Winnie Peeg                         Amanda Cochran

MISS PEEG SETS OUT

The truck woke Winnie from a dreamless sleep early on Monday morning. She peered out the window of the boarding house, Coffs Occasions come to put away the wedding she thought as she tied her robe around the waist.

Weddings were alright for the young, she plugged in her electric kettle. Glad she had missed out on that rubbish she began pulling out her tea things. A body must have tea before being exposed to the day. Winifred Peeg had been exposed to a good many days, fifty-eight to be exact and in her long and varied career had made her morning tea at precisely 6:30 no matter where she was in the world and she had worked in most of it.

Next door Amanda Cochran turned over trying to recapture the dream she was having. Amanda at twenty one came on this adventure as her auntie called it for a bit of fun. Her mother had just remarried and Amanda and her Auntie felt like a fifth wheel in the household with Col. Rammond and her mother Bess. She turned over on her back fully awake now, Auntie was a funny old thing come all the way from England to live with her sister only to find her sister had a boyfriend and was about to be married. ‘you would have thought she’d told me before I sold up and moved house.’ Now they were in New South Wales after traveling for two weeks.

"Where are we going," Amanda had asked

"Wherever fate takes us dear," Winnie had replied

Fate brought them to The Glen.

After breakfasting in the dinning room Winnie and Amanda set out for a walk about the village.

"It’s all new but looks like it’s been here for ages," Winnie commented.

"It’s growing Auntie, see new construction at the end of the street."

"Hmmm, hammers and bongs for awhile."

Richie parked and bounded into Millie’s for a cup of coffee before going to his office.  Trying to juggle a cup, his mail and his keys at the doorway to his office building he dropped part of his mail.

"Thanks," he said as it was handed back by Amanda

"You’re welcome."

"Oh how vile, how ab-so –lute-ly vile!" exclaimed Miss Peeg "is this your office?" noting the graffiti across the front of his office.

"Yeah, kinda sickening isn’t it. I guess a coat of paint will take care of it."

"Does it really…take care of it…ever?’ she asked

"Its only words and symbols…doesn’t really touch inside where it matters." Richie mused. "I’ve been the target of worse in my life."

"You poor man, I’m so sorry…Winnie Peeg and this is my niece Amanda Cochran," she extended her hand

"Richie Roberts, nice to meet ya…staying at the boarding house?" He shuffled his arm full of mail.

"Yes, for the moment I’m afraid we’ve become vagabonds trailing about the country looking for shelter."

"Oh…where’s home?"

"Good question eh Amanda?" she looked over her shoulder

Richie went inside his office and placed a sign in his window, "Hiring." It said.

Miss Peeg straightened and raised her brows and marched in the door after him, "Hiring for what may I ask?"

Richie turned, "office help, I need an assistant."

Winnie didn’t hesitate, "Consider it taken care of Mr. Roberts when do I begin?"

Richie’s mouth fell open, "uh…whenever you’d like," he offered a weak smile

"Capitol, I shall report in the morning…is this your usual time for opening?"

Richie kept a scattered schedule, "well…"

"Seems a good time to me. Right…well until tomorrow and thank you so much Mr. Roberts." She walked out of the door and back toward the boarding house.

Richie sat down at his desk…life would never be the same for him ever again.