by Di Morrissey
‘I’d like to hear more.’
‘Ah, some other time. Ask my mother. I sent her long emails, and I think she used to print them out and keep them. Shall we stop in town for a swish lunch or are you ready for a sandwich on the verandah?’
‘Do you have to ask?’
‘Sangers it is. With fresh bread baked this morning, Mum’s corned beef and homemade tomato relish, all washed down with a crisp Pinot Gris. You live high on the hog when you come to Neverend,’ said Chris with a laugh, feeling a little more cheerful.
*
Chris and Georgia didn’t leave the house for the rest of the day. Chris still felt very depressed when he thought about the book and Georgia did her best to cheer him up. They made meals and cuddled in front of the fire with the cat between them. It was a novelty sharing a bed and waking up together in the morning and then showering together; it was a tantalising glimpse of how good their relationship might be. But Chris didn’t want to allow himself to think past the moment. Especially now.
Over breakfast, Georgia raised another thorny issue as she helped herself to some of Susan’s marmalade to go with her toast.
‘Chris, I’m not sure that this is going to work.’
‘I don’t understand, Georgia. I thought we were getting along really well. Do you want to go home?’
‘No, Chris, you’ve missed my meaning. We’re getting along too well, and for the record, I have to tell you that I don’t make a habit of sleeping with my clients. But I’m your agent and I think that our private and professional relationship is becoming a little confused. Moreover, I’m also the agent who has badly let you down. I seriously think that you should look for someone else to represent your interests, someone who is more detached.’
‘So what you are saying is that we aren’t mature enough to be able to separate our private lives from our professional ones? Do you really think that you would not be able to give an honest appraisal of my work because I could take offence and ruin our relationship? Well, that’s nonsense. I can accept brutal honesty if I know that it is sincerely meant. I can also accept bad news when I know that you did your best for me. I think that we can still work together, but if it turns out that you’re right, and our relationship begins to suffer, then I will look for another agent. Of course, they won’t be half as good as you.’ Chris smiled at Georgia and then gave her a kiss. ‘Is that a deal?’
‘If you say so, Chris.’ Georgia took a sip of her coffee. ‘Don’t you think you’d better get me up to Jean’s place before half the day has gone?’
‘Hmm. You’re right. Time to hit the road.’
Georgia stood up. ‘Chris, your life is what you make it. This setback is just that, a setback, nothing more, right? Think about what you want, what’s important to you, and where you want to be not just next month or next year, but in five or ten years’ time.’ She headed out of the room and he heard her call out cheekily from the hallway, ‘I know where I’d like to be.’
As they both headed off to get dressed, Chris’s phone rang.
‘Hi, Dad!’
‘How’s my favourite girl? What’s happening, are you having fun? You’re up very early.’
‘Yeah, I am. We’re all going over to Rottnest Island today, so we have to get an early start. It’s too cold to swim, but it sounds fun.’
‘How’re you getting on with the boys?’
‘They’re okay. They kinda like me, I think. They’re older now, you know.’
Chris smiled to himself, wondering how much two ten-year-olds could have matured in little more than six months. ‘That’s great. I’m having fun too, Georgia is here and I’m taking her out to Jean Hay’s place today to take photos, then we might do a bit of a twirl around the district. Watch out for those quokkas on Rottnest, they can be scary.’
Megan giggled. ‘Don’t be silly, Dad. I’ve seen pictures of them and they are really cute.’
‘Glad you are having a good time. I miss you.’
‘Miss you, too, Dad. See ya.’
*
For the next two mornings, Chris and Georgia rose well before dawn, rugged themselves up and then Chris drove Georgia out to Jean Hay’s place, Applebrook.
‘I need to be able to photograph this place in different lights, so I need an early start. Thank you for bringing me out here at this ungodly hour.’
‘Not a problem, although I have to say that I like picking you up and bringing you back home a lot more than dropping you off.’
‘I like that bit, too,’ said Georgia.
During the day, Chris found that he missed Georgia’s company, but their time together at night more than made up for it, and he was increasingly aware how special Georgia was becoming to him. So it was with somewhat mixed feelings that he welcomed Susan and David back from their visit to Core Creek farm.
‘So interesting and inspiring to see what they’re doing,’ said Susan.
‘They’re a big operation, very serious,’ said David. ‘I plan to be less ambitious. Maybe I could divide some land and use one part to grow organic food and the other to produce bush food.’
‘I’d love to raise alpacas, for wool, not meat. I couldn’t bear to send them off after seeing those pretty faces and knowing their personalities,’ said Susan.
‘We don’t give the stock names,’ said David with a smile. ‘But I’m not sure about alpacas. Anyway, it’s still a bit of a dream at the moment. After running big projects and overseeing other people’s properties for so long, I’m yearning to do my own thing. Mind you, I’ve produced some lovely grapes and olives in Italy, but I’m never there long enough to enjoy a whole season.’
‘Surely you have the time to do that now?’ asked Chris.
‘I don’t think I could persuade your mother to spend months in Italy.’
‘You’re right. A month or so would be great, but after that I’d miss Neverend, I’m afraid,’ sighed Susan. ‘I would like a new challenge, though.’
‘It’s fun to dream and a lovely excuse to tootle around the countryside,’ added David.
Later Chris and David sat out on the verandah in the winter sun before Chris had to leave to pick up Georgia.
‘I’m so sorry that the publisher decided not to go ahead with your book,’ said David.
‘Yes, I suppose these things happen. And I’m sorry that you won’t see yourself in print.’
‘Good heavens, Chris, as if I care about that. Do you think things will settle down with Carmichael?’ asked David. ‘Susan has told me about your suspicions.’
‘Well, since I told him I wasn’t including him in the book, I haven’t had any strange vehicles following me, if that’s what you mean.’
‘I’m still pretty stunned to hear about what you’ve been through, and what happened back in Bogor. Jimmy’s death was such a dreadful shock to all of us.’
‘I was amazed that Alan was so anti-Chinese in those days. I wonder how he feels about the Chinese now?’ wondered Chris. ‘He’s done business with them.’
‘I expect that he sees them more as capitalists than communists now, so he feels it’s okay to do business with them,’ said David. ‘But as far as your mother and I are concerned, Alan and his life have nothing more to do with us.’
‘The same goes for me. I’m glad you and Mum seem to have joined forces,’ said Chris carefully.
‘I love your mother, Chris,’ said David simply. ‘I think I always have. Funny how things work out. Mind you, she has made it very clear that she is attached to this area, so I’ve decided that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,’ David laughed.
‘Does that mean you’re looking for land in this area? Would you build a house?’
‘I’d like to be close at hand to any land we bought, but wherever it is, it can’t be too far away from here.’
‘That’s sounds like a good plan to me.’
When Chris drove to Jean Hay’s house that evening, he felt ridiculously excited about seeing Georgia. He parked outside the front fence and entered through the old gate under the sagging archway covered in a rose vine, although there were few leaves and no flowers on it. That needs pruning, he thought to himself.
Jean’s old dog ambled over to greet him with a waving tail, sniffing Chris’s hand before sinking back onto his bed on the front verandah.
The beautiful door with the rose-coloured glass panels was open, so Chris knocked and called out. When he received no answer, he walked down the hall to the rear of the house and heard Georgia’s voice in the back garden. The two women were sitting in the sun in old wicker chairs.
Georgia jumped up and gave Chris a hug. ‘We’re enjoying the last of the afternoon sunshine. It’s so sheltered back here.’
‘Hi, Jean, how’re you doing?’
‘I’ll make some tea and coffee, shall I, Jean?’ suggested Georgia.
‘Yes please, dear. You know where the biscuits are.’ Jean turned to Chris as Georgia headed inside. ‘It’s been so lovely having Georgia here. What a wonderful girl. You’re a lucky man.’
‘I know it. Did Georgia take a lot of photos?’
‘Oh, I suppose so, dear. She went for lots of walks. Poor old Moses, my dog, couldn’t keep up and came home. He’s a bit like me. I’m not keeping up as well as I have been.’
‘Are you okay?’ asked Chris anxiously. ‘Anything we can do?’
‘Georgia has done more than enough. In the last couple of days she’s vacuumed rugs and cleaned windows. She’s done a lot of dusting, too. There are so many things I’ve neglected and Georgia’s kindness has only reinforced that. I can’t even pick all the mandarins from my tree. You must take some with you. They’re the best they’ve been for years.’
‘I’m sure you’ve just slowed down in the cold weather. Come spring you’ll blossom,’ said Chris.
‘You know, Chris, Georgia has made me see this place through new eyes. I look back at its past. I like to think of all the memories and family history that is here. Georgia has such fresh young eyes, she keeps seeing the potential of this property.’
‘That’s understandable,’ said Chris.
‘She’s full of ideas. Like the old barn. Georgia suggested that it could be reborn as a lovely family retreat, or a cottage.’
‘Could you rent it out as a farmstay sort of thing, or use it as somewhere for the grandchildren to stay?’
‘Heavens, do you think something like that would work? But I’m not sure I would like to take such a venture on at my age.’
‘You could make a bit of pocket money renting it out,’ said Chris encouragingly.
Chris got up as Georgia appeared and pulled over a cane table for Georgia to set down the tea tray and then she poured Jean a cup of tea.
‘Are you happy with the photos you took?’ he asked her.
‘I think so. I’ve resisted going through them. I’m trying to work by instinct and not be a slave to technology.’
‘Goodness, we were so judicious with the pictures we took with our old Box Brownie. Couldn’t snap away at everything, we would soon have run out of film. And you had to wait a week for the prints to come back to the chemist shop,’ said Jean with a smile. ‘A bit different now. Georgia took hundreds of photos.’
‘But you took enough photos to have a wonderful record of this house and your family,’ Georgia said to her. She turned to Chris and added, ‘Jean is going to lend me her photos so that I can do parallel illustrations. It’s going to make a wonderful book.’ Her voice was filled with enthusiasm.
‘A book! Wonderful idea,’ said Chris. ‘Do you have a good agent who could sell the concept to a publisher? I can recommend one.’
‘Silly! Even if I do get it published, it won’t make me rich, but maybe Jean will be able to get some of her fencing fixed. We’re going fifty–fifty on any profits,’ Georgia explained.
‘My dear, that’s not necessary,’ Jean protested.
‘We agreed to be partners,’ said Georgia firmly. ‘And Jean, this place could do with some work. New fencing, a bit of weeding, that sort of thing.’
Jean shrugged. ‘I know, dear. It’s a shame the land’s not being utilised. There’s seventy acres out there, all the way to the river flats, and it’s being overrun with weeds. My husband was always very particular about invasive species, but I’ve had to let the place go, I’m afraid I just don’t think I have the motivation to do any of that anymore. There comes a time in one’s life when things start to become too much of a problem.’
‘Jean told me that she is thinking of selling up,’ said Georgia.
Chris stared at them. ‘Really? Are you sure, Jean? That’s amazing. This could be quite a perfect solution for someone I know.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Georgia. ‘Who do you know?’
Chris nodded his head, almost laughing. ‘Jean, Mum and her friend David are looking for land somewhere in this area so that David can develop a bush food programme. Quite possibly your property would be suitable. May I suggest they come and see you?’
‘Of course, dear. I’d love to see Susan. And really it might just be the right time for me to move on, although I would be very sorry to leave Applebrook.’
‘David is an agronomist who lives to restore soils and keep creeks clear of weeds and experiment with sustainable crops,’ said Chris. ‘He would take very good care of this land.’
Georgia stared at Chris. ‘What a fabulous idea. I do hope it works out for you all.’
Jean took Chris’s hand. ‘When you’ve been around as long as I have, you learn to trust and simply deal with what life throws you. Maybe this is exactly the right time for me to leave this place.’ She patted his hand. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but Georgia was telling me about what happened with your book, Chris. You’ll see, dear. Something will come along and things will work out as it seems to be for me, and you’ll wonder why on earth you got so upset at the time.’
‘I hope you’re right, Jean,’ said Chris.
Jean smiled and picked up her cup. ‘Oh, I know I am, dear.’
It seemed to Chris that suddenly everyone else had a project, a plan, but he didn’t. He felt raw, exposed and vulnerable. But he tried not to let it show.
Chris missed Georgia madly after she returned to Sydney. Her visit had marked a milestone in cementing their relationship. But Chris wasn’t sure quite what lay ahead for them both, and he decided that it was best just to take things day by day.
Megan returned from Perth full of stories of her adventures. The first evening back she settled on the couch next to Chris while he was reading a book.
‘I missed you, Dad.’
‘I missed you too, sweetie. But you had fun, right?’
‘Yep. Mum and I are besties now.’
‘But haven’t you always been pals with your mother?’ Chris asked.
Megan wriggled a bit, then said, ‘I suppose, but it’s different this time. Now we’re, like, grown-up girlfriends. We talked about everything, even sex.’
‘Did you? That’s good,’ said Chris warily. ‘Do you have any questions you’d like to ask me?’ he added, rather hoping that Jill had covered everything.
‘Are you having a really serious relationship with Georgia?’ Megan asked, earnestly.
Chris paused a moment. He really didn’t want to have to explain his love life to his daughter, but he realised that she had a right to the truth about himself and Georgia.
‘Yes, I am, honey, because we love each other.’
‘Is Georgia going to come and live with us?’ Megan asked.
‘I don’t think so. She has a job in Sydney. What if we moved back to the city?’ he asked suddenly.
‘No way! I’m not ever leaving Neverend. Tell Georgia she has to come up here. O
kay, Dad?’ She jumped up.
‘Sure, I’ll tell her you said so.’
When Chris later told Susan what Megan had said, Susan smiled.
‘That’s all good,’ she said. ‘Megan has settled so well in Neverend now. She knows she has two happy parents, even though they are on opposite sides of the country, and a network of friends around her. She’s found where she likes to be. What about you?’
Chris sighed. ‘I guess I don’t feel quite the same way. I’m glad Jill is happy and that Megan feels secure with us in Neverend, but Mum, let’s face it, I’m hardly doing well financially. I seem to be no further ahead with my career decisions than I was when I first arrived here more than six months ago. And I have no idea where my relationship with Georgia is headed, either.’
‘I don’t suppose Georgia would consider moving to Neverend?’
‘Possibly. She works from home, and I suppose she can travel anywhere to see clients. But that’s not the only factor in play. I want to be able to be at least an equal financial partner in this relationship,’ said Chris. ‘Losing the book deal has pulled the rug out from under me yet again.’
‘Yes, I know things seem bleak at this stage, but I’m sure that will change. Something will turn up,’ said Susan, comfortingly.
Chris was not so sure.
But then a change of luck came out of left field.
Chris and Susan were in Coffs Harbour on a shopping expedition, and they’d just popped into the large supermarket for some groceries when a pleasantly voiced woman, a bit younger than Chris, stopped Susan.
‘Mrs Baxter! How lovely to see you. Remember me? I’m Bronwyn, Allsop. I’m Bronwyn Johnston now, complete with two kids. I was in your class for three years. I mean, they were different classes, not the same one three times over.’ She laughed amiably.
‘Of course, Bronwyn, how lovely to see you. This is my son, Chris,’ said Susan warmly, gesturing to Chris.
Bronwyn nodded. ‘I remember Chris from school, but you were a few years ahead of me, so I don’t suppose you remember me.’
‘But I do know who you are,’ said Chris with a smile. ‘I used to listen to you all the time on local radio. Haven’t heard you lately, though – are you still with the ABC?’
