Dawn Lights

Dawn on Grafton Bridge, Auckland

From my new house I can walk to work most days. At this time of year I am starting out in the dark and reaching work in daylight. Dawn is just lighting the sky as I cross the oldest single span concrete bridge in Australasia. I love the juxtaposition of old and new at any time, but these mornings are pure magic.
Today the new day shot salmon strokes through aqua and blue. Light behind , pre-dawn dark still hovering on the asphalt ahead, placed me in day-birth borderland. Epic.


Drawing from Life Chapter 15 continues:
The next morning Rhona went off for her regular walk with Charlie. She had spoken to him about the modelling offer and realized from the stilted phone conversation that her choice was a severe test of their long relationship. It turned out to be worse than she had anticipated. 

Charlie was  incredulous. She had turned down “an opportunity for success”, as he called it. As they set out he made disparaging remarks about the way Justin managed his affairs. He thought the scheduling was lax and more besides. He even said the outcome would have been different if he had been there to supervise her instead of taking himself off to Melbourne with Paul. 

Rhona made no reply to any of it until he turned to her with “I suppose I should be thankful you didn’t do anything tragically middle aged like fall in love with the leading male model. That would have crowned it all.”

The vitriol behind that last comment so appalled her she stormed off. He didn’t attempt to call her back.

The school routine was back in swing the next week and once more established the framework for Rhona’s schedule. She went back to her work on the series of paintings with renewed energy after the break away from her easel. There was progress in her business affairs too as she discovered at her meeting with Marcus Bearing. John was asking for his share of the value of the matrimonial home and there were other details of the separation agreement that remained to be finalized.

It seemed strange to be visiting the solicitor’s office and finding it all exactly the same. She bounded up the stairs, avoiding the lift and bumped into Marcus on the landing.   He opened the door for her and, as she went through ahead of him, she heard a murmured “you wouldn’t believe it was the same woman.”

They talked easily through a number of more minor issues before t the question of the family home. Marcus recommended an independent valuation, of which she would pay John a half share, but Rhona had ideas of her own. She agreed to the valuation but with a view to selling. He reminded her they were coming into winter, hardly the best time.

Rhona had an answer for that. “Honestly, it’s never the best time. I’m thinking of an auction anyway.”

Marcus told her firmly there was no need for a fire sale scenario and cautioned her to be wary of undervaluing any asset.

“Very true.” Rhona said, sitting further forward in her chair. “Which is why I have improved the amenities there earlier in the year. It’s all spruced up and looking its best, so there’s no danger of any discount. Don’t worry I know what I’m doing.”

Marcus reminded her that only a few months ago she didn’t know what a term deposit was. “Promise me you won’t settle anything without checking with your devoted legal adviser please.”

Rhona gave him a wide eyed look and assured him she always listened closely to his advice.  "What’s more I have another job for you.” She had to laugh at his horrified expression. She added brightly “I know Marcus, I get very bolshie over business I’ve discovered. Now- one fifth of my share of the proceeds from the sale of the house I wish to donate to charity, anonymously – only you and I are to know about it. The remainder of my share I wish to divide equally between my four children. 

He tapped his finger with his pen and told her it was all very fine in theory but he would insist on a trust for Gracie and would need to investigate her nominated charity before he could make a recommendation. He obviously had a hunch she had some obscure organisation in mind.

She described what she knew of the work Joe and his friend Niven Marsh were doing, being careful to omit the fact that she had a closer connection with any of the parties. When she had finished her enthusiastic recitation Marcus shifted a little uncomfortably before he gave his response to the project.

“I don’t wish to sound in any way patronizing but I think it needs to be said. Do be careful of allowing emotion to govern your business decisions won’t you?”

Rhona did have the grace to blush. After a spirited discussion they agreed that the donation would be made on the condition that her legal advisor was satisfied, otherwise he would come back to her to nominate a more mainstream recipient for her largesse.

They wound up the meeting on the best of terms. As she drove away Rhona found it a comfort that only she and her solicitor would know that last bit of business. She could well imagine what Charlie would say about the gesture she was planning, not to mention the reaction of her nearest relatives.