Jack was bored. The bar was empty and his beer tasted flat. The frumpy barmaid was away in a world of her own ignoring his calls for a fresh glass. The pub was a dump. The southern absentee owners used it to rip off as much money as possible while spending next to nothing on their itinerant customers.
Jack brushed the flies away and gave up. Mumbling to himself he headed out into the forty degree heat of the tropical North Queensland summer. He rolled down to the post office only to be told once more there was no mail for Jack Johnston. "No one wants an old burnt out fisherman," he growled. "Even the bloody Post office is giving me the arse."
Down in the dumps with nothing to do he slumped down on the bench under the big Moreton Bay fig tree and watched the few tourists who were stupid enough to be out in the noon day sun stagger past. Spying a newspaper someone had left on the ground near the bench Jack picked it up and glanced through its few pages. He was about to throw it away when the words oyster bank caught his eye.
Oyster Bank
North Queensland Remote Island
Surrounded by National Park.
8 hectares, 50 year lease.
As new 9 meter alloy landing Barge.
Protected anchorage with permitted accom.
Solar and wind power, Tons of fresh water.
Owner will be at Sovereign Hotel
For one week ending December 2
Ask for Mary. All offers considered.
Jack sat back and thought about his life and what he was going to do now he had sold his trawler and his fishing licenses. He wasn't short of money and didn't have to work. City life bored him and he knew pub life would eventually destroy him. An oyster bank that took him away from the vices of the city may be the life saver he needed.
With nothing else to do he wandered down to the Sovereign Hotel ordered a beer and asked for Mary. He was sipping his beer and thinking that he knew little about breeding and fattening oysters other than it was hard work when a quiet voice asked, "you want Mary?" Turning around he discovered a tall slim black woman.
"Sorry missus," he groaned. "I was looking for the Mary with the oyster bank for sale." Her face broke into a wide grin. "That's me boss, you want to buy it?" Jack was embarrassed he had not expected a black woman to be the owner. To hide his embarrassment he offered her a beer. "No beer boss, pubs no place for blackfella," she grinned "you come with me; I'll take you to see oysters."
Down at the wharf she led him to some lads loading bags of oysters onto a truck. She pointed to the bags." Good quality plate oysters will bring over $600 a bag, small milkies and others are worth just over $300. That's the last load from the oyster bank that Sam bagged before he died."
Jack could have kicked himself when he asked, "Who was Sam?" She turned away before she spoke, "He was my mate, he took me away from my tribe in the gulf when I turned eighteen. We lived together for ten years on that oyster lease until he died last month." She turned back to look at him steadily, "If you are interested I can run you out in the barge." she looked up at the noon day sun, "if we leave now we will be there just on dark."
"Hang on a minute," Jack growled. "If I read you right that looks like a four or five hour trip. I don't even know whether I want to buy an oyster lease. I know nothing about them." Mary shrugged. "Look mister you are the only one who has shown any interest. I have to go back. I am not making a special trip."
"You can come with me and I'll bring you back to the coast in the morning. I'd love to show you what's there and you will be company for me; it's a lonely trip without Sam." She stopped for a minute. "That's why I'm selling; too many memories and its too lonely now he's gone."
By the time Jack slipped back to the pub and grabbed his gear Mary had loaded her provisions and was waiting for him on the barge. "Hop aboard old fella," she called as Jack stood inspecting the barge. "Lets get underway; you can take the wheel and learn all about her over the next few hours."
After they left the harbor and headed south down the coast Jack took the wheel and settled back as Mary made a pot of tea. "What are you smiling about?" she asked when she sat his cup of tea on the wheelhouse table.
Jack couldn't help smiling. He had realized as soon as he felt the barge respond to his hands on the wheel what he had been missing. "I've just discovered what I have been missing. I love the sea it's nice to get aboard a well built vessel. I haven't handled a small barge before. I must say I am surprised she handles so well especially when she's powered by that big outboard. Who ever built her knew his business."