Tears of the Moon - Di Morrissey [198]
‘No bloody way. Never,’ said Tyndall firmly.
That night he talked to Olivia. This was not verandah sunset drink chat, but lying in bed holding each other in the warm darkness.
‘Young Barat’s remark hit home, I have to confess,’ Tyndall admitted, ‘I don’t feel any different … do you?’
‘Older, you mean? No. I sometimes get a surprise when I look in the mirror and see this “woman of a certain age” and wonder where the young Olivia disappeared to.’
‘She hasn’t gone anywhere. She’s right here.’ Tyndall tightened his grip around her. ‘I always see you as the windswept fresh-faced young woman in those mad sailing pyjamas.’
Olivia smiled in the darkness and snuggled close to him. ‘But the fact remains, my darling—we aren’t as young as we were, and sailing and all the physical work involved in pearling takes their toll.’
‘Olivia … I’m still fit and I’m still a pearler. I’m not about to sit on the verandah.’
‘I know, John. But what Claude was pointing out is the bad state of the industry. And this talk of war is very worrying. It will devastate the business.’
‘Young Barat reckoning a war could hit us here seems a bit far-fetched. I doubt Hitler is eyeing the north-west of Australia, but I think the Barats are probably smart to move their headquarters to New York. Don’t worry, we’ll keep pearling as long as we’re able.’
Tyndall’s dismissal of the events in Europe was contradicted in a matter of months as they all began to follow the deteriorating situation in Europe with mounting tension.
It was Maya, making a cup of tea one morning, who came running to Tyndall and Olivia, tapping urgently on their bedroom door. ‘We’re at war! The news just came over the wireless. Because Britain is at war with Germany … something to do with Poland. Oh dear … ’ Maya went in and sat tearfully on the edge of the bed.
Olivia took her hand. ‘It seems incredible … two wars in our lifetime. When will they learn? When I think of Hamish and all those brave boys who died … ’ The two women sat quietly for a moment, then Tyndall broke the silence.
‘I’d better go find out if the RM knows any more details.’
Later that morning small groups garnered about the town to discuss the news. The RM’s aide was dispatched on his bicycle to the homes and offices of the leading citizens in the town, calling them to a meeting at the Residence.
Tyndall, the Senior Customs Officer, the Inspector of Pearl Fisheries, the new Sergeant of Police, the Bishop, the doctor, the postmaster, two other pearling masters and several other leading citizens gathered in the front garden of the Residence while a Malay houseboy in white uniform served cool drinks. The men talked quietly amongst themselves, digesting the latest news that had been picked up in a shortwave broadcast from London. The group fell silent when the Resident Magistrate appeared, stood next to the flagpole and cleared his throat.
‘Gentlemen. It is my unhappy duty to tell you that I have received official advice from the Government that Australia is now at war. It is our duty as citizens of the British Empire to support her. I know that I have your wholehearted backing to do whatever is necessary for the defence of the Empire in the dark days ahead. I am sure that I can telegraph our Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, that we are all behind the Government and the King.’
The short speech was greeted with a hearty, ‘hear, hear’, followed by three loud cheers, then everyone took up the lead of the Church of England minister and sang. This was immediately followed by an enthusiastic burst of ‘God save the King.’
Several Malay and Japanese crew members passing by glanced at the small crowd around the flagpole, but when the anthem was sung they stood still, at attention, as was the custom they had learned.
At its conclusion they continued on their way, shaking their heads at the prospect of war. There were few enough luggers working as it was because of the effects of the Depression. A war would mean the bottom falling out of the pearl shell market.
Maya was very withdrawn and