Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [176]
They drew apart, both conscious of the comforting familiarity of their touch. Olivia broke the silence. ‘Maya, enjoy this time with him before Georgie bowls him over.’
He took his daughter’s hand. ‘Would you like to come and watch the luggers unload? Do you remember Ahmed … ’
‘I have so many questions about my mother … ’ said Maya. ‘I remember little things … but I want to know more. About her family too … ’
‘Minnie can help you there. She’s part of Niah’s Aboriginal family, they know the Dreamtime story of Niah’s family in Macassar.’
Olivia slipped away with a light wave. But she didn’t go home. She ordered the sulky driver to take her to the house on the headland, the house Tyndall had built for them. She walked around it, the trees they’d planted had grown, but there was no garden. Olivia loved gardens. One day, she decided, one day, she would have the garden of her dreams combining the violent-coloured strong native shrubs, trees, vines and blooms with the delicate, perfumed flowers of her English childhood. It would have to be created down south, not in this harsh climate. She’d speak to Gilbert about it one day. With a start Olivia realised it was the first time she’d thought of Gilbert in many days. Venturing onto the verandah, she sat in the heavy wooden settler’s chair and looked across the bay where the tide was receding through the mangroves, exposing the wet grey tangle of braided roots.
She closed her eyes. And thought of Tyndall. She had no doubt Maya would stay here in Broome. Tyndall had a family now.
Suddenly the loss of Hamish hit her once more. He would not be around to watch Georgie grow, to tell her of his little doings and plans. She ached for his soft voice, his warm smile. She again envied Tyndall, but she had Gilbert, she told herself. Tears of self-pity trickled down her face, and Olivia had to admit to herself that life down south was not enough. She sat, lost in grey thoughts until, drawing a deep breath and wiping her cheeks, she looked again at the turquoise water. It was so beautiful—the sweep of the bay, the indigo sky lightly dusted with a swirl of cloud, the soft breeze dancing on top of the wavelets. She lightly lifted a strand of hair away from the coil atop her head and felt her emotional strength returning. Feeling more cheerful, she decided that she would just let life happen and stop worrying about the future. She grinned to herself, Broome had this effect on people. Time took a sidestep and tomorrow could be worried about tomorrow.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
For the rest of the day Georgie attached herself to Minnie who kept the youngster occupied with kitchen activities supposedly contributing to the big dinner that evening, but which simply created an enormous mess all over the floor. Olivia and Minnie stepped over it all with good humour as they cooked and polished glass and silverware and dug out the linen from a camphorwood box.
Maya arrived home late in the afternoon, excited and exhausted at what the day had brought. ‘If I don’t have a rest and a bath I’ll die,’ she groaned happily as she sipped a cold drink in the kitchen. ‘It has just been the most glorious day. My father’s so wonderful, isn’t he?’ Olivia smiled and Maya went on, ‘It’s better than the best dream, Olivia.’
Soon after sunset Tyndall arrived, dressed in his whites and carrying a brightly wrapped parcel. The two women were relaxing on the verandah and rose when they saw him swing through the gate. Maya ran inside to find Georgiana and Olivia greeted him at the top of the steps.
‘Welcome back to the verandah, John,’ she said warmly. ‘It’s been a long time.’
He took her extended hand, then leaned forward and impulsively planted a small kiss on her cheek. ‘Thanks, Olivia. Thanks for so much. You’ve no idea what the day has been like. But then, perhaps you do.’ Before she could respond Maya came through the front door carrying Georgiana, and stopped a few steps from them. No one said a word, and the little girl stared at the stranger in white with big brown questioning