I have a knack, aka a noseyness for chatting to people, for them to tell great stories.

We found ourselves having our evening meal next to a couple of a similar vintage.

I got into conversation with Henry, from memory. Of Dutch origin, he now plied a trade of wood carver in Sydney. They were on holiday too.

I bet you've a few stories to tell, I baited him.

Well my favourite is about a family.

A man came to see me about a totally out of the ordinary present he wanted for a significant birthday or anniversary. It had to be a surprise secret, shared only by the two men: artist & his client. No-one else must know.

The two men met on a few occasions, Henry explained. He got to know the subject family through his client via descriptions, a few stories & photos.

Henry explained the next task was discovering & selecting the right piece of wood for the job. He'd been given nearly a year to complete the task of commemorating the whole family in wood.

The two men met occasionally to check out the wood, think about the story it would be hewn to tell. They became friends. The family members started to become identifiable.

One night the man turned up at Henry's studio in tears. Can I come in, I've not been entirely open & honest with you, he sobbed.

It transpired that the man's wife had borne another child, sadly this child had been still born or died very early. I've put this out my mind, but this sculpture is not our complete family. The event was imminent.

What do you want me to do, asked Henry. Can you find a way to complete the depiction of our family?

Leave it with me. Henry said he studied the nearly finished product. There was just possibly a way of a last minute change. He accomplished this alteration by burning midnight oil.

The man turned up on the eve of the celebration to view, pay & collect his present. I asked Henry the cost of the piece? Around $12,000 Aus, he advised. Over £6,000?

The man left happy.

The next day there was a knock on Henry's studio door. There stood a woman, she too in tears, whom he'd never met but instantly recognised.

The woman hugged him, thanked him profusely, turned around, never to be seen again. Thank you for helping me complete our family were the only words she added.

Our bill arrived & we said our goodbyes.