Valley of the White Gold

by Tony Parsons

  ‘I never thought I’d see the day when my own wife turned against me. I wish I’d never heard of Rod Cameron. He’s not one of us,’ Dan said vehemently.

  ‘Rod not being one of us, as you put it, shouldn’t mean that Beth can’t see him. Look at some of the hillbillies we’ve got in this district. Rod Cameron is a great man and he’s going places. He’ll be remembered long after everyone else in the Half Moon is dead and gone.’

  Dan didn’t say another word but got up and walked out of the house. Dorothy poured herself a small glass of brandy and sat down to drink it. Her hands were shaking but she was pleased that she had at last stood up to Dan. ‘Well, that’s that,’ she sighed.

  Beth’s head appeared in the doorway. ‘Is it safe to come in?’ she asked cautiously.

  ‘We’re going to the barbecue, Beth. It’ll be fairly frosty here for a while, but your father and I had to have it out sooner or later,’ Dorothy said and smiled weakly.

  They heard a car go past the house, and a quick dash to the side window revealed that it was the Fairlane. ‘Dan’s sulking. And he’s taken the car too so we can’t use it. He’ll probably go to the bowling club…’ Dan was probably the worst bowler in the club – he hardly ever found time to play – but it was one place he could go where there were other sheepmen to share a drink or two and a yarn. Dorothy knew he would calm down there.

  Beth was both pleased and relieved that her mother had put her foot down, and was very proud of her for taking such a determined stand. Dan’s word had been law for as long as she could remember. It wasn’t that he was cruel or a tyrant but he’d always made the rules. Things had to be done his way. A lot of the men in the Half Moon were just the same – still living in the Victorian age as far as women were concerned.

  So they took the ute to Glengarry, collecting Bella from Glen Avon on the way. It was almost as though Bella could not leave the house fast enough. Although she was putting on a good front, Beth sensed that beneath her sister’s bright exterior something was seriously amiss. She resolved to go and visit Bella the following weekend when Wally would be away with the Mudgee cricket team.

  When Bella greeted Rod, she was more like the old, animated Bella. Beth noticed that every time her sister handed him a plate or a glass, she touched him lightly on the arm. She also noticed that Rod placed his chair beside Bella’s so they could talk. And he listened to her in his intent way, as if absorbing and processing every word. This was not a man whose sole interest was wool, as Beth had almost begun to convince herself. She found her heart in her mouth as she watched him.

  Beth’s impression now was that Bella might be a bit too fond of Rod. That posed a serious question – had something happened the day Bella visited Glengarry? Beth couldn’t bring herself to truly believe that Bella might become romantically involved with Rod. But who could say what her sister was thinking these days? She recalled a conversation she’d had with Bella once before. ‘A woman would be very lucky to have Rod Cameron for her husband,’ Bella had told her. She’d sounded uncharacteristically bitter.

  Rod and John cooked the meat and made a good fist of it too. There was steak and lamb chops and sausages and a great array of salads.

  ‘Asparagus! How lovely, Rod,’ Dorothy exclaimed.

  John insisted on providing the drinks, a choice of red or white wine, beer or orange juice.

  Beth couldn’t spend much time with Rod because Eleanor and June wanted to talk to her. She was getting along well with June, who was a couple of years older than Rod.

  Beth thought that John and June seemed very close and were obviously a happy couple. June told her about their two children, who were staying with John’s mother in Yass, and Beth noticed how her eyes shone with a mother’s pride as she recounted their latest achievements.

  ‘Of course, John junior and Karen were very upset that we didn’t bring them to Uncle Rod’s but they’re both at school and I’ll be here for a week,’ June said. ‘I promised they could come next time. They absolutely adore Rod, and he’s so great with them. He’ll make a wonderful father one day.’

  ‘I’m sure he will,’ Beth replied somewhat wistfully, then changed the subject. ‘What do you think of the house?’ she asked.

  ‘It’s huge! It’s bigger than ours, which is big enough. But it’s lovely. It needs a lot of carpet and furniture to fill it up a bit. Rod said that you and Dorothy gave him some decorating ideas,’ June said.

  While Dorothy and Eleanor talked with Rod and John, June took Beth and Bella through the house.

  ‘It looks much nicer now than it did when I was here last,’ Bella whispered in Beth’s ear. ‘And don’t forget that Mum doesn’t know that I was here, so don’t mention it.’

  Through the window, Beth could see Eleanor smiling at her son with obvious pleasure. It was evident that she was very proud of Rod. In Glengarry, he had got what he had wanted and worked for, and he was genuinely happy to have his family with him to share in his success. Mother, son and daughter clearly had a very good relationship.

  The atmosphere at Mattai the following morning was distinctly tense. Dan hardly spoke to Dorothy and ignored Beth completely. He spent most of the day out of the house. Jim was still in favour and it was from him they learned that Dan hadn’t gone to Mudgee bowls club at all but to visit Charlie Dillon. The old shearer was always good for a few items of sheep news, like who bought the latest rams to come into the area.

  ‘Your father’s still sulking,’ Dorothy said.

  ‘How long do you think it will last?’ Beth asked.

  ‘I’d say until he needs you to do something for him, like muster the hill country,’ Dorothy said with a knowing smile.

  The cold war continued for the remainder of the week and Beth found the atmosphere very trying. The family had always pulled together to run Mattai and now everything felt fragmented. And all because Dan couldn’t have his own way.

  Beth was pleased when Saturday finally arrived and she could drive down the road to visit Bella while Wally was at cricket. The match was sure to be followed by a booze-up, so Bella would no doubt be dreading Wally’s return that evening.

  Bella ran out to the back gate when she heard Beth’s vehicle in the drive. ‘Beth, what a nice surprise,’ she said, hugging her sister.

  Beth thought that Bella looked strained and not at all like herself. She would probably benefit from her company. ‘I couldn’t stand another day at home without a break. Not with Dad the way he’s been since the barbecue,’ she said. ‘He’s barely speaking to anyone but Jim.’

  ‘That’s because Jim doesn’t buck him,’ Bella said, but seemed distracted. She sounded really miserable.

  ‘Bee, what’s wrong?’ Beth asked gently.

  ‘Oh, Beth, everything,’ Bella burst out. She sat down on the back step, tears coursing down her cheeks, barely able to restrain her sobs.

  ‘Bella, this isn’t like you.’ Beth felt helpless and wasn’t sure of what to say next. Finally she spoke. ‘Is it Wally?’

  ‘Of course it’s Wally,’ Bella cried bitterly. ‘I can’t go on any longer without telling someone what he’s like. Dad and Mum think it’s been all right because of everything Wally buys me. But that’s because he’s got a guilty conscience after the things he does to me. You don’t know what men can get up to until you’re married, and you realise it’s going to happen over and over again for years unless you pull the plug. You have no idea what he’s like…’

  ‘What is he like, Bella?’

  Bella stood up and pulled down her jeans. Beth recoiled at the sight of the massive bruises on her sister’s thighs and bottom. They were yellow–black now but must have been even more dramatic a few days earlier.

  ‘Wally did this. He hits me when we’re having sex. Goes right off his head.’

  ‘How long has this been going on?’ Beth asked, ready to break down into angry tears herself but holding herself together for Bella’s sake.

  ‘He was pretty rough right from the start. A lot rou
gher than anything I expected. Then he got to slapping me and the slapping got worse. He enjoys it most of all when he hurts me. It got so bad I told him if he hurt me any more, I’d walk out. One night he used his belt on me. I told him that was it. No more sex. If he tried to have sex with me, I’d walk out. He told me he was sorry he hurt me. I felt sorry for him and so I told him he could sleep with me again if he behaved himself. It was no good, Beth. I wouldn’t do what he wanted so he gave me a hiding. These are the bruises from that night.’ Bella grimaced as she gingerly touched one of the many welts on her skin.

  ‘Bella, this is awful,’ exclaimed Beth in shock. ‘You can’t put up with this sort of behaviour. I had no idea this was going on. I could see that you weren’t happy here but I didn’t realise…’

  ‘After he’s been drinking anything can happen,’ Bella said tearfully.

  ‘I can’t bear to think of you being treated so shamefully… my sister, who has always looked after me. Why haven’t you left the mongrel?’ Beth asked fiercely.

  ‘Dad would never understand. He always said I was too independent. Besides, Wally buys his rams from Dad and we all know how important that is to him. I suppose it’s a matter of pride, too. A woman doesn’t like to admit her marriage has been a failure, but Wally and I have nothing in common. It’s just a matter of making the break. It’s a big step.’

  ‘I wouldn’t put up with that sort of treatment for five minutes, Bella. I’m sure there aren’t many men like Wally,’ Beth said.

  ‘That’s what makes me feel so bad. I know all men aren’t like Wally. It’s no good me blaming Dad, because it was my decision and it was a bad one,’ Bella said, her voice full of regret.

  ‘Get out now, Bella,’ Beth urged. ‘What’s to keep you here?’

  ‘Nothing. I realise I’ve got no future with Wally and I want a future. I want to do something with my life and I want to have children. But I certainly don’t want to have Wally’s children. I’ll tell him tonight that I’m going.’

  ‘Why wait until tonight? Leave him a note. If he’s been on the booze after cricket, he could turn really nasty. You can’t stay here,’ Beth said vehemently.

  ‘No, I can’t. But I’m not a coward. I want to tell Wally to his face that I’m leaving him.’

  ‘Come home with me now, Bella. Pack your clothes and leave the creep. Home’s a bit grim at the moment but at least it’s home and Mum’s there. If you tell her what you’ve told me, she’ll make Dad listen.’

  ‘Dad wouldn’t understand. He’d blame me. He wouldn’t believe Wally could be as bad as I’ve told you,’ Bella said doubtfully.

  ‘He would if you showed him those bruises. Mum would certainly understand. She’d probably come straight down here with the .22 and give Wally a charge of birdshot,’ Beth said fiercely.

  ‘Rod told me to leave Wally pronto. He said I could go and stay with his mother, if I needed to escape,’ Bella said shyly. ‘He told me that the day I went to see him at Glengarry.’

  ‘So if you don’t want to come home with me, why don’t we push off for Terrigal? I’ll drive you there. Eleanor will be back by now. And if you won’t do either, why don’t I stay here with you tonight? Would that help?’ Beth asked.

  ‘Beth, I have to handle this. Wally might go berserk if he finds you here with me and discovers that I’ve told you all this.’

  ‘What if he finds out that you were at Glengarry?’ Beth asked nervously. ‘That’s all the more reason you should leave him. Today, Bella.’

  Beth just couldn’t understand Bella’s reasoning and stayed with her for most of the day. She did manage to help her sister pack a couple of bags and feed Wally’s dogs. As the day wore on, Bella’s tension became more tangible. Surely she didn’t feel guilty about leaving Wally? How could she feel sorry for such a monster? Bella had always been so loyal and willing to do the right thing. Beth realised it had been ridiculous of her to suspect something was going on between Bella and Rod.

  Beth drove away from Glen Avon with a heavy heart. She would have to tell her mother about Bella’s predicament. She had to know. It would be best to do it after dinner and she would ring Bella first thing in the morning to check that she was all right.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  After Beth had driven away, Bella saddled her chestnut gelding, Goldie, and rode towards the western end of the property. If all went as planned, this would be her last day at Glen Avon. As she rode, she mulled over all she had said to Beth and wondered why she hadn’t left with her sister. There was a streak of obstinacy in her, that was for sure. She had endured all that Wally had done to her but there was a limit to what she was prepared to endure and she’d reached it. She’d had enough.

  Some distance down the paddock she got off Goldie and leaned against him. Tears flowed down her cheeks and onto the horse’s glossy neck. She loved horses, yet she’d been denied the chance to make it to the top in the riding sphere because of her father’s narrow-mindedness. As she looked back, Bella realised that all her problems had been due to her inability to take charge of her life. She had let her father dictate its direction. There had been openings for her in the fashion business, too, and she had let them slip through her fingers.

  ‘Oh, Goldie, what’s to become of me?’ she asked. The gelding turned his head and rubbed it up and down her back. Bella looked at his expressive brown eyes and realised that he and her other horses would need to be moved away from Glen Avon before she left Wally.

  ‘Right,’ she said suddenly. ‘Let’s do something concrete for a change.’

  She mounted the gelding and put him at a fast canter for the Glen Avon homestead. Her other two horses and the red roan pony were in their stables and she clipped leads to their halters and led them out. Riding Goldie again and leading the other horses, she headed for the Mattai boundary fence. When she reached the old gate that accessed her family’s property, Bella pushed it open and led in her horses. She took the saddle and bridle off Goldie and then the leads from the other horses. They immediately began feeding. She watched them for a few moments before closing the gate. ‘At least you’ll be safe from Wally,’ she murmured. She would ring Beth and get her to pick up her saddle in the morning. The horses would be all right feeding in the paddock for a few days. She had seen how Wally treated dogs and horses and she wasn’t going to walk out and leave her horses in his care, not even for one day.

  It was a long walk back to the Glen Avon homestead, but as she trudged on, Bella felt better for having taken decisive action at last. She determined that from now on she wouldn’t have men dictate the way she lived. If she ever married again, he would have to be someone with integrity who was kind and had a strong character. Someone like Rod Cameron.

  It was almost dark when Bella arrived back at the homestead. She headed straight for the bathroom for a long soak to try to calm her nerves. As she had made the decision to tell Wally that she was leaving rather than writing a note, she had to face the likelihood of a major scene. Well, so be it. It would be the last and then she would be her own person. Free.

  Jim and Wally went for dinner together at the Mudgee hotel after the match. Jim had scored ninety-odd and Wally had hit a six off the last ball of the day. After a couple of cold beers, they were feeling pretty relaxed.

  ‘Dad’s sulking,’ Jim informed Wally. ‘He’s real crooked on Mum taking Beth and Bella to Rod’s barbecue last weekend.’

  Wally almost choked on his steak. ‘What’s that, Jim? Did you say they went to a barbecue? The three of them?’

  Jim looked at his brother-in-law and immediately realised he’d made a blue. It was now obvious that Wally hadn’t known about the barbecue, and for good reason. ‘Mmm,’ he mumbled as he took another swig of beer. It was too late to try to cover his mistake. He wished his mother had warned him not to mention it.

  The thought of Bella and Rod Cameron together under the same roof, even in the company of other people, hit Wally like a hammer. The more he thought about it – and he cou
ldn’t stop thinking about it – the angrier he became. And as he became angrier, he drank more booze, moving from beer to whisky. The worms of jealousy and cruelty that were always present in his brain became even more active under the influence of alcohol, and the Glengarry barbecue began to assume demonic proportions.

  Wally immediately imagined that Bella had been making a habit of visiting Cameron behind his back. Perhaps she went to Glengarry every time he was away. It would be the perfect opportunity. Clearly Bella was deceiving him. Who would know, as Cameron was on his own at the Glengarry homestead? Bella hadn’t been sleeping with Wally for weeks. She’d obviously been getting it at Glengarry. The thought of Bella’s very desirable body responding to Cameron made him shake with rage. Bella would have to be taught that she couldn’t do things behind his back; she would have to pay for her deception.

  Bella heard the car screech up the drive and pull to a stop at the back gate. The car door slammed. She heard a dog yelp and knew that the poor thing had been kicked out of the way. She shivered.

  The kitchen door closed with a bang and she heard Wally drop his cricket bag and bat. She had elected to wait up because she felt she would be less vulnerable out of bed than in it. If Wally appeared too steamed up, she would lock herself in the spare bedroom where she had taken to sleeping.

  There was silence for a few minutes and then she heard him moving about in the main bedroom. She stayed where she was and made a pretence of reading a magazine. Presently she heard him pad down the hallway. When she looked up from the magazine, he was standing in the doorway of her room. Naked, he brandished a riding crop in his left hand. Immediately, Bella realised that she had made a big mistake in not leaving with Beth earlier.

  ‘So, you’ve been visiting Rod Cameron,’ Wally said thickly. ‘No wonder you haven’t wanted to sleep with me.’

  ‘You’re wrong, Wally. It was nothing like that,’ Bella said, trying to keep the panic out of her voice. She wondered who had spilled the beans about Rod’s barbecue.