The Opal Desert (37 page)

‘Is Anna very friendly with Shirley?' asked Kerrie.

‘Isn't everyone? You can't be possessive about the old girl,' said Pam.

‘I do feel a bit that way,' admitted Kerrie. ‘She's been so supportive and, I don't know, I just feel like she's been in my life forever.'

‘She has made a big impression on you, hasn't she?'

‘I think she came along at the right time. Murray opened my eyes and inspired me to paint, but Shirley seems to understand me, and talks sense to me.'

‘She has that knack,' agreed Pam. ‘She never goes anywhere, so the world ends up on her doorstep. She swept Anna into her dugout almost as soon as they met.'

‘I worry people might take advantage. Shirley is so good natured,' said Kerrie.

‘That's true. She's generous, too. I know of several people she's helped financially but I think she's been good for Anna.'

‘How does Anna get on with the other people here?' asked Kerrie.

‘Anna is not like most of the other girls who have come out here to work,' said Pam. ‘She's a bit of a loner. I worried about her at first, because she's so stand-offish, but when you get to know her, she's just lovely, though she scares most of the blokes away. Nice to see her chatting with Alia.'

‘I can't imagine why she's staying out here. It's not really a place for a young woman. Is she interested in opals?'

‘You mean coming out here for that opal strike that's your ticket to the future?'

‘And then when you've hit opal you stay to look for more and never leave and before you know it, your life is half over,' said Kerrie.

‘Yes, how often have we heard that story?' laughed Pam. ‘But I doubt that will happen to Anna. I get the feeling that she's waiting for something, but it's not that.'

‘Is she waiting for someone?' suggested Kerrie.

Pam shrugged. ‘No idea. She never talks about her personal life, but I don't think it's a man. And speaking of men, who's your guest that's coming? Is it a certain jeweller?' she asked.

Kerrie smiled. ‘Tim? He's sorry that he'll miss the opening of the art show, but he's going to try to make it before it closes. Maybe there will be time to bring him out to Opal Lake.'

‘I hope so,' said Pam, and then changing the subject added, ‘Anna would like to see your exhibition. I've spoken to her about it, and since she and Alia seem to be hitting it off, she won't be stuck with us oldies. Mick doesn't mind giving her some time off.'

Kerrie couldn't have dreamed a more perfect evening to show her own paintings than the opening of the Outback Artists' Initiative Exhibition. Although Alia and she had checked the lighting and supervised the display, Kerrie was still amazed by how good her works looked among the other pieces of art on show.

‘I never believed I'd have a collection of work to exhibit! I know there are only eight of them, but I'd so given up on my dream of being an artist. It just goes to show, you should never give up on your dreams,' she said quietly to Anna as they looked around the room.

Anna, in a silk jacket borrowed from Alia, stood beside her and nodded in agreement. ‘That's what Shirley keeps telling me.'

‘It's what she told me too,' said Kerrie.

‘Look, Kerrie, there're a couple of red stickers on your paintings already, and the exhibition hasn't even been officially opened yet,' said Alia.

‘Ooh, here's Murray! You must meet him. He's my inspiration,' laughed Kerrie, holding out her arms as Murray Evans came striding towards her, a huge grin on his face.

‘Look at you! How clever are you!' He hugged her.

‘Thanks to you. Oh, Murray. I never thought this would happen. Look what a can of worms you've opened! Oh, this is my stepdaughter, Alia, and Anna, a friend from Opal Lake. Is Fiona with you?'

‘Lovely to meet you both. No, Fee is holding the fort back in Lightning Ridge.' He turned to Alia. ‘I understand that you helped hang Kerrie's work. It looks great.'

‘Thanks. Kerrie tells me that you inspired her to get out the brushes,' said Alia.

‘Not me. The landscape. You'll have to come over to the Ridge, have a look around,' said Murray.

‘Murray and Fiona have a terrific gallery in Lightning Ridge,' said Kerrie. ‘Have you got any paintings here, Murray?'

‘I've brought over three or four. They're hanging just around that corner.'

‘I can't believe that there's so much artistic talent out here,' said Alia.

‘Here comes Ingrid. Have you seen her knockout jewellery, Alia?' asked Murray. ‘She puts opals up as
objets d'art
more than jewellery.'

‘It's extraordinary. I saw some of her work at White Cliffs. It will be good to see more.'

Ingrid hugged Kerrie, and offered her congratulations. She was wearing one of her designs, a dramatic boulder-opal necklace as well as a snake bracelet studded with opal chips and amethyst eyes that wound up her arm. Both Alia and Anna admired it.

‘How productive you've been, Kerrie. I'm telling everyone that the seed for these works began in my studio! You should come and stay every summer when I'm away.'

‘Thank you, Ingrid. I agree, Opal Lake is very conducive to being creative.'

Kerrie was delighted to see Jack Absalom again and many other people whom she knew. She reminded Jack of her visit and he was genuinely pleased that it had produced such great results.

‘Will you be painting more of the outback?' he asked.

‘I certainly will,' replied Kerrie enthusiastically.

Pam and Doug also gave her an excited embrace. ‘This is a fantastic show. So many ways of looking at the outback. Your paintings of Opal Lake are wonderful.

I can't believe they are from the sketches you did when we drove out there. We're so proud of you,' said Pam.

Kerrie smiled at Doug looking unfamiliar in his blue shirt and tie, pressed moleskins and shiny RM Williams boots. ‘I'm just happy you could make it. I hope you enjoy the family wedding, and I'll see you when you get back from Dubbo.'

‘We won't be gone long, but you'll like Liz and Bob who are filling in for us back at the Dome.'

‘And Banjo,' added Doug. ‘Their dog. We'll see you in a week.'

‘That was some night,' said Kerrie as she settled into the back seat of the car while Alia drove to the motel they were staying at in Broken Hill.

‘It was lovely. The whole evening was a huge success. Very well organised, too. Music, food, good wine, nice people, intelligent discussions. Better than some of the arty events I've been to in Sydney. This was really about the art and artists, rather than the glitterati,' said Alia.

‘It's the first time I've been to an art show, but I enjoyed it,' said Anna.

‘You need to get out more,' said Alia. ‘What did you do in Adelaide?'

‘I worked in a coffee shop, but that wasn't my real life. I'm an athlete with a tough coach. When I wasn't serving coffee, I was training.'

‘Are you still in training?' asked Alia.

‘I'm trying to decide if I want to continue, and whether I'm capable of doing what my coach wants. But I keep myself in shape and I need to run.'

‘What's your sport?'

‘Track and field. I'm a middle-distance runner, eight hundred metres.'

‘How much time have you got before you have to make a decision? I'm older than you and I'm just working out what I want to do now,' said Alia.

They got out of the car at the motel and Kerrie said, ‘Early start for us all in the morning. Planes to catch and driving to do.'

Alia watched Anna go into her room. ‘Interesting girl,' she said to Kerrie.

‘Hmm. She'd better make up her mind about what she wants to do soon. She can't keep hiding away in Opal Lake forever.'

Alia was tempted to point out that it had taken years for Kerrie to act on her career dream but kept silent.

‘If that's what she's doing. She doesn't give much away, but I like her,' said Alia.

‘Sleep well. I'll take you to the airport in the morning and then I'll be on my way back to Opal Lake with Anna.' Kerrie yawned. ‘I'm fading.'

‘It's been a big day for you. Congratulations again.' Alia leant over and kissed Kerrie on the cheek. ‘I'm really proud of you,' she added.

Kerrie was surprised and touched by the gesture. ‘Thank you for all your help. It's wonderful to know you were part of my exhibition. I think your father would have been pleased.'

‘And pleased with you, too, I'm sure. I'll download the photos I took of the night as soon as I get back and send them to you. G'night.'

Kerrie lay on the hard bed in her motel room, pleased that at last she had formed a warm relationship with one of Milton's daughters. With Alia's evolving interest in being a curator, perhaps she would also like to become more involved with Milton's legacy. If so, it would give Kerrie time to paint and travel, and to be with Tim.

‘Thanks, Shirley, for your sensible counsel,' she murmured before falling asleep.

After saying goodbye to Alia at the airport the next morning, Kerrie pulled out several CDs and put them within reach to play on the way back to Opal Lake, in case she and Anna ran out of conversation.

They settled in the car with takeaway coffee in paper cups and a donut from the service station where Kerrie had filled up.

‘I never normally eat this stuff,' said Anna.

‘I feel like a sugar hit when I'm on a long drive,' explained Kerrie. Then she asked, ‘I suppose you're a health food fiend because of your running?'

‘Partly, but it's also easy to make protein shakes and grill a steak.'

‘Don't you cook? Alia and her sisters never learnt to cook because we had a housekeeper who cooked for them. Well, that's their excuse. Mind you, their father was something of a gourmand. We ate out a lot, too.'

‘My mum is a plain cook and we rarely go out, though my parents go to the RSL for a feed sometimes,' said Anna.

Kerrie was beginning to realise what a simple, perhaps sheltered and unsophisticated, background Anna came from in the suburbs of Adelaide, somewhat like her own upbringing. How Milton had changed her life. ‘Have you ever thought of travelling overseas?'

‘I'd like to travel with a team for an overseas meet some time. That would be great.'

Kerrie thought of all the wonderful places she'd been with Milton. ‘What about living overseas?'

‘Oh, there are sports academies, institutes, universities I could get into, but that all means money, even if I won a scholarship.'

‘So your problems are financial ones?'

‘There is the money problem, but the rest is hard to explain. Even though I can run fast, I can't run right. My coach says that my race tactics are wrong, and if I can't fix them, I'll never be anything more than a good club runner. I'm not sure that I know how to get them right. If I can't, there is no point in going on.'

‘You haven't decided if you're going to pursue an athletic career or not? I don't want to sound like a know-all, but you can't spend the rest of your life just wandering aimlessly, Anna. Don't be like me and put your talent on hold. Make up your mind so if you decide running isn't for you, you can find something else worthwhile to do with your life.'

‘That's what Shirley said.' They were both silent for a minute. Then Anna added, ‘At least you know you have a talent. You've proved you're good at what you do.'

‘Thank you. You mean because of the show last night? That's the icing on the cake. While I'm thrilled that I was considered good enough for an exhibition, and that people liked my paintings, first I had to prove to myself that I was good. I had a lot of help. Murray Evans, you met him last night, started me off by taking me out to the bush and letting me try, and Shirley supported my first attempts at painting. But I also had to find something inside myself.'

‘How? What is it?' asked Anna quietly, almost with longing.

‘I can't really tell you, Anna. It's a kind of awakening, I suppose. And I also discovered the joy. Being passionate about something is one thing, finding pleasure in it and enjoying what you do is another. And that's not being complacent. I now know I have tons more huge hills to climb. But what's driving me, what makes every day fulfilling, is that I enjoy trying to climb those hills.'

When Anna didn't answer, Kerrie went on, ‘Sorry, didn't mean to lecture you. Not my business, of course.'

‘I was just thinking. I've never talked about my feelings with anyone before, other than Shirley. Pam is nice, too, but I don't talk to her the same way. Everyone is nice out here,' she said lightly.

‘When it's a small community you have to rub along. But I bet there are a lot of people around Opal Lake who suffer their dark nights of the soul.'

‘Yes,' said Anna, and Kerrie had the feeling she was about to say something else but she paused, seemed to change her mind, and went on, ‘I hear stories in the pub.

I sometimes think people aren't so much looking for something out here, pretending it's opals, as hiding or escaping from something. I suppose that applies to me too.'

‘Alia thought much the same thing,' said Kerrie. ‘But I don't think you are holding a deep dark secret, are you?'

‘No. But I bet some people are.'

‘Like?'

‘Who knows. Like I said, I hear bits of gossip in the bar. No one knows the real story about anyone it seems. And I wonder about Davo.'

‘Why Davo?'

‘I heard one story that he came from Melbourne, and he told me he was an ex-surfer. I suppose he could have been both. But I don't much like him.'

‘It's interesting you say that. I have to say I don't care for him either. He's a bit of a chauvinist. I ended up in Opal Lake because of his attitude. He so didn't want to bring me and that made me determined to come. But it worked out just fine for me.'