by Tony Parsons
Mrs Heatley interrupted his reverie. ‘I suppose I’ll go back to live in Murrawee now that you’re leaving.’
‘Oh no, Mrs H. If you’d like to stay here instead of going back to live in Murrawee, you are quite welcome to do so. But if you decide to live in the township, I’d like to pay you to come out here for a day a week to keep the place in order. Mr Blake will be returning a couple of times a year for the next three years and he’ll be staying in the homestead. He’ll contact you and let you know his movements. Judy may or may not accompany him. If you’re happy with that arrangement, you can let Jim Landers know, as he’ll have charge of the cheque book in future,’ Ian said.
‘When will you come back, Mr Ian?’ she asked.
‘I’ll try and come back from time to time. It will depend on university vacations and how much cramming I’ll have to do. The university year is from October to June but they have summer schools and at this stage I don’t know if I’ll be involved in any of those,’ Ian said.
There was so much she wanted to tell him. Ian had filled a great hole in her life and had become almost like a son.
‘I won’t forget you, Mrs H. You know, you could always come over and stay at Lyndhurst and have an inexpensive holiday,’ he said with a smile.
‘I had once thought of going to Britain. I wanted to see the Lake District and parts of Scotland. Oh, and some places in Europe,’ she said.
‘Well, there you are. You could make Lyndhurst your base while you make those trips,’ Ian said.
‘You’re very generous, Mr Ian,’ she said.
‘There’s a quid pro quo. You might find time to cook me some of your lovely meals,’ he said.
‘So I might,’ she said, her voice breaking a little.
Later that day, Ian spent a while saying goodbye to each of his men. They all seemed genuinely sorry to see him go, as much as he could ascertain from their laconic Aussie manner. He asked Ben to take good care of his horses and to ride them occasionally.
The night before he left, Ian invited Leo and Judy Blake, Jim and Karen Landers and Lachie and Fiona McDonald for a meal at Kanimbla. And of course Billy Landers came too. The little boy was very cut up about Ian’s departure. The reasons were beyond his boyish comprehension.
Fiona was still very upset and had, at first, contemplated refusing to attend. She could be excused for missing the party, seeing it was such a big, public event. However, refusing a private invitation to someone’s home would be a breach of good manners and would reflect badly on her father too. She loved her father dearly and simply couldn’t do that to him. And deep down, as upset as she was, she didn’t want Ian to leave with a poor opinion of her.
It had been a very restrained gathering. Lachie and Leo had talked bush generalities and Judy and Karen had talked about houses and furnishings. Fiona picked at her food and barely spoke. Judy’s heart went out to the poor girl – she knew what an effort it was for her to be there. Ian also noticed Fiona’s downcast demeanour, but was embroiled in discussions about Kanimbla’s future with Jim and Leo. Billy Landers managed to put away three lots of strawberry ice-cream before Karen stopped a further foray.
‘Is it too cold for ice-cream in England?’ Billy asked Ian.
‘It isn’t cold all the time, Billy. We do get lots of warm days. People play cricket in summer. Some of the grounds are quite beautiful, very green and people sit on canvas chairs until late in the evening because it doesn’t get dark for ages,’ Ian told him.
But the overall mood was subdued because each person realised that it would probably be the last time they would all meet for dinner at Kanimbla. Ian would soon be in England and Leo and Judy Blake would be on the coast. Fiona didn’t know what she’d be doing because Ian’s departure would turn her world upside down. She had the weird thought that Ian’s sojourn at Kanimbla could be likened to the appearance of a shooting star that flashed across the sky and then disappeared.
Eventually, Lachie couldn’t bear seeing his daughter’s grief for a moment longer, and he made his excuses for an early departure. The Blakes and Landers followed soon after, but not before making arrangements for taking Ian to the bus depot.
After they left, Ian sat by himself on the verandah. He would be returning to England in the Northern Hemisphere’s autumn, when so many trees were aflame with colour. The gentle transitions between western Queensland’s seasons would be replaced by sharply defined harbingers of winter and summer. One early settler to Australia had written home to England to say that everything was ‘upside down’. The country that had once been regarded as a giant jail for Britain’s unwanted citizens was now the land of promise for people of just about every country in the world. If you wanted blue skies, magnificent beaches and a laid-back lifestyle, Australia was your country. Yet here he was, turning his back on all that and more.
Ian walked inside to his study. Mrs Heatley had left a few papers for him to sort out before he left. He sighed as he sat down to leaf through them. One was an airmail letter from the UK. He opened it carefully.
Dear Ian
I hope this letter reaches you in time. I didn’t want to email you – it’s so impersonal, and I didn’t want to risk leaving a garbled message on your answering machine. I want to thank you again for your kindness and generosity in allowing me to stay at Lyndhurst. If you hadn’t offered to help me when you did, I don’t know how much lower I would have sunk.
And now I wanted you to be the first to hear my good news. I’ve met the loveliest man, Robbie, and am moving to Edinburgh. I know it sounds all too fast and too good to be true, but it feels so right. He lectures in philosophy at the university and is certain I will be able to find work there. It’ll be work I’m already doing, so I’ll have to put any ideas of further study on hold – at least for the moment. I’m so in love, he’s just the most incredible man I’ve ever met (well the most incredible man who was my age!).
And do you know what the most exciting part is? Robbie has introduced me to philosophy, and I know I sound like a giggly teenager, but I’m utterly inspired. I’ve been reading the work of all sorts of amazing writers and thinkers and there’s one I just have to share with you. His name is Rainer Maria Rilke, and this is probably his most famous quote:
‘For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of our tasks; the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but a preparation.’
When I read it, it got me thinking about my life, and how I’d always seemed to choose men who had let me down – men who had failed the ultimate task that Rilke speaks about. And then I thought about you, Ian, and how hard you have been trying to avoid love. Mum told me what has been happening with you and Fiona, and I just hope you’ve decided to let her into your heart. I’m glad I let beautiful Robbie into mine.
Better go now,
Love and a big hug
Rhona
Ian put the letter down and shook his head. He sincerely hoped that this time Rhona had met a genuinely decent man. He’d half-hoped that Rhona might move into the sciences – perhaps even study microbiology. She had a great mind and could make a valuable contribution. For the moment, however, she had decided to put love first, and although he wished her well, he began to wonder about his own decision.
He felt suddenly hot – no, anxious, even confused. He stood up, and began pacing in his study. All tiredness left him – it would be a long night.
Chapter Thirty-five
It was the morning of Ian Richardson’s departure. Lachie McDonald was up making his usual early-morning cup of tea. Fiona was still in bed – while she didn’t rise as early as her father (unless it was shearing, crutching or lamb-marking time), she seldom stayed in bed after seven.
Lachie heard a car drive up their track and stop at the back gate. When he heard the click of the gate, he looked through the kitchen window and saw Ian Richardson walking up the path. All his instincts told him that Ian hadn’t come to see him. He walked quickly to Fi
ona’s bedroom and woke her.
‘Ian Richardson has just arrived. You’d better throw on a gown,’ Lachie told her.
Fiona looked at her watch. Five past six. Ian had never before arrived at such an hour. But of course he was leaving today. What did he want? Her curiosity got the better of her and she ran for the bathroom, washed her face, combed her hair and added a smear of lipstick.
Ian was standing in the kitchen when she walked in. Lachie had diplomatically departed.
‘Ian, is anything wrong?’ Fiona asked.
‘No, there’s nothing wrong except that I don’t have much time. Fiona, I want you to come to England. Not today but as soon as you can arrange it. I’ve been a complete fool. I thought it wouldn’t be fair to ask you because I’d be so occupied, but Judy said that if you love me you wouldn’t mind any of that,’ Ian said in a rush.
Fiona took a step backwards and stammered, ‘But … why? What changed your mind?’
‘I thought about the reality of leaving, and how I might never see you again. I don’t want to spend my life without you, Fiona. I’d like you to come over and see if you can bear it,’ he said.
‘You mean live together?’ she asked.
‘Not the way you probably think. Lyndhurst is a very big house. You could have your own rooms. But we’d be together. You could do a uni course if that’s what you’d like. Later, if you think it’s not all too much for you, we could get married,’ he said.
Fiona clapped her hand over her mouth as if stifling a cry. ‘Oh Ian,’ she managed to choke out before he encircled her in a gentle embrace and kissed her tenderly.
‘Will you come?’ he asked.
‘Yes, of course I’ll come, but I won’t be able to leave straight away. I’ll come as soon as I can organise things here. You’re a duffer for being such a slow coach,’ she said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me all this when we were in the woolshed? Surely you could see how I felt about you?’
Myriad thoughts flashed through Fiona’s mind – the experiences they could have shared, and now there was no time.
‘I’m not that big a dumbcluck, Fiona! If I’d known I was staying at Kanimbla, I would have asked you long ago. But I’m going to be devoted to medical research for such a long time, it seemed unfair to expect you to settle for so little time together. Then there was Lachie here all on his own and, well, you seem so cut out for a life on the land. You’ve got your horses and your dogs …’ Ian trailed off.
‘You didn’t consider that I just might be cut out for a life with you? Women are very adaptable, Ian,’ she said with glowing eyes.
‘That seemed too much to hope for,’ said Ian.
‘But why? Haven’t we always got on well? Have we ever argued? Did you ever hear of me going anywhere with another man? You’re usually so bright, Ian. How could you not know how I felt about you?’
‘I guess I was afraid that you’d find it all too hard and you’d end up leaving me,’ Ian said quietly.
‘Oh, darling! I’ll never leave you,’ said Fiona and they held each other for a long time.
‘I’m sorry I’ve been so slow. Leigh told me I was crazy to keep you at arm’s length,’ Ian said.
‘I’ll bet that’s not all he said,’ Fiona laughed.
‘Granted,’ Ian said and laughed too.
‘So where does Rhona Blake fit into your plans? I can’t imagine living in the same house as Rhona. People might imagine you’ve got a harem at Lyndhurst,’ Fiona smiled.
‘You don’t have to worry about Rhona, darling. She’s met a halfway decent bloke and moved to Edinburgh with him. Between you and me, I don’t think she’s planning to join me in the research work,’ said Ian.
‘If you’re looking for a research partner, why can’t it be me? I don’t think I’d want to do medicine even if I could get into Cambridge, but I could do a science degree. That way we’d be studying together for some of the time. I got a distinction in science, so there’s every chance I’d be accepted. What do you think?’ she asked.
‘I’m floating!’ Ian grabbed Fiona around the waist and danced her around the kitchen.
‘Hang on!’ Fiona laughed, breathless from the dancing. ‘Haven’t you got a coach to catch? We’d better tell Dad.’
They found Lachie on the back verandah trying to appear as if he’d been reading the newspaper. The fact that the paper was upside down made that a virtual impossibility, suggesting he’d been more interested in what had been discussed in the kitchen.
‘Ian’s got something to tell you, Dad,’ Fiona said, and flashed her father a smile.
‘Fiona and I, well, we’re sort of engaged, Mr Mac. I want Fiona to come to England to see if she’ll be able to tolerate the lifestyle. I don’t want her to commit to marriage until she knows what she’ll be letting herself in for. If it suits her, we’ll get married,’ Ian said.
‘You mean you’ll live together first? This isn’t how I’d expect you to behave, Ian,’ Lachie said sharply.
‘No, I don’t mean that. Fiona can have her own rooms. Lyndhurst is a very big place. I’ve suggested that perhaps Fiona could study. But we’d be together and we’d be able to see each other,’ Ian said.
The tall grazier looked at his daughter and what he saw on her face told him all he needed to know. ‘It’s up to you, Fiona,’ he said.
‘I’ve told Ian that I’ll go to him. Not immediately, but when we get everything sorted out here,’ Fiona said.
Lachie stood up and held out his hand. ‘Congratulations, Ian. It looks like I’ve got myself a future son-in-law.’
Fiona kissed her father warmly before taking Ian’s hand. ‘Would you like me to cook you some breakfast?’
‘That would have been lovely, Fiona, but I told Mrs Heatley I’d be back for an eight o’clock breakfast,’ he said.
‘Did you tell her where you were going?’ Fiona asked.
‘Yes, but I didn’t say why. She probably imagines I’m saying goodbye to you,’ he said.
‘Which you are,’ she said with a laugh.
‘But not for long, I hope. Now I’d better rush. Pack plenty of warm clothes when you come over Fiona,’ he said. ‘I’ll arrange your ticket as soon as you’re ready.’
Lachie smiled as they walked down the path hand in hand. He reckoned that his daughter’s future was assured. Fiona was made of good stuff and there was no way she’d bail out if the going got a bit tough. A pity that Ian had left it to the last minute to make his feelings known – it would have been great to organise an engagement party for them.
Fiona watched the Mercedes until it was out of sight and then she walked back up the path to where her father stood on the verandah. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. I couldn’t say I wouldn’t go,’ she said.
‘Of course you couldn’t,’ he agreed. ‘Blokes like Ian Richardson don’t grow on trees.’
‘I’ve wanted to be with him since the first time we met,’ she said. ‘I knew no other boy would do.’
Lachie looked past her to the garden his late wife had loved so much. ‘I think your mother would be very happy about this, Fiona.’
‘I think so too, Dad,’ she said and kissed her father’s rough cheek affectionately.
Chapter Thirty-six
Mrs Heatley clucked about Ian as he loaded his luggage into the Mercedes, worrying that he wouldn’t be warm enough when he got to London.
‘Don’t worry, Mrs H. I’ve got enough clothes to see me through the first few days. I’ll buy some warmer ones when I get there,’ Ian told her.
‘And what about Fiona?’ she continued. ‘Is she coming to see you off?’
‘I doubt it, Mrs H. We’ve said our goodbyes. She has a lot to get sorted out.’
Mrs Heatley had seen the happiness in Ian’s face when he returned from his ‘drive’ that morning and immediately surmised the truth. She was so thrilled that Fiona would be joining him in England that she’d forgotten her usual good manners and given him the biggest hug.
Ian drove with Leo beside him
in the front seat and Judy and Mrs Heatley in the back. The Landers were following behind them. Ian had been surprised when Mrs Heatley told him she wanted to come along to see him off. She said she wasn’t going to forego that pleasure just because Leigh Metcalfe would be there. She also packed a basket of food and utensils because, as she told Ian, Leigh was a ‘rough sort of cook’. The fact that he could make a damper to die for didn’t elevate him in her eyes one little bit.
Leo had offered to drive Ian all the way to Sydney airport, but Ian had said he wouldn’t hear of him doing any such thing. Jim Landers had also offered to fly him to Brisbane or Sydney or any place he wished to go, and Ian had replied that he wouldn’t fly in a small plane for love or money.
‘I’ll return to Sydney the way I came – by coach. I like them, they’re very comfortable. I’ve got a lot to think about and travelling in a coach will give me the time to do just that.’
When they had left Kanimbla and were on the road in to Murrawee, Ian looked across at Leo and grinned. ‘Well, Leo, this is the last trip to Murrawee for a while.’
‘After all this time you finally call me Leo!’ Leo exclaimed with an answering grin.
‘I’m an absentee owner from this point on and a medical student to boot. Or almost,’ Ian said.
When they arrived at the park, the atmosphere was far from subdued. Leigh had gone in quite early in his utility as he and Luke wanted to get the fire going so the damper would cook nicely in the camp oven. He and Luke had the billy boiling and the camp oven covered with embers. Mrs Heatley put a tablecloth on one of the tables and set out butter and jam and golden syrup and knives. Helen Donovan had badly wanted to come too but the coach’s passengers stopped at the store for lunch and she had to have food ready for them.
‘Soon be cutting up bodies, I reckon, Ian,’ Leigh said cheekily. ‘But don’t let it put you off your smoko.’