Page 167 of The Pearl Sister
‘I can assure you that you’re not, Sarah,’ Kitty replied firmly.
‘I was ’oping I could go into town today and find a job at a dressmaker’s. Earn some money to support me an’ Eddie. Do you know of any?’
‘Perhaps, Sarah, but I think you’re rather young to be in full-time employment.’
‘I’m not afraid of hard work, Missus M.’
‘Well, as a matter of fact, I wanted to ask whether you were willing to help me for a while. I have many things to organise before I leave for Europe and I’m due to take a trip up to the north of Australia. As Nora is needed here, I shall require someone to assist me with my clothes and what you will. Be warned, mind you, that it’s a long journey, first by train, then by pony and cart.’
‘Oh Missus M, I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, I really would. Are you serious?’
‘I am never anything but, Sarah, I can assure you.’
‘Then I would love to, Missus M. But . . .’ Sarah’s face fell. ‘What about Eddie? ’E’s not made of strong stuff like me. I’m not sure ’e’d be able to come with us.’
Kitty tapped her nose and smiled. ‘You leave Eddie to me.’
* * *
‘I was wondering, Kitty, given that you are away with Ralph for the next few weeks, if you’ve decided what you’re going to do with Eddie?’ Ruth gazed down fondly at him sitting next to her, utterly enthralled by the jigsaw puzzle she’d brought for him.
‘Do you know, Ruth, you’ve just read my mind, because I am really not at all sure what I will do,’ said Kitty. ‘I wouldn’t like to return him to the orphanage . . .’
‘No, you certainly must not! I was talking to Ralph only last night and we thought it would be a good idea for him to stay with us while you are both away.’
‘Goodness! What a clever idea! But what about the imposition on you?’
‘It would be no imposition at all. He’s a dear child, and I really feel he’s beginning to trust me.’ Ruth’s eyes filled with tenderness as Eddie nudged her to show her the completed jigsaw.
‘Yes, I believe he is. Well now, if you’re sure . . .’
‘Perfectly. It would be good to have a man about the house to protect me while Ralph’s away up north with you.’ Ruth smiled.
‘If Eddie’s happy, then so am I.’
‘What do you think, Eddie?’ Ruth touched the little boy’s arm. ‘Would you like to come and live at my house for a while?’
‘Yes please!’ Eddie said as he reached for Ruth and she pulled him closer to her.
‘Well now, I think that’s the decision taken,’ Kitty managed to say through the lump that had appeared in her throat.
It was the first time she had ever heard Eddie speak.
31
Five days later, Kitty and Sarah left Adelaide with Ralph at the break of dawn to travel to Port Augusta, where they boarded the Ghan train, their luggage neatly stowed in their sleepers by the porters. Over the three-day journey, they settled into a calm routine, accompanied by the rhythmic chug of the train as it pulled them through the increasingly rugged and empty red desert. Kitty was happy to have Sarah with her, not only for her practical nature, but also for her enthusiasm – her constant delight at every turn of the journey helped Kitty to see the landscape through fresh eyes.
They spent the long afternoons in the observation car, Sarah’s face glued to the window as she announced each new sight and sound to her mistress.
‘Camels!’ she gasped, pointing to a line of them snaking through the landscape.
‘Yes, the steward mentioned they’re most likely travelling to meet the train at the next station,’ said Ralph without glancing up from his papers. And sure enough, when they stopped at Oodnadatta, Sarah watched with rapt attention as the Afghan cameleers, dressed in their white turbans and flowing robes, collected supplies from the train and packed them onto their own stalwart and elegant chauffeurs of the desert.
With Sarah by her side, Kitty too watched the changing scenery of red mountains, shining white salt flats and azure blue rivers, marvelling that, after all these decades in Australia, its interior had passed her by.
They arrived in Alice Springs onto a packed platform, where it seemed as if the entire town had arrived to greet the train. They squeezed through the clamouring crowd and Ralph organised a pony and cart to take them to the main street of the town.
They were deposited in front of what proudly named itself the Springs Hotel. With their driver bringing up the rear carrying their cases, they stepped into a dark and dusty reception area.
