“And Garrett’s Gallop?”
Murdoch shrugged his shoulders in response to Scott’s inquiry and admitted he could only make a guess. The relationship between Eleanor and her father grew increasingly strained. Fletcher decided his son-in-law was not of the caliber he first thought and judged the man less than adequate.
Murdoch glanced up from his glass to meet his son’s gaze. “Runs in the family I guess.”
Harsh words escalated among the adults so when the opportunity arose for Edison Furlong to further his career the family moved to Melbourne and never looked back. Murdoch assumed Garrett’s Gallop was one of a long list of Fletcher’s appeasement gifts to his estranged granddaughter.
Silence surrounded the two men as they finished their drinks. Finally, Scott with raised eyebrows, let out a long breath. Standing, he thanked his father for taking the time to answer his questions. He noted the lateness of the evening and how Dewdrop starts honking before the sun rises. Murdoch thought he would stay up a bit longer which made Scott smile. He can’t sleep until Johnny gets home.
Once goodnights were exchanged, Murdoch refreshed his drink and sat at his desk. His son's distant looks, at times, were so hard to read. This evening’s conversation had left the older man feeling melancholy. So much time lost…family connections broken.
He reached into a drawer and produced paper and a fountain pen to compose a letter that the next day would be postmarked for Melbourne, Australia.
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