@ Fran brought tears to my eyes. A loving family and friends are priceless.
Tim and Susan’s son need male support. We can be romantic at times. My story contains sadness, deliberate lies, subterfuge, and gratuitous sex. So, if you think you will be offended look away now.
In early 2010 my MIL was diagnosed with liver cancer. She and surgeon agreed that an operation was unlikely to be successful. Late September that year my 16-year-old daughter’s school year went to Italy, Rome – Florence – Venice. Daughter was asked to be one of the team leaders. As time got closer MIL and wife were anxious as in case of emergency as it was around 26hrs flying time away. So, with 2 weeks before fly out time, at MIL stubborn insistence ( a DNA eagerly passed onto my wife and then to daughters with granddaughters showing glimpses of it) it was decided that my wife, 2 of her brothers and I should shadow at a discreet distance for the 4 weeks as backup. MIL did not want to impede granddaughters’ development. And you just do not argue with her. We had a marvellous time. Prognoses was under palliative care that MIL had about 4-6 months. A little optimistic, died 2 days after we returned.
My wife, first born and only daughter was devastated that she was not in Perth to be with her mum for her last few weeks. All our relatives, friends and others tried to console and comfort her. She cried frequently and castigated herself for not being at home. Gave me a hard time over the most trivial of things.
As we approached the first anniversary, I had a round table with my children who suggested that perhaps cruising in southern Asia/Pacific would be a good idea as she had shown an interest in cruising a couple of times. Had a chat with a local Travel Agent but I was a bit late for booking the times I wanted. He had just that day received a deal offered by Garuda Airlines for Nusa Dua Bali. Nusa Dua is Bali’s Riviera. 5 Star resorts. So, I took it on the spot. 7 Days @ what is now Grand Hyatt Bali, a generous meal, and drinks allowance, return airfares and a couple of other sweeteners. Bali is known as a northern suburb of Perth, only a little over 3.5 hours flight time away. Popular with us. A good mate sponsors a Balinese taxi driver and his family. He is flat out taxing our group of extended friends.
Had to get my wife’s passport details without rousing suspicion. Had our son in UK ask his mum to urgently scan the front details page of her passport because his security clearance was being reviewed. My children and I told her we had to do likewise. So, when she did that, I took her passport for safe keeping.
I then had to get her to the international airport. She was still working, did not have to, but in her words “gave me some independence and could replace you with a toyboy if you do not do what you are told.” Her brother had clients, two young men who needed guidance in building a business in mining support. Accounting, reporting and other controls. For three odd years she had been in her element as she had two young men and others to boss about. They and I lured her to the airport with a story that one of my merchant banker mates and a board member from FIAT Machinery were making a visit to open up opportunities to sell mine processing machinery, bringing their wives who had not been to Perth previously, and it was thought that a local female who could speak a little Italian would be a good idea as a welcoming party. She easily took the bait, had no idea what was going down. The women who worked for her in the office thought I would not get away with it.
