by Di Morrissey
‘Is he a local?’
‘Is now. Came up here when he was widowed and worked with the group that regenerated the Brush. Have you seen what they’ve done?’
‘It’s amazing. I remember the Brush as a dark, creepy place, vines smothering the old trees, full of flying foxes and it stank. It wasn’t a big tourist attraction when my grandfather took me there.’
Lara had taken a brief walk through the Brush after she’d arrived. She strolled along the new wooden pathway through the cleared undergrowth and neatly labelled trees. It was a tourist attraction and without the smothering canopy of vines the Brush was lighter, airier, cleaner but for Lara it had lost the spooky, smelly magic she remembered.
‘Get Carter to tell you what they did to save the Brush . . . they pioneered a rainforest regeneration method that’s recognised and followed all over the world. When you settle in up here you’ll have to take your grandson through. It’s a popular school project.’
‘I’m going back to Sydney to pack up a few things. I’ve arranged to rent my grandparents’ old house in Cedartown from the Clerks. Very serendipitous, can you believe it?’ said Lara.
‘Serendipitous? Now that’s a word I like to hear.’ The man Patricia had led her to gave a big smile.
‘Carter, this is Lara Langdon. She’ll be living up this way for a month or so.’
‘How do you do?’ Lara shook his hand noting his warm smile and deep blue eyes. He had unruly curling hair speckled with grey and was a solid build. She could imagine him doing something powerful like whacking down trees, but his voice and manner were gentle.
‘I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your daughter yet. Henry and Patricia tell me she’s an artist?’ he said as Patricia excused herself. Her strategy at parties was to make one formal introduction and then everyone was on their own.
‘That’s the plan. The reason she moved up here,’ said Lara.
‘And you? Why are you only visiting for a month? It will take you more than a month to explore the area.’
‘Oh, it’s a long story.’ Lara was evasive. This was a social occasion. It was all too hard to explain. She wasn’t sure why she was continuing this search that drew her to the valley.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to pry. But you did mention something serendipitous . . .’
Lara smiled and relaxed. ‘Well, I was born here. Moved away when I was young and now I’m suddenly seeking answers to a few questions in the family history. And strangely enough my grandparents’ old home is available to rent, well, house-sit at least.’
‘Ah, not so strange. I’d take that as a good omen. Then you probably know the valley better than me.’
‘I doubt that. We lived in town. But what brought you here originally, the Brush?’
‘Can I replenish your drink? Why don’t we sit down?’ he suggested.
‘Is it that long a story?’ she laughed. But Lara was glad to sit down. She could see Dani with Angela, Tony and several other young people. She noticed a handsome man to one side watching Dani.
While Carter went to get the drinks a woman sat down beside Lara. ‘Hello. I’m Natasha. I’ve been talking to Henry. He says you’re doing your family history.’
‘Not quite. Well, I’ll see. It’s strange being back in a place you only remember from childhood,’ said Lara.
‘Oh, my. You’re lucky.’ Natasha paused as Carter refilled Lara’s glass and proffered the bottle to Natasha. ‘Thanks, no, I don’t drink.’
‘Natasha, this is Carter,’ said Lara.
‘Sorry, have I taken your seat here?’ asked Natasha.
‘Not at all, I’m acting bartender,’ said Carter diplomatically, giving Lara a look that said, we’ll catch up later.
‘You didn’t grow up here then?’ said Lara to the woman who was slim and dark, probably about sixty. ‘Actually, with your name and looks you could be a ballerina.’
‘I am of Russian ancestry. I came here as a kid. I’ve been doing my family history . . . only recently though.’
There was something in her voice and demeanour that suggested to Lara a sense of pain. ‘It’s a shame we only start to ask questions at this stage of our life isn’t it?’ Lara’s intuitive response hit a nerve in the woman beside her.
‘Oh God, if only I’d known sooner. I always had a sense there was a family secret. But growing up here, the war, events in Russia, it was all in the past. My mother died quite suddenly when she was in her fifties and it wasn’t till my father . . . well, the man I thought was my father, was dying that he told me he was my stepfather. That my father had died when I was a baby. It was such a shock. And what was so awful was that I was relieved. I always felt so guilty that I never felt close to him.’
‘News like that must be hard to take in,’ said Lara quietly, a little stunned at Natasha’s vehemence.
‘Trust your instinct. I went back to Russia and started searching. I didn’t even know my real father’s name! No one would tell me anything. I found an old aunt, well, step-aunt, and she quite matter-of-factly told me what she knew.’ Natasha drew a breath, ‘And that was, my stepfather killed my father. Shot him during the Stalinist purges or something.’ She shook her head. ‘How could my mother marry the man who killed the father of her child? It haunts me. Mostly because I can’t track down any paperwork, it’s all gone.’
When Lara didn’t answer, but just sat there looking at the distressed woman, Natasha took her hand. ‘I’m sixty years old and I feel like a little girl who’s lost her daddy. Family secrets, be prepared. Everyone has them.’
‘I suppose there are always surprises in a family,’ Lara said carefully. Looking around she saw Carter watching and when he saw her pleading expression he came towards her.
‘Back again. Can I steal Lara? I’d like to introduce her to someone.’
‘Of course.’ Natasha rose. ‘Sorry to monopolise you.’ She squeezed Lara’s hand. ‘Good luck.’
As they reached a far corner of the patio, Lara drew a breath. ‘Phew, thanks for that.’
‘You looked a little desperate.’
‘Poor woman. She was a bit intense.’
Dani suddenly appeared at Lara’s side. ‘You okay?’
‘Fine, darling. This is Carter Lloyd, my daughter Danielle. I just had a woman pour out some of her deep family secrets,’ explained Lara.
Dani looked at Carter. ‘That’s my mother. As soon as people meet her, they pour out their life story.’
Carter laughed. ‘I was just about to do the same thing. Now, I’ve heard a bit about you. What are you going to be painting while you’re here? Plenty of great scenery in our valley.’
‘I’m looking at some of Isabella Kelly’s country,’ said Dani neutrally.
‘Pretty country. Shame it’s going to be built on.’
‘What do you know about it? Do you know Jason Moore and his development?’ asked Dani, curious about his reaction.
‘No, I don’t, though Patricia said she invited him today, so I’m looking forward to a chat,’ said Carter. ‘If the deed has to be done, well, at least it’s sounding as sensitive as these things can be. I’m only going on what Patricia told me,’ he added.
Dani continued before Lara could mention Dani would be working for Jason. ‘Do you know Isabella’s country well?’ she asked.
‘Carter is the head of National Parks and Wildlife,’ interjected Lara.
‘Oh, I’m just one of many,’ said Carter. ‘But, yes, I know the area quite well. What are you after? I know where there’s an ancient red cedar that somehow escaped the old timbermen. And some of us eager axemen later on.’
‘I don’t know how the cedar-getters got in to find those trees when they were in such thick and rugged country,’ said Lara.
‘When the cedar leaves turn red after winter it’s a dead giveaway. Getting the logs out was the hardest,’ said Carter.
‘You were cutting down trees?’ asked Dani.
Carter nodded. ‘I grew up in a rural city built on wheat
and sheep, conservation wasn’t known then. I heard about a scholarship with the Forestry Commission and as I was a Queen’s scout, liked hiking and the bush, I thought getting a tertiary education at the Forestry Commission’s expense, being indentured and working as a field officer in the bush, sounded pretty good. Bring it on! A young man’s adventure. So, yes, I did my share of ringbarking trees while I was working with the logging crew.’
‘Before all the save the rainforest protests?’ asked Lara.
‘When the first greenies appeared and started having a go at us we thought they should be shot. We were the professionals.’ He laughed heartily.
‘So what converted you?’ asked Lara. ‘I assume you’re of a different mind now.’
‘I was sent out to work logging, wood chipping, mowing down rainforest species for veneer, but I was in areas worked over before. Then I was sent to open up Bearing Tops and I was exposed to beautiful virgin bush and it struck me stuff like that wasn’t easily renewable. And with the start of the protest movement I began to pay a bit more attention to what the National Parks was doing.’ He paused. ‘Forestry had no plans for the future, for sustainability, for preserving Aboriginal artifacts, animal habitats, providing tourist facilities while still supplying timber.’ He shrugged. ‘I started to look at things differently. In short, I defected.’
‘So why is there still such controversy?’ asked Dani.
‘Blame politicians and industry. They’ve reduced the amount of land for logging but not the quotas. When people find out what’s really happening in New South Wales it’ll be too late. And the sad thing is we’re all too scared to speak out in public. Job security, families and so on.’
‘But that’s shocking,’ exclaimed Lara.
‘That’s life now, unless a whistleblower speaks up,’ said Dani while spotting Jason Moore smiling at her. She quickly excused herself. ‘Oops. Someone I must see, excuse me.’ She left Carter and her mother settling themselves at one of the tables laden with snacks. Dani could see her mother had her old TV news documentary hat on as she and Carter continued their discussion in earnest.
Jason greeted Dani warmly. ‘You’ve been quite the social butterfly. You seem to know a lot of people.’
Dani knew he’d been trying to catch her eye. ‘People are so friendly and hospitable, don’t you think?’ she said, noticing Jason didn’t have his girlfriend’s dog with him this time.
‘It is a sociable community, but there’s still networking of a kind going on,’ he said glancing around. ‘It’s just more down to earth than in a city. It’s not about name dropping, real estate prices, parties or sport, but cattle prices, who’s found a good fishing spot, who needs a hand doing something, who’s got something to sell. Country life,’ he said.
She couldn’t tell if he was being facetious or if it was a casual observation. ‘Not like Sydney society. Do you miss it?’
‘Not at all. Do you?’
‘I was never part of it to any great extent,’ said Dani. ‘It was more my husband’s scene.’
‘Same here. I have to read the Sunday social pages to find out what my girlfriend has been up to during the week. So, have you come to a decision? Or do you want to discuss the job tomorrow?’
They were standing apart from the main group clustered around the barbecue where Henry was serving his home-grown meat.
‘I’ve thought about it, carefully, as I did have a lot of reservations. And I’ve decided that, yes, I would like the job.’
Before she could go on, he grasped her hand, pumping it enthusiastically. ‘Great! I’m really pleased, Dani. I think you’ll get a lot out of it. I hope you will. What I mean is, that you’ll get involved, your paintings will get exposure, I feel sure this is going to work positively for both of us. Can you come in tomorrow?’
Dani was a bit taken aback at his robust enthusiasm. ‘Ah, yes, I will. I still have a lot of questions and I need to walk over some of the land. By the way, do you know Carter Lloyd?’
‘I know of him, we’ve been dealing with his local deputy. I’d like to meet him, he’s a bit of a legend. You have been making inroads into the local community.’
Dani had to smile to herself. ‘Like you said, this is a sociable community. And everyone knows about Birimbal and has an interest in what you’re doing.’
That’d be right,’ he admitted. ‘Well, we can discuss this tomorrow. Round nineish?’ He glanced around once more. ‘Are you here with friends?’
‘My mother. She’s been up for a few days. I’d better go and see how she’s doing.’ Dani excused herself before Jason Moore could ask to meet Lara. For some reason she was uncomfortable at the idea. She looked around and spotted Garth from the historical society talking to Henry.
Henry lifted his arm, signalling to her. Dani picked up a plate to get her food.
‘Try a steak, Dani, you won’t need a knife, tender as butter.’ Henry slapped a piece of meat on her plate. ‘Salad and you-name-it on the table. A spud and a sausage too?’
‘No, thanks, this looks wonderful. Hello, Garth. How are things?’
‘Pretty good. We were just talking about you. And Isabella. Thanks, Henry.’ Garth picked up his wine glass as Henry added an extra sausage to his plate. ‘Trimmings?’
‘Yes, please.’ Dani followed Garth to the table where there were salads, crusty bread and condiments. ‘How are things coming along with your book?’
‘Good. Interesting. I met a friend of yours, which has been great.’ He put a dollop of mustard on his plate, butter and sour cream on his baked potato.
‘Really? Who was that?’ asked Dani.
‘Rodney Sutherland. He’s very impressive, isn’t he? Really keen on Isabella. If this all takes off, it will so help my book. Thanks very much, Dani.’
Dani busied herself with piling salad on her plate. ‘Well, I mentioned Isabella to him . . .’ She was trying to recall what she’d said. She must have mentioned Garth’s name but not for any specific reason. ‘What’s his interest in her?’
Garth looked at Dani with bright eyes, the most animated she’d ever seen him. ‘He’s got a plan. He reckons Isabella could put this whole area on the map. Reckons he’ll buy my book too.’
‘We’ll all buy your book, Garth,’ said Dani. ‘In fact, I was hoping to talk through some more detail with you.’
Garth found a seat and settled his plate on his lap. Dani sat beside him. ‘I can’t believe after all these years of no one caring about her she’s going to be known all over the country. Hopefully,’ he added, biting into his steak.
Dani busied herself with her food, wondering how Garth thought his book was going to do that. ‘Well, the Birimbal development will certainly help. Jason wants everyone to know they’re moving into Isabella Kelly country. It’s a big challenge for me to try to visualise and reinterpret those times,’ said Dani.
‘So are you going to be working with Rodney too?’ asked Garth.
Dani put down her fork. ‘I’m not sure what you mean, Garth. What work is that? What exactly has Roddy told you?’
Garth looked flustered. ‘I hope I’m not talking out of turn. I mean, you told him about Isabella’s story, he said you were friends. So I gave him my manuscript to read even though it’s not quite finished and he got very excited and said he’d go straight down to Sydney and get things moving. Said he had all the right contacts and everything. I really don’t know about these things.’
‘What things? What is Roddy planning?’ asked Dani patiently.
‘The picture. A film. About Isabella.’
Dani stared at him, speechless. ‘A movie?’ Her mind started to race. It was a brilliant idea. If they could make a couple of movies about Ned Kelly, she thought, Isabella was a natural. But why hadn’t Roddy mentioned this to her yesterday when they were working together at her house? ‘And he knows about film making? Financing, I suppose. But there’s no script written.’
‘That’s what I mean about my book! He’s taken it. To sell for the film,
’ Garth’s usual taciturn manner came close to sparkling.
‘Garth, you didn’t just hand it over! I mean, are you having a contract or some agreement drawn up? Not that I imagine Roddy would do the wrong thing of course.’ Dani was remembering all the horror stories Lara had told her of film and television deals where people got ripped off.
‘He sees it as a thing that can involve the whole town. Put us on the map, specially for tourism. He’s very excited,’ said Garth.
So excited he didn’t mention it to me, thought Dani. ‘It is a good idea, but Australian films and TV haven’t been setting the world on fire lately. So what’s the next move?’
‘I have to finish the book. I’m still searching for the end . . . what happened.’ He stopped, looking away, his cheeriness dissipating. ‘It’s frustrating trying to wrap up all the facts and get it right. But he said he had enough to sell the idea.’
‘I hope he’s selling your version and not what seems to be the popular misconceptions,’ said Dani. ‘You know how the media likes to hype up the sensational side of a story.’
Garth looked shocked. ‘Oh, no, he assured me he’d stick to my book.’
‘Adapt it? Then he should be paying you for the film rights, Garth. He can’t just take it and shop it around on spec,’ said Dani, knowing it was exactly what Lara would say. ‘Perhaps you’d better chat to my mum over there. She used to work in TV.’
‘To be fair to Rodney he’s only just got the manuscript, let’s see what he has to say when he gets back from Sydney,’ suggested Garth.
‘That’s fair enough,’ said Dani, faintly annoyed that Rodney hadn’t mentioned Garth or his trip to Sydney. ‘Perhaps the three of us can get together and see that we are telling the same story. Jason Moore is using Isabella as the symbol of the Birimbal development and I’m going to do a series of paintings about her. To go in the promotional material, and maybe to be hung somewhere.’
‘That’s great,’ said Garth. ‘But what are you going to paint? There’s only one photo of her in existence.’
‘What do you think Isabella would want?’ asked Dani quietly.
