The Winter Sea (46 page)

Pietro blinked hard, wiping his face with the back of his hand, before he continued. ‘But Ricardo refused to let Patrick just disappear. He told him that he would put up some money to enable Pat to start a business. Patrick accepted his offer on the condition that Ricardo never tell Joe. Patrick decided that he would open a fish and chip shop in Manly because it combined the two things he knew, fish and cooking. Then when your father mentioned to Ricardo that he would like to expand into a seafood restaurant, Ricardo helped him finance that as well. Over the years, Ricardo often met up with your father in Sydney and they would talk about the Seven Seas and Pat would tell Ricardo about you and your mother as well. Ricardo was always so pleased with all of Pat’s success.’

‘I said you should tell all the truth – that it wasn’t just Ricardo who helped set up the Seven Seas restaurant,’ said George. ‘You did as well.’

‘So you two paid my father money for going to gaol instead of Ricardo? Guilt money?’ said Cassie acerbically.

‘I suppose it was in a way. Money to try and make up for all those lost years. But, Cassie, you also have to remember that Italian families are always there for each other. My father spent his whole life sending money back home to Italy for his family, so we thought that we were doing much the same thing for Pat. Heavens, we owed him enough.’ Pietro looked down and shielded his eyes with his hand. ‘But in the end we did it because he was family and we loved him,’ he added softly.

‘Do you ever regret what happened?’ asked Michael. Pietro raised his head and looked straight at Cassie.

‘Of course. All of us regretted it. It was a terrible mistake. Looking back, I can see that we panicked. We misjudged what was really important. Patrick thought he was doing the right thing, trying to protect Ricardo, Papà and me. Because he was a Sullivan and not an Aquino he thought he would be protecting the Aquino name. But the truth would not have hurt Papà, he loved all of us,’ said Pietro.

Cassie started to cry softly. Michael took her hand as Pietro continued. ‘Pat’s plan and our decision to go along with it were stupid. What we did created an outcome that no one wanted. It may not have completely ruined Pat’s life, but it certainly sent it off course. It broke Papà’s heart when Pat disappeared from his life, and Ricardo and I have had to live with our guilt ever since. I was awarded two Oscars but I think that the price paid for them was way too high. I know that people always want to wind back time, but if we could have that time over, with better judgement, things could have been so different.’

Cassie looked at the tired old man. Although what he had told her was horrible and shocking, his words had vindicated her father. ‘In a way I can understand what you’re saying,’ she said through her tears. ‘When my mother and I found out that Dad had pleaded guilty, Mum didn’t believe for a moment that he was, but I did. I am ashamed that I thought that way. I suppose people can make the wrong choice sometimes.’

‘The money that Ricardo left Cassie – was that also part of doing the right thing by Patrick?’ asked Michael.

‘Yes. Dear Cassie, Ricardo left you a bequest as part of his ongoing debt to your father. The sad thing is that when he met you, he had no idea that you were Pat’s daughter. He would have been very pleased to have known you on those terms and to know what a lovely person Cassie Sullivan is.’ Pietro gave her a small bow from his chair.

‘It was a kind thought of Uncle Ricardo’s, but it has brought me problems because none of the Aquinos understand why he left me money. It’s created so many difficulties. It makes me think that perhaps I shouldn’t accept it,’ said Cassie.

George moved in his chair, and turned towards Pietro. ‘I am so pleased that you have opened your heart, my dear, and told this lovely young girl the truth, but I think Cassie needs more than just that.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Pietro.

‘I think we should ask our attorney friend Maurie to take down a statement that Cassie and Michael can take back to your family to explain why Ricardo left Cassie the money.’

‘What an excellent idea. It will save me having to field questions from Australia and rehash the whole thing again. So clever. Now I’m feeling very tired and I think I’ll lie down. But please, go and share lunch with George. Consuela will be so upset if you don’t eat her chili.’ Pietro rose unsteadily to his feet and walked to the door. He turned and looked at Cassie. ‘Welcome back to the family, my dear.’

Whitby Point, one year later

The last of the guests lingered on the deck of the Blue Boatshed in the balmy night air. The candles had burned low, and the glasses and coffee cups were empty.

‘What a fantastic celebration dinner. Congratulations again, Cass,’ said Trixie.

‘Honestly, the Blue Boatshed wouldn’t have won this great foodie award without you all. I can’t believe how my life has changed since I first came here.’ Cassie smiled at Michael.

‘We’re putting Blue Crane Lake on the map!’ said Steve. ‘We had people in yesterday from Canberra who drove here after reading the review in the food section of their Saturday paper.’

‘Don’t overdo it, luv,’ said Geoff. ‘Don’t want Blue Crane Lake to get overdeveloped.’

‘Darling, as I keep telling you, run for council,’ said Trixie. ‘That way you can have some constructive input into the Lake’s expansion.’

‘What’s next, Cassie?’ asked Steve. ‘Planning to buy another restaurant?’

‘Not at present. It’s a nice enough feeling owning one place,’ said Cassie. ‘And I’m so glad that you and Melinda are living in the loft. It takes a lot of pressure off knowing you’re here.’

Steve and his girlfriend Melinda had moved into the boatshed when Cassie and Bill had moved in with Michael in the house on the hill after they arrived back from Los Angeles. Since then, Cassie had awoken each morning to the sound of the ocean and the warmth of Michael beside her. Bill slept at the foot of the bed and initially Toledo the cat had kept his distance, curled up on a chair on the verandah. Over time a truce between the animals had developed and occasionally the dog and cat could be found together in a sunny spot lying side by side.

Taking her mother to one side, Cassie said quietly, ‘Mum, I have to keep pinching myself, I’m so happy.’

‘I’m glad you put Ricardo’s money towards buying this place. You’ve made such a success of it. Your father would be so proud. And I’m delighted that you and Michael have such a loving relationship.’

‘Are you going to stay for the opening of the Ricardo Aquino Marina, Mum?’ Cassie asked.

‘Would not miss it for the world. Quite a remarkable man, Ricardo Aquino. I’m really pleased that his son, Ray, is carrying on his work to maintain sustainable commercial fishing in the area,’ replied Jenny.

‘So am I. It seems to me that all the family is pretty remarkable,’ said Cassie with a smile.

After the last guests departed, Melinda collected the last of the glasses, blew out the candles and began to close up the doors and windows of the Blue Boatshed.

Cassie and Michael took the last of the bread, walked to the end of the jetty, sat down, legs dangling, and began to crumble the bread and throw it in the water for the fish. Bill nosed his way between them and peered into the glassy dark water.

Michael put his arm around Cassie’s shoulders and she leaned against him. ‘Happy? You should be. Winning the best new eatery on the south coast is impressive.’

‘Probably just a fluke.’

‘Don’t sell yourself short,’ said Michael. He was quiet for a moment, then he said, ‘I have a really important question to ask you.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Why don’t we get married? Would you marry me, Cassandra Sullivan? Maybe deep down I’m an old-fashioned Italian. I want you to be my wife. I’d like to start a family and spend the rest of my life loving you.’

Cassie was caught by surprise. Her divorce had gone through months before. She and Michael were so happy and compatible together – she hadn’t even considered marriage. But now that he’d asked it seemed right and inevitable. And forever.

‘Yes. Yes, yes! I love you, Michael Phillips.’

Michael leaned forward to kiss Cassie, but Bill, alert to something in their voices, sat up between them, pushing his head between theirs.

‘Love me, love my dog,’ Cassie said, laughing.

‘And I do,’ said Michael, gently pushing Bill down to pull Cassie close.

The dog dropped his head onto his paws and watched the flash of silvery fish attacking the sodden bread. Somewhere a night bird called and, past the dunes, the surf gently thudded onto the beach. Blue Crane Lake was as it had always been . . . a tranquil haven Cassie now called home.

For my darling partner Boris. With love and thanks for all you do for me.

Love and thanks to my wonderful children, Gabrielle and Nick, and my beautiful grandchildren, Sonoma, Everton, Bodhi and little one on the way! (Love you Mimi.)

Liz Adams, my very good friend, who happens to be the gold standard of editors!

Ian Robertson, lawyer extraordinaire! Thanks for all you do on my behalf.

To the Pan Macmillan family: Ross Gibb, Roxarne Burns, Samantha Sainsbury, Jace Armstrong, Katie Crawford, the entire sales and marketing team, Tracey Cheetham and all in publicity, Hayley Crandell, Rowena Lennox and Danielle Walker. Thank you for being such a great team.

To the Puglisi fishing dynasty: Lee, Josie and Mick. Thank you for sharing family anecdotes, facts and stories.

To all who fish, may we continue to sustainably enjoy, protect and preserve our beautiful seas and all the creatures.

About Di Morrissey

Di Morrissey is one of the most successful and prolific authors Australia has ever produced. She trained as a journalist, working in newspapers, magazines, television, film, theatre and advertising around the world. It was her fascination with different countries; their landscape, their cultural, political and environmental issues, that has been the catalyst for her novels which are all inspired by a particular landscape.

Di has been a tireless and passionate advocate and activist for many causes from being Patron of the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, opposing large scale development and commercial food chains into Byron Bay NSW, to fighting to save the Kimberley from gas and mining intrusion into sacred lands, and, as Patron of the Manning Alliance, stopping massive and unnecessary power lines intruding into the Manning Valley NSW. Di has also established The Golden Land Education Foundation (see details on her website) to raise funds to help build and develop Pyin Nya Yeik Mon Monastic Primary School, Sagaing in Myanmar.

Di has two children, Dr Gabrielle Morrissey Hansen and Dr Nicolas Morrissey, and three grandchildren who reside in the USA.
Di lives with her partner, Boris Janjic, in the Manning Valley, NSW. You can find out more about her at
www.dimorrissey.com
and
www.facebook.com/DiMorrissey
and follow her at
@di_morrissey
on Twitter.

Also by Di Morrissey

in order of publication

Heart of the Dreaming

The Last Rose of Summer

Follow the Morning Star

The Last Mile Home

Tears of the Moon

When the Singing Stops

The Songmaster

Scatter the Stars

Blaze

The Bay

Kimberley Sun

Barra Creek

The Reef

The Valley

Monsoon

The Islands

The Silent Country

The Plantation

The Opal Desert

The Golden Land

MORE BESTSELLING FICTION BY DI MORRISSEY

Di Morrissey

Heart of the Dreaming

At twenty-one, Queenie Hanlon has the world at her feet and the love of handsome bushman TR Hamilton.

Beautiful, wealthy and intelligent she is the only daughter of Tingulla Station, the famed outback property in the wilds of western Queensland.

At twenty-two, her life lies in ruins. A series of disasters has robbed her of everything she ever loved. Everything except Tingulla - her ancestral home and her spirit’s Dreaming place . . .

And now she is about to lose that too . . .

An extraordinary story of thwarted love and heroic struggle,
HEART OF THE DREAMING
is the tale of one woman’s courage and her determination to take on the world and win.

Di Morrissey

The Last Rose of Summer

A compelling story of two beautiful and remarkable women connected across the decades by the men who love them . . . and the magic of a place called Zanana.

KATE, a strong willed heiress determined to defy Edwardian convention, but she must pay the ultimate price to keep the home she loves so much . . .

ODETTE, an independent and idealistic young journalist caught in a fierce battle to save Zanana from ruthless developers . . .

Years apart yet inextricably linked by Zanana, the magnificent mansion they both love, these two striking women prove they are not afraid to fight for what they believe in.

From the turn-of-the-century India to contemporary Sydney,
THE LAST ROSE OF SUMMER
is an epic story of love, possession and intrigue.