Kimberley Sun

by Di Morrissey

  ‘She remembers those times?’

  ‘When she wants to. She has some great stories. My God, can you imagine starching and ironing those white uniforms with a charcoal-heated iron, and whitening fifteen pairs of shoes?’

  ‘The master pearlers apparently took themselves very seriously,’ said Tim.

  ‘They were the elite in those days. Along with the number one divers. Although when they were ashore they lived in different worlds, of course.’

  ‘Of course,’ agreed Tim, acknowledging the racial implications of her observation. He stepped into the garden and caught his breath at the perfume from the flowers. What Lily had described as a casual family barbecue looked quite special to Tim’s eyes. A small fountain splashed next to a long table set with a white cloth, candles and flowers.

  Rosie introduced him to Harlan, who was standing with a group of people by the barbecue, then she excused herself: ‘I just have to bring some things out to the table. Harlan will get you a drink.’

  Lily greeted Tim then introduced him to Dale, Bill Reed and his wife, Pauline Despar and Ross. ‘Ross is responsible for part of the menu. He and Sami had quite a day by the sound of it.’

  ‘Pleased to hear it,’ said Tim, shaking his hand. ‘That means we’re eating mud crab.’

  ‘Among other things,’ said Ross. ‘It’ll be quite a feast, really. I’ve been living on my own cooking the past few weeks and this makes a good change.’

  Lily took Tim to one side. ‘I’m going to see how Biddy is going. Would you like to meet her? She’s quite remarkable for ninety.’

  ‘Yes, I would, thanks. Rosie told me she remembers the old days.’ He followed Lily along the verandah to Biddy’s bedroom where they could hear laughter. Stepping through the French doors they saw Sami on the bed, hugging her knees and laughing uncontrollably as Lizzie in cotton pyjamas sat on her and tickled her ribs, while Biddy, sitting up in bed, was attempting to brush Lizzie’s hair.

  ‘What are you girls up to?’ chided Lily. ‘It’s hardly restful for Biddy having you two running riot.’

  ‘Who be that man?’ Biddy pointed the hairbrush at Tim.

  Lizzie and Sami stopped, then sorted themselves out to sit quietly on the bed by Biddy.

  ‘He’s a gentleman caller, Biddy,’ announced Lily. ‘Tim Hudson. He has the bug for pearling history and he wanted to meet you.’

  Biddy took Tim’s outstretched hand and shook it briefly. ‘Ain’t seen you around here before.’

  ‘I’ve been working overseas, Indonesia mainly, and now I’m just, well, looking around this part of the world.’

  Lily turned to Tim. ‘This is my daughter Samantha, Sami, and Rosie and Harlan’s little girl, Elizabeth.’

  ‘Lizzie,’ corrected the five-year-old.

  ‘Hello.’ Sami rose and shook hands.

  ‘Right,’ said Lily with relief, ‘I’ll leave you all and get back to doing something to help with dinner.’

  As Lily left Sami said, ‘Come on, Lizzie. We’ll leave you two to talk.’

  ‘Yeah, sit down,’ instructed Biddy patting the space on the bed vacated by Sami. ‘We’ll have a yarn then.’

  Sami caught up with Lily. ‘Mum, who is that bloke?’

  ‘Tim? I’ve told you about meeting Tim, haven’t I?’

  ‘I don’t remember. What’s he do?

  ‘He’s done a bit of pearling overseas.’ Lily gave Lizzie a pat on the head, and the girl ran off along the verandah. Sami heard the evasive tone in her mother’s voice.

  ‘Mum,’ she said with a little edge. ‘Is there something I don’t know and should know?’

  Lily turned and for a moment their eyes tried to read each other’s mind, then Lily leaned back against the verandah rail. ‘Tim and I are going into business together,’ she announced in a controlled voice. ‘Pearling.’

  Sami was speechless. Her jaw dropped and she thought her eyes would pop out of their sockets in shock.

  ‘I know, I know,’ soothed Lily, holding up her hands, ‘maybe I should have told you earlier. But, we only got down to the details today at lunch and well . . .’

  Sami stepped closer to her mother, still a little stunned, then found her voice. ‘You’re mad, Mum. Bonkers. Too much sun. I’m not taking this seriously. And I’m not going to let that Tim person con me like he’s obviously conned you.’ She then asked sharply, ‘And what’s Dale think?’

  ‘Oh, he thinks I’m mad too,’ said Lily cheerfully. ‘Not to worry, we’ll sort things out.’

  ‘Jesus!’ exclaimed Sami.

  ‘Please stay cool until we get home, sweetie,’ said Lily. ‘We’ll talk about it then.’

  Sami stomped off. ‘I need a drink.’

  Lily checked in with Rosie at the barbecue, then went back to Biddy’s bedside where she was still talking in a strong voice to Tim. ‘I been telling him ’bout the pearling. Good times, bad times. He bit like our fella, dat Captain Tyndall, eh?’ said Biddy when Lily took her hand.

  ‘That sounds like a lot to live up to, Biddy,’ said Tim getting up and smoothing the bedcover.

  ‘Dat true.’ Biddy gave him a big smile. ‘Dat sure is true.’

  ‘I just told Biddy our secret. That we’re going to start Star of the Sea again and find lots of pearls,’ Tim said, turning to Lily.

  ‘It’s not a secret anymore, Tim. I’m afraid I just had to tell my daughter. She picked up some vibes between us.’

  ‘Oops. How’d she take it? I’d better explain things to her.’

  ‘I’d keep your distance if I were you. She’s a bit feisty, our Sami. Besides, she thinks you’re conning me.’

  ‘Oh, great. What a good start to our working relationship. How do I smooth this over?’

  ‘We’ll work that out later. Say goodnight to Biddy.’

  Biddy held out her hands and he took them in his. ‘It’s been a real pleasure. I loved your stories, Biddy.’

  ‘You come back ’nother time,’ Biddy said. Then she looked at Lily and added, ‘An’ you stay with this young fella, he be a good one.’

  Lily and Tim laughed and Tim kissed the bony wrinkled hands clasped in his. ‘I’ll be back, Biddy. I promise.’

  Sami stomped back into the garden and found Pauline. ‘We have to talk. I can’t believe my mother.’

  ‘Listen, your mobile rang so I answered it,’ said Pauline. ‘It was Bobby Ching.’

  ‘I hope he doesn’t want any more of the mud crabs! He was very generous in sharing them out,’ said Sami, pouring herself a glass of wine.

  ‘No, he was a bit upset. He asked if he could speak to Ross. His dad’s office and their house were broken into. Thankfully nothing seems to be missing. His mother has freaked, though.’

  ‘God, what a bummer. I wonder what they were after. Cash, I suppose.’

  ‘There’s not much we can do. Ross told him the local cops would have it under control. Now, tell me. Who’s that gorgeous bloke Tim?’

  ‘Oh, yet another friend of my mother’s. He thinks he’s going into business with her.’ Sami glared over at Tim who was talking to Dale. It appeared they were having a serious conversation.

  ‘He thinks what?’ Pauline raised an eyebrow at Sami’s cross voice.

  ‘Some crazy pearling scheme. I don’t know the details, but it will be over my dead body.’

  Pauline glanced from her friend’s furious face to look at Tim across the garden, and then to Lily coming along the verandah in the half light, her blonde hair shining, her figure slim, her face happy. ‘Oh dear,’ murmured Pauline. ‘I think I need a top up. Pass the wine please, Sami.’

  C h a p t e r E i g h t

  SAMI HAD TAKEN A BREAKFAST FRUIT PLATTER DOWN by the swimming pool, while Lily gave herself a manicure. It was time to focus quietly on what she’d say to Sami about her plans. As she brushed the coral colour across her fingernails she realised how vague and insubstantial these plans were. But knowing Sami’s initial disdain hadn’t diluted her enthusiasm for the pearl farm.

  I
t was an uneasy morning, with neither woman wanting to dwell on the events of the night before. But eventually the tension died down and the day was salvaged by Lily’s suggestion they take a morning tea picnic on Town Beach.

  A playful race with her dog across the low headland near the old wharf gave Sami a chance to stay out of conversation range of her mother a little longer. Rakka paused by the pioneers’ graveyard on the headland overlooking the old wharf and Sami stopped to read some of the fading inscriptions on the weathered headstones of the pioneer graves. Rakka poked her nose through the railings to sniff.

  Lily caught up with them and joined Sami, who was leaning on a railing. ‘When I first came here I thought this was such a sad spot. I used to wonder about these poor people who arrived with such dreams and hopes. And their families back home who maybe never heard from them again.’

  ‘And now? It’s not a sad place?’ Sami had been thinking the same thing.

  ‘Well look around, it’s a tranquil and beautiful spot, and now it overlooks families and tourists enjoying themselves at a pretty beach.’

  The park and the beach certainly did look like a perfectly posed picture for a tourist brochure, Sami agreed, taking in people swimming, fishing, and children on swings and a slippery dip. ‘I wonder what they were looking for,’ she mused, once again walking around the graves. ‘To come from so far away, they must have left a dreadful life behind them.’

  ‘Maybe not. Sometimes people look for adventure, a change of lifestyle, a new start. Look at all the young retirees, baby boomer nomads who take to living in a caravan park in Broome, for example.’

  ‘Yeah, but they don’t stay.’

  ‘You’d be surprised at the number of visitors who decide to stay,’ said Lily. ‘I know quite a few. They drifted in, liked it and stayed on. It’s one of those places. Though I suppose you have to be at a certain point in your life.’ She fell silent.

  Sami turned away from the grave to study her mother. ‘And you’re at that point, are you?’

  Here it comes, thought Lily. ‘I guess I must be. It’s not a rash thing, you know. I’ve been coming here every year for the past seven years. I love the place. Now I have an opportunity to get into an exciting business. And we have family here.’

  ‘You have family here. I don’t think of them as family.’

  Lily was reminded of Sami’s occasional childish petulance. ‘But legally, physically, emotionally they are. Why not just accept it? Treat it as a bonus. You don’t have to do anything about it. I really don’t understand your problem, Sami.’

  ‘Of course you don’t,’ she snapped, surprised at her reaction and close to tears. She didn’t understand how she felt either. Why was she having such a hard time accepting this distant link that gave her the tiniest trace of Aboriginal blood? ‘I know they mean more to you than me. This whole place is so damned important to you. And now you want to live here. What’s your boyfriend think? I bet Dale isn’t encouraging you to blow all your money on some dumb plan. What happened to our life in Sydney? What would Dad say?’

  Lily was wounded. Sami’s release of emotion had stunned her, but the reference to Sami’s father was a chance to get the discussion back to a more realistic level. She gave a little dismissive laugh. ‘I dare say your father wouldn’t have an opinion. And you’ve never gone to him for advice or guidance. He supported you financially through those first uni years. Then he told you his parenting role finished when you turned twenty-one. He wouldn’t concern himself with what I choose to do with the rest of my life. And as for Dale, he’s a nice friend, a good friend, nothing more.’ She took a breath and in a softer voice added, ‘I can get lonely too, Sami. I still have a woman’s needs.’

  Her mother’s after-thought was ignored. ‘So what are you going to do?’ she demanded. ‘Obviously what I think doesn’t matter.’

  ‘Sami, darling, of course it does.’ Lily reached out and hugged her. ‘Please, let’s go and sit down and have our morning tea and talk through all the options. You have, and always will, come first in my life. It’s always been just the two of us. But now you’re spreading your wings, I’ve retired from what I’ve been doing for so long. I have to think about the next stage of my life. I’m not ready for the rocking chair just yet.’

  Sami glanced at her attractive mother and once again felt her whole system relax a little. ‘I know that, Mum. But I can worry about you, can’t I? I mean, suddenly announcing you’re going into something like a pearling business does sound a bit over the top.’

  ‘Maybe I’ve been sensible for too long. It’s time to plunge in and take a risk, be a bit mad, have a bit of fun.’

  ‘That’s fine, Mum, but not with the chance of losing every cent you’ve worked so hard for. Let’s hope I get a good job eventually so I can support you in your old age,’ she added with some bitterness, barely concealed by a forced smile.

  ‘There are no guarantees in this life, darling. But let’s say I can narrow the odds and put something to one side and only risk half of what I’ve got. Does that sound more practical?’

  They headed for an empty table under a tree at the edge of the beach. ‘And how are you going to reduce the risk?’

  Lily took off her backpack that held the thermos of tea and muffins as Sami threw a stick for Rakka. ‘It’s going to be a partnership of some kind, but don’t ask me details at this stage, please,’ said Lily. ‘But I have a deep belief this is something I am meant to do. Somehow it seems to me one’s attitude and motives are more important than the action itself.’

  ‘How very Buddhist of you,’ said Sami dryly.

  ‘I know I still have a lot of homework to do. I might decide the whole thing is a lousy idea,’ said Lily, pouring the tea into plastic mugs. ‘Until I get up to Red Rock Bay again and spend time there with Dave George and look at the whole operation, I can’t go on to the next stage.’

  ‘Okay, that’s a wise move,’ said Sami. ‘I’ll come with you.’

  Lily held her mug halfway to her mouth, totally surprised at her daughter’s announcement. ‘You will? That would be fantastic.’

  ‘I’m no judge of pearl farms. At least if I see things for myself I can decide, on instinct, whether or not that Tim fellow has spun cobwebs over your eyes.’

  Lily let the remark ride and they both sipped tea. A man strolled by and paused to pat Rakka. ‘G’day. Nice little friend you’ve got here.’ He gave the dog another appreciated scratch behind the ears. ‘You’re local, aren’t you? I saw you out at the Bradley Station caper.’

  ‘It was quite an event, wasn’t it?’ replied Lily brightly. ‘No, we’re not really local. Just thinking about it.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s a local disease, I hear. I’ve got a touch of it myself.’ He chuckled. ‘The name’s Kevin,’ he said and reached out his hand. ‘My wife Bette and I have been driving round Australia, but at this stage I don’t think we’ll ever leave Broome.’

  The two women grinned at the coincidence. ‘I’m Lily, and this is my daughter, Samantha. We’ve just been talking about the appeal of Broome. People cruise in and never seem to move on.’

  ‘Very pleased to meet you, and you’re right about this place. Bette has already got herself a volunteer job three mornings a week down at the Historical Society. Come the monsoon season and a hot summer she might change her mind,’ he added.

  ‘Monsoon time is spectacular. But then I think every day here is spectacular,’ said Lily.

  ‘My mother is biased,’ said Sami. ‘She’s spent too much time in the sun here year after year.’ Then in a spontaneous gesture, she reached out and touched Lily’s arm.

  For Lily the gesture reaffirmed their bond and she was relieved. She watched Sami and Rakka race along the beach. After their talk it made her realise that under Sami’s self-sufficient exterior there was still a needy little girl. Daughters always need their mothers. It would be good for Sami to go to the Star Two farm with her, thought Lily.

  Bobby and Ross trudged back along the channe
l cut through the mangroves. The tide had turned and the run in was already sloshing around their ankles as they headed back after a pleasant few hours of fishing, an outing that yielded a good bag of respectable barramundi.

  ‘Nothing like tossing in a line for relaxing the mind,’ said Bobby with a note of satisfaction.

  ‘Except catching fish,’ commented Ross. ‘Ready to toss a couple on the barbie for brunch?’

  ‘Right, with some lemongrass and chilli sauce on the side.’ Bobby hadn’t slept well and setting out before dawn to meet Ross he’d puzzled again over the attempted burglary of the family home and his father’s office. But spending time rigging and baiting rods, sharing exaggerated fishing stories and catching fish had refocused his mind. Now, Bobby found the bitter subject resurfacing, but he felt better equipped to handle the issues it raised. ‘Ross, thanks a lot for this. I was feeling so bad about those bastards getting into Dad’s office and making a bloody big mess. Mum is still wobbly ’cause they went through the house, even emptied out her wardrobe drawers. I needed to switch off, you know.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s okay, mate. He doesn’t keep cash on the premises, does he? Is there anything else that people might know about and want to get their hands on? It seems odd that they did the house over as well.’

  ‘That’s what is confusing everyone, including the local cops. And it doesn’t look like anything is missing. The safe couldn’t be opened but they went through papers and stuff, even rummaged in the buffet, but they didn’t nick some obvious expensive stuff they could have flogged.’

  ‘It’s a bit hard to flog hot stuff in a small place like Broome. Everyone knows what’s going on and there’s one way in and out,’ said Ross, his police training making him tick off a mental checklist. ‘It might be worth asking around at the caravan parks and backpacker places to see if anyone has heard anything. It sounds like they were looking for something very specific. A one-off job, I suspect. I had a yarn with the local cops, they seem just as puzzled as we are.’

  After they’d eaten they sat in old chairs on the shady verandah with a cold beer and watched the tide rise in the creek at the bottom of the garden. ‘You can see why I don’t want to move back to Melbourne,’ Ross sighed.