Ribbons of Grace by Maxine Alterio

Author:Maxine Alterio
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781742288352
Publisher: Penguin Random House New Zealand
Published: 2013-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

A New Life Begins in the Mountains

All November I played for her. She never looked up straight away, although Soo Tie sometimes put down his shovel or stopped rocking the cradle and danced his version of a jig. I wanted to thank him for caring for her, so noted which tunes made him happy and played them on each visit. The rest were for Little Wind. Music was all I could give her while Soo Tie was near.

Back in town I laid stone, drank with William and Alfred, and took extra dancing lessons. ‘You’re getting the knack, Conran,’ Ida said, after I managed a waltz without standing on her feet. ‘But look at those two.’

William had a firm hold of Elsie, a pretty new dancing girl. Every time another man tried to cut in, William tightened his grip and whisked her off in a flurry of fancy steps.

‘Looks like he’s smitten,’ said Ida.

‘Ah reckon.’

‘Did you hear Mr McDonnell gave the committee back their money after they purchased his land for the hospital?’ Ida said, as we finished dancing. ‘He’ll be remembered for his generosity.’

What would they say about me? ‘You’ll be pleased tae see it finally built.’

‘We’ve waited a long time, Conran. Ever since Dr Douglas treated early miners with pleurisy, fractures and gunshot wounds under canvas on the riverbank.’

‘A miracle any survived,’ I said, edging out of William and Elsie’s way.

‘Having our own hospital will help keep women and babes out of the graveyard.’

‘It’ll benefit those still minin’, too.’

Last year a Shetland lad got trapped under a rockslide. Unable to stand the pain, he begged his mate to cut off his leg with an axe. Poor bugger died of shock hours later. His mate went mental and hanged himself.

‘Did you see the poster about the ball?’ Ida said.

‘Aye, it wis a grand idea tae offer free medical care tae ticket-buyers.’

‘The draper sold out of dress material within hours of the poster going up. And William arrived at the farm with a bolt of red velvet under his arm asking me to sew a gown for Elsie!’

‘William bought velvet? ‘He must be in love.’

‘What about you, Conran? Anyone caught your eye?’

I was saved from answering by Alfred, who came to fetch his wife for a dance.

They’d stand out at the ball: Alfred in his best jacket and trousers; Ida wearing a grand new gown, dancing around the billiard room in the candlelight. Maybe I should look for a wife like her. Courting would be less complicated.

That daft idea didna last. I was back on the brae early next evening, playing to Little Wind with more love than a bairn can fit turnip pieces into his pen-gun. As her hut door opened, lamplight shimmered across the tussock, making it glow like polished brass. I was torn between cleaning me boots on the grass and patting that wild hair of mine into place or racing to her in me dishevelled state. A second later I’d licked a palm, pressed me hair down, and was running like a right klumbung.

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