by Di Morrissey
‘Great. She has the gardening club at the house for a chitchat and cake and pruning tips. I thought I’d get in the way so that’s why I suggested we meet here.’ He folded the paper. ‘Good to see you back.’
‘I’m really glad to be back. I love this climate. And the people, of course.’
‘That’s a truism. Bloody wonderful people up here, even with the industry expansion and population explosion. Great comradeship once you’re out of the city shallowness. Want to go to the pub for a beer?’
‘Sure. I need to give you the full run down on what I’m doing.’
‘Yeah, Andy mentioned there was something afoot. Remember, you’ve promised us the exclusive.’
‘Only after it goes to air, though a teaser to promote it would be good.’
‘So what’s the story?’ asked Jim, ordering drinks after their short walk to the pub and carrying the frothy cold beers to a corner table.
He listened, sipping his beer, as she told all she knew.
‘Strewth. Are you insinuating there was foul play? Be careful of legal action. I wouldn’t go near that one with John Cardwell involved. Is this why he warned you off?’
‘Perhaps. I just don’t think he likes any unwanted attention. I also get the sense that there was a strong pact between them all to let sleeping Topovs lie,’ said Veronica.
‘I take your point about saying nothing till you know if the body is out there. It’s a good story. A death-by-default solved fifty years on. But you know, there’s any number of unknown deaths, bodies languishing in never-never land. It’s harsh and lonely country and people disappear.’
‘A land that doesn’t give up its secrets easily,’ said Veronica.
‘Nope. It’s a silent country all right. Back in the fifties there was no Aboriginal voice or presence, or acknowledgment of their culture until the famous anthropologist W.E.H Stanner talked about the “Great Australian Silence”. Some things are simply never spoken about. I think your filmmakers must’ve embraced the silence theory and you must ask yourself, what will it achieve to crack that agreement made by them all those years ago?’
Veronica was thoughtful. ‘I hadn’t thought of it like that. But even with an argument like that, I can’t walk away from this story now. I’d fail as a journalist and as a curious woman.’
‘So, you’re going to do this?
‘Come on, would you leave the story this far in? You wouldn’t,’ said Veronica firmly.
‘Okay, you’re right, I wouldn’t. But I like to play devil’s advocate. Final piece of advice: as well as having Jamie, I’d take Reg Sculthorpe along, the Aboriginal guide you met at my place with Bonza. He will balance the story. While it’s true that Jamie is an intelligent and educated part Aborigine, who knows a lot about his culture, Reg talks as a blackfella.’
Back at Jamie’s parents’ house, Veronica joined Alistair and Doris for a drink before dinner. She told them she planned to take Reg Sculthorpe with them and Doris agreed it would be a smart move.
‘I was talking to Jim at the Darwin Daily and he mentioned something called the “Great Australian Silence”,’ said Veronica and Alistair nodded.
‘Ah, yes, Stanner. He was a very fine anthropologist in the fifties and sixties who challenged the way Australians thought about themselves and this country. According to him, Europeans practised what he called “the cult of forgetfulness”, which relegated Aborigines to the past, but not to history.’
‘It seems that Topov, in his crazy way, was trying to break that silence,’ said Doris. ‘He simply wanted to show people what there was beyond the cities and the suburbs.’
‘Perhaps without knowing it, everyone was drawn to go on that expedition to find out more, not only about this country and landscape and people, but about themselves,’ said Veronica slowly, trying to clarify the thought.
‘And perhaps what they found was not always to their liking,’ said Doris. ‘Australia can be confronting, for some, but for others it can be comforting when you find you belong.’
Veronica looked at Alistair relaxing in the deep armchair, nursing his scotch and smiling at them. ‘What about you, Alistair? Your homeland is very different, very far away. You have a wife with extremely strong ties to her Aboriginal heritage. Where do you feel you belong?’
Alistair looked fondly at his wife. ‘I found I belong wherever she is. My life would be very colourless without her.’
They heard Jamie calling down the hallway.
Veronica stood up. ‘You are very special people. I’m very glad I’ve met you both.’
‘Enjoy your evening, Veronica,’ said Alistair.
‘Have fun,’ said Doris, smiling broadly.
‘I thought we’d go out to Cullen Bay. We’ve missed the sunset, but it’s still pretty by the water and there’s a very good fish restaurant,’ said Jamie.
‘Seafood sounds good.’
Jamie made her laugh with funny anecdotes and stories of local characters and events. He was so easy to be with, to talk to and share confidences. Maybe it was the wine, but Veronica found herself occasionally not paying attention to what he was saying and instead studying the way his eyelashes curled and the shape of his lips over his even, white teeth. He really was too beautiful to be true, she thought.
As they left the restaurant, hand in hand, Jamie asked, ‘Want a nightcap at my place? I just need to nip down the road and check everything is okay at the sleepover,’ he said.
‘Love to,’ she said.
He parked in his driveway and handed her the key. ‘There’s a bottle of white wine in the fridge, I’ll just see how our friends have survived the onslaught of five small boys.’
Veronica opened the wine, found glasses and took them onto the back patio, settling herself into the big cane lounge.
‘Glad you’ve made yourself at home.’ He dropped a kiss on top of her head, reached for a glass of wine and sat beside her, stretching his long legs.
‘Billy okay?’
‘Was a bit of a struggle getting the boys to settle down, but they’re all out cold. They’re having a big barbecue breakfast so I can sleep in.’ He glanced at her. ‘Seeing you have a couple of days before we can leave for the bush, would you like to go somewhere? See anything special? I’m all yours.’
She closed her eyes thinking, I wish. ‘Um, I’m open to suggestions. It’s your country.’
‘Okay, I’ll take you to places other people don’t know about. It’ll just be us.’
‘I like the sound of that.’
He leaned forward to top up her wine, but instead put his glass down and took Veronica in his arms. In minutes their kisses unleashed the feelings that had been simmering beneath the surface for a long time. Their bodies were entwined, damp with the heat of the tropical night and the surrendered passion they both felt.
‘Come inside. It’s cooler,’ murmured Jamie, picking her up and carrying her into his bedroom where the overhead fan turned softly.
Veronica awoke as daylight sliced through the wooden slats of the window shutters. She looked at Jamie’s lean brown body against the tangle of white sheets thinking how wonderful their lovemaking had been and how hard it would be to leave this bed.
He opened an eye and gave her a quizzical look. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘What will your mother say? I hope she’s not worried.’
‘She won’t be surprised. I sent her a text last night anyway.’
‘Saying what?’
‘That I was hoping you’d stay the night.’ He reached for her as he whispered in her ear. ‘It’s been so long, so long. And now to find you . . .’
She kissed him, stemming his words. Veronica didn’t want to think past this moment. All she wanted was to lose herself in the joy of Jamie’s arms.
14
FOR THE NEXT TWO days Jamie, with Billy, Doris and Alistair, showed Veronica around Darwin. She saw many delightful facets of the city she might never have discovered as a tourist. One of Jamie’s school friends
was up from Melbourne with his family and they all went fishing. Veronica couldn’t help comparing Jamie’s family with her own and wished that she could share the laughter, discussions, friendly debates and closeness with her own parents as Jamie did with his.
She had visited her parents on her return from Italy and while they’d been interested in hearing about Lake Como and Marta’s house, the story she was pursuing, its ins and outs, held little interest for them. When she told them she was off to Darwin again, they merely nodded, recognising that this was what she did as part of her job.
Veronica had told them that she thought the outback was wonderful and had explained how Jamie McIntosh was helping her with the story. But even when she said how much she liked him they’d asked few questions, so she dropped the subject. When she’d rung her sister, Sue had been full of her own news but sighed at the mention of Italy.
‘We so want to go to Florence and Venice, but the trouble is finding the time and the money. Do we take the girls? Let us know any time you can come and take charge. Oh, Vee, I wish Mum and Dad would act more like grandparents.’
‘They do, Sue! But they’re both working and have busy lives. Taking care of two youngsters is a full-on job. I can’t see when I’d be free to do it, either.’ It seemed to Veronica that they had this conversation regularly.
Veronica had rung Andy and explained that she would be delayed a few days as she’d prefer to wait till Dougie was free and then she’d set off for Arnhem Land with Jamie and Reg.
‘I’ll take a couple of days leave, Andy. I’m just playing around, having fun,’ she explained.
‘Is Jamie looking after you? Relax, have a bit of a break, you must have accrued a ton of overtime. Don’t worry about it,’ he said.
‘I’m having a great time,’ said Veronica. ‘I can’t tell you how marvellous this is. Any other news?’
‘No. I’ve looked at your footage of Marta. Lake Como is quite a contrast to what you’ve shot in the Territory. She’s very glamorous. Be good for publicity when we get this whole thing together.’
‘I just hope it does come together,’ sighed Veronica. ‘I don’t know what we’re going to find.’
‘Do what you can. I’m sure you don’t mind getting back out in the long grass with that handsome Jamie bloke.’
‘Andy, that’s not an appropriate thing for a boss to say! Though I have to admit it’s been one of the best jobs I’ve ever had to do. Apart from sticking my face in front of the camera all the time.’
Andy chuckled. ‘The big boss cruised through the other morning. Asked how our new star is doing.’
‘Oh, God, no. Why is he asking about me and not the story? I just hope he doesn’t cut our budget – before we tie this one up.’
‘Seems okay so far. He’s looking forward to the story, even though he doesn’t know much about it, as we’ll be breaking new ground with this program. I have to say that Rowe grows on me. I think he’s a great nominee for Australian of the Year. He certainly seems to be more hands on since being nominated,’ said Andy.
‘Well, I’ll know more in a few days, I guess. Jamie is taking me to one of his favourite spots today. I’m really loving it up here.’
‘Don’t get too attached, Veronica,’ said Andy. ‘I’d hate to lose you to the wilds of the north. Keep in touch.’
‘Will do, though I don’t know what the mobile reception’s like once we get out of Darwin.’
She dressed carefully even though she was only wearing shorts, shirt and sandals and a floppy straw hat. While Jamie said he’d bring their picnic, Doris suggested that Veronica could pick some bananas from a bunch hanging in the back garden.
‘Enjoy Howard Springs, it’s lovely. Nice swimming hole, big barra in there, too. Some good walking trails and there’s a lovely orchid farm,’ she said as she kissed Veronica goodbye. ‘Sorry I can’t chat, but I have to dash off to work.’
Alistair had gone into town to do some work and have lunch with a friend from the university so Veronica sat on a cane chair in the front garden waiting for Jamie. These last few days had been different from anything she’d experienced before. Doris and Alistair had ignored her comings and goings between Jamie’s house and theirs. Because she and Jamie had agreed that it was better if she was not at Jamie’s place when Billy got up at breakfast time, she was madly looking forward to being with Jamie all night out in the bush at the Crossing.
She was still in wonder at the feelings Jamie’s lovemaking had aroused in her. His ardent and passionate nature emerged without overwhelming her, and his sweetness and gentleness made her ache with longing. She couldn’t wait to be with him.
Veronica glanced at her watch. In her romantic musings she hadn’t noticed the time pass. Jamie was running late. She checked her phone but there were no messages. She hoped everything was all right. Then her phone rang and she started to smile as she saw it was Jamie. ‘Hi. I’m all ready . . .’
‘I know you’ve been waiting. I have a bit of a drama. An emergency has come up. Sorry, Veronica, I can’t go today. I’m really sorry, but this is a family thing . . .’
‘Billy? Is he all right?’ she asked anxiously.
‘Fine. It’s my cousin, Travis. You met him, remember, at Mum and Dad’s anniversary party? I have to sort things out for him. Look, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Sorry, but this is how it is.’
‘What’s happened?’
‘He’s been arrested. Again. We’ve helped him before. It’s been such a long haul and I guess there’s still a long way to go. Will you be okay?’
‘Sure, no problem. I’ll fill in the day. When will I see you?’
‘No idea, but I’ll be thinking about you. Thanks, Veronica. Sorry.’
‘Okay. Take care.’ He hung up and Veronica was surprised at how disappointed she was. She’d so been looking forward to having this day alone with him. Between Billy, his parents, his friends from Melbourne and his work, Jamie always seemed to have someone making demands on his time. And this trouble with Travis sounded very stressful. She was tempted to rent a car and drive to Howard Springs herself but decided against it and went inside to make herself a cup of coffee when Doris rang.
‘I just heard. Sorry, Veronica. Travis has been arrested over a punch-up in a bar last night. Jamie will have to step up and try and sort it out and spend some time with him. Travis has a chip on his shoulder and drinks too much. A bad combination.’
‘A lot of young men fall off the rails for a bit,’ said Veronica, feeling inadequate, wishing she had something constructive to say.
‘I wish it were just that,’ sighed Doris. ‘I’m afraid Travis is like many of our young people. His parents were both institutionalised and didn’t really have much idea about raising children. Actually, his father died a few years ago. He was quite young, too. Anyway, Travis has had very little formal education. Neither he, nor his parents cared about school. As much as we try to help him, he remains adrift.’
‘And Travis won’t listen to Jamie? Or you?’
‘Oh, he’ll listen. Be contrite, plead and promise – all to avoid going up before the court or the police. But it’s likely that he’ll slip back.’
‘Travis seemed a lovely guy. Good fun, charming, good looking,’ said Veronica.
‘Often the way. Travis hides under a gregarious exterior but he has very low self-esteem. But we are very fond of him and of course he’s family so we try to give him hope. Anyway, I’ve finished my meeting and I thought you might like to come out with me for a while.’
‘Oh, Doris, you don’t have to entertain me. I’m fine. I’ll do some work.’
‘But I’d like to take you somewhere. And perhaps you’d like to talk about your story, sometimes that helps clarify things.’
‘I just hope we can fit the last pieces of the jigsaw together,’ said Veronica. ‘But I have to wait and see what we find out past the Crossing.’
‘Veronica, would you like to come with me to a community school? It’s the initiative
of a government agency and the local indigenous TV station. One of the things I’m supposed to be is their media communication advisor, though my job is more to do with fundraising. But you know far more about this area than I do, perhaps we could pick your brains a bit?’
Veronica was intrigued with the Indigitel Media School and its students who ranged in age from their late teens to their mid-thirties. Glen Weyburn, the head of the school, an Irishman with a faint brogue, had worked as a teacher and an actor. He seemed cheerful and very amusing. But he was quick to admit that he had limited television experience.
‘Stage is my forte. And I’ve had small roles in a couple of films. But I taught drama in media courses and now here I am trying to educate, inspire and train these students for a career in the media.’
‘And doing a remarkable job,’ said Doris. ‘We have a couple of people who are knowledgeable in technology, computers, radio gear, cameras, that sort of thing, who are training the students, but I’m sure they’d love to hear from a professional like you who works on a national TV show. Give the students a few tips. Would that be all right?’
‘I’ve never done anything like this before, but sure, I’m happy to chat to them,’ said Veronica.
‘I’ll go and rustle them up after the break. There’s a tea room, if you want to help yourself,’ said Glen.
‘Where are the students from? What’s their background?’ asked Veronica.
‘Quite varied. All are indigenous, some come from outstations, some from remote communities, some from the islands and some are from Darwin. Some come from troubled homes, others from very stable homes,’ answered Doris.
‘Anyway, all our students take a keen interest in media and most of them hope to work in the field,’ said Glen. ‘I think this is a terrific initiative. It’s based on a similar school in the Alice which has been very successful.’
‘I think it’s a great project, too, and I love being involved,’ said Doris.
‘What sort of opportunities are there for the students?’ asked Veronica.
‘We’re working on that,’ said Doris. ‘There are plans for more local stations and community networks, that sort of thing. But Glen’s dream is for his students to be good enough to get work at any media outlet anywhere in the country.’
