When news came that The Bonny Ismay had been sighted on her way into Fremantle, Bram let out a cry of joy and grabbed Isabella, twirling her round the shop.
Customers stopped to smile at his obvious happiness and when he realised everyone was staring, he gave a shamefaced smile and announced, ‘My sister’s about to arrive from Singapore.’
He heard someone say that he was a good family man. He hoped he was. He loved to have his family around him. That was a better reward for his hard work than any money, as far as he was concerned, though the money had helped make it possible.
Isabella poked him in the ribs. ‘Go on. Get yourself down to the harbour and see her in. You’ll be no use here today.’
‘You’ll go home and get things started?’
‘As soon as I’ve finished serving Mrs Greenhalgh. We’ve got it all planned, though. We’ll just enjoy their company tonight, and then we’ll have the big family party in a day or two.’
Letting out a sigh of pure happiness, Bram walked down to the harbour, taking his time, not caring that clouds were gathering and it looked as if some autumn rain was about to fall. He stood waiting for the ship to come in, oblivious to everything but the joy welling inside him.
It seemed to take a long time, but eventually the schooner was close enough to the jetty for him to make out his sister so clearly that he didn’t need to ask if she was well. Rosy-cheeked, her dark hair flying in the breeze, she waved vigorously, jigging up and down with the same excitement he was feeling, he knew.
As soon as they had a gangway in place, Ismay came running down it and flung herself into his arms.
‘Oh, it’s wonderful to see you again, Bram. We have so much to tell you.’
‘I have a big surprise for you, too.’
‘Oh! You go first.’
‘Fergus has come out to join us in Australia.’
She stood very still for a moment, eyes wide open in surprise, then she let out a cry of joy and gave him a big hug. ‘I thought I’d never see that brother again. Oh, Bram, how wonderful!’ She burst into tears, but quickly stopped crying and blew her nose. ‘Sorry. I’m just so happy.’
‘I’ll tell you the details as we walk back – or are you needed here?’
‘No. Adam said to go home and leave him to get on with it. He is the captain, after all.’ She turned to blow a kiss at her husband, who paused for a moment to blow one back and wave to Bram, then went back to supervising the docking and preparing for the customs inspection.
‘Now, tell me everything,’ Ismay said, linking her arm in Bram’s.
They didn’t even get to his house, because she had to go to the ice works at once and see Fergus.
When they entered the shop attached to the ice works, Bram looked round in approval at how clean everything was now. Cara was behind the counter and he beckoned her over.
‘This is my sister Ismay. Ismay, this is Fergus’s wife, Cara.’
Ismay didn’t wait but hugged Cara. ‘Lovely to meet you. Is Fergus in the back?’
‘Yes.’ Cara stood aside, smiling, and waved her through.
They followed to hear Ismay shriek, ‘Fergus!’ as she threw herself at her brother.
‘See to the shop,’ Bram whispered to Robbie.
The lad smiled and went to wash his hands. He was as changed as the shop, Bram was pleased to see, in appearance and cleanliness.
It was a while before Ismay could be persuaded to stop hugging Fergus and leave the ice works.
‘You’ll see him again this evening,’ Bram told her. ‘Everyone will be going round to Maura’s after tea. We arranged to do that as soon as you arrived, though we’re holding a proper party too. There’s so much to celebrate.’
She patted his cheek. ‘This has made you very happy, hasn’t it?’
He nodded. ‘Oh, yes. So, you said you had news for me?’ he prompted as they began walking to his house to say hello to his wife, who had gone home early today.
‘Wait till Isabella’s there and I’ll tell you together. We’re almost at your house now.’
The two women hugged, then Ma was introduced.
‘Well?’ Bram demanded. ‘What’s the other big news, Ismay?’
‘Mr Lee has got married.’
‘He’s married? So quickly? Who to?’
‘A nice, quiet young lady with a very rich father. I have trouble remembering her name, and she doesn’t speak English, but she smiled a lot and bowed, you know the way they do, so I did it too. Xiu Mei has written it all down in her letter to you, Isabella.’ She fumbled in her pocket and handed it over. ‘We didn’t get to Singapore in time for the wedding, but Xiu Mei says it was splendid and everyone who is anyone attended, even the Europeans. Her brother wants her to get married next but she’s insisting on having a say in who her husband is.’
‘I was hoping he would be more liberal with her.’
‘Oh, Mr Lee pretended to be angry at her for saying that, but he wasn’t really. He’s very fond of his sister and I’m sure he won’t do anything to make her unhappy. And you should see the wonderful silks she’s sent this time. Even better than usual. I bought a length from her shop and had it made up into a skirt and bodice. They do it so quickly and cheaply there.’
When her spate of words had run down, Bram said, ‘We have some other news. Livia is going to get married.’
Ismay let out another of her joyful shouts. ‘Oh, how wonderful! Is he nice? How did she meet him?’
‘He’s charming. Not only that, but Mr Deeping had died – which we’re sorry about, of course, he was a nice old chap – and he’s left her his bookshop. She and Rémi are going to run it together. He’s as mad about books as she is.’
She laughed. ‘Well, I hope he’s more practical than her. She’ll spend all her time reading the books instead of serving customers. Oh no!’ She had caught sight of the clock. ‘Look at the time! I’d better go home now. Uncle Quentin and Aunt Harriet will be wondering what’s happened to me. I must see that everything’s ready for Adam. He loves travelling, but he loves coming home, too.’
‘I’ll walk back with you, though I won’t have time to come in,’ Bram said. ‘Tell Aunt Harriet and Uncle Quentin that they’re invited to a big Deagan family party next Sunday. A huge celebration at Maura’s. You know how she loves arranging parties.’
But the family party had to be reorganised a little to include a wedding, because Livia and Rémi couldn’t bear to wait a minute longer.
Orla and Rhoda took their mistress in hand and she was beautifully dressed, for once, in a dusky pink silk that flattered her greatly.
The newly-weds looked so happy that Bram was, as always at weddings, reduced to tears. He wasn’t the only one.
Fergus and Cara walked to Maura’s house with Ismay and her husband, chatting happily. Adam clearly adored Ismay, which was enough for Fergus to like him.
Maura had prepared mountains of food and had even found a couple of girls to supervise the children’s play, so that the adults could enjoy an hour or two of real leisure. Noreen opted to help out with the younger children.
Ryan refused to be included among the children, and condescended instead to take Sean for a walk. The younger boy spent every minute he could with his young uncle and nothing could have made him happier. It had taken the children a while to understand all the new relationships, but that was families for you, Ma said.
Bram tapped on the table, and when people didn’t fall silent, banged on it hard with his fist.
‘I wish to say a few words—’ he began.
‘Make sure it is a few, for once,’ Isabella said. ‘We’re not in the mood for speeches, Bram Deagan, and the newly-weds have to catch the evening ferry back to Perth.’
Everyone cheered and laughed.
He grinned back. ‘I know that. But we have to do a very important task. Do you all have something to drink a toast with, whether it’s wine or tea?’
When they nodded, he took a deep breath. ‘Right then. First I would like to wish Mr and Mrs Newland a very happy life together.’ He raised his glass and everyone followed suit.
‘Mr and Mrs Newland!’
The groom stood with his arm round his bride’s shoulders, both of them acknowledging the good wishes by raising their own glasses.
Rémi and Livia looked so comfortable and happy together, Bram thought. Isabella was right. Livia had indeed found her own husband once she was ready.
He continued his toasts. ‘I can’t let this occasion pass without saying how happy I am to have two brothers, two sisters and an aunt living here in Fremantle. Very happy indeed. Ismay, Fergus, Ryan and Noreen, and dear Aunt Maura, I hope you will never move away from the rest of the family.’ He raised his glass again, blinking hard to hide his emotion.
Isabella stood up. ‘I wish to make a toast, as well. To the others who, like me, have been welcomed into the Deagan family, whether by marriage or by sheer love and kindness.’
Another round of clinking glasses and teacups.
‘And one more thing,’ she added, with a loving smile at the man beside her. ‘I think we should drink a special toast to my husband. It’s thanks to Bram and his hard work that we’ve all made happier lives for ourselves. He is the heart of the family and of my world. May he live a long and healthy life.’
Tears were running unheeded down Bram’s cheeks as everyone said his name softly and drank his health. He didn’t try to hide his feelings as he pulled Isabella towards him and held her very close.
What better reward could a man have for his labours than a happy marriage and a loving family? He had indeed been blessed.