Lives of three women intersect
The Kookaburra Creek Cafe
AUTHOR: Sandie Docker PUBLISHER: Penguin RRP: $32.99 REVIEWER: Jill Watson
THE KOOKABURRA Cafe is the story of three women whose lives intersect via the cafe, revealing believable characteristics, some amusing, some not so.
The main character Alice Pond has been running the Kookaburra Cafe for 14 years. She has a set routine every morning. Putting the coffee on, taking down the wooden chairs, each a different colour, blue, pink, red, orange, purple, and green from the white tables. I found this description of her morning routine rather comforting.
There is an old photo on one wall of an old woman whom Alice has named Sylvia. This picture is integral to the storyline as Sylvia gives Alice suggestions as to the menu for the day’s customers.
Sylvia’s presence has given Alice the ability to enter into a “peaceful presence”. It is at this point that the local baker, Joey is introduced. They seem to have a relaxed, comfortable relationship. Joey has an old dog named Shadow, who is ever hopeful of being invited into the cafe.
One morning in 2018 when Alice walks into the cafe, she knows something isn’t right. She discovers a frightened young girl who begs Alice not to ring the police.
Alice is struck by the girl’s eyes. Piercingly blue and reminding Alice of a boy she once knew called Dean McRae.
Like the young girl, Alice too has been scared, alone and afraid, especially when she stumbled upon the neglected cafe in Kookaburra Creek.
Now the author transports the reader from 2018 to 2013 and a place called Lawson’s Ridge. Alice is a schoolgirl with plaits. Her best friend is Louise. Louise always attracted the attention of boys, leaving Alice feeling sorry for herself.
They always sat together especially during maths. The view from the maths window gave Alice the chance to look into the distance and see her favourite place. She calls it Faraway Forest.
Back in 2018, we learn the young girl is called Becca.
Alice recognizes Becca’s look of fear mixed with anger that was once her own way of regarding strangers. Alice offers food, but the girl only shrugs. When Alice returns to the bench, Becca has vanished. She leaves the bowl of pasta hoping that Becca will return.
We now meet Hattie. To Alice’s question of Hattie’s well being, the response is a joke relating to her age. Hattie is a retired actress, the once famous Harriott Brooks.
Hattie has something on her mind. It is a solicitor’s letter concerning the cafe!
Be ready for a fast ride through the next phases of this story. It is 1966 and the end of a performance which includes Hattie as the leading lady.
This novel continues with vigour, excitement and heartbreak as mistakes are made and languished over.
Curl up in front of the fire and enjoy a good read.