by Di Morrissey
‘Another expert.’ Rick smiled calmly. ‘And experts disagree all the time. I have to be very sure or I lose my reputation.’
‘Wouldn’t Charlie be able to verify these plates?’ asked Anna suddenly and was surprised at Carlo’s swift response.
‘No way. And he’s not to know about this, Anna,’ said Carlo sternly. ‘You could blow this whole deal and I’d be bust. Broke.’
Rick was unfazed. ‘I respect Charlie enormously. He’s made his money, and now he’s more of a philanthropist and curator. But I’m not sure that he would entirely approve of what we are doing.’
‘He’d probably donate the whole lot to a museum,’ cut in Carlo. ‘We’re in business.’
Anna was silent. She supposed it was all legal enough: the finders-keepers principle. It seemed to be accepted that many people bought old pieces without looking too hard at how they came onto the market. But it seemed a bit, well, sneaky. And while she was surprised Rick was willing to be involved, it was his job to find special pieces for his rich clients. Many people did it in Vietnam and other parts of South-East Asia. It seemed quite common. Finally she asked, ‘So how do you send them out of the country?’
‘That’s all taken care of. The right customs’ hands have been greased. Paperwork is in order. We take delivery in a few days, move them to Bat Trung and ship them to Sydney with the garden goods. Piece of cake,’ said Carlo.
‘Where do we pick them up?’ asked Anna. ‘Can I be there? I’d like to see them too.’
‘Halong Bay. Hung’s taking us to meet his boss to complete the deal. And yes, you’ll be there. A bunch of foreign tourists seeing the sights.’ He laughed. ‘And of course you want to make a pilgrimage to see your nun friend, right?’
Rick looked bemused. ‘Which nun is that, Anna?’
‘She’s nearly blind, lives on top of one of those mountains poking out of the sea. Weird,’ said Carlo.
‘Then that’s a very good reason for us to all go down there, isn’t it?’ Rick stood. ‘Let me know when the details are all set. In the meantime, I have to get back to the day job.’ He reached over and took Anna’s hand, giving it a small squeeze. ‘See you in Halong, Anna.’
When Rick had left Anna said firmly, ‘Sandy has to come. We have to tell her.’
Carlo scowled, but he knew she was right. ‘Tell her we need her along to translate. It’s no big deal: Hung has the goods stowed and we’re taking delivery. If I don’t buy them plenty of others will. Working with Rick means it’s all legit.’
The mention of Rick Dale’s name gave Anna a sense of confidence.
‘By the way, Hung’s uncle doesn’t know, so say nothing. Just say nothing to nobody. Be a tourist,’ warned Carlo.
‘If we’re supposed to be tourists, then Sandy should bring Jean-Claude. I’d feel more secure,’ said Anna.
‘What the hell for? The fewer people who know the better. And nothing is going to happen. We just have to be discreet about getting the goods from where they’ve been stored so no one asks questions.’
‘All right then. I’ll tell Sandy and ask her to keep it to herself.’ Anna was uncomfortable. She knew if it were her she’d confide in Jean-Claude and because she guessed that he was devoted to Sandy he’d want to watch out for her – and her best friend. Anyway, a trip to Halong Bay was something to look forward to. And if things worked out, maybe this time Carlo would strike it rich.
As Anna suspected, Sandy was not enthusiastic about Carlo’s haul, as she called it.
‘Why all the secrecy? I’m surprised Rick is involved. Bribing customs, government officials . . . I know it goes on.’ She wanted to say she wasn’t surprised that Carlo was mixed up in all this but kept quiet as Anna was still hoping Carlo was going to pull off a deal to make money rather than fall in a heap – which seemed to have happened so often. ‘Tell me what you know,’ she said briskly. ‘And of course I’ll be there. We love Halong Bay, right?’ She smiled to herself and thought wild horses wouldn’t keep her away.
‘Carlo doesn’t want you to say anything to Jean-Claude. Is that okay? And how’re things with you two?’ asked Anna, quickly diverting the topic of conversation.
‘He’s great. Really great. It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye.’
‘So it’s au revoir for a short time. You’ll get back here, I just know it,’ said Anna. ‘Do you love him?’ she asked suddenly.
Sandy thought for a minute. ‘Y’know, Anna, I think so, then I think, how do I know? I’ve had some relationships, quite passionate, but deep down you sort of know it’s not going to last – and that makes it all the more intense. With Jean-Claude it’s passionate, the sex is wonderful, he’s terrific to be with and talk to, he’s tender, I care about what he does, I hate the idea of not seeing him again.’
‘Jeez, Sandy, stop right there. That’s enough! If that isn’t love, what is? You’d better hang on to him. That’s the bottom line for me, when you can’t imagine not being with that person, he’s the one.’
Sandy didn’t comment about Anna needing to be with Carlo. Instead she said, ‘If he is the one, what do I do about it? I can’t force myself into his life. He knows I’ll be going back to Australia.’
‘Propose to him! Ask him whether he wants to be with you,’ said Anna.
‘I couldn’t do that! Anna, what an outrageous idea.’ Sandy shook her head, laughing. ‘Now, listen, when are we off on this little jaunt to Halong?’
‘Soon, I think. Thanks for doing this. Your speaking Vietnamese will be a help and I’ll feel better if you’re there. Carlo is so counting on this; I’d hate to see anything go wrong now.’
‘And when the shipment has left, you’ll both go back to Sydney. What about his plans for exporting all the garden pots and things? I think that’s a better business than diving into antique objects d’art!’
‘That’s all happening too. The antiques are apparently being shipped along with the garden ceramics. It’s funny he hasn’t mentioned bella Italia for ages. Sees himself as quite the Vietnamese specialist,’ she said.
‘You do know Carlo well,’ Sandy said, thinking Anna had also accepted his faults as part of the package. Maybe she was hoping a splash of success would change him and that he wouldn’t be so pushy and boastful. Privately Sandy doubted it: Carlo was Carlo. Though she’d never say it to Anna, Sandy just kept hoping the scales would one day fall from her eyes. If only someone else would sweep Anna off her feet.
Sandy sighed. ‘Let’s hope everything goes the way it’s meant to, eh?’
Jean-Claude was still in Hanoi and Sandy continued to stay with him while Anna and Carlo used her flat.
‘Tonight, may I take you to dinner at The Metropole, in their wonderful Le Beaulieu restaurant?’ Jean-Claude asked.
Sandy loved the gracious elegant hotel that reminded her of the Raffles in Singapore, though on her HOPE salary she’d rarely eaten there, only enjoyed cocktails around the pool and on the terrace. ‘What a treat. Is this an occasion? Are you leaving town again?’
‘No, I’m trying to delay going south,’ he said. ‘You’re causing me to neglect, well, postpone, my work. And I don’t mind a bit.’
‘So, if you’re going to be around, I was going to suggest coming to Halong Bay with . . .’ she stopped. ‘Never mind. Anna and Carlo are going. Forget it.’
But Jean-Claude picked up the concern in her voice. ‘What is it, chérie? You look worried.’
‘I am. But I’m not supposed to tell you anything,’ she said miserably.
‘A promise? There’s something bothering you. You can trust me; you know that.’
‘Yes, I know I can. So just hear me out, okay?’ Swiftly she told him all she knew. ‘I think Anna is a bit worried. Carlo really doesn’t know what he’s doing, so he asked Rick to come in and authenticate the goods, which was smart although Carlo’s annoyed he has to pay him, I think.’
‘Such things are not uncommon. Here and in Cambodia too. I’ve been offered temple pieces but you never kn
ow if they’ve been hacked out of an old temple or are a fake. Either way I wouldn’t want to own one. Other people don’t feel the same way.’
‘Oh, Rick’s sure the plates are probably genuine; other wise, why would they let him see them? Fifteenth century. Very valuable.’
‘How much has Carlo put into this deal? I didn’t think he had that kind of money?’ asked Jean-Claude.
‘Anna wasn’t sure but she thinks it could be well over a hundred thousand. He expects to double his money. Well, his father’s money.’
‘Carlo must have been very persuasive, or his father has more love than sense,’ commented Jean-Claude. ‘Perhaps it will all be fine, but this transaction at Halong Bay sounds unusual. I would like to be there. Can’t I come, make it a romantic interlude for us?’ he cajoled, leaning over to kiss her.
‘I’d really love you to be there, too. But then Anna would know I’ve told you. And so would Carlo, and that would get Anna into trouble with him,’ said Sandy, returning his kiss.
Jean-Claude kissed her again. ‘How about I just turn up, surprise you? All I know is you said you were going to Halong Bay with Anna. I am a possessive, jealous, lonely man who can’t bear to be away from the love of his life. Mmm?’ he murmured, taking her in his arms.
‘Sounds good,’ sighed Sandy. ‘The plan, not the jealous bit,’ she added between kisses.
‘But you are the love of my life,’ he said. And picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
She wound her arms around his neck, buried her face against him then blurted, ‘So why don’t we get married?’
He stopped. ‘What did you say?’
Sandy pushed her flaming face hard against his chest. ‘Nothing, nothing. Forget it.’
He stood her gently on the floor in front of him and pushed his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. ‘Did you just propose to me? Mon dieu.’
‘Forget it; it just slipped out. Oh, I feel sick.’ Sandy rushed to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Damn Anna for planting the idea in her mind. Her proposal had just popped out.
She walked back into the bedroom trying to look composed. ‘I’m sorry, Jean-Claude, forget what I said.’
‘No, I cannot. Nor will I let you forget it. Close your eyes.’ He took her hand and pressed something into the palm. ‘Okay, look now.’
She uncurled her fingers and gasped at the diamond ring lying there.
‘I was going to give it to you tonight, at a romantic candlelit dinner, when I would ask you to marry me.’ He pretended to look wounded, but his eyes were laughing.
Sandy was transfixed. ‘I don’t believe this. Really? You mean it?’
He took the ring and slipped it on her finger. ‘I didn’t just happen to have this lying around. Of course, if you don’t like it, we can choose another. That is, if you’ll have me?’
Sandy looked at him, her eyes sparkling. ‘It’s so beautiful. Of course I’ll marry you . . . if you’ll have me?’
He burst into laughter and swept her into his arms.
*
Rick drove to Halong Bay with Carlo in the front seat, and Anna and Sandy sat in the back.
Sandy nudged Anna as Carlo asked Rick to brief him about Vietnamese ceramics so he could talk with some authority on the subject. They exchanged an amused glance.
‘I think Carlo is expecting to get on TV,’ whispered Anna, but she was proud of him. He seemed genuinely interested in Rick’s history lesson.
‘The Vietnamese developed their own style although some of it was derived from Cambodia, India, and China, of course. But they all had different decorative motifs, glazes and methods. Using clay from the Red River valley, Vietnam produced some of the most sophisticated ceramics in South-East Asia,’ said Rick.
Carlo nodded sagely.
Sandy was dying to share her news about Jean-Claude with Anna. But she kept quiet as she did not want to let on that Jean-Claude had decided to join them all at Halong Bay.
The four checked into a high-rise hotel at the edge of the bay near to where the tourist boats berthed and they waited for Hung to meet them in the late afternoon as planned. Rick suggested having coffee while they waited. Sandy was the last to come down from her room and found the others in the hotel coffee shop. She and Anna placed their order and walked around the lobby looking at the souvenirs for sale.
‘How is Carlo paying for the antiques? I hope he’s not carrying cash on him,’ said Sandy.
‘No, it’s some sort of electronic transfer to a bank account somewhere. Carlo’s father will send it through when Carlo tells him,’ said Anna.
They bought a miniature Chinese junk and a small booklet of stunning photographs of grottos, beaches and the floating village in Halong Bay.
‘Look, there’s a shot of the Temple of Nowhere,’ said Anna. ‘I’m going to go up and see the little nun. I feel I owe her so much.’
‘How’s that?’
‘She gave me something I can’t describe. A sense of who I am. A certain sense of direction. I don’t think I’d have looked for my family if I hadn’t met her.’
‘She’ll be happy to know you made some contact at least. And you stepped into your mother’s shoes for just a little while,’ said Sandy. ‘I’m sure there will be time for you to see her.’
As they were finishing their coffee, Anna suddenly gave a small gasp, and looked shocked. Then she gave Sandy a furious gaze. ‘Look, Jean-Claude is here.’
‘What!’ Carlo spun around to watch Jean-Claude, looking elegant in a casual silk shirt and smart linen pants, come towards them.
Sandy jumped up. ‘Hi! What are you doing here?’
He spread his arms. ‘Surprise! I’ve been looking for you. I’ve called every hotel and every boat operator in Halong Bay. And here you are.’ He leaned over and kissed Sandy.
‘How did you know she was here?’ demanded Carlo as Jean-Claude shook hands with Rick and kissed Anna on both cheeks.
‘When my beautiful companion told me she was slipping down to Halong Bay with her girlfriend, I thought I’d come and surprise her. This is a surprise to find you all here,’ he said, feigning an injured look.
‘Oh, it’s just . . .’ Anna was about to say it was a business trip, but Carlo kicked her under the table.
‘Just a sentimental trip before we go. Anna has a thing about the old nun down here. We happened to run into Rick,’ said Carlo, unconvincingly.
‘That’s nice. Well, I hope I’m not intruding. What are you doing for dinner this evening?’ asked Jean-Claude and there was silence round the table.
Rick jumped in. ‘I’m sure you want to be with Sandy, Jean-Claude. I was planning on taking them out to meet a friend who has some ceramics I thought Carlo might be interested in – for his garden business,’ he added. ‘Perhaps we can meet you later.’
‘I was hoping to steal you for a while. So a late supper, would that suit?’ Jean-Claude asked Sandy.
‘Sure. Where are you staying? Where shall I meet you? Are there any good places to eat here, Rick?’ Sandy was worried the charade was getting too complicated and she wanted Jean-Claude to be close at hand.
‘I’m sure Jean-Claude knows better than I do. What are our plans, Carlo?’ asked Rick.
‘We’ll be back here round sevenish. Why don’t you meet Sandy then,’ said Carlo. ‘Unless you’d rather go with Jean-Claude now,’ he said with a hint of a smile.
‘I’m keen to go out on the bay again. Can we meet later?’ she said sweetly to Jean-Claude.
‘Of course. See you anon.’ He waved to the group and Sandy jumped up.
‘I’ll walk you out.’ Sandy held his hand and whispered, ‘That’s put the cat among the pigeons.’
‘What are you really doing?’
‘Anna tells me that we’re meeting Hung who’s taking us out to meet the big boss on some boat to look at the plates so Rick can check that they’re all okay. When he’s done that we come back and Carlo gets his father to send the money electronically
and we collect the packed stuff in the morning to take to the factory where Carlo has all his garden pots so it can all be shipped back to Australia.’
‘So it’s all going in one container. Sounds straight forward,’ said Jean-Claude. ‘What’s your hotel room? I’ll move in while you’re out with the big boss.’
Sandy re-joined the others, who all stared at her. ‘That was a surprise.’ She looked at the impassive faces around the table. ‘Look, I didn’t know he was coming down. But I had to tell him I was going somewhere! I had no idea he’d want to surprise me.’
‘Better keep him under wraps,’ said Carlo. ‘Until we’ve done the deal. If there’s more merchandise available, let’s keep it quiet.’
To Sandy’s relief, Hung came striding across the room and greeted them enthusiastically. To anyone observing they looked like a bunch of tourists and their guide.
‘The boat is ready. It’s just a small launch to take us across this end of the bay. Follow me.’
They walked to the end of the long jetty, where a launch was tied. Hung helped them into the open boat. In minutes they were bouncing across the deserted bay. Most of the tourist boats had headed out earlier in the day and were preparing to moor for the night and the day trippers had not yet made their way back.
As soon as they were well clear of the mainland shore, Hung cut behind a peak and suddenly they were in an expanse of water unseen by any boat or being.
Rounding one of the smaller forested karsts they came upon a large modern junk. Even from a distance it appeared luxurious and as they drew closer it looked brand new, made from polished teak, with rich red sails and large portholes indicating spacious staterooms below. Once they were beside the junk it loomed as high as a double-storeyed building.
Sandy and Anna clambered aboard, awed by the glowing brass fittings, the smell of polished wood and a sweet drift of incense. They were ushered into the main stateroom which had low lights burning and red velvet drapes pulled across the windows, screening out the end of the day. It was lavishly appointed with plush lounges, a long teak dining table with matching chairs and several deep armchairs. The carpet was thick, there was ornate carving in every detail of the woodwork and several framed silk paintings that looked to be very old Chinese scenes which were hung between the windows. A huge carved and painted silk screen stood in one corner. Dotted around the room and piled on the table were items covered by gold silk sheets.
