CHAPTER 42

It’s spring now and the sun is shining at Lunar House. The roads are dry, the grasses are high and Bream Creek flows sweetly. The bullrushes have multiplied in clumps and dragonflies dart and weave throughout cat-tail stems.

Birds fill the waterways, which are teeming with swamp hens and ducks and egrets and herons.

On the banks of the creek, golden wattle trees are exploding with fluffy yellow pom pom flowers, and a red flowering gum tree is twittering with budgerigars.

In a dense eucalyptus grove, a pair of orange-bellied parrots squawk and screech as they jostle in taking turns to sit on their clutch of three eggs.

Evie inhales. For the first time in a long time, she feels at peace. She thinks of her mama and papa, but is only remembering the happy things, like how quick Mama was to smile and how often Papa laughed.

Evie can’t stop talking and asking Grandpa a million questions. She shouts without meaning to, as if she can’t contain herself and Cook scolds, then quickly hugs her.

The aching black grief that filled her has lifted and she feels hungry, her appetite filling out her hollow cheeks and bird-like limbs. Evie feels full of conversation and life. Life at Lunar House. Life with dear Rhino.

“Grandpa, when can I go back to school?”

“Evie, my dear girl, I’ve been hoping you’d wish to return. That’s wonderful news. I’ll make the necessary arrangements and Mr Duffer can drive you in on Monday.”

Rhino spends his days grazing in the company of Dominique and Bernard. He hangs out with the ladies, and sniffle snuffles Claudette and Florette. He plays chasey with Francie and Freddie and lets Simon and Mini ride around on his back.

He continues to be helpful around the farm, assisting Cook with hanging out the washing and Mr Duffer with any heavy lifting duties.

Evie and Rhino enjoy their daily walks exploring the beach and the paddocks, spending hours down at the creek. Evie sketches birds and watches Rhino swim and roll around his wallow.

She often talks to Rhino about George Henley and she’s sure Rhino understands her every word. Evie knows George would have returned to Melbourne to have it out with his father. But George was ready, he now knows how strong he is.

Without a doubt, Grandpa and George’s regular letter correspondence indicates that George is weathering the storm.

Grandpa and Mr Duffer make plans to repair the roof of Lunar House and to tidy up the garden, starting with pruning the rose arbor. Evie thinks Grandma Amelie would be proud to see her garden returning to its former glory.

Grandpa has finished his scientific research paper about the near-extinct orange-bellied parrot and it has been accepted for publication by the newly formed Ornithological Society of Victoria.

A day before Christmas, Paddy Tait arrives with an impressive-looking delivery for Mr Charles Strahan. Evie can see it’s a heavy parcel, bearing the gold crest of the Royal Melbourne Zoological Society.

“It looks important,” says Paddy, who hardly needs an excuse to lock up early to visit Lunar House.

They crowd around the kitchen table as Grandpa unwraps the package. Evie and Cook gasp, clasping their hands together as Grandpa promptly sits down.

There, before them in all its magnificence, is a brand-new copy of a beautiful, green leather-bound book. It’s the latest edition of The Birds of Australia by CH Strahan and DL Henley.

“What is the bleedin’ thing?” says Paddy.

“Oh, Paddy. Didn’t yer know our Mr Strahan ’ere is a famous orni . . . orno logical . . . birdman? He’s famous, I’m telling yer now,” says Cook.

“An orni what?” says Paddy.

“Ornithologist, Paddy,” says Evie. “It means Grandpa is an expert in the scientific study of birds.”

Paddy’s eyes widen and he nods as Grandpa strokes the green leather cover.

“Thank goodness our George called his father out for what he is,” says Cook.

Grandpa gives Cook a stern look.

“Well . . . he’s nothin’ but a bully and a thief, he is.”

“All right now, Cook, that will do,” says Grandpa, laughing.

Grandpa smiles at Evie and she beams back at him, with a grin from ear to ear.

“I have no doubt you’ve had a hand in this, Evie. My dearest, Evie.”

Evie gazes out the window at Rhino, her heart full at the turn of events in their lives – all because of a rhinoceros, a very special rhinoceros.

“Oh, no, quick. Something’s burnin’!” says Cook, rushing to the oven.

Cook’s been busy cooking and preparing for Christmas lunch, as this year everyone is invited, including Cook and Mr Duffer, and George, who is due to arrive shortly. He’s just signing off on a lease for his new restaurant, Henley’s Fine Dining, in Geelong.