She probably did have that shiny-eyed look when she visited Aunt Connie’s house, because she loved it. She absolutely loved it.
‘The thing is,’ says Thomas, ‘Veronika doesn’t know yet–and you’re right, she probably will be upset. Have you heard about her latest idea? She reckons she’s writing a book about the Munro Baby Mystery. She’s got a bet with Dad that she’s going to solve it. She was interviewing Aunt Connie the night before she died. Mum thinks she probably talked her to death. Anyway, if I know Veronika she’ll still want to go on writing it, and of course it would suit her right down to the ground to live in Aunt Connie’s house. She hasn’t really got herself settled since the divorce. She’s living in a share house and driving her flatmates insane; they only put up with her because they like her cooking. Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets it into her head to contest the will.’
‘Well, that’s the solution, then!’ says Sophie. She can feel her face settling back to normal. ‘It’s obvious. I won’t take the house. Veronika can have it!’
‘I think Aunt Connie was worried you might say something like that,’ says Thomas. ‘She left you this letter.’
From his jacket pocket he pulls out a plain white envelope with the word ‘Sophie’ written on the front in firm black letters. ‘Just read it first before you decide anything. If you decide you want the house then I won’t let Veronika contest the will.’
Sophie says, ‘That’s very kind of you.’ Thomas shrugs and gives a small grimace. She opens the letter, reads it slowly, carefully refolds it, puts it back in the envelope and smiles, a touch flirtatiously, certainly fondly, at Thomas.
‘I guess I’d like to keep the house.’
He grins back at her. ‘Knew you would.’
Then he opens his briefcase and pulls out a Tupperware container with a piece of marzipan tart. ‘Here. Your favourite.’
It seems that Thomas stills love her, just a little, too.
9
‘Do you feel you’ve been hard done by in a will?’
Veronika’s hands freeze in the middle of vigorously kneading ‘extra volume for fine or flat hair’ shampoo into her scalp.
‘The good news is you could be entitled to contest it.’
Veronika throws back the shower curtain so hard that plastic rings go pinging across the room. The radio is sitting on the bathroom cabinet. With the shower still running she skids wild and naked across wet tiles to turn the dial up to shouting volume.
‘AT O’SHEA SOLICITORS WE SPECIALISE IN WILLS AND PROBATE. WE CAN LET YOU KNOW YOUR LEGAL ENTITLEMENTS. CALL US NOW ON…’
Pen! she thinks frantically.
In desperation she writes the number with the tip of her finger on the steamed-up bathroom mirror, opens the bathroom door, dripping copiously, and sticks her still foamy head out in search of a passing flatmate. Rivulets of shampoo run into her eyes. ‘Is anyone awake? It’s an emergency! I need a pen!’
There is an anguished cry from down the hallway. ‘Veronika! Do you realise what time it is?’
‘Good morning! It’s six a.m., it’s a beautiful day and I need a pen!’
Veronika pulls open the bathroom cabinet’s drawer, grabs a lipstick and traces the fading numbers in bright fuchsia. She stands there, feeling resourceful and determined.
How could Aunt Connie have been so cruel? Sophie! Of all people!
10
‘Thomas’s Aunt Connie died. It looks like she’s left me something in her will.’
‘Well, how thoughtful of her! Is it something nice?’
‘Yes. Her house.’
‘Oh no. Sophie, darling, I’m afraid you’ll have to give it straight back.’
‘Mum, I think she really wanted me to have it.’
‘You mean her house on Scribbly Gum Island? Her actual house?’
‘Yes, her actual house.’
‘Really? It’s extraordinary. It’s exciting! But oh dear. Oh goodness. It doesn’t seem appropriate after Thomas, does it? Look, I’ll call you straight back. Survivor is about to start. Did you forget? Do you need me to tape it for you?’
‘No, no. I’m watching it. Call me in the first ad.’
11
WELCOME to the Scribbly Gum Island website. Scribbly Gum Island. ‘A little island. A big mystery.’ You are the 1,223,304th visitor!
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About the Island
Scribbly Gum Island is one of Australia’s most fascinating, favourite tourist attractions. Located north of Sydney on the stunning Hawkesbury River, near Glass Bay, the island gets its name from the beautiful Scribbly Gum trees that can be found there. (The Scribbly Gum is a eucalyptus tree with a creamy pale trunk covered in dark brown lines–as if somebody has taken a pen and scribbled all over it! These scribbles are actually made by the larvae of the tiny scribbly moth.)
Scribbly Gum Island’s two most famous residents were Alice and Jack Munro, who mysteriously vanished from their home during the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, leaving behind a two-week-old baby. Visitors can take a tour of Alice and Jack’s home, exactly as it was when the Doughty sisters, Connie and Rose, found the Munro baby. They can also share Devonshire teas with Baby Enigma (now a grandmother!) and the Doughty sisters.
The Doughty Family has owned Scribbly Gum Island since 1882, when a poor blacksmith named Harry Doughty won a bet with its rich owner, Sir Charles McKay. The bet was over the outcome of a test match in England. Australia had never defeated England away from home and appeared unlikely to do so this time. Sir Charles famously said, ‘I’ll bet this island that Australia will not defeat England.’ Guess who lost his island! Australia narrowly defeated England in a sensational match that was reported as the ‘death of English cricket’ and became the origin of the ‘Ashes’ series. Sir Charles was forced to hand over his island, much to the jubilation of young Harry Doughty (who, not surprisingly, was a keen cricketer!).
Today, the only full-time residents of the island are Harry Doughty’s granddaughters, Connie and Rose, as well as Baby Enigma and her two daughters (Margaret and Laura) and their families.
Scribbly Gum Island is the perfect location for a day out. There’s just so much to do!
Take the tour of Alice and Jack’s intriguing house and learn more about the Munro Baby Mystery. This is a must! Only $15 for adults, $10 concession.
Take a break at Connie’s Café. Here you’ll find the most delectable blueberry muffins and Devonshire teas in Australia!
Treat the littlies to an exquisite face-painting by Rose Doughty. Just $10 per little face!
Put some natural colour in your cheeks–walk the marked bush tracks which criss-cross the island. The most invigorating is the walk up to the top of Kingfisher Lookout. As you walk through the forest in the centre of the island you’ll see so much beautiful plant life, including scribbly gum (of course!), banksia, blueberry ash and dwarf apple. Watch out for white-cheeked honeyeaters, pygmy possums, brush-tailed possums, sacred kingfishers and the red-bellied black snake! When you reach Kingfisher Lookout, catch your breath and enjoy your reward: breathtaking views of the island and the dramatic sandstone cliffs that line the Hawkesbury River, which sparkles like a sapphire in the sunshine.