Rain Music (22 page)

‘By the way, Ned,' said Frederick, after Bella had gone, ‘I heard from the people who are supposed to be fixing Carlo's sat phone, and it's not good news, mate. It appears the part that's needed to fix it has to come from down south, so you won't be getting it back anytime soon.'

Ned shrugged. ‘It can't be helped. I've gone this long without it, so I'm sure I'll manage for a bit longer.' Ned went on to tell Frederick about Toni's impending visit.

‘We can look after her vehicle all right. So we'll see you next weekend, will we?'

As Ned was nodding in agreement, Bella returned, bubbling with interest over the goldfield relics.

‘Frederick, where did all those bits and pieces come from? They are so interesting.'

‘Mostly from Maytown. It was the hub of goldmining in these parts, but that was more than a century ago. Not much left there now,' he answered.

‘Well, that doesn't stop you from fossicking around the place looking for souvenirs, does it?' said Theresa in an amused voice.

‘Some of those relics and photos and newspaper cuttings have come from campers, tourists and souvenir hunters. Funny, though, no one has donated a bit of gold,' he added with a grin.

When Ned had swallowed the last of his coffee, he got to his feet, thanked Frederick and Theresa and said that they had to be on their way. ‘I always have to concentrate when I get to the track. I'm still not confident about it, so I want to get started.'

‘Here, I made some fruitcake. Take it with you,' said Theresa, handing them the freshly baked cake wrapped in foil.

*

Ned was quiet after they left the roadhouse as he mulled over once again what he was trying to convey in his musical. Talking with Bella had helped, but had not really solved his problems. Bella was quiet too, lost in her own thoughts.

A short time later he turned onto a dirt road which he followed for some distance. As the four-wheel drive bounced along, Bella commented that she hoped this drive wasn't going to be too long, as it was very uncomfortable.

‘This is nothing, Bella. We haven't even turned onto the track yet.'

When they did, Ned dropped all thoughts of his music and concentrated on the difficult drive.

‘Have you any idea where you are?' asked Bella dubiously.

‘Shh, I don't want to talk in case I take a wrong turning. So far, I'm all right.'

As the vehicle lurched along the almost invisible track, Bella said nothing, but took a very sharp intake of breath as they rocked from side to side.

She was quiet until she saw the lake, glittering in the sunlight and dotted with colourful water lilies. ‘Oh wow, how beautiful,' she exclaimed.

‘Hard to believe it was once just a hole in the ground supplying water to a goldmine. Certainly this is less of an eyesore than it must have been thirty years ago,' said Ned.

Bella glanced around. ‘We seem to be in the middle of nowhere. There's not even a proper track. You're just following wheel ruts which I can hardly see.'

‘I did get lost a couple of times when I first came here, but I feel a lot surer of my way now. Once you reach this lake, it's pretty straightforward.'

Shortly afterwards, Ned pulled up and got out to
unlock the gate. ‘Can you close it behind me?' he said to Bella
as he got back in the vehicle.

Inside the gated wall, Bella stood staring in amazement at the trees and the garden with its canal water feature. ‘What kind of architecture do you call this?' she asked as the two of them walked into the patchwork house.

‘Tropical north, Italian style?' suggested Ned as he put down their bags. Bella carried in the box of food Ned had bought in Cooktown.

‘Put the box on the bench and I'll show you the rest of the place,' said Ned, eager to see Bella's reaction.

By the time they'd worked their way down to the river terrace, Bella was laughing and shaking her head. ‘I don't believe this place! It's crazy.'

‘Crazy nice? Or crazy mad?'

‘Crazy fun. That pizza oven! The barbecue! What a spot for a party! No wonder they have those great speakers and all that musical gear. You must be in heaven staying here.'

‘It's the perfect set-up for me,' agreed Ned. ‘Let's get sorted and have a swim in the river before it gets dark.'

By the time Ned showed Bella where she could sleep and they'd unpacked and headed to the river, the sun was low, glazing the surface of the water in pewter and gold. The water was surprisingly warm and they floated and swam lazily.

‘You're sure there's nothing that can bite in here?' asked Bella.

‘Only if you bite first,' said Ned. ‘Want to race to the island and back to the bank?'

Bella shook her head. ‘I don't have that much energy, and anyway, you'd win.'

When they had both had enough, they shook off the river water and made their way back to the house. Ned showed Bella the solar showers and asked if she was happy with steak for dinner.

Ned cooked the steaks and sipped a glass of red wine, watching the news on the large TV screen.

‘All mod cons. Incredible place,' Bella said as she joined him.

‘So tell me, Bella, what have you been getting up to these holidays other than hunting me down?'

Bella laughed and told him about the last couple of weeks. Finally, she told him about Antony's business offer and his ideas for a modular approach to tailoring specific holidays for time-poor tourists, especially overseas ones.

‘Sounds interesting,' said Ned carefully.

‘I'm glad you think so,' said Bella. ‘Brendan, Mr Stick-in-the-Mud, was so negative about the idea, I couldn't believe it. We had a huge fight about it. He just has no faith in my abilities.'

Ned was surprised. ‘That doesn't sound like Brendan.'

‘All he could see were the risks,' said Bella. ‘I think it's over between us. How can I be with someone who won't support my dreams? I've had a couple of missed calls from him, but
I'm not going to call him back. I don't want to speak to him.'

Ned frowned and opened his mouth to say something, but Bella continued:
‘Antony is so positive and up-beat. He's so confident and full of clever ideas. He's a risk taker, which makes him kind of exciting, especially compared with Brendan. Ant's made me want to change my own boring life.'

Ned found it hard to believe what he was hearing. ‘Bella, are you really telling me that you are prepared to throw over a good job, your boyfriend, leave home and take off with some charming, fast-talking travel operator? I can't believe that you would do such a thing without at least investigating his business plan a bit further.'

‘Of course I will,' Bella said a little tersely. ‘Antony's ideas are still a bit vague at this stage, but he assures me he has financial backing lined up. I would obviously need to do more research before I attempted anything Antony has in mind, and I certainly haven't told him that I will go in with him yet.'

Ned was relieved. ‘I'm pleased to hear it. It all sounds a bit airy-fairy to me.'

‘Ned, you're as bad as Brendan!' Bella said indignantly. ‘Why is it that neither of you assume I will make the right decision? I'm not stupid, and if I want to take a risk,
then I'll make sure that it's not too great a one to take. Heavens, you're prepared to take risks. Why can't I?'

Ned held up his hands. ‘All right, all right, you've made your point, although I think it's a shame about Brendan. I really like him.'

‘Well, you're not being pressured to move in with him. I might just have dodged a bullet there.'

After dinner, as they were leaning back in Carlo's homemade chairs, Ned heard Bella take a deep breath. ‘Do you think Dad would be spinning in his grave if he could see us both now?' she asked. ‘You with your unfulfilled dream and me wanting to pursue a new career, both of us so unsettled?'
When Ned didn't answer, she added with a sigh, ‘Doesn't seem like Dad's accident was nearly a year ago now, does it? The suddenness of it, having no preparation, no warning.'

Ned rose to get them both another drink. ‘Yeah, well, that's how accidents are.'

Bella hunched forward. ‘He shouldn't have gone to Melbourne for that conference in such terrible weather. He was always much too conscientious about doing the right thing.'

‘Bella! Please, leave it. We can't change history,' Ned snapped at her.

Bella stared at him, clearly surprised by the tone of his voice. ‘I know we can't change history, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it, does it? I miss Dad. We all do, which is why I think you should come home for Dad's dedication.'

Ned closed his eyes. He'd known this would happen. Bella was like a dog with a bone. ‘Bella, I simply can't. You see the situation here, I can't leave. I haven't the time, or the money. Mum understands.' He turned and walked back into the kitchen.

Bella followed him. ‘But you don't have the inclination to come either, it seems. If you wanted to, you would make the time. It would only be for a couple of days.
Look, of course Mum says she doesn't mind. She never wants to upset you. But I know she would really, really like for you to be there. We are such a small family, and –'

Ned wheeled around. ‘Stop, Bella. Stop your damned nagging! This is between Mum and me. Stop trying to run my life!'

Bella looked like she'd been slapped. ‘Run your life?! We've barely spoken in a year!' Her face turned red. ‘You only do things if it pleases you. If it doesn't suit you, then you just walk away. Are you going to be like this forever? Because your way hurts people.'

Ned slammed his fist on the kitchen table. ‘Look at your life, Bella. You seem to manage to do what you want. Poor Brendan has to like it or lump it, and now you're dumping him for some con man.'

Bella gasped. ‘That's not true! I'm interested in developing a business with Antony, not a relationship! Why don't you just mind your own business, Ned?'

‘I could ask you the very same thing, Bella.' Ned looked at the ceiling. Suddenly he felt very tired. Bella seemed deflated too. ‘Look, this arguing is getting us nowhere. How about we call it a night and start tomorrow afresh?'

Bella glared at her brother, saying nothing at first, but then slowly nodded her head. ‘Fine. I'll see you in the morning.' With that, she stalked out of the room.

Ned watched her go. It was going to be a very long few days if tonight was anything to go by. He didn't want to hurt Bella, but if she kept pushing him, he might just say something that he would regret.

*

The next morning, Bella walked into the kitchen to be greeted by the wafting aromas of toast and coffee.

‘How did you sleep?' asked Ned cheerfully
.
‘Ready for some coffee?'

Bella stretched her arms above her head. ‘Yes, thank you. I slept really well. I didn't hear a thing. I can't believe how quiet it is out here. I thought I'd have another swim.'

Ned handed her a fresh cup of coffee. ‘How about I make you an omelette with some lovely fresh eggs from the girls?'

‘What girls?' asked Bella, sipping her coffee.

Ned explained about the hens. ‘Evidently they are Carlo's pride and joy. He hasn't had them long, so I'm taking great care of them. I've also got some little vine-ripened tomatoes, which I can cook to go with the eggs.'

‘You're very cheffy all of a sudden,' she said with some amusement. ‘You rarely lifted a finger in the kitchen at home.' As they ate their breakfast, Bella chatted away lightheartedly
.
Ned was relieved that she seemed to have called a truce, although he wondered if it was just a temporary one.

After breakfast, Ned took the scraps out to the hens and then he and Bella made their way down to the river at the bottom terrace. Bella swam while Ned was engrossed with his music. Eventually Bella hauled herself from the river and wandered over to her brother.

‘That was lovely. This is such a beautiful place. I can see why you like being here.' She settled herself down next to him. Ned kept working, strumming his guitar and making notes, humming to himself quietly under his breath. After a few minutes Bella started fidgeting. She cracked her knuckles and then started throwing small rocks into the water.

Ned put his guitar down to one side. ‘Bella, I'm pleased that you're happy to be here and I'm glad we can hang out, but I don't have all that much time before I have to leave, so I'm trying to get as much work done as I possibly can. Didn't you bring a book to read?'

‘Yes, but I can't get into it. I'll just sit and listen to you as you work.'

Ned shook his head, ‘I don't think that's going to work. Listen, if you really want to make yourself useful, why don't you have a look through the Bish's box? I think you'll enjoy reading Sister Evangelista's letters and you can help me catalogue them. They might even give you some ideas for your new tourist venture. They're on the billiard table.'

Bella acquiesced, getting up and wandering inside. Ned sat by the river thinking through Bella's comments about rivers being threads binding the past and the present together. More and more he thought about the diverse group of characters he'd met, and even those
who'd appeared in the letters of the observant young nun. This place seemed to attract certain types of individuals: the recluse like Jack, the hardworking, down-to-earth Frederick and Theresa, the practical and warm Toni, the good-hearted, no-nonsense Yolanda, and the creative musicians drawn to the tropical north. And who knew what others had lived their lives chasing dreams and
shadows through the diverse wonderland of this paradise?

When he made his way up to the house to organise some lunch, he found Bella lost in one of Sister Evangelista's letters. She looked up as he walked in.