Read Online The Timor Man by Kerry B. Collison - Free Book Online

only undecided but lacked any direction whatsoever, it was he who suggested, later in the day, that Coleman consider entering government service. At first he considered the idea preposterous. He spent a week recollecting the brief encounter with the intriguing Mr Anderson and then decided to give him a call. Stephen borrowed his mother’s Jaguar and drove down to the capital. They met over dinner at the Statesman’s Club in Canberra at the request of the older man.
    The evening had gone well. So well, Stephen felt as if the meeting was just an extension of the previous week’s amicable conversations. He could not remember ever being so at ease with an older person as he had with John Anderson during those moments. It was obvious that his mother’s close friend had deliberately gone out of his way to ensure that Stephen was relaxed.
    Anderson had talked extensively and Stephen had happily listened, as the man made a lot of sense. Without a great deal of further deliberation he accepted the advice and made a commitment to apply for the position suggested.
    He remained for a few days before returning to Sydney. There he stayed just long enough to pack and inform his parents regarding what had transpired as a result of his visit to Canberra. There was practically no discussion regarding his monumental decision although his mother appeared to be pleased. His father’s reaction had been surprisingly cool and indifferent. At the time Stephen had shrugged it off and, as he departed, just shook his father’s hand without any further exchange or comment, sensing that something had disturbed the man and that it related to his career choice.
    Stephen had put his arm around his father’s shoulders but there was little response. He seemed distant, almost preoccupied and overly reserved. His father had never really been a demonstrative person. Clever, yes, Stephen had thought but never warm or affectionate towards his son. Stephen could not remember ever kissing the man, even as a child. His mother had fussed as he said goodbye to her. She had held him closely and whispered into his ear, instructing her son to behave himself and phone regularly. It seemed strange. He was only travelling a few hundred kilometres from their home and yet he experienced a strange sensation of one who was embarking on a long journey, away from all that was familiar and loved. He had never experienced this emotion before, not even when he was away at school.
    John Anderson used his authority to locate a suitable apartment. These were scarcer than hen’s teeth as most were allocated directly according to strict waiting lists. Anderson was good to his word. Within a fortnight Stephen Coleman was accepted into the Department.
    Once settled, Stephen easily fell into the routine of government employment. He enjoyed his workplace and the new circle of friends and threw himself into the arduous training schedules. He found the pristine air invigorating but soon discovered that the capital had a downside when the weather warmed. The flies drove him into fits of temper he’d not displayed since his childhood days on the sheep station. They were small and aggressive, attacking the nostrils and ears, causing Canberra’s inhabitants to curse the filthy little insects, bred by their own government to consume the larvae of the traditional country fly which infested the rural areas around the capital. Stephen often wondered how the foreign diplomats and their families put up with the pests. Gradually he settled into the new routines and found life satisfactory.
    Stephen enjoyed the first months assimilating to the work conditions and also adjusting to the demanding training schedules. He was pleased at having made the decision to enter into the government service. There was so much to learn and the opportunities seemed endless.
    He had become concerned during the first weeks however when, for reasons he could not fathom, several of the