The Winter Sea (23 page)

‘Frank, Geoff, Michael? Lobster feasts? Have you settled in with some handsome Mediterranean lotharios? I didn’t think brawn and no brains was your style.’

‘Oh, it makes a nice change,’ she said airily. ‘And Hal, everything they say about Latin lovers is true.’

Hal’s expression darkened and he pulled out his car keys on the gold Porsche keyring. ‘I thought I’d bring you the good news about the apartment. It would be nice to keep some sort of civil relationship going, but if you want to slum it down here with a bunch of fishing thugs, so be it.’

‘I intend to,’ said Cassie, then she suddenly realised the true purpose of Hal’s visit. ‘Kellie’s dumped you, hasn’t she? She’s worked out what you’re really like and left, and now you’re lazy and arrogant enough to think you can pick up with me where you left off. There is no chance, so goodbye, Hal. Say hello to your parents for me. I’d better get back to my cleaning.’

Hal turned and walked away, banging the door shut behind him. Bill watched him go, then, as they heard the Porsche roar to life, he looked at Cassie and wagged his tail. She patted his head. ‘You’re the man in my life, Bill old boy.’

*

Michael’s great-uncle Ricardo’s ninetieth birthday celebrations were held in the community hall. Cassie had never been to a party like it. The room was decorated with fishing nets and photos of Ricardo’s fishing exploits as well as colourful posters of the Aeolian Islands where his family was from originally. Two barbecues, one seafood, one meat, were sizzling out the back where a bar was set up and, inside the hall, long tables were laden with food. A small band played old Italian favourites. Children were everywhere and everyone was dressed in their best. The mayor was on hand to make a speech. Michael introduced Cassie to members of his family, which was so extensive that she lost track of them all. But everyone was welcoming, happy and obviously enjoying themselves. The initial formalities were not very formal, with guests interrupting and calling out comments in Italian and English.

A group of elderly women sat to one side gossiping in Italian, men gathered round the bar and barbecues to discuss football, younger children ran around, and teenagers danced together and giggled under watchful eyes.

Ricardo sat in a chair by the bar until he was ushered over to sit at the head of the table. Cassie looked at the imposing figure of Ricardo, with his shock of white hair, bright eyes and even teeth, and thought to herself what a handsome family the Aquinos were. Suddenly there were whispers and a ripple of excitement swept around the hall.

‘What’s going on?’ Cassie asked Michael.

He smiled. ‘It’s a surprise guest. Uncle Pietro, Uncle Ricardo’s brother, has come here from the USA for the birthday party. Uncle Ricardo has no idea.’

‘That’s a big effort. He must be pretty old?’

‘He is, but he’s younger than Uncle Ricardo. Uncle Pietro is a bit of a Hollywood celebrity.’

‘Really? An actor?’ Cassie tried to recall the name, but couldn’t
.

‘No, he’s not an actor. He’s a set designer. Pietro d’Aquino. He’s worked on a lot of big movies in Hollywood, and a few in Europe, too. He’s won two Oscars.’

‘Wow. I can’t believe you have someone so talented in the family.’

‘I haven’t seen him for a while. He came out here maybe about fifteen years ago, but the last time I saw him was when I passed through LA ten years ago. He lives in one of those old mansions in the Hollywood Hills.’

‘He certainly chose a different path from the rest of the family,’ said Cassie.

Michael nodded. ‘I’ll take some photos of this. Ricardo will be so surprised. He told the family not to make a big deal of his birthday, to save it till he’s one hundred, but who was going to listen? I’ll just grab some shots. Back in a few minutes.’

Cassie watched the scramble around the doorway. A cheer went up and an aisle formed as the special guest walked towards Ricardo. Someone tapped Ricardo on the arm and pointed.

Pietro, smiling broadly and brandishing a white hat in greeting, came towards his older brother. The guests broke into applause and shouts of ‘Bravo, Pietro!’

As soon as Ricardo saw his brother, tears sprang to his eyes and he held out his arms to embrace him. They hugged, kissed each other on the cheeks and talked all at once while everyone else congratulated themselves on the success of the surprise.

Cassie was moved at the sight of the two brothers greeting each other. Ricardo finally sat down again. A chair was found for Pietro and the family now all came to embrace and welcome him. Cassie was intrigued by the contrast between the flamboyant Pietro in his pale pink linen slacks and navy blazer sitting beside the rugged Ricardo dressed in a sombre dark suit and conservative blue tie.

‘This is some surprise, eh? Beautiful, beautiful, isn’t it?’ said Frank as he put an arm around Cassie’s shoulders.

‘Hello, Frank. Yes, it’s very touching. You have an amazing family.’

‘Yes, it’s quite something to get
everyone together. All the rellies are here from Wollongong as well as from Sydney and even interstate. I’d better go. I have to get the mayor to do his bit. Are you being looked after?’

‘Yes, thank you, Frank.’

‘Say, have you met Howard and Marie?’ He waved over a couple from the other side of the hall. ‘These people make the best cheese on the south coast. Well, in Australia, come to that! Meet Cassie. And here comes cousin Michael.’

‘We know Michael.’ Howard smiled. ‘He looks after our best milkers.’

‘Howard and Marie have their own herd of Jersey cows and they make their cheeses from their milk. They win prizes at the Royal Easter Show. You’ll have to get some for the boatshed, Cassie,’ said Michael. ‘In fact you should go visit their farm, Sublime Pastures. You’ll have to leave Bill at home, though; no dogs allowed. It’s all biodynamic.’

‘I’ll leave you folks to it. See you for the cake cutting,’ said Frank.

‘I’d be very interested in seeing your farm, Howard. I’m looking for good local produce for the restaurant I’m starting,’ said Cassie.

‘We supply a few places in Sydney as well as the local supermarket in Whitby. We do a line of gourmet cheeses you might be interested in. Here’s our card,’ said Howard.

‘They make some fantastic Italian cheeses too. Their burrata is my downfall,’ said Michael.

‘I’ll make an appointment,’ said Cassie, slipping their card into her handbag. ‘Are you also connected to the Aquino family?’ she asked Marie. ‘I’m wondering why you’re specialising in Italian cheeses.’

‘Of course! I’m the niece of Ricardo’s wife’s sister,’ said Marie.

Cassie laughed. ‘What a family! Did you get some good photos of the surprise arrival?’ she asked Michael.

‘I did. Thank goodness the surprise
was
a surprise, but there’s more to come. There’s still the cutting of the birthday cake, as well as dancing and of course yet more food. I hope you’re not bored – any time you want to leave, let me know.’

‘No, this is fun. Everyone is terrific, not to mention the food!’

‘We’re about to go and eat. Do come and visit our place, Cassie.’ Howard and Marie waved as they headed for the still-groaning tables of food.

‘How’s life in the boatshed going?’ Michael asked.

‘Bill and I love it. It’s a bit basic, especially without a working kitchen. Bit hard to cook everything in a microwave, but I’m looking at kitchen equipment, ovens and hot plates with Steve. So things are moving on. The best part is the end of the day when everyone has gone. Bill and I sit on that deck by ourselves and admire the lovely view across the lake. Very special.’

‘Bit of a change of lifestyle for you. Oh, here’s Ray, Ricardo’s son, to make a toast. Raimondo is Frank’s father.’

Ray made a simple but moving speech saying that the family were not only proud of Ricardo reaching the milestone of ninety but also of his lifetime of achievements not just in the fishing industry but in the Whitby Point community. He then introduced the local mayor, who had been asked to make the formal toast.

The mayor kept his remarks brief, paying tribute to Ricardo and his remarkable family.

‘The Aquino family are part of the history of the New South Wales south coast – from Wollongong to Whitby Point and other far-flung locations. Along with the local fishing fraternity they established a significant industry, exporting to Japan and other international markets. From their Italian heritage they have blended the best of the Mediterranean traditions with the finest Australian ways, using a combination of old-world skills to focus on sustainable and environmentally safe fishing practices. The Aquino family have upheld the best of their old country and combined it with the Aussie way of life to be an example of what multiculturalism really means. Ricardo’s father Joe, who landed here as a young man and made good, should make every Australian migrant feel proud. Ricardo has followed in his father’s footsteps. He is not just a great fisherman but a good citizen whose involvement in his community, always with the highest ethical standards, is a beacon for us all. I now have the honour of proposing a toast to you on the occasion of your ninetieth birthday –
buon compleanno!
To Ricardo!’

Everyone raised a glass, waved, clapped and sang ‘Happy Birthday’
.

The cake was cut and slices were passed around as the band took to the stage to play once again.

‘This is yummy – a kind of Italian–Aussie sponge cake combo,’ said Cassie. ‘Topped with whipped cream and strawberries like a pavlova!’

‘The custard in the middle is special, it’s got homemade limoncello in it. Now, come and meet Uncle Pietro. I’ll introduce you to Uncle Ricardo as soon as we can get him on his own.’

As they approached Pietro, the elderly man rose to his feet, took Cassie’s hand and kissed it. ‘Charmed. Michael tells me you are new here. A wonderful addition to a sleepy village!’ His accent was American and the combination of European charm and friendly American manners was captivating. Cassie felt flattered.

‘Thank you. I don’t believe it’s as sleepy as all that, although I suppose after Hollywood it might look that way. Are you busy with a film at the moment?’

‘I lead a simple life these days. I pick and choose my projects now, though I have agreed to be the set consultant for the remake of
Don Quixote
with Johnny Depp.’

‘Johnny Depp, wow!’ said Cassie. ‘Do you travel to the locations of the films you work on?’

‘Not anymore. Travelling tires me. When I came here I flew first class and that helps.’

‘It must mean a lot to your brother to have you here,’ said Cassie. ‘He has quite a family.’

‘I can’t keep tabs on all of them anymore.’

‘Hollywood is a big jump from the fishing industry,’ said Cassie.

‘I was never cut out for the fishing industry. I get seasick!’ said Pietro, laughing. ‘I was the creative one so I made the big move.’

‘You certainly are creative,’ said Cassie. ‘I’d love to know more about how you work, but there’s so many of the family wanting to chat with you.’

‘We can catch up with you again later, Uncle Pietro,’ said Michael. As they moved away, Michael said quietly, ‘Cassie, some of the family are gathering at Uncle Ricardo’s house for a quiet drink when all the formalities here are over. Could you stand to come along? Leave the dancing and drinking to the others?’

‘That would be lovely, if you’re sure I won’t be out of place at such a family gathering. Michael, is d’Aquino your uncle Pietro’s professional name?’

‘No, it’s our original family name. When his father came to Australia, he wanted to fit in, so he dropped the ‘d’ from d’Aquino and insisted that he be called Joe instead of Giuseppe. The story goes that he also wanted to call his sons Australian names, but my great-grandmother Evalina wouldn’t hear of it, so they were all given Italian names. Now, of course, there’s a mixture of Australian and Italian names in the family.’

‘You certainly are an interesting family. I’m looking forward to meeting more of them.’

Later after the party had ended, Michael and Cassie went to a large brick house built above the wharf some time in the seventies, although the interior looked more like the 1950s. There was family memorabilia throughout most of the rooms.

‘It’s a bit of a museum. Uncle Ricardo can’t bear to throw away anything to do with the family.’

‘I think that’s nice,’ said Cassie as she stopped in front of the fireplace. Above the mantelpiece was a glass-fronted box in which was mounted a large forked spear. ‘What’s that?’

‘That’s a
traffena
. They used it to spear the big tuna back in the old country. It belonged to my great-grandfather Joe. He brought it with him when he left his island home in Italy to come to Australia.’

‘That’s some family heirloom,’ said Cassie.

‘Yes, our family has much to thank my father for,’ said Ricardo, coming up behind them.

‘Uncle, this is Cassie, she’s just moved here. She’s going to start a restaurant at Blue Crane Lake.’

‘Wonderful, wonderful. You have introduced her to Frank, of course.’

‘Yes, thank you, he has. I wouldn’t buy seafood anywhere else. He brought me some enormous lobsters the other day! I couldn’t believe the size of them,’ said Cassie.

Ricardo smiled. ‘When I was a young boy, my brothers and I used to go diving for them. But Pietro was not so good!’ He smiled as Pietro walked over to them. ‘He was more interested in sunbaking or going to the pictures.’

Pietro laughed. ‘Now every time I eat a lobster tail I think of you, Ricardo.’

‘Rubbish. You’re too busy with your movie stars to think of us. But I am glad you are here.’

‘Come, everyone, we must all drink another toast to my aging brother,’ said Pietro, raising his glass.

‘You are not so far behind me,’ said Ricardo fondly.

Some more people came over to congratulate Ricardo so Michael and Cassie moved away. ‘They are very different characters,’ said Michael. ‘But very close. I’m so glad Uncle Pietro came.’

‘Yes. Ricardo said that he had other brothers. Where are they?’