Page 165 of The Pearl Sister
‘Given the current financial crisis in Europe, I’d say that we’re holding up quite well. It’s a good time to expand, Kitty. When I was in Coober Pedy, I was offered some land that’s going cheap. I think it will be an excellent investment.’
‘I trust to your judgement, Ralph, but do we have the funds?’
‘We certainly would if we sold off Kilgarra cattle station. I’ve been looking at the accounts – you may remember the old manager died a while back? The replacement manager does not seem to be quite as regular with his monthly reports. I think I should travel up to the north to see for myself what’s going on.’
‘Is that really necessary?’
‘I believe so, yes. I’ve had no reply to any of my recent telegrams.’
‘I’ve never been up there,’ Kitty said, knowing full well why she hadn’t. ‘It’s such a very long way away.’
‘Closer now that one can take the Ghan train to Alice Springs. Kilgarra station is only two days’ ride away by pony and cart, but I would need to leave soon.’
‘Of course.’
‘Then there is the question of the properties in Broome. I have sold off all the luggers as we discussed, but that still leaves the office, warehouses and, of course, the house. Do you wish to keep it? I know how many memories it holds for you.’
‘Yes,’ she said, surprising herself, ‘but the business premises can be sold. Now, dear Ralph, I must tell you ofmyplans for the future.’
Kitty watched Ralph’s expression turn to abject surprise when she told him she was handing over the entire Mercer empire to him.
‘I will take a modest pension from the business, but I have other money of my own and besides, my needs will be few. And then, of course, there is Alicia Hall. I intend to pass it over to you.’
‘Truly, Kitty, are you sure? You have known me less than three years and—’
‘Ralph.’ Kitty laid a gentle hand on his arm. ‘You are my brother, blood of my blood. I can think of no one better to care for the business in the future. You have proved yourself a talented manager, with an excellent head for business. I am sure you will be able to ride the storm of change I feel is coming to Australia. And in truth, I will be quite happy to hand over the reins. I have been an accidental caretaker for far too long.’
‘Then thank you, Kitty. I am honoured by your trust in me.’
‘So, that is settled. I am thinking . . Kitty stared off into the distance. ‘I am thinking that I shall ready myself to leave by April. Although there is one more journey that I promised myself I should make when I first sailed over here as a young girl.’
‘And where is that?’
‘To Ayers Rock. Can you believe I have never seen it still, after all these years? So,’ Kitty smiled at him, ‘you will have company on the Ghan. I shall come with you as far as Alice Springs.’
* * *
As Kitty made her final preparations to leave Australia’s shores, she realised there was little she wished to take to Europe with her – almost everything at Alicia Hall had been chosen by Edith, her mother-in-law. Papers were being drawn up ready for her to sign the business into Ralph’s name when she returned from her trip to Alice Springs. Mr Angus informed her that he was well underway with registering Andrew’s deathin absentiaand Kitty had written a brief statement as to her ‘husband’s’ mental state after theKoombanahad sunk, hoping it would be enough to convince a judge.
She received Andrew’s death certificate in the post two weeks later, and sat staring at it with a mixture of horror and relief. Walking outside onto the veranda, she glanced at the very spot where she had first laid eyes on Drummond as an eighteen-year-old girl.
‘It’s over,’ she murmured to herself, ‘it’s finally over.’
* * *
A strange sense of peace had descended on her by the time she heard the doorbell ring as she was eating her solitary dessert. Wondering who could be calling so late at night, she heard Nora, her Aboriginal maid of all works, answer the front door.
‘Scusum me, Missus Mercer,’ Nora said as she peeped round the dining room door a few seconds later, ‘there’s some beggar who sayum she need see you. She say you givem her address. Her name Sarah. Shall I let her in?’
‘Why yes, of course.’ Kitty rose from the table.
‘Has young fella with her too,’ Nora added darkly as Kitty followed her into the hall.
‘Missus M! Thank the blinkin’ Lord we found yer!’
Sarah, if she had been thin before, now resembled a ghost of her former self. She launched herself into Kitty’s arms. ‘Oh Missus M . . .’
Then Kitty’s gaze fell on Eddie, who had been hiding behind Sarah, his eyes round as saucers as he stared up at the chandelier that hung in the centre of the high vaulted ceiling.
