Tessa came out of the office, a worried look on her face.
‘What’s wrong, love?’ Peggy asked, wiping her hands on a tea towel.
‘Did Harrison tell you Joe was paying for someone in a hospice?’
Peggy shook her head. ‘Sounds like you two were rather busy over there for twenty-four hours!’ she said in an undertone. ‘You still haven’t told me what happened.’
Tessa blushed. ‘I’m still amazed anything has happened. I’ve noticed him a few times since I’ve been home, but never thought . . . It’s obviously very new and we’ll take things really slowly. I didn’t think he could possibly be interested in me. I thought the age gap at the very least would be a stumbling block.’ She shrugged. ‘But Harrison didn’t see it that way. He’s very persuasive!’
‘He’s a good man, Tessa. He’s been a friend of the family’s for a long time and he’s very important to us. If it works, you’ll be a very happy girl. And we’d be so happy to have you out here. You know he won’t leave the station, don’t you?’
‘I know. I feel safe with him. I feel, I don’t know, alive or something!’
‘I think you’d be very good for each other. I was only saying to your father a couple of weeks ago that you’d make a good match.’
Tessa stared at her mum. ‘Good on you! And what did Dad say?’
‘He said,’ she made quotation marks, ‘“Leave them to work it out, Peg. They’ll get to it when they’re ready. Do not,” and he gave me that stare only he can give, “Do not interfere!”’
‘So you guys had it all worked out before Harrison and I did? Oh, great!’
‘Did they?’ Harrison walked in with a quizzical look on his face.
‘Old folk’s intuition,’ Peggy said with a smile.
Tessa grinned at Harrison as he put his arm around her shoulders. ‘‘Steady with the “old” bit,’ he grinned good-naturedly. ‘Next time you’ve got a good idea like that, maybe you should tell us a little sooner. We could have got our act together much more quickly!’
Tessa turned to Harrison. ‘I spoke to the hospice – it’s so sad.’
‘What is?’
‘Joe’s got a disabled sister. Her name’s Susannah and she’s had brain damage since she was a child. When their parents couldn’t manage her anymore, they put her into a hospice and once they died, Joe took on making the payments. I bet that’s why he was growing all the marijuana. To help pay the bills, because it’s really expensive.’
Shock crossed Peggy’s face. ‘Growing what?’
‘Oh, we haven’t told you that bit yet.’ Tessa slapped her forehead. She told the story, with Harrison adding small pieces.
Peggy’s disbelief was evident.
‘Anyway, he would never have been able to afford those fees on his station hand’s wage,’ Harrison finished. ‘But what I want to know is, how did he get it to the buyer? He never went off the place.’
Tessa shrugged. ‘Trucks? Gave it to someone? Who knows, but he obviously managed it. The lady said there is a trust fund set up, so if something happened to Joe, Susannah would be cared for until she died. She’s nearly seventy-eight, so,’ Tessa left the word hanging in the air. Maybe there wouldn’t be too much longer.
Paul clattered up the steps.
‘Evening all,’ he said then did a double-take as he saw Harrison with his arm around Tessa’s shoulder. ‘About bloody time. I’m just going to wash my hands. Who wants a beer?’ He walked out of the room before anyone had a chance to say a word.
Tessa and her mother exchanged wide grins.
That night, as Harrison and Tessa lay in bed, she told him all about Spider’s letters and diaries and what she had discovered about Tom and her suspicions.
‘Do you think Violet could have been in love with Ali?’ Harrison asked.
‘No, I’m sure she wasn’t. She would have been, what? Fourteen? She might have had a crush or something, but nothing would have been acted on. Tom can’t have been her child.’ Tessa ran her fingers over the outside of the diaries. ‘Maybe he was Ali’s child and for some reason he left him with Violet?’
‘I think you’re clutching at straws,’ Harrison said, his fingers circling her bare shoulder. ‘Why don’t you get the rest of the letters and we’ll have a look at them together.’
Tessa jumped out of bed. She ran into the kitchen, grabbed the letters then ran back again. Her body was covered with goosebumps. ‘Brrr. It’s getting cold at night now,’ she said.
Harrison grabbed the doona and wrapped her up in it. Then they sat together and read out loud.
‘This is from Elsie to Violet in 1937, so she would have been – Elsie – I mean . . . twelve? Somewhere around that, anyway.’ Tessa cleared her throat.
Dear Violet,
We made it to Perth on the train. There are people everywhere and they all seem in such a hurry. Quite strange after the stillness of Danjar Plains. Still, I guess it was busy there, too, a different type of rush. Building and making things better.
The cars whip down the streets and people run across the roads to catch trams. You must bring Tom to the city and see these things – they’re electric! They make such a noise, clattering and banging all the time, but they are fun to ride on.
I miss reading to you, Violet, and doing the lessons you had me do. It was a lot more fun learning out there than it is here, in a classroom.
Love,
Elsie
‘Okay, so we know Elsie had been here in 1937,’ Harrison said and made a note.
Dear Violet,
Mum told me tonight that Dad is coming back out to help Len on the station. I’m really sad we couldn’t come too. But Mum says I must do proper lessons. I miss the horses and the sheep. Did you buy any cattle?
Love,
Elsie
‘And another from Elsie, but it really doesn’t say very much,’ Tessa said, scanning it quickly. ‘Neither does the next one, just stuff about living in Perth. Okay, so there isn’t any info there.’
She riffled through the pages and read a few more out. After ten minutes, Harrison had had enough.
‘Righto,’ he said, taking the lead. ‘Let’s leave it for now.’ He took the letters out of her hands and put them on the floor. Then he gently pushed her back against the pillows. ‘Whatever the secret is, Violet kept it hidden for a long time. A few more hours isn’t going to hurt. We’ll solve it tomorrow. What do you say?’
‘Kiss me,’ she answered, and gave herself up to him.
Chapter 32
‘I’m going back to the start,’ Tessa said as she spread Violet’s letters to Grace across the lounge room floor. ‘Got to get them all lined up in date sequence.’
Harrison looked at her, bemused. ‘I reckon I might go for a drive with Paul,’ he said. ‘I’m happy to help you, Tessa, but I gotta get out of the house. I don’t do very well inside for long periods of time.’
Tessa looked up. ‘Shit, I’m sorry! I didn’t think. I’ve been making you deal with my stuff, and ignored all the things you’ve got to do.’
‘It’s not a chore, but while we’re on the subject, I need to head home tomorrow. My employees will be wondering what the hell is going on! I’ve hardly been there since the Muster. Good thing we can talk on the radio.’ He reached for his sparkly hat and put it on his head. ‘And Cally gets back at the end of the week so I’ll have to go into Kal and pick her up.’
‘Did you want me to come?’
He shook his head. ‘I think I need to tell her about us by myself. I don’t think she’ll react badly, but I need to make sure she is fine with it all before you guys catch up.’
‘Oh. Well, whatever you think.’ Tessa turned away to hide her hurt.
‘Tessa, Tessa, Tessa! You’re such an open book! I’m not shutting you out, but it’s been just me and Cally for a long time. She’ll need a while to get used to it. You guys can chew the fat when she’s been home for a bit and you come over.’
‘Okay.’ She rubbed her face, but w
hen her hands came away, she was smiling. ‘I know, I know.’ She held her hands up in defeat. ‘It makes sense, but I’m going to miss you!’
Harrison held out his hand and pulled her up. ‘Make no mistake, Tessie, I want you with me all the time.’ He kissed her, spun her around and let go.
‘I guess we’ve got things to get in place, haven’t we? Once I’ve wound all of this up.’ She waved her hand at the house. ‘And you’ve got your blokes to organise and work to do.’ She nodded her head. ‘But we’ll make it work, won’t we?’
‘Too right. And you don’t have to hurry,’ Harrison pointed out. ‘Mundranda and I aren’t going anywhere. Stay here as long as you like, there is no pressure from me. In fact, I’m sure Violet would have wanted you to live here until it’s time to move on.’ He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
They heard the rumble of the ute as Paul pulled up and beeped the horn.
‘How did Dad know to come and get you?’ Tessa asked, her hands on her hips. ‘Did you ask him last night?’
‘Ah, maybe! See you soon, darlin’.’ Harrison headed out the door, stopping only to pull on his boots.
After he’d gone, Tessa sat on the floor with a silly smile on her face, thinking about all that had happened. The she shook herself. ‘Come on, girl,’ she chastised. ‘Pull yourself together.’
She turned back to the letters.
September 1947
Dear Grace,
Today it’s been sixteen years since you left. When it first happened, I kept thinking you’d walk back in the door, pick up Tom and laugh at my tears. But you haven’t and I know you won’t. He’s such a strapping lad now. And he loves the land with his whole being.
V
. . .
January 1948
Dear Grace,
Tom has been working so hard over the last few months, I decided it was time for him to have a holiday. I took him to Esperance. He loved the sea, although he has been there before. The last time we went, I had William with me. He adored taking Tom swimming near the jetty and he fixed up a fishing rod for him to use.
This time I took him fishing, but I can’t abide swimming. There is always seaweed tugging at my ankles and I’m frightened something will grab me and pull me under. Now you must promise never to tell anyone that! I have never once admitted to being scared and I never will – except to you!
Love,
V
. . .
February 1948
Dear Grace,
The fires have started – our first dry thunderstorm was three days ago. Uncle Sam has ridden out to see how far away the fire is, but I can smell the smoke. Len isn’t here – he’s off on one of his excursions but the other brothers are all fine. Aunty Margaret is looking much older. I don’t think the sun agrees with her.
Love,
V
Tessa put down the letter. ‘Aunty Violet,’ she spoke out loud. ‘This is boring. What are you trying to tell me?’ Frustrated, she got up and walked around the room. She stopped and looked out of the window. Dozer was sleeping in the sun and there was a gentle breeze blowing. The blue skies beckoned her so she pulled on her boots and went out into the sunshine.
Her feet took her to the cemetery where she stopped at the foot of Aunty Spider’s grave. The clouds scurried across the sky, carried by the brisk southerly winds. As Tessa looked up, she realised the light wasn’t as harsh as it had been when she’d first arrived. The seasons were definitely changing.
As was she.
‘I know you can’t hear me, but I wish you could. I found the letters and I haven’t finished reading them yet. I still can’t work out what you’re trying to tell me.’
She sat down. Dozer, who had finally caught up with her, nosed in under her arm. ‘And I’ve got some other news, Spider. Harrison and I, well, we’re sort of together.’ Tessa looked up as a magpie burst into song. It was loud and melodic, and she sat as still as she could so as not to frighten the bird away. Finally it stopped singing and Tessa watched as it flew down from the tree and hopped over towards her. Its brown eyes watched curiously then, without warning, it spread its wings and flew away.
Tessa sat peacefully, enjoying the sun on her skin, then she turned back to the grave. ‘If I didn’t know better, Spider, I would have thought you’d just given your blessing.’
She stayed there a moment or two longer, then got up, dusted off the seat of her shorts and headed home again.
November, 1957
Dear Grace,
They’re all gone. All the brothers and Uncle Sam. All killed before their time. All accidents on the station. Aunty Margaret has gone to live in Perth, now – she didn’t want to be out here anymore. She wanted to go to Adelaide at first, but with a little persuasion, she decided on Perth. It’s a much better place for her. Elsie goes to visit and Aunty’s letters, although still full of sadness, contain hints that she will be all right. If you can believe this, she’s joined a bowling club! And Dad is there too. He visits Aunty Margaret often, as he should, since she’s his sister!
Grace, do you ever get angry with what happened to you? And Mum. After all, her death was the whole reason we came out here in the first place. It was the start of our lives out here. If she hadn’t become pregnant, hadn’t died, we’d probably all still be in Adelaide, still be alive.
Have you ever asked, why me? Because I’m finding myself doing that more and more, in the early hours of the morning when there is no one awake except me and the howling dingoes.
Why was William slain, fighting a war we didn’t start? Why were our brothers killed by the land they loved and worked so hard for?
Tom never seems to question anything. He is accepting and takes everything that happens with a shrug of his shoulders. He asks about you, though. He always has, especially when he was younger – nine or ten. And I tell him as much as I dare.
Love,
V
. . .
February, 1960
Dear Grace,
Tom has been on holidays to Kalgoorlie. Oh how happy I was when I finally saw his Vanguard ute trundling down the driveway, for I missed him. But it wasn’t only him who came back. He has brought a wife! Her name is Lucy and she’s a dear thing. Her family have stations much further north than we’ve ever been, so she is used to the lifestyle and work. She has dark hair and the prettiest smile. Hopefully before long there will be another baby in our midst.
I wish I had known Tom had these plans. I can’t say I’m not slightly hurt he married without me there to see it, but I must be practical. If I wasn’t here, who would have looked after the waters? As you know, the summer is unrelenting and if a trough went dry, well, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
I guess the main reason I was so sad not to have known was because I had always intended to give the rings to him when he wanted to marry. They are his.
But then it opens a whole new can of worms. How much should I tell him? I can’t decide, and you’re not here to guide me. So, for the moment, I’ll be quiet, until I see a different way. Of course that means the rings will still stay with me.
Love,
V
Tessa found herself breathing hard. The rings! Finally there was a link. Frantically she turned over the page.
December, 1960
Dear Grace,
Right in the middle of shearing, baby Paul arrived. Oh, he looks so much like Tom did when he was born.
But there is much to do. I must shed up and take the shorn ewes away. And, of course, get the shearers their tea. I never did like anyone else in the kitchen.
But I just had to tell you, darling sister, you are a grandmother.
Whoa. What?
‘Hi, darlin’. I’m back!’ Harrison walked through the door, a smile on his dirty face. ‘What’s wrong?’ He rushed over to her.
Tessa’s face was pale.
‘Grace,’ she managed. ‘Grace.’ She shook the letters at him. ‘I don’t know it all, but it’s got something to do with Grace.
Look here.’ Her hands trembled as she turned back through the letters, desperate to find the pages she was looking for. ‘See here, a mention of the rings. And here, she can’t work out how much to tell Tom and down here, oh Lordy, down here, Harrison, read this! Read it.’ She thrust the page at him.
Taking it with one hand, he kept the other firm on her shoulder, and read the letter.
‘Okay, so Grace was Tom’s mother,’ he said finally. ‘I don’t get it, Tessa. What’s the problem with that?’
‘It means we are who we thought we were. I was so frightened we weren’t! I’d imagined that Tom had just been raised with the Mathisons but wasn’t their child. Which would have meant we weren’t who we thought we were. But we are!’
Harrison stayed quiet. Waiting for her to go on.
‘I knew Tom wasn’t one of the brothers. I think I told you, in all the diaries she always said “the brothers and Tom”. So I worked that bit out. Then I realised he was darker than the rest of them and this Ali, the cameleer, started to come into it. So I’m putting two and two together here. If Grace was Tom’s mum, I’m betting everything that Ali was his dad. So it still means Dad, Ryan and I are who we thought we were, sort of. I mean, we’re not completely Mathisons because of the Afghan link, but we’re still Mathisons! Am I making any sense?’ She looked up at him.
‘I think I’ve got you,’ Harrison said, grinning at her excitement and shock.
‘And I reckon I’ve worked out why it would have been such a big secret. This was in the days of the White Australia policy. If people found out Grace was having a relationship with a man who wasn’t white, she may well have been made an outcast.’
‘Yeah, that would have caused a big kerfuffle,’ Harrison agreed. ‘I remember Violet saying once it upset her how anyone who wasn’t white was so badly treated. She obviously had actual experience of it.’
‘Have I shown you the rings?’
‘No.’
Tessa raced into the bedroom to get them. When she came back, Harrison was holding another letter.
‘See?’ she said, opening the box to show him. ‘Aren’t they beautiful? And look at the engraving inside.’ She took out one of the rings and held it up to the light. It sparkled like new. ‘What a history behind them! What a love there must have been!’
Silver Clouds Page 25
