Irkutsk Ch. 21

As we finished our breakfast a message arrived that we were to go urgently to the Consulate. Immediately we dressed and walked there en masse. It was a wonderful experience, light-hearted and optimistic.

Our optimism was rewarded as we were greeted with the news that we were given a choice of several country centres in Australia where we would be welcome as a group. We would be offered an opportunity of Australian citizenship if we signed documents agreeing to live and work in one of these centres for five years. It looked as if my contacts in Australia and my legal skills had helped, but I was sure the various skills of everyone else in the Brigade were the real reason. In any case, those skills were finally going to be applied to benefit a community which needed them all.

The final piece of the jigsaw came from the Consul himself. He rang at midday to tell us that an Australian ship was departing for Brisbane that very evening. It was scheduled to arrive in Australia the day after our visas were due to become valid. It had thirty family cabins vacant and we could book them for a generous group discount added to a "last minute" discount. It would give us a perfect opportunity to relax and recover from the stresses and uncertainties of the last few weeks.

The only qualification was that we would have to change our wedding plans. The consul was willing to cancel our existing marriage arrangements, and the ship's captain would be willing to use his powers to marry us in international waters if we wished. We had little choice however if we planned to take this ship as we would not be allowed into Australia until Chris and I were married.

Suddenly everyone was frantically packing. Two hours later we were unpacking again in our suites on a high deck with great views. There was a knock on our door, and Chris answered it. Despite my happiness I felt a wave of nostalgia as I heard an Australian accent. The captain wanted us all to assemble on the bridge.