The Plantation - Di Morrissey [153]
Julie lay in bed trying to read but she kept putting her book down and thinking about Bette. Then to her surprise her mobile rang. She grabbed it, wondering who would ring her at this late hour. When she saw the name on her mobile, her heart leapt.
‘Hi, Chris! What’s up? This is a nice surprise.’
‘Hi, Jules, I got your email and figured you might still be awake. Is it okay to talk?’ His voice was warm and familiar and she found she couldn’t stop smiling.
She spoke softly. ‘I’m curled up in bed trying to read, but I can’t stop wondering about my aunt. How are you?’
‘Nothing new this end, for the moment anyway. It sounds as though Aunt Bette is something out of the box. Are you happy you found her? No nasty surprises, skeletons in closets?’
‘No, nothing like that at all. Even without knowing anything about her life, she’s a personable woman. She’s quite different from my grandmother, even though they were sisters. Bette seems very open, warm and giving. Gran was a closed sort of person.’
‘You mean bitter?’
‘No, more a private person. Not at all outgoing.’
‘On another topic, you haven’t mentioned the battle of the bypass lately.’
‘A glimmer of light. David Cooper is going through some old records. There was a similar plan for a bypass a few years back which was abandoned and David wants to know why.’
‘And how is the good Doctor Cooper?’ asked Chris, and she knew he was smiling.
‘The same. He’s rather like an uncontrollable puppy dog, desperate to be loved but actually rather irritating. But I feel bad thinking that about him, he’s doing a terrific job on this bypass and Mum really likes him and appreciates his efforts, so I’m being mean.’
‘I have to admit I’m rather pleased you feel the way you do, though,’ said Chris. ‘I’m jealous that he’s in and out of your house, involved with your family, helping you. I wish I could see more of you. I was hoping you’d have time to come back up here.’
Julie cradled the phone against her pillow. ‘I wish you were here too.’
There was a brief silence. It was as if Chris was going to say something then changed his mind. Then he said, ‘How’s your job going?’
‘It’s fine. I’m keeping busy, which is good. Mum enjoyed Adelaide.’
‘Well, enjoy the bright lights of Cairns. Will you keep me posted about Bette’s story? Now we’ve been to Rose Mansion, I want to know all about her life in Penang.’
‘Me too. Thanks for the call, it’s been great hearing your voice,’ said Julie. ‘I miss you, Chris,’ she added suddenly.
‘I’m pleased about that. I miss you too. Sleep tight.’ Sleep didn’t come easily despite the late hour. When she finally did fall asleep, Julie kept her phone under her pillow as if through it, she could reach out and touch Christopher.
12
AS JULIE’S FATHER HAD surmised, Bette was enthusiastic when Julie and Caroline arrived to spend the next day with her. She was settled comfortably in a chair and her eyes sparkled.
‘Suzie has made us lunch and left it in the kitchen, so we won’t be disturbed at all,’ said Bette. ‘Suddenly it seems important to me that you, my Australian family, my blood relations, know my story.’
1950
The white house glowed with a mellow warmth as yellow light spilled from its windows onto the verandah. Ted Oldham watched as his daughter Bette walked up the hill from the bus stop. She called out to him as she came through the garden.
‘Now, how’d you know I was out here?’ he said.
‘The red glow from your cigarette,’ she answered, knowing he’d been watching and waiting for her.
‘Pleased to be back in Brisbane?’ he asked as she came up the steps. ‘You could stay here and get a job, you know. Why don’t you do a secretarial course?’
‘Mum’s been in your ear again, has she? I don’t think she wants me to go back to Sydney. Mmm, something smells good.’