by Di Morrissey
‘Really. Perhaps you’ll have to try and convince me about this whole idea. No wonder you want to spend so much time up here.’
‘Ah, excuse me, I’ll join the others, they seem to have found something else.’ Dani hurried away leaving Jason and Ginny facing each other, Jason beginning to realise Ginny was mad as hell and perhaps he’d put his foot in his mouth. Despite his sophistication, charm and manners, Dani saw Ginny had him twisted round her finger.
They prowled between the exotic trees that had propagated around the house site and the remains of the chimneys, as well as some low mounds of buried ruins covered by scrub.
‘It’s a bit like an archaeological dig,’ said Carter. The trees are a big giveaway. Settlers always planted a pepper tree.’
Dani was trying to imagine Isabella’s grand home. ‘I wish I knew what it looked like so I could paint it. Be a nice comparison with the new homes.’
Max had his sketchbook out. ‘I like it how it is. A clue that someone once tamed this land but it’s been reclaimed by nature. I’m trying to see below the surface. Think of the layers, Dani. You paint the original landscape, then that’s wiped away and rebuilt with the pioneer dwellings. That’s wiped out by fire, and nature takes over again, slowly but inevitably. You don’t paint what you see on the surface, you paint knowing all that has gone before.’
Dani smiled with understanding. That was what gave Max’s paintings such depth and drew you in. You sensed there was more happening beneath the surface. ‘Yes, Max, I know what you’re saying. There’s always another story beneath the surface of a good painting.’
‘In life too,’ added Max.
‘A lot of artists and poets have been inspired by this country,’ said Carter. ‘The first explorers and artists painted the rainforests, or the jungle as they called it. It was only later with settlement that the eucalyptus became the icon and they pictured more benign rural scenes.’
‘Except for blackfella spearings and massacres and the loneliness of pioneer life,’ said Dani. ‘Like that McCubbin painting of the couple burying their child in the bush.’
Jason joined them, Ginny and the dog trailing behind. Dani could see Ginny looked annoyed and Jason spoke with ill-disguised tension. ‘Worth the walk I suppose. Not that much to see.’ He picked up a stick and poked it through the undergrowth around the bricks. ‘Might take one home for a doorstop,’ he muttered.
‘Be careful not to upset a snake,’ said Carter.
Ginny grabbed the dog and held it as she watched the others wandering around the site.
‘Here’s something interesting,’ said Max. Sheltering under a tangle of growth he found what looked to be a stump and a pile of carefully stacked stones.
‘Is it a wall?’ asked Dani.
‘Look at the plants. These are from the rainforest – orchids and some kind of succulents. They’ve grown from plants brought here.’
‘Looks like a rockery,’ said Jason. ‘Perhaps Isabella was a bit of a collector.’
‘She probably just liked pretty plants,’ said Dani. ‘Like any woman.’
‘Well, you’ll never know, will you,’ said Ginny who sounded bored and fed up with the whole expedition.
Dani smiled at Carter. ‘Thanks for bringing us here, I feel I know her so much better. Just looking at the view she saw every morning means a lot.’
‘Right, lunch and back to the cars.’ Carter strode ahead.
It was a relief to cool off at Kelly’s Crossing. They perched on rocks and put their feet in the clear water. Ginny and Jason sat on the bank of the stream feeding the dog crusts from their sandwiches.
‘Why don’t you get a plaque put up here to honour Isabella? Something that tells people about her?’ Dani said to Carter.
‘I’m working on it,’ he said. ‘This place has a bit of history, right Max?’
‘Yeah, so I’ve heard. My people think it’s a bad place. I’ve been meaning to ask my mother about it. She got a lot of stories from my grandfather. Once she found him.’
‘What sort of bad things?’ asked Ginny. ‘This place gives me the creeps.’
‘You haven’t liked anywhere much have you?’ said Jason in a neutral voice.
‘Why should I? I’ve no interest in some woman from ages ago. I think it’s weird. And I’m certainly not going to be living up here. You seem to have your own friends and a different life here, Jason.’
‘Perhaps I do. And it’s not just for business reasons I’m committed here, Ginny. It doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s where you see your future.’
This sounded like a conversation they’d had before.
Max broke in gently. ‘I think where you come from does count. What about you, Ginny, where are your roots?’
Dani knew what Max was trying to say but unknowingly he hit a tender nerve in Ginny’s psyche.
‘Where I come from, my background, is none of your business,’ she snapped at Max. ‘I’m not asking you about your family history.’
‘Maybe you should,’ said Carter easily. ‘It’s quite a story.’
Dani gave Max a querying look. All she knew was he’d grown up in Planters Field, his parents were of mixed blood and he’d married Sarah, a white girl, and they had two lovely children. ‘So what is the story, Max?’ she asked.
‘We lost some relatives in the stolen generation that we didn’t even know we had. My family have always been here in this valley.’
‘Really? How interesting!’ exclaimed Dani. But before she could ask more questions Ginny stood up.
‘Well, I’m not interested,’ she snapped. ‘I’m getting another cup of tea.’
‘That’s your trouble,’ said Jason tersely. ‘You’re not interested in anyone but yourself. And I’d never realised till now just to what degree.’
‘Settle down, you two,’ said Carter calmly. ‘Don’t spoil a nice day. Sort things out when you get back.’
‘I’m going now.’ Ginny gathered her things.
‘Calm down, Ginny. This isn’t Sydney, you can’t hail a cab. Go for a walk, cool down, we’re nearly ready to go,’ said Carter. ‘Anyone want anything else to eat? Good tucker, Dani, tell Claude thanks.’
Ginny headed for the small fire that had been set up in a cleared spot back from the creek bank, but Sugar ran off when she dropped the lead to reach for the billycan of tea. She gave chase. The next moment they heard a shriek from Ginny and everyone jumped up.
Carter was first up the track, shouting ‘Whatever it is, don’t move.’
They found Ginny standing in the middle of the track clutching the dog. Standing in front of her, blocking the path, was an enormous goanna well over a metre and a half long. At the sudden appearance of more people the goanna panicked and ran at Ginny, who dropped Sugar. The goanna jumped up onto Ginny’s shoulders, scrambling with its claws, ripping her blouse. Carter and Max grabbed its tail and snout and shouted at Ginny to keep still as they unhooked the goanna and put it on the ground where it marched calmly into the undergrowth with its head held high, dignity merely ruffled. Dani picked up Sugar.
Ginny was sobbing, dabbing at the scratches on her legs, arms and shoulders.
‘Oh my God, it’s ripped me to pieces. Is it poisonous? I’ll have to get a shot.’
‘You’ll be right, love,’ said Carter soothingly. ‘Come on down to the creek and rinse yourself off. Bloody lucky it didn’t get to your head and scratch your face. Poor thing thought you were a tree.’
Ginny shuddered, and Jason put his arm around her shoulders.
‘Ouch, that hurts, don’t touch me,’ screamed Ginny. She and Sugar stomped to the creek.
‘Sorry about that, maybe I shouldn’t have brought Ginny. Hiking and the bush is not her scene,’ said Jason apologetically.
‘Don’t worry about it, mate,’ said Carter.
‘Strike one for the spirits,’ Max whispered to Dani and they exchanged a quick smile as they followed the others back to the creek.
Dani related the stor
y to Lara and Tim that night and they fell about with laughter as Dani imitated the wild dance of Ginny with the goanna clinging to her shoulders like some live accessory.
‘Poor Jason. She’s probably still giving him heaps,’ said Dani.
‘So the trip was worth it then?’ asked Lara collapsing into a chair.
‘God yes. I really feel I’m getting closer and closer to Isabella. I wouldn’t be surprised if she walked into my studio one day,’ said Dani, wiping away the tears. ‘But it was worth it to see that stuck-up Ginny come so unstuck!’
*
Dani was deep in thought as she worked on her first sketches after their hike to Mount George. When the phone rang she debated leaving the studio but then made a run for it.
‘Hey, gorgeous, how’re you travelling?’
‘Hi, Roddy. Good. What’s happening?’
‘A lot. Shall I come over and tell you all about it? How about lunch at your local cafe?’
‘I’ll meet you there once I scrape the oil paint off.’
‘I’m happy to pick you up, make an afternoon of it, if you like.’ His voice held a buttery invitation.
‘Can’t today, have to collect Tim after school. Mondays to Thursdays are good though, he’s generally with my mum or at a friend’s place.’
‘Mmm, can’t think too far ahead at the moment. See you at the Nostalgia Cafe round twelve-thirty then.’
When Dani arrived at the cafe, Roddy was ensconced at a table with Claude and George hovering, hanging on every word. Roddy rose and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
‘Hi, boys, has Roddy filled you in?’ she asked as the others gave her a hug and a peck.
‘Dani, it’s too exciting. We’re planning the premiere . . . an exclusive screening down the road at the Riverwood Terrace,’ said Claude.
Dani laughed. ‘That would be exclusive. Have you been inside our village cinema?’ she asked Roddy.
‘I’ve never noticed one,’ he said looking puzzled.
‘A friend of ours set it up in his darling heritage house near the river,’ said George. ‘Canapés and drinkies on the lawn under the trees – BYO – the screening room is a proper little cinema with a big old projector, plush seats red velvet curtain, the lot.’
‘It seats thirty-five people,’ added Claude. ‘And the house is filled with movie memorabilia. He bought stuff from every old cinema that closed in Sydney and Melbourne when multiplexes came in.’
‘We’ll see,’ said Roddy cautiously, failing to see the humour in the suggestion. ‘I have quite large plans actually.’
Over lunch Roddy outlined his ideas, starting with the first step – the media launch.
‘Why are you doing it here and not in Sydney?’ asked Dani.
‘It’ll get picked up for the national press. But initially I need the support of the locals – plus I’m offering them the opportunity to be first to invest. As a way of saying thank you to the town.’
‘But where’s the big money coming from? I mean, what’s the budget for this film?’ asked Dani practically.
‘Depends on the star names of course. The bigger the name the bigger the price tag. Thirty mill with a middle-of-the-road name should do the trick.’
‘And Russell Franks directing. He’s discovered a lot of stars, why not go for an unknown?’ asked Dani. ‘The banks and investors want a sure thing. And that means a big name.’
Dani dug into her salad and decided this was out of her field. Lara with her TV production background would be more on top of the budget and feasibility details. ‘So what’s happening for the media launch?’
‘Need somewhere very smart for a flash cocktail party. Does your boss have access to a mansion or big restaurant on the water perhaps?’
Dani was not about to involve Jason. ‘I’ve no idea. Would this be a paid-for event?’
‘Christ no. Contra. We’ll show the joint in the film, all the media will mention it, you know how these things work. Product placement, cars, accommodation – all free in exchange for publicity.’
‘But, Roddy, isn’t it a period film?’
He winked. ‘There’s ways around those things. Star power, premiere, promotional things. And God knows what Russell will do with the script. You know what a wild thinker he is.’
‘Not really. I just know his name, and that some of his films were a bit way out, over the top. Fellini meets Tarantino type thing. Aren’t you using Garth’s manuscript about Isabella to base the script on?’ Dani was beginning to think Roddy was stretching things a bit.
‘Cinematic licence. Don’t worry, he’ll get a big credit, a plug for his book. Maybe he could put a still from the film on the cover.’
‘He hasn’t got a publisher yet. He’s still fiddling with the end. I think money is holding him back, he needs to go to Sydney to do more research. A film-option payment would help,’ said Dani pointedly.
‘Let me worry about that. Now, I need your help with some visuals for the launch. How many paintings have you finished?’
‘Roddy! I’m still in the rough stage, laying down outlines, ideas. And you can’t have them just for the asking. They’ve been commissioned by Jason to launch his development project. Not to raise money for a film.’ Dani was getting worried at Roddy’s presumptuous attitude.
‘Come on! It’s cross promotion. The movie will put his whole bloody development on the map.’
‘Well, the Isabella component is only a small part of it really, just an associated image, it’s not the selling point.’ Dani back-pedalled.
‘Whatever. But c’mon, sweetie, couldn’t you whip up something for me? We need a visual for the launch.’
‘There’s only one photo of her in existence, copy that from the museum. Mind you, she’s a plain old duck.’
‘Shit. Hey, why don’t we dress you up in the period frock and hat, whatever, and pose you down by Kelly’s Crossing?’
Dani burst out laughing. ‘Side-saddle on a horse I suppose!’
‘Yeah, terrific idea. Come on. We’re making this a splashy launch. Russell Franks will be there. The locals can’t believe such a world-famous movie icon is coming to this town.’
‘You’re bringing him over from New Zealand? Who’s paying for this launch – if you don’t mind me asking? Have you got the thirty million?’ If Roddy was putting up some of his own money he must really have faith in the deal.
‘I’ve got the seed money to get the ball rolling. I told you, there’s a guy in New Zealand doing the distribution deals and guarantees. I really want the town and district to get behind this.’
‘Well, if you’ve won over the council that’s half the battle,’ said Dani. ‘I’m glad Patricia was helpful.’
‘We’re not totally there yet, that’s why I want this launch to swing the naysayers on council my way. Get the public behind it and have them put their hand in their pockets. Claude and George say they’re in. Eventually everyone will see the benefits and get starstruck. Even after the film has come and gone, the town inherits the flow-on, tourists, fame. Win win.’
‘Fabulous,’ said Dani, feeling his enthusiasm. But she couldn’t help wondering what her mother would say about it.
Lara was cautiously optimistic. ‘It could be good. Isabella is a great character, beautiful location, with an interesting director and a star . . . could work.’
‘Wouldn’t it be better as a TV miniseries?’ asked Dani.
‘Another bush and crinoline saga? Haven’t we done those to death?’ said Lara. ‘Be interesting to see what Russell Franks does with it . . . Mad characters and music, arty photography, violence, humour . . . God, he could spin it off into any direction.’
‘The trouble is, what if the film is a dud, or people hate it? And Isabella? Could backfire,’ said Dani thoughtfully.
‘Don’t panic just yet, wait until the film is actually made. And if it gets made, well, hats off to Roddy,’ said Lara. ‘People have no idea how hard it is to get a movie up. Like everyone thinks they can write a
book.’
Dani heard the self-deprecating note in her mother’s voice. ‘C’mon, Mum, you know you can write. Forget doing a script for a documentary. Maybe it’s time to dream up a book idea. Use your own experiences.’
‘I’m not writing my life story,’ declared Lara. But Dani had touched a soft spot. Lara had always harboured a desire to write.
‘Maybe not, but what about your family? Could be there’s a story in that lot, way back? Keep digging. You don’t know what might turn up,’ suggested Dani.
‘We’ll see,’ said Lara. And although the subject was put to one side she sensed that there were secrets waiting to be uncovered in her vaguely explored family history.
Dani took a selection of sketches into the office and Jason and some of the other staffers discussed which ones they liked before making a final selection.
‘These look like winners,’ Jason said with a smile, gathering up the approved sketches. ‘Okay, go ahead, Dani. Now the hard work starts.’
‘No worries. Thanks.’ Dani decided not to mention Roddy’s request for one of her paintings to promote his film.
‘How is your son settling in?’
Dani knew it was merely a polite comment, but answered, ‘So-so. After school is a bit of a problem out at The Vale, so he’s spending time with my mother and friends most afternoons and I collect him later. Gives me a bit more uninterrupted work time.’
‘Is he into any sports?’
‘Yes, but at the moment he’s got a bee in his bonnet about learning to ride. I guess for a city boy it’s an appealing novelty.’ She picked up her bag and sketches. ‘Okay, I’ll be going.’
‘Hang on, Dani. Look, I love riding and I reckon some time on a horse would be good for Tim. There’s a terrific young woman who runs a small equestrian centre in town. I’m happy to set it up for him.’ Seeing Dani’s hesitation he quickly added, ‘Mardi is experienced, he’d be safe and her charges are reasonable. Be a good opportunity.’
Jason’s enthusiasm surprised her. ‘Well, my mother has agreed to pay for lessons, I suppose it’s one way to find out if he likes it or not,’ she said.
