So much laughter and fun filled the family's return trip from Melbourne that the time quickly passed.
It was twilight as Andrew drove into the grounds of what he believed was his home and stopped, disoriented by the sight before him, unable to comprehend this was their driveway and their house.
Fascinated, the family could only stare at the myriad fairy lights bordering the driveway scattered in the trees and around the garden. The lights took their attention totally, so amazed were they at the sight.
"What's Peter up to now?" Jennifer exclaimed.
Twin lines of brown-skinned, moon-faced, stocky little men dressed in army uniforms stood at attention at either side of the entrance steps. Each wore a white cummerbund around his waist and white gloves on his hands.
A tall, imposing, heavily bearded figure also in uniform and wearing a khaki turban stood at the top of the steps, and as the car stopped, he barked an order.
Four of the soldiers ran to open the doors and saluted the passengers.
Introducing himself in chant-like, heavily accented English as Rajit Singh, the turbaned officer, with head nodding from side to side, welcomed them.
"May I have the pleasure of welcoming you to Sahib Peter's Deepavali Party?" He seemed almost sad as he continued. "Sahib Peter is absent on special business, but he promised to return as soon as possible. He should be here soon."
At first apprehensive at the strangeness of the situation, the family seemed to relax a little once this unfamiliar officer mentioned Peter's name. As well, his imposing presence and his obvious care for their comfort reassured them.
Patiently he explained that in Hinduism, Deepavali is perhaps the most well known Hindu festival - the Festival of Lights. Houses all over India and Nepal twinkle with tiny lights from clay lamps, lit to welcome the god Rama.
He pointed to the two statues on either side of their doorway and introduced them. The first was Rama, one of the most important manifestations of God, and the second, the goddess Lakshmi the Hindu Goddess of wealth, light, wisdom and fortune and also of luck, beauty, courage and fertility.
"Please escort the memsahib and the young memsahib to their places. Bring the sahib and the young sahib with you." Rajit Singh turned to lead the way to the dining room.
A soldier walked with Elizabeth and another accompanied Jennifer. A third soldier guided Eric and a fourth ushered Andrew.
Walking silently behind the women Eric and Andrew allowed themselves to be guided, unable to comprehend what was happening. They heard Elizabeth's whisper to Jennifer.
"What's going on?"
Jennifer's offhand answer didn't inspire them with confidence.
"I think the army's taken us over for the night, but which army I'm not certain."
The hallway and dining room were ablaze with the flickering lights from small wicks burning in the miniature clay lamps and there was a strange smell of incense in the air.
It was not until one soldier bent to hold Elizabeth's chair that Jennifer saw a khukuri hanging from his belt under his cummerbund.
Looking around, she noticed strange goblets on the table - each bearing the same coat of arms. The tumblers were not the usual and the settings were not the usual - indeed only the table, the chairs and the room were recognizable.
She picked up a silver goblet and studied the coat of arms. Her thoughts made her smile. Peter is a bugger. The coat of arms was the same as that on his plaque. What was he up to this time?
Her wondering thoughts went unanswered. No matter how hard she concentrated, she couldn't come up with a solution as to why he had arranged this strange party. This was surely going to be a memorable night.
Deliberately, she looked around for other clues and noticed the officer studying her carefully. Why should the officer be observing her like that?
Peter has left on business has he? She looked at the officer more carefully and noted the khukuri at his waist. Peter was certainly a loveable rogue, but she was wondering what he'd planned. This game of his, as he acted the part of a Sikh Officer, would be most interesting.
At last, she knew the answer to her mother's question and her heart sang as she leant across to set her mother's worries at rest. "I believe this is another of Peter's typical surprises. Moreover, guess what? He will be here soon. Tell Dad and Andrew, but don't let any of the soldiers hear."
Her mother had to strain to hear Jennifer's whisper. Grinning, she did as Jennifer suggested. The haunted look in Eric's eyes disappeared as he acknowledged the message and the family sat back to enjoy the party.
Taking up his position at the door, Rajit Singh clapped his hands. The soldiers immediately sprang to attention and began singing Abide with me. Although the family recognized the tune, the words were unrecognisable. For the family, it was an emotional moment.
"That was one of Mahatma Gandhi's favorite hymns and it's played by the combined bands of the Indian Defense Forces during the annual Beating of the Retreat Ceremony held on 29th January," the officer announced when the hymn ended. "Please enjoy this humble meal."
Again, he clapped his hands and the waiters - or maybe they were soldiers; by now, Jennifer was perplexed - served the first course.
Eric and Andrew were lost for words.
Smiling broadly as if they knew a secret, the waiters placed small serving after small serving before the family members until they had tasted every dish - from a white curry through to a black curry. Their taste buds reeled from the variety of dishes, and at last, they sat back, unable to continue.
"I see you're almost finished, but I do beg that you partake of a special sweet I have personally arranged for you." Rajit Singh spoke English to them now with that singsong Indian accent; although throughout the dinner, his orders had been in a language no one at the table recognized.
The conversation had been subdued.
The waiters placed a bowl of iced water and a single peeled banana on a plate before each of the family. Then a waiter stood beside each of them and dipped their banana into a bowl of molten toffee before plunging it into iced water. They placed a Toffee Banana on each plate then stood back.
Jennifer was first to taste. "Is this your recipe Rajit Singh? If it is, you will never leave this farm."
The tone of her voice made the others look up from their plates before tasting their sweets. The twinkle in her eyes boded ill for someone.
