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Chapter Twenty-Two
‘Now, this is a rare thing. Something occurring in this town that I’m not aware of. A first, for sure.’ The voice was familiar. Two female feet encased in rather lovely blue sandals appeared beside her.
Ava’s hand stilled over the back leg of the turtle fossil still in the ground but slowly taking shape and forming a distinct animal form. It was slow and meticulous work, and she savoured every minute she’d spent with Matthew and James while they worked. The fossil was so perfectly preserved that the exact features of the short and stumpy foot and where the claws would have once been, was obvious. Extraordinary. And what Ava loved the most was that time slipped away, was forgotten and her troubles non-existent when she was here, on site, lost in the world of Herbie as she’d affectionately dubbed the turtle.
However, focusing on it to the exclusion of everything else had consequences and things slipped, and visitors turned up unnoticed.
The shoes she could see were not suited for the dig site, nor traipsing around the paddocks. The lower calves were bare, the woman must be wearing a skirt.
Matthew and James stalled also, aware that no one should be on site, or in fact aware of its existence. They looked at their visitor, their eyes returning to Ava’s, grim expressions on display.
Ava stood slowly, gathering herself and turned. Flashing eyes and big, too white teeth.
The mayor. Ava felt a certain sense of satisfaction. On their first meeting she’d known this wasn’t a woman to rile with and it seemed that she was correct.
‘Ava,’ Jacqueline Kennedy addressed her first.
‘Mayor, I’m sure I left my gate locked.’
‘No one in Bellethorpe locks their gates and if they do it only causes suspicion and thereby invites people to investigate.’
Was she for real? Privacy didn’t exist here?
Ava ignored that comment for the moment. ‘It can’t be the case, surely, that you’re aware of every single event in town?’ Ava wasn’t sure mocking her was the right approach, but they were already on shaky ground, could it be any worse? That million-dollar politician smile dazzled in Ava’s direction.
‘Oh, yes, trust me, I’m aware of everything. Except this. So, tell me, what is going on here?’
Ava thought quickly. She’d run with the established line—French finds. ‘Well, Geoff was here earlier and he’s going to report on my finds. There are some French relics of coins and postcards and old Bellethorpe papers.’ Ava rattled off a similar story. Watching Jacqueline’s reaction, Ava knew she wasn’t buying it.
‘That’s fabulous. The town will appreciate any assistance you can offer with recording its past and those of the soldiers who gave their lives in the war and chose to reside in Bellethorpe afterwards. I knew you’d have a project to offer the town. I’m sure once you start talking to people, they’ll also have similar objects at home not realising their historical significance. The town will love that, thank you, Ava.’
A loaded pause. Matthew and James shuffled their feet sending small dirt particles into the air.
Jacqueline was a shrewd operator and was waiting for Ava to continue. If the house and surrounds had looked awry, then how could she possibly explain the tarpaulins, the gazebo shading them and their prized fossil from the relentless midday sun and the other shelters housing their valuable tools and chairs and a place to sit in the cool while they rested in between shifts. Dirt was piled around them, small and large mounds, rocks, pebbles and tailings everywhere.
How cluey was the mayor?
Surprising Ava, Jacqueline went down a different route. ‘I’m aware Ava that you and your family lived in Bellethorpe previously. I’m informed that your family were valuable members of the township and enjoyed living here. We’re delighted that you’ve chosen to call it home again after all these years. I have a wonderful sense of people. I know you’re going to be a valuable member of our community and love living here. I also sense that there’s more to you than you’re revealing, and that is okay, too. Everyone has a story, everyone comes from somewhere, everyone has a past. But I’ve learned in this job and from running this town, that you can’t outrun your history. I hope that in time you can trust us. We look after each other here. There are no recriminations, only welcome.’
Ava swallowed at the heartfelt words and the sting of their message. The air stilled between them, the heat of the day suddenly feeling overtly oppressive. Ava was mute. Words of denial formed on her tongue, slipping around, ready to be released, but something held her back. Ava thought she had a good sense of people too, but since she’d been irretrievably and devastatingly wrong about her husband, she hadn’t trusted her inner voice. Regardless, Jacqueline was a force to be reckoned with and Ava sensed it was futile disagreeing with her even though every essence of her wanted to claim she was wrong.
Only one thing to do.
‘Jacqueline, what I said about the relics and adding to and contributing to the history centre is true. I will do that. I want to record that history for the town. But here, we have found something so extraordinary and incredible…’ She fumbled, glanced at Matthew and James who offered curt nods of encouragement. ‘I don’t want to tell you about it. If I do, I need you to keep it a secret until we know more, until we decide what to do next, until we know what we’re dealing with.’
Her persona softened instantly and Ava knew she’d made the right choice. Having Jacqueline on your team and as your ally was a much more sensible option than lying to her.
She came close and patted Ava on the arm. ‘Thank you for trusting me. But before I make any promises, I need to know what your amazing discovery is.’
Okay, not the answer she wanted, but one step at a time. Instead of telling Jacqueline, they showed her. Matthew and James introduced themselves and stood over the fossil. Jacqueline pulled off her multi-coloured scarf and placed it around her head to protect her face from the sun. Ava squirmed. The sight of the head covering made memories flash back to her with speed and she’d rather forget about having to wear the cultural head scarf whenever she’d left their home in Egypt. It wasn’t that she opposed it for those who adhered to the faith, her resistance was against lack of choice and free will. Of being forced or facing the consequences. She shivered and focused back on the ground where the two men were showing Jacqueline Herbie.
‘This is incredible.’ Did she wipe away a tear?
‘You cannot keep this a secret?—’
‘No, no, Jacqueline?—’
They spoke over each other.
