by Tony McKenna
‘Some don’t but others make an absolute fortune. Some of the best opal in the world is mined there and it brings big quids that’s for sure. Overseas buyers pay lots for quality stone.’
‘I saw some opal jewellery in a shop in the city last week.’ Jean joined in the conversation. ‘Blue, very beautiful.’
‘What were you doing looking at jewellery, dear?’ Mock anger from Claude.
‘Only looking, only looking,’ she laughed.
‘You could have brought me some back, Jack, I wouldn’t have minded an opal necklace. Mind you, I wouldn’t have anywhere to wear it out to.’ Alice stood and gave Jack a good-natured clip across the head. ‘Better start to clear things away.’
‘Didn’t have time to dig, dear and couldn’t afford to buy any,’ Jack replied. ‘It’s not just the blue that’s worth the big quid you know although that’s very popular. The black opal … that’s the prized find.’
‘Black opal?’ Jim and Eric said in unison.
‘I’ve never heard of that, Jack,’ Claude added.
‘Pretty rare but worth a fortune and they reckon it’s up there somewhere. ‘Fire in the Stone’ they call it.’
‘Fire in the stone eh? Sounds sort of mystical,’ Janet said wistfully.
‘More magical than mystical, Janet.’ Jack went on. ‘If I was a young bloke with no responsibility that’s where I’d be headed. Coober Pedy diggin’ for opal.’
‘Yeah,’ Eric added thoughtfully. ‘Jim and I talked about going out there years ago but of course with the depression the market went out of opal, worth darn near nothing for the effort.’
‘That was the case all right but then you know about the Aboriginal lady, what was her name?’ Jack paused thoughtfully. ‘Dottie Bryant, yes that’s it. She made a big find about five or six years ago just after the war and now there’s a big rush out there.’
‘Its a young bloke’s game though, Jack. Lot of hard yakka and there’s always the chance you might not find a thing.’
‘That’s what I mean about ‘magical’, Eric,’ Jack said. ‘You just never know ….’
‘Did you hear that, Harry?’ Jack leaned close to whisper in Harry’s ear. ‘Best opal in the world at Coober Pedy and my dad’s been there eh?’
‘Sounds pretty good, Jack. Maybe when we leave school we could head up there and make a fortune. Buy two bloody bikes each.’
‘Yeah!’ giggled Jack. ‘That’d show that Billy Munse a thing or two.’
‘I’m thinkin’ of showin’ him a coupla things on Monday, Jack. Me fists.’
The womenfolk began to clear away the remaining glasses and the few plates that were left and the visitors made moves to pack their things saying that it was time to get the kids home to bed.
‘Hey, Jack, who do you reckon’ll win the Cup next Tuesday?’
‘The Cup? Do you mean the Melbourne Cup?’ Claude asked.
‘What other Cup is there?’ Jim had a surprised tone in his voice.
‘Claude doesn’t know much about horse racing do you, dear?’ Jean reached over and patted her husband’s knee, springing to his defence. ‘He’s a real cricket buff though, knows a lot about the tests.’
‘I know enough about horse racing to know that anything can win the Melbourne Cup. There’s never any ‘sure thing’ when it comes to the Cup.’
‘There is this year,’ Jack stated. ‘Comic Court will win the cup.’
‘Comic Court? Cripes, Jack,’ Eric laughed. ‘Have you gone crackers, mate? Not a chance.’
‘Yeah pull the other leg,’ Jim agreed. ‘My money’s on Chiquita.’
‘Mine too.’ Claude glanced at his wife. ‘Just a few bob though. Not a betting man you know but I like a flutter on the cup.’
‘Then you’ll both do your dough. Comic Court is already past the post and’ll go down in history as the winner of the 1950 Melbourne Cup,’ Jack said with finality.
‘OK, you boys.’ Alice came out of the house. ‘Stop arguing,’ she laughed.
That night in bed Alice turned to Jack before she switched the light off. ‘That was a good day, Jack, despite the problem with the police and the boys. You don’t think they stole that boy’s bike do you?’
‘No I don’t. I know Jack wouldn’t steal anything and I’m sure that Harry is just as honest as Jack is. There’s got to be some misunderstanding. It’ll get sorted out. Are you going to turn the light out?’
‘There’s no chance they’d go to jail is there?’ she persisted.
‘No, Alice!’ Jack sounded exasperated. ‘Even if they did steal it, which they didn’t, they’re too young to go to jail. They’d just get a good talking to from the sergeant. After all, that Billy still had the bike so it’s not like it was stolen and sold or lost or whatever.’
‘But his father said that he would have them charged and he’s a solicitor.’
‘He’s just a red-faced bag of wind and the fact that he’s a solicitor doesn’t put him outside the law, Alice. It’ll be all right …believe me. There’s something fishy about this and I think that that Billy is lying. Bob will get to the bottom of it when he takes the statements and examines it all.’ Jack rolled onto his side but Alice continued.
‘Shouldn’t we let the boys know to take the pressure off them as they seem very upset about it all and were very quiet today …not their usual boisterous selves.’ Alice had her head cradled on her arm facing Jack.
‘Good to have ’em quiet for a change. No, let ’em sweat a bit longer. I don’t believe for a minute that they did it but it won’t hurt for them to be aware of the sort of consequences that can happen and if they were ever tempted in the future to pinch something. I’m sure this experience will make them think twice.’
Jack leaned across and kissed his wife on the cheek. ‘Now please go to sleep. Good night, Alice.’
‘Good night, dear.’ She turned out the light.
In the sleepout attached to the back of the house where Jack and Harry were in bed both boys were still awake but the house was quiet so they whispered so as not to disturb anybody.
‘What a day, Harry. That Billy’s a lyin’ little shit.’
‘Do ya reckon we’ll go to jail, Jack?’ Harry asked, for what seemed to Jack to be like the hundredth time.
‘We can’t go to jail for pinching somethin’ we didn’t pinch. It wouldn’t be right. We’re innocent, Harry.’
‘Yeah, I suppose so. I’m gonna kill that Billy though when all this has died down.’
‘Then he’ll be twice dead ’cause I’m gonna kill him too.’ They sniggered quietly at Jack’s comment.
‘What’ll we do tomorrow, Jack? Can’t go to the creek seein’ as we’re grounded?’
‘We’ll just hang around here, mate. You can help me build a billycart. I’ve got a box and wheels and everythin’ we need.’
‘Have ya?’
‘Yep and we can use Dad’s tools in the garage. He won’t mind as we’ll be doin’ what he wants and stayin’ in the yard.’
‘Good idea, Jack. She’ll be a beauty.’ Harry yawned. ‘G’nite, Jack, I’m pretty tired.’
‘Me too. See ya in the mornin.’
Sunday morning dragged on for Jack and Harry. Normally they would be down the creek early or out in the park playing with some of their mates but as they were grounded they moped around the house, played some card games, listened to the wireless and waited for lunch. Jack’s brothers and sisters were pleased to have the two older boys at home for the day but their childish games and noise made Harry and Jack even more bored.
After lunch that consisted of left over chops, sausages and salad from the previous day’s barbecue they went into the garage to start putting the billycart together. Jack’s father reversed the car out onto the front lawn where he proceeded to give it its weekly wash. Jack was proud of his car, a near new, cream coloured Holden FX sedan with red leather upholstery, even though it belonged to the company. Alice had a small Austin Ten that she somehow managed to cram all the kids i
nto to take them to school and do the shopping when Jack was away on a buying trip. It was old but honest and Jack couldn’t bring himself to upgrade it as they had owned it for many years and it was almost part of the family.
The boys tinkered in the shed with much banging of nails and sawing of wood and by mid afternoon the cart was beginning to take shape. Jack had rescued four wheels from an old pram that was destined for the rubbish tip and with a piece of rope attached to the front cross piece for steering the boys were keen to try it out down the slope in the road outside the house.
‘Dad?’ Jack asked tentatively. ‘Would it be OK if we just gave the billycart a trial run down the road?’
Jack stood up from where he was crouched beside the car cleaning the wheels and thought for a minute. ‘Yes, I suppose so. You’ve been pretty good and haven’t whinged about stayin’ in the yard … but just a couple of runs though then it’s back behind the fence.’
‘Thanks, Mr Ferguson,’ Harry said.
‘Thanks, Dad.’ They wheeled the cart down the driveway through the double wooden gates and onto the road. ‘I’m goin’ first.’ Jack exercised his priority as owner/builder.
The first run with Jack on board and Harry push-starting him down the slope revealed some adjustment was needed to the steering so they sat on the footpath at the bottom of the hill and began to make some modifications to the rope attached to the steering.
‘I thought you blokes were grounded. Did ya pinch that cart too off some other kid?’ Billy Munse swept past them on the other side of the road and pulled up some distance away, one foot on the pedal to make a hasty departure if it was necessary.
‘Piss off, Billy, you dobber,’ Harry responded. ‘Come over here if you’re game and say it again.’
‘What are ya doin’ over here, Billy, why aren’t ya at home makin’ up more lies to tell to ya Dad?’ Jack threw at him.
‘They were not lies. My dad says you’ll both be in big trouble with the coppers and will probably end up in jail for what ya tried to do.’ Billy edged his bike even further away as insurance to avoid any possible attack the boys might launch at him.
‘It’s just your word against ours, Billy,’ Jack said. ‘There are two of us and only one of you so we have a better chance when it comes to makin’ statements and we’l be tellin’ the truth. Yours will be just a pack of lies.’ Jack turned back to the billycart on the nature strip.
‘I’ve got witnesses.’ As soon as he said it Billy felt a hot flush of remorse colour his cheeks. His father would kill him if he knew what he had said. ‘Keep this between us, William,’ His father had warned. ‘The element of surprise.’
‘What witnesses?’ Jack stood up from the billycart. ‘There wasn’t anyone else there.’
‘Yeah … and how can someone witness somethin’ that didn’t happen anyway?’ Harry added.
‘There was people there.’ Billy was committed now. Having spilt the beans prematurely he had left himself no option but to continue.
‘People? What people? We never saw anyone except your father, did we, Harry?’
‘Friends of me dad were walkin’ their dog by the river and saw the whole thing. You two grabbin’ the bike off me and runnin’ away with it even though I was pleadin’ with ya not to steal me birthday present.’ Billy thought he would practice some of the lines his father had primed him with in preparation for the statement he would have to give to the police on Monday.
Jack and Harry were struck dumb. They stood with slack expressions as Billy kicked his bike into action and rode off. ‘See ya in jail,’ He yelled with a sadistic laugh as he pedalled away.
‘Geez, Harry, we’re in big trouble now.’
‘But he’s lyin’, Jack.’
‘We know that but who’s gonna believe us now that his father’s lined up some friends to lie as well.’
‘You’re right, Jack. What’re we gonna do?’
‘Dunno but I’m not goin’ to jail.’
‘Me neither, Jack. You only get bread and water to eat in jail so I’ve heard.’
‘Yeah and ya have to break up big rocks with sledge hammers.’
‘Only one thing for it, Jack, and that’s to bolt. Head off somewhere, but where?’
‘I know.’ An inspiration hit Jack. ‘Coober Pedy. Let’s run away to Coober Pedy. You heard what me dad said last night? People don’t ask where you’re from or what you’ve done out there.’
‘Mmm, he did, didn’t he? But how would we get there? We haven’t got any money … not enough to get to Coober Pedy that’s for sure and where is it anyhow, is it in the Territory?’
‘Not sure, don’t think so though, think it’s in South Australia somewhere. We’ll look it up on a map. How much money have you got, Harry?’
‘Nothin’ on me but I’ve got a few bob in me moneybox at home. Four bob or thereabouts.’
‘Four Bob have ya? I’ve got about five or six bob saved up at home.’
‘Ten bob isn’t much to run away with, Jack, what can we do?’
‘Don’t know, Harry.’ Jack shook his head despondently. ‘We’ll think of somethin’ though … got to.’
Chapter Three
Jack yawned and stretched. Another day, Monday already, he thought. It took a while for it to dawn on him that things had changed, it wasn’t just another Monday. As the memory of the weekend started to flood back there was a vague feeling of uneasiness and Jack realised that things would never be quite the same again. He couldn’t put his finger on it but knew in his inner being that life had changed for him and Harry … forever!
‘You awake, Harry?’ Jack leaned over to the single bed beside him and gave Harry’s inert shape a nudge.
‘What?’ Harry sputtered and sat bolt upright in bed. ‘What? … Oh, g’day, Jack, musta been dreamin’.’
‘What about?’
‘Oh nothin’ really. What’s the time?’
‘Time to get up and get ready for school.’
‘School?’ Harry paused and looked around him, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s Monday but what about our plans from last night, you know … runnin’ away and all? You still game, Jack?’
‘Not a matter of game, Harry, it’s a matter of have to. ’ said Jack .
The boys dressed quickly and went to the kitchen where they could smell bread toasting.
Jack’s mother had eggs cooking in a pan and was busy at the bench buttering toast. ‘Morning, boys. You’re up nice and early.’ She looked at Harry. ‘Normally I have to wake Jack up on a Monday.’ She laughed and continued, ‘but that’s good, you boys can finish off your lunches while I make some sandwiches for the kids and get their school books ready.’ She went off down the hallway calling to her younger children.
She returned to the kitchen to find Jack and Harry sitting at the table staring into space. ‘What’s up with you kids? You haven’t even started on your sandwiches.’ She sounded irritated.
‘Sandwiches?’ said Jack. ‘Oh, sorry, Mum, just tired I guess. We’ll get on with them now. Harry, wanna give me a hand? Get the vegemite out of the fridge will ya, mate?’
‘You OK, Jack?’ Alice was concerned at his vagueness. He just didn’t seem to be himself. ‘Something on your mind, son?’
‘Nothin’, Mum, I’m all right.’ Jack glanced at Harry who stared at the table.
‘Come on, son, you aren’t telling me everything, I can see there’s something heavy on your mind … is it the bike thing?’
‘Yes, Mum, it is.’ Jack became animated, his arms flailing the air in exasperation. ‘It’s that bloody Billy Munse and his lies and …’
Alice interrupted. ‘Jack! You know I won’t have swearing in this house.’
‘Sorry, Mum, but it gets me so mad to think that that mongrel Billy can lie about me and Harry and get away with it and we could end up goin’ to jail just because he lied and everyone believes him and not us.’ It was a long sentence from Jack.
‘Jack.’ His mother reached out putting her hand on his shoulder. She wan
ted to hold him in a close hug but knew better than to embarrass him with Harry in the room. ‘Just stick to the truth, son. The truth always wins out you know.’
Jack threw a look over the table at Harry who was still engrossed in the tabletop. Jack didn’t want to alarm his mother any further by telling her that Billy Munse’s dad had apparently found witnesses to say they stole the bike.
‘I’m sure it will all be all right, boys; your father thinks so too, Jack. Just forget about the bike and Billy Munse and his pompous father and concentrate on your lessons. Dad will be back on Wednesday and he’ll sort a few things out. Don’t forget though that the constable will be around after school to talk with you so as I said before …just stick to the truth. You better go straight home after school today, Harry, so the constable can see you too.’
The hours dragged on through the morning. Neither Jack nor Harry could concentrate on any schoolwork, enduring the lessons as they thought through plans for their departure to discuss with each other at the lunchtime break.
During lunch they moved away from the main body of milling students to a remote corner of the schoolyard where they sat on the ground in the shade of a peppercorn tree to eat their sandwiches. It may have been their imagination but they were sure everybody was sniggering at them. It didn’t help when a crowd of boys and girls with Billy Munse in their centre laughed and pointed at them.
‘I’m gonna kill that Billy.’ Jack started to stand up.
‘No, Jack, not now.’ Harry grabbed his shirt. ‘It’d only make matters worse. We’ll get him though, don’t worry about that.’
‘Yeah, guess you’re right. We gotta concentrate on our plans. How we gonna do it? We only got ten bob between us and we’ll need a lot more than that to get to Coober Pedy.’
‘I looked it up in the atlas this morning, Jack; Coober Pedy, it’s in South Australia … in the outback.’
‘Good! They’ll never find us there.’
The three o’clock bell eventually rang marking the end of the school day. Planning to meet down at the creek later in the afternoon after the policeman had been around for his statements, each boy hurried home. They were eager to avoid any contact with Billy Munse or have to field accusations from many of the other kids who took delight in stirring for any reason.