As a little bloke I can remember the routine that awaited us at the end of each evening meal. The two littlies (Tom and Pip) were responsible for clearing the table of such items as salt and pepper shakers while the older kids each had tasks associated with washing, wiping-up and putting-away. Often, Pip and I would finish our tasks, and as there was nothing better to do, hang around like bad smells as the bigger kids completed the more onerous tasks assigned to them. On one night, at the end of the meal, I can recall one such event with Pip and I just hanging around the kitchen and the other kids doing what they usually did to complete their tasks. On this night, Mum and Dad had gone out to a church prayer meeting and we were being looked after by Auntie Phil who was trying to keep up the appearance of the military precision that Mum used for such tasks. I can’t quite remember (I was probably only 5 years old) but I think it was either Margaret or David suddenly screaming with excitement that the furniture factory, which adjoined our backyard, was on fire. Auntie Phil face sunk in horror and disbelief as the rest of the kids rushed to the back windows of the house to get a look. I can remember the ledge of the window sill being over my head and I needed to grab hold of the bottom lip of the window and drag my nose over it to see what was going on the factory was ablaze. I don’t remember much panic but some memories stick with me from that night. I can distinctly remember David getting his birds out of the aviary and the placards with the scripture verses on them (see Mum’s story). Interestingly, I can also remember the method that my bigger brother Sam had used to determine which one of the placards was mine and which one was his. My placard was mostly pink flowers whereas his were a deep shade of red I can remember being very jealous of his placard but I loved mine anyway. I can remember the assembled throng of people that gathered to watch the fire and they spilled through our back gate and down a ramp-like incline of earth that we had in the backyard. When Uncle Howard turned up I can remember him herding these people up like sheep and he drove them out of our property and back onto the footpath and slamming the gate to keep them out good on you I thought. I can remember spending some time down at the Loose’s and some discussion about spending the night at their house or them wanting me to go to sleep there that was a distressing thought for me and as I recall I spend that night back in my own bed with my placard closely by my side.
