Chapter Text
January 23rd 1936, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Mr Hope sat by his wife's side, staring angrily at the adoption officer.
"What d'you mean, there is nothing you can do? We come to you for help, and you say that we can't adopt a child because we’re a few lousy years over your age limit?"
He raged at the officer, and threatened the job of everyone in the building, offered donations to any cause they wanted.
But for all his temper tantrums, and for Mrs Hope's pleading, the adoption officer couldn't change the ruling. He simply repeated that the adoption committee was very strict about giving children to older parents, no matter how much money they had.
Although the officer could not admit this, the Hope's financial situation would have swayed the committee with respect to the age rule, but they unanimously decided against this after Mrs Hope expounded her views on parenting.
She seemed more interested in having a subject for trying out her views that children ought never to be spoken to harshly, and always allowed their own way wherever possible.
"They should be as free as the birds of the air, allowed to develop naturally" she had said in answer to nearly all questions on routine and discipline.
Mr Hope was quite clearly more down to earth, but it appeared he was seldom around, and he treated his wife more like a child than a partner, giving in to her every whim and fancy.
The adoption committee were sure that any child they gave the Hopes would have anything money could buy, but would have far too little routine, discipline and safety.
So much they looked longingly at the cheques that Mr Hope pushed their way, the decision was final.
The Hopes left the government offices and drove back out to their home in Manley. Mrs Hope was crying, in part disappointment, but equally shock from never having heard the word no before.
Mr Hope was grim faced, and determined to use whatever contacts he could to overturn the decision. He adored his wife, and hated to see her unhappy in any way. He also had always wanted a child, and felt angry that for all his wealth, he could not get them one so far.
All of a sudden, there was a FLASH of green light to one side, and an object hit the ground to the side of the road with a huge BANG!!
Mr Hope swerved off the road, checked his wife was unhurt, then left the car to investigate. He approached a small smoking crater cautiously, wonder what on earth he would find.