“This is from us,” said Holly Ulverstone, handing over a present from Holly and her sister, Gloria.   Both cousins of Rowena, despite the fact that Gloria was five years older than the other two, the three honey-blondes looked enough alike to almost be mistaken for triplets.

“Here’s our present,” said Brian, allowing his retarded brother Warren to hand over the gift, as they entered last of all.

“Present,” said Warren, handing the present over.

“How about a present for me?” asked Bear as Gloria came up to him.

“All right,” she said, giving him a quick kiss on the lips, “but that’s all you’re getting.   This is Ernie’s birthday, not yours.”

“Spoilsport,” said Bear with a grin, leading Gloria into the lounge room.

*      *      *

“Well, how have things been going?” asked Brian as he and Ernie stood together by the small refreshments’ table, in one corner of the lounge room.

“So-so,” said Ernie noncommittally.   “How are things between you and Holly?”

Brian sighed heavily before answering.   “Not good I’m afraid.   I’m starting to suspect she thinks I’m not good enough for her anymore.”

Not knowing what to say to comfort him, Ernie simply nodded.   Three years ago Brian and Holly bad been a hot item, tipped by most of the locals to be a certainty to wed.   Then in March 1984 Holly had gone down to Melbourne to commence a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in chemistry and physics at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.   Although she had returned to Glen Hartwell over the Christmas and semester breaks, the long separations seemed to spell the end of their once steamy relationship.   Two years later Holly was once more home at the Glen for the November to February Christmas-New Year break.

Despite Brian’s best efforts to rekindle their relationship each semester break, Holly had been growing ever more distant toward him for the past two years.   “Quite frankly,” explained Brian, “I’m afraid she’s become a little too liberated by her two years at university.   So, now she considers herself, as a soon-to-be research chemist, too good to marry a mere orchard farmer.”