Ring a Ding Ding...

... for Knots in the String

Last Saturday, I read a most engaging post from Lindsay Cameron Wilson’s account

Opals, galahs and peaches

It was charmingly guest-written by her father and was about Lightning Ridge and opals, here in Australia.

It prompted a memory…

The opal is my birthstone and my university boyfriend (1969-ish) kindly bought me an opal when he was playing in a national hockey championship in New South Wales. I’ve only ever liked milky opals with faded shadows of colour and fire. The bright ones left me cold and this one, a perfect oval, was exactly the right shades of creamy almond and subtly coloured threads.

After I had earned a little bit of money as I worked my way through university, I took it to a jeweller and had it set in a simple yellow gold setting.

Moving on, the boyfriend and I became engaged. He presented me with a white gold and Ceylon sapphire ring (my most favourite stone of all). It was plain – no diamond trims. Just a small oblong faceted stone. Very nice, etc etc.

Cut to a year later and the engagement was ended. I would so love to tell why. Will I? Oh go on, why not?

Well, in the spirit of what an opal means, I had been very faithful to my then fiancée. I was living and working on the island of Tasmania while he, the young lawyer, was living in Western Australia (nearly 3000 km by plane) trying out for The America’s Cup Australian crew. He of course, had not been faithful, not at all, apparently sowing all kinds of seeds.

When I confronted him (by phone I might add), he broke off the engagement. I remember my father could not conceal his delight. Cockahoop he was, whilst minding my hurt and angry tears. He always disliked the chap.

I’m telling you, hell hath no fury like this woman scorned! I wondered how to get my own back and so I took everything the lawyer had ever given me and left the full box including private letters, at his parents’ front door. The sapphire engagement ring and the opal ring were not included. Those two items, I took to a good jeweller who offered me an excellent price. In cash!

I walked along the street feeling immense and snarky satisfaction. What scorned woman wouldn’t? But better was to come. As I passed the local QANTAS office I had a flash of inspiration! I would buy a trip to Asia with the profits.

With tickets in my hand, I travelled to Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Bali. I was 22 and it was fabulous!

A year later I met the man who would eventually become my husband, and we have lived in love for 48 wonderful years. He too gave me a Ceylon sapphire engagement ring, but we bought this one together. We chose the stone in Melbourne, and then had it set in white gold with a sparkling diamond on either side. It was exquisite – just the right shade of cornflower blue and I loved it! But sadly, many years later, our family home was broken into and one of the things that was stolen was that stunning ring which the Police assured me I would never see again. One had to be philosophical. At least I still had my dog at the time (she was alone,, poor little thing when they broke in) and I still had my husband.

A few years ago, I ran into the old boyfriend/fiancée, and in the course of conversation, he asked me whether I still had his engagement ring.

‘Oh God no!’ I said airily. ‘I took it with the opal ring to a jeweller and was paid a handsome sum in cash.’

‘Really?’ He seemed aghast. ‘You sold it? I had to sell stuff to buy that ring.’

‘You sold stuff you’d scoured from second-hand sales that you planned on reselling anyway!’ I remember he blushed, and I mentally scored One for Prue. ‘Besides, why would I keep it? I had been more than belittled. Fortunately I got over it and with the money, I trotted round the corner to QANTAS and purchased a trip to Asia.’

‘You didn’t!’ His face was a picture…

‘I did and it was marvellous.’

He stood dumbfounded for a moment and then gave a hollow laugh. I don’t think he’d ever been on the back foot in his life and it was interesting to watch. ‘Fair enough,’ he had the grace to admit, ‘I suppose I deserved it.’

Yes, you did, I thought as I mentally drew the number two next to my name. I won, you lost! I won a far nicer man, a better life and in addition had a great trip overseas thanks to an opal ring and sapphire ring.

Go me! (Aren’t I awful?)

I’ve never ever wanted another opal since that fateful gift. However, I do have a Ceylon sapphire that I cherish.

I inherited my mother’s beautiful ring (a Princess Diana style before the Princess Diana style was even a thing) and not being a ring wearer particularly, I had it remade into a fine pendant which I last wore seven years ago at my son’s marriage.

Doing:

Ballet class where we move forward, and I too move forward at last. It’s been the longest nine weeks.

The music we are dancing to in the image is Einaudi’s Experience. I’m back in a leotard and skirt (not a pretty picture), and it’s all beginning to feel just a tad normal again. I have no core strength at all, but hopefully time will bring that back as I become more active doing the things I enjoy.

Did the last day of the school hols with the Little Farmer and wondered if riding with him on bikes no-hands (both of us) and allowing him to climb high poles makes me an irresponsible grandparent!

Finally, before I trot off for this week, can I just say a huge thank you for this lovely comment and pledge from Lydia Porter.

It’s such kind things that spur a writer onward. In fact, thank you to all those who have subscribed and those who have pledged. I feel very lucky to have you on this Substack journey with me. Whilst I’m still offering Knots as a free read, it’s very affirming to know there are those who will pay.

Song for this week? It’s rather peaceful.

Cheers, my friends…