Monsoon (28 page)

Meryl leaned over and gave him a kiss. ‘How exciting! Thank you, Tommy. It will be the best birthday present ever! It means a heap to me. I know Vietnam is a special place to you and I'm thrilled I can share it with you. Where are we going? Just Long Tan? Or other places too?'

‘We'll move around. I have to check in with some veterans. First I'm going to see Anna's and Sandy's fathers, the girls I met over there. Great kids. I went through my old stories, and I think I interviewed Sandy's father after the battle.'

‘Are you sure? What a coincidence.' Meryl had been bemused to find Tom had befriended two young women on his travels.

Tom went inside to his desk, brought back a red folder and pulled out a pile of yellowing carbon copies of stories he'd punched out on an old typewriter before sending them off with cans of film and sound tapes. ‘Here's my Long Tan stuff. At the hospital I came out on a chopper with Col Joye and we went to visit the boys who'd been wounded and airlifted from Nui Dat to Vung Tau. Listen to this.'

Slowly, in his broadcaster's voice, he read from his old script.

20 August 1966

This is Tom Ahearn reporting from South Vietnam.

It is believed eighteen Australians were killed in a surprise attack on a platoon in the Long Tan rubber plantation near the Task Force Base at Nui Dat. The wounded have been evacuated to the field hospital at Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy province. Entertainer Col Joye, who had been performing in the area, was among the first to visit the wounded in hospital. He spent time with Sergeant Phillip Donaldson of Sydney, who had been one of the first to encounter the North Vietnamese Regular Army.

[Tape insert Donaldson] ‘We thought there'd been a small unit of VC in the area . . . but the enemy were wearing khaki uniforms. The penny didn't drop till afterwards that they were regular army. It was bad . . . some reckoned we were outnumbered twenty to one. Bloody dreadful. There's not much cover behind a rubber tree, mate! When we first walked in on patrol, we could hear the music. We were pretty upset at missing the concert, so it's been a big thrill to meet Col Joye. I'm hoping I can get back into the action with my platoon as soon as possible.' [End tape insert]

The full extent of the numbers involved on both sides in the battle fought in the Long Tan rubber plantation is yet to be confirmed. But it's been a defining conflict for the men of the Sixth Royal Australian Regiment. Private Donaldson's spirit is typical among the wounded men I met today. But they carry the knowledge that many of their close mates died at Long Tan.

This is Tom Ahearn reporting
.

‘And that Phil is your friend Sandy's dad?'

‘Yeah, I think so. Anyway, I'd like to meet him and find out for sure. Seems like he had a bad time of it. Like a lot of the vets who came back from Long Tan.'

‘So how are those who went to live in Vung Tau coping?' asked Meryl.

‘I'm really impressed with what they're doing. They've all started over – new families, a new life. But for most of them who go back, it's a matter of coming to terms, settling ghosts, finding some peace.'

Meryl was thoughtful. She'd married Tom several years after he'd returned from working overseas in other Asian posts after Vietnam. But she'd never really asked what effect being there during the war had had on him. ‘What about you? You saw some awful things, I suppose. Were you close to the fighting? Did you have problems then?'

Tom put the script back in his old red folder, filing away the memories. ‘Yeah. Before I met you.' He got up and left the verandah, leaving his tea, and she knew the subject was closed. Going to Vietnam with him for her birthday while he covered the story of the anniversary might be good for both of them. After years of marriage it was ridiculous that there were things they'd never talked about, never shared.

She wondered what Tom had been like as a young man in his twenties, before she'd met him. At least Tom had got over whatever troubles he'd suffered during the war, even if the memories had been rekindled.

9

S
ANDY LEFT THE FLAT
early, deciding to go for a run around the lake. It had been a while since she'd been to Hoan Kiem with the early risers but she needed a break as it had been a restless night. She imagined Anna was feeling tired, too. Carlo's love-making sounded very demanding. And in the proximity of the tiny flat, there was little privacy. Sandy didn't blame Anna: she'd heard her trying to shush Carlo, but he had taken no notice. It was clear that Carlo's staying in her flat wasn't going to work. Perhaps he and Anna could move into a hotel or a small furnished apartment.

Then she found the solution. She knew that Barney and Lai wouldn't mind if Anna and Carlo stayed in the apartment above the cafe. It was a cute funky place. Barney had kept many of the famous old paintings as well as acquiring new ones. Barney would probably be pleased someone was staying at the premises full time from a security point of view. Cheered by this simple solution, she broke into a fast jog, turning her mind to their first day as cafe managers.

At the flat Anna was remonstrating with Carlo as he rummaged in Sandy's kitchen cupboards.

‘Doesn't she have any decent coffee? I'm not drinking the mud they call coffee here.'

‘Carlo, you're not listening. We have to find a place of our own.'

‘What for? From what you say, we'll hardly be here. You'll be at the cafe during the day; I'll be there in the evening.'

‘You don't have to do that . . .' began Anna. But Carlo leaned over and kissed her as he held up a can of coffee. ‘Good old Starbucks. Who brought this?'

‘An American friend of Sandy's, I suppose. When people come to visit they always bring something. I brought Vegemite and honey,' she added pointedly. So far Carlo hadn't produced any gift from home. He ignored the comment and began making the coffee. ‘What do you want to do today?' she asked.

‘I'll cruise, get the layout of the city, bit of a feel for the place. Where's Charlie's gallery?'

‘Why do you want to go there? You've never been interested in art.'

‘I smell a deal. Y'know, these eastern artifacts, quality stuff, can fetch good money. He's only dealing with the US, but there're a lot of rich Asians at home who must want to collect these sorts of things.'

Anna didn't argue. Carlo had a nose for a business deal. He was always full of stories, schemes, ideas. She just wished one of them would make the financial killing he was always promising. ‘There's a map and brochures on the coffee table,' she said. ‘You have to look around as there are so many different types of things to buy. You see one thing and think it's great then you find another that's better and so on. I always get confused and can't remember where I've seen what. Write it down. You should check out the good-quality lacquerware: it's gorgeous.'

‘Sweetheart, I'm not buying souvenirs. You need to go to the source for merchandise.'

‘At least see what's available. What people make here. You really need to travel round the countryside. Every place has its own specialty, from marble and ceramics to fish or soy sauce.'

‘Forget food. I've got that covered. And I'm sticking with Italiano, thanks very much.'

‘You wait till you taste pho and some of the traditional dishes. Yummy.' Anna put on a piece of toast to cook.

‘Why don't we check out the breakfast joints?' Carlo put his arms around her. ‘Or go back to bed?' He nuzzled her neck.

‘Carlo, cool it. Anyway I hear Sandy downstairs talking to Mrs Minh.'

‘Doesn't that old bag ever sleep? Doesn't she have a family to look after?'

‘Of course she does. There're three generations in that flat of hers. This is a crowded city; have a look at the buildings, the way people are crammed in. But it's more their way of life, the extended family, everybody living and working together. They don't like being alone,' explained Anna.

Carlo gave her a quizzical look. ‘You suddenly know a lot about this place.'

‘Yeah, well, you can't help it, living with Sandy. She's been here so long and working with HOPE she knows stuff. And I'm observing things myself,' she added.

Carlo poured his coffee. ‘Yeah, well, don't get too attached. This is a one-off visit.'

‘Why do you say that?' asked Anna, surprised and a little defensive. ‘It's a fascinating place; there's no way I'm going to see all of it in one trip. Sandy might stay on here longer, so I could come back.'

Carlo gave her a look. ‘You haven't seen Italy yet. Now that's a really great scene. Don't get too many ideas about this place.'

‘What do you mean, “ideas”?'

‘Look in the mirror, Anna. You're a great-looking bird. Bella, bella. But even if you're half one of them, you weren't born here. Just don't feel you have any links here in Vietnam, that's all.'

‘But I do!' exclaimed Anna. Then, shocked, she stopped to consider her spontaneous reaction but decided not to pursue it with Carlo. ‘Like you have links to Italy. Your family came from there. You like going back there. You know your heritage.'

‘That's different.'

‘How?'

‘I have family there; we do business there. I live with my heritage every day,' he said patronisingly.

Anna heard Sandy's footsteps in the hallway. ‘I probably have family here, and I'm starting to learn about my heritage too,' said Anna quietly.

‘Fine. Just don't bring it home. Our kids are being raised on pasta not rice.'

Before Anna could answer, Sandy came through the door.
Our kids
rang in Anna's head. Carlo had never formally proposed to her; there was an understanding that they were a couple but Carlo had always hedged about any commitment until he'd made a motza and could afford to live the way he dreamed.

‘Hi, guys. You got breakfast under control, Anna?'

‘Yep. Want a coffee?'

‘No, thanks. I had one down at the lake.'

‘Carlo wanted to go out for breakfast. Maybe I'll take him there.'

‘Fine. I'll go over to the cafe and get the keys from Barney. He's opening up and then they're heading out to the airport. I want to make sure the early staff are there. I'll just have a quick shower and change.'

‘I'll see you there after breakfast,' said Anna.

When Anna arrived, the cafe was already half filled with regulars as well as several tourists.

Sandy handed her a set of keys. ‘Barney and Lai are worried about security here at night. They wondered if one of us would consider staying in their flat upstairs. I was thinking, maybe you and Carlo . . . wouldn't mind . . . ?'

‘Of course not.' Anna was relieved that the problem of accommodation was solved so easily. ‘That'll mean that Carlo will be able to hang around and close the bar.'

‘Anna, it's great Carlo has offered to help . . . but, you know, we're in charge,' began Sandy diplomatically, but Anna held up her hand.

‘I know. Don't worry, he won't be a hassle. He's got ideas for his import–export business. He'll keep himself busy.'

Sandy didn't want to know what ideas Carlo was exploring, but she was glad he didn't plan on being around the cafe all day.

The hours sped by with a steady stream of customers and a long discussion with Ho over the menus.

Later in the day Anna moved her and Carlo's belongings into Barney's flat. She was amazed at the murals, the collection of paintings, the different coloured walls and a few pieces of handmade and decorated furniture that filled the small rooms. She studied the framed photographs that lined one wall of the staircase showing the original owner posing with some of the now-famous artists he'd befriended. There was a picture of a younger Barney wearing snowshoes in wintery Canada. There were pictures of Barney in the cafe with groups of men – obviously Vietnam veterans. This made Anna think about Sandy's dad. She wondered if Tom had made contact with her father and Phil.

Carlo returned in the late afternoon and went up stairs for a nap, saying all the walking had wearied him and he was still jetlagged.

In the early evening, Kim dropped by and filled Sandy in on news of everyone at HOPE. ‘Cherie has gone to Cambodia for an NGO's meeting. Tuk's baby is due any minute so there's a little tea party for her tomorrow if you can make it.'

‘Of course. I'm sure Anna can manage for an hour or so without me.'

‘How's it going? Everything seems pretty normal.'

‘So far, so good. I'm staying on top of everything, just so the staff know they can't sit out the back with a cigarette too often. You have to keep reminding the girl about taking away dirty coffee cups, wiping down tables. People don't want to sit down at a table covered in dirty dishes,' said Sandy.

Kim nodded. It seemed strange to see Sandy, whom he'd seen directing groups of people digging ditches and wells, getting babies vaccinated, arranging food supplies, helping fishermen launch their new boats, giving speeches, writing reports and briefing committees suddenly fussing about dirty coffee cups. ‘You're enjoying it, then?'