Page 98 of Perfect Three

Lucy replied, “Gee, maybe they did.”

The three laughed, then Billy was called away to speak to some of the visiting dignitaries.

While they were driving home, she asked Sebastian about his use of the First Nations language.

“I speak several dialects.My people are theWarlpiri,so naturally I speak that.It’s one of the largePama–Nyunganfamily of languages.I knowYol?u, Gundungurra,andDharug.I can understand a couple of others.

“Prior to white settlement, there were over eight hundred different dialects of two hundred and fifty Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples’ languages, but now there’s only about a hundred and twenty-three dialects spoken with a hundred and nine considered endangered.”

“That’s terrible!”

“I know.We have lessons through the Outreach program, and thankfully there are a lot of young people who are rediscovering their heritage.”

“Thank you for taking me tonight, Seb.I felt really honored.”

“You’re most welcome, Lucy.And thank you for volunteering to help Billy.I know he’s been tearing his hair out trying to find someone.”

“It won’t take up much time, and I’d love to be able to help somehow.”

“I can assure you it’ll be really appreciated.”

“Does he really believe that an ancestor arranged for me and you to meet?”

“Yes.We believe things happen for reasons.My bringing you to the exhibition was at the exact time when he needed someone to help.By volunteering, you answered his need.He told me he’d had a Dreaming things would work out and they did.”

“I guess when you look at it in a way, he was right.”

“Well, all I can say is thank you.He’ll really appreciate all the help you can give him.”

Sebastian kissed her fingertips and put her hand back on his leg as he drove.

****

Two weeks later, Sebastianturned up at her house with the painting she’d admired.

She was so overcome that she burst out crying.

He’d hugged her as she clung to him.Then he set about hanging the painting in the library above the fireplace.They then made love on the floor of the room beneath it.

****

Lucy continued herfamily dinners on Thursdays.The replacement roofing project had been completed some months back and looked great.The old slate and the new blended well together.There were no more leaks—and no more corrugated iron.The cost was very reasonable, leaving Lucy happy at not having to withdraw too much from her term deposit.

She’d started her volunteer work with Billy and after spending a whole day getting things up to date, she was sure it would only need a few hours once a month.She and Billy worked well together.

She found Billy to be a very funny man who seemed to spend most of the time laughing or else teasing her about Sebastian and Jack.He also decided she should have lessons in one of the dialects he spoke.

Lucy thought it would take her years to be able to make herself understood, but all the same she enjoyed learning.Lucy was pleased to be able to help him out, and she knew she’d made a new friend.

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