September 2012
Dave ran through the shallows onto the beach carrying his surf board, shaking drops of sea water from his hair. He looked back at the waves with sadness. That was a good run he thought to himself, I'm really going to miss this but then he was going to miss everything about Australia.
After leaving school Dave attended a prestigious cookery college and while there met an Australian student Todd who told him what a good life could be had in Australia and Dave thought that's the way to go. Dave passed the course with honours and got a job as Second Chef at a hotel in Birmingham. He did well and regardless of the long tiring hours really enjoyed the buzz of a busy and successful kitchen. On one of his rare days off Dave met some friends in a local bar and fell in love. Her name was Amber and she was as lovely as her name, they met whenever they could and he told her of his dream to go to Australia. By this time Todd had returned to Sydney and opened his own restaurant close to the harbour in view of the Opera House and was trying to persuade Dave to join him.
Dave and Amber were married on a sunny spring day and set about the arduous task of emigrating. They queued for hours outside Australia House, filled in copious forms and at last were granted the documents and visas necessary to emigrate. Needless to say Ambers parents were not happy about losing their only daughter let alone her moving to the other side of the world but Dave was a good hard working chap and they realised Amber was as excited as Dave to start their life together in their new adopted country.
Two years later Todd made Dave a partner in the restaurant The Bridge House and it was gaining popularity with the locals as well as the tourists. Dave and Amber had a short break in Byron Bay, a beautiful place with sounds of the ocean beating against the rocks, eating good locally caught fish, lobsters and prawns. Dave was bursting with ideas when they got back including an in house barbecue and themed dinners. The Bridge House was established.
Then Amber became pregnant and everyone was thrilled when Byron Todd Adams was born. Amber's parents flew over to see the baby, staying a month and enjoying every minute. Two years after Byron was born they flew out again to celebrate the birth of Fiona Lily, this time finding it more difficult to leave their daughter and grand children behind. Thank goodness for the Internet and Skype at least they could see them grow and flourish. Todd decided to open a bar in Cairns so Dave bought Todd out and they had a very tearful leaving party. This meant that Dave had a lot more worries and responsibility on his shoulders and hardly had time for the family. Amber sometimes helped out once the children started school and they enjoyed working together with hardly any arguments, but one day after a stressful and busy lunchtime Amber said she had a headache and wanted to go home. Dave carried on clearing up and getting the dinner menu on the go.
The restaurant seemed to change persona for the evening session; a more relaxed atmosphere prevailed which had a knock on effect on the staff. The phone rang incessantly but Dave, being busy, let the staff answer. 'Dave phone call for you'
'Take a message mate I'm busy'
'Dave you've got to take this call the kids haven't been collected from school'
Dave phoned Amber but there was no answer. Usually the kids got home on the school bus but today Amber was going shopping with them as they both needed new shoes.
As Dave came off the beach he walked home past The Bridge House and noticed it was business as usual. He had managed to sell it quite quickly and the new owner waved and mouthed, 'Goodbye mate God speed.' He reached home, changed, and waited for his children to get home. Why, why he thought did this happen to us. Amber had always been so fun loving and he couldn't have had a better wife or mother to their children. A haemorrhage of the brain the doctors said, death was almost instantaneous and he had left the hospital with the children in a daze, all of them too stunned to cry.
Byron chivvied Fiona along, 'come on Fi you'll have to carry your own case; mine is heavier than yours.'
Fiona sighed and looked at Dave. 'Is mummy coming with us?'
'Yes of course she is, she will always be with us.' He patted the case which had the urn wrapped in a towel. 'Mummy is returning home to be with nana and grand pop and they are really looking forward to having you too.
With the money Dave had got from the sale of the restaurant and house he was going to open a new restaurant which he would name Amber's.