Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [132]
Doctor Shaw was older than Olivia by fifteen years. He was an attractive man, slimly built with silver temples, a soft voice, caring manner and kindly grey eyes. His was a popular practice as women found him one of the few doctors with whom they could comfortably discuss personal problems. His invalid wife had died three years before. There had been no children. Since her death he had become a leading figure in campaigns for helping the destitute and needy.
After a tour of the seedier areas around the docks of Fremantle, Olivia saw the need for a girls’ shelter. Young girls of mixed blood—Aboriginal and Asian—were cast into the streets after running away from harsh employers and unscrupulous men who abused, mistreated and took advantage of them. Scavenging and prostituting themselves were preferable to the near slavery they endured.
She accepted a position to work directly with Doctor Shaw in setting up the girls’ home in Cantonment Street. It had a small staff including a young nurse and Olivia tried to make the refuge feel more like a friendly interim home than a charitable institution. She had visited other public institutions—an orphanage, a home for wayward girls—and found them cold and intimidating.
Olivia and Gilbert Shaw walked through the freshly painted house, which Olivia had decorated simply but in soft colours, unlike the other drab institutions.
They settled themselves in the cheerful dining area and Olivia made them tea, knowing just how he liked it. Gilbert gave her a smile across the table and thought how comfortable Olivia was to be with. ‘This place certainly has a more friendly atmosphere. You’ve done a splendid job, Olivia.’
‘I had a lot of help. But those other places do seem deliberately inhospitable. A scared or sick girl isn’t going to go there by choice unless she is utterly desperate.’
‘This home is not a charity that will give these girls a soft ride,’ said Doctor Shaw gently. ‘We can’t feed, house, clothe and care for them indefinitely. It’s not an open house.’
‘I understand the financial constraints,’ said Olivia, ‘and I agree this home shouldn’t be looked on as a free boarding house, but the girls need to be redirected, advised and helped back into the world.
‘Then that is your role, Olivia—to help the staff achieve that. If you are prepared to take on the challenge.’
‘I should welcome it.’
Gilbert reached across the table and pressed her hand. ‘I’m glad. You’ve brightened up my life, too. You’re a delightful lady, Olivia. I’m sure we’ll achieve a lot together.’
There was no innuendo or hint that the remark was overly personal. Olivia admired his gracious manners and charming warmth and had noted how he treated all women with courtesy and respect.
Gilbert Shaw might not have shown any deeper clue to his feelings and made sure he didn’t treat Olivia any differently, but he was conscious that she stirred feelings in him that he had thought long buried. He found himself looking forward to their meetings and kept finding excuses to spend time at the refuge.
Olivia felt needed and useful, and the stimulation of the work took her mind away from Tyndall and Broome. The remuneration was small but she was financially stable. She lived in a house in Phillimore Street in Fremantle’s better residential section which she’d bought with some of her share of the sale of the ‘Star of the Sea’ pearls, which also paid for Hamish’s school fees. She tried not to think about what her life might be like if they’d never found the fabulous pearl constellation. She drew her percentage from the Star of the Sea Pearl Company and, despite her offering to reduce her share as she was