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Chapter 17

Buteventuallyshefoundatwo-roomflatinNeutralBay,inoneofthehugeoldwatersideVictorianmansionswhichhadfallenonhardtimesandbeenmadeoverintodingysemi-apartments.Therentwasfivepoundstenshillingsaweek,outrageousconsideringthatthebathroomandkitchenwerecommunal,sharedbyallthetenants.However,Justinewasquitesatisfied.Thoughshehadbeenwelltraineddomestically,shehadfewhomemakerinstincts.

LivinginBothwellGardenswasmorefascinatingthanheractingapprenticeshipattheCulloden,wherelifeseemedtoconsistinskulkingbehindsceneryandwatchingotherpeoplerehearse,gettinganoccasionalwalk-on,memorizingmassesofShakespeare,ShawandSheridan.

IncludingJustine’s,BothwellGardenshadsixflats,plusMrs.Devinethelandlady.Mrs.Devinewasasixty-five-year-oldLondonerwithadolefulsniff,protrudingeyesandagreatcontemptforAustraliaandAustralians,thoughshewasn’taboverobbingthem.Herchiefconcerninlifeseemedtobehowmuchgasandelectrictycost,andherchiefweaknesswasJustine’snext-doorneighbor,ayoungEnglishmanwhoexploitedhisnationalitycheerfully.

"Idon’tmindgivingtheoldduckanoccasionalticklewhilewereminisce,"hetoldJustine."Keepsheroffmyback,youknow.Yougirlsaren’tallowedtorunelectricradiatorseveninwinter,butIwasgivenoneandI’mallowedtorunitallsummeraswellifIfeellikeit."