by Tony Parsons
When they had left the main western road and were on the track into the Claydon property, Ian pulled off to one side, turned off the ignition, unclipped his seatbelt and shifted his body so he could talk to his passenger.
‘Why, Ian, if I weren’t an old duck, I’d say this was an assignation,’ Judy said with a smile.
‘You aren’t an old duck and never will be in my eyes. What I have to tell you is for your ears alone,’ Ian said with an answering smile. ‘How much you feel disposed to tell Mr Blake is up to you.’
‘How mysterious you sound,’ Judy said.
‘It’s about Rhona,’ he said.
‘What about Rhona?’ Judy looked alarmed.
‘She’s been going through a rough time. Her boyfriend cleared out with most of her savings. His betrayal brought things to a head and she felt that she’d come to a dead end and wasn’t doing anything really worthwhile with her life. To cut a long story short, Rhona felt she needed a change in direction, but couldn’t do it without help,’ Ian said.
‘Why didn’t she come to us?’ Judy asked.
‘She was very much against doing that because she was aware you and Mr Blake need what money you have for your eventual retirement. She’s applied for a sabbatical to Cambridge and I’ve offered her Lyndhurst as a place to stay.’
‘Oh. I can’t believe she didn’t confide in me,’ Judy felt close to tears.
‘She knew you would jeopardise your own future to help her, Judy. Rhona will pay me back when she gets on her feet again … ’
Judy looked aghast. ‘You mean you have loaned her money?’
‘Just to help her on her way. The money’s nothing, Judy. Rhona will get it back to me but I’m not concerned whether she does or she doesn’t,’ said Ian.
‘But Ian, Leo would never allow it.’
‘Why does he have to know? Couldn’t she have won a scholarship?’ said Ian.
‘You’re asking me to lie to my husband, Ian. I don’t know if I can do that,’ Judy looked out the window at the endless blue sky.
‘Rhona feels guilty that it was her own poor judgement that landed her in this predicament. She trusted someone she shouldn’t have, and he let her down. She’s also aware that her father had already paid her way through university.’
‘But none of that matters, Ian. What matters is that you’ve put me in a terrible predicament,’ said Judy, wiping her forehead nervously.
‘I’m sorry, Judy. I didn’t mean to cause any bad feeling. I just wanted to help,’ Ian said, crestfallen.
Judy looked across at Ian and her heart went out to him. Sometimes it seemed to her that he really was only a boy.
‘Let me speak to Leo,’ she said gently. ‘I’m sure he’ll be okay about Rhona staying rent-free at Lyndhurst. Perhaps once she’s over there we can deal with the rest,’ Judy patted Ian’s shoulder comfortingly. ‘And thank you for trying to help,’ she added. ‘Now let’s see how Trish is faring.’
Ian started the car.
Alec Claydon was alongside the Mercedes as soon as it stopped. He pumped Ian’s hand vigorously. ‘I don’t know how to thank you, Ian. Trish and I have had our differences but …’ he trailed off.
‘It was nothing, Alec,’ said Ian.
‘At least let me pay for the use of your plane,’ Alec offered.
‘I wouldn’t think of it. It’ll be listed as a property expense. How is Mrs Claydon?’ Ian asked.
‘She’s pretty good considering she copped broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a shattered kidney,’ Alec said.
Trish Claydon was seated in a big lounge chair flanked by her daughters Cyd and Maureen, who had come to see their mother after her accident. Both girls were now studying at university in Brisbane.
Trish got up carefully and kissed Ian on the cheek after he handed her the flowers.
‘A small present put together from a rather bare garden,’ he said.
‘Judy,’ Trish said with a smile and the two women embraced.
‘I had to come to see how you were,’ Judy said.
‘That’s very sweet of you,’ Trish said. Judy kissed Cyd and Maureen and then stood back as Ian more circumspectly shook hands with both girls. He didn’t know them well enough to greet them with a kiss.
‘You look very well, Mrs Claydon,’ Ian said.
She was wearing a soft wool skirt, white blouse and a navy cardigan. Cyd and Maureen were wearing jeans and pretty blouses.
‘You’ve done a lot since we were here last. The park is lovely, Ian,’ Maureen ventured.
‘Yes it does look great, but I couldn’t have done any of it without the generous help of all the amazing people of Murrawee. Helen Donovan’s been a brick; and Joe Barker, who was one of the early doubters, put up a lot of money, which got the others on board – oh there’s too many to name,’ said Ian throwing up his arms in mock exasperation.
‘Hasn’t Fiona McDonald been your main partner in crime?’ asked Trish.
‘I’m sure Fiona has been a big help,’ teased Cyd.
Trish shot Cyd a look that said, ‘Enough!’
‘Well actually, she’s been amazing, Cyd,’ said Ian, ‘I would have soon lost my temper with all the red tape, but she’s been patient and organised – a real gem. I couldn’t have done it without her.’
‘The park should be a real asset to Murrawee,’ said Alec. ‘I reckon there’s a lot more optimism in Murrawee now with the park and an annual sheepdog trial.’
‘I’ve no idea where you get all these ideas, Ian. Your brain never seems to stop!’ Trish exclaimed.
‘I haven’t finished, yet,’ Ian smiled, ‘I’ve bought the old butcher shop in Murrawee and I’m thinking of opening it again. Norm Higgins’s son is keen to have a go at running it.’
‘That would be lovely! To be able to buy our meat locally again, like years ago,’ said Judy.
‘We’ll be feeding wether lambs and we’ll have crossbred lambs in the future. We could easily feed a few steers in a small feedlot and offer grain-fed beef. We’ll advertise and promote it as “the best meat in the west”! Someone could even run some turkeys and we could sell them through the shop, especially at Christmas. The shop was cheap and it was lying idle,’ Ian said.
‘You exhaust me with your ideas, Ian,’ Trish said kindly, ‘I think it’s time for morning tea.’
‘So you’re studying science,’ Trish remarked as she stood up to pass Ian a slice of cake. ‘What do you plan to do when you get your degree?’
‘I’ve got a way to go, Mrs Claydon, and I’m not sure yet. I’m hoping to do medicine as well,’ Ian replied.
‘I can’t imagine why you would want to be a doctor when you’ve got Kanimbla,’ Trish said as she sat down again. They were sitting at a table on the gauze-enclosed side verandah, and the smoko was quite impressive. Ian had never imagined Trish as a cook, yet her sponge cake compared very favourably with Mrs Heatley’s masterpieces.
‘I wouldn’t be the kind of doctor you probably envisage, Mrs Claydon,’ Ian answered. ‘I expect to be looking through microscopes quite a lot. I eventually hope to specialise in medical research.’ Ian saw the look of interest on Maureen’s face. He knew she’d just started a veterinary science degree.
‘It all sounds terribly important,’ said Trish.
‘There are diseases that are killing millions of people in developing countries, Mrs Claydon, and I want to see if I can make a contribution in combating those diseases.’
‘But if you go, what will become of Kanimbla?’ asked Alec. ‘Will I still be able to buy Kanimbla rams?’
‘Yes, you’ll still be able to buy Kanimbla rams, hopefully for some time to come. To compensate for lower wool prices, we’re homing in on sheep that need to be shorn every eight months, which will mean three shearings every two years,’ said Ian.
‘I’m damned pleased to hear that,’ said Alec. ‘I’ll have a vet here in Maureen, at least for a while, and we could do some artificial insemination work to help establish Kanimbla’s g
enetics program.’
‘Sounds good,’ said Ian.
As much as she was interested in genetics, Maureen would have liked to get Ian to one side so she could discuss his medical research aspirations. She was particularly interested in diseases that could be transmitted from animals to humans, known as zoonotic diseases, but it was clear that her mother wanted to be queen bee of this gathering, so there was no chance of initiating such a discussion. She liked Ian a lot, and if Fiona hadn’t been on the scene, Maureen would have been interested in getting to know him better.
Afterwards, the whole Claydon family came out to the car to say goodbye. As Ian was about to get into the car he turned back and looked directly at Maureen. ‘If you feel like doing a post-graduate course when you finish and would like to do it in England, you could use my place as your base. It’s a big house with plenty of room. Cambridge offers some interesting degree courses in biological sciences,’ he said.
‘Why thank you, Ian,’ said a stunned Maureen.
He nodded and got into the Mercedes. The family watched it as it drew away from them.
‘Well, lucky you, Maureen. Imagine having Ian Richardson to look out for you. He might fancy you,’ Cyd said.
‘As if!’ replied Maureen.
Alec jumped in, ‘I reckon he’d only be thinking about what he could do to help Maureen’s career. He’s a damned nice bloke. He treats everyone the same, no matter who they are. You keep Ian’s offer in mind, Mo.’
Maureen looked at Cyd, ‘Anyway, Fiona McDonald has stolen Ian’s heart. That’s common knowledge.’
‘Humph! Well someone had better tell Ian that, because from where I stand, he doesn’t seem all that keen on her,’ Cyd said.
‘I’m not sure you’re right about that,’ Trish interposed, watching as the Mercedes disappeared over the rise.
‘That wasn’t too bad, was it?’ Judy asked Ian as they left Bahreenah. ‘You got waited on hand and foot, and that cream sponge was lovely.’
‘Hmm,’ Ian replied absently.
Judy glanced across at him. He seemed rather distracted, which wasn’t a mood she had noticed previously. ‘Is there something wrong, Ian?’ she asked.
Ian concentrated hard on his driving for a few moments before answering. ‘I’m still concerned about whether I did the right thing with Rhona, Judy. It seemed right at the time because Rhona was in a trough and needed help. She wouldn’t go to you or Mr Blake, and had no other option, so I offered to lend a hand.’
‘Don’t worry about it, Ian. I can see from your offer to Maureen that this kind of generosity is just part of who you are. Rhona will find her feet again. Ten to one she’ll find another bloke and Graeme will be a distant memory.’
‘I hope so,’ said Ian, clearly not convinced.
‘Actually, there’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you about,’ Judy said, her voice serious.
Ian looked at her with a worried expression.
‘It’s about Fiona,’ explained Judy. ‘She came to see me last week – in tears.’
Ian looked straight ahead, dreading what was coming next.
‘Ian, she adores you. Why do you think she’s been doing all of this work for the Murrawee projects? It’s not really for the town; she’s doing it for you. It’s almost as if she’s trying to prove that she’s worthy of your love.’
Ian ran one hand through his fine hair and shook his head slowly in exasperation.
‘Judy, it’s not what you think. She’s an amazing person and I care about her deeply. I’m just confused. I’m not sure I’m ready. There’s so much I want to do with my life. I don’t want to let her down. It doesn’t seem fair to expect Fiona to wait patiently while I slog away studying for years.’
‘But don’t you see, Ian? That decision should be hers to make, not yours,’ Judy said passionately. ‘I didn’t really want to live in the outback for most of my life, but I love my husband, he’s a good man and I was willing to make that sacrifice. Then I had the two girls and I began painting and I never looked back. The big question is whether you want to live without Fiona. You might think you’re doing the right thing by leaving her here with Lachie, but she might prefer to be with you in England no matter how difficult the circumstances. And she needn’t sit at home and twiddle her thumbs while you do your medical stuff. She could do a uni course too,’ Judy stopped and let all of this sink in.
‘But what about Lachie?’ Ian said. ‘He’d be on his own.’
‘Daughters leave home all the time, Ian,’ replied Judy. ‘That’s life. Lachie wouldn’t want to hold Fiona to him. He’s a strong man, with a good heart and he’ll just want his daughter to be happy.’
Ian wiped his brow and glanced at Judy. ‘Thank you,’ he said as they pulled up outside the bungalow. ‘You’ve given me a lot to think about.’
‘It’s a pleasure, Ian. I know you’ll make the right decision,’ she said kindly.
Chapter Twenty-eight
It was a great day for Murrawee. Granted there was still the odd local who was anti-tourist, but the benefits accruing from the ‘Oasis of Murrawee’ would soon take care of their whingeing. The garage reported increased sales of petrol, the café more meals and the pub more business. More travellers were calling in at Murrawee. It would be true to say that no one in the district had ever thought they’d see a motel built in their township. Now, they not only had a motel but a caravan and bird park, and plans for a swimming pool to be built adjacent to the motel.
On the day prior to the official opening, two snow white marquees were erected adjacent to the motel, one filled with chairs and the other with several trestle tables covered in white linen. The tables were for the lunch and liquid refreshments which were supplied, co-operatively – and remarkably – by the Murrawee Café and the Murrawee Hotel.
There were several dignitaries at the opening. These included the Federal Member, Alan Moore; the State Member, Stuart Duff; two mayors and other representatives of local government as well as media from Roma.
Helen Donovan opened proceedings. ‘As president of the Murrawee and District Development Association it is my pleasant duty to welcome you here today. I’d like to begin by thanking most sincerely the members of the syndicate who supplied the finance to build our motel. Their faith in the future of this part of Queensland, when so many small towns are in decline, can’t be praised enough,’ Helen said, and paused while there was a round of applause.
‘But the motel wouldn’t have been built except for the generosity of Mr Ian Richardson of Kanimbla station who donated this thirty-five acre block and then with great energy and enthusiasm proceeded to convince us that our town had a future. It is due largely to this man’s efforts that we’re here today. Ian is going to say a few words so please welcome him,’ Helen urged.
Ian walked to the front of the marquis to the accompaniment of prolonged clapping.
‘Thank you, Mrs Donovan. I’d like to echo Mrs Donovan’s remarks by also thanking the members of the syndicate who generously provided finance. They’ve shown faith in this district, a faith I hope will be rewarded, if not by decent profits, then by a more prosperous future for the township. Just alongside you’ll see that there are three caravans in the park and during this coming week, we’ll have two coaches calling in to visit the bird park – a clear sign that we’re now on the map!’ Ian said with pride.
‘I’d like to thank several people, in particular, for their part in getting the motel, caravan and bird parks up and running: Mr Frank Morton, for his superb building management; Mr Lindsay Gayford and his team for the landscape design; and Mr Geoff Greenaway for his help in liaising with the shire council. Countless local people have been involved in the construction of the parks and motels – Alf Zeller, Frank Morton to name just two. Mrs Donovan and Mrs Trish Claydon were responsible for choosing the furnishings for the units, which you’ll all be able to inspect very shortly. I’d especially like to thank Fiona McDonald, who did a lot of the costings and project mana
gement. Thanks to you and to the many other people who assisted.’
Helen Donovan returned to the front of the marquee. ‘Thank you, Ian. I’ll now call on the shire president, Mr Les Peters, to officially open the motel after which the rooms will be open for your inspection. Lunch and drinks will be available in the adjacent marquee. Thank you,’ Helen Donovan finished.
It was here that Ian first met Eddie and Katie Fisher, who would be the motel’s caretakers. Eddie had worked in the Queensland ambulance service for more than forty years, and Katie had been an ‘ambo’ too before she married him. They had two grown-up children, who were both doing well. Eddie had handled hundreds of people who’d been the victims of accidents or suffered heart attacks – he’d even delivered babies. He was a big man with a head of thick white hair and keen blue eyes. Katie was a pretty brunette who had allowed her hair to grey naturally. She had only ever loved one man, and she was married to him. Eddie had looked forward to retirement so that he could more fully indulge his passion for wildlife photography. He liked to fish, too, but that came second to the camera.
‘So you’re the man who started all this,’ Eddie said to Ian and waved his arm in a sweeping motion towards the motel and bird park. Helen Donovan, who’d interviewed Eddie and Katie for the caretakers’ position, had taken Ian aside so he could meet them.
‘I plead guilty,’ said Ian, smiling.
‘It must have come as a bit of a shock to the locals,’ Eddie said.
‘You could say that,’ said Ian, ‘but their support meant we got it done. Are you happy with your rooms?’
‘They’re very nice,’ said Katie.
‘I hope you’ll be happy here. I’m so pleased to meet you. It’s been a worry not having any kind of medical service in the town. We’ve had to use the Kanimbla plane for emergencies. Have you had a chat to Helen about what you’ll need?’ said Ian.
‘I’ve had a brief word with Eddie,’ said Helen.
‘Good,’ said Ian. ‘So you’re keen on wildlife photography?’ he directed his question at Eddie.