Jack & Harry

by Tony McKenna

  There was silence from Harry now so Jack just continued to stare into the darkness, his mind in turmoil. Lying in the stillness, his thoughts drifted back over the events of the last twenty-four hours or so. He saw the newspaper clipping vividly and recalled the contents, word for word. He felt the compassion of his friends as they consoled him and Iris’s warm arms around his shoulders and the scent she wore as he leaned on her breast. He could see the anguish in Paddy’s eyes as he apologised over and over for leaving the envelope in the Gladstone bag for so long. He experienced again the sunrise that morning as they stood in the piccaninny dawn, that pre-sunrise light, grouped together, men and boys, before the cenotaph. He pictured the soldiers clambering up the beaches at Anzac Cove being blasted to ribbons as the shire president had described and he heard the song the old miner sang.

  The words came flooding back and he hummed along, silently mouthing them. ‘And tears run down my brother’s face as he thinks of loves in another place.’ He stopped humming and sat bolt upright in the bed. ‘You asleep yet, Harry?’

  ‘No, Jack, just thinkin’ about stuff.’

  ‘We’re goin’ home, Harry, the song decided it for me.’

  ‘Song! What song?’

  ‘The one that was sung at the service this morning. You know, about thinking of loves in another place.’

  ‘I didn’t listen all that closely, Jack.’

  ‘Well I did and we’re goin’ home, or at least I am. You can stay if you like. My ‘Love’ is me family and the ‘other place’ is back home in Perth so that’s it.’

  ‘You mean you don’t love it here, Jack, rather be back in Perth?’

  ‘No, I didn’t say that. I think it’s great here and I don’t regret the decision we made to come here but until I put the guilt of runnin’ away to rest and make up to my parents for the heartache I’ve caused ’em, this place can never be home. It’s sort of like we’re still on a journey, not permanent … do you know what I mean? I have to know where ‘home’ really is and until I go back I won’t know if it’s here, or back in Perth.’

  ‘I think I understand what you mean, Jack, and I’m with you, so when do we leave then?’

  ‘As soon as we can. It’s our birthdays in a few days’ time, Harry, so let’s try to make it back by then.’

  The decision made, they were anxious to get things organised so were up, dressed and having a cuppa when Shaun woke. He listened attentively while they told him of their decision.

  ‘I agree with your reasoning, Jack, very grown up. What can I do then to help you? You won’t have to worry about the mine as Reynold is trust-worthy and a good friend to you both and Paddy’s on hand to manage things while you’re away.’ He paused and looked them both squarely in the eyes. ‘I have to ask this … do you plan to come back?’

  ‘You bet!’ Harry answered immediately but Jack considered the question before he answered.

  ‘I’m not sure, Father,’ he said. ‘I want to, of course, and would always return but whether or not it would be permanently or just to wind things up I won’t know until I’ve been home.’

  ‘Fair enough and you’re being totally honest so I appreciate that. I also appreciate your sentiment, Harry. Now let’s get things in motion.’ He looked at the alarm clock on the sideboard, shrugged and reached for the telephone.

  ‘Did I wake you, Ron? … No, good. The boys have made a decision to get home to see their parents and want to get going as soon as they can. I agree with their decision; they’ve thought it through well, and I was wondering if you can help out with some advice or whatever?’ The priest listened for a time ‘Not sure, I guess they’ll need to get to Pt Augusta somehow and train it to Kalgoorlie, then on to Perth.’ More listening. ‘That could work. OK … Yes, sounds good. We’ll wait for you then.’ He put the receiver back on the cradle.

  The boys looked at him expectantly and he explained. ‘Ron says there’s a surveyor bloke he knows in town that could be driving to Pt Augusta in the morning. He’ll check if he can give you a lift and will be around here in half an hour to see what else he can do.’

  Jack and Harry paced around as, now that the decision was made, they were anxious to get moving and knew there was a lot to organise in a short time.

  The sergeant turned up with Paddy, and Iris arrived as they were walking to the door, having been telephoned by Ron Carter. ‘Looks like a council of war then,’ Iris joked as she joined them at the kitchen table.

  Shaun Logan elected himself chairman of the organisation for their trip and went through the plans so far, sparing the boys from having to explain their decision. ‘How’d you go with the surveyor, Ron?’

  ‘Done. He’s happy to have the company on the drive. Leaving at sun up in the morning.’

  ‘Well then, not much more to be done. Do you want to call your parents and let them know to expect you? The priest pointed to the telephone.

  ‘No!’ Jack stated emphatically. ‘Harry and I wouldn’t know what to say and we want to surprise them anyhow. It’s my birthday at the end of the month and Harry’s two days later, we’d like to try to make it there by then.

  ‘It seems like you’ll be giving presents rather than getting them. What a great surprise for your families.’ Iris was excited for them all.

  ‘We’d like to call and see Father O’Malley on the way through if we can, maybe stop over a night. He’s been real good to us so we want to thank him.’

  ‘I’ll call him for you.’ Shaun offered. ‘He can meet you at the train.’

  ‘If his car will start!’ Harry laughed. Paddy and Jack laughed with him but the others looked on blankly, not knowing the joke.

  ‘We’ll have to organise some money for you, Paddy, while we’re away.’

  ‘Money, Jack? What for?’ Paddy patted his coat pocket and looked at the sergeant with a cheeky grin. ‘You’re not forgettin’ now that Paddy O’Brien is a master at survival lads. Particularly when there’s a little game of chance on that Ron here knows nothin’ about.’ The sergeant smiled at Paddy’s jibe. ‘There’s no need to be worryin’ about money for Paddy now. A few blokes last night made what could be only described as a handsome contribution to me welfare and all.’

  ‘The horses, we need to make sure they’re all right.’

  ‘They’ll be fine, Harry. I love horses and will check on them a couple of times a week. I know Ned at the stables well.’

  ‘Gee thanks, Mrs Smith.’

  ‘When are you going to stop calling me ‘Mrs’, Harry. We’re all friends here and in Coober everyone uses first names. There are people here I’ve known for years and still couldn’t tell you what their surnames are. Now, I suspect you might have a few clothes that could be in need of a wash and a press so drop them off and I’ll have them ready for you to take with you.’ She reached out and ruffled Harry’s hair. ‘Can’t have you going back to Perth and having people think we live like hobos out here, can we?’

  ‘Reynold can look after Anna OK but what about Bruno’s claim?’

  ‘I hear he’s out of hospital,’ Iris said. ‘Should be back soon and Paddy can look after things till then.’ She gave the little Irishman a questioning look and he nodded.

  ‘I’ll be pleased when that happens.’ The sergeant looked relieved. ‘Never heard of anyone breaking into a jail but it worries me having that huge stone in the cells. The sooner Bruno collects it the better.’

  ‘Wonder what he’ll do with it, Ron, must be worth a packet.’

  ‘It’s big all right, Shaun, and I imagine it’ll be worth a small fortune.’

  ‘Just as well. I don’t think Bruno will be doing much digging after this and he’s worked hard out there so he deserves some reward.’

  ‘You’re right, Iris.’ The sergeant agreed.

  ‘OK then! You don’t mind if I recap on what everyone needs to do, Shaun?’ Without waiting for an answer Ron Carter stood up signalling an end to the meeting, then, with military like precision said, ‘let’s get on with it. Paddy
, you drive the boys out to get their laundry and so they can explain to Reynold what’s going on. Shaun, you’re going to call the priest in Kalgoorlie, is that right?’ The priest nodded. ‘Right then, I’ll confirm with the surveyor to make sure there’s no hitch. I’ll also call a mate of mine at the cop shop in Pt Augusta and get him to book tickets on the train for you blokes. He’ll take care of you too when you get there. Good fella, you’ll like him. Got kids about your own age as well.’ He looked at both the boys with a wry grin. ‘Don’t suppose you’re wanted in Pt Augusta for knocking off bikes are you?’

  ‘Ron,’ Iris scolded, ‘don’t be mean.’

  ‘You may be thinkin’ that me and the good Father in Kalgoorlie were doin’ the wrong thing by shieldin’ the boys but when I met ’em on the train I knew in me heart they were good lads. Then when they told us why they were runnin’ away, Timothy and me believed their story. I’m real glad you’re goin’ to be seein’ your families again but Paddy’ll miss you and all, to be sure.’ There was a thickness in his voice so he added brightly, ‘Now, Iris, would you be likin’ another cuppa before we head off on our missions.’

  Chapter Thirty Four

  The surveyor pulled up in front of the priest’s house just before dawn in a black Ford utility and the boys threw their bags containing the clean and neatly ironed clothes with their other belongings into the back. The surveyor was introduced only as Gordon. ‘Hop in, lads, got a long drive,’ he said, revving the motor.

  With the bulk of the money split between them and carried inside their shirts and spending money for the trip secure in their button down pockets, they couldn’t help but think about the start of their last long journey when they only had a few quid between them. This time they had several hundred pounds.

  Reynold had come to see them off and they shook hands with him, Shaun Logan and Sergeant Carter, but Iris hugged them tightly without speaking and they noticed when she drew back that she was dabbing at her eyes with a small lace handkerchief.

  Turning to Paddy, they were ready to shake hands when the little man held his arms wide. ‘Aargh, come here, ye young rascals.’ Paddy put his arms around them briefly then stood back. ‘You be takin’ good care of yourselves now ye hear, and say hello to me old mate Timothy for me. Give him this would you. Say it’s an investment that I’ll collect interest on one day.’ He handed them a wrapped bottle he had taken from the Land Rover. He also gave them an envelope. ‘Tell the old rogue that this is for the plate. He’ll be knowin’ what I mean.’

  ‘Take good care and don’t get lost along the way. It’d be a shame after all you’ve been through to lose your way, get on the wrong train and end up in Melbourne instead of Perth.’ Shaun Logan tried to keep the moment light.

  The sergeant stood holding the Ford’s passenger door open and as they got into the vehicle he shut it, speaking through the window. ‘You won’t get lost as Ned Wilson, the sergeant at Pt Augusta, has booked your tickets on the train and he’s waiting for you; spoke with him again this morning. Gordon here’ll drop you off at the police station. Don’t worry about things, have a good time and stay out of trouble.’

  Gordon accelerated and the powerful car leapt away. Pressing the horn he turned left at the end of the street leaving the small group standing forlornly beside the roadway. They were on their way.

  Having to farewell their friends overshadowed the excitement about the trip and the prospect of seeing their families again so Gordon’s impatience to be on the road suited them. What the reception at home would be like, or how they would feel about being away from the life they had led for the past six months and the friends they had made, was anybody’s guess. At that moment Jack and Harry were feeling numb, as alone as they had felt when they boarded the train at Northam a lifetime away.

  Gordon drove fast, the big Ford sitting firmly on the gravel, trailing a cloud of dust that was whipped away by the desert wind. The boys tried to talk to him a couple of times but found that Gordon was very economical when it came to conversation and was happy to drive in total concentrated silence.

  The trip took several hours. The only stops were to refill the tank from drums of petrol lashed in the back of the ute, a call of nature and to change a punctured tyre. The Ford pulled into the outskirts of Pt Augusta just after lunchtime. The boys, having been in remote locations since leaving Kalgoorlie months before, stared at the shops, cars and more people than they had seen in one place for a long time.

  Gordon pulled the dust-coated Ford up in front of the police station and left the motor running. ‘We’re here,’ was all he said. Taking their bags from the back of the ute they thanked Gordon for the ride. ‘Good on ya, see ya again sometime,’ he said, and was gone, the V8 motor growling into the distance.

  ‘Better find this Ned Wilson bloke, eh?’ Jack started toward the police station when a giant of a man in police uniform walked out of the front entrance and flashed a friendly smile. ‘You must be Jack and Harry, been expectin’ ya. Ned Wilson,’ he introduced himself.

  His handshake was crushing then he picked up their heavily packed blueys in one hand like they were filled with feathers. ‘Follow me, you had any lunch? Guess not.’ He answered his own question. ‘The missus has got some cold meat and salad ready at home.’

  He led them through the station, introducing them to the two constables on duty and out the back door to where a police car was parked. ‘Jump in fellas, it’s not far. I’ve got your train tickets at home.’

  ‘Thanks, sergeant, we’ll fix you up for them when we get there.’

  ‘No worries, Jack, and call me Ned. Everyone else does ’round here.’

  Ned pulled into the driveway of a freshly painted weatherboard home with neat lawns and large trees dominating the front garden. ‘Used to be in the police house next to the station but the senior connie’s in that now because we bought this one.’ He pressed the horn to announce their arrival. ‘Good for the family to be a bit away from the station.’

  As Ned switched off the engine and stepped from the car a woman came out the front door and down the steps to meet them. She was slim and neatly dressed in a floral frock with fair bobbed hair. Clear hazel eyes twinkled when she smiled. ‘I’m Rosemary,’ she said, ‘welcome. How was your trip?’

  ‘Pretty good, thanks,’ Harry Replied.

  ‘Long, but good, thanks, Mrs Wilson.’ Jack noticed movement behind her on the porch and glanced up to see a young girl, around his own age, come skipping down the steps. As she approached, Jack was sure his mouth fell open because she was the prettiest creature he had ever seen. Her skin was like honeyed cream with a sprinkling of freckles across her nose that gave her a tomboyish air. Blonde hair tumbled to her shoulders and her eyes, almost violet, shone with warmth as she spoke. ‘Hello, you’re the two from Coober Pedy. Dad told us all about you.’ Her voice tinkled like music to Jack and he just nodded dumbly, not trusting himself to speak in case it came out like a squeak.

  ‘I didn’t tell her all about you.’ Her father opened the car boot and grabbed the two bags. ‘My daughter, Naomi,’ he said by way of introduction. ‘Nomes, this is Jack Ferguson and Harry Turner. Don’t know a lot to tell anyhow only that Ron up at Coober said you needed to get to Perth in a hurry, something about a birthday in a few days?’ He walked ahead toward the house. ‘Come on in then. Lunch ready, Rose?’

  As the boys washed up for lunch in the bathroom, Harry whispered to Jack. ‘You looked like a fish out there, Jack, your mouth open like that.’

  ‘Shut up, Harry.’ Jack sluiced water onto his face and reached for a towel. ‘You gotta admit though, she’s good-lookin’, mate.’

  ‘Yeah … OK for a blonde, I suppose. She’s pretty skinny though.’

  ‘She is not!’ Jack snapped back at him.

  ‘Ahh, got ya!’ Harry ducked as Jack threw a friendly punch at him.

  There was cold lamb with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onions plated up when they came to the table. ‘Help yourself to bread and butte
r, there’s home-made mayonnaise in the jar there … would you like sauce, or mint jelly?’ Rosemary Wilson fussed. ‘Don’t expect you get to eat all that well batching up at the mine so tuck in.’

  Jack was seated opposite Naomi and found it hard to meet her eyes so concentrated on the lunch aware that she was looking steadily across the table at him. Each time he chanced to glance up her eyes locked on his but he looked quickly back at the plate, sure his face was bright red. He heard Harry snicker beside him, which made him even more uncomfortable, and was glad when her father broke the silence. ‘So tell us, boys, what’s it like living in Coober Pedy?’

  Jack let Harry carry most of the conversation but Naomi was determined to include him. ‘Jack, tell me, are there many girls in Coober Pedy?’ There was a sneaky smile on her lips and he felt like jelly.

  ‘Er, no. Haven’t seen any. We work pretty hard up there and it’s no place for girls.’

  ‘What do you mean by no place for girls? Don’t you think girls can work hard?’ There was challenge in her voice.

  ‘Crikey, you’ve done it now, Jack.’ Ned jerked a thumb towards his daughter. ‘We’ve got two daughters, Claire’s away at present and I’m glad we don’t have a son because he’d have a hard time keeping up with Nomes here. She reckons there’s nothing a bloke can do that a Sheila can’t do just as well.’

  ‘Dad!’ Naomi sounded offended. ‘You make me out to be an ogre. I’m not that at all and I’m certainly not a ‘Sheila’ either.’ She shot an indignant look at her father, wrinkling her nose.

  ‘I know, honey. But you’d rather be off in the bush somewhere on a horse than sitting at home sewing.’ He then spoke to Jack. ‘She can ride pretty well and shoots like a trooper.’ Ned was obviously very fond of his daughter.