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It was probably what made him so successful, taking that approachable guy persona into his role as the lovable larrikin in the long running show.
‘It’s great to be back at Maiden’s Landing on the banks of Redemption Creek.’ He went on to reminisce about his years growing up in town and his broad grin lit up the impromptu stage.
He made a great compere, announcing the local singers and the group of dancers from the ballet school with the same enthusiasm he brought to his appearances on television.
Edward was literally bouncing when his idol was introduced as an old buddy of Tony’s. Perfectly true considering they’d been at school together.
Jimmy Maddox vaulted onto the stage with his acoustic guitar and a cheerful grin. He’d made his name locally doing covers of just about every major singer, both country and pop.
He was the featured artist for the event, along with Tony and their repartee between songs had the crowd laughing and cheering. Morgan was almost sure Edward was going to explode with excitement and Gabby wasn’t far behind with her soulful worship of the soapy star. Finally, Maddox sang one of his new songs, a haunting ballad about lost love that dug into Morgan’s chest. He glanced at Becca and saw her eyes mist up, a soft sniff quickly muffled in a cough.
A wisp of white flurried into Morgan’s face and he put up one hand to touch the icy droplets. A murmur from the crowd grew into excitement as they recognised the snowflakes falling. Tony Field signalled the band and they broke into a Christmas carol, Jimmy leading the singing. It was the ideal segue from the sentiment of the previous performance. Soon the audience were singing along about snow and open fires and the mood shifted into the festive atmosphere as children ran around trying to catch the icy flakes on their tongues.
He spotted his parents taking cover under a picnic shelter and moved towards them, losing hold of Becca’s hand again as she linked her arm with Thackery.
Soon they were in a huddle under the shelter of the awning. The twins stayed in the open, laughing and dancing with the other children.
Grace frowned. ‘Should they be running around in the cold?’
Becca turned to watch them. ‘They’re enjoying themselves. We can bring them in shortly. I think the concert is about over.’
As she spoke, the singing finished and Tony was back on stage thanking the performers. A few announcements about upcoming events for the festival and the formal part of the night was over. People were dissipating, some to the bistro and cafés for meals or drinks and others heading for the carpark to head home. The snow had finished, leaving patches of ice and water over the exposed paths.
Thackery leaned close to Becca, pointing out someone across the park. ‘I’ll head over there. See you tomorrow.’
Morgan shifted closer to Becca. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Amanda Tanner is out without her posse. Usually she has Marcia and Nicole and a couple of other girls with her.’
‘Marcia’s with Tony.’ He scrutinised Amanda. ‘I remember them now. From Dan and Ben’s class.’
Becca looked around. ‘I can’t see the others.’
‘What’s with her and Thackery?’
‘Nothing as far as I know. I think he supplies her with organic vegetables. She has this love hate thing going with healthy food.’
‘Looks like she has a love hate thing going with Thackery.’
The woman had apparently reacted badly to whatever Thackery said and stalked off in a huff. She was having trouble maintaining her dignity with her high-heeled boots slipping in the wet snow.
Becca turned back as Grace mentioned her name. ‘Are the children going to miss the snow once you move to Bialga?’
‘We can always come up. It’s only half an hour away.’
‘Mum? What does Grace mean? We’re not leaving.’
The accusing tones in Edward’s voice couldn’t be missed. He’d come up behind the adults, presumably bored with the snow. Gabby was heading their way too.
Becca sent Grace an accusing glance. ‘I was going to tell you both tomorrow.’
‘I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with my dad. It’s not fair.’
‘Edward.’ Morgan spoke with authority but the normally sedate Edward was boiling up a head of steam.
‘You can’t tell me what to do. You’re all mean and horrible. Keeping secrets and being ashamed of Gabby and me. Hiding us. Now you want to send us away. I hate you. I hate you all.’
He spun around and ran off down the path, slipping and sliding in the slop left by the snow.
