Monsoon by Di Morrissey

English she had learned from a professor on Pulau Bidong. But soon they connected with friends who had already settled in.
    They struggled, worked hard, studied at night, sharing a small house in the inner city. Here it felt like a transplanted Vietnam – the signs were in Vietnamese; the shops were owned by Vietnamese and sold food, silks and clothes that were familiar. Uncle opened a little shop, Aunty worked in a large hairdressing salon and soon they began to save for the day they could bring over Thu’s family.
    Thu worked in a shop, though initially she had been mistaken for a boy, being slight and shy with short cropped hair. But by the time she celebrated her twenty-first birthday she had blossomed into a beautiful young woman, although she was still shy.
    By this time Kevin Fine had already noticed Thu at Mass each Sunday. He asked the priest the name of the Vietnamese family. He was told they were boat people. Hard workers, nice family.
    Kevin had never been a believer in fate, but when Thu began walking past his garage repair shop he would wave and greet her.
    At first she merely nodded and passed by, embarrassed by the cheerful greetings from the big Australian man who seemed older and a rather rough character. But then he introduced himself to her uncle and aunty at church and gradually he was able to coax a smile from Thu. When he offered to look at Uncle’s troublesome old car, the friendship was sealed.
    On her way to and from work Thu would pause outside the repair shop and try to appear comfortable with Kevin’s good-natured banter. She soon came to realise he had a good heart. He took to dropping around to their house to chat with Uncle and was finally invited to share a meal.
    Kevin became a regular in the household. He loved Aunty’s food and slowly Thu came out of her shell and agreed to go to the movies with him. Saturday afternoons became a regular date. Sometimes she took him to different Vietnamese restaurants in Cabramatta, or he took her across the harbour on the ferry to Manly – though being on the water brought back bad memories for her. On one trip Thu shared her experiences of the dreadful sea voyage and how much she missed her family.
    Kevin was gently comforting as little by little Thu told him her story. He dropped an arm around her shoulders. ‘You’re in the best country in the world now, Thu. And if you’ll let me, I’ll look after you. We could start a new life together.’
    It was an awkward proposal that didn’t register with Thu for a moment as she reflected on what Kevin was saying. ‘You mean, me . . . and you? You mean . . . ?’
    â€˜Get married. What do you say, Thu? I reckon we could make a go of it.’
    â€˜We are very different. Very different history. Different people,’ she began.
    â€˜I’m not hearing a no,’ beamed Kevin. He hugged her. ‘Listen, love, we have a lot more going for us than a lot of couples I know. I’m thirty-one. My mother’s nagging me to settle down. I’ve just been waiting for the right girl to come along. You’re the one.’ He gave her a passionate kiss, unlike the restrained kisses they’d so far exchanged.
    Thu, flushed and smiling, began to be practical. ‘What will your mother say about me? And you must speak to Uncle.’
    â€˜Don’t you worry about Uncle. He’ll be sweet, I reckon. And my mum is going to love you, guaranteed.’
    Thu spoke to Uncle but when Kevin came to ask for Thu’s hand, Uncle was not as instantly receptive as Kevin had expected. He spoke formally and seemed a little restrained.
    Kevin finally took the bull by the horns. ‘What’s the problem? Don’t you think I’ll look after her? We’re both Catholics. She’s had a tough life and she deserves some happiness. We can be happy together. Have a good life,’ said Kevin. The idea Thu might not marry him had made him