On The Gold Coast: Simple Pleasures
So who were the thieves who helped themselves to Judith Wallis's favourite tin of toffees?
I smooth the flyleaf of my father’s bible with a hand as worn as the bible itself. Early morn, early summer and the air is soft, filled with the gentle caroling of young magpies high in the lemon-scented gum across the yard. A warm breeze delivers a drift of perfume. How blessed I am, how blessed.
It is my habit to sit here on the porch. I have everything to hand. The wide window sill provides a perfect shelf for the newspaper and my spectacles. There some fruit, here cup of tea and of course, my favourite toffees.
For as long as I can remember I have delighted in Kavers toffees. The round tins are patterned with scenes of old English gardens. Thatched cottages, roses and hollyhocks. Inside are three layers of the most temptingly delicious toffees each wrapped in brightly coloured foil and nestled in a little brown paper cup. To open a new tin and smell the sensuous aroma of sweet chocolate, to choose a shining colour, pluck the sweet from it’s nest and unwrap slowly savouring the anticipation of the flavour to come… Ahh… such sweetness in life.
I will share a secret. To enhance even more the luxury of these sweets I take two and place them in a sunny spot. Just for a moment, not long. They soften ever so slightly and when placed in the mouth create an infusion of rich mellow flavour that becomes indescribable.
Which colour shall I choose today? Ah yes, gold for the sun. See how the foil reflects the light. And red, gleaming as the flames of winter fires. There, they are set on the sill.
How warm the sun on my old bones and gentle the breeze. The magpies exchange melodies and doves coo over the old farm dog asleep beneath the tree. My eyes close. Here is peace and contentment.
A sound wakes me. I dozed only for a moment. I reach for the sweets, my mouth already moist with anticipation. Where are they? Putting on my spectacles I look about scanning the shelf, the floor and looking over the edge into the garden. Taking my walking stick I leave the porch and hunt about in the flowerbed. There is no sign of the toffees.
Ah well, I am up now. I might as well walk a while. The dog joins me his rump and tail aquiver. Together we follow the path to the lemon-scented gum. Here I pause resting against the trunk.
On the ground, a short distance away, two magpies are pecking at something shiny. My smile becomes a chuckle. I am not the only one with a liking for Karvers toffees.
