Chapter 36

Weena had just left for the Royal Perth and Rob, Mary and I were having a "last" cup of coffee when the phone rang.

"Hollister. Yes, he's here. Just a moment. It's for you, Rob."

"Scott. Good morning. Really? That sounds fine. Yes, by ten. Your office? OK." He put down the phone. "Gordy, could you show Mary the University today?"

"Of course."

"That was the VP. They'd like me to visit Kwinana two days a week for the 'foreseeable future' at a very handsome stipend."

Mary squealed, jumped up and hugged him.

"Congratulations," I said.

"This has certainly been a good week for both of us. I've got to get dressed a bit more formally [he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts]. I've got to be on my way soon." He left. Mary waited a few seconds and followed him. I could hear their voices. When they emerged, Rob said "See you later" and gave Mary a peck on the cheek.

"Do you want to change?" I asked.

"Is this OK?" Mary responded.

"I think you look just fine. But Weena would tell you that my taste is in my feet."

"Well, let me rinse the breakfast things, then we can go."

We drove to the University. I drove about a little, then parked. We went to my office. I introduced Mary to Shirl and got myself a mug of coffee.

"You shouldn't drink so much coffee," said Mary.

"I know."

"Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" asked Shirl.

"Is it private?"

"Please."

I looked at Mary. "Can you just wait here? There are some magazines. We'll be next door."

We went next door. "OK. What is it?"

"Actually, two things. First, Des drove home. He's quite worried about his mother along with going far away to graduate school."

"His mother must be healing. Even a tibia takes six or eight weeks. As to going away. Only he can decide. Either he copes and becomes a full person, or he gives in. In that case, what happens to Des when his parents die? By and large parents die before their children. Both of my parents are still fully functioning. But neither my brother nor I think that will continue forever. Anyway, the other thing?"

"Oh. I got a call late yesterday from Dr. Friedel..."

"Maggie."

"Er. I'm not sure. Anyway, she said that the letter I'd faxed and the reference looked fine and she was putting in for a salary for me."

"Good..."

"Can you explain it?"

"No problem. You're now an intern, working for Maggie. But she needs to have budget for the post. So she's asking someone in Canberra to have dollars put into her account for a graduate student doing whatever. When that gets done, you'll get a formal letter. Her phone call was a courtesy. And now, my congratulations."

"Thanks. I'm really excited."

I walked next door with her. "Want to see my den of iniquity?" I asked Mary. She laughed as I ushered her in.

"It's very nice," she said.

"It's an office. A place to work. I'd be afraid to make it too comfortable."

"Tell what you do. Rob wasn't clear."

"I don't know whether I can be clear. I was happily working on ants at Black Mountain in Canberra last October when I got sent to Laverton on a wild goose chase. But I met Weena there and before the end of November we were married and I was sent here. I thought that I'd teach a class and meet with students and wave the flag. But what happened was that I got involved with the military concerning illegal immigration and with the Wine Growers in your area and before we got here we had an adventure in the Territory, south of the Alice. And now this medal and being put in charge here in the West. I'm not sure exactly what I do ... except react to different things every day."

"It sounds very exciting. I don't think I could stand it."

"What's your story, Mary?"

"Oh, I got married right out of secondary school. Then I had a baby. Two years later, I had another. Ned was working in a mill in Benalla a lot of the time, even though he preferred the outdoors. We lived in Ballarat and then in Shepparton. Then Ned got an offer to move here, to the West, and be a real forester. So we took it. The kids were eight and ten then. We lived in a cottage for about five years, till we'd saved enough for that house and land. We couldn't have afforded it after the Margaret River wine festival started. Ned really liked it, and the kids loved being near the river. But, after school, they both moved away — east and north — and then Ned was killed ... don't worry, Gordy, I'm not going to cry. But it's been tough this past eighteen months."