The Last Anniversary Read Online Free PDF Page B

home , exactly as it was when the Doughty sisters, Connie and Rose, found the Munro baby. They can also share Devonshire teas with Baby Enigma (now a grandmother!) and the Doughty sisters.
    The Doughty Family has owned Scribbly Gum Island since 1882, when a poor blacksmith named Harry Doughty won a bet with its rich owner, Sir Charles McKay. The bet was over the outcome of a test match in England. Australia had never defeated England away from home and appeared unlikely to do so this time. Sir Charles famously said, ‘I’ll bet this island that Australia will not defeat England.’ Guess who lost his island! Australia narrowly defeated England in a sensational match that was reported as the ‘death of English cricket’ and became the origin of the ‘Ashes’ series . Sir Charles was forced to hand over his island, much to the jubilation of young Harry Doughty (who, not surprisingly, was a keen cricketer!).
    Today, the only full-time residents of the island are Harry Doughty’s granddaughters, Connie and Rose, as well as Baby Enigma and her two daughters (Margaret and Laura) and their families.
    Scribbly Gum Island is the perfect location for a day out. There’s just so much to do!
     
Take the tour of Alice and Jack’s intriguing house and learn more about the Munro Baby Mystery. This is a must! Only $15 for adults, $10 concession.
Take a break at Connie’s Café. Here you’ll find the most delectable blueberry muffins and Devonshire teas in Australia!
Treat the littlies to an exquisite face-painting by Rose Doughty. Just $10 per little face!
Put some natural colour in your cheeks–walk the marked bush tracks which criss-cross the island. The most invigorating is the walk up to the top of Kingfisher Lookout. As you walk through the forest in the centre of the island you’ll see so much beautiful plant life, including scribbly gum (of course!), banksia, blueberry ash and dwarf apple. Watch out for white-cheeked honeyeaters, pygmy possums, brush-tailed possums, sacred kingfishers and the red-bellied black snake! When you reach Kingfisher Lookout, catch your breath and enjoy your reward: breathtaking views of the island and the dramatic sandstone cliffs that line the Hawkesbury River, which sparkles like a sapphire in the sunshine.
Enjoy a refreshing swim followed by a picnic lunch at glorious Sultana Rocks on the south side of the island. Prepacked picnic baskets available from Connie’s Café.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Alice Munro’s ghost. She is said to haunt the island at twilight, wearing a beautiful green dress. (Don’t worry–she’s friendly!)
     
    Camping is not permitted. All non-residents must leave Scribbly Gum Island by 8 p.m. This rule is strictly enforced.

12
     
    O nce, a long time ago, Grace left Callum a love letter in their microwave.
    Dear Callum,
     
Here are five reasons why I love you.
     
     
1. You dance with me even though I can’t dance.
2. You buy Fruit and Nut even though you prefer boring Dairy Milk.
3. Your gigantic hairy-caveman feet.
4. The way you always laugh at your mum’s terrible jokes.
5. The three little freckles in a triangle on the back of your left shoulder.
     
Love from your Grace. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
     
PS. STOP! Avoid splattering. Put Gladwrap over whatever you’re about to microwave!
     
     
    Sometimes she still leaves letters for him in the microwave, but now they consist of just one word written in capitals on a Post-it note:
    GLADWRAP!
     
     
    It is the day after Aunt Connie died and Grace’s first day alone with the baby. Callum had taken two weeks off but today he is due back at work. It is time for their new lives playing Mummy and Daddy to begin.
    ‘I could extend it,’ Callum offers as they sit down to breakfast. ‘Death in the family.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ says Grace.
    Actually, she has woken up with a headache unlike any other headache she has ever experienced. Her head feels like mashed potato. When she tentatively puts her