met up at Olwen’s Chapel, Penny chose it because she said it was there that she realized she loved him.

When India appeared from the trees Pen was already there and had been waiting for about ten minutes.

Penny got to her feet and ran to meet India

“It happened Indie, it happened” she said

And the she gave her friend a blow by blow account of the previous day.

When she had finished enthusing about Danny she said

“We just need to find someone for you now”

“Well it’s funny you should say that” Indie said and then it was her turn to fill in the blanks of the previous three weeks which she did at great pace without pausing for breath and at the end said desperately

“I don’t know what to do next”

Penny did and one Sunday she arranged an outing to the French market in Abbottsford on a very special shopping trip.

Danny drove them there in his car after church.

He wasn’t privy to where they went or what they bought and he had to amuse himself in the Phoenix Shopping Centre until he was summoned, and as t Technophobe Danny didn’t have a mobile of his own Penny gave him hers.

His reward when he met up with the high-spirited pair loaded down with shopping bags was to carry the bags and buy them dinner.

She didn’t see much of Penny after that as she and Danny made the most of the time he had left on the Lake before he returned home to pack for his trip to Australia.

Which was fine for India as she had a deadline of her own.

A long with all the residents on the Lake she was invited to the Shallowfield Lodge Hotel, where the proprietor’s Rob and Sheryl Brown were holding their wedding anniversary party.

And included in “all the residents” was one Captain Paul Spreadborough.

India had got up early and made sure she got in the bathroom before her sister Dakota.

She was 9 years younger than Indie and her mother Jemima called her their little miracle, India called her a mistake.

Dakota and Indie, to look at were like two peas in a pod, but in every other way possible they were complete opposites.

India was an outdoorsy tomboy type whereas Dakota was a girlie girl, all pink, pretty and powdered.

She was also ultra-confident and ultra-popular with the boys which she kept dancing on strings.

India spent an extraordinarily long time in the bathroom partly because she was being extra thorough and partly because it was annoying the hell out of Dakota.

“I’m sorry Dak, did I keep you waiting” she said when she finally let her sister in.

“You’re such a retard Indie” she retorted

It was two hours later when she walked downstairs and into the kitchen.

Her father Chris was the first one to spot her and stared at her open mouthed, when he eventually spoke he said.

“Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”

Then Jemima turned around and tears welled up in her eyes.

“You look beautiful darling” she said and kissed her daughter.

The reason for the extreme reaction was because India Harris was wearing girl clothes the whole outfit purchased at the French Market in Abbottsford

A pristine white blouse trimmed with lace and a flouncy swishy skirt of many shades of purple and on her feet neat very feminine footwear.

Just then Dakota joined them in the kitchen and for once was speechless.

“I have to go” Indie said after looking at the clock

“He won’t be able to resist you darling” Her mum said and kissed her

“Who won’t?” said dad

“I’m coming too” said Dakota

“Going where?” dad asked

“No Dakota you’re staying right here” mum said firmly causing Dakota to storm out of the room

“Now off you go and we’ll see you there” mum added

“Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” Dad said but no one listened

India kissed her mum and left the house

When she reached the Huston’s house she could hear chattering from the patio so she walked around

She found Ellen seated at the table talking to the doctor, Claire Andrews.

“Hello India” Ellen said

“Wow” said Claire “you look lovely”

“Hi” Indie replied “I was looking for Paul”

“He’s around somewhere” Ellen said “Sit down and I’ll get you a drink”

“So where did the tomboy go?” Claire asked

“Well I thought I’d make an effort for the Browns” India replied

Ellen and Claire exchanged a look as she put a coffee mug on the table in front of her.

As they sat at the table India was like a cat on a hot tin roof fidgeting and looking around and about her.

Craning her neck Every time she heard a noise or a voice.

Ellen nudged Claire

“Should we put her out of her misery?”

Claire nodded

“He’s down at the boat house why don’t you take him down a coffee?” Ellen suggested

“Ok” she responded

“Paul is not going to know what’s hit him” Ellen said when she was out of earshot

“I know” Agreed Claire “India Harris is wearing girl clothes”

When she got down to the boathouse she found Paul stood on the jetty looking out across the water and it took her breath away, he was such a good looking man.

He was tall and dark, well-tanned and lantern jawed.

And she suddenly felt foolish, how could someone like him be interested in her and she turned to walk away.

“Don’t go” he called

“I shouldn’t have come” she said

“Of course you should” Paul said walking towards her

“No I’m just making a fool of myself” India said and turned to go again

“But I’ve been waiting for you” Paul said

“What?” she asked

“I’ve been waiting for you” he repeated only an arm’s length from her now

“Why?” she asked

“Because you’re the one” Paul said took hold of her

“I am?” she asked

“Yes, and I’ve been dreaming of the moment I could do this” he said and kissed her gently

They were the last to arrive at the party at the Shallowfield Lodge and when they walked in holding hands every head turned to watch them, and the general consensus of opinion was that it was about time.

Life’s Tapestry of Love

Wednesday, 9 June 2021

THEY SAY THAT THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

PRESSED FLOWERS

LOOKING FOR A NEW START

Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Those Memories Made on Teardrop Lake – (05) The Aussie Commission

AS WE LAY UNDER THE STARS

I THINK TO MYSELF NOW THAT IT IS OVER

PLEASE BRING ME A LOVE