Without You I Have Nothing (39 page)

_{“This is my work. Would
you mind if I serviced all the machinery and engines on the property. I’d love
to keep busy, else I will be chasing Andrew because he teases so much. If you
agree, I’ll give Andrew a list of all the parts and he can get them. That way
he keeps out of all our hair.”}

_{Eric agreed as long
as Peter did not over tax himself.}

_{Jennifer made
numerous quick trips to the machine shed to check up on Peter and often stood
watching him as he worked. She loved how he concentrated on the job in hand
often oblivious of her quiet presence.}

_{Ignoring Jennifer’s
complaints and Elizabeth’s murmurings, Peter worked on the farm vehicles until
he was satisfied they were running perfectly. He even found time to tend to the
two small motor bikes, which obviously had belonged to Jennifer and Andrew. The
twins hadn’t ridden the bikes for many years but Peter made certain they were
back in running order.}

_{His work done, with
all machines working satisfactorily, Peter took time to sit on a bale of hay in
the machinery shed and think of the future.}

_{That night, when the
others left for bed, Peter led Andrew onto the moonlit back verandah.}

_{“In the machinery
shed I found two small motocross bikes, both Yamaha 75ccs,” he said. “Were
those yours and Jennifer’s when you were little?”}

_{Andrew laughed. “You
don’t miss much do you?  Well, yes, they were ours and we were the bane of
Mum’s existence as we only had one speed - flat out. Jennifer was worse than me
and we always came home from the track covered in dust or mud.”}

_{“I thought as much,”
Peter mused. “When do you think you and I could sneak into Melbourne?  We’ll
have to take a truck.”}

_{Andrew tried to
question Peter further but he remained tight-lipped.}

_{Very early Saturday
morning - even before the sun rose - they were driving down the road to
Melbourne. At Peter’s feet was a bag containing a pair of Jennifer’s jodhpurs
and riding boots that he’d somehow managed to smuggle into the cab without any
questions from Andrew.}

_{He’d planned his
surprise trip to Melbourne carefully, leaving a note for Jennifer that said,
‘Your naughty brother’s kidnapped me. I’ll be back for dinner tonight or maybe
earlier if I can get Andrew away from the girls. The evening meal will be
coming with us. I love you so much.}

_{It was unsigned.}

_{Arriving in
Melbourne, Peter had to explain that they needed to find a motor cycle
distributor.}

_{When Andrew parked
the truck, no one seemed surprised as the two graziers arrived, with their
Akubra hats pushed back on their heads and wearing riding boots. They wandered
into the showroom where the range of motor bikes was considerable.}

_{Peter explained his
plan and struggled to overcome Andrew’s initial reluctance.}

_{Eventually, realizing
Peter was determined to carry out his plan, Andrew accepted Peter’s explanation
and was like a child in a candy store, excitedly trying to single out the best
one for himself.}

_{Hours seem to pass as
they kicked tires and fitted helmets and boots until they made their final
selection.}

_{With a wide grin, the
salesman wheeled three identical BMW 650 GS Dakar models to the front of the
showroom.}

_{Peter had been loath
to put Jennifer on a bike of that power until Andrew flatly stated that she had
always been a rev-head and would be offended if her bike was the least powerful
of the group.}

_{The salesman, who had
been delighted to sell them three bikes, was amused when Peter produced
Jennifer’s riding boots and jodhpurs, demanding the same size in racing leathers,
protection and boots. Peter chose two complete women’s silver sets and three
male sets in red.}

_{Andrew ceased
worrying about the costs and could only shake his head in disbelief as Peter
dragged the salesman across to the motor scooters where he selected two
identical Yamaha XP500 - T - MAX models.}

_{The five machines
stood together and the haggling began. There was not much argument from the
salesman once Peter put his credit card on the desk and the salesman had rung
through for authorization. Peter spoke briefly into the phone and the business
was finalized.}

_{“We’re going off for
lunch. Have the lot insured and registered in the name of ‘Blake Pastoral
Company’- Andrew, here, will sign the insurance papers. Please load them onto
the truck, with each set of leathers, gloves, body armor, boots and helmet
wrapped as a single present- and as these are very special gifts make an extra
effort to make the parcels attractive. We’ll be back in an hour. Remember -
five machines, five parcels - we have to keep the women happy so we eat for
another week.”}

_{“If this is not done
we will cancel the sale and go elsewhere!”  Peter was determined that his
requests would be carried out correctly.}

_{Weakening at the
thought of losing such a lucrative sale, the salesman only nodded as they left.}

_{“Come on Andrew we
have even more to do.”}

_{As they left the
dealership, Peter noticed that Andrew still looked mystified.}

_{“Andrew, stop looking
so confused,” he said. “Yes, the bikes are for Jennifer and for us. The
scooters are for your parents. They’ll want to ride with their children and,
unless I’m much mistaken, they’ll love it.”}

_{Noticing that Andrew
was about to interject, Peter cut in.}

_{“If you mention
anything about the cost, I’ll kick you. I’ve lived a lonely and dangerous
life,” he went on. “Your family has accepted me into their lives with no
questions asked. For that, I am so grateful that I can’t do enough for them.” 
He looked at Andrew. “Sorry if I am making a mouthful of this but there’s a
little more I want to add.”}

_{Pausing, Peter
wondered if he’d said too much but decided to continue. “As you suspect, I love
your sister and before I return to Sydney I intend asking her to marry me.” 
Suddenly Peter sagged as the emotional impact of the idea smashed into his
thoughts. Out of control, his voice faded into a whisper. Unable to say more,
Peter looked down at his feet.}

_{He felt the touch of
Andrew’s arm across his shoulders and drew in a breath. It gave him heart that
perhaps Jennifer would accept him.}

_{“Peter you didn’t
have to do this to show your gratitude,” Andrew said in a more robust tone of
voice. “Mum and Dad, not to mention Jennifer and me, are delighted you’ve come
into our lives. Without you, I doubt if Jennifer would be alive now.”}

_{Thinking back to that
infamous night Andrew shuddered. That movement told Peter he hadn’t forgotten
that night when he’d helped Peter drive off to his possible death.}

_{“Jennifer loves you,
have no doubt of that. We are fraternal twins, and I feel her feelings for you
when you’re with her. I can’t say if the answer will be ‘Yes.’  That’s for her
to decide.”}

_{Peter smiled at
Andrew as he hailed a taxi and just stated, “The closest Chinese café, please
driver.”}

_{Remembering Peter’s
ability with Asian languages, Andrew wasn’t surprised when Peter took charge
once more and led him into the café. He tried not to show any reaction when
Peter marched into the kitchen and began a lengthy guttural Cantonese
conversation with the cook, who seemed to accept Peter without question.}

_{The cook barked
orders.}

_{While Peter and
Andrew sat at their table and waited for their food, the kitchen hands
carefully wrapped parcels of dishes, bowls and chopsticks in red paper,
together with six dozen bottles of Tiger Beer.}

_{As they ate, Andrew
was immune to any further shocks when Peter suddenly left the table to use the
telephone at the front desk. He could hear everything clearly but it was no
help, as he didn’t know the language at all. The only word he understood was
‘Thursday’.}

_{Full of food, they
arrived back at the motor cycle distributor in a taxi loaded with red packages,
pleased to discover that the salesman had loaded all five machines onto the
truck and tied them down securely. In addition, Peter’s other purchases lay on
the counter - five parcels beautifully presented and ready to put in the cabin
on the seat between them.}

_{“I got my wife to do
this special job,” the salesman remarked proudly.}

_{Gratefully they shook
hands with the salesman and swung up into the truck - the cabin now containing
Chinese food, Tiger beer and the five parcels.}

_{The conversation on
the trip home focused on their next problem.}

_{“How will we do
this?  How will we get everything where they will all get a surprise?”  Peter
had run out of ideas.}

_{“Well, I have a
suggestion, for what it’s worth.”  Andrew was enjoying the secrecy. “We’ll
drive in the back way, and quietly drive around to the front garden where we’ll
unload the bikes. You creep into the house while I put the parcels on
everyone’s bike.}

_{“We should be there
by three o’clock. Everyone will probably be in the kitchen for afternoon tea. Once
you hear the truck’s air horn, tell them to follow you.”}

_{With an almost evil
grin, Andrew licked his lips. He loved springing surprises just as much as
Peter did.}

_{“If you must,” he
continued, “tell them I’m still in town as I bumped into some old girlfriends. When
the riot’s calmed down, bring them out the front and their bikes and parcels
will be there. I’ll be in my gear and Peter...”  Andrew paused. “This is
fantastic!  I really can’t say enough to thank you!  You’re generosity is
unbelievable. Jennifer’s so fortunate.”}

_{“No ‘thank you’ is
necessary. Not a word Andrew.”  Peter spoke from his heart. “It’s my thanks to
each of you.}

_{“By the way while
everyone is changing could you get the food into the kitchen and put the beer
in the fridge?”}

_{It was an informal
group gathered around the kitchen table when Peter walked in.}

_{“Where’s Andrew?  I
thought I heard the truck.”  Elizabeth seemed anxious.}

_{“He’s coming.”  Peter
began to advance on Jennifer who, seeing the light in his eyes, yelped and hid
behind her mother.}

_{“Don’t hide behind
me.”  Elizabeth said, stepping out of the way. “I don’t want to be grabbed. He’s
so like a huge bear.”}

_{“Oh no, he’s off
again.”  Eric joined in the fun}

_{The air horns blew.}

_{“Well, seeing I’m not
allowed to play, I’ll give orders. Come on everybody come with me now. I want
to thank you for your consideration and kindness in accepting me as a guest
here.}

_{“No!”  Peter stopped
their protests. He knew everyone wanted to tell him that thanks was unnecessary.
“Don’t talk, just walk.”  With his arm around Jennifer’s waist, he led the way.}

_{As the family members
walked onto the front verandah, they stopped in astonishment. They caught sight
of what was on the drive - the three bikes and two scooters with brightly
colored parcels on four of the seats. Even more surprising was the appearance
of Andrew, standing next to one bike in his leathers with his crash helmet
under his arm, grinning at their reaction.}

_{They were all
astounded at the display and seemed to question in unison, “Peter, what have
you done?”}

_{“For heaven’s sake
tell me this isn’t true.”  Jennifer was excited. “I know you’re a surprising
villain but this?  This is...”  She was speechless.}

_{Peter led her to the
bike he had chosen for her and watched as she opened her presents.}

_{“Lad, what’s all
this?  Why two motor scooters?”  Eric queried.}

_{Jennifer rushed off
inside with her package and Peter knew she was about to change as he led Eric
and Elizabeth to the scooters.}

_{“These are for you. One
to say sorry for grabbing you Elizabeth, and one to you Eric for being so
gracious in accepting me as a guest. Not a word either of you - go and change. When
you’re back I expect you to be dressed like Andrew.”}

_{Too shocked at
Peter’s generosity to comment, Eric and Elizabeth took the two parcels and
hastened into the house while Peter dashed behind a tree to put on his gear.}

_{Jennifer was first to
re-appear and Andrew’s whistle told her all she needed to know. Smiling she
minced across the drive to Peter and clung around his neck.}

_{“Am I a good bikers’
moll?  Want me?” she murmured in his ear. She kissed him passionately, an
opportunity Peter seized with enthusiasm. Their kiss deepened.}

_{“Oh God, they’re at
it again,” Andrew observed wryly.}