On answering her knock Daniel produced a spontaneous grin, but then looked troubled.
‘Sorry, have I come at an inconvenient time?’ She stood on the tiny verandah clutching her bag before her, her face studying him anxiously. ‘I would’ve phoned but you haven’t got one.’ She dealt him a fleeting top-to-toe examination then, under his stare, gave an awkward laugh and turned her head to look out over the wintry valley.
Daniel pushed back his hair, still beholding her with concern, his own eyes flitting from her head to her shoes. ‘No, no! Well, Melly’s in the hospital but there’s nothing wrong. She just had the bub a few days earlier than expected – on Thursday.’
Oriel gasped. ‘I’ve come all this way and she’s in the city?’ There was no hospital out here. ‘I would’ve thought you’d have paid us a visit when you brought her in.’ She sounded hurt and pulled the collar of her coat around her neck.
‘I was at work. She made her own way into Melbourne. The kids are with their gran.’ Suddenly appearing to notice how cold it was, he rubbed his hands down his moleskins and waved her inside. ‘I was just having smoke-o, are yer gonna come in and join me?’
Oriel caught the smell of his freshly laundered shirt as she passed, finding it highly erotic. She offered congratulations for the new baby but was consumed by disappointment, for obviously it was impossible for her to stay. Her blank expression toured the tongued and grooved lining boards, the modest but clean and tidy furnishings, the flat iron on the hearth, the row of Daniel’s underpants hanging on a rail above the fireplace. ‘Oh well, never mind, I’ll get the next train, and visit her when I get back.’ Her voice held disappointment.
‘Next train’s not till ten past six.’
‘A bus then.’
‘Have yer cuppa tea first. Take your coat off and sit down.’ Daniel turned to a cupboard and put his hands on his hips.
Watching him as she divested herself of hat and coat, Oriel mistook his attitude for one of confusion. ‘Would you like me to make it?’
He revolved the top half of his body to eye her. ‘You saying I’m incapable of making a cuppa tea?’ When her face dropped his own creased in laughter. ‘I’m kidding! It’s just that I’ve tidied all the cupboards while Mel’s been away and I’ve outsmarted meself. Can’t remember where I put the tea. Ah, here we are!’
Oriel was amazed. ‘Tidied the cupboards?’
‘Ah, us army chaps know how to fend for ourselves.’ Maintaining his grin, he spooned tea into the pot and lifted a kettle from the fire to add boiling water.
Feeling her heart rate increase, Oriel tore her eyes away from him and indicated her bag. ‘I’ve brought all this stuff thinking I could cook up a treat for Mel. I’ve cut a recipe out of a magazine and I thought I’d experiment on her before I cook it for myself.’ She laughed aloud at Daniel’s contorted face. ‘I don’t want to lump it all home with me, would you be a guinea pig?’
Rattling a spoon around the pot, he acquiesced. ‘All right, Smiler, if you’re twisting me arm.’
‘Shall I put the meat in your whatsit, Coolgardie?’
‘Go for your life. You can see if the drip tray needs emptying while you’re there.’
Radiating delight, she went outside to the meat safe and lifting the hessian flaps put the beef into the mesh cupboard. With it safely installed she checked that there was enough water to keep the hessian soaked, then tipped the drip tray on to the garden as she had seen Melinda do in the past. When she went back inside, a cup of tea had been poured for her and whilst they supped Daniel told her all about the new child, Alan, whom he had been to visit that morning. ‘I know you’re not keen on babies but he’s a dear little thing.’
Oriel did not care what the subject matter was, happy just to sit here and listen to his voice and watch his face, be comforted by his presence.
During the consumption of tea they talked about nothing in particular, until in a quiet interval, Oriel bent down and rubbed her cashmered calf in thoughtful manner and said, ‘I’d better start the dinner if it’s to cook in time. D’you know how to work your oven? I haven’t a clue. Mine has numbers on.’
Daniel stacked the primitive stove with wood, then fiddled with it a while. ‘Think that’s it. I know Melly puts a bit o’ butcher’s paper in there too. Seen her do it, but don’t ask me what for.’
Oriel thought she knew. ‘It’ll be to see whether it’s hot enough. The paper will turn brown. We’ll soon find out anyway. I’ve got that piece I brought the meat in.’
Whilst she prepared their dinner the conversation continued. Oriel asked, ‘Do you see much of Jimmy Magee these days?’
‘The swaggie?’ Daniel grinned. ‘That’s what he is now.’ He told her how Jimmy, unable to stand the pressures of society after returning from war, had taken to living the life of a hermit, built a house of kerosene tins in the mountains, existing on the money he earned from odd jobs when his mental health allowed him to do so. ‘That’s what Norm told me, anyhow.’
Oriel looked impish. ‘Normie No-nose.’
He laughed at her description. ‘Yeah, not like this honk. Anyway, he saw Jim on his travels in Melbourne. Haven’t seen him meself in ages.’
Oriel offered sympathy for the man, wondering if he ever went to visit the Anzac Hostel, then, hungry for more meaningful discussion, touched hesitantly upon Daniel’s contribution to the war. ‘I noticed there’s an ambulance depot in Yarra Junction. Can I ask why you never thought to go and work there after you did that sort of thing in the army? I’d’ve thought it would be more worthwhile than the sawmill.’
He held her eyes, seemingly reluctant to explain. ‘You would, would yer?’
‘Well, all that practice you must have had.’
‘I had six years’ practice at the sawmill before the war and only three with the medics.’
Oriel shifted her buttocks. ‘Yes, but what I’m trying to say is it’s a bit of a waste of those three years, isn’t it?’
‘People need houses, don’t they? They need furniture, they need bridges and telegraph poles and fuel for their fires – ’swell-paid job, yer know.’
‘Point taken. I’m not trying to belittle what you do now. I just wondered when I saw the sign for the ambulance service on my way here.’
Daniel acknowledged this and gave her a direct answer this time. ‘I didn’t go to work at the ambulance depot ’cause it’s just opened, that’s why. Not that I would’ve joined anyway.’
Oriel was quiet for a while as she mixed the contents of her bowl, but was reluctant to let the subject drop. ‘What made you join the medical corps, then?’
‘I didn’t fancy killing blokes but I wanted to do me bit for the Empire.’
‘Clive wasn’t in the war,’ she murmured, adding her ingredients as she went.
‘Don’t make the mistake of thinking he got away with it lightly,’ replied Daniel, watching her hands work the mixture. ‘I don’t envy the pressure he would’ve got from those bitches with their white feathers. I had a few of them meself while I was making up me mind whether or not to go.’
‘He did register but he was found to be unfit.’
‘That won’t’ve stopped those sheilas, raving on like a bunch o’ chooks, not satisfied till they’d sent some poor kid to his death. I can’t stand ’em, nor them that go crook about equal rights with men neither. They dunno what the hell they’re stirring up, wanting to be equal to a bloke in everything. They’d damn soon moan about it if they got their wish. It’s all right not wanting to be chained to the home and kids, I quite agree they shouldn’t be treated like slaves. If a woman wants to have a career instead of a family that’s all right for me – though I can’t see how they can have both, someone’s going to suffer. But if you take equality to the limit you’ll have women fighting on the battlefield beside fellas and believe me you wouldn’t want that.’ His bitter expression was wiped away by a sudden grin and he scratched his temple with one finger. ‘Sorry, going on a bit, aren’t I? Talking m
eself out of a good dinner too. ’Sjust something that really gives me the… thingos.’
‘Fair dinkum?’ Oriel’s eyes gleamed.
He faked astonishment. ‘You mean, you guessed? Was it something I said gave the game away?’ Then he chuckled and was pensive for a moment before asking, ‘Can you keep a secret?’ At her nod he divulged, ‘Yer know that farm I walked off? The Government’s after me for the money I owe. Got a letter yesterday. Good job it came while Melly was in hospital. She’ll do her block.’
‘Oh God, what are you going to do?’
‘Huh! My troubles. I can’t give ’em something I haven’t got.’
‘I could lend—’
‘No! Thank you, but no, I’ll have to offer to pay ’em back bit by bit.’
‘But it’s disgusting treatment of someone who’s been through what you have!’
He gave a cynical nod. ‘Debt of honour to the conquering heroes? Might’ve known there was a catch to it. Anyway, keep it to yourself. I don’t want to worry Mel.’ He started as if remembering something. ‘Aw cripes, she asked me to run a message at the shop and I’ve forgot all about it.’
‘I’ll come and help,’ she offered.
‘No! No, it won’t take long.’ His tone implied that he did not want to be seen with her lest it engendered gossip. ‘You’ve got enough to be going on with there.’
When Daniel returned the meal was well underway. He unloaded his shopping on the table and said it smelled excellent.
‘Share a beer?’ He held up a bottle. Oriel did not normally consume ale but on impulse got two glasses from the cupboard.
‘Don’t dob me in to Mel, telling her I’ve been into the grog while she’s laid up in hospital,’ he warned her with a grin.
‘I won’t – cheers.’ She tapped her glass to his.
They sat for a while, sipping at their beer. It must have been a potent brew for after only a half a glass she felt giddy and was emboldened to ask, ‘Do you have a dream, Daniel?’
He eyed her over his glass. ‘Funny sort o’ question to ask of a Saturday arvo.’
‘Sorry.’ Oriel hoped her voice was not as slurred as she imagined. ‘Is it too personal?’
He gave a self-conscious chuckle. ‘Not really – I’d like to make films.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah! I can’t get enough o’ going to the pictures. Did you see The Kelly Gang? No? Aw, pal, it’s a real ripper. If you ever get the chance go and see it. I’d love to make a picture like that, only with sound. Now that would be great.’ Curbing his effusiveness he laughed at himself. ‘Don’t suppose I ever will, though.’
‘It doesn’t matter. Having that dream’s the important thing.’ She took another gulp of beer.
‘And what’s yours, Smiler?’
She looked abashed. ‘I feel stupid for starting this now.’ At his coaxing she finally admitted, ‘Oh well, I’d just like to be able to stop people hurting and killing each other. You read such awful things in the paper.’
‘Why?’ At her look of incomprehension he extended his query. ‘Why stop people doing what they do best?’ There was a gleam of cynicism to his eye now. Oriel felt uncomfortable under his grilling. ‘Is it because you genuinely care or just because yer don’t like the way it makes you feel?’
At first offended, she opened her mouth to issue retort, but was unable to justify her claim. She bent her head, an admittance of guilt, saying he could be right.
‘Nah! It’s just me getting snaky in me old age. Who am I to ruin your dream?’
She shrugged. ‘You’re more likely to realize yours than I am mine.’
‘No, you’ll never change human nature that’s for sure.’ Daniel’s mind was in a distant land. ‘Life’s a fair cow – sorry, I forgot who I was with for the minute! Thought you were one o’ the lads.’ He laughed. ‘Digging me grave deeper, aren’t I? I just meant – aw well, never mind.’ He seemed to have become uncomfortable.
Now slightly intoxicated, Oriel felt bold enough to feast her eyes upon him, gazed and gazed until the burning deep within became so unbearable that she feared she must speak of it and to do so was disaster. Instead, she sank her face into her glass, pressing its rim against her cheeks.
Apparently relieved to have her scrutiny removed, Daniel began to jabber, anything to relieve the intensity of the atmosphere. ‘Didn’t like me much when we first met, did yer?’
Oriel gave a little laugh. ‘Oh well, that was before I knew you. It was just the similarity with my own—’ She hesitated for a moment and dared to look at him again. ‘You know my parents and I have different names but I’m not sure if you’re aware of the reason. They weren’t married when I was born – in fact my father didn’t live with us until just before we emigrated.’ From the lack of surprise on Daniel’s face, the cognizant nod, she guessed that Melinda had informed him. Of course she would have, thought Oriel. Wives told their husbands everything. At least they should feel able to. She had never volunteered information about her grandmother to anyone at all, but did so now. ‘I don’t hold that against him any more. He had a dreadful upbringing. His mother had him when she was fourteen. She was a prostitute.’ She looked for signs of shock on his face but did not find it and so went on in vague murmur, ‘I often find myself wondering about her, putting myself in her place. Funny, isn’t it? The ones that fascinate you the most are the ones you so despise.’
‘Poor little devil,’ murmured Daniel.
The fact that he did not condemn was no surprise to her. Nodding, she buried her face in the glass again. The beer was almost finished. ‘Oh dear we’re getting maudlin! So – when are you going to collect Belinda and the maybe from hospital?’ She burst out laughing.
Daniel recoiled as though she had deafened him. ‘Gripes, you sound like a ruddy kookaburra!’ But he chuckled with her. ‘Smiler’s not a good enough name for you, it’s Kooka from now on.’
Oriel was convulsed and could barely speak. ‘I think I’d better not have any more till we’ve had dinner.’
Notwithstanding the unsteadiness of her hand, dribbling gravy on the cloth as she doled out the portions, the meal was a success. Afterwards Daniel told her to leave the washing up he would do it later, and they sat down in easy chairs to have another beer.
‘You never really told me why you didn’t join the Ambulance Service after the war.’
He took a gulp of alcohol and did not respond.
Oriel recalled her friend Noel’s sense of disillusionment after the carnage. ‘I know it must’ve been hideous. Our friend who was a doctor was never the same when he came back. But surely it couldn’t be as bad in peacetime as in war. I mean I know there are some terrible accidents and everything but the scale of it wouldn’t be so huge. Don’t you want to use your expertise to help people?’
‘Ah, there’s enough do-gooders in the world without me sticking me beak in.’ Daniel was rubbing the side of his neck furiously as if in discomfort.
She sensed that she had delved too deeply and, not wishing to ruin her own brief spell of happiness, searched for something to restore his equilibrium. No words would come, but the impulsive sense of humour inherited from her mother that had been repressed by marriage to Clive now gained new life. Standing to put her empty glass on the table, she made out as if her legs had turned to rubber, doing the most idiotic walk and hoping it would make him laugh. It did. And he laughed even louder when, continuing her drunken theme, she opened a door and pretended to smash her face into it.
But amid the laughter Oriel caught sight of the clock and a wave of panic rushed through her. Time spent with Daniel went nowhere at all. Oh, how she longed to stay! To press her lips to that laughing mouth…
He noticed her concern and said abruptly, ‘Well, you must be wanting to make for home.’
I don’t, thought Oriel. I never want to go back.
He rose. ‘That was a great dinner you cooked for us. I can vouch that it’s safe to test on Clive now. We’d better make a start for
the train. I don’t want to look as if I’m trying to get rid o’ you after I’ve scoffed all yer tucker but I’ve got a hunting trip to organize.’
Half-heartedly, she put on her hat and coat. ‘What d’you hunt?’
‘Oh, possums, rabbits—’
‘Possums? Oh you cruel devil. I don’t think I’ll talk to you any more.’
Daniel’s face adopted a sudden hard edge and he shrugged. ‘Suit yourself.’
Oriel felt as if she had been stabbed, feared she would cry, and turned away in the pretence of looking for her bag. ‘I was only joking – where’s my bag? I brought some cake for Mel, you might as well take it on your trip. I’ll get her some flowers instead.’ Without looking up at him she handed over the parcel. ‘Oh well, I’d better go. You don’t need to come if you’re busy.’
‘I’m not that busy.’ More subdued, Daniel put the wrapped cake on the table and reached for Oriel’s bag. ‘I’ll carry that for you.’
Taking a lantern, he guided her along the darkened slope to the railway station and waited with her until the train arrived. By that time she had composed herself and was able to look into his face as she prepared to get on board. The sight of it made her want to weep again but she managed to ward the feeling off in order to say, ‘Well, goodbye, Daniel. I’ll go see Mel at the hospital tomorrow and I hope to come and see you both again before too long, look after her.’
‘I will. She’s a good kid.’ Only half-smiling, Daniel saw her on to the train, then stepped back and presented his palm as a form of curt wave. Oriel waved too, then sat back in her seat feeling swamped by misery.
14
After visiting an innocent Melinda in hospital, Oriel felt a resurgence of anger over the bureaucratic pursuance of the Maguires’ debt and despite having sworn not to reveal it to her friend she felt that something had to be done. Hence, she penned a caustic letter to one of the Melbourne newspapers demanding to know if its readers were aware that only three years after the Victorian Government had promised to do all it could to help Australia’s returned soldiers it was now harassing these valiant men. Clive disapproved of the stir she created, but Oriel retorted that she did not care. Whether or not the letter would do any good she was unsure, but if getting something done meant writing to the Premier himself then she would.
A Complicated Woman Page 34