The Reef (47 page)

The phone rang and she debated picking up the extension, but was glad she did.

‘Darling girl, I am here!'

‘Isobel. Wonderful, wonderful. How are you?' Jennifer sat up, feeling better.

‘More importantly, how are
you
and the little one? I was worried when I heard you had to stay close to the doctor.'

Jennifer smiled at the musical accent of her friend. ‘We're hanging in there, but I'm ready to get this over with.'

‘The last month is always a long one. So, what news? You are working? I am renting a big house, ordinary house, but with a lovely garden and fabulous views over the harbour. Do you want to stay with me? I suppose your mother would not like me to take you out of her nest, no.'

‘You said it. But thanks for the offer. If I can see you that would be wonderful. Are you going to be around all the time?' Jennifer's heart leapt and her spirits lifted at the thought of being able to see Isobel.

‘Of course, my bella. And you have seen Tony? He is being very mysterious. He loves that boat. So, we see each other very soon. I'll tell you all about the conference. Kisses.'

Jennifer smiled, glanced at the photo of the island, curled up in her bed and slept solidly until dinner. She allowed her mother to fuss over the meal which they ate on their laps in front of the TV.

By the following morning Jennifer was out of the house at daylight, walking briskly down to the waterfront, feeling terrific. She hadn't intended to do so but found she was walking past the crowded
wharf where the tied-up boats, fuel and food supplies passed for a marina. Most of the boats were battened down and deserted, except for a fishing boat setting out, and Tony sitting on the deck reading the newspaper with a mug of coffee. Jennifer walked along the jetty finger and gave him a hoy.

‘Any coffee going?'

‘Hey Jen, what a lovely surprise! Come aboard.'

While Tony made fresh coffee Jennifer explored the boat, marvelling at how compact and comfortable it was.

‘I don't think I'd squeeze into that small loo up forward in my condition, but I see why you like being here,' she said as they sat in the well of the cockpit watching the sun glint on the buoys, boats and glassy water.

‘It forces me to be tidy, everything has its place,' he said. ‘I'm afraid my study at home is overrun with books and paperwork.'

‘What's your place like?' she asked curiously. ‘I've never considered you having a permanent home. I figured you were like me living at the research station, on a boat, wherever, ready to go anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.'

‘I've lived on the run for too long. You get tired of hotels. I don't mind it in short bursts, but when I came back from covering wars and seeing damaged and devastated lives and countries, I decided home was the most important thing. So I bought a rambling kind of a joint up
the coast, near a beach. For once in my life I did something smart with my money. It's nice to spread out my things, know it's there to go back to and it's a good working base.'

‘Who looks after it while you're away? No lady companion? Am I being rude?' asked Jennifer, suddenly thinking she was invading the very private wall he kept around himself.

‘No, of course not. I had a relationship or two. They didn't survive my being posted away for such long periods. And I'm still a bit fragile.' He smiled. ‘Like you said, having friends who are there but don't make demands has been helpful for me to start to trust again.' He took her cup. ‘What about breakfast?'

‘I'd better go. Mum will worry if she gets up and finds me gone. I might take some croissants home.'

‘Let me drive you back up the hill, walking down is easier. We can go past the bakery.'

Christina was making tea. ‘Oh, you've been out. You must be feeling better.'

‘Yep. Here's breakfast. I've had coffee with Tony. He's taking me for a sail later today.'

‘Do you think that's wise, dear? Don't you get seasick? How big a boat . . . does he know what he's doing?'

‘Mum, Tony is the most responsible man I know. I feel totally safe with him. Anyway, what are you doing today?'

Jennifer loved the sail out of the harbour, tacking up the coast for two hours. She tried not to show her initial nerves as they picked up speed and the hull tilted as the sails billowed and the mast leaned towards the sea. Tony gave her a sheet to hold, slacken, and showed her how to fasten it over the cleat. The sound of the sail, the rushing water, made her feel exhilarated, light and free, not cumbersome and eight months pregnant. Sometimes they chatted, sometimes she sat and dreamed as Tony adjusted the sails, and for a while when she stretched out on the padded seat in the stern she fell asleep in the sun.

A day later Jennifer spent a morning with Isobel as she unpacked and spread photos, folders, papers and videos around. They went out for lunch and barely paused for breath as they laughed and talked non-stop.

‘Now, what does the doctor say? What is the hospital like and what about baby classes?' demanded Isobel.

Jennifer shrugged. ‘I don't know. Guess I'll find out.'

‘Jenny, not good enough. Let's go up there and look at the facilities. And you must do some classes so you know exactly what to expect.'

‘I'll find out when the times comes.'

‘Nonsense. We will go this afternoon. You must get into training. You should have been doing this for weeks and weeks.'

Jennifer rang Beverly and they arranged to meet her on the third floor. Isobel toured the maternity ward like a royal visitor, and they peeped into the delivery room.

‘Oh God, it looks like you're going to have limbs cut off,' shuddered Jennifer. ‘I don't want such a sterile setting. I wish I could just give birth on the beach.'

‘That's not an unusual reaction,' said Beverly. ‘Maybe I shouldn't be recommending this, but a lot of women choose home births. If you have an experienced midwife and there aren't complications, it's much nicer.'

‘I don't have a home. I mean I couldn't have it in Mum's unit. She'd freak, for a start. She'd never cope with me in pain or anything mucky and medical.'

‘A lot of girls use a friend's house –' and before Beverly could say any more Isobel was hugging Jennifer.

‘My house . . . it's perfect! There's a big bedroom with a spa and a deck that looks to the ocean. Oh please, please, have your baby there.'

Jennifer looked at Beverly, who grinned and shrugged. ‘I know a brilliant midwife. And the hospital is close by. It's up to you to convince your doctor.'

Isobel clapped her hands. ‘Wonderful! Let's call him and get everything ready, now. Just in case. I knew there was a reason I came ahead of time.'

The following week she told Tony of her plan.

‘Isobel is so generous and her place is fantastic. I've rung mothers who've done home births and I really like Lizzie the midwife. Isobel and I went to a birthing class and I feel really focused now.'

‘Well, if you're comfortable with the idea and there are medical emergency facilities on hand or close by . . . What's your mother think? And Blair?' asked Tony.

‘I haven't been able to reach Blair, he's in London. I got a message that he'll call me next week. He'll say it's up to me. As for my mother, I haven't dared tell her yet. She'll think it's crazy.'

‘More of Isobel's mad influence, I suppose,' said Tony.

‘Mum wasn't happy Isobel is coming with me to the childbirth classes. I think Mum feels Isobel is stealing her grandchild from her. But Isobel's been so supportive.'

‘Good. So long as you're happy. And your doctor. Well, come on, sailor, let's get on with the sailing lesson.' Tony had started explaining the principles of sailing to Jennifer to put her more at ease in handling the boat.

‘I won't tell Mac I'm taking on another project just yet,' she laughed.

Just as Christina was getting more and more tightlipped over the time Jennifer was spending with Isobel and Tony, Vi and Don arrived. Jennifer was thrilled.

‘We went inland and over to Cairns and worked our way down the coast, and here we are.' Vi couldn't get over how healthy and fit Jennifer looked. ‘We're booked into the caravan park for two months, so we'll be here for the big day. I'm really excited.'

Vi and Christina were busy in the kitchen. Jennifer and Don stood on the balcony while Don had a quick cigarette.

‘I'm so glad you're here. It will be company for Mum and take a bit of pressure off me. I haven't told her I want to go back to the island as soon as I can.'

‘You sure she won't come over with us? Vi is dead keen to go,' said Don.

‘She has a thing about the island, crossing the water. Like I did,' said Jennifer slowly. ‘I can't tell you how I've changed since being here, Don.'

‘I can see that, luv. We're sorry to hear about Blair. You sure you two can't get back together, what with the baby and all . . . ?'

‘It's fine, Don, really it is. I have such a great group of supportive friends.'

‘Christina's talked to Vi. You know how your mum gets a bit jealous. Don't exclude her, pet. This baby means such a lot to her.'

Jennifer sighed. ‘I know, and I want her to be the doting granny, but I don't want her smothering us – you know what I mean.'

‘I do indeed. We'll try to keep her occupied, showing us around and so on. Though she says her job keeps her busy.'

‘It's part time. And she has a man keen on her but she downplays that.'

‘To you maybe – she's mentioned him to Vi, but insists she's not getting involved, which is a pity.' They both laughed.

‘So what's so funny? Come inside and sit down,' said Christina to Don. ‘You can't smoke around my grandchild, you know. I'm not.'

‘Our great niece too. My goodness, to think you'll be a grandmother,' said Vi.

Christina fluffed her hair. ‘Well, I hope I don't look like one. My friends at the tennis club tell me I seem far too young.'

In an aside to Vi, Jennifer asked, ‘Do you miss home? You've been away a long time.'

‘I worry, but the neighbours are so good. Don couldn't wait to get away after losing all his birds like that,' said Vi.

‘They weren't pets exactly, but I knew every feather on every bird,' said Don with a trace of bitterness.

‘No news or any idea where they went?' asked Jennifer.

‘Not really. It's not uncommon for private breeders to get raided. There've been some scandals over the years with raids from statutory official bodies taking birds as well as thieves striking. I suppose there are bad eggs in every organisation.' He tried to smile at his pun.

‘Don reckons he saw one of his birds in a petshop in Cairns. Never mind, darl, you can start again one day,' said Vi sympathetically.

Don shook his head. ‘Nah, wouldn't be the same. Have to do something different. I wouldn't mind getting into tropical fish. My goodness, did we see some wonderful fish in Cairns. Fellow at the pub had an aquarium out the back. Amazing things in it.'

‘I think it's better to see them swimming in their natural setting. You wait till you come over to the island,' said Jennifer, glancing at her mother.

Vi continued chatting. ‘That man was quite a character, wasn't he, Don? Told us he could get anything we wanted. Heavens, how could we carry tropical fish back to Sydney?'

‘What sort of a man?' asked Jennifer, suddenly curious.

‘A one-time abalone diver. Said it was too cold, too rough down south and too many big men in grey suits so he went north,' said Don.

‘He meant big man-eating sharks,' explained Vi.

Christina shuddered. ‘I hate the ocean.'

‘Mac loathes the aquarium trade, they're depleting the reef waters too. You guys best come and see the reef while you can.'

Jennifer was asleep when her mobile phone rang late one night.