Burning Fields

by Alli Sinclair

  With this change in circumstance, Stephen Channing had done some impressive string-pulling with management and given the Stantons the time they needed to get over this last hurdle and sort out their financial issues—with Rosie now firmly at the helm of the family’s finances. Debts, finally, would be paid.

  “Back later,” said Alex as he moseyed across the way to speak to a couple of his old school friends. For the first time since arriving from France, Alex had made an effort to talk to people outside the family.

  “Thank you,” said her father.

  “For?”

  “For giving me more chances than I deserve. I know I’m an old stick in the mud who should listen to his daughter.”

  The ghost of Vincenzo Pasquale would always be a constant in Rosie’s life and she didn’t mind at all. She carried his genes, and, according to her mother, his eternal love. Rosie had enough love in her heart for two fathers and she felt so very lucky.

  Her father looked over at Alex near the food table. “You bring out the best in him and he’ll do well to have you working by his side.”

  “I’m glad he doesn’t mind.”

  Her father shook his head. “Not in the slightest. If anything, he seems happy to have you there on the days when he’s not coping so well.”

  “So, no luck with Bartel?” Rosie asked.

  “Not two coins left to rub together. We just have to trust the legal system now.”

  Rosie sighed.

  “We’ll get through this, sweetheart.” Her mother wrapped her arm around Rosie’s waist and pulled her close. Rosie rested her head on her mother’s and inhaled the divine scent of peppermint shampoo. It was a welcome change from brandy.

  With the arrival of the Contis, Cecile had moved into hostess mode and spent all her days making sure their unexpected guests felt welcome. Nonna, Beatrice, and Cecile had taken to cooking together, teaching each other recipes from their respective homelands.

  “Rosie! Rosie!” Kitty ran up, breathless. “You need to come quick!”

  Kitty pushed Rosie gently in the back, urging her forward.

  “Why?”

  “Don’t waste time with questions, just come!”

  “What?” Rosie laughed.

  “Look! Look!” She pointed at William, who balanced an empty bottle on his nose. On Kitty’s mother’s lap sat little Isabelle, her eyes wide as she threw her head back and let out a belly laugh that made her body jiggle. Her roly-poly arms and legs waved around as she took delight in her father’s antics.

  “It is the simple pleasures in life that we cherish the most,” said Minister Jack, appearing beside Rosie.

  “So very true.” Rosie glanced around at the growing crowd who laughed and chatted as they mixed with each other, no matter the nationality, no matter the language. The entire population of Piri River and surrounds had turned up. With the exception of one Ken Ridley.

  “Thanks to you, young Isabelle may live in a different world for women.” Jack raised an eyebrow. “Are you ready?”

  “Ready?”

  “Your first meeting is next week. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m feeling very good, as a matter of fact.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “Nearly all the women I spoke to this morning have said they will come along to our meeting. Nonna has been doing the same with the Italian community. Both of us have had women cry when they realized they don’t need to be alone, that there are people—like me, like you, like Nonna—willing to give them the help and support they need.”

  Nonna handed Rosie and Jack a glass of wine each. “It is good. Medicinal. saluti!”

  Rosie and Jack clinked glasses and once again, Rosie reveled in the delicious berry flavors.

  “Between us,” Rosie continued, “I’m pretty sure we can figure out how to start up a system so the women can take turns in child-minding while the others work or improve their maths and English skills.” As soon as Rosie had put out feelers, she’d discovered one of the reasons so many women found it difficult to find work was their level of education. By teaching them the basics, they at least had a fighting chance in gaining work outside a kitchen, even in this rural community. She expected pushback from some of the males—but even though her group was small, together they were strong.

  “It’s a good thing you’re doing,” Jack said.

  Rosie waved her hand, slightly embarrassed. “I only came up with the idea. Nonna’s the one with the expertise.”

  Nonna linked arms with Rosie. “We make a good team, no?”

  Despite the devastation at Il Sunnu, Nonna had insisted that she and Rosie get this new project underway. Nonna had said she needed to feel useful, and starting this support group for women was exactly what she needed. It also occurred to Rosie there was the possibility that, through the group, she might find a way to address what happened to her in Brisbane. Although she had no intention of ever returning to that office and dealing with that pig of a boss, she worried for the other women there who may suffer the same fate as her. There was no way he’d get away with doing more damage and Rosie vowed she would somehow find a way to fight it.

  She looked over at the band that had just started up. Tomas walked toward Rosie, hands outstretched, his beautiful lips turned up into a very enticing smile.

  “May I take this lovely lady away for a moment in time?” he asked.

  Nonna gently pushed Rosie in the small of her back. “Yes, yes. We are done with talking. We should now dance. And eat! We should eat!” Nonna turned to Minister Jack. “Have you tried my famous Sicilian apple cake?”

  “I do not believe I have.” Minister Jack held out his arm and Nonna rested hers on his. They headed toward the tables and Nonna quickly busied herself with cutting a thick slice of cake. She placed it on a plate, along with a pile of other sweet treats while Jack laughed and happily tasted everything she offered.

  “Are we standing here all of the night?” Tomas asked, the smile lines around his eyes deepening.

  “No! Come on, let’s go!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the patch of dirt just in front of the band. The space was already crowded with couples and young children who danced to the easy rhythm of Cosimo’s band.

  Rosie and Tomas spun and dipped and laughed as dust swirled around their feet and music filled their ears. Out of the corner of her eye, Rosie spotted William dancing with Kitty, who had Isabelle in her arms. The sweet little bundle never stopped smiling, her eyes wide as she took in the wonder of the world around her.

  “Rosie?” Tomas stopped and she realized she’d slowed down her dancing. “Is something wrong?”

  “Oh no! Everything is absolutely right.”

  “You need a break?”

  “Actually,” she said, “I think I do.”

  They moved to the side and Tomas passed her a glass of water from the table. She took a long sip, enjoying the icy liquid.

  “I have a question,” she said.

  Tomas raised an eyebrow.

  “What did you do after…you know…the war ended. Why didn’t you come to Australia with your family?”

  He took a long gulp from his glass and slowly put it down on the table. “For years I fought for the freedom of my people. I sacrificed, witnessed bloodshed, lost those I loved…I gave my soul to my beloved Italy. But…” His voice cracked. “But in the end, I did not feel that she loved me back. I tried to stay. I tried to live a normal life. I worked as an engineer in Rome, but the country I knew, the people I knew, were so very different. I was different.”

  “You can’t have war and expect things to be the same, though.”

  “Yes, yes, this is true. I do not know how to explain it…I just…” His frown was deep. “My heart was too broken. Maybe it was me that could not love her like I once did.”

  They held hands and walked past the half-burnt Queenslander. To see it c
lose to ruins without much hope for repair saddened Rosie.

  “What are you going to do about the house?” she asked.

  Tomas gave a half shrug. “We are caught between restoring the past or building a new future.”

  They continued along the path toward the river, slowly making their way through the fire-ravaged fields. The three-quarter moon lit their path, and as they walked, she noticed something that made her stop.

  She studied the tiny green leaves poking out of the blackened ground.

  “Oh wow,” she said, kneeling down.

  Tomas joined her and studied the small plant pushing its way through the debris.

  “It’s a fighter,” she said. “It’s survived the burning fields.”

  “It’s already won a tough battle.”

  She reached over and gently traced her finger along the scar under Tomas’s eye. “Sometimes the biggest battles are the ones we have inside us.”

  He gently wrapped his fingers around hers then stood and helped her up. In the distance, music and laughter filled the air as the stars twinkled in the dark sky, framed by the ever-present mountains.

  Rosie breathed in the balmy evening.

  This was her land.

  Where her soul belonged.

  The country her heart loved.

  Rosie looked up at Tomas, whose lips slowly turned up in that alluring, heart-stopping way. She had another love, and he was right in front of her.

  Tomas pulled Rosie close and when he kissed her, all the jigsaw pieces of Rosie’s life finally clicked together. Never again would she doubt her place amongst the burning fields.

  Author’s Note

  The year 1948 was a period of dramatic social change all over the globe. World War II had ended in 1945, and afterward many people found adjusting to their new way of life a challenge. Women who had experienced independence working in nontraditional jobs while the men were away fighting now had to return to their traditional roles of wife or mother; newly arrived immigrants had to adapt to a country that was very foreign to them, while still coming to terms with events in their homelands, and; countless returned servicemen struggled with what we now call post-traumatic stress disorder, although it wasn’t yet a known condition.

  Writing Burning Fields gave me the opportunity to research this period of life and it is interesting to see how far, or how little in some instances, we have come. Equality, racism, and sexism are topics that are still very relevant today, and it is my hope that Burning Fields will spark discussion between you and your friends, book club members, work colleagues or family members…whoever has an interest in helping society find a fair and equal world for everyone.

  Rosie and Nonna created their own organization to help others, and there are countless associations today that work very hard for respect, understanding and equal rights for all. For example: Amnesty International, UN Women, World Health Organization, White Ribbon, Ultraviolet, National Organisation for Women, American Civil Liberties Union, InterAction, Equality Now, ProMundo, CARE, Sonke Gender Justice, Centre for Health and Social Justice, The Gender and Development Network, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, National Organization for Women (NOW), The Association of Women’s Rights in Development, Object, Women’s Environment and Development Organization, Fawcett Society, Outright Action International, The GREAT Initiative, Womankind, Families for Freedom, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, are some of the many wonderful organizations helping women, children and migrants. If Rosie and Tomas’s story has inspired you, please get in contact with an association that appeals to you and offer your support. It will be greatly appreciated!

  I hope you enjoyed reading Burning Fields. I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to contact me.

  Thank you and happy reading!

  —Alli

  Website: www.allisinclair.com

  Instagram: instagram.com/alli_sinclair/

  Facebook: Alli Sinclair Author

  Twitter: @allisinclair

  Acknowledgments

  Once again, I am so very blessed to work with a wonderful group of people who love stories as much as I do.

  A huge thank you to the talented and magnificent team at Kensington Publishing. It’s an absolute delight working with all of you. Extra special thanks to my wonderful editor, Esi Sogah, whose passion for the written word shines through in everything she does. Esi, your fabulous feedback and encouragement is always greatly appreciated and your eye for detail is amazing.

  A super big thank you to the brilliant Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. I adore working with you and your insight, support and enthusiasm is fabulous. Thank you so much for all that you do.

  A very special acknowledgment to the Yirrganydji people, especially Jeannette Singleton and Dr. George Skeene, for giving me permission to use words from their language to name Piri River and Tulpil.

  Thank you so much to the Cairns Historical Society, Lisa Marcussen from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Studies, Terricita Salam from James Cook University, Cassandra L Shaw for flora and fauna expertise, Ashlyn Brady for educating me about life on a cane farm, and Nicki Edwards for her fabulous medical expertise. Thank you also to Auntie Suze and Brian for your amazing knowledge of the Cairns region and sugarcane farms, and a very big thank you to Dr Paolo Baracchi from Co.As.It and the Museo Italiano for your excellent and very helpful knowledge and access to immigration information.

  Grazie to Silvana Inderberg, Paolo and Santina Valenti for your insights into Sicily and Italy and making sure my Sicilian and Italian translations were correct.

  A huge thank you to Helen Boreham and her gorgeous daughter, Isabelle, who deals with anxiety and would like would people to know “you don’t need to suffer in silence and the more it’s talked about, the easier it becomes.” Thank you, dear Isabelle, for being the inspiration behind Rosie’s goddaughter and being the strong, vibrant young lady you are.

  Thank you so much to all the booksellers, book bloggers, librarians, journalists and every reader who promotes authors and their books. On behalf of every author, I extend a huge thank you because without you, our stories would not be make it out in this world.

  Of course, I need to thank my writing crew who think it is totally normal if I talk to myself or the characters in my head. Thank you to: Dave Sinclair, Di Curran, Nicki Edwards, Delwyn Jenkins, Heidi Noroozy, Juliet Madison, Kerri Lane, Louise Ousby, Natalie Hatch, Lisa Ireland, Rachael Johns, Supriya Savkoor, T.M. Clark, Tess Woods and Vanessa Carnevale for brainstorming and cracking the whip when needed.

  A whole world of thank yous to my extended family and non-writing friends who don’t mind when I’m a little distracted with my characters and plotting. This journey is so much sweeter with your unwavering support. Special thanks to Mum, Dave and my beloved Dad (missing you always) for encouraging me to follow my dreams.

  Thank you to my partner Garry, my gorgeous kids Rebecca and Nicholas: you are the sunshine in my life and your laughter the sparkle. Love you so very much!

  This book is dedicated to my beautiful mum, Judy. Thank you so much for your love, support and introducing me to the world of books. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

  And a special thank you to you, dear reader, for choosing to spend time with Rosie and Tomas amongst the Burning Fields.

  A Reading Group Guide

  Burning Fields

  By Alli Sinclair

  About This Guide

  The suggested questions are included

  to enhance your group’s reading of

  Alli Sinclair’s Burning Fields.

  The story is set in lush northern Queensland. Have you ever been there? If so, was it what you expected? If not, what do you imagine it would be like?

  Rosie and Tomas’s relationship was challenged on many levels, especially a
s they came from different cultures. Do you think it is easier today for couples from different cultures to be together? If so, in what way? If no, why not?

  Although this story is set around seventy years ago, many topics covered are still relevant all over the world today. What do you think has or hasn’t changed in terms of women’s rights? The treatment of immigrants?

  There are lots of organizations out there working for equality for women and immigrants. Are there any you are affiliated with or would like to know more about? Which ones?

  Life on the land has always been a challenge. Many farms these days are struggling to keep afloat. Do you think it is much different to what Rosie and her family were experiencing? In what way?

  Rosie’s desire for equal rights for women and immigrants was ahead of its time. What moments in history can you recall where someone has challenged the “normal” way of doing things and tried to create equality for others?

  Meet the Author

  Alli Sinclair is a multi-award-winning author of books that combine travel, mystery, and romance. An adventurer at heart, she has climbed some of the world’s highest mountains and immersed herself in an array of exotic destinations, cultures, and languages. Alli’s stories capture the romance and thrill of exploring new destinations and cultures that also take readers on a journey of discovery. Alli volunteers as an author role model with Books in Homes, promoting literacy and reading amongst young Australians.

  Visit her at www.allisinclair.com.