The Plantation - Di Morrissey [64]
‘Do you get Australian wines here?’ asked Julie. ‘They’re exceptionally good, you know.’
‘Yes, I do know that but my wife’s family owns vineyards in France,’ said Shane. ‘So they ship their wines out to us.’
‘Maybe we should support our grandmother’s country and order some Australian wines,’ grinned Peter. ‘Stir up your in-laws a bit, eh, Shane?’
On Sunday the boys took Julie by speed boat upriver for a picnic. As they sped past the jungle thickets at the water’s edge, Julie had her first hint of the wilderness that surrounded the plantation.
‘This is beautiful,’ she said, getting out onto a small jetty where a recently mowed lawn swept down to the riverbank. A picnic table and barbecue were set up under a shelter beneath the shady trees. All around them was forest and Julie could see a track leading into it.
‘Do we swim in there, where the netting is?’ asked Julie, looking at the wire mesh strung between strong poles. ‘It looks like a shark net.’
‘The crocs here must be as old as the pagar so we thought it was time to replace it with something stronger,’ said Shane.
When Julie was dropped back at the guesthouse after their swim and barbecue, Siti handed her a scrap of paper with a phone number on it.
‘Message for you, mem.’
‘Oh dear, a message? I wonder what’s up,’ said Julie.
‘Is KL number.’
‘Really? I don’t know anyone in Kuala Lumpur.’
‘He say he your friend,’ said Siti. ‘You take coffee? Cold drink?’
‘Some of that fresh pineapple juice would be lovely. Can I use the phone?’ asked Julie, wondering who would know this phone number to call her.
‘Hi Julie. How are you enjoying Utopia?’
‘David? Is that you? Where are you?’ said Julie, recognising David Cooper’s voice. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Absolutely. I’m in KL. Your parents send their love. Saw them a couple of days ago. So what do you think?’
‘About Utopia? My cousins? Malaysia? It’s all good,’ she said quickly. ‘How are Mum and Dad? Anything new with the council bypass?’
‘Still very quiet. My guess is that the council has retreated, licking their wounds to reassess. But your mother and her committee are having war cabinet meetings, just in case.’
‘And Dad?’
‘Missing you, but otherwise fine.’
‘Are you coming here?’
‘No, that’s not why I rang. You said you wanted to get out into the jungle to see the orangutans.’
‘Oh, yes, I suppose so.’
‘Well, I’m heading to Sarawak in a couple of days and I thought you might like to come and see some really wild country. I’m travelling with a zoologist and a photographer.’
‘I’ll have to talk to my cousins. I am their guest.’
‘I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. It would be a great opportunity to see another part of Malaysia.’
‘You’re right, it would be. I’ll talk to them. What are you doing in Sarawak?’
‘We’re meeting with some Iban to talk about the problems they’re having with their land being reclaimed and the enforced government resettlement. The Iban way of life is disappearing fast and I want to record what I can of it, before it all goes. I’m sure your cousins would be happy for you to experience traditional life in the longhouses.’
‘You’re right, it does sound interesting, and it would be a wonderful opportunity for me. Let me get back to you. How long will you be away in Sarawak?’
‘Initially only a week or so but after I return you to Kuching we’re planning to move much further inland, and could be gone for some weeks. It’ll be pretty casual, but I’ll talk to you more about the gear you should bring when you ring me back.’
‘You sound very confident I’ll go into the wilds of Borneo with you,’ said Julie.
‘You’d be crazy not to! I’ll look after you, Julie, I promise. This will be something special, believe me,’ he added sincerely.
‘I’ll talk to the boys.’
Shane and Peter were immediately enthusiastic.
‘It’s a marvellous opportunity, Julie!’ said Shane.
‘This David seems to know all kinds of people. He’s an interesting fellow.