There was a great deal to do, she said. She wanted to have everything just right. The food . the dance floor . all the young people she could muster.
And Toby would be home. The party would not be until then.
“We’ll cheer them up a bit. Poor James. I’m sorry for him.” I had told her about his plans to mine for opals.
“He’s a good lad,” she continued.
“I like James.”
“He has such a conscience,” I said.
“You know, he still thinks about Suez. Now he is going to worry about this. He says it would have been better if that man had stayed, even if he had robbed them, rather than do all this damage.”
Elsie snorted.
“He did the right thing in turning him away.”
“But because of it he can’t go to Lightning Ridge and make his fortune.”
“The chances are that there will be no fortune. For every one who comes out of those places with one, there’s a thousand who are disappointed. So perhaps it’s all to the good in the long run. Life has a way of laughing at people, and bad can often turn out to be good and be what they call a blessing in disguise, and good luck can be disaster.”
“You couldn’t very well expect the Formans to believe that now.”
“No, I don’t. The realization of that sort of thing always comes later. If there’s anything we can do to help them, we must do it.
Nothing must stand in the way of that. Let’s think of the good things.
This party is going to take a lot of planning, with Toby descending on us at the same time. I thought we’d have it the day after Boxing Day.
I’d have said before Christmas, but we’re going to wait for To be. How does that strike you? “
I was not thinking so much of the party as the fact that Toby would be with us. Whatever happened, I could not be unhappy when I considered that.
The Treacherous Sea
Elsie and I saw the ship come in, and I thought nothing would ever fill me with such joy. He was home.
We went down to the quay. We always had to wait a while before we could see Toby because, on the ship’s arrival, he was very busy with all the formalities connected with it: but as soon as possible he would be with us.
At last, the moment came and there he was, looking just as he always had, his eyes searching for me, as mine were for him.
Then there was the clinging embrace the assurance that each knew the other was there; then the laughter and the suppressed emotion which was too precious to be shown.
Arm in arm, we would walk off the ship. Elsie always watched us with an amused glint in her eyes, waiting patiently for her share of his attention. She never showed the slightest resentment in taking second place.
I believed she loved him very much in a certain way. Their relationship had always been something of a mystery to me -bantering, but there was no doubt of the affection between them.
We went back to the house where, according to Elsie, the fatted calf had already been killed and Mabe would be hopping mad if everyone was not in the right place to do justice to it.
It was a wonderful Christmas because Toby was there.
I never ceased to marvel at those Australian Christmases-so different from the ones in the past at Commonwood House. The heat here could be excessive at this time of the year, yet, in spite of that, hot roast goose was served with Christmas pudding alight with brandy flames all eaten in brilliant sunshine.
Toby said to Elsie: “You still do it as they do at home … even though you have never been there.”
“Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all the trappings,” she admitted.
Christmas and Boxing Day were quiet in comparison with the great occasion fixed for the following day.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. The only guests were Joe Lester and his nephew, William; and for me they were like members of the family. Toby entertained us with tales of life at sea; he seemed to have a great number of such stories and when he told them in his inimitable way, he was very entertaining.
He had told us that his stay would be brief. On New Year’s Day he would be taking a load of copra from one island to another and that would occupy him for a month. Then he would be back to Sydney for a day or so before going off on a cruise to some of the islands.
He smiled at me and said: “Now that you are a young lady of leisure, it did occur to me that you might deign to accompany me on this particular cruise.”
I stared at him for a moment. I was so excited, I leaped to my feet.
He did the same, and we hugged each other.
“I thought you might be pleased, and I intended to announce it over the Christmas pudding, but I couldn’t wait.”
“How could you be so cruel as to withhold it so long?”
“He can be a sadistic wretch on occasions!” said Elsie.
“Come, Joe.
Fill up the glasses. We are going to drink to this cruise to the islands. “
That was a wonderful Christmas Day the best I had ever known and that was because Toby was there and soon I should be sailing on the high seas with him.
house was in turmoil the next day. The morning was given over to preparations. The drawing-room, denuded of much of its furniture, would give us the space we needed for the guests to dance. Elsie was very proud of what she called her ‘orchestra’, which consisted of a piano and two violins set up between the potted plants at one end of the room. The glass doors opened on to the lawn where, I imagined, because of the warmth, most guests would be dancing. The party was certain to be a success, for everyone was determined to enjoy it.
As I had predicted, though we began by dancing in the sitting-room, we were soon out on the lawn.
I had a long talk with James that evening. I was very sorry for him.
He had worked very hard on the family property, and I knew how bitterly disappointed he was that his venture on the opal fields had had to be postponed. My own happiness made me feel particularly sorry for him.
I broached the subject, for I knew it filled his mind, and he wanted to talk about it.
“I’m determined to go sometime,” he said.
“I know most people think nothing will come of it. I know a lot of people are disappointed. But I know I’m not going to be, Carmel. Do you think I’m a fool?”
“Of course not. I think that, as you feel as you do, you must certainly give it a try.”
“I have a theory that, if you are determined to succeed in life, you will.”
“I think that’s a very good one.”
“I knew you would agree with me. Gertie, of course, thinks I’m a fool.
So do the rest of the family, but I know. “
“Well, then, James, you have to try it and prove they are wrong.”
“It’s good talking to you, Carmel. How would you like to go to the opal fields?”
The? I’ve never thought of it. “
“It’s the greatest fun.”
“Oh, I can imagine how exciting it could be.”
“Suppose we went together?”
“What?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. Why not? Suppose we got married?”
I was aghast.
He went on quickly: “Well, we are not children any more. And here we are together. We get on very well. I’ve always been fond of you. Oh, don’t remind me of Suez.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Do you know, I have never forgiven myself for that.”
“Please don’t go over all that again. We were children then.”
“It was a dreadful thing to do. You should have heard the lecture I got from the Captain. I have never forgotten it.”
I laughed.
“It doesn’t mean you have to offer me marriage as compensation. I think you are rushing things, James. Just because I understand how you feel about those opals and we happen to be here, where there aren’t many people for you to choose from. We get on well together and most people marry sometime.
Well, perhaps all that is not a good enough reason for forming a life partnership.”
“But I am very fond of you, Carmel, and it is true we get on very well together.”
“And you think it would be very convenient. You’ve had all this upset over the property and you are not really thinking clearly about all this. Let’s leave it for a while.”
He brightened a little.
“You always understand, Carmel,” he said.
“Perhaps you’re right. All that did hit me pretty hard. I had it all planned. In a few weeks’ time I should have been on my way. Now I shall not be there for months and months.”
“It will all pass, James.”
“So. We stay good friends?”
“Of course,” I said.
We sat on in the dim light, listening to the sound of the piano and violins coming from the house.
It was a wonderful party and when it was over Elsie was glowing with triumph. Then Toby left and I could think of little else but the coming trip, though now and then I was reminded of that conversation with James.
It had been unexpected and I believed he must have spoken on the spur of the moment. I go to the opal fields with him! Marry him! Poor James. He had had such a bitter disappointment when his journey was postponed and I had been sympathetic-more so than his sister.
Hardly a foundation on which to build a marriage! When he had recovered from his disappointment and was working in the opal fields, he would be grateful to me for not being as impulsive as he was.
In any case, we said no more of the matter and I guessed he was beginning to realize that he had been a little rash.
With what joy, in due course, I boarded the Lady of the Seas.
Toby said: “She should be called the Old Lady of the Seas. Do you know, she is thirty-five years old? Most would have been thinking of retiring. But there is life in the old lady yet. She is the finest ship I ever sailed in. I love her dearly. I have my sentimental moments, as you know.”
I determined to make the most of the trip and enjoy every moment.
Elsie came to see us off and stood on the dock waving to us as we sailed out or rather to me. Toby was always on the bridge during arrivals and departures and never visible to any but the officers who were involved with him in the ship’s business.
And then, there I was in the familiar cabin, and Toby was showing me the map and explaining what course we should take-and I was completely happy.
The days slipped past quickly. Every morning I awoke to the joyous realization of where I was. I would lie in my berth and contemplate the pleasures of the day to come.
I particularly remember that evening in fact, I know I shall throughout my life. It was perfect. The heat of the day was over and the air was soft and balmy. I sat on deck with Toby and I looked up at the Southern Cross in utter contentment.
Toby said suddenly: “The time will come when I shall leave the sea.”
“That will be wonderful because you won’t be going away any more.”
“What shall we do? Have a little house together? Will you look after me in my old age?”
“Of course I shall look after you.”
“I dare say you will spoil me. I shall want to be spoiled. So please do that, Carmel.”
“I am not sure. Everything I do will be for your own good.”
“Oh dear, I am always afraid when people act for one’s own good. It usually means something unpleasant. I want six grandchildren, by the way.”
“That’s rather a lot.”
“I can be very greedy. You see, we’re not young any more. Even you are no longer a little girl. One looks to the future. I suppose one day you will marry.”
I immediately thought of James’s suggestion.
I said: “Well, oddly enough, it was recently suggested to me.”
He was alert at once.
“You mean someone asked you? Who?”
“James Forman.”
He sat back and smiled.
“Well,” he said, “I’m not altogether surprised. Elsie was saying she thought there was something brewing there.”
“Really? I was taken completely by surprise.”
That is because you are unaware of your seductive charms. “
“I think it just occurred to him on the spur of the moment. It seemed to fit in with his plans.”
“Well, he is determined to find opals. He’s quite obsessive about it.”
“I think he wanted someone to go off with him.”
“I can understand that. Half the men in Australia are dreaming of making a fortune from something dug out of the ground. It’s a quick way of making a fortune … if it works, and it does sometimes. And how do you feel about James?”
“I find it difficult to take the idea of marriage seriously.”
“I see. Poor James is going to be a disappointed lover. This party of Elsie’s set me thinking. At home they would be considering your ” coming out”. We should be doing something like that.”
“But there isn’t anywhere to come out to here,” I said.
“There can’t be balls and that sort of thing … except Elsie’s parties.”
“Well, we shall have to see. You ought to meet people. I want you to have the best, Carmel.”
“I know. You have always done so much for me, you and Elsie.”
“I like to think that I wasn’t such a bad father.”
“And I have told you often that you are the best anyone could ever have.”
“First of all, I want you to be happy.”
“I’d like always to be as happy as I am now.”
We were silent for a while. Then he said: “We’ll do some thing. You and I must always be together.”
“That is just what I want,” I told him.
Then he started to plan in the way I knew so well. When ever it was possible, I must sail with him. Now I had left school there would be opportunities. When he returned, we would live together. Sydney was a beautiful place. Did I not think so? Elsie would like to have us close, so that she could keep an eye on us. We could get a place of our own.
He was frowning. Then he said suddenly: “What do you think about going home? You were dragged away rather suddenly.”
My mind went back in time. I was seeing Commonwood House again.
Adeline, looking through the window at the station fly, looking for Miss Carson; Estella, with that air of “I am not afraid’, which betrayed so clearly that she was. It was all hazy, part of a vague, unreal period. Everything would be very different now.
He did not wait for me to answer, but went on: “No, perhaps it would not be a good idea to go back now. We could get a place in Sydney.
Right on the harbour, where we could watch the ships come in. That would be best. “
“It sounds wonderful.”
“As for home-well, that was a long time ago, wasn’t it?”
“It would be strange to go back to Commonwood.”
“Oh, not Commonwood! It would be quite different there.” He was frowning.
“No, no. It will be that place on the harbour. Or, if we did go home because home always has a certain pull, you know I fancy a little place in Devon. On the coast … the home of the great Drake.
Somewhere near the Hoe. Or perhaps Cornwall. Well, the choice will be ours. From Land’s End to John o’Groats. “
“It will be wonderful to plan.”
“Carmel, I’m sorry. It could have been different. In the beginning, I mean. A nice home … with parents.”
“I have my parent.”
“I was thinking of your mother. She would have liked to have you with her. Well, it happened the way it did. She thought it was the best for you.”
“That was what Miss Carson said.”
“Miss … ? Oh, you mean …”
“She said that, soon after she came to the house. I wonder what happened to her? She was a lovely person.”
“How can we know?” he said.
“Anyway, it
was all a long time ago.”
He was silent for a few seconds, frowning and staring ahead.
Then he said: “I saw your mother not very long ago. She wanted to hear all about you.”
“You saw her in England?”
“Yes. It would be good if you could see each other. Perhaps you will one day. I don’t see why not.”
“I remember her so well in Rosie Perrin’s caravan.”
“Yes. She told me about the meeting. She was most taken with you.”
“It must be strange to meet one’s own daughter for the first time when she is quite old.”
“Strange things happen in the world. We’ve got the whole world before us now, Carmel.”
I nodded dreamily.
No, I shall never forget the perfection of that night. I have often since felt that it is perhaps dangerous to be as happy as I was then, and it may be such perfect happiness is doomed not to last.
It was two days later. We lay off the island of Mahoo. I had awakened early and looked through my porthole window, and there it was-the perfect desert island, lush and green in that pellucid sea, palm trees swaying in the breeze, native huts scattered around the shore, and little boats rather like canoes coming out to the ship.
Toby had said that we should be too big to get close in to the island and it would mean anchoring just about half a mile offshore, and going in on the launches. First the cargo which was being taken to the island would be unloaded and taken ashore, and then we ourselves could follow.
While I was on deck watching the unloading of the cargo, he joined me for a moment.
“You and I will go ashore together. There’ll be something of a ceremony. I shall rub noses with the Chief and I shall introduce you to him. You will be amused.”
“How interesting!” I cried.
“I often think how lucky I am to have a sea captain for a father. How many people can travel the world and in such a way?”
He kissed the tip of my nose.
“You haven’t seen anything yet,” he said.
“Now, I must leave you. I just thought I’d have a quick word.”
Yes, I was indeed perfectly happy.
Toby and I were taken ashore with the Chief Officer and two of his men. As the launch scraped on the sand, we disembarked in about a foot of water and were immediately surrounded by naked children, all shrieking at the top of their voices.
The Black Opal Page 15
