Trisha said goodbye to her adoptive mother Marion Sykes as she exited their BMW outside the entrance of Hornsby Station. This was Trisha’s morning routine since she commenced work at NSW Council of Social Services Australia, and she knew the train would deliver her to the office to commence her duties on time as the service was punctual except for rare times when there was an emergency with the grid that shut the whole line down.
She rushed with the press of workers and students heading to open doors of the stationary train to make sure they could head for their respective stop off points to commence their own work for the day on time. The suburban train suddenly released breaks with a loud hiss and began to inch forward while later arrivals desperately rushed to enter as doors slowly closed. Some commuters she noted were not lucky and glanced desperately at their watches in the knowledge they’d now have to wait for the next train to take them to Sydney.
She was glad to get a seat before her carriage filled up, and the bulk of passengers stood with one arm grasping handrails or straps hanging from the ceiling curiously observing what those seated were doing. Some seated already had their laptops out working on presentations for the day others were quickly scanning headlines of newspapers hastily purchased from newsstands at the station. Students standing around the door areas holding onto anything to keep them from tripping were loudly teasing each other. The rest stared at suburbs passing by rapidly with lurch to a stop at each station along the way.
Trish watched it all lethargically but suddenly gave her full attention as a voice from one of those holding onto a strap nearby.
“Excuse me but are you Trish Mason by any chance? I know it’s a long time ago now, but you look like my cousin.”
A flood of memories passed through her mind rapidly as she glanced up at the one addressing her. Her father Joseph Mason had been a union organizer who’d reached that position after working as a construction worker for many years from youth. Her mother Sheila cleaned offices all night at Kings Cross a very threatening environment at that time. She still remembered the names of her siblings Bill, Stanley and Max who she’d not seen since childhood and had no interest in locating now. Her mother had disappeared when she was a child attending Plunket Street public school in Woolloomooloo where they lived. That area was a threatening place for people to live. Back in history it had been the desired location for the rich as it was relatively close to downtown Sydney in the 1800’s so reachable by horse and carriage in an acceptable time and close to the harbour for recreational purposes. Trish shook her head at those memories as they were painful then spoke to the stranger.
“I go by the name Trisha Sykes but was Trisha Mason before I was adopted and wonder why you feel we are related?”
“Then I am your cousin, and my name is Marcus Granger Joseph Mason’s married sister’s son. Ted Granger my father married your aunt Claire. So, you are indeed my cousin I can remember going to the same schools you did with your brothers before you suddenly disappeared. I can understand why as your brothers, and I had to protect you many times from gangs there.
I presume you live around Hornsby, or we’d not be on the same train. I’d love to catch up with you sometime. Do you have a calling card so I can contact you by phone?”
Marcus handed her his calling card which she accepted dubiously scanning it to see if it was safe to share hers with him. Marcus was highly qualified judging by the string of letters after his name and worked for the top investment bankers in Sydney. Impressive for a boy from the slums of Sydney. She rummaged in her purse and produced her calling card which he read quickly. Marcus spoke.
“I’m excited to find you Cousin Trisha. You probably won’t remember as you were quite young, but you used to be my shadow following me around as a child and I was big enough to handle the school gangs trying to mess with you. I’d take you home with your brothers every school afternoon to stay with your aunt Claire until your mother woke up from resting during the day in preparation for night duty and your father came home from work about the time she woke up so he could supervise you children in the evenings and get you ready for school in the morning.”
Now that Marcus had mentioned this part of her life which had been largely suppressed because of its negative feelings those shadowy memories Marcus had recalled returned and she pushed them back into her sub-conscious. But memories of following Marcus around were clear now and she recalled with gratitude how young Trisha had turned to him as the protecting hero of her early life. It was something positive about her early life she wanted to remember, and she turned to him with a smile.
“Marcus I don’t know how you recognized me. It must be about twenty years since I was removed from that suburb Woolloomooloo, and it was a devastating blow to be separated from my family. I still can’t understand why dad chose to look after my brothers but put me up for adoption.
“Don’t be hard on your dad. He asked my mother if you could stay with her, but mother was just beginning to deal with the ravages of cancer and your dad felt you deserved more than he could give you under the circumstances. I think you have no knowledge of Joseph and your brothers?”
Trisha shook her head. She had kept this grudge against her family ever since being separated from them by adoption. Now that she understood the circumstances she began to have regrets at holding this against her birth family all these years. She’d never forgive her mother for deserting the family though and had no idea where she’d disappeared to or why.
The train slowed to enter the final tunnel before letting commuters down at underground Wynyard Station in downtown Sydney business district. Trisha jumped to her feet holding onto her purse and briefcase and supporting herself against the headrest in front of her ready to press through the crowd of departing commuters. Marcus leaned forward to talk above the blaring of the loudspeaker on their platform giving departure information.
“Trisha I’d love to catch up with you along with my wife Susan if you feel free to do that. I know you carry a lot of resentment judging by our limited conversation but let’s be part of your life again. I’d love that. Phone me if you are willing to reestablish connections.”
Marcus disappeared into the departing commuter press and Trisha fought her way into those standing in the aisles to make a hasty retreat from the train and walk briskly to the tower where her office was located. She felt good about this surprise encounter with her long-lost cousin and determined to make a call to his mobile phone in the evening when they both returned to their respective homes. Memories of her following an older cousin Marcus around were clarifying in her childhood memories and she had a warm feeling of connection with that well-built teenager she’d been bonded with at that time. She needed to know more of his journey in life and how he’d escaped from Woolloomooloo to get a good education and live in this prosperous part of Sydney. Perhaps she needed to know more about her father and brothers too.
That evening on her return home she sought out Marion Sykes who was always home to greet her from work. Anthony Sykes did not usually arrive home before 7pm on most days unless he had to attend night appointments. Trish shared her excitement at meeting her cousin on the morning train to Sydney and Marion nodded in acknowledgement. She spoke.
“Trish Anthony is familiar with your family and that goes back to the time when your father Joseph Mason came to seek his advice when your mother filed for divorce. He happened to mention at that time the need to see to your future in that he had no intention of remarrying but was determined to care for his children as a priority, but his original plans were to let his sister Claire care for you. Unfortunately, Claire soon discovered she had cancer and was unable to fulfil that obligation she’d have loved to have cared for as she loved you very much. We were unable to have children and asked if your father would be willing to consider us as adoptive parents and he said yes. So that’s how you came to be with us, and we love you as our own daughter. You must not hold any grudges against your father or brothers. They wept as they handed you over to us, but you’d be too young to remember what happened at that time.”
Trish was angry learning about this for the first time though she held it under control as she dearly loved her adoptive parents who’d done everything possible to see she was nurtured and educated at a level she’d never have achieved growing up in her childhood environment. But she’d been entitled to have this information instead of harbouring resentment all these years. Marion smiled as she saw the change of mood in her daughter.
“I know you’ll feel betrayed by us for not sharing this with you sooner, but we’d promised your family not to disclose these details until they felt you’d be ready to reconnect with them as you grew older and were mature enough to understand the circumstances behind their decision. We are aware your cousin lived in the Hornsby area, but he’d not made any attempt to make contact probably to honour your father Joseph’s wishes. But your father is dead now. Now that the family has contacted you through your cousin, I think there are other matters that can be disclosed so why not call your cousin and invite him to lunch on Sunday along with any of your brothers who may be able to attend too. It’s time for you to reconnect.”
Trish sat for a few minutes to absorb some of what had been disclosed by Marion. What had not been told her was at the instructions of her birth family and while she couldn’t understand why there had to be a reason and she needed to hear from them now why that was. She smiled at Marion and then stood and moved across to the chair throwing her arms around the now elderly woman. The Sykes’ had been very loving to her and had seen her educated at the best educational institutions. She’d been enrolled at the Barker College Primary and Secondary Schools which were prestigious schools. It had been hard to transfer from Woolloomooloo public to this upmarket school, and she’d rebelled at her initial rejection by the higher social class kids, but the teachers were patient and nurturing, and she began to blossom under their instruction. She’d done well enough to qualify for entry into University of Sydney where she completed her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work and had now been elevated to this job she loved at NSW Council of Social Services.
“I love you, Marion. Thank you for adopting me and making my life in this home a real joy. I’ll go and phone cousin Marcus now and invite him and his wife Susan for Sunday lunch.”
Marcus beamed with joy when he heard her introduce herself on the phone and request, he and Susan join them for lunch on Sunday. He hastened to say that perhaps he’d better come alone as he had two children, and someone needed to be home with them and Trish immediately told he should bring Susan and the two children. Marcus agreed and thanked her for the call expressing appreciation for being able to be included in her life after so many years. He hoped they had many future reasons to meet on their way to work in the mornings.
Sunday came and the event was a huge success. Anthony sykes was familiar with the Mason family who were unable to attend that luncheon appointment but had little knowledge of the Granger family though Marcus had been present at the house transfer into Bill’s name. First contact with the family was through Joseph Mason’s initial advice on divorce proceedings and soon after the adoption formalities through which Trish became a member of the Sykes family.
Anthony Sykes had attended the funeral of Joseph Mason and had taken an interest in seeing the title for the house had been transferred to the eldest son William always referred to as Bill. The transfer had been achieved through one of Anthony’s solicitor contacts as his field of law was family law. He also made sure sufficient funds were there for the Mason boys’ education to high school level and then found them jobs in town to get them started off in life. The boys adored Anthony who’d come to their rescue on their father’s death and had worked hard. Some had even financed their own further education and were scattered around Australia and prospering with families of their own. The ancestorial property had been sold as each moved to other areas to bring up their children in a better environment than they’d had to grow up in. Trish became excited learning about these things for the first time and resolved to ask Anthony why this had not been shared with her prior to this meeting.
Trish warmed to Susan Granger who they were surprised to learn had been born in Hong Kong to an English official during the time Hong Kong had been a special British territory before being handed back to China and a Eurasian woman who worked for the British government there. Susan’s parents had retired early and relocated to live on the Gold Coast Australia. Susan had preceded them to Australia and been educated in the University of Sydney where Marcus had met her. Susan had worked in hotel industry management before she and Marcus decided to have children and she was now a stay-at-home mum. The Granger children were well behaved, and Trish spent time with them showing them treasures of her childhood and reading from some of her old, preserved books from early childhood under the approving smile of Susan who spoke.
“Trish you are a natural for motherhood. Do you have anyone special in your life to give you children of your own?”
Trish looked at Susan in surprise. The thought of finding a partner for life had never entered her head and she realized she was married to her work and missing out on something precious. She thought about how good Marcus and Susan looked together and how their obvious affection for each other and their children was plain to see. Reflecting on her life she’d thrown herself into her education realizing how fortunate she’d been to be adopted by the Sykes family. And afterward she’d thrown all her energies into her work being particularly involved in family work in the slum areas thanking God each evening she’d been rescued from that environment. She looked for every opportunity to make the lives of these people trapped in their unwelcome environment to better themselves with the aid of her government agency. She realized that every effort made by those of the opposite sex to get close to her socially had been coldly rejected and felt sorry she was so unapproachable outside the Sykes adoptive parents’ home. She was polite and cooperative in a work situation but socially a misfit. For the first time in her life being with Susan’s children she felt she was missing something precious. She turned to Susan to give her answer.
“Susan for the first time in my life seeing you and Marcus with your beautiful children I’m realizing there is something missing. I’d love to have children to pour my love into just as the Sykes had poured their love into me.”
Susan smiled reflectively.
“I need to work on that Trish.”
Trish laughed.
“Susan I’m perfectly capable of finding someone myself but it must be someone like Marcus. But don’t worry he’s a lot older than me and I’d never cheat on a sister which you’ll be to me from now on.”
Tears came to Susan’s eyes, and she reached out to touch Trish.
“Trish there are some in this country who treat me as second rate because I’m Eurasian, the majority don’t but it’s hurtful to be treated like a second rate citizen because of my mixed race ancestry and to hear you say you want to be my sister is one of the most wonderful things I’ve had happen since arriving in Australia long ago. Thank you. I’d be honoured. You’ll find me a very loyal sister.”
Trish was horrified to think there were some in Australia who’d look down on her new sister just because she was Eurasian. There was a rising resentment as she reflected on what she’d just learned and felt angry as she reflected on her own experience. Prejudice is not confined to race, but she’d experienced prejudice when she moved from her birth environment to enter education in the upmarket Barker College. This was the upper class and the kids in her elementary class mocked her for her slum style of speaking. If it had not been for Marion protesting to teachers and the teachers taking her under their wings and disciplining those who made her feel unwelcome, she’d have reacted badly but slowly began to have the traits expected by this upper class of society. Marion had been her rock in the evenings when small Trish was picked up at school each afternoon protesting at her treatment. In the second year that bullying subsided as she learned to adapt. But Marcus and Susan obviously looked on each other as equals.
“How did you meet Marcus if you felt mistreated in that way Susan? I can relate to prejudice as a child from a lower socioeconomic environment.”
Susan literally shone as she recalled her first meeting with Marcus. She was settled by her father in a student apartment near the university, but he had to immediately fly back to Hong Kong to begin winding down his work there for the government and arranging for the sale of his property. He was a second generation Britisher in Hong Kong and reluctant to leave the only society that had been his from birth to that time of retirement. But he knew expatriates would soon be squeezed out as the Chinese government took over management of the city. He’d escape while he could.
But Susan felt isolated from her culture in this new country with unfamiliar customs. She struggled as she attended to registration procedures on her first contact with the university and was obviously disoriented. Then out of nowhere Marcus appeared having watched her struggle with procedures he’d had to face himself the year before. He shepherded her between departments helping her with all the required procedures and then went shopping with her to buy necessary textbooks. He went to her apartment to check she had everything to make her stay comfortable and then found a suitable Chinese restaurant to take her to after what was for her a very stressful day. He paused before leaving that evening asking permission to check on her each day to see she was cared for. Susan fell instantly in love with this man but realized he was probably already married, and he’d be beyond her reach. She inquired about his wife and children and Marcus laughed. No, he was not married but on impulse blurted out.
“I’d marry you if you’d permit it Susan, but I suppose you have other plans for your future and I’m not a rich man.”
To be continued.
© Copyright 2026 Ian Grice, “ianscyberspace.” All rights reserved.
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