Page 92 of The Pearl Sister
‘So what do you suggest?’
‘That, together with Charlie, we elope.’
‘Where to?’
‘The moon would be preferable, but given that’s even further than my cattle station and we’d have to grow wings to get there, Kilgarra is probably the best option.’
‘You want me to come with you?’
‘Yes, although I warn you, Kat, life out there is harsh and brutal. It makes Broome seem like the very epicentre of civilised society. The Ghan camel train passes but twice a year with supplies and the nearest settlement, Alice Springs, is a two-day ride away. There is no doctor or hospital, and only the outside dunny for necessities. There is one benefit, mind you.’
‘What’s that?’
‘The nearest neighbour’s a day’s ride away, so there’ll be no more interminable dinner parties to face.’
Kitty managed a smile, knowing Drummond was doing his best to lighten the atmosphere.
‘What about Andrew? How canwedo this to him? It would devastate him. Losing his wife, let alone his beloved son . . .’ She shook her head. ‘He doesn’t deserve it.’
‘No, he doesn’t, and yes, it will hurt him deeply, particularly given that Andrew has never lost anything in his life. He was always the blighter at school that scored the final try to save the day.’
‘I am hardly a rugby ball and neither is Charlie.’ She eyed him. ‘Are you absolutely certain that this isn’t about you winning?’
‘Under the circumstances, absolutely not. I swear to you, Kat, despite my jesting, I love him. He’s my twin and I’d walk a thousand miles not to hurt him, but this is life and death and it can’t be helped.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I physically can’t live without you. It’s unfortunate, but there we have it. So, that’s where I stand. And now, my Kitty-Kat, to use the rugby analogy, the ball is firmly in your hands. It’s up to you to decide.’
* * *
Once again, Kitty found herself in an agony of indecision, because it was not justherfuture she had to consider. If she left with Drummond, she knew that she would be denying Charlie the right to grow up with his father. Even more troubling was the thought that Andrew may try to fight her to claim Charlie back. At least there was no doubt that he adored his Uncle Drum and would have a loving uncle and father figure there to steer him as he grew. God only knew what she would tell Charlie when he was older; Kitty was well aware of the shock of discovering the bleak truth about a parent one had idolised.
Back and forth she went, even visiting the local church and kneeling to ask for guidance.
‘Please, Lord, I have always been taught that God is love. And I love Drummond with every inch of my soul, but I love Charlie too . . .’
As she knelt, once more she saw her father clasping Annie’s hands on the doorstep. And her poor innocent mother, also pregnant and unaware of her husband’s duplicity.
‘I am not a hypocrite and I cannot be a liar,’ she whispered to a mournful painting of angels flying the dead up to heaven.Though even now,she thought as she stood up,I am no better than my father, lying in my husband’s brother’s bed night after night. . .
‘Lord, I may have had an epiphany,’ she sighed, ‘but I seem to have broken most of Your commandments since I did.’
Outside in the sunshine, Kitty went to study the graves of the departed.
‘Did you ever love like me before you left the earth?’ she whispered to Isobel Dowd’s remains. The poor thing had died at the age of twenty-three – the same age she was now.
Kitty closed her eyes, a deep sigh emanating from inside her. ‘It has gone too far already and I will not deceive my husband for the rest of our lives. Therefore’ – she swallowed hard – ‘the Lord help me, but I must take the consequences.’
* * *
‘I have decided we will come with you to Kilgarra when you return from your meeting in Adelaide,’ Kitty said calmly as she sat with Drummond over dinner that evening.
He stared at her in surprise. ‘Good grief, woman! We were just discussing whether we should take Charlie to the beach for a last swim and you dropthatinto the conversation!’
‘I thought you should know,’ she said, at least enjoying the stunned expression on Drummond’s face.
‘Yes, you’re right, I should.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Well then. We’d better make a plan.’
