by Di Morrissey
‘Yep, we got a lift along the road, so we hiked up the drive. Pretty amazing place. Sorta what I expected though,’ said Auntie Maud. ‘This lot have had their eyes out on sticks a’ course.’ She grinned at the four silent youngsters who were regarding Millie with expressions of wonder, surprise, and shyness.
‘Righto, pick up your stuff and follow me. I’ll find Queenie, she said if you turned up to put you in the shearers’ quarters till you go out bush. There are a couple of buildings, I’ll put you in the one furthest from Saskia’s mates — the boys’ll be noisy. We gotta wedding and a twenty-first on,’ said Millie leading them around the house.
‘By crikey, we didn’t know that, we’ll head out first thing in the morning. We don’t want t’git in the way,’ apologised Auntie Maud.
‘Listen, please yourselves, but it’s my bet Queenie will want you to stay,’ said Millie. ‘P’raps it might be a different sorta learning time for these kids if you spent the weekend,’ said Millie, noticing the two girls were nudging Auntie Maud to agree.
‘I’ll have t’talk to Queenie ‘bout that. We’ll see, we’ll see,’ Maud told the eager young people.
Jenni had asked Bruce and Ria for a week off before Saskia’s birthday and when they had agreed she flew down to see Tango. Mum Ryan welcomed her to Guneda with warmth and more than a dash of curiosity. She showed her to the guest wing with its own sitting room where bay windows overlooked the picture postcard grounds. Behind the manicured lawns, flowerbeds and shady oak trees, white fences crisscrossed the lush pasture where thoroughbreds and their foals rested and played together. Jenni gazed around the blue and white rooms with Regency wallpaper hung with antique equine watercolour prints.
‘This is lovely. Who did the decor?’ Jenni asked.
‘Queenie and Saskia redecorated a couple of years ago. TR and Tango designed the viewing room, you’ll see that later,’ she smiled. ‘You freshen up and there’ll be coffee or whatever you want on the side verandah. Tango said he’ll see you there when you’re ready.’
Tango had changed from the casual clothes he’d worn to meet her at Scone airport into moleskin pants and his old riding boots. ‘We’ll do the tour after we’ve had morning coffee, okay?’
‘Whatever you say. I can see already Guneda lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful studs in the country.’
Tango agreed. ‘I like the way TR designed this to look as though it’s been here for generations, when actually it was built from scratch by him for Clayton Hindmarsh. A lot of people would probably have done it in mock Kentucky style, but TR has kept to Aussie traditions and taste.’
They set out on foot for the stables and the foaling boxes where a mare had recently given birth. Jenni was fascinated with the streamlined and high-tech facilities and found the beautiful horses quite breathtaking.
‘There must be a lot of money tied up in these animals,’ she remarked.
Tango nodded. ‘You bet. Another reason we don’t take any chances with hygiene, safety or comfort for them. Let’s get in the truck and I’ll take you down to the racetrack and round the back of the property. Tomorrow well go riding.’
‘Not on a racehorse I hope,’ laughed Jenni. ‘But Tango, I don’t want to take you away from your work. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to look after with TR back in the west.’
Tango dropped his arm around Jenni’s shoulders and gave her a small hug. ‘Don’t you worry about that. You showed me Harmony Hill, now it’s my turn.’
In the late afternoon when she’d showered and changed into a skirt and jumper, Jenni joined Tango, Dennis, and several friends and neighbours in what was known as the viewing room. After introductions and drinks had been served, Jenni settled herself on one of the long couches that faced the floor to ceiling glass windows that ran almost the length of the room. An open fire blazed at one end, and at the other several of the men had gathered around the bar.
Jenni turned to one of the young wives seated next to her. ‘Why do they call this a viewing room? I mean, it is a lovely view out there . . . ’ She waved at the neat green lawn, shrubs and trees.
‘It’s an idea of TR’s for selling and showing his horses, look there,’ and she pointed through the glass wall.
Two strappers came into view leading two Arabians across the lawn where they paraded and stopped in the middle of the grassy ring as the group gathered inside admired and discussed the two horses.
‘Beats standing out in the cold,’ said Dennis to Jenni. ‘Though of course, clients still spend time at the stables and the track. But this makes a good first impression.’
‘It certainly does,’ said Jenni. ‘I’m impressed.’
‘Can I get you another drink?’ offered Dennis, turning his wheelchair towards the bar.
‘No thanks, not for the moment. I think I’ll just ogle the horseflesh and pretend I know more than I do,’ said Jenni.
Dennis grinned at her. ‘After the Sweetheart Syndicate’s success at the Gold Coast Cup, next time you’re here it’ll probably be to view and buy another winner.’
‘Wouldn’t that be something,’ laughed Jenni.
Tango came and joined them. ‘Thought you’d like this. At night we floodlight the grounds out there and it looks pretty spectacular. Queenie wants to put in a similar thing at Cricklewood to show off the bulls.’
The buffet dinner Mum Ryan laid out was a superb blend of old-fashioned shepherd’s pie and an exotic version of beef Wellington with truffles. Fresh key lime pie and passion fruit mousse followed for dessert and Jenni sighed to Tango, ‘Do you eat like this all the time? I’m surprised you and TR aren’t the size of a house.’
Tango spooned the last of the mousse from his plate. ‘It’s true. If we let Mum have her way she’d cook up a storm. We try to keep her to simple stuff during the week, but Sunday lunch is always something special. We generally have company, but even if it’s just us, her baked dinners are out of this world. I missed them heaps when I was over with Dingo and TR in the west.’
As they were sitting apart from the rest of the group Jenni asked quietly, ‘Tell me about what happened with TR while you were over there.’
‘What makes you think something happened?’ asked Tango.
‘Because of the way he suddenly rushed over to Harmony Hill, as if he’d come to some decision then changed his mind.’
‘If something happened, I don’t know about it, but I guess he did a lot of thinking out there. So how do things stand between you two?’ asked Tango bluntly. ‘I was going to add, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but frankly, I do want to know.’
‘Why is that, Tango?’
‘I want to know if you’ve got my father into the right perspective in your life. Because I’m getting quite fond of you, Jenni.’
‘Tango, don’t rush me. TR is special to me. And I’m just coming to terms with where he fits into my life. I want to keep him as a friend. I realise we couldn’t have the sort of relationship we both might have wanted at one stage . . . it wouldn’t work and wouldn’t last.’
‘How does he feel?’
‘I think I know how he feels now, but we haven’t talked at length. Perhaps you should talk to him.’
Tango looked unsure. ‘I’ll see. Have to pick my time and see how he feels about you, about Mum, about his life. He’s still not a secure or happy man.’
‘Can you blame him?’ asked Jenni softly.
‘No. But until he straightens out his life one way or another, the rest of us can’t get on with ours.’
‘Let’s give it a little time, Tango,’ said Jenni. ‘And I hope you and I stay friends, no matter what.’
Tango reached out and took her plate from her and kissed her swiftly on the forehead. ‘We will, Jen, we will.’
The next few days passed in a blur of excitement for Jenni. She couldn’t remember when she last spent such active days or laughed so much. Tango had her playing tennis before breakfast, riding and swimming, and following him arou
nd the stud as he checked on training sessions and monitored mares in foal.
As the days went by, Jenni and Tango relaxed more and more with one another and Jenni began to put her feelings for TR into perspective. The more time she spent with Tango, the more she realised that her feelings for him were intensifying. The confusion of the past few months fell away and Jenni finally understood where her future lay.
Towards the end of the week, Tango announced that they were going to a polo match. Mum Ryan packed them an elegant picnic which Tango put in the back of the LandCruiser with the ice cooler of champagne, water and soft drinks, and all his gear. They joined several of Tango’s friends and their families and Jenni, who’d heard so much about the polo social set, found herself amongst a delightful group.
During the lunch break Tango put down his orange juice and asked Jenni to come and see some of the horses with him. ‘I’m changing ponies for the next game, so I want to check some girths and bandages. How did you enjoy the morning’s play?’
‘Fabulous. It was really exciting. Though it seems hard on the horses. Congratulations on your goal, by the way.’
Tango brushed the compliment aside but he looked pleased. ‘My pony turns fast, he put me in the right spot at the right time.’
Even though Jenni didn’t know the intricacies of the game, she had been able to appreciate Tango’s fast and deft nearside cut shot that clicked cleanly against his mallet, shooting the ball straight through the goal as the chukka ended. The crowd had cheered as the score levelled.
‘And what do you think of my friends?’ asked Tango. ‘Some are business people in the district, most own properties around here. I think they all like you.’ He gave her a glad smile.
Jenni blushed slightly. ‘They’re really lovely. I feel so at ease with them. They’re not the snobs I’d heard about at all.’
‘Ah, this is a real game, not a social one. We all come to see the match, not be seen by others,’ chuckled Tango. He linked his arm through hers as they walked, and gave her a friendly squeeze. ‘Reckon you could cope with life round here?’
Jenni looked up and gave him a quick smile. ‘Depends. On quite a few things. But I’m having a lovely time. Thank you.’
Impulsively Tango leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. Then he drew her face to his and kissed her lightly on the mouth. It was a tender kiss that lingered like a butterfly on a flower, but it was sensual too, with a hint of arousal kept in check. It was a kiss that sealed a friendship. Aware they were approaching people near the horses, they drew apart. Jenni knew something had happened between them, but there was no rush. They had lots of time to explore this delicate, new awareness that had begun to blossom.
Saskia drove home in her new Toyota LandCruiser bought with her race winnings and flew through the house like a tornado. She fell in love with the baby camel and named her Lalla, then she phoned Dingo, who said he and TR were flying over and they’d see her tomorrow night.
That night Henri phoned from New York and spent a long time talking to Queenie and caught up on the progress of her fashion enterprise.
‘There’s tremendous interest already,’ she told him. ‘There was a preview in the Australian colour magazine and we’re getting orders and enquiries from everywhere. It seems to have captured everyone’s imagination. The nostalgia attached to the wool industry is tremendous and there seems to be a feeling that wool will come good again. Australia and wool are synonymous and the loyalty goes from graziers to mums who knit. We’ve tapped into a nerve that runs from the city to the country. If we lose our wool industry we lose part of our heritage, so Tingulla Fashions has come along at the right time. It’s not just us making wool and leather gear, but offering a way out and forward for lots of others involved in the industry,’ said Queenie, then laughed lightly at her passionate speech.
‘So your company offers new and practical solutions. No industry can continue living in the past, doing things as they’ve always been done,’ agreed Henri. ‘And I would say having your Countess Magda up front is a terrific PR coup.’
‘Sarah has outdone herself again,’ said Queenie. ‘She’s got a film crew coming up here to film me and Tingulla as well — the source of the inspiration, she calls it! And tickets to the launch are like hen’s teeth. Which is great because the money raised is going to Auntie Maud’s Kui House project. In fact, Maud’s here now with some of her kids.’
‘Sounds like you have your hands full. And TR?’ asked Henri gently.
Queenie sighed. ‘He and Dingo arrive tomorrow. I’m hoping all this togetherness will bring back some of the happy times. He wanted to be on his own. And now that physically he is almost better I’m hoping we can get on with our life together as best we can.’
‘I hope things work out for you, Queenie. You know I’m here should you need me.’
‘I know, thank you, Henri. You are such a dear friend.’
Henri changed the subject. ‘Now, get me the birthday girl, I have to tell her what her present is, I can’t send it exactly.’
‘I’m glad to hear that! You wouldn’t believe the stuff that has been turning up here. Dingo sent a camel and two girlfriends sent her a canoe for paddling up and down the river!’
Saskia spoke to Henri and then danced into the sitting room, clapping her hands together. ‘Mum, listen to what Henri has given me — a month in New York! Flying me over, I can stay in his apartment, and see the sights and some shows. Can you believe it?’
‘Darling, how wonderful,’ said Queenie smiling at her exuberant daughter.
‘And I suppose we get to babysit Miss Lalla?’ said Millie with a wink.
The next morning Tango and Jenni drove in from Guneda. Tango rushed into the house to find Saskia. Hugging her, he announced her present was round the back with Jenni. Calling Queenie he led them out to where Jenni waited with his gift.
They all stopped and stared and Saskia was speechless. Jenni was holding the most beautiful little colt she’d ever seen. His red-gold coat glinted in the morning sun, his long creamy mane and tail looked like spun silk, and in the centre of his forehead was a perfect white star.
‘Happy Birthday, Sas,’ said Tango gently as Jenni led the little horse forward. Saskia hugged her brother tightly, too overcome to speak.
Queenie went to the horse and stroked him. ‘You’re a beautiful creature,’ she said softly.
‘I love his long legs, he looks like a ballet dancer. Everyone at Guneda says he has champion written all over him. Young Dennis made Tango promise he could come and see him whenever he liked,’ said Jenni.
Saskia was so overwhelmed by excitement, surprise and happiness that she was almost in tears. ‘He’s just so beautiful and has such loving gentle eyes. Oh, Tango, are you sure you want to part with him?’
Millie appeared behind them with her hands on her hips. ‘What’s this? This place is gettin’ like a zoo!’
Guests began to assemble at Tingulla and there were people everywhere. Millie and Auntie Maud made endless batches of tea and scones and the house was filled with laughter and young people. Ruthie and Ernie drifted shyly through the groups, both nervous about the coming nuptials and being the centre of so much attention.
The arrival of Dingo and TR was low key. They drove up in the early evening and walked into the house. Jenni spotted them and hurried over to give them both a hug. Millie pounced on them at the same time and Queenie turned at the sound of Dingo’s hearty laugh. Her heart constricted at the sight of TR and she went towards them. Dingo kissed her and was dragged away by Millie to meet Maud.
TR gave a half smile and kissed Queenie on the cheek. ‘Looks like a bit of a full house. You got everything under control?’ he asked. She nodded and he gazed about him. ‘I’ll just drop my bag and get into the thick of it,’ he joked, moving away.
He dropped his bag in the room downstairs and while Queenie had hoped he might have gone to their bedroom upstairs, she realised she mustn’t push matters right at the moment. There wo
uldn’t be any point in talking to him about their future until after everyone had left. A knot formed and stayed in the pit of her stomach as she wondered just what TR planned to do about their future.
After their initial greeting, Queenie and TR were never alone, and Queenie wondered if he had made sure this was the case. She caught him watching her from time to time, but she couldn’t read the expression in his steady blue eyes.
The Friday night turned into Ernie’s bachelor farewell party and what was dubbed the preparty party. Tables were set along the verandah for a cold supper of ham, roast beef and salads. Alf had insisted on doing it all with help from the four Aboriginal kids and had given Millie and Maud the night off. ‘I’ll have these kids trained as sous chefs before you know it,’ he declared.
Jim settled down with a beer where Dingo was holding court, commenting, ‘Millie and her new mate haven’t stopped talkin’ since they met’.
Indoors Saskia, Jenni and Tango began playing the old Pianola, singing all their grandparents’ favourites. Snowy sat quietly in the shadows, nodding and smiling to himself and occasionally dropping off to sleep. TR sat halfway along the verandah between the main group and the young people in the music room. Queenie moved between all of them, attending to last-minute details, too tense to relax.
Coming downstairs after helping Ruthie lay out her wedding gown and pack a bag for the honeymoon — a week on Neptune Island courtesy of Alf — Queenie saw TR drift into the music room. She went in after him and, going to the little set of drawers next to the games table, she took out a small silver harmonica and handed it to him. He stared at it blankly then looked at her, puzzled.
‘See if you can play it,’ she prompted.
He shrugged and nestled it in his hand and lifted it to his lips as Tango started to pedal the Pianola and the strains of ‘Danny Boy’ filled the room. The harmonising sweet sounds of the little harmonica blended with the music as TR closed his eyes and played with the natural skill and gift he’d always had. In his mind’s eye he saw this scene again — he was playing this same song at the piano, and standing opposite him was a young Queenie in a silvery dress with jasmine flowers in her long hair.
