RAT TAILS ADVENTURE SERIES
Dock Town Mayor And Mayoress GRAHAM VIVIAN LANCASTER
For Sydney Jade Lancaster.
L TRAYBERRY PRESS
ALEXANDER HOUSE Incorporating
TRAYBERRY PRESS 29 Howick Road Pietermaritzburg 0836388813 Copyright 2011 Graham Vivian Lancaster Copyright 2011 in this published edition TRAYBERRY PRESS All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and publisher. First published 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9870146-1-0
Cover design: G. V. Lancaster / Maxine Wicks Photography: Graham Vivian Lancaster Art work: Amber Wicks Distributed by Trayberry Book Distributors. Cell: 0836388813 Tel: 033 - 3427978
Works by the author: NOVELS:
Wind Song Storm Song Strength Of ten Thermocline
SELF HELP: Everyone Can Do It Its Never Too Late Surviving The Ladder The Cost Of Money Who’s Shrinking Your Money? The Happy Customer POETRY:
HUMOUR:
Marks On My Soul Gypsey Whale Song Gravel Roads Fledgeling African Ride Moments of Truth Picaroon Journeys Rusty Gates Poetry Study Guide Bert and Co. Bert Another Story Nothing For Mahala
ADVENTURE SERIES: Wild and Dangerous + Study Guide Secrets of the Sea Cyclone Tracy Wrath Of The Gods Dangerous Alliances When The Earth Thunders + Study Guide Awakening Africa Flying With Eagles Over The Edge + Study Guide ******************* The Adventurous Life Of Rory Flint Rat To Riches Dock Town Mayor and Mayoress
MM I pulled the tractor gently to a halt outside our front fence and Jasmine and I sat looking up the avenue of huge palm trees that Fattyrat had brought in on a low bed truck. A mechanical digger had dug the holes and a crane used to replant the trees, with instant lawn rolled out in between. Neat lines of bright flowers planted three tiers deep, each of their own colour, bordered the tarred driveway and the perimeters of the palm tree holes. “Zelda Avenue,” Jasmine proudly read the polished brass letters on the black granite plaque set into a massive rock at the entrance. She had insisted we name it in memory of my mother and I was pleased. Green lawn rolled away from the ornate front concrete fence, round the swimming pool, the rose garden bursting with colour and up to the house. “This is the most magnificent house I have ever seen, Antonio. It is truly outstanding.” It was an imposing building and there was a regular flow of expensive cars from Boom Town and Boom Town Heights driving slowly past to look at it, as well as all the dockers who took a stroll with their families of an evening to check on its development. It had captured our friendly reporter’s imagination and she had followed its progress with regular features in the newspaper and interviews with Jasmine, which kept everyone informed, but more than that, it kept Dock Town fresh in the reader’s minds and had placed us firmly on the map. “It has taken a while longer than anticipated with all the changes we wanted made, but we should move in next week, Jaz.” “I don’t mind waiting, Antonio because we are getting exactly what we want, and as you said, we are only building once.” We had been scouring The Heights and Boom town for furniture to fill it and placed it in storage, to be delivered as soon as we were able to move in. Jasmine had purchased furniture
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for the three floors and had it stored in three different warehouses, each piece tagged with its floor number and exactly where it would go so there wouldn’t be any confusion. She would have it delivered one floor at a time, room by room as soon as we were ready to move in and I admired her efficiency. More to the point would be, Jasmine had send Martinez and his wife to scour Boom Town Heights, Boom Town and Rat Town with a list of what she required as she was too busy with the orphanage and other Mayoress duties. Martinez and his wife had enjoyed themselves, finding suitable pieces and putting them on hold until Jasmine, and sometimes myself as well could get in to see whether they were suitable. Sometimes a man has to get involved in these things, or he shouldn’t criticise later. “Talk about cutting it fine with the wedding on Saturday, my darling,” she was worried and yet there was a quizzical look on her face which I didn’t understand. “Even if the whole house isn’t quite ready, Jaz, our section of the top floor is and Fattyrat assures me we can move in without a problem while they put in the final touches downstairs. It’s all small stuff that needs doing, so there won’t be any sawing or banging.” “Seriously, Antonio. Is it complete?” “Yes it is, I asked him this morning. When last were you up there, Jaz?” “It has been a while,” she admitted. “Should we have a look at it now?” “Yes, let’s.” She jumped down off the tractor and we walked paw in paw up Zelda Avenue towards the house. It just seemed to grow larger and larger with each step we took towards it. I looked up at the tops of the palm trees with their fronds rustling gently in the breeze high above us and everything seemed so big. “What are you looking at, Antonio?” “Everything is so big!” I said in a small voice. “Yes it is, but I’m sure we will get used to it.
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The front door was a sailing ship made of stainless steel, the ‘Santa Maria,’ upon which my forefathers had crewed and discovered Africa. Some of them had returned from Madeira and Portugal to settle here. Some say Santa Maria was a nickname for the Portuguese ship Säo Gabriel of Vasco DaGama, which is a good enough explanation for me as I like the name. Although the door was huge, Jetcat had been true to his word and balanced it correctly so it swung open at a push. Workers were busy putting the final touches to the two lower floors and they greeted as we made our way past and up the stairs to the top floor. Fattyrat had installed a door at the top of the flight of steps, so the third floor could be locked off from workers. I opened it and we went through. We walked from room to room, checking everything was complete. We opened and closed the water taps to make sure supply had been connected. There was hot and cold water and all the toilets flushed. All the lights were working at the flick of their switches. The turrets had been fitted out with a low table and benches, which were awaiting cushions. “These will be fabulous for entertaining, Antonio,” Jasmine said as she looked over the parapet at the ships. They looked much smaller from up here and I thought this really was our castle. “Yes it will be, but I thought this could be just for you and me when we want to relax and read, or sit and watch the sunset.” “That is a far better idea, Antonio. Guests can be entertained in the lounge and on the deck.” “You can have that one and I will have this one when you are fighting with me,” I joked and she took my arm and looked earnestly into my eyes. “I will never fight with you, Antonio. We might disagree on some things but I will never fight with you.” Her green eyes were so serious and I believed her. “Me neither, Jaz, Life is far too short for nonsense.” “There is no point in being together if we are going to fight.” I nodded agreement. “Are you happy that it is all in order?” I asked.
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“I am pleasantly surprised and think we should have the trucks begin to deliver the third floor furniture tomorrow. What do you think?” “We might as well, seeing as it is all ready and Saturday is coming.” I took her in my arms and kissed her. “Phew, my darling, now I see why you want to keep the turrets private. Saturday is coming just in time,” she fanned her face with her paw. “Chico and Indi will be pleased because although they haven’t said anything, I know they are worried they won’t have a house to move into when they get married in two weeks.” “I know. Indi keeps asking about progress on our house. She has been working day and night, waitressing and getting tips, sewing for the boutique - doing anything that will bring in quick money.” “Chico too. He is working round the clock and is really doing well. As soon as he has written his exams and has his trade papers he will be going out on his own and we have plenty of work lined up for him.” “You certainly gave him hope when you showed him he could be his own man, Antonio.” “He is a fine man and I’m really happy with the quality of his work, and to have him as a brother in law, Jaz.” “Mom is so happy you showed her how wrong she was about him and Indi is walking on clouds,” Jasmine said happily. “Every one of us has a path to walk, Jaz. Sometimes we can’t reach it because people block it off, but determination and sometimes a little help, allow us to find it. Chico has taken the paths offered, which is leading to the one he is meant to be on.” “It’s like tributaries to a stream. Eventually they all find the river and make it strong,” Jaz smiled. “That’s it,” I said looking at her afresh. She was changing daily, coming out of herself with the confidence everyone was showing in her, seeking her advice and trusting her judgement and she was blossoming like a beautiful flower. Esmeralda was spending a lot of time with her, fetching her and whisking her off to Boom Town Heights in the limo for lunch
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at the Yacht Club with Maria Delgado and councillors wives, slowly introducing her to the role of Mayoress. Each encounter and outing grew Jasmine’s determination to change the docks and she sometimes amazed me with her suggestions and plans. Not once did she think of moving to Boom Town Heights but her patriotism for Dock Town grew stronger every day. New friends sought her company and took her shopping, meeting with friends and generally introducing her and showing her off. Through all of this sudden upliftment, Jasmine would often take Mom or Indigo with and I admired her for not forgetting her roots. Jasmine, Indigo, Chico and I arranged for Martinez to fetch us of a Saturday evening and we went out as a foursome to Club Zanzibar or Satchmos, where we sometimes met Esmeralda and Julio, Maria and Silva. Fattyrat and Jetcat joined us with their wives and Docmouse had found himself a fine lady mouse to accompany him. Mom and Jao sometimes joined us as well. Martinez was a wise rat and a decent man of integrity, who often sat speaking to us and passing on tips of wisdom we greatly appreciated. Sometimes he would call down at the docks of his own accord to watch the progress. “You are building a magnificent house Mr. Mayor,” he said and no matter how I tried to get him to call me Antonio, he had decided we were Mr. Mayor and Mrs. Mayoress. On one occasion he confided in me that he had taken a flying chance and backed Jasmine and I getting engaged on the first night, after speaking to her in the taxi when he had taken her shopping. His winnings had boosted his retirement fund and he was much happier, because driving his cab was no longer something he was forced to do until all hours of the night. Consequently, his wife was much happier too. “You changed my life, Mr. Mayor.” “Ah Martinez, you saw the chance of an open road and took the risk,” I laughed. On two occasions we had taken all the sisters and Chico dancing and dining. Manny and Alfonso had joined us after I
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chatted to Mom, but they, Honey and Daisy were careful not to abuse the privilege. Everything was changing, No longer were we trapped by convention and stifled by chaperones. We were all together, we all stuck to the rules and consequently had Millie’s trust and our freedom. “Antonio,” Jasmine shook me by the arm. “Yes?” “Where have you disappeared to? I am talking to you but you are far away.” “I was thinking how our lives have changed, Jasmine. How we can go out together and stay out late – how you are changing – how confident and strong you are becoming.” “Is that becoming a problem, Antonio?” she watched me worriedly. “No it isn’t. I need someone strong in my life,” I laughed, “Someone?” she had a cocky look in her eyes. “Someone – like you,” I kept a straight face. “Someone - like - me,” she put her paw on her hip, squinting her eyes. “You are even more beautiful when you try to be angry, Jaz.” “Oh Antonio! Say it properly!” she demanded. “I need Jasmine Wing – strong and resilient - in my life.” “That’s much better, Antonio. The Mayor should always choose his words carefully.” “And the Mayoress?” I asked. “The Mayoress is the luckiest woman in the whole world, Mr. Mayor.” She was suddenly in my arms, hugging and kissing me. “The Mayoress is always right, Jaz,” I said quietly and she nodded agreement. We walked round the outside of the castle, looked in the servants homes and the motor home. It was huge and our paw steps and voices echoed. “What will we put in here to need all of this space, Antonio?” Jasmine looked quizzically at me. “We could have a party in here,” I suggested but she saw the twinkle in my eye and smiled.
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