The Final Deception .........Part TWO

Chapter Four
Learning the Truth1

A clearer picture was taking shape. I was now sure that Matthew was behind it all. I had been in dangerous situations in Africa before so knew the risks of taking on people like Matthew. How I was going to stop him without getting myself killed in the process was a realistic concern. Matthew was powerful and needed very careful handling. ‘OK’ I thought to myself, ‘now I’ve got something to work on, I’ll go home and work out a plan.’ I drove back to the house, where I found my mother still sitting outside on the veranda and Johnson waiting anxiously for me. ‘Miss Angie’ he rushed towards me. ‘As soon as you left Matthew turned up and went in to see Mr Jason, he had something under his jacket.’ ‘I am sure he waited up the road and as soon as you left, he came in. Johnson was angry now. ‘I went in to check if Mr Jason wanted coffee and he had a full bottle of brandy again. Matthew must have given it to him. This is what he always does. I started to feel the anger rise in me also. ‘How dare he,’ I hissed between gritted teeth. This is war. ‘Did he give my mother anything?’ I asked. Johnson shook his head no. ‘I was my Mrs Joy all the time, I don’t trust that one’ he said flatly. Bill had fallen asleep and the young black girl had turned up from the servants’ quarters and was doing the laundry. It was obvious she didn’t like me, after the night’s events.2

It was lunchtime before I had formulated any plan. My mother had demanded a lot of my attention and it had become clear that she needed proper nursing care until she recovered from the drugs. Obviously some had been fairly addictive.3

I called the home nursing services, checked the bank accounts and got a fair idea of our financial situation. I got hold of the bank manager and told him I was back and promised to see him the following day to arrange my signature on cheques only. I also requested he cash no cheques without my approval.
Due to the circumstances and the length of time he had known me, he was happy to oblige. He too was very worried about the state of my parent’s health.4

The coordinator of the home nurses arrived just after lunch. I introduced her to my mother and we talked about the situation. It was decided that two nurses were to work. One on day shift and one night shift. This would give my mum around the clock professional care. The first nurse would be there in daylight hours, from 6 am and the second would arrive around 5pm in time to take over for the night shift.5

We parted with the Coordinator’s promise of regular visits to keep in touch. As she was leaving, a woman unknown to me, staggered up the steps into the house. She was a tall skinny blond who looked agitated. 6

Johnson was just picking up our tea tray as she came in.
He whispered to me that she lived next door and was a drunk, who came to share my father’s bottles. ‘Can I help you?’ I asked. She looked at me strangely and started to walk through the lounge room to the courtyard. I grabbed her by the arm and she stopped in her tracks. ‘Where are you going?’ I demanded, ‘leave me alone’ she winced at my firm hold, I’m a friend of Bill’s, I’m here to say hello.’ I didn’t give her time to say another word, because I turned her around and marched her with force, out of the house and down the stairs, giving her a solid push down the path to the drive. She struggled with me pleading that all she wanted was to say hello. ‘Hello’ I hissed at her. ‘You bloody drunk, you leave my father alone, if I ever see you on this property again, I’ll do more than push you.’ My temper was short and this added stress I could do without.
Johnson was waiting in the doorway. ‘Good Miss Jan’ he smiled. ‘That one is bad, she has been here many times drunk and made urine on the lounge room carpet’ he screwed up his nose, ‘she is very dirty, and I had to clean it up.’ The thought of that woman urinating on the lounge carpet was sickening. What other shocks would I be facing during the next few weeks?.
‘Oh no,’ I squawked out loud as I thought of another complication. I would never solve all this in four weeks before my permit ran out.
I’d have to get an extension somehow. But how? That was going to be a major problem.
When they made me leave a few years before, it was made quite clear to me that I must never return. Now here I was asking for permission to remain in the country longer.7

I suddenly remembered the horror and the reason for my deportation.
I was Writer/Producer/Presenter for the local Television Station during the War in Zimbabwe and all White staff was being replaced with local Zimbabweans. I was kept on without Government permission because I had knowledge of the TV Station that no one else had. The Government powers of the time were angry that I was kept on and in order to force my removal, said they had no record of me being a citizen and I had no work permit. I was helpless to do anything. Even the fact that I had lived there for 32 years and my Husband and Children were all born there, made no difference. I was given 24 hours to leave. They said my Children and Husband could stay, but I must go. We had no other choice but to pack up and move away. I received death threats and my life was made very difficult until the day we flew out of Zimbabwe heading for New Zealand. I shuddered at the memory.8

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Chapter Five
A Plan of Action
‘Johnson’ I said, as I shook myself back into the present ‘I am very tired and I need to write all this down so I can plan how and where to start dealing with things. At least my mother will be alright.’ I sank into the chair utterly exhausted. Johnson found me a pad and a pen and in between my mothers need for my attention I started to make notes.11

The nurse arrived about four o’clock dressed in white and very official. She carted my mother off for a bath and fussed around her as if she was a baby. I was relieved that at least that was one worry less for the moment. I banished the young girl to her quarters again, much to her disgust and got Johnson to help me make up beds in the upstairs wing, for the Australian guests who would be arriving the following day. 12

How I wished I could have cancelled their stay somehow, but there was no way of doing that at this late date. After all they had paid for their tickets and had left on the first leg of their journey at the same time as I had flown over on a direct flight.13

Bill had come out of his room and settled down in his chair near the television, bringing with him a half bottle of brandy and a packet of cigarettes. Smoke poured from the ashtray by his side and the stench of alcohol filled the room. His head lay to one side as he tried to focus on the news broadcast. ‘Bloody world’s a mess’ he muttered. Bill continued talking to himself in a delirious state as I went off to bed.14

During all the confusing events, I had forgotten the one person who must know a lot about the situation. I had to make contact with the man who had phoned me in New Zealand and then again in Australia. Stupidly, I hadn’t given him a second thought from the moment I had decided to make the journey home. He was surely the one I should have called immediately I arrived. Well I was going back to the house to find his phone number. My stepfather could hopefully tell me where to find him, if he was sober enough.15

I arrived home to the smell of Johnson’s scones. Yes he really was enjoying having someone to cook for again who would appreciate his efforts. My mother was up and sitting very still watching some birds which had come up close to the veranda, my movement startled them and they flew up to the roof turrets making angry noises. I kissed my mum on the cheek and stroked her limp hand. ‘How do you feel Mum’ I asked. ‘No more medicine for you, just getting better naturally, OK’ I added at her look of surprise. ‘But Matthew said I needed it’ she protested. ‘Not anymore’ I said firmly. She smiled and nodded, ‘yes you are here now and you’ll fix everything I know’ she said as she looked up toward the fluttering birds. ‘They come down every day you know’ she said smiling up at me. ‘We feed them from kitchen scraps’16

At least my mother seemed a lot better, still suffering the effects of too many tranquillisers but much brighter and relaxed. Bill was a different story, he was yelling for a bottle. Johnson walked in when he heard me and advised me to stay out of my stepfather’s way. ‘Mr Jason does this when he wants more booze’ he informed me. ‘Leave him to me.’ He headed off towards the bedroom where I could here him assuring my stepfather that a bottle was on its way.17

I had to find the phone number of the man who had phoned me. I decided to start looking for my father’s phone book. Just then the phone started ringing and when I answered I heard a familiar voice. ‘Welcome home’ said the man I was just about to phone.18

‘I didn’t call yesterday as I wanted to give you a chance to unwind after your long trip.’ Hello I replied. It was a relief to know I didn’t have to start searching for his phone number. I thanked him for calling and told him what had happened on my arrival. ‘Oh if I’d known I would have picked you up myself’ he said. It appeared that other than being aware that both my parents were unwell and that their businesses were a mess and being run partly by Matthew and by another woman who he suspected was up to no good. This man really knew very little. He had phoned me overseas because of the obvious need for a family member to be home and take charge.
I was the only one he knew of. I thanked the caller for all his help, rang off and sat down for a cuppa and a scone. I realised that to face what was in front of me, I needed food. If I had a good breakfast, made a call to the girls and went for a walk around the beautiful garden, I would feel better and more able to think clearly.19

I looked up at the clock. ‘Oh no’ I shuddered, suddenly remembering my Australian friends. They would arrive the next day and it was the last thing I needed now. How I was going to play host and cope with Matthew, as well as solve this situation would take a miracle. I considered trying to book them into a Hotel, but I knew they couldn’t afford it.20

Part of the reason they were coming was because I had assured them, that when I had spoken to my Mother on the phone, she had insisted they stay with us at the house. That would save them a fortune in accommodation costs. I felt trapped again knowing I would have these people here under the same roof as Bill. It was going to mean keeping them out of the house as much as I could and they were also relying on me for transport. At the time of offering a car, the family still had three available vehicles. Now all I had was the car I was using. 21

I finished my scone and settled my mother, then drove into the factory I knew so well. It was divided into three sections each working its own product.
Over the door was the old familiar sign, which had been hanging there since I was a child. However it had been badly painted over with a new sign. The same name but different proprietors. ‘Strange’ I thought, this was something I was not aware of. The name above the door was that of the man who had phoned me only half an hour ago. The one who had brought me back here in the first place. I walked in, pushing open the reception door and peering into surroundings, which were now totally unfamiliar. A lady asked if she could help me and I asked for (I shall call him Jim). She asked whom I was and when I told her she hurried out and fetched him from the factory behind. We shook hands and I asked why he had not told me he now ran this part of the business. Jim explained that he was buying this section from my stepfather on an instalment basis and that my stepfather (when he was capable which wasn’t very often nowadays) came in and worked from his office in the other section of the building.22

It was mid afternoon by the time I finished talking to Jim.
I walked through to the other side of the factory and found two women sitting in my father’s office.
They sat there eating and drinking. They looked up when I walked in. ‘Who are you?’ I asked. They casually introduced themselves food still in their mouths. 23

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I told them who I was and they both panicked. If the situation hadn’t been so serious it would have been funny.
They quickly cleaned up their food tray and moved out of the office into the reception, apologising as they did so. They looked like a couple out of a comedy skit.
I was surprised that they hadn’t heard that I was there. They must have thought I was a customer of Jim’s.
I asked them what they did for my stepfather and when he had last been in to work. I found out that these two claimed to practically run the show and my stepfather very seldom showed his face any more. They told me Matthew brought in the pay and usually spent most of his time in the back of the factory. They tried to assure me that they had my Families best interests at heart, but I was sure they were just trying to stop me from checking their work and the books, which lay scattered on the bookshelf. I told them to gather up everything to do with the accounts and put it in the car. I wanted to check what had been going on for the last two years.
They looked at each other furtively and I knew that they were not on the level. I would have to check the books carefully and find out more about these women soon.
Now I was too tired to do any more. All I wanted was to go home to bed.25

I woke up with my mother screaming my name, in contrast to the night before when my stepfather lay screaming for the maid. I rushed downstairs and found a frustrated nurse trying to settle her down. Mum had had a nightmare which I am sure was due to the withdrawal from the drugs. I comforted her and then looked at the clock, it was 4.30 am so a wandered downstairs and made a pot of tea. Taking the tray up to Mum’s room I sat drinking tea with the nurse and my mother and discussed her health in detail.26

The nurse felt that Mum would recover very well and should start showing more signs of improvement daily. We organised a roster for the day nurse and I then bathed and dressed myself before the nurse took Mum through to the bathroom for her morning wash down.27

It hit m, as I walked back down to the kitchen for breakfast at about 7 o’clock, that I had to meet the bus from Harare in only a couple of hours. 28


My Australian friends would be there tired and hungry, with luggage and expectations I wasn’t sure I could live up to. I had no choice but follow through regardless, with previously made plans. It was too late to turn back now.29

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Chapter Six
The Visitors31

The house looked good. Mum was placed outside, dressed correctly this time with her hair nicely styled and sporting a little makeup. All was in place and ready to welcome visitors. Even Bill seemed a little better. He was up and about, making sense at last. My talk to him announcing that he would have houseguests soon had sparked something in his conscience.
I left for the Bulawayo Sun to meet the bus later that morning. Greeting my visitors as brightly as I could. I loaded them and their luggage into the car. It took some tact to explain that all was not well at the house, I did it as best as I could and left the rest to chance.
My visitors consisted of a father with his two children a girl around 6 years and a boy around 12. Things ran smoothly during that day with Dave the father chatting to my mother quite happily, and then disappearing to his room with the children to freshen up. 32

Bill had even greeted them without a hint of alcohol on him. However, not long after Don and the kids disappeared then he was back in his room reading a book and the telltale glass by his side.
I needed to juggle these people with checking on the office and suggested that Johnson make tea and one of the infamous cakes whilst I took a quick trip into town to see what was going on. The factory was quiet and I looked around the office for records that would give an indication of the financial position of this section of the business. The books I had been given were just somebody’s notes that made no sense at all to me. Who every kept the records was making sure I didn’t find them. There was nothing lying around this time and no books of any description.
I decided to head for my appointment with the bank manager. Two hours later I was heading home again, having secured my signature as the only acceptable one on the cheque accounts. Matthew was in for a shock when he tried to use that chequebook he was carrying. Bill would be getting a call I was sure of that.33

Step one in my war against Matthew had been put into action. Now I’d get my commitment to my guests out of the way and then I could continue my fight. I’d promised Don and his kids a trip to the Whange game park for a couple of nights. My mother was booked to come with us, but when I suggested that she should, she refused. She agreed that I go with them alone but made me promise to hurry back.34

I organised with Johnson to report to me by phone each night and notified the corner store that Mathew was not allowed to purchase alcohol for my stepfather. I told them that Johnson would deal with them during the week I was away and I paid them the outstanding $4,000. 35

A new weekly credit was arranged. The next step to stop Matthew would have to wait a week.
Planning to leave very early the next morning, I relaxed for a few hours with mum. It was after supper when mum had bathed and was sitting in her room that I had my next heartache. Mum must have fallen asleep, because she woke up screaming for me again. Before I could go to her, the young son of my friend came in laughing hysterically. ‘That woman is mad,’ he laughed to his sister. It broke my heart to hear him talk of my poor mother in that way. ‘How the mighty had fallen,’ I found myself thinking. No one would ever have called my mother mad a couple of years ago. She was a strong supporter of the Child’s welfare association. In fact she was a Matron of a children’s home for a while and owned a very large childcare centre for many years.
No! My mother was not mad, just a sad victim of a very sly pig of a human being who was out to rip the family off. I went to her side and stayed with her until she settled.
Maybe the two days away would be a good time for me to view the situation from a distance. I’d at least got mum settled down and receiving proper care. My Mother would soon be strong enough to return to Australia with me. She had already said that she wanted to return when I did.36

We all watched a little TV and then hit the sack. Don’s kids were excited at seeing their first wild animals besides kangaroos and koalas.37

My stepfather walking around the house disturbed my sleep. I was sure I heard the House Maid’s voice but I was just too tired to care that night. I was filled with guilt, about leaving Mum even for the two days. I didn’t know what to do. A hire car would have been far too costly for Don.38

It was five thirty when I woke and the house was quiet. Johnson would arrive soon and breakfast would be started. All we had to do was pack the car and get going as early as possible. Dave was moving around in his room and I could hear the children getting dressed. We ate a hearty breakfast, packed the car and said our good byes, and with a last word in Johnson’s ear to remember to phone with any problem he may have. I set off for Whange with my guests.
The trip was long and hot, my head pounded and a migraine started to take a firm hold. I am not a migraine sufferer so this was a new experience for me. I felt the pain burning into my temples until all I wanted was to be sick. We arrived at the Whange lodge and booked into our room. The children’s laughter, cutting into my aching head like a knife. I excused myself and rushed to be sick. All I could do was lie there with my head under a pillow. Don knew I was suffering so he carted the kids off on a park safari, leaving me to sleep it off. It was after breakfast the next day before I felt any better. The pain had left me drained and very hungry. 39

After a good feed I felt nearly human and spent the next two days explaining animal noises and spoor to Don and co.
When we sat around the BBQ in the evening I thought of my mother and prayed for her recovery. I prayed for my stepfather and asked God to give me strength to set things right.
The Camp sight was swarming with Baboons that came and stole our food. The children were thrilled at getting so close to wild animals. We saw Elephants, lions and hundreds of Zebra. It was a wonderful self-recovery and I arrived back in Bulawayo feeling far stronger and ready to cope again.
Don and the kids were unpacking the car when Johnson ran out to tell me there was a call from my daughter in Johannesburg. I ran inside, delighted that she had rung. They were missing me badly, and they were very unhappy. ‘Mummy’ she said, ‘Cindy is horrible to Shelly and me’.
Cindy was their father’s wife and she must have found it hard having my two girls there. I knew I wasn’t in a position to help the girls make friends with their stepmother. ‘Just try to be nice to her’ was all I could think of to say. ‘We want you to come here so we can see dad but stay with you’ she moaned.
I finally rang off feeling as though the past week hadn’t happened. My nerves stung as they ripped through my body. Now my Girls needed me as well. What was I supposed to do now? I spoke to their Father.40

41

I thought he might bring them home again, but he refused, telling me I had taken them so far away to live and he had no intention of returning them earlier than the allotted time. He then used some choice expressions on me.42


‘OK’ I said to myself. What now? I knew Don and his kids were heading for South Africa in a weeks time. Two weeks before my visa was due to expire. Maybe I would go down with him, get a new visa from South Africa and come back into Zimbabwe for another four weeks. I’d phone immigration and ask if that was possible. I called straight away and was told that I could indeed get a visa in South Africa to visit Zimbabwe, but I first needed a visa to visit South Africa. I phoned the South African consulate and arranged to go in and get the necessary paperwork. I talked to Don and told him I would be accompanying him to South Africa and he was quite happy for me to tag along.
If I was going down south in a week’s time I needed to make sure that Matthew would have a very hard time damaging the work I had done so far. That meant spending a great deal of time in the factory. If he did indeed spend most of his time there, then I could keep an eye on him better.
I was sure that by watching his movements then I could control his connection with my family. Little did I know then just how dangerous that man was and how wrong I was to think that I was even slightly in control.
My week was spent talking to my mother, showing Don and the kids around the beautiful city of Bulawayo with its streets lined with Jacarandas, and keeping the kids away from the house as much as I could to avoid them seeing Bill who was now back to a sober state in which I hoped he would stay. Bill was now feeling well enough to go into his office, but after his one visit to the factory he came home with a new bottle of brandy that he drank far more slowly than usual.43

Bill stayed sitting in his chair, cigarette in his mouth and glass by his side. I managed to slip the bottle away from him as he dozed off one evening and half filled it with water. He never complained nor appeared to notice. I suggested to Johnson that he continue this practice whilst I was away. He said he would.
My mother was doing very well with the professional care she was now receiving and I felt relieved that I was getting rid of the houseguests within a day.
Even though I too would be leaving, my parent’s problem would again be protected by privacy in the home. I wanted to get this over with and get back up to Bulawayo as soon as I could. My visa for South Africa was through and all that was left was to go as soon as possible in order to get back as soon as I could. There was a lot to do before my return trip to Australia.
I had made up my mind that my mother would be coming back with me and when I told her of what I planned, she was very happy. All she wanted was to get away from the drunk as she called him.
So far, I had not contacted my sister, other than to tell her I was coming down to South Africa to see her sometime during my visit. I thought it was time to let her know just what was happening in Bulawayo and see if she could put Don his kids and me up for a few nights. Shirley was only too happy to have houseguests for a short while, so we hired a car and left for Johannesburg. I made sure my mother’s nurses were sure of what they had to do. Johnson was prepared for any event where Bill was concerned and the women in the factory were not told I was going. I only hoped that Matthew didn’t find out too soon that I had gone. 44

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Chapter Seven
Not a wise move55

The trip took twelve hours exactly and we pulled into my sister’s place about seven that evening. We greeted each other warmly and I introduced my companions. We talked about the events of my past two and a half weeks at length and then, exhausted went to bed.
I had phoned the girls the night before and got the impression that they were not at all happy with life at their fathers. His wife was trying her best to be friendly, but the girls were feeling strange and missed me very much. We spent two days with my sister and then went to pick up the girls. Once they knew I was close by they were a lot happier and decided to spend another week with their dad, whilst I took my friends for a drive down the garden route a drive between Cape Town and Durban, full of caves, beautiful scenery and wild animals. I wanted to keep busy and fulfil my promises to Don who had travelled fourteen thousand kilometres to see Africa, but my heart remained in Zimbabwe where I wanted to be most of all.
I kept reassuring myself that I’d be back there in a week with the girls and there we would stay until I had got Mum ready and left with her for Australia. That was not to be. So much started going wrong. We moved to stay the last week with a girlfriend of mine and whilst there my ex husband had a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. The girls were frantic and didn’t want to leave his side until he was well again. So we extended our stay in Johannesburg.
I was broke, worried sick about this time delay with no one to turn to for help. My ex hated me so I wasn’t going to ask him.56

My visitors had left for Australia. We had seen them off and returned to my friend’s home when the call came about my daughter’s father. He had collapsed and was in intensive care.
It all just happened at once, one moment I was rushing to get back to Zimbabwe, then the next minute I was being forced to stay with friends in a place I had never really liked, in order to fill a need, which was a priority to my girls. I had to put my daughters first at this point, as my mother was being well cared for and Johnston was in control (or so I thought).
I needed money badly. My funds were fast running out and so was my visitor’s visa. I had to go down to the immigration and produce my passport and air ticket back to Australia in order to get a further few weeks’ extension on my visa. I also visited the Zimbabwe immigration and checked that my visa for re-entry to Zimbabwe was still OK. Everything was fine which was a relief.
My ex husband recovered well but had to take it easy after the triple by pass they gave him. The girls decided to stay with me in a caravan I had borrowed for a couple of weeks. It was really hard staying cramped up in a small van with two girls, so I borrowed another caravan and set the two opposite one another and put the annex over the centre to form a large joining room.
My ex husband gave me three hundred dollars to live on because he wanted the girls near and they wanted to be there.
Then when we left he even paid for the ticket back to Zimbabwe on the bus for us.
I felt really bad having to take his money, but I had no choice. After all, I rationalised, I was here due to his heart problem. I was becoming a nervous wreck. I was not coping as well as I should, and I know now that I made some very foolish decisions regarding our lives over the next month.
My calls to Johnson were regular and it appeared that everything was going all right. My stepfather was still drinking heavily and Matthew had turned up the same day I left. He had left my mother alone though and according to Johnson, as long as she had a chat to me on the phone, she was coping also.57

My sister lived too far away for regular visits, but she too was phoning Bulawayo on a regular basis, which to my mind meant we had little to worry about. The worst mistake I could have made, was believing I could control the situation from a distance.
Eventually after sitting out the stay in Johannesburg for as long as I could, it was time to return to my mother. I was booked on the bus for the next day when the hospital contacted me to say that my mother had been admitted and was undergoing surgery to remove a lump in her breast. They wanted me there as she’d had the lump for a long time and had refused to see a doctor about it.
This was news to me. If I’d known about it I would have taken her in personally, now she had wasted two months and the fear of losing her, cut through my body like a knife.
If I hadn’t been caught up so much, with the Matthew problem, I may have talked more to Mum and found out about this lump.58

I phoned the bus depot and asked for emergency seats, they said I could leave that night. I suggested to the girls that they stay on with their father while I rushed back, and that they fly back the next day as originally planned.59

They agreed and I left Johannesburg alone.60

The ride back to Bulawayo was a nightmare. The bus was reasonable but overcrowded. The smell of stale bodies and fish and chips didn’t sit well on my stomach. By the time we pulled into the Bulawayo Sun I was aching all over and shaking from nerves.
I caught a taxi to the house, experiencing the same hair raising ride as the time before, and marvelled at how these worn out vehicles managed to keep going. Once home I showered, changed and rang the hospital. They informed me that my mother was fine and that the lump, which they had removed the day before had been sent away for testing.
I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Then they informed me that they had sent her home, she left ten minutes before my call. I was shocked. ‘That was quick’ I found myself frowning down the telephone at the voice on the other end. ‘Well’ the voice replied, ‘it’s only a small procedure and there is no need for her to stay in hospital’. I rang off as the sound of a car came down the drive.
Chapter Eight
My Poor Mother61

It was the lady from the factory, dropping off my mother. I rushed out to meet her apologising for not being there for her and feeling guilt all over again. She showed me her dressing and we moved into the house.
I held mum tightly around the shoulders, as she was very shaky. The walk inside was slow and laboured.
We said goodbye to the factory lady and Johnson came up with tea. Mum and I chatted for a few minutes. She was very tired and I stood her up to walk he through to bed so she could rest. The yelling from the bedroom reminded me of my stepfather. ‘I wonder if he even knows Mum was in hospital’ I thought. Before I had a chance to find out, a drunken form staggered into the lounge room from the courtyard. He was so bad he could hardly stand up. Mum froze, leaning heavily against me. It was obvious that she dreaded seeing him like this and it upset her very badly. Bill ignored us and made a move towards his chair. I don’t think he even realised we were there. As he stepped forwards he fell and lunged forward directly on top of my mother, his arm hit out and caught her across the large bandaged stitches. Mum screamed the most piercing scream I have ever heard and then started sobbing hopelessly. I cried for her also. The pain must have been so dreadful.
Mum had fallen, landing on the floor by my side with Bill on top of her.
I dragged the drunken body off her as Johnson rushed in. He had heard the scream, which rang through the whole house. I lost my temper then, and yelled at Bill ‘Mum has just got out of hospital as if you even care’. I turned back to my mother who now sat sobbing ‘get me away from him, get me away from him’. She cried more heavily every minute until her body shook so badly that I had to hold her very tight and force her to sip at a sweet cup of tea.62

The hospital had given her painkillers, so I fed two of them to her and escorted her to the bedroom to rest. It was then that I remembered the nurse. Obviously she had stayed away while mum was in hospital. I needed to phone and get her back on the job as soon as possible. I called the home nurses co-ordinator and was informed that the nurses had been fired about four weeks before, by my stepfather. I saw red, telling the woman to re-book them and get one to me pronto. I told her in no uncertain terms that she had gone against my arrangement with her and I was not happy at all. She was apologetic but said Mr Jason had refused to pay. I explained that it was me paying not my stepfather and she reinstated the nurses immediately. Why did I go away I scolded myself severely? But I couldn’t be in two places at once, and my sister had a family to care for and was not as flexible as I was. 63

That made her help a little harder to rely on. 64

Apparently they had called my sister first to notify her of Mums condition but she had referred them to me. I understood where my sister was coming from, as she had put up with a lot in the past, So it was up to me to be here to sort out what I could and call Shirley, only if things got really serious.’ How serious was really serious?’ I thought to myself when we had made the arrangement.
My mother was having a sleep and Bill was propped up in his chair, burning cigarette hanging off his bottom lip, trying to drink from the side of a glassful of brandy and cheap wine without removing the cigarette from his mouth. I looked at him in disgust, and knew that I had to do something right now about him and about my mother. The situation was way out of control65

I phoned a nursing home run by a good family friend of many years, and explaining the situation Kyle was sympathetic. He understood the need for mum’s special care, not only to recover from the drugs, but also to keep her away from Bill and help her recover. He told me they were full, but he would find a way to help Mum out.
Kyle arranged to have mum admitted to the home with the added benefit of her own fulltime nurses. I would see her daily and have the freedom to get on with sorting out the home and the businesses.
How I wished I had not had to stay in Johannesburg so long, I’d been away for eight weeks and here I was now having to start from scratch; doing things I should have done a long time ago.
I hated myself at that moment, more than anyone would ever know.
Bill was another serious problem, his drinking was way out of control and I didn’t think he would live long at the rate he was going.
I contacted the Drug and Alcohol Association and they put me onto the right people to talk to about getting my stepfather into a drug rehab program. ‘No’ I was told.
You can’t force him. He has to be a willing participant and a co-operative patient. ‘He can walk out at any time’ they informed me. ‘We cannot hold him against his will’. ‘OK that means that I’ll just have to cope with him here’ I said before hanging up.66

I told my mother about my talk to Kyle and asked if she would feel better in a nursing home for a while, and she agreed, very relieved that she could get away from Ole. ‘Please keep him away from me’, she pleaded. We waited for the new nurse to turn up and then packed mums things. After afternoon tea, I drove the nurse and my mother to the nursing home and got them settled in. We left the room where mum was to stay and found some comfortable chairs on the veranda, where we could sit and chat for a while. I needed to know what mum wanted to do, and what she wanted me to do for her. ‘Take me back to Australia’ she stated, ‘Keep me away from Bill’, again that pleading note in her voice. It was more than I could stand.67

‘Well mum’ I said ‘if you are coming back with me lets go get your passport fixed up and new photos, for your visa’. She seemed to relax and excitement crept into her pale eyes. ‘I can’t wait’ was all she said.68

I felt awkward in the house alone that night. Shirley was coming on the weekend, but I still had to get through two days staying on my own with a drunk. Not something I looked forward to.
That night, I heard voices and found the young black girl lying on the floor of my father’s room. Dressed in her underwear and cuddling a blanket as she talked to my stepfather. I sent her packing once again, which sent Bill into a rage. He yelled at me to get out of his house and not come back. I returned to my bedroom, but Bill had it in for me for messing up his plans for the night. He staggered to my bedroom door banging on it roughly; yelling for me to leave his house. I climbed out of the window and had to go down to Johnson’s quarters and ask for his help. Johnson grabbed some bedding and returned with me to the house. He soon had my stepfather calm and back in bed, but he was not going to leave me to cope again, so he moved into my Stepfathers bedroom himself so that he could be close in case anything else happened. Bill never once asked after my mother, nor did he notice that she had gone.69

70


Chapter Nine
The final Countdown71

I went to the factory first thing the next morning and met our family’s accountant, whom I had known since a child. 72

I had answered a call from him the day before, when he had called asking for Bill. He seamed shocked when he had heard how ill Bill was. ‘Matthew hadn’t paid rent for three months’ he told me. ‘What shall we do?’ I told him to leave Matthew to me and arranged this early morning meeting at the factory. The accountant and I chatted about the business and the problems they were having since my stepfather stopped being in control and he told me how Bill always kept transactions to Matthew and moneys owed by Matthew secret. He also told me how Matthew always disappeared on rent day and couldn’t be found. We talked a little about what I was trying to do, then I bid him farewell promising another meeting the next week.73

I walked through to the section of the factory that Matthew operated and asked the foreman where Matthew was. He told me that Matthew would not be in that day. ‘How convenient’ I thought. ‘Make a phone call and tell him I am waiting to see him’ I demanded. The fellow did as I asked and informed me that Matthew was on his way. It was nearly ten o’clock and still no sign of Matthew.
My mother would be expecting me at eleven so that didn’t leave me much time. ‘Call Matthew again’ I said to the foreman.
He nodded and came back to tell me that Matthew was not home. ‘If he is not here in half and hour’ I said ‘then you must all leave the building and wait outside until he turns up and pays his rent.’74

The man went back to the phone and within ten minutes Matthew showed his face, angry and very overbearing. He tried his best to get me to agree to forget about the rent but I stood my ground. ‘You pay three months rent by ten o’clock tomorrow or I will evict you’ I informed him. He gave be a disbelieving glare and stormed out of the factory, wheel spinning out of the driveway in his very smart car. I am sure that he would have hit me if there hadn't been so many people standing around75

I met my mother as arranged and took her and the nurse, into Town. We went first to the photo shop and had Mum's passport pictures done and then on to immigration where we did her application for a new passport. We also wrote to the Australian consulate and dropped in a letter for her visa. Everything was under control, and we headed back to the nursing home in time for afternoon tea.
At about four o’clock I headed back home very pleased with the day’s events. Bill was up and about when I got there and he screamed at me again to get out of his house. 76

Johnson informed me that Matthew had been there for a while talking in the lounge to my stepfather. He had been asking for more money. ‘No doubt to pay his rent’ I thought. What a con artist this was. Borrow from the very person he owes. What I couldn’t figure out was that if Matthew was broke, how come he lived in such a lavish manner. Fancy car, fancy clothes, etc. He was into all kinds of deals I was sure of that, and it was also obvious that his wealth was coming out of my Family's pocket.77

Bill turned on me again. ‘Get out’ he yelled, staggering towards me menacingly. He lashed out at me and fell forward missing me by a fraction of an inch.78

I was not going to hang around there to get beaten up so I told Johnson to go and get my entire luggage out of the room and bring it to me as I was going to book into the YWCA. It would be better that putting up with this. Johnson went through to the bedrooms, Bill hot on his heels, and returned empty handed. ‘He won’t let me touch your stuff’ he whispered. ‘He says you’re stealing from him. Say goodbye and leave then wait behind the bathroom wall’ he said ‘I’ll throw everything out to you.79

Something had caused Bill to turn against me, and I was sure that it was Matthew; I was also sure that Mathew was scared by me and needed me out of the way in order for him to operate in his normal fashion. 80

Well he wasn’t getting rid of me until I’d got money for my mother, all her possessions and anything else she wanted out of that house and on it’s way to Australia, where we would pick it up and move into a home suitable to house mum and her stuff with me. I had no idea if the Australian immigration would allow her to stay. That I would face and fight if needed be when we got back home to Townsville.81

I packed the car with the things Johnson was passing quietly through the window. They included my mothers clothing and clean underwear. Johnson disappeared inside and reappeared a few minutes later outside. I thanked him for his help and arranged to be in the same place the following day to give him the washing to do. Shirley would be phoning with her time of arrival and I told Johnson to tell her where I was and what happened.82

I drove into town and booked into the YWCA. They gave me a family room with enough beds for the children, when they arrived, and I set about unpacking and making the small space as homely as I could. The YWCA had a communal kitchen, so I shot out to see Jay at out corner store and bought some food and bread and other necessities. If Bill let Matthew spend up in his name, then helping feed my children and I was the least he could do, seeing that he kicked me out. I had no qualms about buying food and paying for it from the family account.83

Thinking about Matthew reminded me that I had to go and collect his rent money from him. I freshened up and headed for the factory. When I arrived, everyone was working hard, all machines running hot. ‘Is Matthew here’ I asked the foreman? ‘No’ was the reply. He walked back to his trimming table. I waited about five minutes and then looked at the time. It was twelve noon. Two hours later than the arranged time. I asked the foreman again ‘was Matthew in here earlier?’ He shook his head and shrugged. ‘Fine’ was all I said as I went out to the power board and switched off the power to the factory.84

Everyone started talking at once. It sounded like a swarm of bees buzzing past me as I walked back in. ‘No’ I informed the workers almost in a shout, in order to be heard over the buzzing. ‘Everybody OUT.’ They started leaving in single file, shaking their heads and exclaiming how mad Matthew would be. ‘You will stay out until the rent is paid’ was the only explanation I gave.85

Matthew miraculously appeared in about five minutes. He paid me one months rent and promised the rest the following week. I gave him permission to continue his business based on his promise, assuring him that I would do the same thing again if he missed any more payments. If looks could kill I would not have lived to tell this story.86

I had only been in my new accommodation a day when Shirley arrived. She went to the house and Bill accepted her with open arms. ‘Oh well’ I thought, Shirley at this point had not upset him, so she could look after Bill and I’d take care of the factory.87

Shirley and I battled through for a week with no major events. She left again for South Africa, the following Sunday, promising to come back immediately if anything really went wrong.88

Mum was getting better and got about quite happily. I was delighted with her progress and we waited eagerly for her passport, which was due any day.89

We had her doctor’s appointment the following afternoon, when we would hear the biopsy results. I prayed they would be benign. I picked Mum up and with her nurse in tow, headed for the doctors surgery. We were ushered into his office and sat there waiting for about ten minutes before he came in apologising for being so late. ‘I have your results Mrs Jason’ he said in a matter of fact voice. ‘I’m afraid you have cancer’ was all he said. Mum just stared at him blankly. He repeated his words slowly. ‘Do you understand what I am saying’ he studied her for a moment. Mum just stood up, nodded and turning around, left the office in a daze.
I stayed behind. ‘Doctor’ I said shocked. ‘If my mother has cancer of the breast then why didn’t you pick it up sooner and remove the breast or something?’
He informed me that the only surgeon was on holiday at that time in Botswana and at my mother’s age of just turning 70 it didn’t seem important enough to call the surgeon back from holiday as the kind of surgery may easily kill mum anyway. Everything swam around me.
I walked out of that office in shock, walked over to my mother and just squeezed her so tight standing there for what seemed like an eternity. I took mum back to the nursing home and went to phone Shirley. She took the news in the same way I had, except she wasn’t able to hug mum like I had.90

Mums passport arrived a week later. She was ready to leave at anytime now and I just wanted to get her back home with me. Bill was as drunk as ever there was no hope for him, of that I was sure. The only way was to sell everything and send Bill to live in South Africa with Shirley where she could look after him. Sell the house and businesses. 91

I was going to get the wheels in motion.92

I contacted an estate agent and arranged to have him auction the house, then went to see Johnson and told him what I was doing. ‘I will clean up very nicely and make sure Mr Jason is out of the way’ he said. ‘Where is he’ I asked noticing the van was missing. ‘He went to town’ Johnson frowned, ‘he took the girl’ he added. ‘Oh he did, did he?’ I retorted. Please make tea Johnson; I am waiting till they get back.93

I had just finished my cup of tea when the van came back down the drive, very slowly. Bill must have really pulled himself together I thought. I watched out the window as the young girl climbed out of the passenger seat. She carried parcels, which came from the local clothing store. She was wearing a brand new dress and shoes and came in bragging to Johnson in her language about the new clothes Mr Jason had just bought her.94

At that point I gave up, what was the point; he had lost the plot all right. Here he was doing things for this girl when his wife lay in a home worrying about a doctor’s report that was a death sentence.95

Bill walked past me. He was reasonable friendly, so I took the bull by the horns. ‘Bill’ I said ‘please sit down; I have something to tell you’. I explained that if he didn’t sell up and move with Shirley, he would end up losing everything due to his lack of control. I reminded him that his drinking was causing him to go bankrupt and that his drinking was destroying him. He listened and to my surprise he sat up straight and agreed with me.
‘Yes I’ll sell and go to Shirley’ he said. ‘Fine, I’ll get the papers for you to sign tomorrow’ I said.96

Over the next two days Bill stayed drunk but clear headed to sign all the paperwork needed to go ahead with the auction. Matthew must have been over to see him as he was still getting drink from somewhere.97

Auction day drew near and Johnson worked hard making the interior of the house look good. I worked on the yard with the gardener accidentally setting fire to a patch of dry grass, which caused such a big fire, the fire brigade had to come and assist in putting it out. I remained living in the hostel, as it was more convenient. My one daughter had returned and the other was now on holiday in Greece, a treat from her father. She would be back soon and then the two girls would fly back to Australia on a direct flight. I would follow with Mum a few days later. I’d arranged for my other daughter who was married and still in Townsville, to pick them up and look after them for me.98

Open day came and went; the auction day was upon us. Bill had to be shut in his room, as he was well under the weather on the day. Johnson kept a weary eye on him, making sure he stayed where he was. That night is the night I will never forget.99

At about 1 am, I was woken up by a call from the local hospital, saying they had admitted a Mr Bill Jason who was found unconscious on the floor of his home by an unknown person. They received a call and sent an ambulance to the house. I got up, dressed and drove to the General Hospital where I found a doctor examining the still form of my stepfather.
‘I think it’s serious’ he said. We will monitor him tonight, but we need permission to operate if it is something of that nature he said. I signed the papers and explained that Bill was an alcoholic. They nodded their understanding. I returned home unable to sleep any more.100

It was five thirty when the next call came. It was from the nursing home. ‘Your mother started screaming for you around one o’clock this morning’ the kindly voice said, ‘she then slipped into a coma and we have transferred her to the Mater Dei Hospital this morning’ as she was telling me the news I realised what had happened. Whilst my mother lay in serious trouble, calling for me, I was pandering to a drunk in another hospital. It wasn’t fair. I went straight to my mother and prayed for her for a long time, holding her hand and wishing she would open her eyes.
‘She had a stroke’ the doctor behind me was saying. She had taken far too many pills and suffered too much emotional strain. Her body just gave up.101

Bill was released the following day having sobered up after his binge, but he showed no emotion when I told him about Mum's condition. There was nothing I could do for her now. I felt numb. I would just keep doing what had to be done and hope she came around. I phoned Shirley and started sobbing ‘please come sis’ I wept, ‘I really need you now.102

Shirley and her baby daughter arrived the next day, and we spent most of the day at Mum's bedside. We could do nothing but stare at her and pray she would wake up and smile at us with her beautiful smile like she used to do not many years before. Mum was known for her good looks and great smile.103

The house had sold after much bartering between two parties who both wanted it at any cost. We gave them six weeks for occupation, with settlement in two weeks. Bill didn’t even know the sale had gone through; he was blind drunk by the end of the day.104

I busied myself selling off the factory to the current tenants on a drip feed system. That meant they could still trade in the same premises, take over Matthew as a tenant and pay my stepfather a regular sum until the total sale price was paid. Everyone was happy. Except Matthew.105

Shirley and I continued our shared vigil at the hospital, so that the other could spend that time sorting out business matters whilst the other one visited with our mother. All we had left to do was pack up the furniture.
‘Well I’m not going to tempt fate’ I rationalised; I would continue with the arrangements regardless, in the hope Mum would be OK. ‘She just has to be’ I said out loud to no one in particular.
Mum didn’t have much in the way of furniture or possessions, but it had a sentimental value that was why I was taking it.
Most of the things Bill was claiming belonged to him and Shirley was packing them into his container load. He denied Mum owned anything in the home. He insisted it was all his. He didn't know Mum had given me a list of her belongings to take with us to Australia.106

We had just about finished when I got a call to say that a taxi driver would buy the car for five thousand dollars. I said that would be fine and knew then that everything I had to do had been done. Bill would be alright with my sister and my mother would live out her life with me in Australia.107

We were driving to the factory to deliver the car to its new owner within the hour. Shirley and I had a small lunch in the now empty house. ‘Let’s get this finished’ I said standing up. She agreed and we set off to town in the car. The man was waiting at the factory when we arrived. He gave me the five thousand in cash notes and drove away with his new possession. The best Taxi in town.108

The phone rang as we walked back inside. It was the hospital. ‘You should come up right away’ they said. ‘Your mother has taken a turn for the worse. Shirley and I ran into the factory and asked for a lift, stressing the reason to Jim. He dropped what he was doing and took us up to the hospital straight away.109

We took the lift up to the second floor and hurried to Mum's room. Shirley hurried in first with me tailing her. The sight in front of me sent me into hysterics, for Mum was lying flat on the bed with the blanket pulled up over her face. In a split second I realised she was dead and she had no right to be, not after all we had done and fought for. No, not my mother, I couldn’t believe it. I went hysterical. Screaming. I must have caused quite a stir for the poor patients in the next ward. I shook terribly and clamed down a little with a Nurse holding me tightly.110

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Chapter Ten
Goodbye Mum119

I could hear someone saying that they should make us a strong cup of tea. The nurse told me Mum had slipped quietly away just seconds before we arrived. ‘Mummy’ I promised her, ‘you are still going back to Australia with me’. It was her last request after all.120

This was it, the last chapter for Joy Jason. A wonderful woman and the mother I loved with all my heart. She had left this world, but she would travel back with me in an urn.121

Shirley and I had a service and most of mums old friends turned up. Bill was too drunk to be there. He just lay in his bed, crying for a bottle. He still didn't realise Mum was dead. He had gone from a strong vital man to a sniffling wreck. My mother had ended her life in misery.
All due to the circumstances they had allowed themselves to get into. Manipulated and humiliated by a fraud named Matthew.122

There was no more I could do. Although Matthew would lose his main source of income, he had won. All my sister and I had left was a broken man and an urn of ashes. Those ashes were going with me so that I could at least keep part of my promise to Mum. They would be placed in a beautiful spot in Australia. Somewhere I knew she would have loved.123

It was three years before I found the perfect spot to sprinkle those ashes. When I did, I went alone to the rise above the ocean; no one had the time to join me. I said a prayer and poured what remained of my mother over the edge of a cliff with the Ocean all around. The ashes fell amongst the trees and nestled into the undergrowth where I know Mum would have enjoyed the prettiest views possible.
This was her final resting place and my final goodbye to a lady who suffered so much for someone else's greed.
This was the final chapter in a horrific family tragedy.
I cried then for the awful loss that suddenly washed over me. I turned once more to the cliff side. 'Bye Mum, I love you" I sobbed. ' I'll tell your story, I promise'124

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The End126

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