"Laura's Dream" |
Copyright Francis Blow, 1986. |
CHAPTER 15 |
|
Laura supervised two Scouts in setting up a tarpaulin "cave". The two younger girls were having trouble with the right kind of knots, and Laura had to keep showing them. Both Scouts were newly invested, and needed a weekend under canvas to qualify for some of their test work. Laura was already committed to helping the Cub camp that weekend, and there was work available that Scouts could do, so Laura, as a Venturer, had been asked to keep an eye on the girls. |
A three person tent held the Scouts' equipment and two sleeping bags, while a smaller tent was for Laura. Laura had a great deal of work to do in getting the props ready for the Cubs' "pirate" weekend. |
"It's five thirty, guys," Laura prompted the Scouts. "Akela will be here in a couple of minutes. The parents will be bringing the Cubs in half an hour, and you haven't even got the main display up." |
"Why aren't you doing anything?" Was the flustered response. |
"I'm not the one doing badge work, Elyse. You only have three more ropes to go. Concentrate on each as if it was the most important rope. Don't worry about anything else until you have finished each one... That's it! Perfect. Now the next." |
|
The Cub leaders arrived and inspected the "pirate cave". It took imagination to see, that, instead of balloons, aluminium foil and Christmas decorations, the cave was filled with treasure. Fortunately, Cubs and their leaders had an abundance of imagination. |
"Well done, ladies," Akela congratulated them. "This is great. And those knots look strong enough to hold out against a hurricane." |
The three girls exchanged broad grins. Laura winked at her two charges. |
"Right. Laura, get your crew to guarding this cave so no Cubs, I mean pirates, come in early. Parents can look but ask them politely not to touch. Politely!" Akela ordered. "Then you come up to the kitchen and help the cooks get organised." |
As the woman hurried of to take charge of arriving people, Laura gave the site of the "cave" a rapid appraisal. |
"Elyse, can you string a rope all the way round, about a metre off the ground. Aimee, get some toilet paper and hang strips of it off the guard rope. That way, you'll know where the enemy pirates are coming from. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me. At least one of you must be here all the time. If you want to get into your costumes, you can take turns. See you later." |
The walking trails around the Scout property were well defined, so Laura had no difficulty in getting to the buildings. In the kitchen, three fathers were wandering around, looking efficiently confused, so Laura began pointing out where everything was stored away. In minutes, twenty litres of cordial was made up into pirate "rum". Chicken nuggets, cocktail frankfurts and party pies were being heated for the pirate feast. |
One of the cooks was dressed like a pirate, right down to a wooden leg. He was a real amputee, and must have made the leg himself, because it looked as if it had been finished that day; the brown paint was hardly dry. A bedraggled, fake parrot swayed drunkenly off the man's shoulder. The other cooks wore old clothes with cardboard eye-patches and swords. |
As soon as the men got started, Laura had to dodge out of the way or get trampled under their big feet. She went into the main hall, where most of the indoor activities would take place. |
Cubs and parents were everywhere in total confusion, though Akela went from person to person, reassuring and composed. Laura saw her father and hurried to his side. |
"Good evening, Mang. Where's Mum and Joey?" |
"Over there, see? Putting his sleeping bag and junk at the end." |
"Nervous?" She joked. |
"Are you kidding? I'm not nervous. Terrified perhaps, mostly for the damage being done to my ear drums." |
"Wait till the games start. I'll see you later, 'cause I want to say good bye to Mum, then I'll have to check on my Scouts." |
She ran to where Carla was tidying up a ferocious pirate. |
"Wow! Joey that's a really good costume. You almost scared me." |
"Are you sure it looks real?" |
"You're great. Scout's honour," Laura turned to kiss her mother. "You sure you don't mind being home on your own all weekend?" |
"I'm thirty six years old, Laura. I will miss you, but I intend to have fun too. There's a hens-night on at one of the clubs, and some of my friends will be there." |
"Don't pick up any of those pretty boys, will you. I don't think Daddy would let you keep one." |
"Laura! What a thing to say! I don't want to keep one, just... Uh, Joey, why don't you play with your friends." |
"Okay, Mummy!" |
"You nearly put your foot in it that time Mum," Laura laughed. "I'll bet he goes to Daddy and tells him that Mummy likes pretty boys." |
"Your father and I have an agreement which neither of us has ever broken. We promised we'd only ever look, and never touch," Carla said with fake indignation. "When are you going to put on your costume? Nearly everyone else is dressed up." |
"I will as soon as I check on the girls watching the pirate cave. Why don't you come and have a look before you go?" |
"How about now? I'll say good bye to the boys before I leave." |
Together they went to inspect the tarpaulin that had been spread over a framework of lashed timber. Only Aimee was on guard duty. She wore a long, green skirt and a white, frilly blouse, while a plastic dagger was tucked into her belt. |
"Hi, Laura. Elyse is getting changed." |
"That's fine. Mum, this is Aimee. Aimee, this is my mother. Aimee is helping out. Want to see inside? Here's a torch. The kids will pretend the torches are candles." |
After making appreciative noises, Carla went back to the hall, while Laura and Aimee talked. When Elyse turned up dressed appropriately, Laura went to her own, small tent, dragged her backpack out and changed. Blue striped T-shirt, canvas trousers, red bandanna and a sword turned the tall girl into a pirate. Laura remembered the last time she had dressed as a male, under very different circumstances, so many months ago. |
|
At seven o'clock, four pirate-crews met for fun and feasting, followed at eight by a treasure hunt inside the pirates cave for gold and jewels. Almost every hidden sweet and plastic token was found. The lollies were consumed immediately, while the plastic coins would form part of other games that night. |
|
It was eleven o'clock before Laura walked with her Scouts to their small camp and said good night. She changed into pajamas, crawled into her sleeping bag and was quickly asleep. |
Several kilometres away, Laura's mother was also sleeping alone, though she could not shake the feeling that someone was watching the house. |
|
There was just enough heat the next day that Akela went ahead with the water games she had planned. Boys and girls walked the plank, swung from ropes into the swimming hole and engaged the enemy pirates with mud pies. All part of a normal Cub weekend. |
Laura and her two girls dismantled the cave, packed the materials away, and spent the day swimming, hiking and helping out with Cub activities. The rest of the weekend was spent in much the same way. There was a "Scout's Own" on Sunday morning, a simple service to bring the children closer to understanding God in their lives. |
Everyone was packed and ready to go by three o'clock, and the grounds had been policed spotless by the Cubs. Carla took her tired family home for well deserved showers and a full night's rest before their normal week began. |
|
As the year moved through autumn towards winter, Laura's life continued peacefully, most of the time. There were occasions, though, when she sensed hidden watchers. Whether surfing with Doug, running with Jem or sitting with her friends in the school grounds, Laura might suddenly feel as if something strange was nearby. |
When Laura's school added self defence to the sports available, Laura was one of the first students to go along. The instructor was a small lady named Beth, and most of the students were taller than her. Beth was also a world champion black belt, and had no trouble with the students, once she showed how easy it was to subdue the football coach and pin him to the ground. Mr. Sams, the coach, was more than twice Beth's weight. |
The self defence classes were fun and interesting. Even Simone started to attend when Laura told her how much she enjoyed them. |
Many trees were bare of leaves, as cooler weather set in, yet Laura did not change her routine of running and swimming each day. The Shell's swimming pool was unheated, but Laura forced herself to endure half an hour of rigorous swimming; the hot shower after each training session made it seem worthwhile. |
Every other weekend, Doug took Laura surfing. She had her own board and wet suit by then, and loved the almost flying sensation of surfing. Doug confided in her his desire to get a car of his own, instead of borrowing his father's. |
"What kind of car do you want?" |
"I want a landrover, with a long wheelbase, so I can sleep out in it and carry the boards. It will go anywhere and won't rust like other cars." |
"That'll cost heaps. How will you get the money?" |
"I haven't completely worked that out yet. Aren't you the one who keeps telling me that if you want your dream hard enough, a way will be found to get it?" He grinned at where she huddled against him on the sand, a single beach towel was draped across the two of them. "I applied to McDonald's and a few other places for evening and weekend work. I plan to do tutoring, anything to bring in cash. And I, ah, I was offered work as a model." |
"Really?" She turned her face up to his. "Is there a problem with that?" |
"Men's underwear," his grin became sheepish. "I'm not sure I want people to stare at pictures of me in nothing by a pair of jocks." |
"Ooh! I think you'd be really cute. Your bum's the best part of you." |
"Come on, Laura. Be serious. How do you really feel?" |
She considered a moment. "I'm not sure. I don't think it would bother me. Would it bother you if people saw me in my undies?" |
"Damn right!" |
"Then that's your answer," Laura let him think for several seconds, before she added. "Would it matter if you were made up to look different enough so no one recognised you?" |
"Laura, how on earth can you disguise someone who's almost naked?" |
"A beard or wig. I've even heard of false chest hair. It's your decision, but don't you think you ought to talk to the people who are already doing it?" She put her hand on his shoulder. "You have a hang-up about people recognising you in your undies. It's no big deal, when you consider how many respectable people do it every day. Girls do it all the time and it doesn't mean anything, unless you make it mean something. Talk to your family about it." |
"I did mention it to Suzie, but I won't tell you what she said." |
"Was she for or against?" |
"She's been doing it for six years." |
"What kind of modeling?" |
"She started with underwear, now it's ordinary clothes. All for big department stores. |
"Why haven't I ever seen her?" |
Doug laughed. "She wears a red wig." |
"See! Who'd know and who would it hurt? I bet you can't name anybody!" |
"Okay, you win. I'll talk to Mum and Dad, then look into it." |
"Fantastic! Can I help with the make up?" |
"Tart. Let's get home. Now that I've made up my mind, I want to do something before I chicken out." |
They gathered their things and put everything in Doug's father's car. Just as Laura started to sit in the passenger seat, she had a fleeting glimpse of a car in the trees. She was not sure, yet she had a feeling she had seen it before. |
"Doug," Laura closed the door beside her. "Would you do me a favour?" |
"Anything." |
"Keep watch in the mirror for a brown Holden. See if it's following us." |
Doug spun in his seat, a startled expression on his face. |
"Well done, James Bond," Laura giggled. "Let's go." |
Doug did notice a car that matched Laura's description, but it was gone after only a couple of kilometres. |
"Probably someone else left the beach at the same time we did." He suggested. |
"I guess you're right," Laura said. She did not tell him of her suspicions of being watched. |
|
On a Monday afternoon, a few weeks later, Laura finished her training swim. Lips blue from cold, she left her wet bikini in the laundry, and wearing a warm, terry toweling robe, ran to the shower. Joey was in the bathroom using the toilet. |
"Laura! Can't a person have any privacy around here?" |
She stepped back out. "Good grief. What a time for him to discover modesty. Hurry up, Brat! I'm freezing." |
The door opened. "I hope you'll knock next time." |
"I will as soon as you do. Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for Cubs?" Laura no longer had to help out with Cub nights. |
"I am getting ready." Joey yelled indignantly. |
Laura pulled the door behind her, turned on the hot water, added some cold until it was just the right temperature, and stepped under the steaming flow. Seconds later, the bathroom door opened. |
"I forgot to flush." Joey called. |
"Don't you dare!" |
Too late, her hot shower became almost scalding, and Laura had to press herself against the wall until it was endurable. She spent the brief time in the bathroom planning her revenge. Ice blocks down the back? A lizard in his bed? The Bogey Man in the window? Now that had possibilities! Laura smiled at her reflection as she brushed her hair and did her face. |
In her wardrobe was a black sweater and matching miniskirt; she added black stockings and made a cardboard mask. Laura made sure the equipment was laid out on her bed, then stayed at her studies until after Joey had returned from Cubs and gone to bed. When she was sure Joey was asleep, Laura dressed in her costume, turned out her light and crept around the balcony towards the other side. |
Before she reached Joey's room, Laura heard a twig snap below her. Puzzled, she hesitated, then peered over the railing. |
Pressed up against the side of the house was a shadow which did not belong there. |
Laura bit her lip to keep from making a noise. What could she do? She went to her room, dropped her mask, then tiptoed down the stairs without bothering her parents. She guessed the intruder was headed for the window beneath the study. She went into the kitchen and selected the most effective weapon there. A heavy rolling pin. |
Laura waited in the darkest corner of the lounge room. |
The burglar was very quiet. Laura had no idea he was inside with her, until she saw his shadow fall across the doorway to the dining room. There was no time to think or scream. Suddenly he loomed in front of her and she saw his eyes widen. |
Laura kicked hard. Her instincts and self defence training took over. As the man doubled over in agony, Laura brought the rolling pin down on his head. |
The intruder dropped to the floor with a loud thud. |
|
When John turned the lights on in the lounge, he saw his daughter standing over a prostrate stranger. |
"Laura, what's going on?" |
"A burglar, Daddy! I saw him when I went to Joey's room. Is he dead?" Laura's hands were clenched against her mouth. |
John knelt beside the fallen man, found a strong pulse and heard him breathing. "He's okay. Tell your mother to call the police, and give me the rolling pin, just in case he needs another anaesthetic." |
|
After the police and ambulance had gone, Laura sat on her parent's bed, sipping tea. She held her cup in shaking hands. |
"I didn't mean to hit him so hard. I hope he won't die. I just was going to play a trick on Joey. Why was he here? Daddy, I'm really scared! What if he doesn't wake up? What can we do?" |
John took the cup away and put it on a side table. Without a word, he took his hysterical daughter into his arms and held her until she had cried herself to sleep. Then he put her into her own bed, still fully dressed. |
Laura woke at seven to find her father asleep, leaning against her bed. She rolled towards him and kissed the thinning spot on his head. |
"Wake up, Daddy. You'll be late for work." |
"Hi, baby. How do you feel this morning?" |
"I'm fine. Sorry about last night. You needn't have slept on the floor." |
The door opened and Carla came in with a tray of breakfast things. |
"Call in sick today, John. You and Laura can stay home. Jem is waiting downstairs and I told her you were feeling ill." |
John shook his head. "I'd love to, honey, but I absolutely have to get those reports done by this afternoon. I'll just be an hour late. Laura?" |
"I'm not missing school. Besides, what can happen?" |
|
There was nothing in the papers to tie the Shell family to the police capture of a burglar, nor did Laura say anything to anyone else. To all appearances she was normal. Jem rode her bike beside the running Laura, as they returned home from school. |
"Is the weather too cold in the morning for Snookims to do her training?" Jem teased. |
Laura turned her head. "Care to join me for a swim when I get home?" |
"You must be crazy! It's fourteen degrees, not counting the wind chill. I don't know how you can do it, Laura. I guess it's a case of no sense, no feeling!" |
"Wimp! Let's pick up the pace." |
Laura led the way into her backyard. She took Jem by surprise when she vaulted the pool fence, and dove straight into the pool in her jogging clothes. Without hesitation, Laura started her laps, despite the clothing that slowed her down. |
Jem was still standing there when Carla came out of the kitchen. |
"Laura! What on earth are you doing? Jem, what's going on here?" |
"Mrs. Shell, don't ask me. I'm just the baggage girl. Damned if I know what got into her, unless she's trying to prove how tough she is." |
"Tough enough to get pneumonia, jumping in while her body's still hot. Would you get... Never mind. I'll be back in a minute." Carla disappeared into the house, then came back with a big towel. "Laura! Get out of the pool and those wet things this instant! I mean right now, young lady!" |
Reluctantly, the shivering Laura climbed onto the tiles, then let her mother and Jem help her out of the dripping clothes. Jem shook her head over the water-logged training shoes. |
"You won't get these dry in a hurry. Let's hope they get back to normal shape. Does this mean no run tomorrow?" |
Through chattering teeth, Laura said. "I'll be there, same time as always." |
|
After Laura had a shower, Carla insisted she soak in a bath which was hot enough to make Laura yelp. |
"Do you know how stupid that was, Laura? What's the point in ruining your health just because you gave a crook a headache?" |
"Yes, Mum." |
"Don't 'Yes Mum' me. I'm your mother!" Carla scowled. |
Laura began to laugh, then began coughing. "You win, Mum. Can I get out now? I feel like a lobster!" |
"Only if you promise not to do this again." |
"Okay." |
"And you put on your warmest nightie, slippers and robe. And give your long-suffering Mum a kiss!" |
"With pleasure!" Laura stood and hugged Carla. |
"Laura! Now look at me! I don't know where you get this streak of insanity, unless it's from your father." |
|
Wednesday evening, after school, Laura was forbidden to swim. She showered and changed, then called Doug on the phone. |
"Can you borrow the car tonight after dinner?" |
"I guess so, Laura. Why?" |
"I want to visit someone in the hospital." |
"Anybody I know?" |
"No. Doug, will you trust me if I say I have to keep this a secret from you?" Laura squeezed the handset in fear. It was a question she had to ask, because she did not want to lie to him. |
After what seemed an eternity, Doug simply said "Yes." |
"Thanks, Doug. I love you." |
As soon as she hung up, Laura realised it was the first time she had told him she loved him. It confused her, as to why she had said it without having thought about it first. Laura shook her head and decided she probably said it because it was true. She smiled. |
Several kilometres away, Doug was grinning so widely, Suzie poked him in the stomach. "What's wrong with you, Doug?" |
"She loves me!" |
"Good grief." Suzie groaned and shook her head. "There's absolutely no hope for you." |
|
"Promise me you won't follow me in?" Laura asked. |
"Promise. Now give me a kiss and say you love me again." |
Gratefully, Laura obeyed, then jumped out of the car and ran from the parking lot. |
A policeman sat outside an isolation ward. He was reading a magazine one of the nurses had given him. |
"Excuse me, constable. My name is Laura Shell." |
"Shell? Yes, I've seen your picture at the station." |
"My picture? What's it doing in the station?" |
"It was pulled out of your file. From those kidnappings, remember?" |
"Of course! How silly of me. How is the man I hit?" |
"Pretty good. He came to yesterday, but won't talk without legal representation." The policeman replied. After a pause, he smiled. "You sure laid him out, Miss Shell. I'd hate to have a headache that bad!" |
"I really didn't mean to hit so hard." Laura said almost in a whisper. |
"Can I call you Laura? Laura, when a man that big is in your house, a girl your size can't be gentle. If you had not knocked him out I'm pretty sure he would have been angry. He's a criminal and doesn't feel bound by the rules the rest of us obey. He might have run away, or he might have killed you. You did right," he told her. "But please don't tell anyone I said any of that to you, or I'd be in real trouble for infringing his rights!" |
Laura nodded and gave a small smile. "Can I talk to him for just a minute? You can come in with me." |
"Laura..." He hesitated a moment too long as he considered Laura's sad brown eyes. "What the hell. Just make sure you don't step between him and me." |
|
"How are you feeling?" |
Suspicious, blood shot eyes glared at her. "Who are you?" |
"I hit you. I came to apologise." |
"What?" |
"I'm sorry if it hurts. You frightened me. I hope you get better soon." |
"Why?" |
"I don't like to hurt any one. What were you doing in my house?" |
"I forget. Amnesia, you know?" |
"I've been praying for you. When we say grace, I say a little prayer so you'll get better." |
The man on the bed seemed unsure of himself. "Why were you down stairs, Laura?" |
The policeman put his hand on Laura's shoulder. "That's enough for now. We mustn't tire him." |
|
"Why did you stop us talking?" Laura asked. |
"How did he know your name?" The constable looked grim. "Nobody told him anything since he arrived unconscious. Laura, how does that man know you by name?" |