Home and
Colonial
by Ian Curtress
It was a
lovely residential road and he always felt a
little guilty at using it as a rat run but it did
take twenty minutes off his journey and he missed
a lot of traffic.
A learner driver slowed the cars down and he had
time on that morning to look more closely at the
houses.
There was an elderly distinctive looking man
leaning on his gate and he was aware he was there
most mornings but he had not really taken any
notice.
The traffic moved on and he continued his journey
to work.
One morning the man made a friendly gesture
towards him and he acknowledged with a smile.
This became the norm, smiles all round until one
morning he was again in slow traffic and had time
to look at the house.
It had Colonial style which seemed to fit the
owner. Ex civil servant, Colonial service?
That evening he reminisced on an unsettling
period in his life caused by the Colonial Service.
His Father was in that Service and it took its
toll on his Mother, as it did with many wives.
Moving all over the world at short notice and
trying to bring up a family.
The inevitable happened, they agreed to part. It
was a civilised separation where my Father gave
full support, had no wish to divorce but a clean
break and no contact which they thought would be
best for their Son.
They were right. They settled down to a stable
life, no tug of love to cause disruption.
Had a very happy life until his Mother passed
away, then he wished they had family.
Strange how all this pulled from the past by a
house in colonial style.
His routine continued, same time in the mornings,
down what had become “his route”
A smile and nod to the gent at the gate which he
now looked forward to.
It was six or seven months later when he wasn’t
at his gate. He felt cheated. How juvenile!
But it had been two weeks now and no sign.
He had to admit to a strange discomfort and so on
his way home he stopped and knocked at the door.
It was answered by an attractive lady some 10
years his junior.
He explained who he was and his concern.
There was no need explain she said it was as if
she already knew him and the interest he had
given her Father.
He was immediately at home in her company which
he found slightly unsettling but very pleasant.
Yes, her Father had been in the Colonial Service,
she had never known her Mother.
A remark he didn’t pursue.
He passed away two weeks ago quite peacefully and
lucid.
But she added, his last words were a little
confusing.
He opened his eyes for the last time and said
“he has his Mothers smile”!
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