Swamp by Richard Shears

Author:Richard Shears
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Swamp
ISBN: 9781741106749
Publisher: New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd
Published: 2009-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

10.

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The cruel wind took her breath away as she stepped into the swamp on the morning of 23 July 1950, even though she had learned to live with it each winter. She tugged her coat’s fur collar tighter as she broached the icy waters. An hour later, her bare legs caked with mud, a streak of blood on one from an unseen obstacle, she walked up the drive of her near neighbour, John Buckley, and tapped on the door.

The farmer was surprised to see her. It was he who usually brought a copy of the Bulletin to her whenever he could manage it, for he thought this was what the unexpected call was about.

‘I’m afraid we haven’t quite got around to finishing the magazine yet, Miss Clement, but as soon—’

‘It’s Jeanie,’ she interrupted. ‘She’s passed away.’

Buckley froze; then said quietly: ‘Come in, Miss Clement.’

As she related to him Jeanie’s last few days, describing the feeling she had had that her elder sister was not long for this world, a car pulled up outside the homestead. One of the local horsebreakers, Frank Moore, jumped out, leaving a woman sitting in the driving seat. On hearing the news of Jeanie’s death from Mr Buckley, he returned to the vehicle.

‘Bad news,’ he said to woman. ‘We can’t do the horses. Miss Clement of Tullaree has died. Her sister is here. They want me to send a telegram off to her relatives.’

At that moment Margaret, accompanied by Mr Buckley, left the house. The farmer led her to the car and the woman who had been waiting in the front seat climbed out.

‘Miss Clement,’ he said, ‘this is Mrs Livingstone. Mrs Livingstone, this is Miss Clement.’

Margaret smiled at the brown-haired woman, who was in her mid-40s, she thought. Mrs Livingstone’s face was delicately made up and she was dressed in a warm woollen coat and scarf and a pair of dark blue suede shoes.

Esme Livingstone grasped Margaret’s hand and told her how sorry she was to hear of her loss. With that greeting, a new and turbulent chapter in Margaret’s life was about to begin.

‘All right, Miss Clement,’ said Mr Buckley. ‘We’ll get things sorted out for you—I’ll get some of the boys together and bring the body out.’

Mrs Livingstone appeared to be disturbed by what she might have thought was a brusque comment. And Margaret seemed to hesitate as she turned to walk away. ‘I’m not sure I want to go back there at the moment,’ she said softly, but continued to make her way down the driveway. Mrs Livingstone had heard the whispered comment and, catching up with Margaret along the ti-tree-lined driveway, drew the car alongside her.

‘Is there anything I can do for you, Miss Clement? I’m a trained nurse and would be only too pleased.’

Margaret looked into the younger woman’s sharp brown eyes. ‘Oh no, thank you. There is so much mud and water to go through and the place is very untidy.’

Mrs Livingstone started to pull away, deciding to call on Margaret later in any case.

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