by Di Morrissey
‘Don’t you get fat, Jennifer. That flab is hard to lose after a baby.’ Christina’s authoritative tone cut across Vi’s weepy happiness.
‘Did you get the email pictures?’ asked Jennifer, now desperate to change the subject.
‘Ooh, yes, we looked at them on the computer screen. It’s a real tropical island, all right. Must be hot,’ said Vi.
‘Everything is fine. I’m back into work mode and in fact there’s a very interesting bunch of scientists and researchers here from a Queensland university.’
‘Fancy that. That’ll be interesting for you, luv.’
‘Typical. Those uni types playing around on some vague sort of research. For what? Sounds like a good excuse for a holiday to me.’
‘I knew you’d say that, Mum.’ Jennifer laughed. ‘I’d better go, I’m in Blair’s office. We send our love, give Don a hug and I’ll keep you posted after my next appointment with the doctor.’
‘You look after yourself, Jenny.’ Vi then added, ‘By the way, what do you want? Boy or girl?’
‘Vi, so long as the child is healthy, that’s all that matters. Next you’ll be asking her for names. And you haven’t even started to think about that yet, have you, Jennifer?’
‘Not really. Well, I hope you’re pleased for us.’
‘I’m just very worried about it all.’ Christina tut-tutted.
‘You said your living quarters were small, how on earth are you going to manage a baby in there?’ asked Vi suddenly.
‘Vi, she’s not going to stay in that place!’ Christina’s voice had that tinkling glass-breaking sound Jennifer recognised. ‘You leave everything to me, Jennifer. I’ll send you a letter soon.’
‘I’m fine, everything’s under control, Mum. Bye, Vi. Bye, Mum.’ She quickly hung up. The conversation had gone as she thought. She hoped Vi could keep a lid on Christina’s ideas of ‘helping’.
Jennifer passed Lloyd outside the boutique.
‘Your fish are in the staffie freezer. Tell the chef when you want one cooked for you and Blair. Or else ask Doyley to whack it on our hotplate.’
‘Great, thanks heaps.’ Maybe she and Blair could have dinner alone at their place, talk quietly, share a bottle of wine. Make love. It had been ages.
‘Thank Tony. Oh, and Mac said to call over tomorrow. Bring your stuff and move in!’
She went back to work with renewed enthusiasm knowing this was the last time she’d have to set up her laptop and work on a temporary table. Good on you, Mac.
It was even better than she hoped. Mac showed her to a small room that was air conditioned with empty floor-to-ceiling shelves and a long desk under the window.
‘It’s our storage lockup when we’re not here. Computers, diving equipment, all that kind of stuff gets put in here. So the following season it’s waiting for us. Saves carrying gear back and forth. Should suit you all right.’
‘Absolutely. This is fantastic. You’re sure I’m not throwing anyone out?’
‘No way. And if you need company, Rudi’s lab is next door, the canteen rec room is across the sandy square. My place is always open so use the kitchen, help yourself to tea, coffee, food, whatever.’
‘Mac, you’re so kind.’
‘No slacking off is all I ask. Get that book done. I’d be interested to talk to you later about maybe writing something for us. But finish what you’re doing first.’
‘You’ve never read anything I’ve written. Is it academic, esoteric, historical, scientific?’
‘Don’t worry about that for now. But do put some time aside for when Isobel is here. I think you’ll enjoy her. She’s an amazing woman. You might want to write about her. Though I think Lloyd got that journo Tony a bit interested.’
Jennifer spread her things around her, settled down to work and hardly noticed the time passing.
‘Want a coffee break?’ Rudi was smiling in the doorway. ‘I’m going to make a brew.’
‘I’d love one.’ Jennifer stretched.
‘Come next door. I have the makings in my lab.’
She followed him into the cluttered laboratory. ‘Where are you from originally, Rudi? Your name and your faint accent. I can’t place them.’
‘My family were from St Petersburg. I came here when I was ten. Went to the University of New South Wales. And don’t tell anyone, but my name is Rudolf. Now, how do you like your coffee?’
Jennifer walked around looking into the various glass tanks as he poured the coffee. ‘Milky, please. Why did you choose to study sea plants?’
‘I know they don’t look that important individually, but they’re a foundation of a food chain and have been part of the marine ecosystem for over two billion years. And gorgeous to see. Swimming through kelp forests off Tasmania or over the seagrass meadows near the reef is unreal.’
‘You make it sound like a day in the country,’ she said, laughing. ‘And are the forests filled with beasties?’
‘There is some weird and wonderful marine life down there, for sure. I’m interested in the chemical side of what’s in their tissues and fibres that protects them, stops fish eating them.’ Rudi drained his cup. ‘It could have applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, genetics, or even chemical warfare . . . who knows?’
Jennifer was thoughtful. ‘The work, research, that’s being done here maybe isn’t so esoteric after all. So all you guys paddling around on the reef under the sea . . . what you find out could benefit humanity or mean big bucks?’
‘Possibly. We don’t often look at the whole picture. Scientifically it’s a step-by-step process on a small scale until there’s a breakthrough and you can move forward, if not in leaps then at least in the right direction. It’s just satisfying to get confirmation of a hunch or theory.’ He refilled their coffee cups. ‘Though I have to say, there has been interest in what I’m doing from some strange quarters. I leave all that stuff to Mac as he’s head of the program. Though I’m hoping Isobel might turn up some new specimens.’
‘So who is Isobel and how does she fit into the picture?’ asked Jennifer, intrigued.
‘Ah. Here, I’ll get on the net and you can read for yourself. She’s very famous in our world, but not so well known by anyone on the street I guess.’
Jennifer settled herself on a stool in front of Rudi’s computer as it downloaded a photograph of an attractive, cheerful-looking dark-haired woman in her fifties. She was wearing a colourful wetsuit and sitting at the edge of a reef in the Caribbean. ‘Queen of the Dark and Deep’ scrolled across the screen beneath her photo, followed by a string of links and websites. Jennifer chose one and clicked.
For the next hour she jumped from story to story, from photos to interviews with the astonishing Dr Isobel Belitas. Inspired by the legendary Sylvia Earle, the world’s leading aquanaut, Isobel had become fascinated with the world beneath the sea -‘where our future lies’.
Jennifer read how the Brazilian-born, American-educated Isobel had made dives deep into the Mariana Trench – a slash in the ocean floor one thousand eight hundred metres deeper than Mount Everest is tall. Here Jacques Cousteau had taken down his bathyscaphe in 1960 whereas Isobel, in a special diving suit, was strapped to a small submersible that took her more than three hundred and eighty metres below the surface where she released herself and walked on another part of the ocean floor for nearly three hours.
Looking at the pictures of the strange underwater vehicles developed over the past decades in which adventurers and scientists had tried to find what was in the darkest reaches of the sea, Jennifer was struck by their similarity to the odd winged machine she’d seen next to Gideon’s shack.
‘You coming up for air?’ asked Rudi, entering the lab. Jennifer hadn’t heard him leave and, glancing at her watch, hadn’t realised how absorbed she’d been.
‘It is fascinating. I can sort of understand why you get so . . . immersed in all this. She’s a brave and fearless person, or just crazy.’
‘You can decide for yourself on Friday ni
ght,’ said Mac, coming in the door. ‘She’ll be at Gideon’s. We’re having a welcome-back party for her.’
Jennifer returned to Professor Dawn’s notes on the history of the East Australian Current with an early observation of it from explorer Lieutenant James Cook in May 1770 as he charted the coast of Australia. It was off Cape Byron, the most eastern extremity, that he became aware of the surge of the surface stream, tens of metres deep, that travels down Australia along the Coral and Tasman seas.
Professor Dawn was only one of the many scientists who have studied the EAC for more than two centuries. But as he showed with modern technology, this travelling body of water can be mapped and observed from earth observation satellites, with ocean monitoring and measuring equipment and also from research vessels.
Professor Dawn’s dry descriptions took on new meaning for Jennifer as she imagined Dr Isobel Belitas inside, or strapped to, a small underwater machine chugging along beneath the sea, observing and sending back information from the sophisticated miniature equipment attached to the submersible. It was science fantasy, the wild tales of Jules Verne, space exploration upside down! Jennifer turned off her computer, overcome with feelings she couldn’t describe.
She waved to Mac. ‘Going home for lunch. See you later. And thanks again.’
Mac, sitting at a table in the shade with a graduate student, going through her papers, gave Jennifer a brief wave in return.
In the middle of the day the pisonia forest was still and hot. No breeze stirred the strange sticky fruit and leaves. Even the noddy terns were silent and less active. Instead of returning to the resort she turned down the track leading to Coral Point and when she came to the small headland she was surprised to see Blair in the distance, standing with two men, gesturing around and out to sea, admiring the view.
She called out, waved, and could tell by Blair’s body language he was uncomfortable.
‘I thought you were busy working,’ he greeted her.
‘I’m on a lunch break. Have you had lunch yet?’ She looked at the two men, recognising them from head office, and smiled. ‘Nice to see you again, Mr Fanzio, Mr Holding.’ She put out her hand, annoyed Blair hadn’t bothered to include her.
‘Hello. We were just talking about lunch too. Please call me Joe and this is Reg,’ said Fanzio.
Jennifer glanced at Blair, ‘Ah, you were on Kicking Back when we were at Sooty. Beautiful boat.’
Blair’s eyes had narrowed and he was sending her some signal but she had no idea what. ‘It’s the company boat. Reg and Joe are just here briefly to see how things are running,’ said Blair. ‘A flying visit.’
‘Oh, is Rosie hosting drinks or anything?’ asked Jennifer innocently.
‘No time, unfortunately, just a stopover visit to our outposts,’ said Holding, separating his lips and showing teeth, his eyes cold.
Joe, the fatter, redder and balder of the two, made a bit more of an effort. ‘So how are you enjoying being out here? Blair says you’re doing some writing. Very good to have a portable occupation when your husband is so . . . involved.’
Jennifer gave Blair a bright smile. ‘Oh, he’s definitely very involved with it all. The staff and guests love him.’
Signals were still flashing from Blair, who turned away from the view. ‘Well, shall we? Have that lunch?’
The men glanced around as they walked away from the headland. ‘Fabulous location. Spot on.’
‘Just got to make it work. Counting on you, Blair.’ Holding jabbed Blair in the arm.
Jennifer was walking slightly ahead as Blair came alongside. ‘We’re having lunch on the boat, it’s at the wharf. Sorry I can’t ask you, business. Rosie has a meeting with them too,’ he added for her benefit. Then as the men, talking in low voices, dropped further behind them, he said, ‘Don’t mention being pregnant. Might hurt my promotion.’
‘Already?’
‘Just talking future plans, you never know.’
‘So where do you plan to park me and the baby if we’re not included in your future plans?’
‘Don’t be silly, just play along,’ he hissed. As they reached the divide in the track he kissed her quickly on the cheek. ‘See you later on. I’m just taking them down to Boomerang Cove for a bit of a looksee.’
‘Nice to see you,’ called Jennifer and turned onto the resort path. The men gave a desultory acknowledgment. Jennifer had the distinct impression they couldn’t care less if they never saw her again or would they even recognise her if they did. ‘Jerks,’ she thought. ‘How did they get to be senior executives?’
She didn’t see Rosie for the next two days and Blair was vague about the meeting, but seemed cheerful and more loving than he’d been in a month. They started making love again, but he avoided what she thought of as real intimacy. No cuddling, talking or lazing in bed together in the afterglow of sex. He either fell asleep or leapt from bed, rushing to get ready for work, leaving Jennifer to her solitary morning walk.
On Friday morning Jennifer asked Blair to come with her that evening to Gideon’s Shark Bar.
‘That weird old guy that Lloyd and the uni people hang out with? I don’t think so.’
‘Have you ever met Gideon?’
‘Would I want to? You go if you want. I’m off to Sooty, we’re looking at some refurbishments. Maybe another tent. So I’ll stay over there. Will you be okay? How will you get back? No more dramas, please.’
‘I’m not sure. If you’re on Sooty is Rosie on duty here then?’ It struck her as odd that Blair would be looking after upgrades and refurbishments rather than the manager.
‘Yeah. But I don’t want you walking across the island at night after a few drinks. Take Rosie with you, someone can cover for her.’
‘I might come back by boat,’ said Jennifer with a cheeky air.
Blair gave her a look. ‘Don’t put Lloyd through that trip. You’re just not meant to go on boats.’
‘Speaking of boats, Kicking Back didn’t stay long. What’s going on with those two company boys? They’re not exactly impressive, are they?’
‘Just because they were dressed casually . . . those guys are worth heaps. And they run a squillion-dollar business. They have other connections as well as the resorts.’
‘Really? Like what?’
‘Nothing to do with hospitality. I’m not sure.’ Blair sounded evasive.
‘Blair, I don’t think you should suck up to those guys. If they’re only part of the board, corporation, whatever, who is the really big boss?’ she asked.
‘The chairman is Sir Giles Blake. A Brit. No one ever sees him. His family owned Reef Resorts before it went public. He’s probably some old geezer who goes to the board meetings and has no other involvement. Sends his rellies off on fancy holidays to the resorts they own. Who knows? It’s middle and senior management, guys like Fanzio and Holding, who are hands-on, running things.’
He went into the bathroom. Jennifer dropped the subject, deciding to quiz Rosie. She hoped she’d come along tonight.
‘You bet I’m going over there, I’ve already made arrangements,’ said Rosie when Jennifer stuck her head around her office door. ‘Isobel is a truly fabulous gal. You up to coming with Lloyd and me in his boat? He’s off duty too.’
‘I guess so. Sure, why not? Nothing could be worse than the first time. And I’m a member of the Shark Club now.’ Jennifer felt happy, liberated.
‘Good for you. See you down at the wharf at six.’
Lloyd and Carmel were on board waiting for them. Lloyd helped Jennifer into the boat and gave her hand a slight squeeze. Rosie sat beside Jennifer as they sped away from the wharf.
Rosie shaded her eyes. ‘I love looking back at the resort from the water. It’s tucked in there so discreetly, really blends in. What a relief it’s not a high-rise monstrosity.’
‘Where’s Blair?’ asked Carmel. ‘Is he holding the fort?’
‘He’s on Sooty Isle. Working over there. Just for today and tomorrow,’ said Jennifer. She ca
ught Rosie’s eye and saw her discomfort. Was Blair upstaging his boss? She’d have to speak to him. Rosie was an understanding woman but if he was jeopardising her career everything could backfire on him. When the time was appropriate she’d talk to Rosie. And Blair.
But it was Lloyd who asked one of the questions Jennifer had been thinking about. ‘I saw Kicking Back was here for a bit, Rosie. Pretty quick inspection, wasn’t it?’
‘Only an informal visit. Not exactly social, though I had a quick drink with the slick boys – as I call them. They’re cruising around. Got some women on board and no wives. Not really serious business. Hardly came ashore.’
‘Oh, I saw them up at Coral Point. And Blair took them down to Boomerang Cove,’ blurted Jennifer without thinking.
Rosie looked stunned then shrugged. ‘I’m not going to worry about it. They had no complaints as far as I could tell, that’s the main thing. The board and chairman are in London, the slick boys are the Australian arm. Unfortunately I answer to them.’
‘Are you going to London for the next meeting?’ asked Jennifer cautiously.
‘No, that’s not my call.’
Carmel sensed Rosie’s tension and diverted the conversation. ‘I am so excited to meet Dr Belitas. How often is she here?’
‘She was here about eighteen months ago. She hadn’t been to Branch for a couple of years before that. It depends on her schedule, I s’pose. Mac will know more. If she has a project here she’ll spend weeks, maybe months. She sometimes stays at the resort for a break but mostly she’s at the research station. She’s a ball of energy, that’s for sure.’
‘She’s very down to earth for someone so famous,’ said Lloyd.
‘Yes, I looked her up on the net. Odd that some people can be so respected and known in their field and yet unknown to the general public,’ said Jennifer.
‘Depends what general public you refer to – the followers of the tabloid press and TV soaps, or people who take their news and reading a bit more seriously,’ said Rosie. ‘If you talk about the queen of the deep and extreme feats, some people will know of her.’
Jennifer kept quiet. I’m a country girl. Ask me about droughts, bushfires, flooded creeks, plagues of locusts. I haven’t had any interest in marine science.
