by Cate Kendall
The firefighters had assured her no one was inside, so where was Nick? She shook her way out of Rainbow’s embrace and shouted to Merle, ‘Where’s Nick? Why isn’t he here?’
‘Didn’t you know, love?’ Merle seemed confused by Jess’s question. ‘He’s moved to Western Australia. He left earlier tonight.’
Jessica’s knees gave out. She wobbled to the ground. Merle supported her head. ‘But why?’ Jess asked, the fire momentarily pushed to one side.
‘Oh, Jess, you don’t need this right now. Let’s just get this sorted out,’ Merle said.
‘Why, Merle? What did he say?’ Jess’s face was terror-stricken.
The old woman stroked the hair from Jess’s forehead and said quietly, ‘He said that there was nothing left here for him anymore.’
54
Late the next day, Jessica sifted through the rubble at the site. The Fire Chief had declared the blaze an accident. One of the gas burners might have been left on, a tea towel must have caught and the tinder-dry remainder of the building had just gone up. It was completely and utterly gone. Not a thing remained.
Jess felt as if she was going mad, wading through charcoal, metal and rubbish. What could she possibly find in this mess, except for miserable reminders? A little gingham foot poked out from a burnt metal box: one of her Christmas decorations. They were all charred and ruined, but still merrily smiling with soot-blackened faces.
A wave of desolation swept over her. How could she get through this with no Dad and no Nick? She had no idea what to do, or how to even fit this disaster into her mind. She stood on the street at the front of the building, still clasping one of the little gingham people by the hand. Looking at where the store had once stood, she tried to make her addled brain understand what had happened. There was nowhere to go from here. There was nothing to be done. It was over, all over.
A car toot behind her caused her to turn. She vaguely recognised the little BMW, but her brain was in too much shock to place it.
The back door flung open. ‘Jessie! Jessie!’ It was Liam, swiftly followed by Callum. As they darted across the road, Jessica looked quickly left and right, relieved to see there were no cars. ‘Boys! Callum, Liam, darling boys, come here this instant.’
They were already in her arms, squealing with happiness. ‘What a mess, Jessie,’ Callum said, pointing at the fire site.
‘Yes, it is rather.’ She turned to follow his gaze and had to admit that it was just a mess. Not a disaster. And messes could be cleaned up.
‘Wasn’t that your shop?’ Liam said. ‘Was there a fire?’
‘There was a fire last night.’
‘Oh, no,’ Liam said. ‘That’s terrible. I loved your shop. What are you going to do?’
‘That’s an excellent question, Liam, and I’m very glad you’re here so I can ask you both your advice. What do you think I should do?’ She glanced over their heads and waved at Karen, who was waiting at the car.
Looking back down at the boys, who were now standing side-by-side surveying the damage in exactly the same way she’d been doing when they arrived, she marvelled at their growth in the last couple of years. She also marvelled at how her love for them had only strengthened in that time.
‘So? Do you have an answer for me?’
‘Build it again?’ Liam said and looked up at Jessica, seeking her approval.
‘Yeah, we can fix it!’ Callum said quoting his favourite TV program, Bob the Builder.
‘What a brilliant idea! Should we do that? Should we build it again?’ She felt a seed of optimism deep within start to bloom.
‘Yeah!’ both boys yelled, jumping up and down at the prospect.
Karen came over as the boys skirted the cordoned-off site, poking at its perimeter, fascinated by the destruction.
‘Was this your shop?’ Karen asked.
‘Yep, ’fraid so,’ Jessica replied.
‘What are you going to do?’
Funny how everybody kept asking that question when the answer was so clear.
‘Rebuild it. I’ve just had some excellent advice.’
‘Wow, you’re brave,’ Karen said. ‘I could never do anything like that.’
‘Why are you guys in town?’ Jessica asked, turning to look at Karen. ‘It was perfect timing, by the way – I really needed the boys at that exact moment. Thank you.’
‘Well, it’s about the boys really. Graham and I are getting divorced.’
‘What? Oh, Karen I’m so sorry.’
Karen’s mouth twisted with sadness. ‘He’s leaving me for someone else.’
‘You can’t be serious?’ Jessica was aghast. She knew he was bad news, but this was too much, even for him.
‘Never mind, that’s life.’ Karen wiped her eyes, sighed and continued, straightening her posture. ‘But the good news is, as Graham’s wife and stepmother to the boys, I’m getting joint custody. It was a battle, let me tell you, but I told the judge about you and the death of their biological mother so the court felt the boys needed a stable maternal figure, and that’s me!’ She said it with such pride and love that Jessica was suddenly choked up by how much she obviously adored her stepchildren. ‘And I was thinking that maybe we could share my half of the custody.’
Jessica was stunned with happiness. ‘I would love that, Karen,’ she beamed.
Karen nodded happily and rushed on with her story. ‘The boys have missed you terribly, Jessica. Callum still cries every other night. Graham hasn’t been at all honest when he’s told you that they’ve moved on.’ She wrapped her cardigan around herself.
‘Graham not honest? What a surprise.’ Jess rolled her eyes.
During their conversation both women kept a close eye on the boys. Liam started to tug at a lethal-looking piece of timber.
‘Liam, put that down,’ they called in unison and laughed at their joint-mothering.
The four went down to the beach for a quick walk to discuss future plans and let the boys stretch their eager young legs. The seagulls were at their mercy and flew away squawking at each ambush. When the group climbed the beach steps and returned to the car, they all stood once more and faced the wreckage of the old shop. Callum looked up at Jessica.
‘So, can we fix it?’ he asked.
‘Yes, we can!’ Jessica replied.
55
Front Cover, BRW December 2010: Photograph of Rainbow and Songbird
Cover headline: Eco-Warriors Billion Dollar Deal with Peninsula Energy
Story, page twenty-two:
In an unprecedented Australian energy deal, Rainbow McIntosh and Songbird Patterson, of Stumpy Gully, Victoria, have just signed a $1.1 billion dollar deal with power company Peninsula Energy, while saving the planet at the same time.
Report: Simon Jarvis
McIntosh and Patterson, Greenpeace members and self-proclaimed hippies, are unlikely tycoons, yet have taken on the energy market with a unique invention based on the rich agricultural fields of the ancient Amazon.
Partnering with solicitor and entrepreneur Angus Wainwright, son of the recently deceased business tycoon Richard Wainwright, the women formed BlackGold, a company whose name describes its product to a tee.
‘Black gold is what we call the bio-char that is created during the pyrolysis process,’ Songbird Patterson, Electrical Engineer and one of the inventors, explains. ‘The earth is so dark, rich and fertile that plants grow three times more quickly, fruit is larger and more plentiful.’
The two women began the business a mere two years ago. It started as an idea based on their research into the Amazon and the unique fertility of certain areas within the region. Horticulturist Rainbow McIntosh explains, ‘These agricultural fields were initially developed by the Incas five hundred to two thousand years ago and to this day they are still fertile and rich. They are essentially self-producing.’
The bio-mass begins the process. A conglomeration of compost, organic cuttings, animal waste and carcasses are collected and then burnt underground. The resul
ting slow burn, deprived of oxygen, is a process known as pyrolysis and the result is bio-char, a charcoal that literally sucks carbon out of the atmosphere and into the earth. The by-product of this process is a vapour or gas that when contained can power a fuel cell, a generator or even be converted to petrol.
‘It was a very exciting day for us when our own home-grown terra preta plot actually produced enough energy to power a fuel cell and then illuminated a sixty watt light globe for thirty minutes,’ McIntosh says. ‘When we approached our dear friend Richard Wainwright, he immediately offered his two-hundred hectare property and a large amount of working capital for us to expand our operation.’
Angus Wainwright, Wainwright Snr’s son, took over the operation shortly after BlackGold moved to the large Peninsula property, where the team wasted no time in starting the energy creation process.
‘It’s fairly straightforward really,’ Wainwright says, ‘in fact I don’t know why everybody doesn’t do it. Even if the agriculture industry doesn’t harvest the energy, it makes so much more sense for it to slash-and-char instead of the current method of slash-and-burn, which sends damaging carbon into the environment. And the output using the resulting earth is phenomenal. My wife, Caroline, is running the agriculture by-product side of the operation and has won every category at every agricultural show she’s entered in the last few weeks.’
One of the most phenomenal attributes of the BlackGold operation is that it’s only in its infancy and yet Peninsula Energy saw the potential and rushed in with the offer before the company even began producing its own energy.
‘When Angus Wainwright approached us, we were ripe for a green, locally produced energy,’ Frederick Nordstrom, CEO, Peninsula Energy explains. ‘In fact, we were desperate. A recent survey of our customers showed us that 87% preferred a green method of receiving their power.’ Nordstrom continues to explain why the marriage between the companies was mutually beneficial. ‘It’s a perfect product for us. The Peninsula has the land availability, small townships, and infrastructure already in place for energy distribution. It’s an ideal test market for what will surely be the energy of the future.’
The small town of Stumpy Gully, population 2500, will be Black-Gold’s first test site at the end of 2011. ‘We are going to light up that little town,’ McIntosh says. ‘Everybody in this place helped us get started and offered their support. And on the night the lights go on, we’re hosting an enormous vegetarian banquet with our organic by-product to thank them.’
Many universities and research centres around the world are investigating terra preta and bio-char and its essential role in arresting global warming.
Johannes Lehmann, Associate Professor at Cornell University, says bio-char is indeed the key to the future of our planet. ‘I think it (pyrolysis) is a very important opportunity that we should have a very close look at. I can’t see that there’s another opportunity such as pyrolysis with a bio-char return to soil that offers clear carbon-negative bioenergy where for every unit of energy that you produce you’re actually net-sequestering carbon in the terrestrial ecosystem, anywhere on Earth.’
Songbird Patterson and Rainbow McIntosh, two women who wanted to save the planet. It looks like they might just do it.
56
Caro scooped up another load of eye-tearing compost and dumped it into the skip. Springforth, the beautiful property she’d shared with her family for the past fifteen years, had become a tip. A stinky, fly-blown, tip. A compost collection dump-truck came daily and dropped yet another load of refuse onto what once had been a manicured front lawn. The stench was unbelievable. The place was an eyesore. And she’d never been happier.
She waved as Jessica pulled up in her old Patrol. ‘God, it’s bad on a hot, still day, isn’t it?’ Jessica said holding her nose as she came over.
‘It certainly is,’ Caro said, removing her face-mask. ‘But we’re only at the beginning. We have systems we’re about to put into place to house the bio-mass so it doesn’t smell so badly while it’s waiting its turn to enter the pit. It’s no wonder it creates such energy – just feel the heat coming off the decomposition.’
Caro was right, there was a definite warmth emanating from the rubbish heap.
‘So how goes it at the building site?’ Caro asked as they headed to the back verandah for a cold drink.
‘Brilliantly,’ Jessica said. ‘Thanks to the plans left from the renovation fifteen years ago, we’ll be able to build an exact replica of the General Store. And I just found a demolition site in Schnapper Point with hundred-year-old oak floorboards for sale.’
‘Perfect. You’re a marvel. And how’s the mobile camp kitchen working out?’ Caro asked as they sat and she poured the iced tea.
Jessica had opened a temporary cafe in an old shipping container at the edge of the site. Her staff served espresso coffees and a minimal menu in a quaint picnic-style set-up. Only Jessica could have given a slap-dash cafe an atmosphere of such quaint quirkiness that it drew tourists and locals alike. And to be close to the action she’d rented and moved into the little cottage next door, in which she baked the daily treats for the cafe.
‘It’s working wonderfully, people don’t mind at all – as long as they can get their coffee and their paper they’re happy.’
‘Is breaking ground far off?’ Caro asked.
‘Next week! The plans zipped through council and the same builder from last time is free and knows what he’s doing. We should be operational in just over nine months. How about you? How’s your new career working out?’
‘Oh, Jess, I’m so happy. The kids love their new school and it’s just wonderful to be working side by side with Angus. I’ve never seen him so stress-free. He’s completely embraced his new country life. I still can’t get used to seeing him without a tie.’
‘Yeah, he seemed pretty chipper this morning when he came in for coffee. I’m glad you’re getting along so well,’ Jessica said.
‘Jessica, I must apologise for my behaviour over the last year. I was just sick with worry, and I came across as a bit of a cow.’
‘God, no, Caro, it’s me who should apologise to you. You were right the entire time. I didn’t listen to you. I was seduced by Genevieve’s maternal ways with me, the way she babied me and fed my shaky ego. I was so blind. I was looking for a mother figure when I had a perfectly good big sister here all along. But what was with you telling Dad about the property value and all that? You did come across as quite mercenary.’
‘I was just ensuring Richard was one hundred per cent committed to retaining the property for future generations, no matter how valuable it was,’ Caro explained. ‘I would never sell this place,’ she added with fierce determination. ‘Anyway, I’m just so thrilled how it’s all worked out. You know the ad agency sacked Genevieve?’
‘No! Where’s she working now?’
‘At McDonald’s head office as their advertising manager.’
‘Oh, that’s just perfect!’ Jessica laughed. ‘What a career change. Speaking of career change, look at you! Your boots are filthy and your jumper has holes in the sleeves: not at all what I’m used to seeing.’
Caro laughed and kicked a clump of mud off her gumboot. ‘And fancy me being a producer of fruit and veg. I’ve always loved my garden, but to have it be practical instead of picturesque is so thrilling. I have to keep an eye on my greenhouse, though. I keep scolding bloody Songbird and Rainbow for trying to grow their ‘special’ plants in there. I have to remind them constantly we’re partners with Peninsula Energy, who could pop in at any time.’
The women looked down across the property. The lush cornfield was reaching its peak and rustled in the sudden breeze. The other crops fought for space as they stretched up for the sun. The shiny canisters bordering the bottom paddock hummed as they created their organic energy. Caro and Jess laughed as Angus waved and made his way towards them, then tripped over a hillock of black soil.
Caro took a packet of tobacco from her back pocket and m
ade herself a rollie cigarette as her husband approached.
‘It’s remarkable that all this has come from Dad’s belief in the girls’ vision. It’s such a shame he’s not here to see it,’ Jessica said.
‘Yes,’ Caro mused, ‘I loved that man like my own dad and I knew how important this place was for him. It made me sick to think somebody could whip it away from under his nose. But he had the last laugh, didn’t he. This place is more like paradise now than it’s ever been.’
57
Jessica was busy serving tables, taking orders up to Linda in the temporary shipping container kitchen and seating guests. Although the cafe’s capacity was only a quarter of what it used to be, it was still a tricky business juggling the customers.
It did look very beautiful and was perfect for the summer season. Jess would have to organise a marquee for winter, but the market umbrellas and floral tablecloths were gorgeous and elicited many compliments from her customers. Small glass juice bottles filled with jasmine kept the place fragrant and the sea breeze was never too strong, thanks to the bulk of the foreshore acting as a windbreak.
The small menu of the old General Store’s standards was a hit. One muffin flavour – different each day, the famous flourless chocolate cake and a range of toasties were all that was on offer, yet no one complained. It was a simple enough operation that one girl and Linda could manage most days, leaving Jessica free to concentrate on the building. Except on crazy days like today, where all hands were required on deck.
Jessica was so proud of herself. She couldn’t believe how far she’d come. She’d developed fantastic organisational skills at her job in the city, yet managed to maintain her creative spirit. She often felt like pinching herself that she was personally in charge of building her General Store from scratch; with no help from the men in her past who’d usually stepped in and taken over. Angus gave great advice, but the majority of the project was her responsibility. She was doing it on her own and she loved it.