Arcadia

by Di Morrissey

  ‘It’s a date. I’ll get this.’ He reached for his wallet. ‘See you later, Jess.’

  *

  Sally and Jessica plunged into their shopping, hitting the many boutiques that lined the main street. Having bought gifts for the young girls, they headed to a small fashion shop to browse.

  ‘Oh, I love this top.’ Jessica sighed as she held up a silk blouse with a long lace cuff, full gathered sleeves, and a lace inset at the throat and around the neckline.

  ‘Try it on, it’s so soft and feminine,’ said Sally. And when Jessica poked her head out of the change cubicle, Sally clapped her hands. ‘Oh, that’s stunning! Pull your hair up, you look like a Brontë heroine! You have to buy it!’

  ‘I’m unemployed and poor,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Maybe, but you look fabulous. Get it, Jess! How long since you bought yourself something so gorgeous?’

  ‘I feel gorgeous. What the heck. I’ll take it. You’re a bad influence, Sal.’ She laughed.

  ‘Leave it on and wear it to lunch. And keep your hair up.’ Sally stepped forward and fiddled with Jessica’s hair, pulling some tendrils around her face. ‘Wispy bits, suits the Victorian look.’

  ‘It’s not a date, Sal,’ said Jessica, but she was rather pleased with the whole effect, and glad she’d worn smart casual pants and changed from her tennis shoes into leather ballet flats.

  ‘Doesn’t matter. You feel fabulous. That’s what counts.’

  *

  Jessica walked through the city and up the rise to the Botanical Gardens, pausing to catch her breath and look across the Derwent River. She was trying to imagine the paddocks and fields around the Government Domain and Gardens in colonial days.

  She strolled through the grand gates and followed the path that led to the Seed Conservation Centre. Dan was standing outside talking to the woman they’d met on their first visit. He waved as Jessica came towards them. ‘Hi, Jess. You remember Denyse?’

  ‘Of course. How are you?’ said Jessica.

  ‘Very well, thanks,’ Denyse said. ‘We’re thrilled we’ve identified your Thismia. It’s rare and specific to Tasmania. And it hasn’t been described at all until now.’

  ‘It could be named for Sally’s grandmother,’ Dan said with a grin.

  ‘Wow, wouldn’t that be something,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Are there other paintings, sketches of it?’ asked Denyse.

  ‘I’m not sure, although there are lots of Stella’s sketches and paintings at Sally’s place.’

  ‘We’d like to take a look at them, if you find any. My colleagues and I are keen to go and see the site, too. Does the flower still grow there? Has it appeared again?’

  ‘I have no idea. I’m not sure anyone has bothered to observe it,’ said Jessica.

  ‘And even if it was there, it might have been disturbed or destroyed when the fungi were stolen, I guess,’ Dan said.

  ‘Yes,’ said Jessica despondently.

  ‘Speaking of the fungi,’ he continued, ‘I think they could be the same ones that are being used at Seawinds.’

  ‘What makes you think that?’

  ‘Do you remember I mentioned I’d snuck a sample when I was poking around at Seawinds? And we found that tiny sample of a mushroom under a tree in the forest at Arcadia? Well, I asked Denyse to test them.’

  Jessica nodded, recalling their walk in the forest.

  ‘It’s generated quite some interest,’ said Denyse. ‘From the sample it looks like the mushrooms they’re cultivating have possible medicinal properties, as well as other really interesting uses.’

  ‘What do you mean by interesting uses?’ asked Jessica.

  ‘Pesticides, deadly poisons,’ Dan said. ‘But like Sean told us, their potential to mop up and absorb toxic chemicals and clean up industrial waste is a whole new field. As is the use of mushrooms for medicinal purposes to treat serious diseases.’

  ‘There’s probably a lot of secret research under way,’ said Denyse. ‘Once the properties are isolated and can be reproduced on a mass scale, you’ve got a big business proposition to sell.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Anyway, I’d better get back to work. Good to see you again, Jessica.’

  ‘You too, and thanks for all your work on the painting and the sample,’ Jessica said.

  Denyse waved as she headed back into the building.

  ‘Let’s go and have lunch,’ said Dan. ‘Is eating here okay with you? Sitting out on the restaurant’s verandah is great when it’s sunny like this.’

  *

  Dan and Jessica lingered over lunch and talked of many things, from great concerts they’d seen and places they’d been, to others they wanted to see as well as favourite movies, and politics.

  Jessica was relieved they were on the same page over current issues in the news, and when she asked about sports, Dan wrinkled his nose. ‘I was on the rowing team at uni, and as I think I told you, I’m a sailor. Love it. But that’s as far as my sporting career ever went, I’m afraid. Now you’re going to tell me you were a star netball player, aren’t you?’

  Jessica laughed. ‘Nope. Swimming team, but I gave it away when I was sixteen. I couldn’t hack all the training sessions before and after school.’

  ‘Did you go to school here or in Sydney?’ Dan asked.

  ‘Both. My family moved to the mainland when I was fourteen. I missed Sal, I missed the life here. I got over it, but I never lost contact with Sally and it has been so lovely reconnecting with her, and with Tassie.’

  ‘There are some people you meet who stay friends for life,’ said Dan.

  ‘Yes. Sally never judges me, has my back no matter what. She’s the one I can call at 2 am and she’s right there for me.’

  ‘As you are for her, I’m sure,’ said Dan. He lifted his coffee cup, his eyes fixed on her. ‘You look stunning today, Jess. Like a vintage cameo brooch.’

  ‘Thanks, Dan.’ She laughed. ‘It must be my new blouse. Sally insisted I buy it this morning.’

  ‘It’s beautiful. Now, I want you to meet a special fellow here.’

  They paid the bill and headed out onto the lawn.

  ‘I have to get a taxi back to meet Sally and Toby at their hotel as we’re heading back to Arcadia. Toby wants to be there before dark,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Okay. Let’s go up to the main gates now,’ said Dan. ‘He’s meeting us there. Then I’ll drop you at the hotel.’

  As they reached the entrance and the information booth, Jessica spotted the older man she and Sally had met on their first visit. ‘Oh, there’s Terry. He took us to the Seed Conservation Centre the other day. He was so helpful. Lovely man.’

  ‘Well, there you go. That’s who I want to introduce you to. I’d like to bring Terry to Arcadia. I’ll speak to Sally first, of course.’

  ‘Why would he want to go there?’ Jessica was puzzled.

  Before Dan could answer, Terry saw them and waved. ‘I remember you.’ He shook Jessica’s hand warmly. ‘How are you, Dan? Here, let’s sit down.’ He pointed to a bench near the gate. ‘Where’s your friend?’ he asked Jessica.

  ‘Having a leisurely lunch with her husband,’ she said, smiling. ‘It’s good to see you again.’

  ‘You too.’ Terry settled himself on the seat and Jessica and Dan sat on either side of him. ‘So, Dan tells me you got your plant identified, eh? And it came from Arcadia, he said.’

  ‘Yes. That’s right. You know of Arcadia?’ said Jessica, turning to look at him.

  ‘I most certainly do. I grew up there. James is my surname – my parents worked there and I did for a few years, too.’ He paused and, seeing Jessica’s startled face, he gave a soft smile and went on, ‘Such a coincidence that we met when you came to the Seed Centre.’

  ‘I’m sorry Sally didn’t recognise you,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Oh, she wouldn’t know
me; all before her time, really. My mother was the housekeeper at Arcadia, and Dad was the caretaker who looked after the property. My brothers and sisters and I all lived there. It was a great life; till the polio came.’ He lifted a foot. ‘Luckily I was the only one in the family who contracted it. And I’ve never let it hold me back.’

  ‘Terry, I’m just surprised. This seems so . . . bizarre . . .’ stammered Jessica. ‘You said you worked there too?’

  ‘Yes. After Dad died I managed the farm and helped my mum, as she was getting on.’

  ‘Did you know Sally’s mother, Mollie, then?’ asked Jessica.

  ‘Oh, yes indeed. I promised my mother I’d always keep an eye on her. But after Mollie and her husband moved back and took over, and Mrs H died, I felt it was my turn to travel and start my own life away from Arcadia. You know.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Jessica.

  ‘I always kept in touch, sent Christmas cards to Mollie. Once she was back at Arcadia, I felt the circle had closed and the family was back there for the long haul. I travelled, worked in a few different jobs over the years, hiked on Macquarie Island,’ he said proudly. ‘That’s where I met some of the scientific people and I ended up here, at the Gardens.’

  ‘Terry, I wondered if you would like to visit Arcadia,’ said Dan. ‘Been a while since you were back there, eh? I can ask Mollie and Sally if that’s all right.’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he said fervently. ‘I’d love to see the place one more time. I’m getting on, you know.’

  ‘I think Sally would like to ask you about some of the old history, family memories,’ said Jessica gently. ‘Things her mother doesn’t know much about.’

  ‘Well, certainly, if I can help . . .’

  ‘You can meet her little girl, too. Katie. She’s four,’ said Jessica.

  The old man’s eyes looked misty. ‘That’s about how old Mollie was when I used to take her for walks . . . she was like my baby sister.’

  *

  They said goodbye to Terry and walked close, side by side, to Dan’s car.

  ‘I’m just blown away by that,’ said Jessica shakily. ‘Imagine how Sally is going to feel when I tell her the man we met here grew up at Arcadia.’

  ‘Not to mention the surprise her mother will have. He’s pretty good for someone in his mid-eighties, isn’t he?’

  ‘Yes, amazing. Terry probably knows more about Sally’s family than any relative.’

  ‘Often the way, I suppose. When families are scattered over the country, a long-time friend or neighbour can know all the details of the day-to-day dramas and triumphs that have happened over the years while relations haven’t a clue. Perhaps you can ask Sally and Toby on the drive home if it’s okay for Terry and me to visit? That’s if Mollie agrees too, of course.’

  ‘Will do. Maybe Terry holds the key to Stella’s story,’ said Jessica.

  When they reached the boutique hotel where Sally and Toby were staying, Dan stopped the car, jumped out and held the door for Jessica.

  ‘Well, I’ll call you tonight or tomorrow, Dan,’ she said as she climbed out. ‘Gosh, what a day – a delicious lunch, and thanks so much for introducing me to Terry properly. My mind is spinning.’

  Dan leaned over and kissed her quickly on the cheek. ‘Let me know how it goes with Sally and Mollie. I’ll keep investigating up here.’

  Impulsively Jessica reached out and hugged him tightly. ‘I can’t thank you enough. It’s just been so . . . magical.’

  He hugged her back, and for a moment or two they clung together, sensing that not only had they shared something special, but that it was a beginning.

  Dan was first to pull away, but he stood close, holding her by the shoulders and staring into her sparkling eyes. ‘Magic, indeed. You’re amazing.’

  Jessica thought he was going to kiss her and her heart started racing, but he dropped his arms, then reached out and gently touched her cheek before turning away.

  *

  When they arrived back at Arcadia, Jessica pleaded tiredness and went to bed after an early dinner. Mollie was at an evening meeting in town but was due back soon, and Sally sensed that Jessica was getting out of their way to give them some time on their own. So once Katie was in bed, she and Toby settled with a nightcap, sitting close together on the sofa.

  ‘When do you think you’ll talk to your mum about this visit from Terry James?’ asked Toby.

  ‘Tonight, if she gets back from her meeting soon, otherwise first thing tomorrow. She’s off razzing up the council over some development proposal.’

  ‘Oh, that tourism complex they want to do up on the coast? Yeah, it sounds a bit too big for this state.’

  ‘She thinks they’re trying to push through a casino licence. Anyway, good on her for fighting for it,’ said Sally, then she paused and took a sip of her drink.

  ‘Toby, how are we doing here?’ She turned and looked at him. ‘We’ve sunk everything into these new ventures, and you left your family farm to be here at Arcadia. Now I’m worried about whether we’ve done the right thing. Do you ever think about your family, the farm, I mean?’

  Toby reached for her hand. ‘Hey, what’s brought this on? We talked about this years ago. Robert’s running the place very well, though Dad still thinks he’s in charge.’

  ‘I feel a bit rattled with everything that’s going on. Unearthing all these secrets in the family history, people stealing from us, it frightens me. And I realise that if things get bad I can’t just say, okay, let’s sell up. It’s hit me how . . . ingrained Arcadia is in our family. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.’

  ‘Me either.’ He leaned over and kissed her. ‘But no matter what happens, wherever we’re together with Katie, your mum, well, that’s home. Right? Anyway, we’re doing okay. We’ll be fine.’

  Sally sighed and felt relief flow through her. ‘You’re wonderful. It’s weird how it’s only struck me now. I’ve always taken this place for granted. It’s all I’ve ever known as home. And it’s where I always expected to be. I’m so lucky to have you.’ She leaned her head on his shoulder. ‘I just never thought of who else might have lived here. And I can’t imagine anyone else ever living here but our family . . .’

  ‘It’s not surprising you’re thinking about this now, Sal. You and Jess have uncovered so much about your family that has been hidden for decades.’

  ‘Yes, it’s a bit overwhelming. The truffles being taken, the fungi disappearing, and some possible link with the strange, scary man at Seawinds, Gordon Broadbent, and his work with mushrooms. And then us meeting Terry James,’ said Sally, nestling closer to Toby. Then, hearing a key turn in the front door, she straightened up. ‘Is that you, Mum? We’re in here.’

  Mollie poked her head in the door. ‘Having a nightcap? I saw the light on and just wanted to say goodnight, I won’t disturb you. I’m going to have a quick cuppa and then go to bed myself.’

  ‘Bring it in here, Mum. We were just having a chat.’

  ‘No, you two have some alone time. I’m heading to bed. All that discussion and arguing at the council meeting has given me a headache.’

  ‘Did you have a win, Mollie?’ asked Toby.

  ‘Not yet. But there’s no way our group wants to see a mega overseas development on the coast near here. The rush for dollars and development is killing us. This plan would be a whole town, far bigger than anything anywhere else along the coast.’

  ‘Wow, that sounds a bit extreme,’ said Sally.

  ‘A resort, an eighteen-hole golf course; a nine-hole golf course; a runway for aircraft; a 120-room sky hotel, restaurants, villas and townhouses, a spa and health retreat and finally a palliative care unit. I haven’t heard about a cemetery. Yet. Plus a temple and art gallery,’ said Mollie. ‘We’re selling our country. Thank goodness we’ll never sell Arcadia.’

  ‘Maybe we should build a wall and a moat,�
�� said Toby with a slight smile, trying to defuse Mollie’s visible anger.

  ‘Not a bad idea. Well, that’s enough from me. Good night.’

  ‘Go Mollie,’ Toby said when she’d left. ‘C’mon, Sal, let’s go to bed.’

  *

  Jessica had made morning tea when Sally came in from the farm.

  ‘Smoko, Mum,’ Sally said, calling her mother away from her computer. ‘Hey, thanks, Jess.’

  ‘Nothing fancy. I don’t bake much, so it’s sourdough bread from the Burridge baker, cheese and local pickles. Thought it’d be a change from biscuits and cake,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Toby’ll be in soon. He’s with one of the workers.’ Sally washed her hands and sat down at the breakfast table.

  Sipping her cup of tea, Mollie smiled at the two girls. ‘So, you enjoyed your little break? When is your friend Dan coming to visit again?’

  ‘Probably the day after tomorrow. He’s wondering if he can bring a friend, if that’s okay?’ said Jessica.

  ‘Of course. Who’s he bringing?’

  Jessica glanced at Sally. ‘A friend he knows at the Botanical Gardens. As it turns out, you know him too. He used to live here,’ said Jessica.

  ‘Live here? In Burridge?’

  ‘No, here. At Arcadia. Terry James,’ Sally said.

  ‘No!’ Mollie clapped her hands. ‘Dear old Terry! Oh, gosh, I feel badly, I haven’t seen him in years. We rather lost touch, although we always exchange a card at Christmas. Last I remember he was travelling all over the place and he hiked around Macquarie Island. With those feet! Bless him. He must be nearly ninety.’

  ‘In his eighties and very fit. I saw him yesterday,’ explained Jessica. ‘He works a few days a week at the Gardens. He’d love to see you and meet Sally and Katie, and look around at all you’ve done at Arcadia. I’m sure it’s changed a lot from his day.’

  ‘You didn’t meet him, Sal?’

  ‘I did, but only very briefly when Jess and I went to the Gardens the other day; that was before we knew about his connection to Arcadia. Coincidence, eh?’

  ‘Well, I never.’ Mollie shook her head. ‘How lovely.’