The Road Back (12 page)

‘Well, that's great, it'll be fantastic to have you on board. Look, feel free to write what you want. Seven to nine hundred words max, say?' They shook on it. ‘I still reckon this is a cover for something big you're doing. G'luck with it.' He winked and grinned. ‘Tuesday for Wednesday's paper, okay?'

‘Fine. Appreciate it. Cheers, Oliver.'

‘Ollie. Can't stand Oliver, dunno what possessed my mother. Leave your number with Gina out the front. Just in case.'

Chris left the office feeling like a fraud. Ollie clearly didn't believe that Chris needed a real paying job. But Chris knew that his mother had been right; for the time being, he was going to have to be flexible until something better came up in Sydney.

*

‘Haven't played here in years,' said Chris as the four friends walked beside the flowing river to the first tee. ‘Such a mighty view. Not too many courses overlook a river
and
the ocean.'

‘Playing beside the river is relaxing but in the summer the mozzies feast on you. I've brought plenty of insect repellent, if anyone needs it,' said Duncan, spraying himself liberally from a can and then offering it round the group. ‘We'll get eighteen holes in, it's not a comp day. Do you remember the course, Chris? You get to tee off first. Watch the dogleg to the right and those pine trees. Par four for this hole.'

‘Can't say I remember this course in much detail, but I do recall the time I was attacked by a magpie in the breeding season,' said Chris, laughing.

They played the first nine holes and paused for cold drinks at the clubhouse before going round a second time. Alex and Duncan, always strong competitors, compared score sheets and analysed every hole, deciding where they could have improved, while Chris and Shaun relaxed in the shade with their drinks.

‘You're doing pretty well, considering you haven't played for a long time,' said Shaun. ‘I thought everybody played golf in the States.'

‘Business execs do, Frenchy. Lots of deals done on the golf course, apparently. I didn't have a coterie of golfing buddies, just people on the paper in the same position as me.'

‘Do you miss the States? Where're you off to next? This has been a nice long break for you here. First time in ages we've all had a chance to really catch up.'

Chris paused. Up till now he'd been vague and tried not to reveal his true situation. But he knew these childhood friends were good people and there was no need to keep up any pretence in front of them any longer. ‘Actually, Frenchy, I don't have any definite plans,' Chris said quietly.

‘Spoiled for choice, eh?' Shaun grinned, not picking up on Chris's tone.

‘Not quite. You mightn't realise it, but the media business is in a bit of strife. Some of the best journos in the business are being let go. They've become expendable due to financial constraints, that sort of thing.'

‘But not you, surely? I mean, you're big time.'

Chris gave a weak smile. ‘Unfortunately that's sort of what's happened to me. I was offered a posting to Bangkok, but I turned it down because Megan wanted to live with me in Sydney. It turned out that as far as my former employer was concerned it was Bangkok or nothing. So at the moment, I have nothing.'

‘Ah, I'm getting the picture,' said Shaun, shaking his head. ‘You and Megan are very close, I noticed. Guess she hasn't seen as much of you as she'd like. It's a pretty big call to make, your daughter or your job.'

‘I figured this was my last chance to spend time with her before she grows up.' Chris shrugged. ‘But the job situation is looking a bit grim and I've got so many financial commitments: Megan's school fees, the mortgage on my flat and now a car to pay off. Without a job, things are quickly getting out of hand.'

‘I would've thought with your name a door would open. And you've exhausted every avenue?'

‘Seems like it, but school goes back in two weeks, so I have to make a decision soon.'

‘I can see why. So what've you decided?'

‘Bunny suggested I stay here with her for the time being and put Megan into the local high school.'

Shaun nodded. ‘Makes sense. My kids go there, it's a good school. Some really excellent teachers and everyone is capable. Megan would fit in, and, well, your parents taught there for years.'

‘She'll be really upset to leave her friends and school in Sydney.'

‘If she wants to be with you, she's gotta take the rough with the smooth. She does have a choice. She can always go back to Jill.'

‘I don't think that would suit her. I've spoken to Jill about what's happening. She doesn't have any objections to Megan going to the local school. She also said Megan could come to Perth if she doesn't want to go to Neverend High, but I'm hoping Megan will accept the idea of staying here once I explain what's happening. But the crux of the issue, Frenchy, is that I need to make some money. I can't just sponge off Mum. The
Star
offered me a column and I initially turned it down because the money was a pittance. But I went back later and ate a bit of humble pie. Funny thing was, while the editor took me on, he's convinced I'm researching some big story.'

Shaun laughed. ‘You're not, are you?'

‘I wish,' replied Chris ruefully. ‘No, I just need the cash.'

‘C'mon, you blokes, let's get going or we'll have other players up our bums,' called out Alex. ‘Anyone want to lay some money on the outcome?'

‘Winners stand the first round at the nineteenth hole,' said Shaun. He added quietly to Chris, ‘Let's talk later.'

*

Shaun walked with Chris to their cars after the round was over and they'd had a couple of drinks. ‘Listen, Chris, Dad and I have started a second business, a courier service, and we're desperate for drivers,' Shaun said. ‘We're paying reasonable money. Would you be interested? I mean, just till you get back on your feet,' he added, hurriedly. ‘I know it's not what you're used to, but the money is okay, and it'd help Dad and me out.' When Chris didn't immediately answer, Shaun shrugged and said, ‘Well, anyway, think about it.'

‘Frenchy, thank you. I'm grateful for the offer,' said Chris slowly. ‘But I don't want you to feel sorry for me, and feel you have to . . .'

‘Mate, you'd be doing us a favour,' Shaun cut in. ‘Dad and I have been taking turns running all over the joint and frankly Dad's a bit past it. Mind you, we might have to pay danger money. There's often a trip up to the plateau on that bloody road with those B-double trucks from the quarry.'

‘Yeah, I noticed them. I'll be okay. Frenchy, I can't thank you enough. You're a real life saver.'

‘Hey, listen. I owe you one. Remember the day we went up the creek at the swimming hole after the storm and I fell in and got swept away?'

Chris nodded. ‘Funny you mention it, I was thinking of that just the other day, when I took Megan and her friend up to Neverending Creek.'

‘My kids like to go up there, too. But I'd have given you the job anyway, even if you hadn't saved my life. That's what mates are for.' He held out his hand. ‘Let's shake on it. Dad'll be real pleased.'

It was done. Suddenly Chris felt the decision had been taken out of his hands. Without really thinking, he had accepted a mundane job in Neverend. How was he going to tell all this to Megan? It wasn't just an option; they were staying. In his head he knew this choice was the right one, but in his heart he felt he was letting her down.

*

Chris knew he needed his mother's support to help him explain to Megan that accepting Shaun's offer was the best possible plan, at least for the time being. After forty years as a teacher at the high school, Susan would be able to convince Megan that Neverend High had a solid and respected reputation. And he hoped that Megan would understand that in spite of everything that was happening to them both, he loved her and only wanted the best for her.

Megan knew something was up as soon as she saw her father's expression as he ushered her into the sitting room where Susan sat on the sofa, scratching the cat's ears.

‘What's happened? Is everything all right? You're not changing your mind about me, are you, Dad? You're not going to make me go to Perth, right?' demanded Megan.

‘Of course not, not if you don't want to,' said Susan. ‘Please sit down. Your dad has something he wants to discuss with you.'

Megan looked suspiciously at Chris as she sat beside her grandmother.

Chris dropped into his father's old armchair. ‘Sweetheart, as you know, everything is rather complicated with my job situation, so we need to discuss what I propose to do.'

Megan's mouth tightened. ‘Have you got a job somewhere else and we're moving?'

‘Hear your dad out, sweetie,' said Susan calmly.

‘Yes, I've got a job, and no, we're not moving.' He took a deep breath. ‘We're staying here in Neverend for the time being. Staying here with Bunny.'

Megan stared at Chris and then at Susan, looking confused. Then she frowned. ‘Staying here?' When Chris nodded, she shouted, ‘Dad, I can't stay here. I have to go to school!'

‘Megs, let me explain the whole situation . . .'

Megan stiffened and sat rigid, her hands tightly clasped, as Chris calmly outlined the job offers he'd had from the
Star
and from Shaun, and how they were the only viable work he'd been able to find.

‘Darling, I can't afford to live in Sydney, support us both and pay your school fees without a well-paying job. At present I can't find one, but now I have work here, so I think the only practical solution is to stay here and hope that it won't be long until something suitable turns up in Sydney and we can move back there.'

‘I don't want to go to school here! Couldn't I become a boarder at my school?'

‘Megan, that would be far too expensive. I simply couldn't afford it.'

‘Now, I do have to step in here, Megan, and say that Neverend High School has a high standard of education and is well respected,' said Susan. ‘Remember, your grandfather and I taught there for many, many years. I am very proud of our school here.'

‘But it's the country, Bunny! The kids, they're all from here. I have nothing in common with them! What about my friends?' Megan's voice cracked.

‘They can come and visit any time,' cut in Susan. ‘Anyway, you already seem to be getting on well with some of the kids here.'

‘But having to put up with them all the time, that's different.' Megan looked at Chris and tears trickled down her cheeks. ‘I guess you must hate me for asking to move in with you and making you give up the job in Bangkok. This is all my fault.'

‘No! Not at all, honey,' protested Chris. ‘That's not the case at all!' He leapt up and went to sit beside her on the sofa, the three of them dislodging Biddi, who scrambled onto Megan's lap. ‘Megan, having you live with me is wonderful. I know that life has become more complicated, but I wouldn't change anything. I now realise that being with you is the best. I don't for one nanosecond blame you in any way for my losing my job. You come ahead of everything else in my life. I'm just sorry that things haven't worked out exactly as we planned. I've spoken to your mother, and if you don't want to stay here with me and would prefer to go back to her and live in Perth, I would understand that too, but I hope that you'll stay.'

He took her hand as she looked down, gently stroking the cat with her free hand. Chris glanced over her head at Susan, whose expression was serious. He knew she didn't want to interrupt.

Finally Megan said, ‘I'll have to talk to Mum.'

‘Of course you will,' said Chris. ‘Megan, this is one of the times in life when you'll find things don't work out the way you'd like them to. It's how you handle these hurdles and hiccups that makes you stronger. And better. It's not going to be easy all the time, but we can make the best of it for the short time we're here. Okay?'

‘I guess so.' She sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
‘I don't have much choice, do I?'

‘You do have a choice. Perth or here,' said Susan firmly.

‘Bunny, I don't want to go to Perth. And I understand what Dad's saying. But I'm not sure I'll manage. My friends are going to wear black armbands when they hear this news,' said Megan dramatically.

Susan rolled her eyes. ‘Megs, you're not dead, for heaven's sake. When you're ready we can go and meet Mrs Hardwick, the school principal. Sally is a lovely woman. She'll sort things out and get you enrolled, and your father can let your old school know that you won't be back for a while.'

‘I promise, darling, I'll try my very best to get back on my feet as quickly as I can,' said Chris. ‘We might not even have to stay in Neverend very long. Whatever happens, I won't let you down.'

‘I'm very proud of you both,' said Susan. ‘You're strong people and you'll fit in, Megan, even if that seems a daunting prospect at the moment.' She stood up and kissed them. ‘Cup of tea time.'

Megan went to her room to call Jill and her friends. Chris headed to the verandah and sat down, drawing a deep breath and gazing across the valley to the beautiful ranges in the distance. The rattle of cups in the kitchen was comforting. He watched as the mist drifted down from the plateau, heralding a rain shower.

Megan had taken the news pretty well, considering, he thought. He'd even surprised himself with his little speech. He realised that it was quite true that he didn't want to relinquish her. Megan was now entirely his responsibility. He just had to prove himself worthy of his daughter's love and respect, and his mother's kindness and generosity.

But it wasn't going to be easy.

A tiny shining waterfall
dribbled down the rock face beside the road like a silver snake.

In the month or so he'd been driving for Shaun, Chris always looked for this particular fern-fringed cliff which abutted the roadside. He had learned that the little cascade marked the halfway point on the precipitous road between Neverend and the plateau. But while the road was narrow and treacherous, especially when sharing it with the overloaded B-double trucks that barrelled along, he never tired of the dramatic scenery around him. The longer he spent in Neverend and the more he saw of the town and its surrounds, the more he was reminded of how unique it was.

Rather than hurrying into the landscape, Chris preferred to tread softly, letting nature come to him. Sometimes, sitting quietly as he ate his lunch by the side of a seldom-used road, a large goanna or a dozy rock wallaby would come close while the birds fluttered in the branches above him. All ignored his presence as they passed casually by. He could now better appreciate this place, where the rainforests were as dense and impenetrable as they had been when white people had first arrived in Australia, and the nearby beaches still as pristine.

Chris felt relieved that between driving the courier van for Shaun and writing his newspaper column, he was able to help his mother financially, as well as keeping up with his car repayments. Thankfully, the rent from the flat in Sydney just about covered the mortgage. But while he had grudgingly become used to what he hoped was a temporary pause in his career, he knew that Megan was finding the adjustment to the new school difficult.

Every evening he and Susan were regaled over dinner with some new problem, issue or complaint about Neverend High. Chris tried not to overreact to Megan's incessant negativity and he let his mother take the lead in handling these matters. But it seemed to him that Megan was deliberately finding fault with everything. Susan had spoken to Sally Hardwick, the school principal, who'd said that while Megan was doing fine academically, she was having trouble fitting in with classmates who had known each other for years. She was still the outsider.

‘Give it time,' Mrs Hardwick had said. ‘It's only been a few weeks.'

Nonetheless, Chris felt guilty that he had caused the upheaval in Megan's life and he hoped he'd quickly land a job back in the city. But no matter whom he asked, it just seemed that there weren't any well-paid journalistic jobs around.

One morning in early March, as she packed her things for school, Megan radiated unhappiness. It was becoming the norm for her.

‘You all set to leave? Got your lunch?' Susan asked her.

‘Yes. I made a Japanese bento box today,' said Megan quietly. ‘Some sushi, carrot sticks, radish roses and miso soup in the mini thermos.'

‘That sounds great,' said her grandmother.

‘Yeah, I think it is, but all the other kids think it's weird when I bring things like this. They have sandwiches and pies and boring stuff. I hate that sort of food.'

‘That's odd,' said Chris. ‘The cafés in town have some very adventurous food. I would have thought that those ideas would have rubbed off.'

‘Well, they haven't,' said Megan sulkily. ‘No one has any idea about decent food. The whole school is so dull. And I hate being in classes with boys, too. They're loud and they smell sweaty. And they always think they're right and don't give you a proper go at saying things. I don't think I'll learn anything with them around.'

‘Nonsense,' replied Susan. ‘I was only talking to Mrs Hardwick the other day and she said that you're doing well academically.'

‘Only because I've done the work already at my old school,' Megan shot back. ‘I'll never learn anything new at Neverend. I won't get the chance.'

Before the argument could escalate, Chris changed the subject.

‘I don't have to start till ten. Want to walk part of the way to school with me?' he suggested. ‘I'm going to get the morning paper.'

‘Fine,' said Megan, sighing and slowly picking up her backpack. Chris and Susan shared a look as she trudged to the front door.

After dinner that evening, they moved into the sitting room to watch the one TV set in the house. Watching TV provided a welcome mental break for Chris from his fruitless search for a job back in the world of journalism and some peace from Megan's refrain of how little she was enjoying school. Megan was about to go to her room to watch her own programmes on her laptop when she looked at the mantelpiece.

‘What's that card leaning against the clock, Bunny?' she asked.

‘It came in the mail today. An invitation. Nothing very important,' said Susan, shrugging.

‘What kind of invitation?' Chris asked. ‘Or is it private?'

Susan offhandedly told him to look himself. Chris reached for the embossed card. ‘Looks fancy.' He read it quickly and looked at his mother. ‘Bit of a blast from the past, isn't it?'

‘Is it a party, Bunny?' asked Megan.

‘Sort of, it's an invitation to a reunion,' said Chris.

‘It's just a luncheon. I get these invitations every five or so years. I've never bothered to go, although it is nice to be remembered.'

‘Who? What's it about?' asked Megan curiously.

‘It was a long time ago, sweetie,' said Susan, waving her hand. ‘Ancient history. All to do with the Neighbourhood Aid project I worked on.'

‘I sort of remember you telling me about that. Never quite got off the ground, did it?' Chris said.

‘No, not really. A bit of a shame, though; we had such high hopes when it started.' Susan pulled Biddi into her lap and began stroking her fur.

‘Can I see the invitation, please?' asked Megan. Chris handed her the card and Megan read it aloud: ‘ “The participants in the Indonesian Neighbourhood Aid project, 1968, are invited to a Luncheon Reunion to reminisce, recall and reflect. 11 am, 2 April, Croydon House, Sydney.” ' Megan looked up. ‘You should go along, Bunny. It sounds great,' she said. ‘What's it all about?'

‘I'm not sure that I want to reminisce or reflect,' said Susan quietly. ‘It was all such a long time ago that it feels like someone else's life.'

Megan pressed on, not noticing Susan's reticence. ‘Bunny, did you go to Indonesia? Like, Bali, for a holiday?'

‘No, it wasn't a holiday, and it wasn't Bali, Megan. I went to work in Indonesia, on Java, for a short time in my life, and I certainly haven't forgotten what happened there.' Susan's face darkened. ‘It left me with some rather searing memories.'

‘I thought you always lived in Neverend. Did Poppy go with you?' asked Megan, now thoroughly intrigued.

‘No, it was before I met Poppy. It's rather a long story, sweetheart.' Susan moved Biddi off her lap, got up and straightened a picture on the mantel.

Chris studied her. ‘Why don't you want to go to this reunion, Mum? Aren't you even a little bit keen to catch up with the other people you went away with after all these years?'

‘Chris, I've had very little to do with them for years, except for the occasional Christmas card,' said Susan. ‘We all moved on with our lives. I know that some of them have been very successful in the business world. I wasn't interested in pursuing that sort of career. I loved teaching. Anyway, I think the life I've had, here in Neverend with your father, has been extremely happy, but because that's all I've done, I don't think I have anything to contribute at a reunion like this.'

‘Mum, don't be so modest. You know you have been really important to this town. Besides, weren't these people your friends during an extraordinarily dangerous time?' said Chris quietly.

‘What do you mean, dangerous?' asked Megan, her eyebrows raised. Susan looked at Chris.

‘Mum, why don't you tell Megan what you were doing in Indonesia? She might like to know that you weren't always a high school teacher in this little part of the world.'

‘Chris, it was such a long time ago, Megan wouldn't be interested.' Susan walked across the room towards the kitchen.

‘Yes, I would, Bunny.'

Susan paused in the doorway and turned to face them.

‘Remind me how you got involved in the project in the first place, Mum,' said Chris.

‘Please, Bunny,' said Megan beseechingly. Susan was quiet a moment as she studied Megan's face.

‘All right, if you insist,' she said finally. ‘But I'm getting a fresh cuppa first.'

A short time later she returned to the sitting room, mug in hand, and settled herself on the couch between Megan and Biddi.

‘Tell me when you both get bored and I'll stop. I had just finished my university degree,' she began. ‘First class honours in cultural anthropology. Not a very practical choice of subject,' Susan laughed. ‘But anthropology was very popular in those days. I was rather idealistic and thought that if you could understand what were thought then to be simpler cultures worked, then that knowledge could be transferred to our seemingly more complex society to make it a better place.'

‘And did it, Bunny?' Megan asked, snuggling down on the couch.

‘I don't think so, Megan, but I enjoyed finding out how different societies worked. It was fascinating and I began to put other cultures into perspective. Anyway, when the results of my thesis came out, I was approached by someone from the government in Canberra. At that time, relations with Indonesia were rather difficult. There had been a lot of unrest there and many western countries, like the USA, the Netherlands and the UK, had disengaged from it. But Australia didn't want to do that because Indonesia was our next-door neighbour and so was very important to us, politically.'

‘I believe it still is,' Chris commented.

‘But even more so then, for you have to remember that we shared a common border with Indonesia on the island of New Guinea. They had the western side of the island, while we controlled the Australian territories of Papua and New Guinea to the east. I'm sure the Australian government was worried that the Indonesian army could cross over to our side if we didn't stay friendly.'

‘You're right. I'd forgotten about that.'

‘Dad, don't interrupt,' said Megan crossly. ‘Take no notice of him and go on with your story, please, Bunny.'

‘As I was saying, when I was approached, it was explained to me that a government agency was setting up a pilot scheme to trial a programme where young Australian graduates would live and work in Indonesia to assist with its growth and progress and to foster friendship between the two
countries. It was similar to the American Peace Corps programme which was no longer operational in Indonesia. The idea was that we would fill the vacuum it had left. Anyway, that was the brief. In reality it was all, quite frankly, somewhat disorganised.

‘There were six of us. Evan was a medical doctor, Alan was a civil engineer, David was an agronomist, Mark had graduated with honours in economics and Norma, the only other woman in the group, was a qualified midwife. We were sent to Canberra for a week to be briefed on what was expected of us and then we were flown to Jakarta.'

‘Doesn't sound as though there was a lot of training, Mum?'

‘Dad, you're interrupting again! Bunny, please don't stop. This is so, like, the best story. I want to know all about it,' said Megan, settling closer to Susan. Her grandmother smiled at her and continued her story.

JAKARTA, 1968

As I stepped from the plane onto the tarmac at Jakarta airport, the first thing I noticed was the smell. It was sweet, almost sickly. I found out later that it was the local
kretek
– clove cigarettes – that everyone seemed to smoke. So right from the beginning I was on a sensory overload that never really went away. No matter where I went in Indonesia, there was something new and different to see, smell, hear and taste.

For the first few days the six of us were put up in the grand new Hotel Indonesia. That first night I looked from my high-rise hotel room window down at a huge traffic roundabout. In the middle, surrounded by a pool of water, was a monument: a tall column topped with the statue of a waving boy and girl. I stood watching old American cars, bicycles and the three-wheeled rickshaws the locals called
betjak
s drive around it. I almost pinched myself to make sure that I was actually there, in Indonesia. I felt optimistic, excited and rather privileged to be part of this small group tasked with bringing some positive change to this nation that was such a close neighbour of ours yet so unknown.