The rainbow never sets

missed an evening service. Coming home from the beach or any other weekend activity, it didn't feel like Sunday, if I had to miss church for one reason or another. It was almost like coming home after a long, long absence. The church services filled a gap which I didn't known was there. Bob came to visit us both, and since Minti Fabarius lived almost diagonally opposite us, we arranged for Bob to meet us all there.

In July 1958 I changed jobs. Michael Selios, who had been in charge of the processed wool at Dekyvere's, had started his own business in 1957. I agreed then that I would join him as soon as the business was established and he could pay my salary. His business was to specialise in the export of processed wool. He had similar clients as Dekyveres, and my experience of selling wool in Germany would be very useful in the small firm. I went there gladly, although I lost salarywise, earning in the first year £1127, second year £1425, third year £1960, and fourth year £1560. Only in the fifth year did I reach my previous salary at Dekyveres, earning £2076, and as the firm prospered in the sixth year £3500, and in the final year £4333. When I left Michael Selios in December 1965 I received £6000 for the six months plus a lump sum of £2200 plus the firm's Holden station wagon. With that I was able to pay off the housing loan.

Michael and I worked very well together. I felt more like a partner than an employee. He went often on overseas trips or to Melbourne, where we opened a branch office, leaving me in charge.

This was a happy time in my life. In 1958 I had no worries about girl-friends, and I was quite content. As we had been to so many parties at other people's places, we felt it was our turn to invite our friends for a party at our place. When we discussed it together, we decided on a fancy dress party. The theme would be 'SPUTNIK III' and we invited our friends to "COME AND JOIN SPUTNIK III in whatever costume you fancy, indicating 'blast-off date and time' and that fancy dress was compulsory and travellers had to bring their own food and drinks. The whole house was re-arranged, except Gerda's room.

Over 100 people of our mutual and separate friends came to the party and it was a roaring success. One friend from the wool trade came as a rich mogul carried by his slaves on a palanquin to the sound of gongs and drums and a huge pot of a rice dish for all. Gerda had painted the silhouette of Mt. Fuji on one of our walls, which we thought looked just wonderful. A lot of raffia and palms for decoration and floor mats made one room look quite oriental. My bedroom gave the illusion of space travelling. Only a soft bluish light revealed a couple of mattresses and cushions on the floor, with stars on the wall and ceiling. Rainer's room was decorated in a futuristic style. We took a lot of trouble with the preparations, but it was well worth while. Everyone had a wonderful time, and the party was talked about for months afterwards.

Life at St.Ives was pleasant. Gerda tried very hard to domesticate us batchelors and to make our house a home, but unfortunately, it wasn't

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