Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [197]
She shared these thoughts with Olivia after giving her Georgie’s letter to read.
‘She is something of a free spirit, Maya, that’s for sure. But I think it’s how she was born. You can’t have any regrets about how you brought her up. Let’s hope that one day Georgie stops rushing at the world and finds her true self. Maybe when she marries she will come to realise how important family is,’ said Olivia, trying to comfort Maya.
Maya nodded but didn’t answer. Deep down she had her doubts about Georgiana returning to the fold as a loving and devoted daughter and it felt like a rejection. Some people don’t need that closeness and never face up to who they really are and what’s important in their lives. Minnie used to say such people died as ‘lost souls’ and Maya fervently hoped Georgie wouldn’t be one of them.
Tyndall walked along the almost deserted verandah of the Continental. In the old days it would have been crowded and noisy just before lunch. He spotted the rotund shape of Toby Metta talking to the slim man in a formal grey suit sitting next to Olivia, and headed towards them. The man rose to his feet as Tyndall joined them.
Toby did the introductions. ‘Ah, John, please meet Claude Barat … Claude, this is Captain John Tyndall.’
‘I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. I’ve heard a lot about you.’
Tyndall smiled as he shook hands with the handsome young European on his first trip to Australia to buy pearls. ‘How is your father? We will miss him, he has been such a good friend as well as business associate over the years. Men of his quality rarely find their way to Broome.’
‘Thank you so much for your kind words. He remembers you all with affection. It’s a pity that he now finds the trip a bit much, but he’s still active in the business. I’m looking forward to being a regular visitor to Broome. When things settle down, of course.’
‘Drink, John?’ asked Toby.
‘I have one on the way, thanks. So you and Olivia have finalised your transactions?’ He smiled at his wife. ‘You’ve probably discovered Olivia drives a hard bargain.’
‘Ah, my father told me Mrs Tyndall is always fair … and … charming.’ Monsieur Barat’s son lifted his glass to Olivia with a courtly nod.
Tyndall sipped his drink. ‘The shell market has been poor but we still manage to find a decent pearl or two. But what do you mean “when things settle down”? The market you mean?’
‘I was thinking more particularly of the political events in Europe, especially in Germany. The Jewish people are being persecuted terribly. Hitler is getting ready for war, there’s no doubt about it. The repercussions will hit Broome, believe me.’
Olivia gave a small gasp of surprise and turned to Tyndall who looked unfazed. ‘Well, if there’s one place unlikely to find itself involved in an international conflict, it’s Broome. Though we’ve had our share of our own little wars right here over the years. Isn’t that so, Toby?’ said Tyndall with a laconic grin.
‘Indeed we have. But the rumblings in Europe are sounding ominous,’ said Toby, lighting a cigarette.
‘So much so that my father is moving the family and the business from Europe to New York.’
Tyndall raised his eyebrows. ‘That is a big step. Especially when times are so grim. The recovery from the Depression has been very slow. War in Europe could have disastrous effects … kill off the industry for good. And we can’t have that. Plastic is no comparison for pearl shell.’
‘Well, times change, Captain Tyndall … ’
‘They do indeed,’ Toby agreed. ‘It’s hard to imagine pearling not being Broome’s lifeblood.’
‘You wouldn’t consider retiring, Captain Tyndall? This seems the time to