think it’s more than just a job, Sarah.’
‘You’re probably right.’
Emma had been enrolled in Queens Grammar School, a newly created Anglican school servicing Ballarat and surrounding areas.
Mathew’s hotel was within walking distance of the school and they began their journey to a new life together. Mathew held Emma’s right hand, Sarah, her left, as they approached the impressive building and entered the front gates. Emma had some trepidation, Mathew was full of hope, and Sarah was concerned she may soon lose her job.
There was a blackboard in the foyer directing first-year pupils to proceed to classroom 1B. When they entered the classroom, they were confronted with some boys and girls crying, begging their parents not to leave, but the majority of pupils were quietly seated at their desks.
The teacher, Miss Woods, welcomed Emma to Queens and suggested she sit next to a girl who also had her hair plaited. Her name was Jane.
The first day at school mainly comprised of Miss Woods reading The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley.
The class also partook in some very messy finger painting; fortunately, they were all given smocks to wear.
At 3 pm, Sarah along with the mothers of the children who waited outside the classroom to walk their children home.
‘Is this your mummy?’ Jane asked. ‘Emma, she’s pretty.’
‘No, she’s my nanny. I don’t have a mummy.’
‘How come?’ asked Jane.
‘My mummy died when having me.’
‘Oh, that’s sad.’
‘My nanny makes up for it. She takes care of me.’
Mathew felt it was best to keep Emma’s history a secret from her. He hadn’t decided whether he would divulge the truth when she was much older.
When Emma and Sarah arrived back at the Golden Nugget Mathew was waiting for them with a surprise to announce.
‘So, young lady how was your first day at school?’
‘It was good thank you, Daddy.’
‘Well, tell me all about it.’
‘We did finger painting. Here, I brought you my painting. The teacher also read to us.’
‘Did you make any new friends?’
‘Yes, Jane. She’s my best friend.’
‘That’s wonderful! Do you feel like going for a walk with me now? I’ve got something to show you.’
‘Yes, that sounds exciting.’
‘I’d like you to come with us Sarah. I’d like you to see it as well.’
‘Sounds interesting, Mathew.’
The three of them walked down the main street of Ballarat and then turned into Lyons Street where Mathew stopped in front of a beautiful home.
‘So, ladies, what do you think?’
‘It’s beautiful, Mathew,’ said Sarah.
‘Who lives in there, Daddy?’
‘You do darling! This is our new home.’
‘Really? Can we go inside?’
‘Of course we can. It’s our house.’
‘You never cease to amaze me, Mathew,’ said Sarah, shaking her head.
They all walked up the front path… well, Emma ran up the pathway.
As they approached the front door, Mathew turned to Sarah and said, ‘I’ve decided to call the residence Abernethy House after my parents’ estate in England.’
‘I’ve heard of Abernethy Manor. Is that your family estate Mathew?’
‘Yes, it’s been in my family since Henry VIII’s rule.’
‘Again, you never cease to amaze me.’
‘Come on Sarah, I’ll show you through.’
The house was magnificent. It boasted a large living room and dining room and also an extensive library. There were six bedrooms including the master, plus a large kitchen with two wood-fired ovens.
‘Emma, which bedroom would you like, darling?’ asked her father.
‘I don’t care as long as it’s next to yours, Daddy.’
Both Mathew and Sarah laughed.
‘What about you, Sarah?’
‘I don’t mind as long as it’s next to yours.’
They smiled at one another.
‘Seriously do you have a preference?’
‘Well, I think I should be close to Emma just in case she needs me through the night.’
‘Right, well, that’s settled! Everybody is happy with their sleeping arrangements. We move into Abernethy in two weeks’ time, so we’d better all get organised.’
As they were walking back to the hotel, Sarah enquired why Mathew had decided to purchase the house.
Mathew shrugged. ‘I just thought it was time Emma grew up in a normal environment. Living in a pub is hardly normal.’
The Disadvantaged
Gordon Huston, Emma’s biological brother, took an entirely different path after his mother gave up the twins. Soon after birth, he was taken to the Ballarat and District Orphanage to be cared for and housed.
He received no real attention. The only time he felt the touch of another human being was when he was given his bottle at feeding time or his nappy was changed.
As he developed into a toddler, he began to experience the wrath of his carers. Beatings were not uncommon for the simplest of misdemeanours.
In winter, he slept in a cold, dank dormitory with thirty-nine other orphan boys. Ballarat had a reputation for being freezing cold in winter and stifling hot in summer and the orphanage was not designed to handle either.
At the age of five, he attended the orphanage school where he learnt to read and write at a very elementary
