One might believe that the completion of an arduous task, which badly needs doing, would be reward enough in itself – especially when it comes to housework – and I would agree. Certainly the large fireplaces in our lounge room and dining room were both in desperate need. I couldn’t go out as I was still recovering from my bad cold so, feeling a lot better, I decided to tackle the jobs I’d been trying to ignore for some months (or perhaps years, to be honest). For a long time I had been turning a blind eye to the grate in the dining room, and I lived in hope that Chris would notice and do the honourable thing. Not that we have any wood or coal fires burning these days, but it’s the old mortar from the chimney that falls down little by little and accumulates behind the fire-back, and some of it falls down into the grate; if you touch the fire-back by accident (perish the thought) a load of nasty red dust flies down so I tend to “back off” in the normal run.

Chris hadn’t noticed the red dust mound under the grate (so he says), neither was he aware of the white dust of ages that had formed a thick layer over all the ornaments, candles, photo frames and small glass bowls filled either with potpourri, screws, safety-pins, nails, coins and empty cigarette lighters (for the candles).

Boosted by the sight of the lounge-room fireplace all sparkly and shiny clean after my labours, I set to work on the one I had been dreading in the adjoining room. Indeed, the fire-back had to be dislodged very gingerly at first but, eventually, every bit of powdery loose red mortar was collected and the grate cleaned to a gleam. I left the mantelpiece to last because I had mistakenly thought it was the easier job. The second ornamental bowl I picked up looks like an up-ended kerchief in black with white polka-dots; well, I know it sounds awful but the piece is really quite attractive (and good for gathering dust). Anyway, I was peering inside the pot when I noticed something golden shining through the shroud of dust… I began to get excited. What could it be?

The gold necklace and pendant in the shape of Australia with opals had been missing for years. I thought I had lost it and, every so often, I have felt tearful at the loss because the necklace was a present from late father. Delighted with the find, I finished the clean-up operation as if on air. The rest of the dark corners of our house now has no bounds to me – my fear of the unknown has turned into an anticipation of more “Eureka!” moments. Also in the black and white pot was another little relic that made me smile – as you will see it’s a long screw with a message adhered to it:

“THIS IS A DECORATIVE ITEM AND NOT A TOY”

One would never have guessed!

And now it’s back around my neck.

No doubt beautiful in the eyes of its creator!