The Golden Land

by Di Morrissey

  ‘A castle?’

  ‘Complete with kilt, pipes and crest. An avid collector, he also collected a family history with all the trappings, including a title.’

  ‘You have done some homework! He doesn’t sound like a very nice person at all. I think it was smart of Uncle Andrew to do a deal with him and buy the kammavaca back.’

  ‘Yes. But I suspect Ferguson came to regret that transaction.’ Moss straightened up. ‘I would very much like to see the object of all this intrigue.’

  ‘I’d love you to see it, too. And to meet Mark. Why don’t you come over on Saturday afternoon?’

  ‘Wonderful. I accept. Are you going to take the kammavaca back to Burma?’

  ‘No way. I couldn’t afford to. And I’ve never travelled outside Australia. But I have a friend who sometimes goes to Burma and she said she’d return it for me.’

  ‘If that doesn’t work out and you need another courier, I’d be happy to help,’ said Moss. ‘Remember that,’ he added and smiled at Natalie.

  ‘That’s really nice of you, Moss. Thank you,’ said Natalie.

  ‘So tell me again, who’s this guy from your yoga class?’ asked Mark on Saturday when Natalie reminded him Moss was coming around.

  ‘Moss is a uni lecturer in Buddhist art history. He’s travelled a lot around Asia and he’s interested in Burma. He’s really knowledgeable and . . . sensitive. He’s interested in the kammavaca and I thought it might be nice for you to meet him.’

  ‘Doesn’t sound like someone I’d have much in common with,’ said Mark. Nevertheless he put on a clean T-shirt and asked if there was anything Natalie wanted him to do.

  ‘No, it’s okay. Moss seems pretty easygoing.’

  When Mark opened the door he was greeted by a tall, slim man with loose shoulder-length hair and round tinted glasses reminiscent of John Lennon’s. ‘Hi, I’m Moss. Pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Come on in,’ said Mark.

  Natalie came out from the kitchen. ‘Hi, Moss. As it’s a nice day I thought we’d sit outside. You remember my two big kids, Charlotte and Adam?’

  ‘Yes, from the rally. I brought you a book.’ Moss handed Natalie a small package.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Coffee or tea?’ asked Mark.

  ‘Tea will be fine, if you’re making it, or just water,’ said Moss, sitting down as Adam dragged his wooden train over to show him.

  ‘Natalie said you’re a teacher? You know about these kammavaca things then?’ said Mark.

  ‘Not a lot. But I’d like to see this one as it has such an interesting history.’

  ‘Yeah. Did Nat tell you she’s knocked back an offer of forty grand for it?’ Mark shook his head in bewilderment. ‘Beats me that it’s worth so much.’

  ‘Well, I guess some collector thinks it is,’ said Moss.

  ‘We could do with that money right now, but Nat’s determined to send it back to Burma,’ said Mark. ‘I wish I could change her mind.’

  ‘Yes, I can imagine how you feel. But one has to respect her principles. Perhaps she is hoping a solution will present itself. You sometimes have to just trust in the universe, don’t you?’ said Moss.

  ‘I’d better get the tea,’ said Mark.

  Natalie came out with the teak box containing the kammavaca and watched Moss carefully open it and delicately unfold the manuscript.

  ‘Wow.’ He spread it on the table. ‘This is beautiful. Look at the artwork.’ He peered at it closely. ‘Do you have a magnifying glass?’

  ‘Yes. I’ll get it.’

  Using the magnifying glass, Moss peered closely at each illustration. ‘I wonder if there might be some detail that might tell us more.’

  ‘Like a clue?’ asked Mark, returning with the tea. ‘Can you read that stuff?’

  ‘Not this old script,’ said Moss. ‘But the pictures are so beautiful and so realistic. Look at that monastery. From the setting and the figures of the monks, it must be a real place, don’t you think? Look at that gorgeously ornate elephant. The whole feel of it is wonderful.’

  ‘So is it worth forty thousand dollars, do you think?’ asked Mark lightly.

  Moss straightened up. ‘This kammavaca was made for the king and he took it into exile with him, so it must have meant a lot to him.’

  At that moment Charlotte tumbled off her tricycle and started crying. ‘I’ll go,’ said Mark, sprinting down the garden.

  ‘Thanks, Natalie but I must be going. I can see that you and your husband have your hands full,’ said Moss. ‘You have a difficult choice on your hands. Please let me know if I can help, whatever you decide. But it would certainly be unwise to post it.’

  ‘I will definitely consider your offer, just in case Vicki can’t take it. And thank you for the book.’

  ‘Goodbye, Mark,’ Moss called out to Mark, who was helping Charlotte untangle herself from the tricycle.

  Later Brad came around to see them both and picked up the book Moss had brought Natalie and glanced at the title. ‘This book on Buddhism looks pretty heavy to me,’ he said.

  Natalie took the book from him. ‘It’s beyond me, too. But my friend’s intention was kind and that’s what friends do,’ she commented.

  The following morning as she was settling Andrew down for a sleep, Natalie’s phone rang.

  ‘Hello, Natalie, it’s Mi Mi. I was wondering if you’d like to come out for a coffee so I can meet your beautiful boy. How is he settling in at home?’

  ‘He’s great. I still get a bit wobbly at times. I keep checking him and worrying if he makes an unusual sound. But he’s feeding and sleeping well, and starting to be aware of his surroundings. He sleeps through anything. I guess he got used to the noise and activity around him in the hospital.’

  ‘That’s good news. I’m going to Pacific Fair later this morning, are you free?’

  ‘Yes, Mark and his mate have taken the children to the park, so there’s just Andrew and me. I’d love to get out for a bit. Shall we meet at that coffee shop on the mezzanine level?’

  Natalie cradled Andrew in a sling close to her chest as she strolled past the shops at the shopping centre. When she turned into the little café, she saw Mi Mi straight away. Mi Mi rose and waved.

  ‘Let me have a peek.’ She pulled the sling back and gently stroked Andrew’s head. ‘He’s doing well,’ she said softly. ‘What a trip it’s been for you both. You know, when he’s eighteen and a football star, no-one will believe that he was a premmie baby.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, Mi Mi. I saw such terrible things in the NICU. Babies you knew weren’t going to make it, others so small that even if they did survive you wonder if they’re going to have some handicap in life. I swung between such intense emotions. Sometimes, just after Andrew was born, the nurses used to send me back to my room to get some sleep. I think they got sick of me glued to Andrew’s humidicrib. But when I went back to the ward and saw all those big healthy babies, I got so upset, I’d start pacing around my room. And then I had to travel up to Brisbane every day . . . that car trip was like leaving the normal world and flying to some weird planet where I had this other life, this other child.’

  Natalie stopped and looked down at Andrew, shocked that she was suddenly letting out her feelings. She hadn’t even really told Mark what she had felt during all those weeks.

  Mi Mi was calm. She ordered their coffees and asked, ‘Did you blame yourself, too? That’s a normal response. Whether you fell over the washing basket or not, Andrew still could have come prematurely. Even if you’d spent weeks flat on your back in bed, things could’ve still gone wrong. The main thing is you got through it and so did Andrew, and you’ll both continue to grow into a place where this can all be put into perspective and eventually packed away.’

  ‘Mi Mi, I wish things were that simple. Andrew is doing well, but his birth and his long time in hospital have given us problems that we didn’t foresee, so we’re having a bit of a rough time. Mark’s been made redundant.’

  �
�That’s awful! And so unfeeling given Andrew’s condition. I suppose they would call it business, but it’s a lot more than that for your family, isn’t it? Are there prospects on the horizon for your husband?’

  Natalie shook her head. ‘Not at the moment. I’m sure things will come good but in the meantime we’ve used up most of our savings and he’s saying we might have to sell the house. And it’s all my fault . . .’ Natalie stopped, brushed away a tear and sipped her coffee. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t be dumping all this on you.’

  ‘This isn’t your fault, how can that be?’

  ‘Well, losing his job wasn’t my fault, but if I sold that kammavaca, I could bail us out. I’ve had an offer from a dealer in London of forty thousand dollars, but I’ve promised to return it to Princess Aye Aye and I really, really want it to go back to her. She’s already written to me saying how pleased she is that it’s coming back.’ Natalie looked at Mi Mi with stricken eyes. ‘It’s what Uncle Andrew wanted, too.’

  ‘Natalie! What a terrible situation. How dreadful for you. But of course you must sell it. I know that you have already made the commitment and your intentions were good and pure, but Aye Aye would never expect you to sacrifice your home for the sake of returning the kammavaca.’

  ‘But I promised. I know she was so thrilled that it was coming back. There’s something very special about that kammavaca. I can’t go back on my word,’ said Natalie.

  Mi Mi reached out and took Natalie’s hand. ‘Special, yes, but that can mean different things to different people. Think of how that little artefact has brought you into the circle of friends connected to our country. How you have learned about our history and how you have helped us make more Australians aware of Burma’s plight. This may all be part of what you know as karma. The kammavaca’s journey might not be complete yet. The offer of the money is a way of helping you because you generously offered to return the kammavaca to King Thibaw’s family. But no-one, especially Aye Aye, would expect you to sacrifice your home and cause problems for your family by this kindness. Take the money that has been offered. The kammavaca has passed through your hands for a reason that might never be known. Aye Aye would feel the gesture tainted if it cost you so much. Please, I know everyone would feel the same. You must look after your family. I will write to Aye Aye and explain everything to her. She will hold nothing against you for changing your mind. She will understand that the main thing is that your heart and intentions remain true.’

  Natalie saw her tears falling on Andrew’s cheek. She gently wiped them away and sniffed as she reached for a tissue. ‘Thank you, Mi Mi.’

  ‘Let’s order another coffee. I just had a feeling that I wanted to see you today. I’m so glad I did. Now, can I have a cuddle of the young man, please?’

  *

  Mark listened quietly as Natalie told him that, after talking to Mi Mi, she was reassessing the situation.

  ‘She told me that Aye Aye would be devastated if she knew that I had lost my home or put my family in desperate circumstances because of the kammavaca. That what I was doing is morally correct, but it is not the time right now. She said that the kammavaca is still on its journey,’ added Natalie forlornly.

  Mark nodded. ‘I know how much returning it means to you, Nat. And I really admire you for wanting to do that. But Mi Mi is right. We do have to think about our family.’

  ‘I didn’t want to seem selfish. It doesn’t seem right wanting money to decorate the house and things like that when now I know how tough it is for families in places like Burma. And now that Andrew is safe and growing I want him to be proud of his namesake. I want to finish what my uncle started.’

  Mark took her hand. ‘Nat, you are the most generous person I know. You are not frivolous. I’m very proud of you. In fact, I’m in awe of how you got involved and learned about Burma and are trying to help. I really would like to see the kammavaca go back to where it belongs. But maybe it’s come our way at this time to help us. You know, we’re not down to the wire just yet. We have a couple of weeks till the next mortgage is due and bills can wait until the end of the month, then we are in trouble. Let’s compromise.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Let’s hang on up to the last possible moment. Tell Mi Mi to hold off writing to Aye Aye until we are up against the wall. If I don’t get a job or a sniff of prospects by then, we will have to sell it. But if I get a job, it can go back to Burma. What do you think?’

  Natalie stared at him, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I love you, Mark.’

  ‘I don’t understand all this karma stuff,’ he said gently, ‘but I understand that sometimes in life you have to be prepared to do the right thing simply because it is right, with no thought of personal gain. I respect your ideals and I love you, Nat, and whatever I say or do, you know it’s for you and our kids.’

  ‘I hope our children turn out to be like you, Mark. You’re a good person.’ Natalie drew a deep breath. ‘Okay, then. A moratorium. I feel so much better. If it has to be sold, then we both agree that’s what has to be done. That we are together on this means a lot. Thank you, Mark.’ She kissed him and held him tightly, feeling reunited with the man she’d fallen in love with.

  Andrew’s first big outing was a trip to Lismore with his parents, Adam and Charlotte to visit Sarah and Steve. He was alert and curious, seemingly aware he was in new surroundings. Steve carried him around the garden, chatting quietly to him. Mark pushed the children on the swing Steve had hung from a tree for them.

  Natalie looked out the window into the garden and smiled. ‘Steve is being very sweet. Does he still miss the farm?’

  ‘Oh, he talks about the farm from time to time. He’s feeling at a bit of a loose end. And I know he feels bad about losing all that money. But we’re hanging in there. The shop is doing all right, at least.’ Sarah turned to her daughter and asked gently, ‘What’s happening with you and Mark? The job? The money?’

  ‘We’ve come to an understanding. We’re waiting till the last possible moment and then, if we have to, we’ll sell the kammavaca.’

  ‘Oh. I’m sorry. I know you wanted to return it to Burma. But it’s the sensible thing to do. I’m glad you two have agreed.’

  ‘It’s been a joint decision. Mark said if something comes along then we won’t have to sell it. But I feel okay about it. I made the offer to return it with the best motives in my heart, but Mi Mi told me there was no way Aye Aye would accept the kammavaca at such a personal cost. So we’ll just have to trust that whatever happens, it was meant to be,’ said Natalie.

  ‘I’m glad to see you’re being so philosophical about it,’ said Sarah, trying to hide her slight surprise.

  A couple of days later, Jodie dropped around to see Natalie and the baby. ‘I won’t stay long. I have to get my two from their music lesson. I won’t beat around the bush. I know things are very tight for you guys right now and I want to make it clear to you that you can leave Charlotte and Adam in preschool as long as you want. I know you have money worries at the moment and as far as I’m concerned you don’t have to stump up the fees. You can’t be at home without a break with three littlies. You’d go nuts. And preschool is good for their development. And we’re friends, for goodness sake, you can pay me back later, when you can.’

  ‘Jodie, thanks. That’s a wonderful offer. You are a good friend, but it’s okay. Really it is.’ Natalie held up her hand as Jodie went to protest. ‘We’re fine, really we are.’ She gave a broad smile. ‘Mark got a job.’

  ‘Nat! That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you,’ said Jodie, hugging her.

  ‘Yes, his mate Brad came around a couple of hours ago. He’s been offered a new job in Western Australia and he’s managed to wrangle one for Mark as well, with more money than he was getting at his old job. The commute is going to be intense, but we’ll survive.’

  ‘Western Australia! The other side of the country!’ exclaimed Jodie but quickly added, ‘Well, it’s a job even if he’s a FIFO worker. Hard for you tho
ugh.’

  ‘At the moment, I couldn’t care less. I’m just happy Mark has a job that pays well and we’ll be able to start saving again. But believe me, this job came along just in the nick of time.’

  ‘Funny how things can work out,’ said Jodie. ‘What do they say? Trust in the universe?’ She laughed.

  ‘Something like that,’ Natalie said smiling.

  Eighteen months later

  ‘LOOK AT HIM GO!’ Mark burst out laughing as they watched Andrew’s little legs race across the grass, his favourite ball tucked under his arm.

  ‘He’s so fast. So much energy. Can you believe it?’ said Natalie.

  ‘He might be a bit on the small side but there’s nothing wrong with his spirit. Anyway, the doctor says he’ll grow. He certainly eats enough,’ said Mark. ‘When you’re away,’ said Natalie, ‘we sometimes eat quite simply.’ ‘Mmm. Baked beans on toast doesn’t do it for me,’ said Mark. ‘They feed us like horses out west. I’m a bit over well-done red meat. But I’m not whingeing,’ he quickly added. He’d been working with Brad out in the Pilbara for a year and a half. The commute from Brisbane to Perth was tedious but, as he said to Natalie, he was asleep the minute he buckled himself into his plane seat.

  ‘The last leg is the worst. It’s a small plane that flies into the mining site. Pretty uncomfortable,’ he’d said. Although conditions were rougher out west, the pay was thirty per cent more than he’d been earning in Queensland, so he didn’t complain.

  Despite the pay rise they had been very frugal and had managed to recoup their savings, and even finish the bathroom, which was a huge relief. They were holding off on the other major renovations for the time being, until they were sure of their finances. They never wanted to be caught short again. Nevertheless, Natalie had finalised her plans and chosen all the fittings and accessories. Everything was awaiting a start date so that their dream home could become a reality.

  The kammavaca was still in its box on her desk and was rarely touched. Natalie was waiting for Vicki to go to Burma and return it to Princess Aye Aye. When this would be Natalie was not quite sure because Vicki’s life had taken a very different turn after she’d met and fallen in love with Finn, a happy and good-natured Dane who travelled to far-flung locations in Australia in order to help businesses improve their communications infrastructure. Although he was five years Vicki’s junior, they’d clicked romantically and Vicki had decided to travel with him. Currently they were based in tropical Port Douglas. Vicki kept in touch with Natalie, emailing her photos of stunning sunsets and waving palm trees. The pictures usually featured the sturdy Finn in a tight T-shirt. Vicki was so happy in North Queensland that she had even sent for her dog, Ipoh.