The Golden Land (27 page)

‘Nat! That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you,' said Jodie, hugging her.

‘Yes, his mate Brad came around a couple of hours ago. He's been offered a new job in Western Australia and he's managed to wrangle one for Mark as well, with more money than he was getting at his old job. The commute is going to be intense, but we'll survive.'

‘Western Australia! The other side of the country!' exclaimed Jodie but quickly added, ‘Well, it's a job even if he's a FIFO worker. Hard for you though.'

‘At the moment, I couldn't care less. I'm just happy Mark has a job that pays well and we'll be able to start saving again. But believe me, this job came along just in the nick of time.'

‘Funny how things can work out,' said Jodie. ‘What do they say? Trust in the universe?' She laughed.

‘Something like that,' Natalie said smiling.

Eighteen months later

‘L
OOK AT HIM GO
!' Mark burst out laughing as they watched Andrew's little legs race across the grass, his favourite ball tucked under his arm.

‘He's so fast. So much energy. Can you believe it?' said Natalie.

‘He might be a bit on the small side but there's nothing wrong with his spirit. Anyway, the doctor says he'll grow. He certainly eats enough,' said Mark. ‘When you're away,' said Natalie, ‘we sometimes eat quite simply.' ‘Mmm. Baked beans on toast doesn't do it for me,' said Mark. ‘They feed us like horses out west. I'm a bit over well-done red meat. But I'm not whingeing,' he quickly added. He'd been working with Brad out in the Pilbara for a year and a half. The commute from Brisbane to Perth was tedious but, as he said to Natalie, he was asleep the minute he buckled himself into his plane seat.

‘The last leg is the worst. It's a small plane that flies into the mining site. Pretty uncomfortable,' he'd said. Although conditions were rougher out west, the pay was thirty per cent more than he'd been earning in Queensland, so he didn't complain.

Despite the pay rise they had been very frugal and had managed to recoup their savings, and even finish the bathroom, which was a huge relief. They were holding off on the other major renovations for the time being, until they were sure of their finances. They never wanted to be caught short again. Nevertheless, Natalie had finalised her plans and chosen all the fittings and accessories. Everything was awaiting a start date so that their dream home could become a reality.

The kammavaca was still in its box on her desk and was rarely touched. Natalie was waiting for Vicki to go to Burma and return it to Princess Aye Aye. When this would be Natalie was not quite sure because Vicki's life had taken a very different turn after she'd met and fallen in love with Finn, a happy and good-natured Dane who travelled to far-flung locations in Australia in order to help businesses improve their communications infrastructure. Although he was five years Vicki's junior, they'd clicked romantically and Vicki had decided to travel with him. Currently they were based in tropical Port Douglas. Vicki kept in touch with Natalie, emailing her photos of stunning sunsets and waving palm trees. The pictures usually featured the sturdy Finn in a tight T-shirt. Vicki was so happy in North Queensland that she had even sent for her dog, Ipoh.

*

Life was busy for Natalie with three small children and Mark travelling back and forth to Western Australia every three weeks. Charlotte had started school, and there were swimming and music lessons after school. Adam still enjoyed preschool and Natalie thought that she would shortly send Andrew, too, for one day a week. While Charlotte was at school Natalie spent a lot of time at the park with the boys, working off their excess energy. On the weekends Natalie liked to take them all to Thi's market, where Charlotte had graduated from the Shetland pony to a slightly larger one. The carrots they grew in their back garden were now saved to feed her special friend.

Natalie occasionally saw Thomas at the markets, and Mi Mi sometimes dropped in to her place for coffee. She still liked to meet her friends from the preschool mothers' group and was a regular at the Friends of Burma meetings. The one thing Natalie had trouble fitting into her busy life was yoga. She didn't go as often as she would have liked, so she hadn't seen Moss in a long time, although she did manage to return his book on Buddhism, unread. She had tried to read it, but it had been incomprehensible.

‘Nat,' Mark asked on the telephone one night, ‘when I come home this weekend, Brad plans to come back, too. I invited him to stay for a few days, is that all right with you?'

Natalie hesitated. It was her birthday and she would have liked to have Mark to herself. But he always enjoyed Brad's company when they had a break together, and, as he had helped get Mark his job in the Pilbara, she felt grateful to him. ‘I guess so.'

‘He's thinking of selling his unit. He's keen on the idea of buying a place in Perth, or even Bali.'

‘If he does, maybe we can go to see him there one day,' said Natalie. ‘A family holiday – that's something we haven't done for a while. I miss Steve and Mum's farm. I spoke to Mum today and she said a bundle of his shares have suddenly started to improve. She told him to sell them and put the profits into a high-yield account. Much safer. Shop seems to be doing all right. It must be a relief for them. Just like us.'

‘Do you think they will ever take off on that trip around Australia that they talk about?' asked Mark.

‘Eventually. It's more Steve's idea than Mum's. Anyway, I don't think he's as bored like he was since he's been helping out on a friend's property. Says he gets all the fun and none of the responsibility!'

‘Okay, Nat, don't make any plans for Saturday night, will you? I'm taking you to dinner for your birthday,' said Mark.

‘How lovely! I thought you might have forgotten.'

‘As if. Don't forget to book that babysitter. See you soon and talk tomorrow.'

Brad was, as usual, full of cheeky smiles and bonhomie. Mark was pleased to be home and didn't seem nearly as exhausted as he usually did when he arrived back after a long shift. On Natalie's birthday they all spent time with the children, then Brad and Mark disappeared on an errand. Natalie suspected that they were going to the pub for a drink while she prepared for the night out. She had that luxury because she'd asked the babysitter, Brooke, to come early. Brooke had originally been recommended by Jodie and Natalie had used her several times before, so she was not at all concerned about leaving the children with her.

‘Where are we going?' she asked Mark when he got back. ‘Why do I have to dress up?'

‘We're starting off at the casino, there's a cocktail do on. Brad got us invitations and he's waiting for us there. I just have to make a quick stop on the way.'

Natalie wrinkled her nose. ‘I'm not sure about the casino. You know it's not my thing. Mark, I don't want anything fancy, just a romantic evening with my husband where I can finish my meal and we can talk without being interrupted by a child!'

Mark chuckled. ‘That might happen, too. Just go with the flow, okay?'

As they left the house, Natalie kept running through the detailed instructions she'd left with Brooke, hoping she hadn't forgotten anything.

‘Nat! Relax, this is a night off!' said Mark. ‘Anyway, Brooke is always reliable, just trust her to do her usual good job. The kids will be fine.'

He drove through the glittering, busy strip of Surfers Paradise towards Southport, and then turned into a side street towards the beach.

‘Why are we driving down here?'

‘I'm just doing Brad a favour. Have to pick someone up for him.'

‘Bit of an inconvenience, isn't it?' said Natalie. ‘On our one night out.'

‘He has a friend living down this way and I said we'd bring him along to the casino.'

‘Can't he drive himself?' said Natalie, thinking that her birthday treat was getting out of hand. ‘This is a pretty posh area. Look at these highrises.'

‘These older places are very spacious. I think I'd rather be in one of these than some of the buildings going up now.'

‘I'll wait here,' said Natalie.

‘No, come up, you might get to peek inside, apparently it's quite something. The car will be fine.'

They walked through a marble, mirrored foyer full of tropical plants and large, bright modern art, and entered a teak-lined lift.

Natalie caught a glimpse of herself and Mark in its tinted mirror and couldn't help smiling. ‘I didn't recognise us. We look so glamorous. We almost look as if we live here!'

They got out on the twelfth floor and walked along the plush, carpeted hallway. Mark pushed the buzzer at the end apartment.

‘I bet they have a fantastic view,' whispered Natalie.

Mark glanced at his watch as they waited for a few moments before the door was answered.

A teenage girl opened the door and smiled at Mark. ‘Come in, we've been expecting you.' She shot Natalie a look and ushered them inside.

Natalie hung back, but Mark propelled her forward.

Suddenly they were in a large living room which lead out to an enormous balcony, crammed with people and alive with music.

‘Mark, we shouldn't be here. They're having a party,' said Natalie, immediately feeling embarrassed.

Then she saw Brad coming towards them and her mouth fell open.

‘Yes, a party for you!'

Mark kissed her as people began coming in from the balcony, laughing and calling out, ‘Surprise!'

Familiar faces appeared before Natalie as she tried to take it all in. ‘For me? Everyone's here. I can't believe it!'

Mi Mi came towards them, a handsome Indian with greying temples beside her. ‘Happy birthday!' She gave Natalie a hug. ‘Mark, I don't think you've met my husband Nanda. I hope you are surprised, Natalie. Mark has been planning this for weeks.'

Natalie was still in shock. ‘Is this your new apartment? I had no idea when you said you were buying a new one that it would be this grand. And I didn't even recognise your Serena when she opened the door.'

‘I'm not surprised,' replied Mi Mi. ‘She does look grownup when she wears all that make-up. And our son Shanti is over there, practising being a waiter.'

‘How kind of you to do all this.' Natalie turned to Mark. ‘I can't believe it. And Mi Mi, so much for you to do.'

‘Mark and Brad should take the credit. They have put a lot of hard work and effort into making this party a surprise for you. We have only supplied the venue.'

‘Nearly everyone is here except Vicki,' said Mark. ‘She's still in Port Douglas with her toy boy.'

‘Mark! Finn's only five years younger and they adore each other. I think it's lovely,' admonished Natalie. ‘But I'm sorry she's not here. There's Thi and her husband. And Thomas. And Jodie, Holly . . . And my mother is here! And Steve . . .'

Natalie was overwhelmed by the party, and by the presence of so many friends. She was thrilled that her mother and Steve had driven up for the night. The setting was fabulous for a party. Standing on the balcony, looking across the Nerang River to the lights of Surfers Paradise, she leaned against Mark.

‘I can't believe you've done this. How lovely of Mi Mi. I had no idea her new place was so beautiful. Mi Mi is so down-to-earth. After her hard life she deserves something like this. She is so generous. It's unfair that she doesn't feel it's safe enough for her to go back to Burma. She would love to see her parents.'

‘I guess Burma is still an unpredictable place.' Mark looked concerned for a moment but quickly said, ‘Never mind, let's talk about that later. Come on, it's time to see the cake Thi's made for you.'

Thi was dressed in a silk longyi and lace top, her wild curls drawn to one side with a tortoiseshell comb and a fresh flower. Her husband, a towering Australian called Mick, was dressed in a dark plaid longyi and a stiffly formal white mandarin-collared shirt with woven frog-loop buttons. He looked completely at home in the Burmese outfit, as though he had worn it many times before.

‘I made you Burmese savouries and finger food, and of course mohinga soup, but your birthday cake had to be an Aussie one. Pavlova!' declared Thi, revealing a high, crisp meringue piled with slices of mango, kiwifruit, strawberries and whipped cream dotted with passionfruit.

‘That looks absolutely delicious.' Natalie said, smiling at Mark. He knew how much she liked pavlova and she guessed he'd suggested it to Thi.

Later in the evening, when all the guests had finished Thi's delicious food, everyone gathered around and sang ‘Happy Birthday' while Natalie blew out the candles and cut the pavlova. She kissed Mark.

‘Thank you, darling. This has been the most wonderful evening. I can't believe that you went to all this trouble.'

‘We're not done yet,' he said. ‘Thi has something she'd like to say.' Mark stepped to one side as Thi joined them. Everyone listened as she spoke to Natalie.

‘Natalie, we are all very happy to share your birthday and bring together two parts of your life – your family and your old friends, and your new family: your Burmese friends,' said Thi with a smile. ‘We have all watched you grow, as a mother, wife and friend. My community is very grateful for your interest and commitment to our country of Burma. We appreciate your genuine interest in our homeland and to show support for all that has happened, not just to those of us here, but to those we left behind. While we await the day our inspirational Aung San Suu Kyi and other fighters for democracy will be released, we know that you, too, will continue to work towards a free Burma. Your interest, we know, has been sparked by the kammavaca you inherited and which you have promised will be returned one day to its rightful owner.'