Ironbark (73 page)

Keziah saw that the soldiers did not break rank. Even when the women clubbed them they continued to push them back with their muskets locked in horizontal formation at arm's length. Only a single shot was fired as a warning over the prisoners' heads.

The women's rage soon began to fizzle out. Keziah knew many of them had willingly entered liaisons with some of these soldiers and welcomed the money or rough affection that came their way. Every woman had her price.

One soldier, with blood staining his face, called out, not without humour, ‘Cool down,
ladies
. We don't want the authorities cutting off all your nice hair.'

Keziah helped the deputy to her feet. The woman's mouth was torn from the beating but she managed to mutter, ‘I'll not forget what you did to protect me.'

Keziah had no time to respond. Oola was watching her, breathing heavily. Keziah tried not to reveal the cold wave of fear she felt when Oola gave her a knowing smile.

‘You reckon you can see the future, eh? Then you'll know just how I'm going to pay you back, Gypsy!'

Keziah sat alone in the courtyard of the Factory. Two weeks had passed in the aftermath of the riot. Daniel was expected to arrive that morning to take her home, officially assigned to his custody if the authorities approved her ticket-of-leave. In readiness for her departure her convict slops were clean and her Romani headscarf covered all but the plait hanging over her shoulder. But she felt totally drained of emotion. The day that she had dreaded for weeks had finally arrived. There was no escape. Through the window of the deputy's office she could see the woman's head bent over her desk. Her skull was bandaged. Her mouth puckered from the stitches binding her split upper lip, wounds suffered in the riot. For a moment their eyes locked.
Will she be true to her word?

Keziah knew that the deputy's favourable report was in gratitude for saving her life. But her fellow prisoners' resentment increased when Keziah's name alone was removed from the rosters, free from all work.
Free to be afraid. Oola was officially kept in isolation. But that didn't stop her bribing a guard to set her free at night.

When the deputy beckoned her to her office, Keziah stood in silence as the woman's pen scratched entries in the ledger book. Speaking painfully through her wounded mouth, she handed Keziah a newspaper.

‘Here's an account of the aftermath of the riot. Take it.' She waved a hand in dismissal.

Keziah nodded acknowledgement but felt no gratitude, no emotion of any kind. Oola's mutiny had changed her life forever.

As she read
The Sydney Monitor's
account she felt disconnected from her role in it. Phrases sprang off the page to trigger vivid memories of the violence.
‘… the worst mutiny in the history of Parramatta Female Factory … the military was praised for their restraint in holding their fire … two were wounded … eighty-two female prisoners had their sentences extended … the ringleader had her head shaved.'

Keziah felt numb.
They can't find a fitting punishment for Oola. She's been shorn so often she glories in her bald head – the symbol of her power.

Keziah flinched when she saw Daniel arrive. He spoke animatedly to the deputy then crossed the courtyard to her side.

‘Are you all right, Keziah? I only heard the latest news when I reached Parramatta. I was worried they'd postpone your release, but the deputy said you were quite the heroine. What happened?'

She shrugged and looked away. ‘I saved myself.'

‘Thank God. I could never have faced Jake if I'd returned empty-handed.' He kissed her cheek then tried to sound light-hearted as he handed her a large parcel.

‘The deputy went through this with a fine-tooth comb. You'd think by now she'd realise I'm not smuggling weapons.' He presented a document with a flourish. ‘And here's the moment we've all been waiting for. Da da! Your ticket-of-leave!'

Keziah held it in silence, remembering Nerida's long ago triumphant phrase,
‘That freedom business'. But this ticket has come too late. I'll never be free again.
She saw Daniel was trying to amuse her with a story about the tussle between Jake and Pearl over the parcel, how the little girl vetoed Jake's suggestions and insisted she knew best what items to choose for her mother.

Keziah pushed the parcel back at him. ‘I can't go with you, Daniel.'

‘What? Don't tell me the damned authorities blocked your release? You've got your ticket right here in your hands.'

‘Not them. Me. I can't face everyone.'

Daniel looked thrown but he pressed on, referring to Pearl's list. ‘She chose your favourite red dress. She's starched your petticoats,
put in your camisole and unmentionables, stockings and shoes. In your reticule you'll find your silver amulet and a comb. And there's a scarf or is it a shawl? Your straw hat's in the wagon. Jake said to tell you
his
special present is waiting for you at the farm.'

When she said nothing he continued with enthusiasm. ‘We haven't had time to finish all the fences. But Jake got Bran and me to build a wrought-iron archway over the entrance. It says “Welcome to Sarishan Farm”. Jake's idea. It's a Romani greeting, right?'

She knew she was supposed to react with pleasure but she only managed to nod.

Daniel put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Change into your own clothes, you silly goose. You'll feel much better.'

‘Daniel, look at me! Can't you see the truth? Nothing will fit me. I'm a scarecrow!'

‘Nonsense. A week of fresh farm food and you'll be as voluptuous as any artist's model. Get in the wagon. There's no female problem that can't be solved with a new dress!'

• • • 

When Keziah sighted the new Parramatta branch of Sydney merchant Joseph Farmer's Emporium she wanted to bolt. After wearing convict slops for more than a year, the words on the sign seemed like a foreign language –
Silk Mercer, Haberdasher and Linen Draper
.

Daniel selected an Indian cotton dress. ‘Blue to match your eyes,' he said.

What consolation is that?

In the changing cubicle she removed all her clothing and looked in the mirror. She was horrified when she saw Daniel pass by and accidentally catch sight of her naked reflection. His eyes locked with hers in shock.

Keziah's hands trembled and her scarf fell to the floor. Pinned inside it was the long black braid of her hair. She stared bleakly at her mirror image. Her head was totally bald. Without a word Daniel turned away.

When she re-joined him outside the store she wore the new blue dress but avoided his eyes.

‘You look lovely, Keziah.' He lifted her up onto the front seat. ‘You only need this to complete the picture.' He handed her a small parcel he had just bought.

‘For your hair,' he said. ‘Put your sunhat on. We've a long journey ahead of us. Can't have you going down with sunstroke.'

Keziah opened his parcel and felt a faint glimmer of emotion.

Daniel averted his eyes while she fixed the gift in place. Her sunhat covered her Gypsy scarf. Over her shoulder hung the plait now braided with Daniel's scarlet ribbon for good luck.

‘So now you know the truth,' she said blankly.

He nodded. ‘I know how you women feel about your hair. How humiliated you must be, but it will soon grow again and it won't matter a damn to Jake. He's just desperate to have you back home with him.'

And I'm desperate to be anywhere else!
she thought but remained silent.

He tried again. ‘I won't pretend your adjustment will be easy, but remember we all experience guilt. That we've been set free, but we've left friends behind locked up.'

Keziah's voice was harsh. ‘I had no friends.'

He nodded. ‘When I left Gideon Park I felt worthless. A rank coward all my life for what I'd done to Maynard Plews and Saranna. For what I'd become with Iago. When I sank to blackmail to force you to marry me I knew I'd sold my very soul to the devil!'

Keziah cut across him. ‘Your soul was just badly wounded. It needed time to heal.'

‘You're right. In time I did heal. And so will you, Keziah.'

‘No. Nothing on earth can wipe out what I've done. You didn't commit murder, Daniel. You didn't betray the children who trusted you.'

‘You know who healed me?' he asked. ‘Gabriel.'

‘Children see the real person inside us.'

‘One Sunday in Ironbark Chapel a priest was raving on about Daniel in the lion's den and the message from the Archangel Gabriel. Our names, you see? I realised how much you both needed me. I'll always be your friend, Keziah, but it's Jake who really needs you now.'

Keziah turned her head to look out at the horizon. Storm clouds were gathering.

‘No! I can't face him!'

‘Listen, Keziah. The past is dead. Jake needs you to share the future. I swear to God, I've never seen anyone love the way Jake loves you!'

‘He loves the woman I
was
. I have done things even Jake's love cannot heal.'

Daniel finally lost his temper. ‘Give the man a chance, Keziah. Damn it all, the poor bastard deserves that much!'

• • • 

That morning Jake laid it squarely on the line to the children as he lined them up on the veranda, inspecting their hands, faces and the backs of their necks for cleanliness.

‘Absolutely no practical jokes and tricks on Mama! Save 'em up for April Fools' Day next year.'

Since dawn he had issued sharp instructions as they scurried around to complete their chores. For the past two days the table had been set with a lace cloth for Mama's reunion lunch or supper, all in readiness for the unknown hour of her arrival.

Jake was about to remove the side of lamb from the coolroom when a Rolly Brothers coach drew up in front of the home paddock. Mac Mackie's crazy detour from his usual route was clearly causing consternation amongst his male passengers.

‘Won't be long. I'm an angel of mercy!' Mac called to them over his shoulder. ‘Why don't you stretch your legs and do the necessary?'

Jake had no need to prompt Pearl. Proud of her role as a farmer's daughter, she knew the unwritten laws of bush hospitality. She hurried

forth with a tray of drinks and biscuits for the passengers who were sweltering in the unusual spring heat.

Mac piled a mountain of boxes on Jake's veranda.

‘The cooked tucker is from Janet Macgregor and Polly Doyle. Fruit and vegetables from Ironbark farmers. Scotch and Drambuie from the Doc. Same message from all. Dead keen to see Keziah but we know you two need time alone together.' Mac gave a very unsubtle wink and his shaggy beard quivered with suppressed laughter.

‘It's enough to feed a regiment. I'm bloody overwhelmed,' said Jake.

‘Don't get so overwhelmed you forget what to do
tonight
, mate. If you need a few tips to jog your memory, just ask your Uncle Mac!'

‘Piss off,' Jake said with affection.

Mac wagged a finger as he loped back to the waiting coach. ‘It's like riding a horse, mate. It'll all come back to you the minute you hop in the saddle.'

Afternoon shadows stretched across the sun-bleached grass. Jake and his children waited on the veranda scanning the track for Daniel and his precious cargo. The last time Jake had seen Keziah's face was more than a year ago in Berrima Gaol through the grill on her cell door the night the Rev had smuggled him to talk to her.

Jake paced restlessly, one eye on the track. His worn but clean moleskin trousers were tucked into riding boots. His red shirt fell open to his belt. His body was hard, brown – and very tense.

Now twelve months old, little Yosie was ever ready to use his sea legs. Jake had anchored him in his highchair, but kept hurrying to the coolroom to keep Yosie supplied with barley water. He regularly checked the towelling pinned between the boy's legs. He felt it was important to hand across a dry, clean-smelling kid to Keziah. Yosie's constant thirst made that task difficult.

Pearl had cut down Keziah's old work dress to make herself a skirt. Jake realised that must mean she had outgrown her own clothes. Money
was tight but Pearl asked for nothing except the weekly thruppence for her school fee and a coin for the Sunday school plate.

Gabriel had plastered his hair flat to his skull – except for the cowlick that stuck up like a question mark. He kept tuning his violin like a musician in an orchestra pit.

He finally had to ask the question. ‘Mama
is
coming home today, isn't she?'

‘She better be. Couldn't face this song and dance again tomorrow!' Jake instantly regretted causing their wistful reaction. ‘Your mama would never let you down, mate. If she's late there's a damned good reason.'

‘Bushrangers?' they both whispered fearfully.

‘Nah, your mama can handle
them
. Don't worry about that!'

Five minutes later all hell broke loose. Gabriel hollered as he leapt the fence with the grace of a gazelle and his sister ran through the gate. By the time Daniel drew to a halt, they had clambered over Keziah, bombarding her with questions they gave her no time to answer.

Jake's heart was racing and his mouth was dry as he carried Yosie towards her and forgot every single word of the speech he'd planned for weeks.

His first words to his wife came out in a rush. ‘Here. It's safe to hold him. He's dry for once.'

‘See you folks later,' said Daniel and made his getaway as fast as he could.

• • • 

The clock chimed seven. Jake was alone with Keziah. During the family meal she had applauded Gabriel's violin performance and paid the right compliments about Pearl's homemade presents, but when Jake placed Yosie in his cot in the master bedroom, he saw Keziah's odd expression as she eyed the new bed they would share for the first time.