Page 162 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

Yindi threw her head back and laughed. ‘The ancestors said you would come. They seem to know you, Mr Atlas.’

Based on the things I had experienced in my life, I was beyond questioning such matters, even if I did not fully understand them. ‘I have enormous respect for the ancestors. I lived here in Australia many years ago. A member of the Ngangkari saved my life, in more ways than one.’

Yindi seemed shocked. ‘Ngangkari?’ she asked, open-mouthed.

‘That’s right, yes.’

‘Mr Atlas... I am descended from Ngangkari. My grandparents were healers for the A?angu people. It is why I became a nurse.’

A shiver travelled down my spine. ‘My word.’

‘You know the gifts of my people. I try to marry them here with...’ – she gestured around the room – ‘penicillin and blood transfusions!’

I gave a laugh. ‘That’s a very powerful combination.’

‘It is no wonder that the ancestors spoke so clearly of you! We are connected by our pasts, Mr Atlas. You are with a Ngangkari once again!’ She put her hands together in prayer a moment, then stood up and made for the door. ‘Come on then!’ she cried.

‘Oh.’ I stood. ‘Where are we going?’

‘I shall introduce you to the baby!’ Before I could say anything else, she had grabbed my hand and started to walk me through the clinical corridors of Broome Hospital. Eventually, we reached a room filled with newborn infants, swaddled and lying in Perspex cribs. Yindi entered and wheeled out a baby who looked a little larger than the others. ‘Come,’ she gestured. ‘We will sit in here.’ I followed her into a small staffroom nearby, complete with sofas, magazines and tea-making facilities. Yindi lifted the baby from the cot. ‘Would you like to hold her, Mr Atlas?’

‘Oh, I...’

‘Come on, you’re an expert. You are already raising three daughters.’

‘How did you know that?’

Yindi shrugged. ‘The ancestors. They know everything!’

I sank into the old yellow sofa in disbelief. ‘I’m rather inclined to think they do.’

Yindi passed the child to me, and I cradled her in my arms. She had a searching, probing gaze. ‘You were right, Yindi. Shereally is very striking.’ I looked across to Yindi, who seemed to be beaming from ear to ear. ‘I feel stupid for not asking before, but did Lizzie name her?’

Yindi shook her head. ‘No, Mr Atlas. After the birth she was rarely fully conscious.’

‘It just breaks my heart.’ The baby whined a little, and I rocked her gently. ‘I know that the papers for the orphanage were due to be completed today, but surely now I’m here and able to identify her grandparents, she does not have to go into care?’

Yindi sighed. ‘I’m afraid that’s not quite true. We have already significantly bent state laws by allowing the child to stay in the hospital for so long.’

‘All right.’ I thought through the other options. ‘Ifshe goes to the orphanage, is there a way that they can guarantee that she will be able to stay until Sarah and Francis come for her?’

Yindi bowed her head in what seemed to me like exasperation. ‘That would not be fair on the child, because there is absolutely no guarantee theywillever come.’

I stood my ground. ‘I’m absolutely positive they will come immediately when they are made aware of the situation.’

‘How do you intend to make them aware? You said you were looking for them. Why have they proved so difficult to find?’ I explained that Sarah and Francis were currently searching the outback for their daughter. ‘Mr Atlas,’ Yindi replied firmly. ‘Do you know how big Australia is? Francis could be leading Sarah on this quest for years.’

‘I take your point,’ I conceded.

Yindi put her hand on my shoulder, and a warm sensation passed through me. ‘Forgive me for being so bold, Atlas, but I think you already know that it was more than chance that led you here today.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The ancestors say that you are to father seven daughters.’ She looked down at the baby.

I stood up and placed the baby back in her cot. ‘Yindi, as much as I would love to help, I cannot take this child away when I know her grandparents would be overjoyed to find her.’

‘They will not find her, Mr Atlas.’