Age Is Just a Number

By Cherrill Clough

Emily Saunders, an eighty-five-year-old widow of means, lives in an affluent suburb of Brisbane and has everything she needs, but she is lonely. Her family does not have the time to check on her because of their busy lives. She phones her friend Audrey Thomas, also a widow, and asks her to accompany her on a cruise, and she is delighted. They had been through high school together and are still the best of friends.
During the cruise, there is a talent quest; and as Audrey, also eighty-five, always wanted to be a singer, she entered and won the first and second contests, then was requested by the audience to do concerts, which were well-attended on the ship.
On the cruise, they stopped at a small island that was very little, and the two ladies went to visit the school, which had very little tools, books, and things needed to run any school.
Audrey and Emily decided to start a charity for the school. It was doing really well, and some big company names generously gave their products just for a mention in their advertisement. The women did well and soon outfitted the school from the donations received.
After their second cruise, requested by the company for Audrey to do more concerts on board, they delivered all the goods, and the children did a concert on the ship for thanks and built up a good rapport with the passengers who all wanted to help this poor island school and joined the charity.
They arrived back in Brisbane to the television news showing that a huge cyclone had washed away the homes of the children of the Vitu School and all the terrible devastation. Many families living in the school and hospital on the hill are the only buildings standing fully intact.
The cruise ships couldnt go in for the debris everywhere, so there was no income from the islanders wares.
It was full steam ahead with the charity. Audreys two sons came and voluntarily managed the funds coming in through the charity. Audrey does a huge concert in Brisbane with other supporting acts in a stadium for seventy-five thousand people and kept the charity money building.
There were fifty-six tradesmen of all persuasions who went voluntarily and did an amazing job, all being filmed to show the people where their hard-earned donations had been used for.
From this, Audrey, who has dreamed of having her own concert all her life, made DVDs and CDs that sold out and won awards. They both got humanitarian awards and, after a full-on three years, decided to slow down and take it easy.
This is a wonderful story of love, friendship, family, and human kindness and proves that age is just a number.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Nov 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499025392

Cherrill Clough

Hello, I am originally from New Zealand but have spent the last thirty-three years in Australia. I was an airbrush artist for thirty-eight years, doing photo restoration and portrait colouring; in Real Estate for twenty-three years; and in between, I opened a small restaurant in the Regional City of Maryborough, where I still reside, and loved it. I can say it was the most enjoyable time in my life. I opened my own real estate agency in 2003 and closed in 2013 to retire at seventy and continue writing wholesome family stories for easy reading. I am an avid reader myself and enjoy Sundays to sit with a good book. Enjoy. —Cherrill Clough

Book preview

Chapter 1

S itting in her magnificent lounge overlooking the fabulous city views Emily Saunders, a stately woman in her eighties, reminisced of years gone by. ‘Where have those years gone to? What have I done since the death of my darling husband George four years ago, we had such a wonderful fifty eight years together, a charmed life really? Loneliness was creeping in like a thick fog seeming to take over her thoughts and making her feel dreadfully depressed. ‘Snap out of it Em, don’t dwell on what can’t be resurrected, look at what you have around you, a magnificent home, beautiful furnishings, and a view to die for, how many people are blessed with such luxury in their final years. I should be grateful, not wallowing in self pity, but it is really is so lonely on your own. How I would like George to walk in the door now from his studio and show me one of his masterpieces he has just finished. My goodness, he was a wonderful artist ’ she was thinking as she turned and looked at the walls throughout the lounge, dining room and along the hallway where his beautiful paintings were all framed on display.

Emily had taken up gardening in her sixties and her gardens had won many prizes, but now in her mid eighties she had to employ a gardener for the terraces, as they are just too steep for her to climb, she is never happy with the job he had done, he seems to be a hacker not a pruner. She managed very well the gardens on ground level and they are presently a flush of colour. The crazy paved path that webbed its way through her plants looked lovely, from her entertainment area and kitchen window. There is the beautiful bougainvillea winding its way through the fig tree in the most beautiful shade of puce, with the sun shining on it giving it an unusual eerie glow. The Rose of Sharon with its magnificent show of large pink and white flowers among the apple green foliage, the Star of India growing wildly now with its beautiful striped foliage reaching out in all directions a real talking point, and all the delightful begonias of all shades under planted and in full bloom. How she loved her garden and is always pleased to take time to walk through it every day. She loved the Hoya with its thick juicy leaves and unique style flower of hanging clusters, a definite favourite and the beautiful red rose bush George had planted for her before he passed away, always in flower to let her know he was still close by. Many times she would go out to the patio and have a chat to him. George and Emily had owned a large cruiser, they would always take their friends for a weekend away and George would get ideas for his paintings. One of these times, George suffered a heart attack and didn’t make it back. Since, Emily sold the cruiser and missed their outings as much as she missed him. There seemed to be nothing to look forward to anymore.

The time she spent at the Gardening Club was now getting very bitchy with half the women not agreeing with the charity dollars that would be dispersed and where to and Emily got prickles under her skin when she used to hear them talking about things that would be less beneficial to someone who could use their help. Most of the ladies in her club were ladies who lived a quality lifestyle, the privileged lifestyle they had lived all their lives, not that of the person struggling in the lower suburbs, this is where Emily was different, as she had travelled a lot over the years and seen what dreadful things and places people had to live with, and thought the money they had collected for charity, would be much better spent on someone in need, not on their own needs, which in her eyes was not at all charitable. Hiring a bus for a trip away for the day was not charity in her eyes and she knows she couldn’t stand being in a bus for about six hours at her age. What fun was there in that? So she stuck to her guns, disagreed with the content the other ladies were discussing and finally they decided to do what Emily had suggested in the first place. She felt proud of herself when she left for home for making someone less fortunate have some help from her gardening club sales.

There was a knock on the door and Emily struggled down the stairs with her injured leg to answer. It was a man collecting for the Salvation Army in his uniform and as she had no funds downstairs, she asked him to walk up the path and around to the back door where she would give him some money. She was always wary of people coming to the door for money, but the salvos were a great charity organisation, and gave him twenty dollars. He gave her a receipt and left after admiring her plants and having a five minute chat with her. He had mentioned he was a gardener also, so they had that in common.

‘Well that broke the melancholy, now I should do something to keep me in this good mood’ she thought to herself.

She had slipped on the pavers the week before during a massive hail storm as she was trying to pull some plants under cover and badly hurt her leg when she fell. Never broke anything, but got a very nasty gash in her leg that needed medical attention. She was supposed to rest it for a few days, but her rest, no way!

Emily arose again from her comfy lounge chair and decided to go out and prune what was needed in the garden as she always enjoyed fiddling with the plants. She was trimming away the dead leaves and flowers when all of a sudden she just burst into tears and shook violently with the sobs coming from deep in her soul. This had been building up for some time but she never let things get to her, but today for some reason it just surfaced and she just had to let it out. She walked over to the red rose bush and talked through sobs to George of how much she missed him and how lonely she was feeling and thought she would phone Audrey her friend of seventy one years and see if she would like to plan a trip with her. She is tired of living alone. The family would pop in every now and then and perhaps a granddaughter would bring a friend over for a swim in the pool, but they never spent more than five minutes with Gran, never for one minute thinking how lonely she must be in this beautiful big home on her own, night and day, week in week out. They would never think she could possibly be lonely as she had money, fabulous things, wanted for nothing, so she must be happy with her life. How wrong they are, everyone is so busy they think of no one but themselves, and now with technology taking over the world, its worse. They don’t phone anymore, just send a message on their phone, the personal contact has gone out the door. Emily went inside and picked up the phone and dialled her best friend Audrey’s number. She lives in Bundaberg four hours north.

Hello, Audrey here

Hi Aud how are you, it’s Em?

Whoa Em, you sound so down love, is anything wrong?

Aud I feel so lonely, really alone and I can’t shake the feeling, I’ve had it for weeks now, I was wondering if you would like to come on a cruise with me just to get away and have a break from the house?

It sounds good to me Em. When did you think of going?

Well, I had to know if you would come with me first, and if you have any preference where we go?

You make the booking and I will be there with you love. I have no preference just being with you will be fun for me Em.

Thanks Aud, I will give you another call when I’ve organised everything.

Alright Em, I’ll look forward to your call. Emily put the phone down and a huge smile graced her still beautiful face. She’s an elegant woman, dresses well in what suits her tall, straight, lean figure. Her shoulder length silver hair is beautifully coiffure, always immaculate, as are her nails and makeup when she goes out. She never overdid anything, but always looked the classy lady she is.

She went straight into her office got onto the phone and called a couple of travel agencies to see what cruise ships were doing a fourteen night cruise in the next month or two. She never had a computer and had no intentions of getting one. If she wrote a letter she did so in her graceful flowing handwriting to whom ever, none of this tap a typewriter and press send. ‘Where is the friendliness in that’ she’d say.

There is a P&O cruise at the end of the month, is she interested, they asked so she gave them her details along with Audrey’s and said she would be in to see them in a few days with the payment.

Two days later Emily arrived at the Agency and wrote the cheque for both her and Audrey. She wanted a twin portside veranda cabin with en suite and was given what she had asked for on the Pacific Princess, a very lovely ship that would be leaving from Sydney. The Agent said there would be a driver waiting at the airport to take them down to the ship and it would be a long procedure to wait before boarding the ship, so as she and her friend are in their eighties he thought they should arrive an hour before the ship leaves, the queue of hundreds would be less by then.

Emily thanked them very much and went back home and rang Audrey who was all excited and had been out and bought a few nice new things to wear out for dinner on the ship. She had nice day things but really went nowhere at night, so bought a couple of nice evening style dresses.

Hi Aud, I have our tickets and flight tickets, I thought it would be good for you to fly down here the day before so we both flew to Sydney together. What do you think?

Great idea Em, I will be down on the morning worker’s flight that leaves here at seven and gets there at eight thirty, how does that sound?

Great, I will meet you at the airport and we will taxi there the next day.

That sounds like a plan Em. I am so excited. We haven’t done anything like this for years.

I know, and I’m so happy to know you are as excited as I am.

No matter what Em, we will enjoy being together and make our own fun and just enjoy being together again. John my eldest is looking after Holly, he’s really happy I’m going with you. He said he wouldn’t let my dog stop me from enjoying this opportunity. He is such a lovely boy.

Boy Aud, he’s fifty eight!!

I know Em, but to me he’s still my boy.

Fair enough Aud. At least you see yours, I rarely see mine.

Yes I do Em, they all pop around and see me. John’s son Shane does my lawns now and does a brilliant job, so that has been a saving for me.

Well it’s nice to know your family are there for you Audrey.

I see at least one of them every few days, but of course they all have their own families now with their sport and jobs, they just pop in for a cuppa and John and Lisa will have dinner with me on a Wednesday night. It does get lonely, and since Warren died two years ago, I find myself like you, lonely, very alone at night and always pleased to go to Bingo to be with people. Do you still go to the Gardeners Club?

Yes, but they are getting a bit bitchy for me, so for how much longer I don’t know.

Bitchiness can spoil everything Em, every time.

So I’m finding out Aud. Better be going as it’s only two weeks until we go and I have heaps to arrange and don’t forget to make a will before we go if you haven’t one already, just in case.

I made mine when Warren died so suddenly. I don’t have what you have though, but the two boys get it equally anyway. I have provided for the four grandkids only ten thousand each toward a car or uni which ever they like.

That’s a lovely thought Aud. They will never forget you for doing that. I had better be going. See you in a fortnight.

Bye Em.

Emily put the phone down and said to herself ‘you sure are a great pal Audrey, you have made my spirits fly.’ With a new spring in her step she went through to her bedroom to see what she would pack and if anything needed to go to the dry cleaners. ‘Mmm I could do with a few new things myself I think, I’ll take a leaf from your book Audrey and buy a few nice new clothes for the trip.’

Her leg, although still sore and bandaged she hoped would be healed when she went to the ship. She decided to go shopping tomorrow to one of the shopping centres where Myer and David Jones are as she is sure to find things she would enjoy wearing, so up early showered and in her car at nine am and off to the mall. It wasn’t so busy at this hour, so she just walked on through and to the ladies wear and chose two evening style dresses one in black falling from under the bust with the top done in black lace and beaded with black beads in the lace, with three quarter see through lace sleeves and covered her old arms nicely. The other is a chiffon style in blue with a jewel encrusted belt and matching around the wrists, very soft and attractive. She also saw a pair of evening pants in black with wide legs and she bought a cream top with three quarter sleeves and gold embroidery on the collar and turned up cuffs. Very elegant. She also bought a new pair of black patent plain court shoes with a medium heel she had a nice silver pair at home she could wear with the blue dress.

Happy with her purchases she went down to the car park and home. For the first time in months she was humming to herself, she could feel the difference immediately from when Audrey said yes.

Chapter 2

T uesday had arrived and Emily went to the domestic airport to meet Audrey. She saw her alighting from the plane and walked over to the door to meet her. She held out her arms and Audrey fell into the big hug they always gave each other when they met. It was now just over two years from Warren, Audrey’s husband’s funeral since they had seen each other, but they did keep in touch on the phone periodically.

They had met at College when they were fourteen and went through Uni together and had never lost touch since then. They had been each others chief bridesmaid at their weddings and Godparents to each others children, so there was a special and very close bond there.

Audrey married first. Warren was a builder and for some reason always seemed to be struggling. She was a Law typist/secretary for a few years after they were married until the children came along, then she became a mother and housewife and it never changed. She is slightly chubby, about five foot two, has a beautiful face with an open smile. She has short cropped brunette hair she wears in a chic style and has coloured regularly along with her nails she has manicured at the same time. Audrey is liked by everyone who has the pleasure of meeting her, dresses in what suits her shape and loves bling. She truly is a fun person to be with and just the right medicine for Emily right now. No one would ever guess she is eighty five.

Oh Em it’s just so great to see and be with you, we are going to have a marvellous time. How is your leg?

Good actually, the doctor said I don’t need to keep it covered now, so I’m pleased about that. I also bought a couple of new things. I mostly wear skirts and blouses but decided on some slacks and evening pants. I think you’ll like what I bought.

You rang me just at the right time Em, I was thinking of going on a Seniors Bus Trip and I had to pay for my ticket today, so I think it’s fate you rang and we will surely have a terrific time.

Well that was my lucky day Aud, I was so depressed and went into the garden and started talking to George at the rose bush and just fell into a blubbering mess. That was when I rang you as I thought I should do something to get away from the house, and two lovely weeks on the open sea will do the trick I reckon.

I have to agree Em, absolutely.

They went on back to Emily’s. She had baked during the morning a lovely spicy slice loaf and they both sat and enjoyed it along with a fresh cuppa on the veranda overlooking the remarkable city views in the distance.

This view is absolutely amazing Em. It would cost a fortune today to get something like this.

Yes, I’m sure it would Aud. Graham wants me to sell and move into a unit near the city, but it isn’t my thing and I have a fear of being closed in and the only way to get to them is by lift. Even though the ones he has shown me are three bedrooms they seem somewhat cramped and nowhere to put plants on the tiny patios but the view was always gorgeous. So I have told him to scrap that idea.

Mmm, honestly Em I can’t see you living in a unit really, not after living in this spacious and gracious home. The million dollar view is amazing and looks terrific at night with the city lights going, even if you do find it a bit hard to keep up with, you are in the position to pay for someone to come and do the things you no longer can manage. You love your garden so much and what would you do with your time every day. No …. I think you should stay right where you are and keep enjoying the scenery.

That’s what I like about you Aud, straight to the point and a good point there too, I must say. Do you want some more tea?

Yes thanks Aud, I would love some more of that buttered slice too please. You always were a lovely cook and you haven’t lost your touch.

Thanks, I enjoy it too, but there really isn’t anyone to cook for these days. If Chelsea or Alison come over for a swim they usually bring a friend and I never see them, they just call out Hi Gran we’re here for a swim and then see ya Gran as they leave. Don’t even come inside to say hello. Honestly it really does hurt sometimes Aud.

I would have thought the girls would come and have a drink with you, that’s a shame Em, a damned shame. Perhaps they have no idea how lonely you are feeling, have you ever discussed it with Graham and Georgie?

Well not in so many words, but I think they should know how lonely it is. Every time they phone I am always here on my own. Their lives are still so busy all the time I just don’t want to cause a fuss.

We will just put it behind us for now and enjoy our time together and talk about it later Em. It is really important you are not so stressed from loneliness.

You must think me ungrateful for all I have and bitching about being lonely.

No Em, not at all. You can be a multi millionaire and be lonely. Money and assets have nothing to do with it. I must admit I feel it too, that’s why I was going on the Senior’s bus trip for a fortnight, to have company. The boys are both busy with their companies and wives both work and the grandson’s I see now and then but they all play sport in a big way, so they are either at practice or playing matches, when Shane does my lawns he comes in and has some afternoon tea with me, but that’s it, although I am spoilt when John and Lisa come every Wednesday night for dinner. I always cook a lamb roast and cook extra vegies for the next couple of meals. Lisa always brings some sort of dessert, bought of course, but always nice.

I know that’s what I’m missing, so I might try and do it the way you are when we get back.

Once you mention it Emily they might just surprise you and do what Lisa and John do. It’s always something to look forward to. Of course I do go to Bingo some nights, but that’s for company also. People forget we once had busy lives, and now they just think we’re ready for the scrap heap. Well trust me Emily Saunders, I am in no way ready for that scrap heap yet!!

It is so good to have you here Audrey, what a wonderful life we have had all these years and to always be in touch it possibly is a record.

It’s quite possible Em. They got up from the table cleared the plates and went for a stroll arm in arm out in the garden which is a mass of bright coloured blooms at the present time, Emily telling her about the massive storm that broke off heaps of branches and flowers and bruised most of the plants, however, they seemed to be recovering well.

After an early night they are both up at eight and Emily had packed her bag two days before and just had to put her makeup, pills and lotions into her carry bag. They both had suitcases with wheels which are much easier to handle and knew the taxi driver would fetch them. They are flying from the domestic airport at twelve thirty and are ready by eleven when the taxi arrived. He is a pleasant man and nothing is too much for these delightful older ladies.

You both look a treat if I may be so bold as to mention it

Thank you, we have been best friends for seventy years and are going on a cruise.

That is one heck of a long friendship, ladies. You go and enjoy yourselves.

Thank you driver, we will. said Audrey.

They arrived at the domestic and he took their bags out and offered to take them into the terminal.

That’s very gracious of you sir, but we are pretty independent really, even though we are in our mid eighties, we manage said Emily.

Well perhaps you could do with some pampering, so I am happy to roll them in for you.

Thank you then, we will accept your kindness.

He put the two cases together and took them in while the ladies followed. He took them to the counter and told the lady they were too old to stand in a queue and she took them in immediately.

Emily took out her wallet and asked for the bill and he said

I wish you both a great trip. It has been my shout today you spend it on having a good time.

Thank you so much they both said in unison and he kissed them both goodbye.

Have a great time, I may see you again sometime. And he waved as he left the building.

Wow wasn’t that amazing, what a nice and caring guy.

Yes Aud, it must be we look well over the hill. said Emily with a cackle in her voice and a huge smile over her lovely face.

Well Em, I think we remind him of his grandmother and would like people to respect her the way he respected us.

Mmm, maybe you’re right Aud, it was an expression of kindness that’s for sure.

They were through the gates to where the planes left from and had tons of time so decided to have a cuppa and watch everyone go by.

Do you remember when we were girls Em and used to sit at the tearooms and watch what the others wore, my goodness they dress half naked these days. Imagine what our mothers would have thought, shock horror!!

Yes Aud, and even in those days we saw some sights, didn’t we?

Sure did.

Their flight number was called and they picked up their hand baggage then went to where they are to board the plane. They walked in and shown where their seats are then a hostess bought them a plastic glass of orange juice each.

That was refreshing, lovely and sweet. Emily said to Audrey.

The captain started to talk and said they would be in Sydney at a certain time and to enjoy the flight.

We intend to, don’t we Em?

Absolutely.

The flight was over the land and they could see below really clearly and when they flew over the coastal areas the surf beaches looked picture perfect from where they were.

Arriving in Sydney the plane had a smooth landing and Emily said to wait until everyone had left as they would be in the crush, so they just sat and watched until it was their time to alight the plane and out in the arrival hall they saw the man holding a card with Emily’s name on and they introduced themselves.

He collected their bags from the turntable and proceeded to walk them to his taxi. It was all starting to get real now and both were starting to get butterflies in their stomachs.

Remind me to give you a seasick pill before we go on board, the doctor suggested it.

Thanks Em I will. The driver took them up to the front of the line and told the staff he was asked to do this by the travel agent as both ladies are in their mid eighties and didn’t think it would do them any good standing in the heat for hours.

We are expecting them Jeff, thanks for bringing them right in. said the man looking at passports and papers. He asked them for theirs and their tickets and processed them straight away and said their bags would be delivered to their suite.

They both thanked him and he showed them where to go to get onto the ship, they followed his instructions and were in the foyer in no time where there was someone to take them to their room. When they arrived they were delighted and as they had taken their pill an hour before could easily handle the slight movement of the ship.

At just on four the sound of the horns were to warn everyone they are about to move from the wharf and on their way out to sea. They went upstairs to the deck, it was windy but not too cold and when they arrived they were offered a drink in a tall plastic glass. They asked for orange juice.

It was a thrill to be on the deck and go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and notice the ship almost touched the steel above, but no doubt the captain knew what he was doing and they glided under coming out the other side and seeing all the tall buildings of Sydney with the late afternoon sun shining on the windows giving them a gold glow and the amazing Opera House. It is a fantastic sight.

They stayed there until they passed through the heads and went back to their cabin where there was a note to say they are at the first dinner sitting at six thirty.

Well that’s good, I think they have some sort of show on tonight so we may be able to go there after dinner Aud, what do you think?

Whatever suits Em. Let’s go for a walk so we can get our bearings for about half an hour.

Good idea. So they had a look through the ship and were pleased with what they had seen so far. Very impressed with the library and there were a few sitting there reading already. For Audrey this was like being with royalty, the carpets are plush and beautiful rich tones. The furniture is elegant and Audrey though it was so nice to be in something so beautiful, even Emily was very impressed with the décor and furnishings. They found the huge dining room and would be back there in an hour for their dinner. They noticed the tables are round which makes for better conversation with people.

They wandered back to their room and got changed for dinner and the show and were back down an hour later. They were shown to a table where twelve people would be seated and are of all ages. There are three couples in their sixties and the others are single women in their fifties. They all chatted and introduced themselves. They are from all parts of Australia which made it interesting. Two couples are from the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane.

The meal was delicious and beautifully presented. Three courses, and a dinner roll that was baked on the ship that day, with the crispy crust which was so tasty. The waiting staff are just lovely, always there to please and ‘you really don’t notice the ship moving at all’ remarked Audrey.

They all mentioned they are going to the show after dinner and looking forward to some first class entertainment.

When they had finished their coffees the Cruise Director came and asked the people who are attending the show to please follow him and be seated as the show was to start in fifteen minutes. The second sitting people have another show on after their meal and there are a couple of dance areas on board as well.

Emily and Audrey are almost first in line and they all strolled to the spacious entertainment lounge setup for shows and movies.

Well this is lovely Aud don’t you think?

Very nice Em, and roomy too. I forgot to see what the show is about tonight, did you look Em?

No, but I’m sure we will enjoy it, better than sitting at home isn’t it Audrey?

Sure is, I’m so pleased you rang me.

The lights went down and the music started, there is a five