The Days of In Between

by Peter Valentine Fenton

  ‘So would I,’ Tara whispered, her heart coughing once more, but her cough didn’t echo as it once had, for her heart was no longer quite as empty.

  ‘That’s settled, then! Let me know when you’re done.’

  Tara took the bag gratefully and Boo made her way out of the little cave and walked over to where Sergeant Ayres was engaged in a quiet conversation on his walkie-talkie.

  Toby’s father stood close by, his arm draped over Toby’s shoulder as he and Uncle Jacky promised to catch up at the beach and go for a walk around the rocks.

  ‘Maybe we’ll get Tara and her family along too,’ Uncle Jacky said, flashing a grin at her dad and Josh.

  Sergeant Ayres finished speaking on the walkie-talkie and turned to address the group.

  ‘I’ve just spoken to Mrs Thompson and asked her to relay a message to the Police Area Command and the SES that this search has been officially concluded in the best possible way.

  ‘And while we wait for Tara, I have a few things to say. I would like to acknowledge the very capable assistance of the best nurse a town could have, Boo.’

  A small cheer went up and Boo performed a subtle but theatrical curtsy.

  ‘And my thanks to Uncle Jacky, who would not leave me alone until we searched for the cave. And also, for teaching us about persistence and having the courage of our own convictions, my gratitude goes to young Toby Rhone.’

  Again, a cheer went up.

  Amongst the hugs and shaking of hands that followed, Josh stepped towards Toby with his hand outstretched.

  ‘Hey. Thanks for helpin’ find my sister. And sorry ’bout throwin’ rocks at your van the other night. That must’ve been pretty scary.’

  The two boys’ eyes locked.

  ‘Yeah, that did freak me out a bit,’ Toby answered honestly.

  Josh let out a breath. ‘Sorry, I dunno why I did that.’

  ‘Well, I think with an aim like yours, I’d prefer you on my cricket team than on the other side.’ Toby grinned.

  Tara’s dad came forward, offering Toby his hand. To Toby’s surprise, he said warmly, ‘I think you’d be a welcome player on any team.’ He turned to Toby’s dad. ‘Brian, thank you. You must be very proud of your son.’

  ‘Yes, I am,’ Brian said. ‘Yes, I am.’

  Behind them, Tara had stepped out of the cave in a clean mustard-yellow dress decorated with little butterflies and flowers.

  ‘You remind me of your mum in that, Tara,’ her dad said.

  Tara beamed.

  ‘Ready to go home?’ Boo asked.

  ‘Ready,’ Tara said, taking her dad’s hand.

  Then they made their way back down the mountain, waving goodbye with a chorus of thank-yous to Uncle Jacky, who took off in the opposite direction, his hand held high in goodbye.

  When they arrived back down at the caravan park, Mrs Thompson greeted everyone like old friends and said they all deserved to have a meal anywhere they liked.

  ‘Excellent idea,’ said Sergeant Ayres, laughing. ‘I could kill a chocolate milkshake right now!’

  All eyes turned to Tara.

  ‘You must be starving. You choose,’ her father said.

  Tara thought for a moment. ‘Yeah, I am! But if it’s okay with everyone, I’d be happy with some hot chips.’

  The sergeant held the wire door at Frankie’s open as they all filed past. The ceiling fan swirled a cloud of warmth and tantalisingly salty smells around them.

  The adults seated themselves at a table as Mrs Thompson politely ordered hot chips and milkshakes for all, except for Boo, who asked for a lime spider.

  ‘Do you play Space Invaders?’ Josh asked Toby, as he and Tara headed towards the game in the corner.

  ‘Not really. Just had the one game here a couple of days ago.’

  ‘C’mon then, I’ll show you.’ Josh pointed at the chrome slot. ‘Your twenty-cents goes in here. You can have one or two players by pressing this button. You move this to control it and this is the firing button.’

  ‘Try to hit the UFO!’ said Tara. ‘You get extra points if you do.’

  ‘I didn’t know you knew how to play,’ Josh said to his sister, impressed.

  Tara shrugged happily. ‘Well, I reckon I can beat you!’

  They were all spellbound as rows of alien skulls moved in time with the creeping marching music, down upon the zipping, firing vessel.

  Angela arrived with their milkshakes, strawberry for Tara, and caramel for Josh. She looked at Tara, then Josh, then back at Tara.

  ‘Oh, don’t tell me ... brother and sister?’

  They nodded.

  ‘Ha, I never realise before. Always separate, never together.’

  Recognising Toby, she smiled and said ‘Hello, boy’ in her friendly way, handing over his milkshake.

  ‘Oh, thank you!’ Toby grinned gratefully.

  Angela turned to the others. ‘Such a nice boy, this one. Always such good manners!’

  Toby’s dad smiled. ‘Good to hear,’ he said, nodding in Toby’s direction.

  ‘The chips, are they to eat-a here or to take away?’ Angela asked.

  ‘I don’t mind if you two take them down the beach,’ Tara’s dad said, smiling at Tara and Toby. ‘That okay with you, Brian?’

  Brian nodded his approval.

  ‘So, Brian, how long are you and Toby down for?’ Tim asked.

  ‘Another couple of weeks. Toby and I have been coming down here for summer for years. My new wife Judy is with us this time. It’s her first trip down here,’ he added by way of explanation.

  Tim nodded, his fingers resting under his bottom lip. ‘Well, why don’t you all come over to celebrate New Year’s Eve with us the night after next, if you don’t already have anything planned?’

  ‘Gee, thanks, Tim,’ Brian said, sitting back in his seat in surprise. ‘I’d really like that, thank you.’

  ‘That’s great! We haven’t really done anything for a long time, but I think this year calls for it. New year, new decade.’

  ‘New beginnings,’ said Boo.

  Tim agreed, with a tilt of his head.

  ‘Sarge? What do you reckon?’ Brian enthused. ‘And Boo, you and your loved ones must come too!’

  ‘Yes, please come. I know it would mean a lot to Tara,’ Tim smiled.

  ‘It’s just me these days, Brian, but yes thanks, Tim, I’d love to drop by.’

  ‘We’ll raise a glass to your boys at midnight,’ Bill said, with a knowing glance at Boo. ‘You know I always do.’

  Boo’s eyes suddenly crinkled with teary appreciation, as she looked at Bill. ‘I do know that, Bill. Bless you, you never forget.’

  ‘We’ll make a night of it,’ Tim said.

  ‘And Boo, you must promise to bring your guitar.’ Bill winked. ‘It’s not a party until Boo sings “Turn! Turn! Turn!”’

  ‘What’s this? Oh, geez, I’ll hold you to that!’ Brian laughed. ‘Just wait till Judy hears about these shenanigans!’

  ‘Ha, I haven’t sung that one for a while. “The Carnival is Over” has been the go-to lately but, yes, I reckon it’s the right time for turning, so I’ll give it a go.’

  ‘You beauty! That’s the spirit. It’s been too long,’ Bill said kindly.

  Their chips arrived, several small bundles wrapped up in white paper.

  Tara and Toby took one to share between them, leaving Josh at the Space Invaders game with a wave. Stopping at the table to say goodbye, Tara hugged all the adults one by one – Sergeant Ayres and Toby’s dad, Mrs Thompson, then Boo whom she squeezed so tightly, and finally her father.

  He looked at her, and said with a wink, ‘See you at home, love?’

  Tara smiled, ‘Yep, see you at home, Dad.’

  The two of them were out the door and while they waited for a car to pass, they ripped one end of the chip parcel open. Waves of steam rose towards their faces.

  ‘Oh, Toby!’ cried a woman’s voice. He swung around just in time to brace himself for the incoming swoop f
rom Judy. To his surprise, Toby not only felt a grin creep across his face but he actually returned the hug enthusiastically.

  Judy turned to Tara. ‘Oh dear, what a time we’ve all had! Let me look at you. You’re a fair thing, aren’t you?’

  Tara smiled politely as Judy suddenly removed her white cap with a bright-orange see-through visor from her own head and swiftly placed it on Tara’s. ‘There you go, the very thing!’

  ‘Wow! Thank you! Tara exclaimed, surprised and touched.

  ‘Not at all, dear,’ Judy said. ‘It’s perfect on you.’

  It was now Tara’s turn to be gathered in Judy’s enveloping embrace, which she not only surrendered to, but seemed to appreciate.

  ‘Oh, there’s Brian in there,’ Judy said, looking up and pointing through the glass. ‘You two enjoy your chips and I’ll catch you a bit later.’

  ‘See you later, Judy,’ Toby said, realising it was the first time he had ever called her by her name.

  Toby and Tara made their way over to the beach sidewalk and, leaning on the fence railing, took turns to place their hand into the parcel and pull out a chip at a time.

  Around them was a whirl of activity: people strolling by, engrossed in ice-creams, a pair of roller skaters effortlessly switching between skating forward and then skating backwards, families making their way wearily to their cars and other families just arriving, unpacking the car with all the excitement and potential that a day at the beach can bring.

  ‘I need to feel the water on my feet!’ Tara suddenly exclaimed, and with that they ran down the steps, zigzagged through the people lying on their towels on the soft warm sand, past the yellow and red flags of the lifesavers and onto the firmer sand, pressed smooth by the waves.

  A tall, lean boy pulled his surf canoe onto the sand, and as they passed, they realised that it was Uncle Jacky’s boy, Allard. They both turned and waved, Allard in turn recognising Tara and then joining the dots to recognise Toby. All of their faces broke into the widest, friendliest grins.

  ‘Glad you are back safe, Tara,’ he said, and placing his hand on Toby’s shoulder, added with a sage nod, ‘Good work, brother!’

  ‘Thanks!’ Tara and Toby cried above the breaking waves and hovering gulls.

  And then they were back where they started, splashing, jumping and lost in the sheer joy of that magical ever-moving shoreline, where the water meets the land.

  It is impossible to adequately express my immense gratitude and utmost respects to Clare Hallifax, who patiently and beautifully guided a roughly hewn short story into the book that you, dear reader, now hold, of which I am so proud. I will be forever thankful and indebted for the profound friendship that blossomed along the trail to here.

  Also, to my family and friends, especially my always supportive Mum, Wendy, and partner Ken and my incredibly loving sister Kate and brother John, who without their profound generosity and their big-hearted families, in a somewhat itinerant time, this book wouldn’t exist. Thanks to my cousin David Hall who would graciously take random calls to clarify an array of flora and fauna that resides within the story. To Dr Andy Marks for his candid generosity of his experience of having a returned veteran for a dad, the great and wonderful, Ken Marks. To my treasured Tracy Forrester whose incredible and unwavering support and heartfelt wisdom, especially with suggesting a title, I remain committed to repaying.

  Bottles of sparkling thanks to Jamie Hutchings and those of The Tall Grass, The Aerial Maps and my dear comrades of Crow, and all my pals at APRA AMCOS – my utmost respect – (I am raising a glass to you Sue Telfer) along with the intrinsic and valued friendships of Angus Fontaine, Stephen Shanahan, Paul Tilbrook and Richard Andrew. It would be remiss of me not to say thank you to Sam for just so many things over many years and all that she does for the girls. To Peter and Carol Collas for being such guiding lights and invaluable advice regarding the awarded ephemera of those who served in Vietnam. My respects to the legend that is James Hammond aka King Billy for the inspiration for Uncle Jacky to stand so wise, tall and connected in this tale. Our heartfelt thanks to Graham Moore, Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Bega Shire Council, for his generous and spirited support, insight, and consultation, particularly with totems, historical information about the area and the powerful Yuin words (for shark, narangga; crow, waaguri; cave, buran; and mountain, bangguri).

  To Andrew McGahan whose work and friendship cast such positive change, opportunity, inspiration and otherworldly fingerprints throughout my story, I will treasure all my days.

  Finally, my immense gratitude and thanks to David and Yuge Bromley for their generosity and love. My phone calls and meetings over the years with David have both inspired and fuelled my artistic life and endeavours and I remain both humbled by his generosity and energised by his incendiary artistic spirit. For most of the twenty years of knowing David Bromley, we have talked of working together. It was quite by accident, rather than intention, that I set out writing this novel from images from his existing work. I began to write, slowly but surely, tapping my imaginings into my phone with my index finger, sort of like brush to canvas. I sent David my first draft and the picture references that I worked from, along with photos I could find of the little town of Tathra, in the age of which the story is set. The astonishing paintings and drawings by David arrived back, and with the incredible assistance and guidance of publisher, Clare Hallifax, and the astonishingly great graphic designer, Nicole Stofberg, the beautiful cover and illustrations came to life in their present form, which we would all dearly hope transports you, the reader, back to a time and place. For this I am deeply and incredibly grateful.

  Originally from Canberra, musician, songwriter and actor Peter Fenton moved to Sydney in the 1980s. His band, Crow, achieved success with four albums, national and international tours, supporting international artists such as Jeff Buckley and Nirvana among others, forging a reputation as one of the most important Australian bands of the 1990s.

  Peter was cast in the lead roles of both the critically acclaimed film Praise, adapted from the Vogel Award-winning novel by Andrew McGahan, and the ABC series Love is a Four Letter Word, amongst many other roles as both actor and composer in television dramas and documentaries. His short film as co-producer/actor, Bunny New Girl, won fifteen awards, and screened in over twenty-five countries at 110 festivals and is now a veritable viral phenomenon on the Internet.

  Peter has written various freelance articles including contributions for GQ Australia and Men’s Style.

  The Days of in Between is his first novel.

  David Bromley immigrated to Australia with his family from England. Beginning his career as a painter in the mid 1980s, he has since become one of the most successful, recognisable and collectible artists in Australia, and amongst his other works, is known for his Boys’ Own Adventure project. He has exhibited his works in Asia, Europe, Africa and America. He has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize six times.

  Published by Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd

  PO Box 579 Gosford NSW 2250

  ABN 11 000 614 577

  www.scholastic.com.au

  Part of the Scholastic Group

  Sydney • Auckland • New York • Toronto • London • Mexico City

  • New Delhi • Hong Kong • Buenos Aires • Puerto Rico

  First edition published by Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd in 2019.

  This electronic edition published by Scholastic Australia Pty Limited, 2019.

  E-PUB/MOBI eISBN: 978-1-76027-270-8

  Text © Peter Valentine Fenton, 2019.

  Cover and internal art copyright © David Bromley, 2019.

  Design by Nicole Stofberg.

  Peter Valentine Fenton asserts his moral rights as the author of this work.

  David Bromley asserts his moral rights as the illustrator of this work.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recordin
g, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, unless specifically permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 as amended.