FOLLOW THE MORNING STAR

by Di Morrissey

  ‘Let’s pool our resources and tackle the blackjack or roulette tables, ten dollar limit,’ one of the boys suggested.

  The casino was a multilevel black glass cube with a gold awning stretching over its entrance. It was set back from the highway in movie-set grounds and Saskia was tempted to feel the plants to check if they were real or plastic. The lobby was filled with peach upholstered furniture, pearl shell vases and matching pot plant tubs and the sound of the chatter, laughter and groans of the gamblers. Car attendants in white uniforms with gold trim and pearl shell buttons supervised parking, and arriving and departing tour coaches. Coffee shops, restaurants and cocktail bars fanned off the lobby and the mezzanine floor. Escalators as well as lifts travelled to the ritzier upper gambling floors.

  The evening passed swiftly. Saskia began to get a little bored and handed the last of her chips to the other girls. ‘I’ve kept a couple of dollars for the taxi home. You carry on, I’m going to have a look around then go. See you.’

  She took the escalator to the upper level where the serious players gambled. The atmosphere was muted here and people were dressed more formally — ties were required for the men and the ladies were not permitted to wear trousers. There seemed to be more security people wandering about as well. Saskia strolled around, taking a glass of champagne off a tray a waiter offered her.

  Bored, she was about to leave when she noticed a small crowd gathered around a roulette table, watching a game where several players had monumental stacks of chips in front of them.

  The croupier was sharp eyed but an even more alert supervisor was at his side. The croupier deftly spun the small ball around the wheel. ‘No more bets ladees and shentlemen.’ Why the fake French accent? wondered Saskia. He looked like a surf-lifesaver.

  There was a minute of tension, all eyes on the spinning wheel and ball. The ball spun into a numbered slot. ‘Trente-neuf. Thirty-nine.’ He raked the chips off the table, swiftly counting the lone winner’s chips and pushing them across the baize. A very large pile of blue chips was joined to similar piles and a murmur of envy went around the people watching. Saskia looked at the small fortune in front of the player and caught her breath. The woman was expensively if flashily dressed, large glittering diamond earrings sparkling against her dark hair. She began counting out more chips, placing small piles on red numbers on the table.

  Saskia studied her. She hadn’t changed too much. She was still very glamorous in a soap opera star way. The light was soft and flattering and her make-up thick but carefully applied, but her sex appeal was undiminished. There was no mistaking her. Aunt Andina.

  Saskia waited till she’d placed her bets and edged around behind her, then bent down. ‘Hello, Dina.’

  Dina spun around and looked blankly at the lovely young girl before her. She was familiar. God, whose daughter was she? They all grew up so quickly. ‘Hello, darling, how are you?’

  Saskia realised she couldn’t place her. ‘It’s Saskia, your niece. Queenie’s daughter. I thought you were in Europe.’ As Dina blinked in surprise Saskia asked hesitantly, ‘How’s Uncle Colin?’

  The croupier was spinning the wheel; Dina turned her attention back to the table. ‘Just a minute.’ She sipped a glass of Chivas Regal at her side as the ball rattled, then jumped into a black slot. Dina sighed as her chips were swept away, then turned back to Saskia.

  ‘I lost.’

  Saskia thought there was a faint accusing note to her voice. ‘Looks like you’ve been winning though. Is Colin here?’

  ‘No. He went home.’

  ‘Home?’

  ‘We’ve just moved up here, my father is living at Broadwater. How is your family?’ Her voice had the steely quality Saskia remembered.

  ‘We’re managing. TR is in hospital; he had a bad riding accident.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.’ Dina lowered her voice. ‘Saskia, I’d love to chat but this is not the place. Here, give me a call some time, we are still getting settled.’ She pulled a small embossed card from her purse and scribbled a phone number on the back, smiled briefly and concentrated on the numbers once more.

  Saskia moved away and turned over the card which read, Camboni Constructions with an address in Southport. Printed below it was Alfredo Camboni, Chairman and an address at Bali Hai Towers, The Waterways.

  Saskia was thoughtful as she waited for a taxi at the front of the casino. She bet her mother didn’t know Colin was back in Australia. Why did he continue to cut them out of his life? From what Saskia had heard about the Camboni in-laws, they wouldn’t be her first choice to throw in her lot with. However, Millie had always told Saskia that Dina ran everything, including Colin.

  Her mother had never told Saskia the full story of the family rift, only saying there was little point in dragging up painful memories. Things had worked out happily in the end — despite Colin. But knowing he was so close kindled her curiosity and Saskia decided she would make contact and depending on how — if indeed he agreed to see her — she was treated, she might or might not tell her mother.

  She had just fallen asleep when the other girls came in, giggling and whispering. The bathroom light went on and Sas was prodded. ‘Hey, Sas, you awake?’ said Sherry.

  ‘Of course I am, who can sleep with you belting me up. What’s happening?’

  ‘We won three hundred dollars!’

  ‘Great! You guys get to buy breakfast.’ Saskia rolled over and was asleep before the other two were ready for bed.

  Saskia rang from a public phone box and was a bit taken aback when Colin answered the phone.

  ‘Er . . . Hello, Uncle Colin. This is Saskia. How are you?’

  ‘Saskia?’ He sounded completely surprised.

  ‘Yes. I ran into Auntie Dina last night, and she gave me this number.’

  ‘You saw Dina last night? Where?’ He still sounded very surprised.

  ‘At the casino. I was there with some girlfriends. Didn’t Dina tell you?’

  ‘Er . . . no. She’s not up yet. Where are you?’

  ‘In Surfers, just for the long weekend.’

  ‘What are you doing with yourself these days? God, you sound so grown up. I’m sorry, that’s a terrible thing to say. I’m just trying to come to grips with the little kid I last saw on a pony now swanning round a casino on the Gold Coast.’

  They both laughed.

  ‘Listen, why don’t you come over tomorrow? Dina’s arranged some lunch do, a buffet on the terrace, but you’d be welcome. Bring your girlfriends if you’d like.’

  ‘They’re busy,’ said Saskia quickly, then on the spur of the moment added, ‘but I’ll come. Where and what time?’

  Colin gave her the address and hung up. He had no particular interest in socialising with a niece with whom he’d had no contact for years, but this was Queenie’s child and instinctively he felt Saskia could prove useful. If he couldn’t get at Queenie directly, he might be able to get at her through her daughter.

  ‘Oh I wish I hadn’t said yes. What am I going to wear? I’ve got nothing flash,’ Saskia wailed as they bobbed in the surf later in the day.

  ‘You could cancel it,’ said Sherry.

  ‘No, he’d know I was making an excuse and was chickening out. Or worse, he might think my mother told me not to go.’

  ‘Hey, buy a new outfit in one of those cool shops in the arcade,’ said Julie.

  ‘I can’t afford those places,’ sighed Saskia.

  Sherry and Julie whispered briefly then Julie said, ‘We’ll buy you something with the money we won’.

  ‘What’s left after that pig-out breakfast,’ laughed Sherry.

  ‘No, no, I couldn’t,’ protested Saskia.

  ‘Well, let’s go look anyway.’ Julie was adamant. They dived beneath a wave and when they surfaced they started discussing the boys they’d met the night before.

  They went shopping that afternoon and Saskia found the ideal outfit. She bought a long white silk beach sarong, its hem hand-painted in a pale and deli
cate ring of shells. It was hanging on a street stall and cost forty-five dollars. Julie and Sherry were dubious but Saskia was pleased. ‘I know exactly what I’ll do with it,’ she smiled.

  The following morning she came back from the beach, showered and rubbed lotion on her skin. She towelled her hair dry and ran her fingers through it to style it, then put on a little make-up, just lipstick and eye shadow. Her thick dark lashes didn’t need mascara, and her skin glowed with health and youth. She then wound the sarong around her body, knotting it above her breasts so she had a white strapless figure-hugging dress. The line of shells followed the curves around her body and she set it off with a dramatic necklace she’d made from shells she and Queenie had once collected on Neptune Island.

  ‘My God, only you would have thought of wearing that like that, Sas. It’s a knockout,’ exclaimed Julie.

  ‘It needs a little final touch,’ said Saskia.

  ‘No earrings, nothing else,’ said Sherry.

  But with a single frangipani flower tucked into the side of her dark curls both girls agreed she looked stunning.

  However, Saskia felt tense and self-conscious as she rang the doorbell of the penthouse. A waiter opened the door and stood back. The large room and terrace seemed to be filled with people who all turned and stared at her. Then Dina was bearing down on her, followed by her father. As she crossed the white carpet, Dina’s smile looked set in cement. She was wearing a scarlet silk pantsuit and a lot of gold jewellery and she suddenly felt much older than she believed she looked.

  ‘Saskia, I’m so glad Colin asked you over,’ Dina said coldly.

  ‘Ciao little one,’ Alfredo Camboni said, making no attempt to disguise his lecherous expression. ‘You have grown into a beauty. A madonna. So pretty, so perfect.’ He embraced her, pressing her body to his. Over his shoulder Saskia saw Colin coming to her rescue. She extricated herself and Colin kissed her lightly on the cheek.

  ‘Come and get a drink and let me be the first to show you off.’ He took her hand and led her away. Dina and her father exchanged a look and followed them.

  Colin had covered his surprise at how stunning Saskia looked. This was not the horse-mad girl he’d been expecting, but a gorgeous nubile young woman. He eyed her body beneath the light silk and visualised her firm lean flesh. Seducing her would be one delightful way to get back at Queenie, but already he could feel Dina’s eyes on him and he knew she was reading his mind.

  Saskia became the immediate hit of the party, the women commenting on how adorable and how darling her dress was. ‘You made your necklace! My, you are so talented, so artistic.’ Some were sincere, some gushed, many of the men leered openly.

  Small groups of men huddled together discussing development projects, investment opportunities, land deals, racing tips and gambling adventures. Their conversation stilled as Saskia was steered about the room. Two of the younger associates made a beeline for her and cornered her, each trying to outdo the other in flattery and to impress her with their credentials of expensive European sports cars and the latest places on the Coast to eat and dance. Was she going to the Magic Millions ball? Had she tried Ambrettas yet? Did she know the De Lancias? Was she going to the party for the Count di Manzonni? Would she like to go?

  Saskia shook her head and laughed. ‘I move in a different world to yours’, and swept away, leaving the young men wondering what social milieu they’d missed out on.

  Lunch was a buffet spread on a long table on the terrace and as people found places to settle themselves to eat, Colin steered Saskia to a quieter corner where only two could fit at a small white wrought-iron table.

  ‘This damn thing wobbles,’ he warned, ‘so don’t be surprised if your lunch ends up in your lap. This place is filled with the most impossible furniture.’

  ‘You and Dina live here?’

  ‘God no. This is Alfredo’s place — the lair of the silver fox. We’re staying here while we decide what we’re doing.’ He looked faintly uncomfortable for the first time. ‘Dina and I only got back from Europe a few weeks ago. We’ve been away a long time. Out of touch.’

  Saskia looked steadily into his face. ‘I noticed.’

  He winced and picked up his glass of wine. ‘Ouch. You’re very like your mother.’ He paused. ‘How is she?’

  ‘Coping. As she always does. TR’s accident has been hard on all of us, but especially on her.’

  ‘Accident? What happened?’ Colin’s heart missed a beat. This could be the opportunity he’d been looking for.

  ‘Dina didn’t tell you?’

  ‘No,’ said Colin, glancing over at Dina who was perched on a bar stool, her legs crossed, the scarlet silk stretched over a bulging thigh, one gold sandal dangling from the tip of her foot. He turned his attention away but Saskia caught the disdainful expression that had flitted momentarily across his face. Briefly she filled him in on TR and what Tango was doing and how Queenie was running Tingulla and Cricklewood.

  ‘What’s happening with Cricklewood? It’s always been undeveloped.’

  ‘You have been away a long time.’ She told him about the stud cattle programme and research they were doing into the new strains of beef cattle.

  He listened with interest, filing away this valuable information. ‘Queenie and TR have got it made, eh?’ he said, not looking so pleased at the thought. ‘And what about the old . . . hierarchy — Millie, Jim and Snowy — are they still around?’

  ‘Of course!’

  ‘Are you going to tell them, or your mother, that you saw me?’

  ‘Do you want me to?’

  ‘Better not open old wounds while your mother is so vulnerable,’ Colin said. He didn’t want Queenie to know he was around. She’d be on her guard and Colin preferred to have the advantage of surprise.

  ‘I often wondered how someone like you could go from being brought up at Tingulla to living in the fleshpots of Europe.’

  ‘A quote from your mother?’

  Saskia pushed salad into her mouth to avoid answering.

  Colin changed the subject. ‘So what are you doing?’

  ‘Studying to be a vet, but now I’m not sure I want to be one. I’m thinking of opting out for a year and maybe starting all over again doing something else outside of uni. But what, I’m not sure.’

  ‘What are you interested in?’

  ‘Horses.’

  ‘Couldn’t you do something specifically with horses and parlay some of your vet’s knowledge into that as well?’ Colin offered Kindly Uncle advice, but it occurred to him Saskia could be a useful pawn against Queenie.

  ‘Would be nice. I’m just so fed up with everything, but I can’t take off and leave Mum while TR is in such bad shape. He can’t even walk.’

  ‘Christ, he must be smashed up pretty bad. But people do come back. I remember some rodeo clowns and riders who got busted and trodden on by a bull and they came back good as gold. Had bits of metal and pins where bones were, but they were tough.’ Colin thought back to the first confrontation he’d had with TR — at Queenie’s twenty-first party. Then later at the McPherson Endurance Ride. TR was tough all right, but in a quiet steely way that could be very deceptive. He was a formidable opponent, but with him out of the way Queenie was even more open to attack.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ Saskia was watching him and Colin realised he’d been quiet for longer than normal.

  ‘Oh, just old stuff.’ He stood quickly. ‘I’m going to get a refill, how’s your drink?’

  ‘Fine thanks.’ Saskia returned to her meal. The food was delicious but she suspected it had all been catered. She couldn’t imagine Dina donning the frilly apron and whipping up this spread. She was no stereotypical Italian mama at home amongst the oregano and tomato paste.

  Colin returned with drinks, insisting Saskia have another. Family business was forgotten as he charmed her with stories of his travels in Europe. Saskia found his company beguiling. He was an intriguing man, but there was something sinister about him. Still, Julie and
Sherry would think her handsome and elegant uncle was to die for.

  Colin was in the middle of an anecdote when Dina interrupted. ‘Darling,’ she smiled, ‘you do have other guests, though I can see Saskia is hanging on your every word. Don’t believe everything he tells you, dear.’

  Colin looked sheepishly at Saskia and followed his wife. They didn’t have the opportunity for another private chat before it was time for Saskia to leave. She went in search of her uncle to say goodbye and found him standing by the bar, Dina clinging to his arm. It was a possessive and defensive gesture and Colin looked uncomfortable. He unhooked her arm as she spoke. ‘But, Saskia, the party isn’t over! We’ll go on till dark and then out somewhere, there are so many places to go on the Coast now.’

  ‘Thank you anyway, Dina. I told my friends I was just going for lunch. We have to pack up, we’re going early in the morning.’ She turned to Colin and impulsively gave him a quick hug. ‘Thanks, Uncle Colin.’

  ‘Call me again,’ he whispered in her ear as he gave her a quick squeeze. ‘Hey,’ he said aloud, ‘I think we can drop the uncle now, it makes me feel ancient.’

  The lift doors hummed open and Saskia walked through the air-conditioned, mirrored lobby, pressed the button to open the security doors, and stepped into the warm air of the street. She took a deep breath and relaxed for the first time since she’d walked into the apartment building. Somehow she knew she’d call Colin again. But what would she tell her mother?

  Twirling the keys to the rental car she started to think how she’d recount the lunch to Sherry and Julie. How would she begin to describe Dina? Thinking of her cream-puff face, Saskia decided Dina had the face of a milkmaid and the tongue of a viper. She began to imitate Dina’s mincing walk and Gina Lollobrigida accent. The girls were going to love it.

  Chapter Eleven

  TR joined a group of patients beneath a spreading poinciana tree in the hospital gardens, giving a strong push to move his wheelchair off the path onto the grass in the shade.