Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [172]
Maya, too, was affected and leaned over and murmured to Olivia, ‘I remember. I remember.’
Olivia had not told anyone she was coming. She wanted to be the one to bring Maya and Tyndall together. But looking along the foreshore she realised many of the luggers were still at sea. Others, laid up through the war, remained shrouded in hessian, stranded and neglected along the mangrove creeks. They went to the Continental and as they passed along the familiar streets Olivia noted new buildings, but saw that some were closed. The war had taken its toll. Businesses and families had not recovered from the industry’s recession. Olivia knew, too, that the pearl shell stored through the war because of the collapse of the market had just been sold in London and New York for a fraction of its value. She had written to Tyndall suggesting they might have to look to other enterprises, but he had been emphatic that pearling was his life and all would be well after the war.
Despite the recession Olivia couldn’t halt her spirits soaring as they walked through the hotel gardens and onto the verandah for morning tea. A few familiar faces nodded and greeted her with surprise but she merely smiled, murmured pleasantries and didn’t pause. She’d sent word to Toby and Mabel and hoped they were in town and able to join her as soon as was convenient. She’d been in regular contact with them since she left. Mabel had written to her about Amy’s defection and the tragic details and Toby had sent her a valuation of the missing pearls.
Olivia had just settled herself to pouring tea when the Mettas bustled along the verandah, Mabel with arms outstretched exclaiming in delight, ‘Olivia! Why didn’t you tell us! What a wonderful surprise!’
They embraced with affection.
‘Are you alone? Where’s your wonderful husband?’
‘He couldn’t come. But I’m not alone.’ She turned to the beautiful young woman and little girl sitting at the table. ‘Do you know who this is?’ she asked.
Mabel was staring thoughtfully at the young woman who shyly smiled at her, not sure if she should know the plump dark-skinned lady. ‘She reminds me of … ’
While she groped for the connection, Toby said quietly, ‘Niah. She looks like Niah.’
The Mettas stared in shock and Olivia triumphantly lifted the young woman’s hand. ‘Yes. This is Maya, Tyndall and Niah’s daughter. And this is her daughter—Georgiana, or Georgie as we call the little rascal.’
The Mettas drew up chairs and they all began talking at once. While Olivia began to tell the story, Maya took the now fidgety Georgiana down to explore the waterfront.
‘I noticed some of the fleet is still outside. John and Ahmed … when are they due back?’ asked Olivia.
‘Any day,’ answered Tobias.
Olivia hesitated, then asked, ‘How is John? He hasn’t been in touch. I should have told him I was getting married … but I just didn’t know how to tell him. Things happened quickly. The war took our minds off things … ’ she finished lamely. She didn’t have to explain to the Mettas. They understood and knew how hurt and angry Olivia had been over Amy, how anguished over the death of Hamish.
‘He’s changed a little. Only natural I suppose. Hard times for us all. In so many ways,’ said Toby softly. ‘But he remains ever the optimist.’
‘He has been wrapped up in Star of the Sea and nothing else,’ added Mabel pointedly. ‘It’s kept him going. This will be wonderful news.’
Toby changed the subject. ‘Are you happy? Is the life you have down there satisfying?’ he asked with warm concern. ‘It seems so different to what you had here. I can’t help feeling … ’
‘Now, Tobias, that will do,’ cut in Mabel swiftly. The kindly couple had been stunned at the news of Olivia’s marriage but at the time thought it was probably for the best. How were any of them to know Amy would turn out to be so unpredictable or that she would disappear? The Mettas had found it heartwrenching to see Tyndall return from Fremantle so deflated and depressed at losing Olivia.
‘Happy?’ answered