Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [130]
‘It was not malicious. We men tend not to look backwards, his past is his past. There are many people in this town who have a past they never talk about. You know yourself, sadly, that life goes on.’
‘He should have told me. I might have been better prepared,’ said Olivia stubbornly.
‘We have been over this many times. If we can’t change your mind, dear Olivia, then let us help you as best we can.’
‘Thank you, Mabel. Here are letters to people like the Hootens, briefly explaining my change of plans, if you’d send them for me.’
‘I’m sure no explanations are needed, Olivia.’
‘That’s just the point, Tobias. I do want to explain. This is my decision. I want to keep some shred of integrity.’
‘What about the business side of things? You can’t stay away too long, Olivia.’ The pearl peeler still regarded her rushed move to Fremantle as an over-reaction.
‘I’ll think things through in more detail when I’m settled.’ She gave a rueful smile.
‘I always knew you were a strong woman, Olivia. You do what you think best.’ Mabel embraced her. ‘We’ll be here keeping an eye on things and you only have to ask if you need anything.’
‘Thank you. Thank you both.’ Olivia embraced them.
This was their tearful and private farewell.
At sunset the Mettas drove Olivia and Hamish to the wharf and helped them onto the steamer. Most of their bags had been sent ahead and Olivia did not want to stand about before they sailed on the tide. After another brief farewell and an enveloping hug for Hamish, the Mettas made their way back along the wharf, Mabel dabbing her eyes with a handker-chief.
Hamish was instantly absorbed in exploring every detail of the cabin and didn’t notice his mother’s set mouth and pained expression as she lifted the name tag—CAPTAIN AND MRS TYNDALL—from their state-room door. What was to have been the honeymoon suite had a bottle of champagne waiting with a welcoming note from the steamer’s captain. Olivia threw the note away and sank down onto the bed.
Hamish was standing on his bunk, busily peering out the porthole, and didn’t see the tears sliding down his mother’s face.
The foreshore camp crew worked as normal packing up at the end of the day, all aware of the steamer’s imminent departure.
Ahmed had watched the activity from the office window, knowing Tyndall was at the foreshore camp with a bottle of whisky. How strange were the ways of Allah, he thought. While he suffered with his master he nonetheless believed there was a higher reason for this alarming and sudden disruption in their lives.
Tobias Metta arrived at the shed at the foreshore camp, loosening his collar and tie.
Tyndall looked up but couldn’t raise a greeting.
‘Well, she’s on board. She’s going through with this sad scheme. Mabel and I tried our best to talk her out of it. She’s a strong-willed woman, John. And one in a lot of pain. This has hurt her dreadfully.’
‘I don’t understand women,’ mumbled Tyndall with despair in his voice. ‘I hurt too.’
‘Mabel tried to make me see that men and women react differently about things.’
‘They certainly do. Why couldn’t she have stuck by me, Toby?’
‘Her feelings and pride are hurt. We have to let her ride things out a bit. Yes, we must let the storm pass, then maybe we will see the way ahead.’
Tyndall topped up his glass and pushed the bottle towards the pearl peeler.
Tobias poured himself a stiff drink. He wasn’t a drinker, but right now he needed a bracing snifter. He took a sip. ‘Mabel wonders why you’re not down there. At the steamer.’
‘What the hell for? To make more of a fool of myself? That’d give ’em all something else to talk about. Anyway, she sent word none of us were to go near the wharf. I didn’t want to upset her.’
‘Mabel thinks you should be down there dragging her off the damned steamer. She says you’re both in love with each other and both being stubborn and silly.’ It hurt and embarrassed him to say this and he took