Billabong Bend

by Jennifer Scoullar

  Nina took off at a run, her stomach churning. Was she doing the right thing? Ric obviously didn’t think so. She tried to block out the image of Eva’s face, tense with bewilderment. Jinx strained and barked on his chain as she approached the house. ‘Shut up. You can’t come.’ He lay down whining, head on paws. Nina stopped to stroke his velvet ears. ‘Sorry,’ she said more gently. ‘Seems to be my day for upsetting people.’ Then she raced on to the house, grabbed the drinks and picnic basket, and headed down to the river. Eva was already in the boat and wearing her life jacket. What a help Ric was, what a sweetheart. He was making it very hard to hang on to her old resentments. Nina studied Eva’s face. Confusion seemed to have given way to excitement, and her blue eyes were alive with expectation.

  ‘You sit with Mrs Langley,’ said Ric, positioning himself behind the wheel. ‘I’ll drive.’ The stubborn set of his jaw still betrayed his displeasure. Nina felt another twinge of uncertainty, but pushed it aside. He had no idea how important this trip was.

  They set off, the breeze from the water a refreshing counterpoint to the summer heat. At first Eva chattered away, oohing and aahing at everything, taking great gulps of the fragrant air, aromatic with the scent of eucalyptus and wild mint. But soon her brow became creased with concern. ‘The river’s too low,’ said Eva. ‘And is that cotton over there?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Nina. ‘Max still grows cotton. I’m hoping now Ric’s back, he can talk him out of it.’

  Eva raised her voice. ‘Young man, you must. You absolutely must. Just take a look around. It’s either the cotton or the Bunyip.’

  A hush fell on the Pelican. The little boat journeyed on in silence until they reached the confluence of the Kingfisher, marking the boundary of Billabong Bend. As the river rebounded and gathered strength, so did Eva’s spirit. The years seemed to slip away. Soon she was pointing out birds, mimicking their calls, explaining their nesting habits. This was the Eva Langley that Nina had known and loved as a child, the one who knew each bend in the river, each secret meander. Who greeted gum trees by name and told their stories. Nina was half-thrilled, half-despairing to hear her talk. All that knowledge. An entire lifetime of knowledge, going to waste, trapped inside a nursing home. ‘I’ll get James to send you my field notes and maps if you’d like, Nina. And Walter’s bird sketches. They’ll be more use to you than to me now, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Thank you, Eva. I’d love that.’ Nina told her about Sophie’s orphans.

  ‘Magpie geese,’ said Eva. ‘I was ten years old when they last nested here. Spent a lifetime waiting for them to come back, and now you say somebody killed them? If my Walter was alive he’d have shot the man that did that.’

  ‘If I ever find out who’s responsible, Eva, I’ll shoot them myself. But the eggs have hatched out in an incubator. Ten healthy babies to release at Billabong. That’s something at least.’

  ‘Oh, but you can’t do that,’ said Eva. ‘Historically, pied geese only ever came here to breed. In the dry season, when their young were fully fledged, they flew northwest to the border country, to the overflows along the Paroo and Warrego rivers. With no adults to guide them, how will the little ones find their way? I’m afraid that knowledge will have died along with their parents.’

  Nina’s stomach lurched. She hadn’t thought of that. The Pelican proceeded along the dappled waterway in sombre silence. Soon the old homestead appeared above them on the hill. Eva raised her gaze to the dilapidated house. Her eyes wore an odd expression, halfway between wonder and bewilderment. The back of Nina’s neck goosebumped. She suddenly wished that she’d taken Ric’s unspoken advice, and left Eva safely back at Pemberley House.

  Ric cut the engine. He timed it just right, and the Pelican nudged her bow through the carpet of water hyacinth and into the rundown mooring. He cast his eye over the structure, appraising its strengths and weaknesses. ‘That section there.’ He swung himself onto the timber and stomped around a bit. ‘It’s sound enough.’ Nina helped Eva to her feet, and Ric half-supported, half-carried her onto the jetty. He led her across the boards, testing each one with his weight before urging her on. Nina followed with the walking frame.

  They reached dry land and started up the concrete walk. Grass and tea-tree pushed through the cracks, and bush roses grew wild along the path, in a profusion of blood-red blooms. Straggly blackberry canes snatched at their feet. For a fragile old woman, it was a slow and treacherous climb.

  Eva stopped to rest, hand on heart, staring at the house. Goats and pigs had ruined the once beautiful gardens. Ivy formed a twisted maze up the stone walls, its tentacles dragging and splitting apart the fascia boards.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Eva.

  Ric swung her into his arms, cradling her like a child for the last few metres. He carried her up the slate steps and set her down on the bluestone verandah. Nina followed with the walker, not daring to look at either of them. Ric manoeuvred the frame in front of Eva, and she took hold with a shuddering sigh. ‘I don’t understand,’ said Eva. ‘All this damage. How long have I been away?’

  ‘Six years.’

  ‘Six years,’ repeated Eva. ‘Has it really been that long . . .’ Her voice trailed off.

  ‘Do you want to go inside?’ asked Nina.

  It took a long time for her to answer. ‘No,’ said Eva. ‘No, I don’t think so.’ She fumbled in the wide pocket of her drop-waisted dress and extracted a set of keys. ‘There’s a picture . . . would you get it for me, Nina? A framed photo of Walter and me, hanging over the fireplace.’

  Nina nodded. The heavy oak door was already ajar, but she thrust the keys at the lock anyway, in pretence. ‘It’s the big brass one,’ called Eva in a faltering voice.

  ‘I’ve got it.’ The door begrudgingly creaked open and Nina pushed inside. Slanting shadows roamed around the hall. All was deathly still and musty with decay. Multi-coloured moulds formed patterns on the ceiling where rain had seeped through the leaking roof. Piles of smelly droppings along the architraves betrayed the presence of little bats that must, even now, be roosting between the crooked paintings and the wall. Nature was fast to reclaim what people abandoned.

  She moved on through the quiet house until she reached the lounge room. A photo hung above the fireplace. It told a story, a love story. Eva as a stunning teenager, leaning against a boathouse. Posing, a coquette. She was laughing at a tall young man, teasing him. He stared at her with undisguised hunger in his eyes. Walter, her future husband. Where had that lovely young girl gone? Was she still there, trapped inside Eva’s failing body?

  Something moved and Nina jumped. Just a bush rat. It scuttled off through mounds of chewed-up papers strewn beneath an elegant, leather-bound desk. Nina picked up a few intact sheets. Field records and illustrations, stunning pencil sketches of wildflowers and birds. These must be the notes and drawings Eva wanted her to have. The ones supposedly safe with James. It would break Eva’s heart to see them like this.

  Nina eased the picture from the wall and hurried outside, resolving to return tomorrow for what remained of the notes. ‘That’s the one,’ said Eva with the faintest smile, when she saw the photo. ‘It must go on the wall in my room.’ She straightened her back and regarded Nina with the clear eyes of a woman who’d lost all illusions. ‘I’m weary,’ she said.

  ‘Of course. I’ll take you home.’

  ‘And just how do you propose to do that?’ asked Eva. ‘Since it seems I have no home to go to.’

  CHAPTER 16

  Nina brought out the bottle of brandy and her best glasses. ‘Didn’t know until I saw you with Freeman that you liked brandy, Eva. Would you do the honours please, Ric? There’s dry ginger in the fridge, and Coke as well.’

  Ric looked at Eva, brows raised. ‘Young man,’ she said. ‘I’ll take it straight.’ He poured her a snifter. She clasped it in both hands and drank a deep draught.

  Nina took a seat at the kitchen table beside her and drew a bottomless breath. ‘Eva, I know it must have been a shock seei
ng what’s happening out at Billabong.’

  Eva drained her glass in one gulp and eyed Nina with a new suspicion, like she didn’t quite trust her any more. And could you blame her? ‘My house has been empty for six years, you say?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Nina. ‘Ever since you’ve been at Pemberley House.’ No matter how difficult, she wasn’t going to pull any punches. Otherwise today’s whole painful episode would have been for nothing.

  ‘I went into that damned place after I hurt my back,’ said Eva. ‘Wasn’t that last year?’

  Ric refilled Eva’s glass and poured one for himself. ‘That was six years ago,’ said Nina. ‘Walter had a heart attack at Billabong, and you hurt your back trying to lift him.’ Eva nodded. ‘You both went into Moree Hospital. Walter went on to Sydney for treatment and you went into Pemberley House. Remember how upset you were that James didn’t organise for you and Walter to be together?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Eva. ‘My memory lets me down. Was that really so long ago?’ Nina nodded, as comprehension dawned in the old woman’s eyes. ‘James says my blood pressure has to drop a bit before I can go home, but I’d never manage out there on my own.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Eva,’ said Nina. ‘I really am. But you needed to see for yourself, so you’d understand how important it is for me to buy Billabong.’

  Eva’s eyes softened. ‘You love that place. You always did.’ She sipped her brandy and coughed a little. ‘James never had the heart for it.’

  ‘He’ll sell it, Eva.’ Nina’s words were urgent and low. ‘When you die, he’ll sell Billabong to anyone with the money.’

  Eva uttered a long, knowing sigh, and reached for Nina’s hand. ‘Billabong Bend was settled by my family in 1830. The Langleys have nurtured and cared for that place for all this time. Protected it. Lived in harmony with its ebbs and flows, treasured its birds and animals. My father called the wetlands Billabong’s crowning glory.’ She squeezed Nina’s fingers. ‘My girl, I’ve been an idiot.’

  ‘No, you haven’t —’

  Eva raised her hand for silence. ‘When a person wants to believe something badly enough, the mind plays tricks. Deep down I knew the years were slipping past, that time was running out. I think I knew James was humouring me too, but I wouldn’t face the truth. Thank you for bringing a foolish old woman to her senses.’

  Nina slipped to her knees, mist in her eyes. She laid her head in Eva’s lap, tasting tears as Eva stroked her hair. ‘Let it out,’ Eva said. It was many minutes before Nina’s cries reduced to shuddering sobs, and came to a sniffing halt. ‘There now,’ said Eva. ‘That’s better.’ Nina caught her breath. How she loved Eva.

  ‘I need another drink,’ said Ric. ‘Anyone?’

  ‘Dry ginger and ice this time, I think,’ said Eva. ‘And what about that lovely lunch you packed, Nina? We never got around to it. Haven’t had roast lamb and chutney sandwiches for years. They always were my favourite.’ Her good humour and courage spilled into the room, cheering them all.

  ‘Would you stay for the night, Eva? I’ve made up the spare room, and there’s so much I want to show you. My orphan ducklings, for instance. They’re beginning to fledge. You might know what sort they are. I still can’t tell. And there are the waterbirds at the dam, and the riverbank restoration.’ Nina took a breath. She was rushing her words, pressing Eva too hard. ‘I’m sorry. Perhaps you’re tired? It’s been a big day.’

  ‘If you’d let her get a word in edgeways,’ said Ric, ‘she might be able to give you an answer.’

  ‘Thank you, young man. And yes, it would be a treat to stay.’ Eva took a big bite of her sandwich and gave the crust to Jinx. ‘A treat to feel like I’m part of the world again.’

  ‘You’re welcome anytime,’ said Nina. ‘My home is your home, for as long as you like. It’s not as nice as Billabong homestead, but it’s all yours.’

  ‘I wouldn’t do that to you,’ said Eva. ‘One night is all I want. One night of living. Of drinking and talking. Maybe a board game? Maybe I could cook? I’d like to cook a meal again. Perhaps Ric will stay too?’

  ‘Of course,’ said Nina, without consulting him. ‘Ric, would you go and get Sophie while we organise dinner? I’d love for her to meet Eva.’

  Ric was standing by the door, his arms folded. Nina crossed the room to him, close enough to smell the brandy on his breath. ‘Please?’

  The corners of his mouth creased into a half smile. ‘Okay,’ he said in a low voice. ‘We’ll do this your way. You’ve played your trump card. I just hope it doesn’t backfire on you.’

  The words sent a tiny chill through her. What did he mean? Things were turning out perfectly. ‘Don’t be like that,’ she said. ‘Just go and get your daughter, will you?’

  He grabbed his hat and disappeared out the door. Eva’s bright, bird-like eyes inspected her, and Nina put on a sunny smile. ‘Right, shall we start dinner? A roast, maybe?’

  Eva patted the chair beside her. ‘Plenty of time for that, my girl. Come and talk to me about that young man. Oh, and Nina?’

  ‘Yes, Eva?’

  ‘If I’m going to get a chance to cook, we can be a bit more ambitious than a roast, don’t you think?

  CHAPTER 17

  Nina could hardly believe it. The document on the table before her read: Contract for Sale of Land. Vendor: Eva Margaret Langley. Purchaser: Nina Rose Moore. A dream come true. So was the purchase price – a steal. Well, not a steal exactly, but low enough to make a big difference when it came to the bank and getting a loan. And high enough, according to Eva, to prevent James from challenging the sale. ‘My finance isn’t guaranteed,’ said Nina. ‘Just so you know.’

  ‘For pity’s sake,’ said Eva. ‘Just sign it. Or do you want me to change my mind?’

  ‘No. No, of course not.’ Nina’s hand shook a little. She tried to steady it, overthinking the whole thing. In the end she signed her name so deliberately and self-consciously that it barely resembled her signature at all.

  Eva’s nurse stepped forward to witness the contract. ‘Are you sure this is what you want?’ she said, looking uncertain.

  ‘Yes, Vera. Very sure.’ In another moment it was done. ‘Congratulations, my dear.’ Eva’s voice broke a fraction. Nina wrapped her in a hug, knowing how hard this decision had been, how final it really was. When she let go, Eva seemed herself again, her smile warm, her voice encouraging. ‘It’s a long settlement, one hundred and twenty days. I don’t imagine you’ll have any difficulty with the bank, not with your place going so well.’

  ‘I’ve bought Red Gums on vendor terms,’ said Nina. ‘Will that matter?’

  ‘Stop inventing problems.’ Eva waved a hand. ‘I’ve already had a word to my bank manager, who just happens to be Trevor Bond, your bank manager as well. He’s approved your new business plan apparently. You’re good for the money, Nina. The bank gets its collateral and you, God bless you, get Billabong Bend.’

  Nina stared at the signed and witnessed contract, the official seal on her longstanding love affair with the marshlands. She wanted to kiss it. She wanted to dance around the room with it, and shout the good news all over the riverlands. Me and Billabong, we’re a team now. We belong to each other.

  A kaleidoscope of plans cascaded through her brain. She’d clear out the ferals, and she didn’t just mean the poachers. She’d get rid of the pigs and goats, the foxes and rabbits and cats. She might ask Max along on their shooting trips, as a gesture of reconciliation between their families, and also because he was a bloody good shot. She’d run cattle on the outer floodplains, fence off the woodlands and overflows, improve the carrying capacity and environment at the same time.

  ‘First thing – a biodiversity survey,’ said Nina. ‘I’ll make maps, proper survey maps. You can help me, Eva. And then there’s the house. Can’t afford to fix it up yet, of course, but down the line . . .’ Images came to her of the homestead restored to former glory, of Eva’s face when she saw it. Nina’s heart hammered hard in her chest with the
sheer, limitless possibilities.

  When she dragged herself back to reality, Eva was studying her with a certain, sad resignation that flattened Nina’s mood. She turned around, showing off the fawn suit that she’d borrowed from Kate. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘Very smart, dear, and businesslike.’

  Nina kissed Eva’s cheek, restless to be gone. ‘I’ll be back afterwards to tell you how I go.’

  A sudden lethargy showed on Eva’s face. ‘No, no. I already know the outcome, and I don’t want any more visitors today.’

  ‘If you’re sure?’ Her thoughts were racing ahead to the coming meeting. Would it really be as easy as Eva suggested, a fait accompli? ‘Goodbye then,’ said Nina. ‘Wish me luck.’

  Eva smiled. ‘You won’t need luck, my girl. Now off you go.’

  Nina swung into Moree’s main street with squealing brakes. There, a spot right out the front of the bank. That blue Ford had seen it too. Nina accelerated, darting into the space ahead of the other car, oblivious to the horn blast and the rude arm gesture out the window.

  Nina gathered her documents into an untidy bundle, opened the door and stepped straight into the stream of traffic. She stumbled a little, causing a car to swerve and beep. Stupid high heels. Into the bank, heading for the enquiries counter, awkward in her tight pencil skirt.

  ‘Can I help you?’

  I’ve an appointment with Trevor Bond.’

  ‘Name?’ The girl checked her computer screen. ‘You’re half an hour early.’

  Half an hour. An eternity. Nina paced the room like a caged tiger. A small boy pointed at her. Nina watched the clock on the wall as she walked. The receptionist’s composed expression had changed to one of pity. ‘Let me see what I can do.’ She made a call. Nina held her breath. ‘He’ll see you now.’ Trevor emerged from a side room. He hadn’t changed a whit in five years. A plumpish, middle-aged man with a red face and receding hairline, who’d been the Moore family bank manager forever.