by Di Morrissey
Dani was thoughtful. ‘You might be right. I guess I’m hoping Mum will do the hard work and give me the full story. Whatever it is.’
‘You’re busy getting on with your life, following this new path, exploring your abilities, and that’s good, Dani,’ said Max. ‘And spending time with your son away from the city. He’ll probably remember this time here as being special when he looks back later in life.’
‘I know that. I felt a bit guilty about him spending the weeknights with my mother at Cricklewood. But they both seem to get so much out of it, now he’s into soccer, messing round in boats with Toby and Barney, playing with your two, riding and hanging out at the Nostalgia Cafe.’
‘They teaching him to cook or got him peeling potatoes?’ asked Max.
‘Bit of both, I hope,’ sighed Dani. ‘But for someone who thought food came out of plastic containers in a supermarket or a take-away, he’s had his eyes opened.’
They arrived at Max’s house. Dani had left her car there and Tim was playing with Len and Julian.
Sarah came out of the gallery beside the house. ‘So how did the paintings look, hung together?’ she asked.
‘Sensational,’ said Dani. ‘If that dealer doesn’t grab the lot, he’s mad.’
‘I don’t know about that. How about a coffee, Dani? What are the boys up to?’ Max asked Sarah.
‘They’ve been dealing with an injured bird they found. A baby galah. And Tim has been skiting to Len about his camping trip to the island, and now Len wants to go,’ said Sarah.
‘An island camp? Where was that, Dani?’ asked Max.
‘Barney took Tim and Toby for an overnight camp on an island in the river, Tim hasn’t stopped talking about it. They caught a fish and a crab and cooked it for dinner over a fire, and Barney told them stories. Boys’ stuff.’
Max smiled. ‘Excellent. Barney, he’s special all right.’
Tim dashed in to greet Dani and tell her about the bird. ‘It’s still little, only got a few pink and grey feathers. Can we keep it, Mum? Len says you can teach them to talk.’
‘You’ll have to find out how to look after it. I wouldn’t want you to keep it in a cage,’ said Dani.
‘He’ll manage it. The WIRES people will give you some tips. When it’s grown it’ll fly away, and maybe come back to visit,’ said Max.
‘Can I take him to Ma’s at Cricklewood too, please, Mum? Toby and Tab have a pet wallaby, so I want to keep this one,’ pleaded Tim, his eyes shining.
‘If you want it, darling. But it will be your responsibility.’
Dani smiled at Max. ‘Seems a low-maintenance pet, provided Jolly doesn’t hassle it.’
‘Keep it out of the house, bird poo stains,’ advised Sarah. ‘Let the bird have its freedom but keep it safe from wild birds till it can defend itself.’
‘No cage though,’ insisted Dani.
‘He can stay in my room, I’ll clean up,’ said Tim fervently.
Sarah laughed as she exchanged a look with Dani, both women knowing who would be cleaning up bird droppings. ‘Can’t argue with that. A bird in a cage sends heaven in a rage,’ Sarah said.
Tim chatted comfortingly to the bird nestled in a shoebox as they drove back to The Vale.
‘He’ll be all right, won’t he, Mum? What’ll we call him? Maybe it’s a girl? How do you tell? When will it fly? Do you think it will learn to talk? Can you paint its picture when its got all its feathers, please, Mum?’
Dani nodded, but her mind kept drifting back to Max’s comments. In his low-key, gentle way he always made her think about things. About her art, about Barney, about Tim, about her mother and her search. She suddenly found herself reflecting on what had preoccupied her when she lived in Sydney. It all seemed relatively unimportant now, though at the time her job, her son, the divorce, and dealing with her ex had been big issues.
Here in the country she had found a sense of herself again, a feeling of peace, an appreciation of things beautiful and life enriching – her son and his riding, the sunrise over the hills and river, the easy warmth of new friends, the bond she shared with her mother through this place. And a sense she was getting closer to some kind of a breakthrough with Isabella.
The shadowy woman with a rich history had become part of her daily existence. Dani thought about Isabella every time she looked at the land around her, land that Isabella had owned, traversed and must have loved. The paintings she’d done of that land had taken on a life of their own and Dani wondered if any other subject she painted would come close to making her feel what she felt while doing these. Jason was pleased with them and told her the bigshot behind the corporation had liked them too. It suddenly struck Dani that when she turned over the paintings to Jason she’d be at a loss again, facing a blank canvas.
The following day Dani lightly raised this with Jason as she showed him photographs of her most recent paintings.
‘You’ve really got into Isabella’s story, haven’t you? These works of Kelly’s Crossing are very powerful.’
‘Jason, maybe you shouldn’t use those particular paintings in your brochures and presentations,’ said Dani. ‘There are so many other pictures. Max told me his great-great-grandfather came from round there and there’s bad energy at that place.’
Jason was intrigued. ‘I had no idea Max had such a strong connection here. We should tell Carter and, I agree, it’s not the kind of thing that’s a sales angle to push.’
‘They might worry about a native title claim or something you mean?’
‘No, it’s just white Australians don’t like to be reminded of the hurt and wrongdoing done to indigenous Australians.’
‘I’d like to give one to Max if that’s okay with you. Do you think it’s good enough?’ asked Dani shyly.
‘Dani, that’s a great idea! It’s come from your heart and I think you saw something there without knowing it,’ said Jason. ‘From the commercial side we’ll go with the colourful character depictions of the feisty free-spirited Isabella and the beautiful landscapes of the hills, valley and river that you’ve done.’
‘Well, I hope they help sell the concept of Birimbal village development,’ said Dani, feeling relieved.
‘It’s going well. We’ll have to start thinking about the official launch now the landscaping is in place around the nature areas, lagoons, wetlands, parks and village streets. Most of the infrastructure is happening and the construction of the community centre is under way. We’ll have the launch there. Your paintings will be hung and for sale.’
‘When are the sales brochures going out and the media campaign starting?’ asked Dani.
‘A month or so. The international CEO is coming over to give the final nod. We’ll be making a TV ad as well.’ He paused. ‘There are two prongs to the ad campaign, we’re swimming against the flow trying to persuade people to downscale.’
‘You mean smaller is desirable. Streamline, simplify our lives,’ grinned Dani. ‘I hadn’t realised how much stuff – unnecessary stuff – I had till I moved up here.’
‘That’s part of the village concept, we don’t need gigantic homes with media rooms and plasma TVs in every bedroom, ride-on lawnmowers and eight-thousand-dollar barbecues,’ said Jason. ‘Some things are best shared as a mini-community cum family, rather than isolating yourself in a house that cuts out interaction with people or your environment.’
Dani nodded in agreement. ‘I’ve noticed the difference with Tim and me since we’ve been here. In Sydney he spent a lot of time in his room with his computer. We ate with the TV in the background all the time. There wasn’t imaginative play, or real living. Things were so organised, not spontaneous like here.’
‘No campfires, catching eels or swags on an island, eh?’ smiled Jason. ‘I missed my life here when I was in boarding school. I hated it.’
Dani gazed at the images of her paintings scattered across Jason’s desk. ‘I love the cows trudging across the paddocks, the pelicans cruising on the glassy river. They sum up the tranqui
llity of this valley which hasn’t changed so much since Isabella’s time,’ she mused.
‘You’ve done a terrific job with these paintings, Dani. Putting a name, a woman’s dream and a location to the whole concept will make a big difference.’
‘And don’t forget the movie!’
Jason pulled a face. ‘I’m not worrying about that. We’ll be launched way before the movie is released. Of course, if the film is a hit, it will raise our profile but I’m not associating Birimbal with the movie. Have you told Roddy about Max’s connection with Kelly’s Crossing? Would be a powerful scene in the film.’
Dani shook her head. ‘No. Max doesn’t want to dwell on the past. It’s still a sensitive issue. And I don’t see much of Roddy actually.’
Jason gave her a look, but said nothing for a moment as he gathered up papers on his desk and slid a cheque across to her. ‘Your final payment. So you’re at a loss for ideas for your next subject?’
‘Kind of. I liked painting a series of pictures that had a sequence of events, a storyline, rather than just isolated subjects,’ she said.
‘Didn’t you say your mother was delving into your past, your family association up here? Why not explore that?’ suggested Jason. ‘Kind of illustrate what she’s going to write about when she’s got the history sorted. You could start with your grandparents’ house, their story. Take a trip to London, see where they came from. Be a visual contrast, wouldn’t it?’
Dani laughed. ‘I can’t just dash off to London. But one day I might do that.’ She stared at him, hesitating. ‘Speaking of houses and family history, may I ask about your family home? I went for a walk and came across the estate. I ran into Kerry there, but she didn’t gossip of course. It’s an extraordinary building.’
Jason didn’t look at her while there was an awkward pause and Dani wished she hadn’t mentioned it. Finally he gave a small smile. ‘It’s a bit of a family sore. Created some friction a while back.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. You don’t have to say any more.’
Jason leaned back in his chair. ‘Families, we all have ’em, and they all come with some heartache or headache. My great-grandfather built the house and in his will it was left to the eldest son. It was stipulated that this should always be the case. So my grandfather left it to my father. Both were barristers – my father became a judge. We moved to Sydney when I was very young. I was supposed to study law. But I did architecture and design which interested me far more. When he died he left the house to me with a lot of stipulations and restrictions. My sister Kerry has very different views from me. I wanted to modernise the house, even turn it into a boutique hotel or health retreat. She wants it left intact, in mothballs. So I figured if she wanted to keep it like that, she could look after it.’
‘What happened to her husband?’ asked Dani.
‘They were working in Europe in an equestrian centre in Belgium when he was killed in a car smash. And later she had a bad riding accident, so she came back and has buried herself ever since. She got upset when I moved up here, though. I have no intention of living in that museum.’
Dani couldn’t see Jason and especially his girlfriend Ginny feeling at home in the old house. ‘Why doesn’t Kerry live in the big house?’ asked Dani.
‘I wish she would,’ said Jason. ‘She’s become a bit funny, insecure, keeps to herself. Says it’s not right to ignore the wishes of our father and grandfather and great-grandfather.’
‘It’s a shame it’s just sitting there . . . unappreciated,’ said Dani.
As if reading her mind Jason suddenly said, ‘Why don’t you document it? Paint it? The house, the grounds, the gardens, the rooms . . . I mean, it’s maybe not what you want to paint, but it would be an interesting exercise. Though maybe not very commercial. I guess the paintings wouldn’t be of great interest to anyone else,’ he added. ‘I could buy some of course.’
‘Leave it with me, Jason. It’s an interesting idea, and I don’t expect you to commission me. I’ll chew it over. Well, I’d better be going.’ She got up, glancing towards the room where she had her desk with the writing box on it.
‘Hey, you don’t have to move out, if you want to keep this as your town office, you’re very welcome.’
‘Well, I will for a while if you don’t mind.’ Dani had no reason to continue to keep her few possessions in the desk but for some reason she was reluctant to take them with her. She glanced down at the cheque Jason had given her. ‘Jason, this is too much. You’ve overpaid me.’
He brushed it aside. ‘A bit of a bonus, spend it on Tim. He tells me it’s his birthday next week.’
‘Yes, he’s going down to Sydney to stay with his father for the long weekend and birthday. I’ve no idea what to give him.’
‘How about a pony? I’m happy to part with Blackie, the one he’s been riding. I know he’s fond of it.’
‘Jason! What will we do with a pony when we move back? He’d want to keep it and that would be a hassle.’
‘Oh. It hadn’t registered with me that you’d be moving back to Sydney. You both seem so settled into the valley now. Well, why not buy him his own saddle? There’s an old bloke in Cedartown who makes great saddles.’
Dani glanced down at the cheque. ‘That’s a good idea. Thank you, Jason. You’ve been so kind to Tim.’
‘I enjoy his company. I’ve promised to take him out riding around the old place, and on the track along the river – with your permission of course. He’s quite proficient now.’
‘If you’re sure the pony is steady and okay. I must say I thought Tim managed him very well at the gymkhana. Thanks, Jason. Tim will be excited. I’ll let you two organise the ride.’
She drove to Cricklewood to see Lara and wait for Tim to come home from school. She found Carter and her mother sitting on the front verandah.
‘Hi, darling, Carter has come to rescue Tim’s galah,’ said Lara.
‘Hi, Dani. I contacted the local WIRES wildlife rescue service and really the bird should go to them, it’s tricky feeding a fledgling as you have to crop feed it, can’t just shove food in its beak,’ said Carter.
‘Oh no, he’ll be disappointed,’ said Dani. She could hear the insistent squeaks from the shoebox by Lara’s feet.
‘Carter brought over some porridge and a special mixture of crushed seeds to feed it. We’ll let Tim have a go at it and decide what’s best.’
‘Fledglings are very demanding. I’m sure he’ll be happy to let someone else do it,’ grinned Carter. ‘Also, it’s against the law in New South Wales to keep a native animal.’
‘Where have you been?’ Lara asked Dani. ‘Cup of tea?’
‘Yes, please. I just got my final pay cheque from Jason. I’m looking for something new to throw myself into and Jason suggested I might like to paint his old estate – I’ve dubbed it Miss Haversham House.’
Carter laughed. ‘It’s a white elephant all right, antique dealers keep circling. Be a shame to see it broken up. Mind you, that Kerry is a fierce little guard dog.’
‘What’s the story?’ asked Lara.
‘You’re wondering what you might dig up in your family history! Well, Jason’s family history would be a rich dig with a few surprises, I’m sure.’ Then he changed tack. ‘Y’know, Dani, maybe you could paint some of the more unusual features of the valley – that incredible old house, Isabella, the wild men on the mountain – put ’em on postcards and make a buck.’
‘I’m not in commercial art anymore. Excuse me, I’ll get some more milk.’
‘What wild men on the mountain?’ asked Lara.
‘Old hippies who went feral and still live in 1972, or who’ve gone organic with green toes and are into biodynamics, hydroponics, wind farms, quantum heating and so on,’ said Carter. ‘Mind you, there are some pretty smart people in Jumbai doing good things. One bloke up there was an early follower of Peter Andrews’ farming techniques and he’s stopped soil erosion, built up his water. Great stuff.’
Tim arrived and rus
hed to see the bird. Lara listened to him chatter with Carter for a while then took the tea tray inside. She found her daughter sitting on the back steps.
‘Tim’s home. He’s getting a feeding lesson from Carter. I don’t think he’ll feel too bad about letting the bird be taken away.’ There was no reaction from Dani, who seemed to be deep in thought. ‘What’s up, sweetie?’
‘Ah, just wondering what to do next. Jason wanted to give Tim a horse for his birthday and I said what would we do with it in Sydney. And it came to me – I’m not ready to go back to the city. But I can’t afford to stay here, and there’s Tim. Jeff has been relaxed about him being up here, but for a while longer? I don’t know about that.’
‘Mmm. Maybe you should ask Jeff to come up here for Tim’s birthday instead of Tim going down there to see him,’ suggested Lara.
‘Tim wants to get the train, not fly. His father has planned stuff for the birthday.’
‘Maybe you should go down to Sydney with him on the train. See how you feel about the city again,’ said Lara.
‘I might. Well, Tim and I are going shopping. Hopefully without the bird. What are you doing?’
Lara gave her daughter a small smile. ‘Going off to meet Aunty Phyllis. I’ll let you know what she has to say.’
‘Yeah, I’ll be interested to hear what secrets she knows about the family.’
When Dani finally got home there was a message from Roddy on her phone at The Vale sounding worried and almost pleading that she call him.
‘Hi, Roddy, what’s up?’
‘Hey, Dani. Man, have I got problems. These movie people are nutters. Russell Franks has pissed off to Europe – and taken one of the local girls with him. She’s only seventeen.’
‘What a dirty old man! Will he still direct the film?’
Roddy sounded despondent. ‘That depends. If we have a film. There’re a few money problems.’
Dani felt the sudden pang of a long-suppressed worry becoming a reality. ‘How bad is it?’
