Shelly tilted her head to the side.
Petri explained. ‘The pregnant liquor is the solution containing all the dissolved gold. The cyanide solution that isn’t recycled, because there is always some minor wastage, doesn’t last long anyway.
‘Why not?’
‘Because once it’s exposed to sun and air it’s not very stable and breaks down into water and gases. You know, like carbon dioxide and nitrogen. They’re found in the atmosphere anyway.’
‘So, what are you doing here? I mean, why not do all this research at UWA?’ asked Alec.
‘Oh! WA Uni is okay for basics, but r
eally it is because of your Dr Fleming. You must know him?’
‘Of course, I know Peter. Good bloke. Really good teacher. Great with students.’
Petri nodded. ‘Well, I’m planning a sampling program and Peter has been doing a lot of research on the flow regimes of the Tertiary river channels. I want to be able to carry out some sampling to check out the best areas for starting my exploration. The visible flow patterns shown by the lakes are not all there is to it. Some old river channels are now completely covered by sand and we need to find which are most likely to have maximum gold concentrations. That’s where Peter’s work fits in.’
The three chatted on, leaving the geological subjects and talking about the events of the time. Vietnam and the growing opposition to the war featured prominently in their discussions, as did the question of the morality of the Wallaby tour of South Africa. It was clear that the two men shared similar interests, although they disagreed on some issues.
Shelley tried to argue that sport and politics should not be confused and tried to defend the proposed rugby tour by the South Africans for 1971 but both men turned on her, strongly disagreeing. In spite of this she held her ground and kept her opinions. It was clear that Shelley was a spirited young woman.
Her attractive features caused male students walking past to take a second look. She sported shoulder length light brown hair, unstyled and framing an oval face, with a pert, symmetrical nose and hazel eyes. She dressed in the casual style of the day and wore a white blouse decorated with embroidered, colourful flowers around the neckline, a ruffly, mid-length skirt and strapped sandals.
‘Say, would you like to join us for tea tonight?’ Shelley’s question to Petri was so direct and unexpected that it was obvious she had not been listening but had been engrossed in her own thoughts.
‘Sure, if that’s all right with you folk. I’ve nothing planned. I don’t know many people over here. I was just going back to my hotel and perhaps watch a bit of television or read. I’d love to join you, but don’t want to be in the way.’
‘No, of course you won’t. You’re more than welcome.’
Alec added his affirmation, ‘Of course. It would be great to have you along.’
‘Alec and I are going to a restaurant in Lygon Street. That’s in the city. Where are you staying? Perhaps we could share a taxi.’
‘No, I have a hire car so let me pick you up.’
‘Great idea,’ Alec said. ‘And thanks. I’ll leave my bike in the department. The walk between the station and the University tomorrow will do me good.’
* * *
The shared meal proved to be the start of new and happy friendship between the three. Petri, Alec and Shelley found themselves together every time that Petri came over from Perth. Even when he felt he had little more to garner from the University or Dr Fleming, Petri found reasons to visit. The friendship grew in strength through common interests in geology and music. The three loved to argue and debate. The social and political changes affecting Australia and the world were ideal for debate. They argued late into the night on subjects such as the war in Vietnam, the women’s liberation movement, hippies and all those that heralded major changes in western society.
About a year after their first meeting the three were sipping coffee after attending a concert in the city. As was common when they were together conversation became debate. It started with arguments for the justification for war.
Petri told them, ‘I’m a pacifist. War just creates misery. It is the most extreme form of violence and violence solves nothing in the long run.’
‘Surely there are some times when war is justified,’ argued Shelley. ‘I’m against violence but you have to make a stand sometime, I mean, just think where we’d be if no-one stood up to Hitler. How could you remain a pacifist under those circumstances?’
Petri tried to explain. ‘During most of the war my father was in Scotland. He was a cryptographic expert and worked for the British Army as an adviser and code-breaker. He was fluent in Russian, English, German and Finnish.’
‘How come he was in code breaking?’
‘Cryptography was a hobby. It developed out of his skills as a mathematics lecturer at the University in Helsinki.’
‘So he was involved in the war, even if indirectly,’ said Shelley.
‘Yes, but not directly in the violence and mass killing. My father strongly opposed the Finnish alliance with Germany. Remember, as a child he lived through the Finnish civil war in 1918 and that framed his attitude to war and violence.’
‘I suppose exposure to war and battles would be traumatic.’