The Man From Ti Kouka

by Rosalie Henaghan

  Maria would be delighted at the surprise visit. Trudi wondered if her sister would be at home. Driving at least stopped her thinking of Dan. If Maria was out she would ring John at work and he would be able to tell her whether it was sensible to wait.

  Having a destination gave her something to think about and as Maria knew almost nothing of her relationship with Dan, she would not be expected to say anything. Although Maria was not the type to say, ‘I told you so’, she thought wryly. The brown grasslands of the plains reminded her that Dan had said most of the country was feeling the lack of rain. In the city she was barely conscious of the weather, considering only how the next section of the new plant was going ahead and whether the builders would return again. An occasional crop of wheat or barley showed golden but served to emphasise the dark dryness of the usually fertile soil. Evidently the countryside here had not received the rain the week before.

  It was a relief to reach the outskirts of Ashburton with its attractive trees lining the edges of the road. She drove into the town and stopped at a fruit shop to purchase strawberries and raspberries. At their old home she had grown her own and Maria had loved them. She bought some other small luxuries, knowing they would be appreciated.

  As she pulled up outside the modern block of three flats, Trudi felt glad she had come. At least the awful depression of spirit she had felt had lifted slightly at the thought of seeing Maria. Guiltily she realised that her sister had so little time left in Ashburton and once she was in Wellington, it would be a much more expensive or lengthy trip to see her. The front door was open and she called out her sister’s name tentatively, seeing the stacks of boxes in the middle of the floor.

  ‘Trudi! What on earth are you doing here?’

  There was surprise and pleasure in her sister’s voice and Trudi looked admiringly at her. Maria had had her hair cut even shorter and seeing Trudi’s glance she twirled.

  ‘Like it? I just had it cut this morning, ready for the big city life again. I’ll put the jug on. Sit down, if you can find a space somewhere! I’ve just been packing some gear. John’s friend is taking an empty car up to Wellington in a couple of days, so you’ve caught me in an awful muddle.’

  ‘Sorry, I should have rung, but to be honest, I didn’t know I was coming,’ Trudi explained.

  ‘That doesn’t sound like you?’

  Too late Trudi realised that Maria’s sharp mind had quickly sensed the oddity of her words. Typically, Maria said little, after a quick glance, and Trudi realised shamefacedly that she was wearing a cotton skirt and blouse so she could not pretend to be on a work expedition in such casual clothes.

  She put the baskets on to the kitchen bench, stepping carefully around the mounds of tissue paper and clothing. As Maria was busy putting down cups in the small dining area she asked about the latest news, and her sister gleefully told her that her former boss had contacted his friend, a lawyer in Wellington, and she had been offered an interview for the day after they arrived.

  ‘I’m thrilled, because he’s a first-class court man,’ she explained, her eyes sparkling. ‘And his office is just round the corner from John’s firm! We’re both so excited about it. We’d thought of coming up to see you this weekend, but you’re always so busy, Trudi.’

  ‘I know. We’ve got this big push going at work and I’ve been involved in setting up a new extension. After the next couple of weeks things should steady slightly. At least we’ll be operating then, so I won’t be needed in twenty places at once.’

  ‘You work far too hard, Trudi. You look simply dreadful, big bags under your eyes, and if you were any slimmer each breeze would bowl you over!’

  ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, little sis!’ said Trudi dryly.

  ‘Honestly, Trudi, it’s time someone said something to you. I’ve tried ringing you until all sorts of hours and never any reply. You know I had to ring the factory to get through to you last week.’

  ‘Don’t sound so cross, please, Maria. I have been working hard, but from next week I’ll be a reformed character. And I mustn’t let you run down Mr. Maugh—he’s given me a huge bonus.’

  ‘So I should hope!’ snorted Maria.

  ‘So don’t say he doesn’t appreciate my efforts. Besides, it’s been wonderful having a more or less free hand to work things the way I want them.’

  ‘I hope this bonus doesn’t mean you’ve got to work harder?’ said Mania.

  ‘Maria! No. It was simply Mr. Maugh’s way of saying thank you.’

  ‘O.K., I’ll simmer down and say the man has his generous side, certainly,’ smiled Maria. ‘Oh, Trudi, you are a poppet to bring me strawberries—and raspberries too. Lovely!’

  ‘I won’t have you so near to spoil soon,’ sighed Trudi. ‘Still, you’ll be able to fly down easily enough.’

  ‘I’m thinking I should consider learning to fly. It would be less costly.’

  ‘That’s a thought. Maybe when I have some time I could take it up myself.’

  ‘Yes, and we could land at Bell Bay and have super times there. I’m sure Ti Kouka has its own airstrip,’ Maria added innocently. She saw her sister’s face whiten and stopped to ask gently, ‘What’s the matter, love?’

  ‘Nothing, now,’ answered Trudi bleakly. ‘I loved Dan, and it didn’t work out—end of story.’

  ‘Trudi, I’m sorry.’ Maria hugged her sister sympathetically, then her eyes softened. ‘I told you he was a gorgeous man. Don’t worry, Trudi, he’s the type to appreciate an independent mind. It’ll come right, you’ve probably had some minor sort of row and the world looks as if it’s falling apart, but something will happen and the situation will right itself.’

  ‘Regretfully, this was a bit more than a minor tiff,’ Trudi said wearily with an attempt at a smile. ‘It’s finished. Please let’s forget it, Maria.’

  Maria was about to say something, but obviously thought better of it, seeing Trudi’s white face and haunted expression. Instead she began to talk about Wellington and the expected changes it would mean.

  When John arrived home their love and comradeship made Trudi realise again how much she had lost, and it was almost a relief to leave. On her way home after dinner the thought of the happiness she might have had with Dan almost overwhelmed her. She was glad the road was deserted and when she arrived back in Christchurch her flat seemed unbelievably empty. The years of being a career girl seemed to stretch ahead without meaning. The little tree she had carved so happily at Ti Kouka tormented her, and she picked it up before hiding it tenderly in a drawer.

  In the morning she wished she could go back to work, but she felt unable to face the thought of the inevitable questions her presence would raise. The sight of the lighting adaptation on the table made her seize the plans gladly. She could at least do a feasibility test there.

  She made a few notes and contacted the firm who handled most of the engineering for Maugh’s Fashions. The boss agreed to see her immediately and she went off to discuss the papers with him. So long as she kept occupied her mind didn’t revert to the disturbing picture of that shattering last scene with Dan.

  When Monday arrived she dressed herself as carefully as possible and set out for her office. It seemed a snug shelter from the stormy winds, and only Mr. Maugh’s smile as he asked her how her stay went shattered her. For a moment she wondered what to say, realising that if Mr. Maugh knew how his actions had been so misinterpreted he would be upset. At last she just said that Dan and she had agreed not to see each other again. She felt Mr. Maugh’s sympathetic touch on her shoulder and was glad when he quietly left. Rita must have been told, as she didn’t come charging in full of enthusiasm as was her normal style, but instead suggested that Trudi visit her for tea. Trudi accepted gladly, thinking that playing Monopoly with Rita’s family would keep her occupied for another couple of hours.

  Maria and John had to visit Christchurch the following day and she had arranged to throw a small family dinner party. Studying her own reflection, Trudi could only conclu
de that she could do a passable imitation of the witch of Condor. Her make-up hid some of the ravages.

  Acting lighthearted was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she managed it, and towards the end of the dinner she had almost convinced herself that it was just as well the whole affair was finished.

  Waving Maria and John off later in the week from the airport, she hid her desolation, assuring Maria that she really had got over the ‘hunk’ astonishingly quickly. Somehow she managed to produce a mirthful comment about summer romances, not withstanding the chill of autumn. The airport would have cabbage trees in the car park, she thought bitterly, as she unlocked her car. The sea of hurt came rolling down once her sister’s plane had turned skywards.

  At work the new wing was nearing completion and the machinists were busy on the next styles. Doing the thousand and one routine chores appealed, demanding her concentration. It was almost as if Mr. Maugh and Rita had decided to close ranks to keep her more occupied than ever. The night before the new wing was opened Mr. Maugh suggested they have a celebratory dinner. Remembering her earlier idea of matchmaking between Mr. Maugh and Rita, Trudi suggested that as Rita had done such a lot of the work, she should be invited too. The dinner automatically reminded her sharply of the last occasion with Dan, but the happiness on Rita’s face and Mr. Maugh’s made her wonder if her scheme had a chance of success.

  For once everybody was early the next morning. Mr. Maugh performed the introductions and then flicked the power switch on in the new wing, to good wishes and cheers. The familiar song of the machines sent everyone scurrying, and Trudi watched for a moment as the new section began to hum with activity. The new lights worked well, she noted automatically. After watching and assisting for a little while she could feel the room settle as the staff found their routine. She walked thoughtfully back to her own office and closed the door. For so long she had worked for this moment, yet now she knew only a sense of anticlimax. Work seemed empty and meaningless.

  At lunchtime the bell sounded early and she went reluctantly along to the staff canteen. She knew Mr. Maugh was throwing a lunch party for the staff and she knew she had to attend. To her surprise her entry was greeted by applause. Mr. Maugh made a speech and presented her with the first garment. To cries of ‘Model it!’ Trudi retired to try it on, knowing she had to satisfy everyone.

  Back in her office she opened the box, and the colour of the sea at Ti Kouka swirled as she pulled it out. With pain she dressed, automatically noting the soft glamour of the gown. She combed up her hair and redid her make-up quickly, then walked in to more cheers. A press flashlight dazzled her temporarily and she posed obediently as the reporter asked her for details of her career. Evidently Mr. Maugh had explained about the success of her efforts for the Australian order and the new wing. Changing back to her business suit again, she was quite touched by the gesture in giving her the gown. She doubted if she would wear it again; it was too feminine, too romantic, too much a dress for a girl in love.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The morning paper landed with a soft thump on the drive in to the flats, and Trudi slipped out of bed to get it. Absently she split the band covering the paper, then climbed back into the warmth of her bed. The paper fell open and her gaze was riveted on the large picture of herself under the caption ‘Dollar-Earning Doll’. The small print beside it explained that she had been instrumental in obtaining a large export order for Maugh’s Fashions and in order to fulfil the order the company had opened a new wing, creating valuable jobs. The article went on to detail a few aspects of the company and another photo showed Mr. Maugh and Rita standing by one of the new machines. Trudi read it through hastily and then studied her own picture. She had to admit the photographer had taken a good shot. Rita would be pleased with the publicity the company had received. Her lips twisted as she pictured Dan’s reaction. He would be sure to see it and would probably agree that the caption was more appropriate than the paper had known. She could imagine him crushing it in his large strong hands and throwing it into the fire.

  The whirr of the alarm startled her, so vivid was the scene she had drawn for herself. Walking to work, she became aware of the cooler weather, the summer which had been so brilliant was losing some of its warmth. At Ti Kouka the waves would be crashing in full force on to the sand and the Rangitira would be covered with each spray. Trudi shivered suddenly and was almost glad that the image of Dan standing staring out to sea was broken by Rita’s call.

  ‘Isn’t it a beauty! You look fabulous, Trudi!’

  ‘You’re not so bad yourself,’ countered Trudi, ‘and even the boss looks quite smug. I wonder if it was only the new wing he was smiling about.’

  Rita blushed. ‘Alf’s a dear. It’s amazing how you can work in the same building for so long and never know a person. I’m not saying anything will come of it, but it’s rather nice to be taken care of and to be cherished when you’ve been on your own for so long. I’d forgotten,’ she ended with characteristic simplicity.

  ‘I’m delighted,’ Trudi smiled.

  Trudi turned into her own office with a grin. That revealing ‘Alf’ for Mr. Maugh had given her a real clue. When the mail was brought in she studied one Australian letter closely. The prospect of another order was pleasing.

  It seemed as if Trudi could not put a foot wrong as the next two weeks went past. The orders turned out from the new wing were almost exactly as she had anticipated and her friend was proving a godsend. Trudi appreciated the easing of her workload and commented on it to Mr. Maugh at their weekly meeting to review progress.

  ‘What about taking some more of your holidays? They were interrupted, and Rita still scolds me about that.’

  ‘I would like a week off just to relax, but later on I’d like longer, to stay with Maria and John,’ said Trudi.

  ‘You fix it up, just the way you like.’

  A letter from Maria, ecstatic about her new job and the challenge it offered, reassured her. Maria’s and John’s happiness seemed to glow, as the descriptions of house-hunting and their excitement at finding a home of their own flowed from the letter. Trudi felt the pain gnaw at her again as she remembered that if she had married Dan they would never have had a home of their own.

  A vision of Ti Kouka’s homestead swung into view as she remembered her first glimpse of it sitting in the sun. Dan’s face came back to her and she knew that living at Ti Kouka, even if it was crowded with others, would be wonderful if only Dan had been there with her. Dave and Anne Forrest had the ideal answer.

  The peep of the telephone broke up the painful thoughts.

  ‘Trudi, it’s the first time I’ve come down to pick up the boys at school, so I thought I’d ring you and say “hello”.’

  ‘Anne, you won’t believe this, but I was just thinking of Dave and you and Ti Kouka. How lovely of you to ring!’

  ‘Come and visit,’ invited Anne, ‘I’m staying overnight at the flat.’

  ‘Anne, I’d love to see you, provided it wouldn’t embarrass anyone. Dan isn’t there, is he?’

  ‘Dan? No, the men are miles away at a conference in Wellington. Mrs. Johnson isn’t expected back till after the movies. She’s gone to see the latest science fiction with an old friend, so you’ve no worries. I would like you to come.’

  Trudi felt her heart racing at the thought of hearing a little more about Dan. Surely it wasn’t stupid to want to know that he was all right?

  ‘I’ll come, about seven-thirty,’ she said.

  ‘Lovely! You remember the way?’

  ‘Yes,’ Trudi said softly. She could remember so many details of the visit she had made there with Dan. She replaced the receiver after a quiet goodbye, then felt the tears begin to form at the back of her eyes. Anne Forrest would have known her romance was over. It was nice of Anne to still want her friendship.

  Promptly at seven-thirty Trudi slipped into her car. She had taken considerable pains with her make-up and her dress was one of her prettiest. Anne would be sure to
notice such details.

  ‘Trudi, I’m so pleased you could come!’ smiled Anne.

  Trudi was ushered into the familiar room. Her heart pounded again as she saw the picture of the forest which Dan had given Mrs. Jay. Rapidly she glanced back to Anne.

  ‘How are the boys and Dave?’

  ‘They’re fine. The boys are back at school, so the usual routine is settling. We were so busy last month. The harvest is over for another year, thank goodness. The men worked like oiled machines, dawn to dusk continuously.’ Anne paused reflectively, as she took Trudi’s jacket. ‘I was sorely tempted to tell Sheridan Jay to get cooled off in the sea. Really, he’s been impossible lately! Even the tyrant got her head bitten off when she tried to reason with him.’

  Trudi smiled weakly. ‘Poor Dan,’ she commented sadly, thinking that as he lived in the same house life would have been uncomfortable. She could not resist asking any longer, ‘Tell me about Dan, is he very unhappy?’

  Anne shook her head. ‘I’m not sure that’s the word. Dave and I were so pleased when we saw you together. He just reminded me of a big glass of champagne fizzing and popping with the joy of living. Now, he’s still the same, but all the sparkle has gone—as though someone had left the champagne to go flat, stale and sour. You don’t have to tell me about it,’ she added hastily. ‘I’d hate you to think I was prying. I just wondered if there was anything we could do. You see, we love him too.’

  Trudi looked down at the floral pattern on her skirt. She realised that the dainty spray was an artistic clump of pink, red and white starry manuka flowers. Subconsciously she must have associated it with Bell Bay and Dan.