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“Yes, Ivy never continued nursing after returning from volunteering overseas. She focused on her husband and her son,” Mum says.
I look at Mum, knowing it not to be entirely true since Grandpa forbade her from nursing when she came home from Ulara.
“Brenda,” Mum says gently. “Ivy gave you a little notepad. Do you remember? It was a diary of her travels.”
Brenda continues to hum, and I doubt she even knows we’re visiting. A magpie’s fluty song catches her attention. She stares at the branches of the gum tree and then fixes her gaze on me. For a moment, she stares at me, and then something crosses her expression, and she blinks slowly.
“Where have you been?” she asks me.
I hesitate before answering. “Umm, I’ve been shopping.”
“Not to buy him more beer, I hope.”
I give Mum a quick look, and she nods for me to continue. Is she talking about my grandfather? “No beer. Just some milk and bread.” I shrug my shoulder at Mum.
“Talk about the diary,” Mum prompts.
“I needed to buy more pens as I ran out of ink to write in the diary.” I bend down so we’re at eye level. “Did I give you a diary about the jungle?”
“You gave it to me the other day, remember?” She smiles at me. “Told me never to show anyone.”
Shit.
I sneak a glance at Thomas and Mum, and they nod for me to continue prompting her.
“Yes, but I need to write some more. I have remembered what happened in Ulara when I had Dawn.”
She reaches out for my hand. She squeezes it and gives me an empathetic glance. “My heart hurts for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you through it.”
With my other hand, I pat her arm. “I know. You’re a good friend. Can you remember where you hid my diary?”
“Of course. In the bottom of my jewelry box is a secret compartment. Turn it over and push the two buttons together. The base will fling open. No one ever found it. Your secret is safe with me.”
Air stills in my chest.
Double shit.
“Thank you. I’m going to borrow it, okay?”
She nods, and then her focus is back on the wayward thread of the blanket.
“Well done,” Mum whispers.
“Guess we should see if it is really there,” Thomas says.
“I’ll stay here with Brenda,” I say. Thomas and Mum stroll across the grass and disappear behind the double doors.
“I’m Eden,” I tell her. “Ivy’s granddaughter. Do you remember me?” Her eyes glaze over. “I loved hearing about your adventures when you and Ivy used to climb out of windows and sneak off the meet Winston and Jonathon.” Pretending I’m Gran didn’t feel right, and I don’t want to confuse her. At the very least, I hope my words trigger fond memories.
“Ivy loved you,” I tell her. “You were a great friend.” I pat her hand again. “I saw Ivy’s spirit in the jungle and got to meet Dawn, her daughter, although her name is now Kaikare. You would like her,” I whisper.
The double doors open, and Mum steps out with Thomas. They scamper across the grass until they join us.
“Got it.” Mum holds up an old tan leather-covered diary. The writing etched on the front is faint.
“Thank you,” I tell Brenda. “I’ll come and visit again soon and share stories of the jungle.”
“Thank you again,” Mum says to Thomas. “We appreciate it.”
