Tears Of The Moon Part 14

Before she could answer Tyndall went on with rising anger, 'Don't be a hypocrite, Olivia! You think it's all very well to hold those views so long as they don't impinge on your nice little home life. You're just jealous of a girl who is brown, has no education and is culturally different. I thought you you were better than that!' were better than that!'

'Leave me out of this! It involves all of us! Especially the girl! She's a simple girl and you seduced her-not just physically but by offering her security and false promises. She doesn't understand and just what is to become of her?'

'Do you really care, Olivia? Or is it just appearances you care about?' he shouted.

'Of course I care! And I care about you, John! Moving her in with you is madness.' Olivia, too, was shouting.

'You're jealous, Olivia. Pure and simple as that. Leave us be and let the future take care of itself. And you might look at your own feelings while you're about it and stop judging others by standards you only think think you uphold.' you uphold.'

'You might also question your own motives, John Tyndall,' she retorted, getting to her feet and brus.h.i.+ng past the bewildered Chinese cook who was holding a tray with a jug and gla.s.ses on it.

Olivia was hurt and angry and, as she hurried down the crushed sh.e.l.l path, Tyndall's voice, sounding slightly amused, called after her, 'Well at least we're on first name terms at last!'

Olivia slammed the gate and, with her head high, stomped furiously along the street towards home. As she walked, her anger cooled, and the sun beating through the white linen parasol began to weary her. She tried to go over the entire conversation again but she couldn't get past the idea of Tyndall accusing her of being jealous. Why should she be jealous? She was a married woman, Tyndall could sleep with whomever he liked. Would she have been so upset if the girl in his bed was an attractive white girl? She realised she had to confront her prejudices. Was she annoyed because Tyndall had chosen a girl the rest of their friends and a.s.sociates would regard as inferior and of little consequence? Or would she have been jealous of any girl Tyndall chose?

That evening Conrad was occupied with the periodicals and newspapers that had arrived from England, months after their publication. Olivia sat on the darkened verandah listening to the night noises in the garden, the warm breeze carrying the heady scent of frangipani flowers and the faint smell of the mangrove flats exposed by the tide, an odour of Broome that was now a familiar part of her surroundings. She regretted the flare up with Tyndall, but was glad she'd spoken up about something that had wrenched her feelings about so strangely. She decided to let things be and hope that Tyndall would handle matters discreedy or come to his senses. She would maintain a cordial relations.h.i.+p for the sake of the business, but there was no denying that her friends.h.i.+p with Tyndall was strained by Niah's presence. She would go on with dignity for she had nothing to be ashamed about.

And in her head she heard Tyndall's steady voice, 'And neither have I.'

At the same time Tyndall sat in the shadows on his verandah sipping a nightcap, deep in thought. Niah padded quietly to him and sat by his feet, leaning her head against his knee. Absently he smoothed her hair. The day had been a draining one. He was saddened at the conflict between himself and Olivia. Only now that their friends.h.i.+p was threatened did he realise how much he valued it as distinct from the business partners.h.i.+p. He found himself wanting her approval, a feeling he had difficulty accommodating. Nonetheless he couldn't help contrasting her frosty eyes and formal manner with the windswept vision of her on the Bulan Bulan in those mad pyjamas, learning to laugh again. Niah's hands began to softly stroke his thighs and he became conscious of how she filled a hole in his life, and his thoughts of Olivia soon faded. in those mad pyjamas, learning to laugh again. Niah's hands began to softly stroke his thighs and he became conscious of how she filled a hole in his life, and his thoughts of Olivia soon faded.

Slowly and subtly, the relations.h.i.+p between Olivia and Tyndall changed over the next three years. The business partners.h.i.+p strengthened as mutual regard for their abilities was recognised and while the bond of friends.h.i.+p was still there, their former closeness had faded. Once or twice they would exchange a swift smile as something caused them both to react simultaneously. But when they made meaningful eye contact, a veil would drop swiftly over Olivia's eyes and she'd turn away.

Tyndall learned where the invisible barriers were and never overstepped them. He minded his manners and rarely teased her as he'd done before.

In turn, Olivia was less judgemental and kept her criticisms to herself when she wished she could air them frankly and argue with him as she would have done before. She also missed his bantering, an art Conrad had never mastered. But they continued their use of first names, a surprising legacy of their argument over Niah.

Conrad was pleased at the stability of the relations.h.i.+p between them all, unaware of the undercurrent of restraint between Tyndall and Olivia. The birth of their son Hamish two years earlier had been a time of great joy and created a diversion in their lives. Conrad had been somewhat surprised at Olivia's continuing interest and involvement with Star of the Sea, despite the claims on her time and attention by the baby. However, he realised that Olivia was deeply committed to their pearling enterprise and, as they had staff to help out, he saw no reason why Olivia shouldn't continue to be active in the company.

Olivia took her small son Hamish by the hand and led him along the track to the old jetty. The toddler jumped up and down excitedly as he saw the luggers lined up, all making ready to sail on the tide. Dropping Olivia's hand, he scampered along the wooden jetty on chubby legs making for the Bulan Bulan. Spotting Ahmed, he waved and called, 'A'med, Hamish come, me come!'

The Malay grinned in delight. He and the child had established a special bond, and he reached up and swung him down onto the deck.

Olivia smiled as she watched the two of them. Ahmed was a patient teacher with the child, slowly tying and untying knots, letting him turn the wheels of the pump, and teaching him Malay words and phrases.

'All set, Ahmed ?' she asked in Malay.

'Yes, mem. All ready to go,' he replied, pleased with her easy use of his language.

'How's the new lugger?'

'Bagus. Yos.h.i.+ is taking the new lugger, the Annabella Annabella, I'll stay on Bulan Bulan, tuan will bring Shamrock Shamrock for the mother s.h.i.+p. Reckon this one will be a good trip. I feel lucky.' for the mother s.h.i.+p. Reckon this one will be a good trip. I feel lucky.'

'I hope so, Ahmed. Good luck.' She lapsed back into English. 'Hand that monkey back so we can say goodbye to Yos.h.i.+.'

Ahmed picked up Hamish, who flung his arms about the Malay's neck and squeezed tight, then was lifted onto the jetty. Olivia walked a little further along to where the Annabella Annabella was tied up. Yos.h.i.+, his tender Taki and the second mate were standing on the jetty, Yos.h.i.+ holding his precious copper helmet. He reacted in mock alarm as Hamish pounced, demanding he wear the helmet. was tied up. Yos.h.i.+, his tender Taki and the second mate were standing on the jetty, Yos.h.i.+ holding his precious copper helmet. He reacted in mock alarm as Hamish pounced, demanding he wear the helmet.

'Too big, too heavy, little man,' admonished the diver. 'When big fella you wear the helmet.'

Olivia chatted briefly with the crew and wished them well. This was the first time a lugger was going out without either Ahmed or Tyndall on board to oversee operations. Yos.h.i.+ had proved himself to be trustworthy and honest and while many divers secreted a pearl or two away from the owners to sell as a snide, Tyndall and the Hennessys had agreed to let Yos.h.i.+ master a lugger this trip. Yos.h.i.+ bowed respectfully to Olivia, who acknowledged the courtesy with a bob of her head and wished him well. Finally she and Hamish approached the Shamrock Shamrock and called out to Tyndall, who appeared on the deck. and called out to Tyndall, who appeared on the deck.

'Ho!' squealed Hamish as he saw him.

'Ho yourself, Hamish.' Tyndall sprang onto the wharf and picked him up.

The boy carefully touched the pearl at his ear. 'Pretty.'

'We'll bring back lots more pretties I hope, eh Olivia?'

'Ahmed says he feels lucky. Are you staying out on the grounds the whole time? Be difficult for Niah, won't it?'

Niah was due to give birth in a few months. Tyndall had broken the news to them casually, but with great pride and genuine delight.

'I'll go south again and take supplies and water out to the fleet as needed.'

'If you see my Aboriginal friends, tell them we are well.'

'I will.'

They paused for a moment having run out of niceties and exchanged a glance.

Niah appeared on deck and waved to Hamish.

'Good luck, Niah. Look after yourself,' said Olivia. While Niah had not been invited into the Hennessys' house as an equal, they had established a friends.h.i.+p of sorts. Niah had made herself useful at the foresh.o.r.e camp while Olivia had taught her many things and in return Niah had helped her become fluent in Malay.

Olivia glanced at Niah who was wearing a long loose s.h.i.+ft like those worn by the women of the South Seas. But there was no hiding the bulge of the child she carried with grace and ease.

'I hope that baby doesn't come early,' said Olivia with genuine concern.

'I be fine, mem.'

'We'll manage if it does,' said Tyndall. 'You did,' he added softly, then regretted the remark in case it brought back past hurts. But since the birth of Hamish, Olivia had come to terms with the loss of her first son. It crossed her mind now that it would be nice to be sailing south on the Shamrock Shamrock with Hamish. One day she'd take him to where his brother had been born and tell him the story. with Hamish. One day she'd take him to where his brother had been born and tell him the story.

As Olivia turned to leave, she added, 'Conrad sends his best wishes. Good luck.'

Tyndall watched Olivia and her son walk back along the wharf with feelings he didn't understand. When he turned back to Niah she gave him a soft smile. 'I give you a son too, Tyndall. You see.'

'Not till we're back safe in Broome, I hope!' he laughed.A few weeks later, while at sea, Niah and Tyndall lay in the night coolness on the deck of the Shamrock Shamrock. The moon was full and hung plump and mellow, s.h.i.+ning across the water. But instead of the unbroken path of light, the annual phenomenon known as the 'steps of the moon' was taking place. This occurred when some unseen atmospheric disturbance broke the silvery gold light into a ladder of steps leading across the sea and wound up to the moon itself.

'We go walkabout up there, said Niah, pointing to the moon.

'You'd never get up there. Too fat,' laughed Tyndall, rubbing her belly. She snuggled into him and he put his arm around her. Feeling the sh.e.l.l pendant between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, he idly asked, 'Tell me about this.'

'It's my people sign. Very old. First girl gets to wear.'

'Not the men, huh? And what does it mean?'

'My mother mother come from here. Marry to Maca.s.sar man. Leave Australia, go far away.'

Tyndall was stunned by her casual revelation of her grandmother's Aboriginal ancestry. 'Niah, do you know which Aboriginal tribe this came from?' he asked, touching the sh.e.l.l pendant.

She shook her head and looked wistful and Tyndall realised she was missing her family, especially with the birth so close. 'They must have been coastal people.' He said no more and they lay there looking at the steps of the moon s.h.i.+mmering on the water. Tyndall felt very contented, this simple girl made him happy, and the arrival of the child would make it complete. Such musings came as a surprise to him for he was disconcerted to realise that he too now wished for the security of companions.h.i.+p like Conrad and Olivia. Now it seemed to him having a child meant he would leave some footprint upon this place. Maybe it was one of the reasons why he'd lived so recklessly-he had no one but himself to think about. He leaned down and kissed her cheek and Niah smiled up at him.

Seeing his pearl earring catch the moonlight, she touched it. 'What this one mean?'

'I won it in a card game and I thought it so beautiful I decided to find lots more.'

'This one tear of the moon,' said Niah softly as she touched the pearl that perfectly matched the colour of the moon above. 'My mother say these ones-pearls-when the G.o.ddess of the moon weeps, tears fall into sea and make pearls.'

'That's beautiful, Niah ... tears of the moon. I like that.'

Niah stretched sleepily. 'Baby and me go to sleep now.'

The Shamrock Shamrock moored in the cove near where the ill-fated moored in the cove near where the ill-fated Lady Charlotte Lady Charlotte had been s.h.i.+pwrecked and where Tyndall had first met Olivia. Today the weather and sea were kind, so Niah and Tyndall waded ash.o.r.e from the dinghy to picnic for a few hours. had been s.h.i.+pwrecked and where Tyndall had first met Olivia. Today the weather and sea were kind, so Niah and Tyndall waded ash.o.r.e from the dinghy to picnic for a few hours.

He took her across the dunes and along the sandy scrub track to the low line of trees and a small spring-fed creek. They'd brought food and Tyndall settled himself in the shade with his journal. Leaving him to his jottings, Niah set off to explore the area.

Within a short time she noticed tracks and when she eventually came across a mound of discarded oyster sh.e.l.ls and sh.e.l.lfish, she knew this was a regular camping site. Like Ohvia before her, Niah sat down in the shade near the midden and felt a great peace and sense of security steal over her. She closed her eyes and rested, almost falling asleep, but was awakened by a group of Aboriginal women calling out to her.

Niah had not expected to understand them but, astonis.h.i.+ngly, some words and phrases were familiar, greetings taught to her by her Aboriginal grandmother. She repeated them with curiosity and immense excitement. Her mind was whirling as memories and questions flooded her thoughts. The women gathered around and asked about Tyndall, having recognised his schooner. Niah smiled and pointed down the track then, with a widening grin, she pointed to her swollen belly and said, 'Tyndall baby.'

This brought gales of delighted laughter and as they were about to move away to find him the oldest woman gesticulated and began talking rapidly and seriously. The other women gathered about her. Niah was unable to follow the conversation, but then the old woman pointed at her sh.e.l.l pendant and began asking questions.

Niah trembled as it dawned on her she had a connection with these people. But she couldn't understand their language or few words of English so, with signs, she indicated they all walk downstream to meet Tyndall.

After the formalities of greeting, Niah quickly told Tyndall of their interest in her pendant and her recognition of some of their language. They sat in a big circle under the trees and with his knowledge of the language they slowly established the story of the woman who went to live on the other side of the monsoon winds. An old woman sat down and, with a stick, began to draw in the sandy dirt. She drew the pattern depicted on the pendant, explaining the strokes meant trips across the sea, the big circle meant the moon and the small circles were ... and here they stumbled on the unknown word until the old woman, with a big grin, pointed at the pearl hanging from Tyndall's ear.

The women clapped their hands then led Niah and Tyndall further down the track and back onto the beach. Here they showed Niah the remains of stone fireplaces built by the Maca.s.sans for boiling the trepang.

Niah sat awkwardly on the sand and ran her hands over the old stones, trying to conjure the scene of generations before. Tyndall watched her, realising how meaningful this was for her. Her childlike excitement had been replaced by a deeper sense of awareness that she had discovered a new link with her family's past.

'I know story of my family. Now I know my family. Now I have story to tell baby.'

'It's incredible. Quite amazing really. But then life is full of such surprises,' he said. The longing and the joy in her face touched him deeply. 'Now you have a Dreaming.'

Word was sent back to the rest of the Aboriginal group and by the evening they had all gathered on the beach with Niah and Tyndall around a big campfire. There was much discussion among the elders and it was agreed that a celebration was in order. A corroboree would take place the following night.

It was a homecoming corroboree, the women explained to Niah, holding her hands, and Niah felt tears of joy running down her cheeks. She had found part of her family.

The fires were burning brightly as twilight faded to a soft night. The members of the community not performing sat with Tyndall and Niah in a half circle talking, laughing and playing with children.

Then suddenly, without introduction, to the beat of music sticks and chanting, some men came out of the darkness and began the dance. Some of the ceremonial white clay designs painted on their bodies were the same as the pattern on her pendant. Their dance depicted seafarers from Maca.s.sar guiding their praus praus across the sea. Others, playing their own ancestors, welcomed them ash.o.r.e. Then, in superb pantomime, they mimed the diving for sh.e.l.l, and the cooking of the trepang. The stirring of the pots which gave off a foul odour drew a laugh from the audience. Then a woman was singled out and taken away by the visitors in their boat. There were accompanying wails of sadness as she bid goodbye to her family. But then she returned with a baby and there was much celebration until it was time to go again. The long song of the elders told of the unity of family, of how the spirits of the sea and the great ocean birds carried their messages from land to land and kept them all as one. Tyndall grasped the message, even though he didn't understand all the words, that physical separation could never break the ties that link a family through generations. He saw the tears glistening on Niah's cheeks as the dance ended. She, too, understood this concept of unity and belonging and he was glad for her. across the sea. Others, playing their own ancestors, welcomed them ash.o.r.e. Then, in superb pantomime, they mimed the diving for sh.e.l.l, and the cooking of the trepang. The stirring of the pots which gave off a foul odour drew a laugh from the audience. Then a woman was singled out and taken away by the visitors in their boat. There were accompanying wails of sadness as she bid goodbye to her family. But then she returned with a baby and there was much celebration until it was time to go again. The long song of the elders told of the unity of family, of how the spirits of the sea and the great ocean birds carried their messages from land to land and kept them all as one. Tyndall grasped the message, even though he didn't understand all the words, that physical separation could never break the ties that link a family through generations. He saw the tears glistening on Niah's cheeks as the dance ended. She, too, understood this concept of unity and belonging and he was glad for her.

After six weeks at sea the Shamrock Shamrock slid quietly into Broome ahead of the fleet. Niah was close to term and Tyndall had decided to come back to port. slid quietly into Broome ahead of the fleet. Niah was close to term and Tyndall had decided to come back to port.

Two nights later, in the early hours of the morning, Olivia was awakened by Ahmed banging on the front door.

'Mem, Niah baby come. No can find midwife. Tuan says come quick.'

Olivia dressed quickly, asked Conrad to look after Hamish, and then drove in the sulky with Ahmed back to Tyndall's bungalow. As Ahmed left her to continue his search for the midwife Olivia told him, 'There's an Aboriginal woman down by Kennedy's camp. I've heard she helps at births, see if you can find her.'

A concerned Tyndall paced around the bedroom with a gla.s.s of rum while Niah moaned on the bed.

'John, you're not being any help. Please go and wait on the verandah,' said Olivia firmly.

'Whatever you say,' he agreed, glad to escape.

Niah began walking awkwardly about the room, finding it more comfortable. When Olivia tried to get her back onto the bed she refused and then insisted on squatting, rocking to and fro.

Then the midwife, Minnie arrived, explaining simply, 'Ahmed get me.'

Olivia nodded, grateful for the strength and calmness of the Aboriginal woman.

Minnie bent over Niah and murmured a few words. Niah reached up to take her hand, responding in the same language, and smiled briefly.

A few minutes later the baby began to push its way into the world. Niah insisted on squatting and the Aboriginal woman nodded in agreement.

'Well, if she wants to have it this way, we can't argue now,' said Olivia. Minnie moved behind Niah and held her against her ample chest. Panting with exertion, the crouching Niah pushed and delivered her baby into Olivia's steady hands.

Olivia cut the cord and lifted up the baby, while Minnie pressed out the placenta and helped Niah back onto the bed. Olivia then cleaned the baby, wrapped it in a cotton shawl and bent down to show Niah. She nodded with satisfaction, smiled and leaned back on the pillow, closing her eyes to rest after the effort.

Cradling the baby in her arms, Olivia went to the verandah where Tyndall was pacing in the shadows.

'John, it's all over. Everything is fine.'

He turned to Olivia, who was standing in the lit doorway holding the baby.

'Boy or girl?' he asked in a whisper as he moved quickly towards her.

'You have a beautiful daughter.' Olivia placed the tiny bundle in Tyndall's arms, pulling down the shawl so he could better see the child.

'Oh, Olivia,' he breathed. 'She's a gem.'

Olivia felt her throat constrict. 'Go to Niah, John.'

Tyndall, eyes still glued to the infant he held, walked indoors without another word. Olivia watched him disappear into the house, quietly gathered up her bag and light shawl and slipped through the darkened garden and out the gate, her footsteps m.u.f.fled on the dusty road.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

'Tyndall is a changed man,' announced Conrad with a mixture of amus.e.m.e.nt and mild astonishment. 'He's besotted with that baby. Whoever would have guessed?'

Olivia watched Tyndall cradle the baby in his arms, talk to her, and make delighted nonsense noises. She was surprised to feel a twinge of envy. But there were other feelings too, feelings she could not identify let alone explain. She felt a strong attachment to the exquisite little girl she'd help bring into the world. And since the baby's birth, Tyndall's unabashed joy, his conversation sprinkled with anecdotes of her day-to-day progress and serious queries over baby-rearing matters-despite Niah and the amah's capabilities-had given Tyndall and Olivia a common ground that had drawn them closer together again. Olivia's acceptance of Niah and her a.s.sistance at the birth had helped heal the rift between them. Olivia couldn't help comparing the paternal roles of Conrad and Tyndall. Conrad was a devoted but conservative father, who held the philosophy that a baby was the responsibility of the mother and his role as guiding hand came later in life. Olivia noticed Conrad shake his head with a bemused expression as he watched Tyndall sitting cross-legged on the floor with the baby in his lap singing bawdy sea shanties. He tapped his head indicating to Ahmed that the tuan was going 'soft'. But Ahmed was just as delighted with the child and chuckled at her small gestures and also got down on the floor to play with the baby. After Niah had fed the baby in the early evening, Tyndall frequently took the baby to Conrad and Olivia's. She would sleep contentedly in his lap while the adults shared a sundowner.