The Red Coast

by Di Morrissey

  ‘Palmer is special, all right. Talk about a change of lifestyle for your son. No fancy boulevards at Star Two!’ chuckled Lydia.

  *

  It was barely 8 am when Jacqui heard footsteps on the verandah of her cottage and Ted Palmer’s cheerful voice.

  ‘Morning, Jacqui. Is Jean-Luc ready?’

  ‘Hi, Palmer, yes, just swallowing the last of his breakfast. He’s pretty excited, but playing it laid-back and cool. Come on in. Would you like a coffee or something?’

  She headed back inside as the lanky bushman pulled off his battered hat, ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair, and followed her. Palmer’s face was lined from the sun, the crinkles around his bright blue eyes giving him an amused look. Though he must have been, Jacqui thought, in his eighties, Ted Palmer was still a rugged and attractive man. When Jacqui had first been introduced to him, she was taken by the fact that everyone called the bush expert and respected archaeologist by his last name. Like others, she quickly realised that aside from his casual charm and humour, Palmer was a gifted authority on the region with a fine intellect and a romantic soul. It was no wonder Lily adored him.

  ‘I’ve had breakfast, thank you. Almost time for morning tea.’

  ‘Ah, you’re an early riser?’

  ‘Indeed. Now, Lily asked if you’d got her message about the books? She’s run out of things to read.’

  ‘I did, and I have what she asked for here for you to take back. It’s so kind of you to take Jean-Luc with you. I hope he won’t be any trouble. Teenagers can be a bit adventurous.’

  ‘Nothing wrong with that, provided they understand the dangers,’ said Palmer.

  As Palmer walked into the kitchen, Jean-Luc rose from his seat and shook the bushman’s hand.

  Palmer gave him a steady look as he gripped his hand. ‘How do, lad. Please, finish your breakfast. We have a bit of a drive up the coast to Lily’s farm.’

  ‘Do you work there, Mr Palmer?’ asked Jean-Luc.

  ‘I help Lily. She has a good little mob working there. But my area of expertise is poking around the rock art sites and in the bush. I like talking to the old people. Lot of knowledge there that’s being lost.’

  Jean-Luc listened intently. ‘That sounds very interesting. Can you show me such places?’

  ‘If you’d like. There’s a few spots that I like to keep a bit quiet, including some Aboriginal tree carvings and some dinosaur footprints that hardly anyone knows about.’

  ‘Fantastique! That sounds amazing,’ said Jean-Luc with obvious enthusiasm.

  Jacqui smiled at Palmer. ‘It sounds like you’ll have a fascinating time, Jean-Luc. I’ll be up in a few days.’

  As he went to pick up his bag, Jean-Luc suddenly remembered his phone charger.

  ‘Why’re you bothering with that contraption?’ said Palmer when he saw what Jean-Luc had retrieved from his bedroom. ‘Hardly any reception up there, anyway.’

  ‘Oh.’ Jean-Luc stopped in shock.

  ‘You can phone me from Lily’s place if you need something,’ said Jacqui.

  ‘But Papa . . . I must text him . . .’

  Jacqui did a double take at his stricken face. ‘Tell your father you are out of town with no reception for a few days. Then he won’t worry.’

  Palmer dropped a hand on Jean-Luc’s shoulder. ‘If you need to keep in touch with the rest of the world, I can show you a few special spots where you’ll pick up reception.’

  ‘Oh, thank you, Mr Palmer,’ said Jean-Luc, sounding relieved.

  ‘And it’s Palmer, or even Ted, but said with respect. Got it?’ Palmer told him.

  Jean-Luc laughed. ‘Yes. Great.’

  ‘Do I get a goodbye hug?’ asked Jacqui.

  ‘Sorry, Maman.’ Jean-Luc kissed her on both cheeks.

  ‘I’ll take a hug.’ Palmer embraced her as Jean-Luc hurried to the dusty four-wheel drive. ‘If he’s that keen to get reception for his phone, there must be someone special he wants to talk to. Reckon he’s got a girlfriend,’ Palmer chuckled as he headed to his car.

  Jacqui lifted her arm and waved to them. But she was feeling rather startled.

  Of course, Jean-Luc probably did have a girlfriend. No wonder there was all that texting, but she couldn’t help wishing he’d told her. Perhaps that was why he’d been so unenthusiastic when he first arrived. He didn’t want to be so far away from her. Jacqui decided she’d look for an opportune moment to ask him if this was indeed the case. And she was curious about what the girl was like, what her interests were, and why she appealed to her son. Of course, it was probably just a harmless schoolboy crush, but she hoped Jean-Luc wouldn’t have his heart broken. Those first romantic crushes were taken so seriously. Jean-Luc was sensitive and sweet, but perhaps he had absorbed the French male insouciance of assuming that all females would find him attractive, for in Jacqui’s experience even the plainest Frenchman grew up expecting women to find him irresistible.

  *

  A week later, as she made the long and tedious drive to Star Two at Red Rock Bay, she reflected to herself that she had not enjoyed this road when she’d driven it to Cygnet Bay and its condition had not improved since then. Just the same, and as busy as she had been with preparations for the upcoming festival, Jacqui had missed Jean-Luc during his short sojourn at Lily’s pearl farm. She hoped he’d had a good time. She knew Palmer and Lily would have been caring and attentive to her son.

  Jacqui had been told that Lily had transformed the ramshackle shack overlooking the bay, and as she walked along the path edged in flowers towards the renovated house with its latticed verandah she couldn’t help but be impressed. An outdoor table setting and chairs on the front lawn were shaded by the umbrella-like branches of a poinciana tree. A few scarlet blossoms had dropped from the tree, seemingly artfully arranged. Several rampant bougainvillea bushes formed a hedge around the perimeter.

  ‘Welcome to my home, lovely to see you, Jacqui,’ said Lily as she came out to greet her guest.

  She was wearing a simple white sundress with a gauzy scarf draped around her shoulders and bright red sandals. Her hair was piled on her head, a red hibiscus tucked into the side. To Jacqui she radiated energy and style.

  ‘Lily! As always you look so cool and elegant. How do you do it?’ said Jacqui, giving her a hug. ‘Has Jean-Luc been good? No trouble, I hope.’

  ‘I’m pretty sure he’s been having a grand time. Come in and have a cool drink. He’s been all over the place with Palmer and Freddy, one of the local custodians.’

  ‘I bet Jean-Luc loved being out with them.’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure he did. Jean-Luc has decided he could do a school project based on what he learned with Palmer. I think he enjoyed the traditional fishing too.’

  ‘I hope we didn’t take Palmer away from any important work,’ said Jacqui as she glanced around the spacious kitchen and breakfast room. ‘Gosh, this place looks fabulous.’

  ‘More of Palmer’s hidden talents have come to the fore in this place. He directed that walls come down, additions be made, skylights installed, and he added an open-air shower off our bathroom! It’s all turned out rather well.’ Lily took a jug of juice from the fridge. ‘You know, I really think he’s enjoyed being with Jean-Luc. Lots of long talks on the verandah after dinner. Got him up early, too. They went out with the crews, helped in the sheds a bit, but mainly they hiked out the back with old Freddy. It’s his country and he could explain some of the knowledge, the stories. Palmer filled in the other bits.’

  ‘I suppose there are important places out there, if Palmer is so interested.’

  ‘Indeed yes. We’re on one of the most sacred sites on the Dampier Peninsula. There aren’t carvings or paintings here, but there’s the longest fish trap Palmer says he has ever seen. It’s about one-and-a-half kilometres long. Behind that are huge ceremonial grounds surrounded by sacred tre
es. It was a very special meeting and ceremonial site for the mob, according to Freddy. And behind that again is an amazing dune system which houses the skeletal remains of thousands of generations. It’s a huge cemetery and is, of course, revered.’

  ‘How fabulous for Jean-Luc to be privy to all that. I’m sure he appreciated it. Especially being with an elder. I can’t thank you and Palmer enough, Lily.’

  ‘We’ve enjoyed having him here. It must be tricky trying to work and spend time with your son, plus entertain him. One minute he’s a big kid, the next he’s trying hard to be an adult,’ said Lily, giving her a smile as she poured juice into two glasses and handed one to Jacqui.

  ‘Yes, that’s so true. It’s hard for him with the other kids still in school. And I’m busy getting in all the orders for the writers’ festival.’

  ‘I’m so looking forward to it,’ enthused Lily. ‘Some wonderful writers are coming, by the sound of it. Palmer wants to be there, too.’

  ‘He’s such an educated man. Knowledgeable about many things, it seems. You both seem so happy,’ ventured Jacqui. While she’d never shared any intimate chat with Lily, it seemed everybody knew Lily’s story. ‘You’ve had your ups and downs. As have I,’ sighed Jacqui. ‘You’re such an inspiration.’

  ‘Jacqui! You are still so young,’ exclaimed Lily gently. ‘This is the time for you and your son. As you will see, they grow up quickly. I miss Sami and our special times together, but I’m glad she’s happy. One has to live and learn, especially in matters of the heart. It would have been a mistake if I’d stayed with Dale. And here I am living in blissful sin, well, definitely sin, as my mother would have said.’ Lily paused as Jacqui sipped the chilled orange juice. ‘Time puts a different perspective on things.’ She picked up her own glass. ‘Shall we go and find the boys? Or would you like to come and see the new working areas? Palmer has been very creative with the refurbishments, he’s saved us a lot of money. Lunch will be ready soon – they’ll all appear for that.’

  As they walked around the farm, Lily chatted about what she called their comeback.

  ‘I didn’t think I’d ever get back into the pearling business, but everything seems possible when you have the right support beside you.’ She glanced at Jacqui. ‘You’ve been on your own a fair time now, haven’t you? Have you thought about moving from Broome? Or making a change? Jean-Luc told me he will be going to university in France.’

  ‘I wouldn’t go back to France. It was another life,’ said Jacqui quickly. ‘But I do sometimes get lonely. It’s never bothered me before as I’ve been so absorbed, moving here, starting my business, and I have such a great circle of friends.’ Jacqui hesitated. Lily was so warm and understanding, and even though she was older than Jacqui’s own mother, Lily seemed like a contemporary. ‘I recently met a rather nice fellow as well as bumping into a guy I grew up with. Cameron brought back memories of being young and ambitious, when I was convinced I’d conquer the world.’ She gave a shrug.

  ‘I still feel like that!’ declared Lily with a laugh. ‘Yet when I think back to where I might be if I hadn’t jumped on a plane to Broome years ago, clutching a photo of an unknown man . . . Because of that, a whole world and a future opened up to me. I discovered my past. I bit the bullet and stayed, and it changed my life. And my daughter’s, come to that.’

  They walked in silence for a few moments. Jacqui was thoughtful, then she said, ‘Lily, have you ever thought of writing a book? Your story. It’s really incredible, especially the story of Captain Tyndall and Olivia. And Niah and . . . well, everything. It’s the story of Broome through one family’s eyes.’ She started to become enthusiastic. ‘Really. The more I think about it! The history, the romance, the tragedies, the thrills. I once described your family story as being like a movie. But it’s a book! A huge one!’

  Lily gave a small smile. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that . . .’

  ‘I do! I’ve been reading all these books for the festival. Yours would be sensational. Go on. Come to the festival and meet people and talk to them.’

  ‘Slow down, Jacqui,’ said Lily with a gentle laugh. ‘I can’t say I haven’t thought about compiling the family history in detail. Sami has hinted at it, too. Look, let me think about it.’

  ‘Talk to Palmer. I bet he’d be all for it.’

  ‘He’ll say it’s my call. You know he’s not one to tell you how to run your life.’

  ‘Talk to him, just the same. I promise not to say a word to anyone. But I can just see it.’ Jacqui put her arm around Lily’s shoulder. ‘I’ll keep on reminding you.’

  ‘You do that,’ said Lily with a good-natured grin. ‘Look, here come the boys.’

  *

  It was dark when Jacqui and Jean-Luc approached Broome on the Port Road. Jean-Luc had chatted enthusiastically almost all the way home, telling Jacqui about the dinosaur footprints Palmer had taken him to see, before dropping off to sleep for an hour. When he woke, he’d sat with his phone, scrolling through photos and composing messages.

  Jacqui turned to him in the dim car. ‘Sending photos back to your girlfriend?’

  His head snapped up. ‘How do you know? Who told you?’

  ‘Darling, it’s lovely you have a girlfriend. You don’t have to keep her a secret. Does Papa know?’

  ‘Maybe. Perhaps. Do you mind? She is very nice.’

  ‘I’m sure she is. Does she live near you?’

  ‘Mais non,’ he said glumly. ‘But near my school. I know her brother.’

  ‘Ah.’ A thousand questions rushed into Jacqui’s mind but she bit her tongue.

  After a minute Jean-Luc closed his phone and said quietly, ‘I will show you her picture when we get home.’

  ‘Lovely,’ said Jacqui.

  ‘How did you know, Maman?’

  ‘A wise man of the world knew straight away.’

  Jean-Luc smiled. ‘Palmer? He is wise.’ He paused a moment. ‘Something happened out there with Palmer and Freddy,’ he said quietly.

  ‘Yes, honey?’ Jacqui kept her voice steady, wondering what was coming.

  ‘I found something. Just by accident. It looked like a funny-shaped stone. But when I picked it up, it was shiny.’

  ‘What was it?’

  ‘It was dirty, but I wiped it and it was a triangle with a bit of old wood in it.’

  ‘So what was that?’

  ‘Freddy told me it was an old glass-tipped spear. Very rare.’

  ‘Do you have it?’

  ‘I took it back to the farm. But I could tell Freddy was like, uncomfortable, when I asked him if I could keep it.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘He said I could covet it and pick it up, or I could put it back. I could keep it and it might bring me bad luck. Or I could keep it and be strong and it might bring me good luck.’

  ‘Not terribly helpful. Sounds like a test. What did you decide?’ Jacqui kept her voice even and calm.

  ‘I walked back and returned it.’

  Jacqui let out her breath. ‘I’m glad. You did the right thing. I would have done the same.’ She pulled into their driveway. ‘I’m glad you had a good time,’ she said softly.

  ‘It is nice . . . sympa to be home,’ said Jean-Luc as he got out of the car.

  Jacqui smiled in the darkness.

  4

  Rain drizzled in steamy gusts outside. Few people were wandering around town this afternoon. Jacqui straightened up, rubbing her back. Unpacking cartons of books was the downside of owning a bookshop, even though some people seemed to think she spent most of her time curled in a chair reading the latest releases. Her mind began to drift to more pleasant thoughts: Damien. She had been surprised and stirred by his kiss. When he began to ring her almost every day, she began to wait for his calls. Now, instead of chatting about their respective businesses, they began to talk about more personal things. She loved the intimacy o
f sharing even small thoughts with this very nice man who was taking an interest in her and her life. She smiled at the thought.

  These pleasant thoughts were broken when she heard someone enter the shop and a friendly voice call out, ‘You here, Jacqui?’

  ‘Hey, Nat, in here.’ Her friend came into the shop. ‘You’ve rescued me. I was just looking for a reason to give myself a break. How come you’re out and about?’ Jacqui asked.

  Natalie pulled up a cane chair, shaking the rain from her hair and flicking the dampness from her linen shirt. ‘I must look like a rag. Can’t be helped. How are you?’

  Jacqui smiled. Nat might have a crushed shirt and creases in her silk slacks, but with her stylish haircut and colour done by a hairdresser in Perth, and a flash of gold and diamond jewellery, Jacqui’s visitor still looked expensively chic.

  ‘Nat, you look lovely. I’m fine, as always. Are you heading back home or do you have time for a chat?’

  ‘Always time for a chat. I wouldn’t mind a coffee as well,’ said Nat.

  As they headed to the tiny kitchen area of the shop, Jacqui thought how quickly life can change for some people. Three years ago, when she’d first come to town, Natalie had been working in a café, preparing milkshakes and sandwiches, and her partner, Colin, had worked out at the airport. They lived in an unrenovated home in the same street as Jacqui. They didn’t have children and both put in long hours at work. Then Colin had an idea about building classic Broome-style homes that were cyclone-proof, prefabricated and easily assembled, yet looked airy, stylish and trendy. He sold his idea for kit homes to a developer and suddenly everything started to change for them. Now they seemed to be involved with different projects all the time and Jacqui was never quite sure what they were up to from one month to the next. They had hit the jackpot and she was happy for them.

  ‘Let me make those,’ said Nat. ‘Just to keep my hand in.’ And she expertly worked the coffee machine as the two of them chatted.

  ‘You still know how to handle that thing,’ laughed Jacqui.