Australian Tea Party, Page 2

“Dear Madame!

  Spot: We are located between banana’s and coco’s plantation.

  “Length of staying: Give the doctor’s diagnosis you would stay here for a year. Six months and the clinic and the rest six months at the farm.

  “Family: Because you are not from the village or the nearest city you can stay at some farms, there is also a hotel in the city. You can help around the farm for some money or you can take a job in the city.

  Activity: Mostly farmers and clinics – helping at the garden, grazing sheep, shearing sheep, horse riding, horse caring,…

  We have two available spots right now so we can immediately take you in. You will receive the rest information when you will come to us.

  See you soon,

  Dr. Matt Triffin.”

  I didn’t like it, but I would do anything for my daughter. I called that we accept and we were headed that the next day.

  The road was still OK for some time so I thought I would easily come to the neighbouring town to work. But I was wrong. Soon the road became macadam. Ahead of us we could already sea the peak of palms and high bushes. Between these palms was a road made for tractors and we must’ve gone on these particular road.

  “Are you sure?” I wasn’t sure so I asked Will.

  “Yes I am sure,” ensured me Will and disappointed me a little. I could see on his face that he wasn’t excited as well. He will also have to look for a job and that is the worst thing for him right now. He never did everything else besides being a journalist. I looked at the backseat at my two children. They were sleeping. We finally saw a man with a little grey hair, small heights and wearing a white robe. We assumed this was Dr. Triffin. The man showed us where to settle and introduced himself.

  “Welcome. I am Dr. Matt Triffin. A little ahead of us there is a parking from where we will go with horses.” he surprised us.

  “With horses?” I asked surprisingly.

  “Yes. Well, the children can go with the carriage. You cannot go ahead with car.”

  “So, we are practically cut off from world?” Will was upset.

  “No, that is not right. There is a whole new world, you’ll see.” Me and Will looked at each other but didn’t say anything. We took the doctor to the car and he appointed us to the parking lot. There were already a few car parked there. At least it won’t be boring, I thought.

  “Unfortunately you will be the alone as a family here. I have a few kids from the village but no strangers.” the doctor explained. I made sure no one was looking at me and then I nodded my head out of dissatisfaction. I thought to myself: “This will be the longest year of my life.” Will park the car. Four porters came to us and took our luggage. Kerry, Mike and the doctor were going with a carriage, porters with donkey, and Will I got our horses. It was seen that it was a long time since we rode a horse. My husband had a few lessons when he was in college. And I rode a horse last when I was 8 years old, when I swore to myself I would never ride a horse again. While we were riding to the clinic I was feeling a lot of memories.

  "Come on Caroline," I heard my cousin. I ran and I sprinted ... I skipped one barrier ... and another...

 

  "Another 15 seconds to record." I heard the man from behind; it seems to me that he was my coach. I'm still sprinted and skipped the last hurdle and. .. "Watch out Cary" a mother screamed. "Slow down Cary” I heard dad ... I didn't listen to them – the last hurdle I've said ... a horse cried ... he threw me down ... Tissy has collapsed ... and I woke up in a pool of blood ... again I passed out I. ..

  "We're here Caroline. Now we can relax." Will took me back to reality. I didn't realize how much I was tense and how I clung on to a horse with all my four. I stood up and stepped on solid ground. In front of us there was a huge building in front of which grew two palms. Around the hospital, it was a lot of sand, behind it a big lawn where two boys were playing. Once again I focused my view at the front of the building where it wrote: "Palm Hospital”