Chapter 26
CHAPTER
I slide Sebastien’s newly washed and neatly folded jumper into the bottom drawer of the wardrobe.
A drawer I haven’t used before. Won’t need to use again.
Before I leave in January, I’ll give the jumper to Helen in the admin office.
It’ll be too bulky for an envelope, so I’ll wrap it in the butcher’s paper I’ve seen in the kitchen.
Can you return this to Captain Thorsen, please?
Ignoring the ache in my heart, I fasten the top button of my jacket. Underneath, I have thermals, a shirt and a fleece. That should be enough to keep out the cold.
‘Flick!’
I stand next to a snoring elephant seal as Dougie, hood toggled at his chin and hands in his pockets, races up the path behind me. I tossed and turned all night before flagging him down at breakfast and requesting a meeting. His breaths come in puffs.
‘It’s a cold one today.’
‘Not as cold as yesterday.’ I pull off my gloves. ‘Thanks for fitting me in.’
‘With Clarissa and half the station out, it’ll be a quiet day for me.’
‘Half the station’ is an exaggeration, but Sebastien was on the list of people taking a boat to the north of the island, and they’re not due back until early this evening.
Dougie and I are the first to enter the admin building, so it’s only slightly warmer inside than outside. After turning on the heating, he directs me to his office and sits behind his desk.
‘Can I start us off?’ He smiles uncertainly as I sit opposite. ‘I hope my arrangement with Sebastien doesn’t detract from our friendship.’
‘I presume he initiated it.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘In that case, I can’t blame you.’
‘That’s the stance I hoped you’d take.’
‘I wanted to finish what I’d started, but can see how you’d want to be involved again.’
He leans back in his chair. ‘With Professor Johnson, you’re in or you’re not. He didn’t lodge the official complaint he’d threatened, but it hurt my ego when he dumped me. This gives me a bit more money in the bank and the chance to redeem myself.’
‘I can see that you’d want that.’
‘I majored in IT, but I also dabbled in geology. Doing this work will broaden my skill base. Seb has signed off on it and like he said, you’ve got a lot of other work anyway.’
I feel for Dougie, but, after looking at the work he’d done earlier in the year, I agreed with Professor Johnson that he either didn’t have the ability to do what had been asked of him or he hadn’t applied himself. Possibly both.
‘I have a proposal I’d like you to consider,’ I say.
‘Happy to hear it.’
‘Firstly, can I confirm Sebastien has asked you to do what I’ve been doing? Updating the spreadsheets with data from the journals and sending them through to him with an executive summary.’
‘Every second day, and I hope to do better than that.’
‘I believe, as did Professor Johnson, that it’s easier to extract the relevant data from the journals if you have a background in field work and ornithology.
My primary concern, as was the professor’s, is that historical data on the birds, and the environmental conditions on Morrison at the time, is accurately reported.
I cross-check everything, reference other research, check out the field workers’ credentials. ’
He whistles. ‘That’s thorough.’
‘Doing the background work now will ensure the data forms a sound base for future research.’
‘Not going to lie, Flick, I won’t be going into that kind of detail, and Seb doesn’t need it. I record the data in a spreadsheet as I see fit, then I do a summary. Seb wants air and water temperature details and an estimate of bird numbers, not what the penguins ate for breakfast.’
‘Chick numbers are relevant to climate, as is rainfall and wave height. The temperature might determine what the penguins ate for breakfast.’
He holds up his hands. ‘I’m not going to go there.’
I don’t like going behind Sebastien’s back but, like Professor Johnson, I want the journal entries to be recorded accurately, and my proposal would achieve that.
The professor gets what he wants, and the data Sebastien receives will be more valuable to his project than it’d be if Dougie had sole responsibility for it. It won’t need to be redone.
‘I could extract the data and prepare the spreadsheets for you.’
Dougie’s eyes widen. ‘What?’
‘I’ll send them to you at the end of every day, and you can do the summary as you see fit.’
‘You’re joking.’
‘Sebastien wouldn’t know I was involved and neither would anyone else, so you’d get the pay and the credit.’
‘That’s crazy.’
‘Sebastien thinks I have too much work. Maybe he thinks I’m not up to the work.
For whatever reason, he’s made up his mind and he won’t change it.
’ Yesterday, I kissed him. I also told him to leave me alone.
Everything about us is complicated. ‘After the professor left, you said if I needed help, I could ask. This would benefit both of us. I want to finish the job I started, and you’ll get a broader skill base. ’
‘You’ll continue to do the professor’s other work?’
‘Of course.’
‘This arrangement would be strictly between us?’
‘It’s not in either of our interests to say anything. If you keep quiet, so will I.’
‘Good morning’ shouts from outside the window. Helen’s voice. Someone stamps their feet on the grate.
‘See what happens when you roll with the punches?’ Dougie’s smile is broad. ‘I get to work with you after all.’
Sebastien, sitting in an armchair with an open book on his lap, is positioned between the two climate scientists, shoulders together as they peer at a laptop screen, and six men playing cards. He looks up but I walk past. Angelina closes her laptop and points to the chair next to her.
‘I trust that you, Felicity Atherton, are more reliable than certain others in the room. How’s the dance choreography going?’
‘Next month, we’ll all be doing the do-si-do.’
‘Legend! I knew you’d pull it off.’
When she lifts her hand, I slap it. ‘I’ve been practising at the beach. Who are you dancing with for your waltz?’
A dramatic sigh as she puts the laptop on the small circular table in front of us. ‘I know who I’ll be thinking of.’
‘Your long-lost bowerbird?’ I lean forward in my chair. ‘I’m not qualified to give dating advice, but is it worth telling him how you feel?’
‘It’s been a year since I’ve seen him, but he must know.’ She smiles sadly.
‘You deserve to be happy, Angelina.’
‘Like you?’
A wobbly smile. ‘I do my best.’
‘Life throws lemons, and you make lemonade. What’s going on with you and sex-on-legs Thorsen over there?’
‘He’s … we’ve …’ I blow out a breath. ‘I’m keeping my distance.’
‘Maybe you should take your own advice and talk to him. Is it about the trial you were on? It sounds like that was a situation he couldn’t get out of.’
‘Now it’s something else. He’s lightened my workload in a way I don’t agree with.’
‘He’ll be here for a few more days. Are you going to be discombobulated for all that time?’
‘Is it so obvious?’
‘The tension is electric.’ She snaps her fingers.
‘Is he still reading?’
‘Supposedly, but he’s forever looking your way. Right now …’ She looks around me. ‘He just took his phone out of his pocket. He’s talking to someone.’
‘Why does his phone work and ours don’t?’
‘It’s like a satellite phone that works inside as well as outside.’ She shrugs. ‘I have no idea about the tech.’
‘He hasn’t called me since he arrived.’
Angelina blinks. ‘Why would he do that when you’re at the same station?’
‘Distance makes it easier to think.’
‘You’re attracted to him. He’s attracted to you. Get at him.’
‘We’re past that. Anyway, I don’t think—’
‘Stop thinking.’ Angelina elegantly drapes a leg over the arm of the chair and points a toe. ‘Just do.’
‘I’m not sure—’
‘Shhh!’ Angelina puts a finger to her mouth. ‘He’s heading this way.’
I count backwards in my head. I cross my legs, uncross them, line up my feet on the floor.
Sebastien pulls out the chair next to me, facing Angelina. His hair is tousled. The phone is still in his hand.
‘The Antarctic Division in Hobart called,’ he says as he sits. ‘Matilda—’
I snap upright. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘She’s all right, she’s on the phone.’ He holds it out. ‘They put her through to me.’
I grab the phone. ‘Matilda!’
‘Flicka.’ Her voice hitches.
‘What’s happened?’
‘Surprise had colic.’
I take a few breaths, sit back in the chair. ‘Is he okay?’
‘He got better, but I wanted to tell you. You weren’t in your room or in your office, so I called the number you gave me for an emergency, but this isn’t an emergency, is it? I’m sorry.’ Her voice fades out.
‘I always want to talk to you, you know that. Just hold on a minute.’ I turn to Sebastien. ‘Why did this come to you?’
‘Matilda told the Antarctic Division you were working with me. They knew I was here.’
‘Is it okay if I talk to Matilda?’
His gaze softens. A solemn nod.
‘Matilda? You said Surprise was better now. What did the vet do?’
‘He put a tube down his throat and when that didn’t work, he took him to the equine hospital so they could look after him. The vet there said maybe he’d eaten something and that’s why he was bloated.’
‘Thank goodness he’s well now.’
‘Yes, but I had to warn you because the vet said he’d send an invoice to the school and that means the school will send the invoice to you and it’s not like the vet was Amber or Prim, who don’t charge as much as other vets.
Amy said when her horse went to the equine hospital, it cost ten thousand dollars for just one night. ’
‘How long was Surprise there?’
‘Three nights.’
‘Oh.’ Deep breath. ‘I’ll manage.’
‘It’s going to be more than ten thousand dollars, isn’t it?’
‘You’re too young to worry about money, Tilly. Please don’t.’
‘But—’
‘The most important thing is that Surprise is well and so are you.’
‘It’ll be even more than a whole term’s fees. How will you pay for it?’
I don’t know how much Sebastien and Angelina can hear, but they’re both frowning.
Angelina touches my leg and mouths, ‘Sorry.’
‘Guess what, Tilly?’ I speak brightly. ‘I’m going to Craggy Point to see royal penguins tomorrow.’
‘Macquarie Island and Morrison Island are the only places in the world where royal penguins live. It’s good you get to see them and do important research.’
‘What other news do you have?’
‘Is Sebastien Thorsen really Kit Thorsen’s brother?’
Angelina laughs. ‘If I heard that question, Seb, you must have too.’
‘Tilly?’ I do my best to keep my voice even. ‘I don’t think—’
‘Flick!’ Angelina interrupts. ‘Let Seb put his phone on speaker and answer the question himself.’
‘Tilly,’ I warn, as Sebastien leans forward to take the phone, ‘did you hear that? Sebastien and Angelina are listening too.’
‘Angelina is your friend, isn’t she? You said she wants photos of you, not just the penguins. Socials need penguins and people because that’s how the algorithm works. You should listen to Angelina.’
Another laugh from Angelina. ‘I like your style, Matilda.’
‘I looked you up.’
‘Really? What did you think?’
‘You’ve interviewed a lot of celebrities.’
‘In a past life, yes.’
‘Now you work for the Antarctic Division. Conserving the environment is way more important than Netflix.’
‘No wonder I’ve heard so much about you.’
‘Flicka only says good things, so you wouldn’t have heard everything. I had to call her because Surprise had colic.’
‘How’s he doing now?’
‘Much better, thank you.’
‘You also had a question for Seb, didn’t you?’
‘It was a rhetorical question, because I already know the answer.’ I imagine Matilda flicking her hair over her shoulder. ‘Is he there?’
Angelina points a finger. ‘He’s sitting directly in front of me.’
‘Hello, Sebastien. I’m Tilly. Are you Kit Thorsen’s brother?’
‘You said the question is rhetorical,’ Sebastien says. ‘Do I have to answer?’
‘Yes!’
‘I’m Kit’s younger brother.’
‘Some girls at school think Kit looks like Chris Hemsworth from the Thor movies. Objectifying people based on looks is wrong, so I don’t think that.’
Angelina hoots. ‘I love you, Tilly.’
‘Sebastien?’ Matilda again. ‘How would you say you look compared to Kit?’
When I reach for the phone, Sebastien moves it out of reach. ‘Kit’s hair is fairer than mine and his shoulders are broader.’
‘Do you have sibling rivalry?’
‘When I was seventeen, we argued about our heights. I was two millimetres taller.’
‘What about now?’
‘I refuse to stand next to him in case this has changed.’
Matilda giggles. ‘Have you met Per Amundsen? He’s Norwegian and he’s related to Roald Amundsen, who was the first man to reach the South Pole.’
‘I’ve worked with Per. I also saw him at Kit’s wedding.’
‘Wow! Was Harriet there?’
‘Of course.’
‘Are there a lot of people called Roald in Norway?’
‘There used to be. It’s not a common name now.’
‘Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors.’
‘Have you read Matilda?’
‘Flicka gave Matilda to Mum because my dad liked the book. Mum liked the name so that’s why I’m called Matilda. I’ve read Matilda heaps of times. What’s your favourite Roald Dahl book?’
‘Danny, the Champion of the World.’
‘Why do you like it?’
Sebastien, very seriously, considers the question. ‘Danny is courageous. He never gives up.’
‘William in that book was the coolest dad ever. Is your dad like that?’
‘He doesn’t break the law, so he is less cool.’
‘Flicka? Can you hear me?’
‘I’m here.’
‘You’d break the law, wouldn’t you? But only if it was the right thing to do.’
I check my watch. ‘It’s nine o’clock, Tilly. You have debating practice before school tomorrow, so you’d better get to bed.’
‘Aisha said she’s growing out of her school tracksuit and her mum said I can have it when Aisha gets a new one.’ Matilda is sombre again. ‘I don’t need anything else for next year because I can share my friends’ books.’
‘One, Aisha is shorter than you. Two, I’ve ordered your tracksuit and textbooks already. Don’t worry about the vet bills, Tilly. It’ll be okay, I promise.’
‘Tilly?’ Angelina leans forward. ‘I hope we meet in person one day.’
‘Thank you for putting me on speaker.’
‘Did you enjoy meeting Kit Thorsen’s brother?’
‘Does he look like Kit even with different hair and shoulders?’
‘Same, but different.’ Angelina winks at Sebastien. ‘Not that we would objectify Seb for his appearance, because that would be totally inappropriate.’
‘Bedtime, Tilly. I love you.’
‘I love you too!’
Sebastien reaches for the phone. ‘I’ll hang up now, Matilda.’
‘I’m going to read Danny, the Champion of the World again,’ Matilda’s voice rings out.
‘I will re-read Matilda.’
‘Are you going to Craggy Point with Flicka tomorrow?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sorry I called the emergency number but thank you for answering your phone.’
Sebastien’s eyes are on mine when he answers. ‘It was good to talk to you.’
‘I’d better go. Bye!’
‘Goodnight, Matilda.’