‘She go walkabout, missus,’ was all Fred would say.
Apart from her anger that Camira had left without so much as a by-your-leave, especially after her kindness to the girl, Kitty missed her. She had discovered that Camira had a very good grasp of English and a wicked sense of humour. She had found herself chuckling over small things for the first time since she had arrived in Broome, and had almost felt that Camira – despite their vast cultural differences – was a kindred spirit. As Kitty’s time had drawn nearer, she had felt comforted by the girl’s calm, capable manner.
‘Don’ ya be worryin’, Missus Boss, I singa your baby into the world, no problem.’
And Kitty had believed her, and had relaxed and smiled until even Andrew had noticed the difference and been glad that Camira was there.
A tear dribbled out of one of Kitty’s eyes. She would not make the same mistake again.
There was a short knock on the door. Kitty roused herself into a sitting position as it opened.
‘Mornin’, Missus Boss, I bringa you breakfast. Medha, she still sleepin’ on the job.’
Kitty watched in total shock as Camira – a newly slim Camira – dressed immaculately in her white uniform, with a headband holding back her glossy raven curls, danced towards her with the tray. ‘Tarik tellum me you bin naughty girl an’ not eatin’ your food good. I make-a you egg and bringa you milk for baby,’ she chirped as she placed the breakfast tray across Kitty’s thighs.
‘Where . . . ?’ Kitty swallowed, trying to find the words. ‘Where have you been?’
‘I go walkabout, havem baby.’ She shrugged as though she’d just been down to the bakery to buy a loaf of bread. ‘She come good an’ easy. Women sayum she pretty an’ healthy. Eat a lot, though.’ Camira rolled her eyes and indicated her breasts. ‘No sleepa for me.’
‘Why on earth didn’t you tell me where you were going, Camira?’ Anger was beginning to replace relief at the sight of her. ‘I’ve been worried sick!’
‘No worry, Missus Boss. Easy. She poppum out like snail from shell!’
‘That is not what I meant, Camira. Although of course I am happy that you and your baby are well and healthy.’
‘You come alonga hut after breakfast and I showa baby to you. Me helpum you eat?’ Camira proffered the spoon after she’d expertly sliced the top off the boiled egg with a knife.
‘No, thank you. I’m quite capable of feeding myself.’
As Kitty ate the egg, Camira bustled around the room, putting things straight and complaining about the layer of red dust that had gathered on the floor since she was last there. Kitty realised that she would probably never know where the girl had gone. She felt only relief that Camira’s labour was over and envied her incredible recovery from it.
Later that morning Kitty followed Camira to the hut, where the girl carefully unlocked the door. There on the floor, in a drawer that Camira had taken out of the chest, was a tiny infant, squalling with all its might.
‘Tolda you she a hungry one,’ said Camira as she plucked the child up, sat down on the bed and promptly undid the loops that held the buttons on the front of her blouse. Kitty saw the huge engorged breast, the nipple now dripping with milky fluid as Camira arranged the baby upon it. The squawking stopped instantly as the baby suckled and Kitty’s eyes were glued to the process. She had never seen another woman’s breasts – her own baby would be bottle-fed by a nurse as breastfeeding was considered only for savages. And yet, as Kitty watched mother and baby joined in such a natural ritual, she decided it had a beauty all of its own.
When the baby’s lips finally released the nipple and its head lolled back against Camira’s chest, the girl swiftly arranged it over her shoulder and began to rub its back vigorously. The baby burped and Camira gave a nod of approval.
‘Holdum her?’ She proffered the baby towards Kitty.
‘It’s a little girl, you said?’
‘Her name is Alkina – it meanum moon.’
Kitty took the naked baby in her arms and caressed the soft, perfect skin. There was no doubt that, in comparison to her mother, Alkina was of a lighter hue. The baby suddenly opened its eyes and stared right at her.
‘Goodness! They are . . .’
‘Women saya yella,’ said Camira as she fastened up her blouse. ‘From a yella man in Japtown. He bad fella.’
Kitty stared down at the telltale signs of a heritage that had blessed this baby girl with the most gorgeous pair of eyes she had ever seen. They were an arresting amber shade that was almost gold, and their almond shape made them appear even larger in the tiny face.
‘Welcome to the world, Alkina, and God bless you,’ Kitty whispered into a miniature ear.
Perhaps it was her fancy, but the baby seemed to smile at her words. Then she closed her incredible eyes and slept peacefully in Kitty’s arms.
‘She is beautiful, Camira,’ Kitty breathed eventually. ‘Her eyes remind me of a cat.’
‘Women saya that too. So I callum “Cat” as nickname,’ she giggled as she gently took the child from Kitty and tucked a piece of cloth around its bottom before tying it at both sides.
Someone once called me that too . . . Kitty thought. Placing the baby back in her makeshift cradle, Camira brushed her daughter’s forehead and whispered some unintelligible words against her skin. Then her eyes darkened and she put a finger to her lips. ‘Cat secret, yessum? Or bad baby fellas come take her. You understand?’
‘I promise, Camira, Cat will be safe here with us. I will tell Fred to guard her when you are working in the house.’
‘He still smellum bad, but Fred good fella.’
‘Yes, Fred’s a good fella,’ Kitty agreed.
*
Two weeks later, still no storm had broken and no baby of her own had appeared to ease Kitty’s mounting discomfort. Andrew was not helping matters by sulking about the two pearls he’d entrusted to T. B. Ellies’ skilled hands, only to watch them be whittled away to dust in front of him.
‘It’s simply not fair. Father is always asking me why the luggers never discover the treasures he used to when he was commanding them. Good grief, Kitty, when he first came to Broome, one could walk along Cable Beach and pluck them up by hand in the shallows! Does he not understand that the entire world has moved here since and is fishing for them? We are pushing into deeper and more dangerous waters every day. We lost another diver only last week due to the bends.’