The Winter Sea

by Morrissey, Di

  She looked out of the loft window of the boathouse and across the calm lake at the morning mist rising from the water. She’d moved in only a couple of days before, but already it felt like home.

  ‘Bill,’ she told the dog. ‘Who knew we could have it so good?’

  Cassie called Jenny to tell her about her meetings with Steve and Frank. She listened to Jenny’s advice on the financial organisation and paperwork involved in setting up a restaurant as well as her ideas for the kitchen.

  ‘I thought the renovations would be more expensive than they are, but Geoff seems to be quite cluey and got me some good deals. Now that Steve has agreed to be chef he’s also taking a passionate interest in the kitchen remodelling. The new layout is going to be much more efficient. Steve has made sure he has more room to work. Michael told me about a family estate that’s come up for sale so I’m going over there to check it out and see if there’s anything I can use. Apparently there’s a big collection of cutlery, dishes, platters and vases that have been sitting in cupboards for years and years. Heirloom stuff that no one wants,’ said Cassie.

  ‘You won’t want it either. You can’t put heirloom fine china through an industrial dishwasher in a restaurant!’ exclaimed her mother.

  ‘That’s what I told Michael but he said that it was all going for peanuts, so there’s no harm in looking. At least if there are some decent big vases they could be useful. Anyway, Michael says it’s a beautiful old estate and worth seeing. We’re getting a preview before the dealers descend.’

  ‘Well, it sounds like a nice day out. You seem to be getting along well with Michael,’ said Jenny.

  ‘Yes, he’s sweet,’ said Cassie, ‘but before you say anything more, I’m not rushing it. It’s just nice to know he’s around.’

  ‘If you say so, dear,’ said Jenny. ‘I feel guilty that I can’t be with you but I’m off tomorrow on this trip to Broome. It’s been organised for so long, I just can’t pull out at this stage. I’ll try to ring you when I can, so I know what you’re up to.’

  ‘I’ll be fine, Mum,’ said Cassie.

  *

  Saturday afternoon was clear with a nip in the air. Michael drove between the tall gates at the entrance of the estate and along a gravel driveway lined with ageing cypress pines. The formal gardens around the house were neglected, as were the paddocks spreading into the distance. The stone mansion was covered in ivy and a wisteria vine weighed down the front portico. The sandstone steps were covered in leaves and the windows were dusty and shut tight.

  ‘Do you know how long it’s been empty, Michael? It looks abandoned but it must have been grand in its heyday,’ said Cassie. ‘It’s very English, even down to the four fancy chimneys.’

  ‘The old lady who owned the place had been in a nursing home for many years. There was a caretaker here looking after the place, I believe. Anyway, the heirs are nephews who live in the UK and they have no desire to come out here. I’ll park around the back near the stables. Laurie from the solicitor’s office is meeting us here with the key to the back door.’

  A young woman was waiting for them. She introduced herself to Cassie. ‘Hi, I’m Laurie, from Mr Walker’s office. Hi, Michael. How’re things? Everyone’s looking forward to your uncle Ricardo’s birthday. It’ll be some bash.’

  She led them through the large back door into a vestibule full of cobwebby gumboots. Old raincoats, hats and jackets hung forlornly from pegs.

  ‘It’s very dark inside, I’ll open a curtain so we can see better, as there’s no power. All the china is set out in the dining room. I can’t believe how much there is,’ said Laurie.

  ‘How many bedrooms are there?’ asked Cassie, looking at the broad staircase leading upstairs.

  ‘Six, I think, and a children’s nursery above that. There’s so much to be sold off. Sad really, isn’t it.’

  ‘Can we have a look around later?’ asked Cassie. Then she gasped as Laurie pulled aside heavy curtains in the dining room and light flooded in, revealing piles of china and glasses and serving dishes stacked on the long dining table, on the sideboards and along the floor on one side of the room. ‘There’s enough here to stock a department store! Or three restaurants,’ she exclaimed.

  ‘It doesn’t look as though it’s ever been used.’ Michael picked up a dish and turned it over. ‘It’s called Blue Daze, and it’s pretty sturdy.’

  Cassie picked up a white plate edged with a blue band that ended in a knot.

  ‘This is rather nautical, but how much of it is there?’

  Laurie lifted up a long velvet tablecloth. ‘There are cartons of it under here. Boxes of it.’

  ‘Here’s another setting with the same pattern – smaller plates, bowls and serving dishes. Why would they have so much of it?’

  ‘I believe there was a plan years back to turn the house into a boutique B&B, but it never happened. There’s lots of linen that’s never been used, either,’ said Laurie.

  ‘They must have been planning weddings and other big events. I just love it. It’s good, solid china. Just perfect for what I need. Look, there’s a setting in blue. I could mix it with the white,’ said Cassie, seeing in her mind’s eye the fresh blue and white theme of the restaurant.

  ‘Why not look at the linen too? It’s in one of the bedrooms. I’ll give you the tour,’ said Laurie.

  *

  ‘I’m glad we came in your big four-wheel drive,’ said Cassie as Michael stacked the last of the cartons of china and glassware and canteens of cutlery in the back while Cassie piled the damask cloths and dark blue napkins onto the back seat between the glass vases and serving platters. ‘I would have paid ten times the price they were asking for all this. It’s stunning. Just perfect. Laurie, please thank Mr Walker for me,’ said Cassie.

  ‘He’s only too glad to see the pile go down. A dealer is coming to look at the artwork, but there’s all the farm equipment and the tools and the other household items. I believe there are quite a few Sydney dealers interested in seeing what’s on offer.’

  ‘Thank you again for coming out and letting me go through this first,’ said Cassie.

  ‘When is your restaurant opening? It sounds as though it will be very nice,’ said Laurie.

  ‘I’ll send you and Mr Walker an invitation to our preview, so you can see for yourself,’ promised Cassie.

  ‘I think I’d better store all this at my place, until your remodelling is complete,’ suggested Michael.

  Cassie gratefully took him up on his offer, although there were some items that she kept to use immediately. When she had first moved into the boatshed she had bought herself some cheap bed sheets. Now she decided to replace them with the bedding she’d bought from the manor. She would luxuriate in fine linen sheets and lace-trimmed pillow cases and snuggle under her goose-feather doona covered in white embroidered damask.

  That night she spread Bill’s beach towel across the bed. ‘That is your spot, okay? No dirty paws on this glorious linen, mate!’

  Together they lay awake staring at the stars and listening to the lap of the water, until it sent them to sleep.

  *

  Several days later Cassie was down on her knees cleaning the long-unseen dregs of her kitchen after Geoff had pulled out the old stove and cupboards and taken them away to the tip. She wore old clothes, had tied a scarf over her head and knew she had dirt on her face where she’d wiped a filthy hand across her perspiring brow. Bill suddenly gave a low, unfriendly growl and went to the front door. Cassie got up and followed him to investigate.

  ‘What’s up, mate?’ The dog was sniffing at the closed door. Someone rapped on it.

  ‘Sorry, we’re closed for renovations.’

  ‘Hey, c’mon, Cassie. It’s me.’

  She froze and, sensing her dismay, Bill broke into a frenzy of barking. ‘Hal? What are you doing here?’

  ‘Let me in for God’s sake and I’ll tell you. It’s good news.’

  Cassie grabbed Bill’s collar, saying, ‘Stay. It’s a
ll right. I think.’

  She opened the door to see Hal standing there, his Porsche parked out front. He gave a grin and raised an eyebrow. ‘Caught you at an inopportune moment?’

  Cassie was flabbergasted. He’d caught her off guard. She was annoyed by the intrusion out of the blue and the fact she knew she looked a total mess. ‘What are you doing here? How did you find me?’

  ‘I hadn’t realised you were in hiding. Can I come in? Or will the mongrel attack?’

  Cassie patted Bill and spoke in a soothing voice. ‘It’s okay, Bill.’ But Bill was not convinced and gave another low growl. Cassie turned and walked indoors. ‘C’mon through to the deck. As you can see I’m renovating.’

  ‘Good grief. What is this place? Surely you’re not living here? I ran into your friend Sarah and she said you’d moved down here, so I thought I’d check in.’

  ‘What do you care, Hal?’ Cassie sat on a chair on the deck and waved him to another one. She’d be blowed if she was going to offer him anything to drink.

  ‘Don’t be like that, Cass. I do care. Despite everything, I know I did the wrong thing by you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to you. I can’t believe you’re living here, in a dump like this. Anyway, you’ll be happy to know that the apartment has sold, so you can afford to do better than this. What are you doing here?’

  ‘I’m opening a restaurant.’

  Hal threw back his head and laughed. ‘Good God. You’re turning into your mother. Listen, we got twenty grand over the asking price for the apartment, so you don’t have to bury yourself in a shed in this backwater. Come back to Sydney. I mean, what are you doing with your life? You can’t stay here! You have a law degree!’

  Cassie felt herself bristling. Hal had the ability to make whatever she was doing seem trivial. ‘We’re getting a divorce, so I can do whatever I want. And you know what? I am so glad to be out of Sydney and out of law. I have a life. I surf. I have a dog. I have friends. And I’m going to start a business.’

  He shook his head. ‘You’re throwing your life away, Cass. Come back to Sydney. Can’t we be friends?’ He leaned forward, giving her the crooked smile and using the cajoling tone that used to win her over. ‘You used to work for one of the biggest and best law firms in the country. Opening a restaurant is such a comedown. I’m sure I could get you your old job back.’

  Before she could reply, Cassie was saved by a shout at the door. Bill leapt forward and started barking again. Unfazed by the dog, Frank came through the door carrying a box.

  ‘Cassie, look what just came in.’ He grinned at her. ‘You look cute. Cleaning, huh? Where’s Geoff? Isn’t he supposed to be helping? Oh, sorry, didn’t know you had company.’

  Cassie stood up. ‘Frank, this is Hal. A friend from Sydney. He just stopped by.’

  Hal stood and shook hands with Frank, giving the handsome fisherman the once-over then, turning to Cassie with a bemused expression, he said, ‘You have settled in well.’

  ‘What have you brought, Frank?’ asked Cassie.

  ‘If you and your friend Hal want lunch, look at these little beauties.’

  ‘Hal can’t stay for lunch,’ said Cassie briskly as she looked in the box he put on the table.

  Frank pulled back a wet layer of sacking. ‘Straight off the boat. Sweet fresh lobsters. Be a shame not to have them fresh. But you can freeze them if you want.’

  Hal gave a whistle. ‘That’s sixty bucks a plate for one of those, and the rest!’

  ‘Not in my restaurant. Frank, would you please do me a big favour and drop them up to Michael? I don’t have a stove at present. I’ll give him a call and maybe we can share them later.’

  ‘Sounds good. We need a feed like these for your opening, eh? Nice to meet you, Hal.’ Frank gave Cassie a wink and left.

  ‘Frank, Geoff, Michael? Lobster feasts? Have you settled in with some handsome Mediterranean lotharios? I didn’t think brawn and no brains was your style.’

  ‘Oh, it makes a nice change,’ she said airily. ‘And Hal, everything they say about Latin lovers is true.’

  Hal’s expression darkened and he pulled out his car keys on the gold Porsche keyring. ‘I thought I’d bring you the good news about the apartment. It would be nice to keep some sort of civil relationship going, but if you want to slum it down here with a bunch of fishing thugs, so be it.’

  ‘I intend to,’ said Cassie, then she suddenly realised the true purpose of Hal’s visit. ‘Kellie’s dumped you, hasn’t she? She’s worked out what you’re really like and left, and now you’re lazy and arrogant enough to think you can pick up with me where you left off. There is no chance, so goodbye, Hal. Say hello to your parents for me. I’d better get back to my cleaning.’

  Hal turned and walked away, banging the door shut behind him. Bill watched him go, then, as they heard the Porsche roar to life, he looked at Cassie and wagged his tail. She patted his head. ‘You’re the man in my life, Bill old boy.’

  *

  Michael’s great-uncle Ricardo’s ninetieth birthday celebrations were held in the community hall. Cassie had never been to a party like it. The room was decorated with fishing nets and photos of Ricardo’s fishing exploits as well as colourful posters of the Aeolian Islands where his family was from originally. Two barbecues, one seafood, one meat, were sizzling out the back where a bar was set up and, inside the hall, long tables were laden with food. A small band played old Italian favourites. Children were everywhere and everyone was dressed in their best. The mayor was on hand to make a speech. Michael introduced Cassie to members of his family, which was so extensive that she lost track of them all. But everyone was welcoming, happy and obviously enjoying themselves. The initial formalities were not very formal, with guests interrupting and calling out comments in Italian and English.

  A group of elderly women sat to one side gossiping in Italian, men gathered round the bar and barbecues to discuss football, younger children ran around, and teenagers danced together and giggled under watchful eyes.

  Ricardo sat in a chair by the bar until he was ushered over to sit at the head of the table. Cassie looked at the imposing figure of Ricardo, with his shock of white hair, bright eyes and even teeth, and thought to herself what a handsome family the Aquinos were. Suddenly there were whispers and a ripple of excitement swept around the hall.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Cassie asked Michael.

  He smiled. ‘It’s a surprise guest. Uncle Pietro, Uncle Ricardo’s brother, has come here from the USA for the birthday party. Uncle Ricardo has no idea.’

  ‘That’s a big effort. He must be pretty old?’

  ‘He is, but he’s younger than Uncle Ricardo. Uncle Pietro is a bit of a Hollywood celebrity.’

  ‘Really? An actor?’ Cassie tried to recall the name, but couldn’t.

  ‘No, he’s not an actor. He’s a set designer. Pietro d’Aquino. He’s worked on a lot of big movies in Hollywood, and a few in Europe, too. He’s won two Oscars.’

  ‘Wow. I can’t believe you have someone so talented in the family.’

  ‘I haven’t seen him for a while. He came out here maybe about fifteen years ago, but the last time I saw him was when I passed through LA ten years ago. He lives in one of those old mansions in the Hollywood Hills.’

  ‘He certainly chose a different path from the rest of the family,’ said Cassie.

  Michael nodded. ‘I’ll take some photos of this. Ricardo will be so surprised. He told the family not to make a big deal of his birthday, to save it till he’s one hundred, but who was going to listen? I’ll just grab some shots. Back in a few minutes.’

  Cassie watched the scramble around the doorway. A cheer went up and an aisle formed as the special guest walked towards Ricardo. Someone tapped Ricardo on the arm and pointed.

  Pietro, smiling broadly and brandishing a white hat in greeting, came towards his older brother. The guests broke into applause and shouts of ‘Bravo, Pietro!’

  As soon as Ricardo saw his brother, t
ears sprang to his eyes and he held out his arms to embrace him. They hugged, kissed each other on the cheeks and talked all at once while everyone else congratulated themselves on the success of the surprise.

  Cassie was moved at the sight of the two brothers greeting each other. Ricardo finally sat down again. A chair was found for Pietro and the family now all came to embrace and welcome him. Cassie was intrigued by the contrast between the flamboyant Pietro in his pale pink linen slacks and navy blazer sitting beside the rugged Ricardo dressed in a sombre dark suit and conservative blue tie.

  ‘This is some surprise, eh? Beautiful, beautiful, isn’t it?’ said Frank as he put an arm around Cassie’s shoulders.

  ‘Hello, Frank. Yes, it’s very touching. You have an amazing family.’

  ‘Yes, it’s quite something to get everyone together. All the rellies are here from Wollongong as well as from Sydney and even interstate. I’d better go. I have to get the mayor to do his bit. Are you being looked after?’

  ‘Yes, thank you, Frank.’

  ‘Say, have you met Howard and Marie?’ He waved over a couple from the other side of the hall. ‘These people make the best cheese on the south coast. Well, in Australia, come to that! Meet Cassie. And here comes cousin Michael.’

  ‘We know Michael.’ Howard smiled. ‘He looks after our best milkers.’

  ‘Howard and Marie have their own herd of Jersey cows and they make their cheeses from their milk. They win prizes at the Royal Easter Show. You’ll have to get some for the boatshed, Cassie,’ said Michael. ‘In fact you should go visit their farm, Sublime Pastures. You’ll have to leave Bill at home, though; no dogs allowed. It’s all biodynamic.’

  ‘I’ll leave you folks to it. See you for the cake cutting,’ said Frank.