The Plantation - Di Morrissey [98]
‘Lovely. Is David going too?’
‘No. He’s working, Mum. Doing his research and stuff. I’m sure he’ll be in touch with you when he gets back to Australia. How’re things there?’
‘Good. A moratorium’s been called with the council. Don’t you worry, darling, the house will still be here when you get back.’
‘That’s good.’
‘This call must be costing a fortune. It’s all very exciting. Send me an email when you know more.’
‘I just wanted to call and tell you. I was pretty gob-smacked,’ said Julie.
‘Me too. I’ll sit down with your father and digest it all. Take care, Julie.’
‘Love you, Mum.’
‘I love you too. I’m really glad you’ve made this trip.’
‘Me too.’
Julie put the receiver down. She realised that there were still a lot more places to see and, she felt sure, more of her family’s story to unfold.
8
ON THE SHORT FLIGHT from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi Island Julie found she was laughing more than she could remember in years, as did everyone else. There was Martine, Shane and Peter, Tina and Carl, who lived in the Cameron Highlands and had a tea plantation, Christopher Nichols, the Australian RAAF officer from Butterworth, and the Stevensons, a couple in their late forties who were staying on the other side of the island in their apartment at the marina on Telaga Harbour.
‘You must come over for lunch,’ said Ursula Stevenson. ‘We could take our boat out. There are some amazing things to see on the island.’
‘They are in the shipping business in Europe,’ Martine whispered later to Julie. ‘Very rich. They come here every year.’
‘Langkawi seems to be a popular place. I see why Marjorie Carter must have enjoyed it here,’ said Julie as they flew over the blue Andaman Sea dotted with lush green islands that lay west of the Malaysian and Thai coasts.
‘Oh, yes indeed. She was tempted to buy here too, when she saw Ursula’s place, but she changed her mind and bought a penthouse in Penang instead.’
‘Does she go there often?’ asked Julie.
‘When it’s cold and draughty in her daughter’s house in Scotland, where she usually lives. She comes out here for the warmth and sun. I’ll get her phone number out of my mobile, I know how anxious you are to talk with her.’
‘Yes, I am. I’m so curious about Great Aunt Bette and Philip, too. I suppose the boys grew up knowing the story of what happened to their father during the war, so this is not as exciting for them as it is for me because I know nothing.’
‘I’m sure Marjorie will be able to tell you something. Shane said she was only about twelve when she was in the camp. She was like a big sister to their father, which is why they kept in touch. And when Philip and Stephanie were killed, Marjorie still kept in contact with the boys. We’re landing. I hope you like it here. We’re staying at a cute place. Wait till you see it,’ said Martine.
‘I’m sure I’ll love it,’ said Julie. ‘Is there lots to do? Peter talked about the fishing.’
‘There are wonderful things to do or, if you like, you can do nothing. That’s what appeals to me,’ said Martine. ‘When we had our own house here there always seemed to be too much work maintaining it, even with the girls to help. This is much easier.’
After collecting their bags they divided themselves between rental cars and a taxi. Julie sat with Christopher in the taxi as they followed Shane and Peter.
‘So you know the island pretty well?’ asked Julie.
‘Yes, I’ve been here a few times. It’s not the place to come if you’re in to nightlife, movies, shows, and that sort of thing. But the nature and wildlife are spectacular.’
‘And the fishing?’
‘Iffy. I just like the idea of hanging out on a boat. Any fish I catch is a bonus. If I’m really in to serious fishing, I go to the Barrier Reef or the Top End. And don’t expect too much from the beaches. They’re not what we’re used to. We Australians are so spoiled when it comes to beaches, it makes the ones here a bit disappointing,’ he said.
‘I like the idea of exploring the local nature. I loved seeing the orangutans in Sarawak.’
‘There