Chapter 21 the land of the rising sun, part four, final

The years had passed without much living for me. I waited for my husbands death notice. Instead I waited with the other women and screamed with joy as the men came down from the ships. Saltwater Jack spotted me first. He called the secret bird song we had made for each other in clandestine meetings when we were owned by the missions that had lured him  away and stolen me.

I ran to him, flinging myself upon him speaking our forbidden language. We held each other as we walked down the bustling streets of Broome. I saw Hartley with his father in his wheelchair and even absentminded  Alice who looked a little more aware of herself. Hartley was embracing a Japanese woman. No one stopped to curse them, no one even stared.

I only wish my brother was with us but Derby Boxer had moved to an island with coconuts, to have all the sense knocked out of him without alcohol. If he were here he would have smiled and said, "You see sis? Things are getting better. They'll make it just fine."

We waved to them and to the future.