Iredonesian-Halal Halal Karen pushed her shopping jep out of Prahran Market, On the way to the car park, she manoeuvred the overflowing jeep with one han, keeping the other free to catch articles falling from it ‘She took all the bags out of the jeep and put them into the back seat of her cat, then heaved the jop into the boot Before climbing in, herself, she stopped to stretch and rub her back. 'As som as she entered the traffic, Karen began to mental ly plan what she was going to do with what she had bought, tnd thought hard if she hadn't lft anything out: She was going to cook Boeuf ex Dau for dinner. Stephen had invited iad Priyadi and his wife, Wahyuni. Stephen had told her that Hadi, his new colleague from Indonesia, had once lived in France for four years. Being « Sorbonne graduate herself, Karen a5 eager to show of her mastery of French cuisine, “What are you going to cook?” Stephen had asked. ‘Bou en Dane: Remember how Louise and Martin raved about tthe other night” “How could forget? fam sure lad andl Wabyun will ike it darling” ‘Stephen yas mowing the lawn when Karen arrived home. ‘Since both of them were in fltime employment, the lawn was often neglected until whenever they invited some friends over for a barbecse. This Saturday they were not fing to have a barbecue but Stephen was moving it fonetheless, When Karen looked disbelievingly, he yelled above the noise ofthe mower, “They're new frends, I don't ‘want to put them out. Besides, I imagine they have a gar ener to ep ther lawn perfectly manicured Karen began to prepare her meat and other ingredients for dinner, before making some salad sandwiches for lunch ‘During lunch Stephen planned the wines for dinner. “1 reckon the Chiteat Mildara cabernet shiraz'd be perfect for the meat” Then, after another mouthful, ‘What's for entee ‘again, pork and veal paté did you say?” ‘Karen nodded. “In that case, the rosé bought from Eile, ‘What d'you think ‘Without waiting for Karen's answer, Stephen got up then ‘walked to the comer ssine rack and pulled out a botle of (abernetshiraz and a bot of rosé. “This cabernet needs to be breathed frst. And the rst is best if a bit chilled.” ‘Karen didi’ answer. She was not a enthusiastic about ‘wine as Stephen was, Despite having Lived in Paris, she ould tell one wine from another. Shel make Stephen ‘want to strangle her in blind tasting, because she'd say that they al tated the same What about dessert?” asked Stephen *Créme caramel. And, Stephen, I pinched some of your brandy from the cabinet.” “Excellent. Aah, st it acky I stil have a couple of bot tes of spitlese leva.” “What's this? A drinking ongy?" asked Karen testi. “& diiking orgy? Darling! A meal will only be complete ‘if served with wines perfectly planned for it. What kind of Francophile are you? Stephen was tidying up his bookshelves when Karen called from the kitchen. “Stephen, I orgot to get bacon, Would you be a sweetie and go to Guido's? Remember darling, thick, tansmoked bacon’ "At the del, Stephen told Guldo what he wanted, and his mouth dropped when Guldo pointed to an empty tay inthe flass cabinet. "If you'd come an hour earlier, Ya have had fone pice let. There's some smoked ones lett” ‘Stephen shook his head, “Karen's extremely particularbout her cooking. he'd hit the roof i arived home with fnything but the specified stem. Where d’you think I could set unsmoked bacon?” ‘Guido thought for 8 moment. "You got your car with you?" Stephen nodded ‘Wait a minute, Fl call my brother in Noble Park. He always got some.” ‘Sephen waited, mentally calculating the time needed to travel there. Guido returned with a wide grin “you're hacky, mate, Tony’s sil got some, and he's keep ingitfor you" ‘An hour later Karen save Stephen walk in from the back oor “Where on earth have you been?” She wast totally pacified by Stephen's explanation ‘Couldn't you go to another del inthe area? You knew I'd have to cook it for three hours!” ‘Around five-thiny that evening, Karen was busy washing tased pots and pans and tidying up her kitchen. The Boe en ‘Baube was inthe oven, the pork and veal paté in the fridge, ‘nd her ereme caramel was coling off onthe kitchen bench, “almost ready to go into the ridge aso. Several feet way was Stephen chopping up kabona and cheese for hors ewe “At six oclck, Karen ras jst stepping ito the bathroom when the telephone rang. Her sister Patrica’ voice came pleading through the lin, "Karen darling! You wouldn't qurn down a ery for help from your poor sister, would you?” aren felt instantly coveded in. "What happened?” "Oh, Ym inva real bind. You knew Avthur and [bought tickets for the Haydn concer a the Melboume Concert Hall, tidn’t you? Well we booked sitter for the night. But the ‘wretched lass got the fla, You reckon you could look ater Lindy and Tim for a couple of hours? Well come straight back after. Py "Wait a minute Trica!” Karen cutin, “We're having dinner ee Okay, but you're not going anywhere, are you? Lindy and Tim could easily be sent to bed. “Sorry Trica, Tea. If we were only having old friends round that be different. But these are people I haven't "Who are they?” asked Patricia, hardly hiding her annoy- “Hadi Priya and his wife. “what nationality are they?” “indonesian.” ‘indonesian’? I hope you cooked halt fox! shat you mean, hal food?” “Kober, No pork and all that zz." Oh that? Yea, used beef i... Walt ont The paté has pork init, and the beef was cooked with bacon. Oh God! ‘What made you think they don’t eat pork?” "You are so ignorant! Tpese people are Muslim. Remember when Tinted the Suryas? Good thing Tals had roast chicken in the oven!” “Oh my God! Tricia, why hadn't you wamed me? Stephen! Stephen!” “And remember!” Patricia's voice piped in, as if enjoying, “They dont drink alcohol” “The doorbell rang. Karen mished to the front door still but: toting up her Blouse. She opened the door to an immaci- Intely dressed, very handsome couple, smiling warmly at fer. After quick introductions all around, Kaven invited them into the lounge and made sure they were comfortably ‘seated facing the mural then scuttle tothe kitchen. Stephen Sneaked in trom the back door, sil panting and puffing, ‘more from nervousness than rushing. le puta box of rtis- ‘erie chicken from the fastfood place near the station on the Jstchen bench, then ran back fo his ear to fetch another box ‘containing hal a dozen bottles of nor-alcoholic cider“tiurry up and keep them company while I prepare al this” whispered Karen, ‘Stephen staightened up his jacket; took a deep breath, then stepped out ofthe kitchen with deliberate calmness ‘Karen came out with the platter of firs docwore Stephen had prepared carter, She'd barely taken a second step toward the settee when Stephen shot up from his seat, met her halfway and grabbed the platter heading for the kitchen. Karen was left gaping fr a second, then gathered her wits and smiled sweetly at Hadi and Wahyuri “hope you forgive us, We're rather disorganised tonight ‘We came home only half an hour ago.” “Sorry we cause you so much trouble,” Wahyuni sai, slightly embarrassed. ‘Oh, no, not at al! fst that, we were only able to prepare the simplest meal We were called out at very short notice. hope you don't mind.” “Weare very grateful for your invitation.” Karen Joke toward the door beyond the dining room to the Kitchen, Stephen emenged with a platter of hors oer Inthe comer whete there had been a pile of sliced kabana, now there were mixed nuts "Stephen, what about drinks for Halt and Wahyrani?” ‘Karen asked when her husband had put the plater on the coffe table “Ah yes, What'd you like to drink? There's apple ci and, er orange and lime mineral water” “Oh, eT wouldn't mind orange and lime mineral water. ‘What about you, Yun?” Hal tumed to his wife Wahyuni smiled and nodded enthusiastically. ‘Td like that 40." ‘Stephen disappeared into the kitchen. Karen noticed that Hadi glanced atthe floor-to-ceiling wine ack in the comer | where dozens bottles of red, white, rosé, whisky and port pointed their corks at them like silent guns. She quickly engaged them in smal talk 2 “Lhear yous have live in France” “Oh Hadi has. I stayed back in Bandung," Wahyuni, "We got married when Hadi returned.” “hark,” Karen was extremely interested, "So you are stil ‘on your honeymoon?” "ou can say tht” Had said with a laugh Karen fet less forse nov that they had more o lass bro- keen the ice. Stephen came back carrying a tray with four lasses of orange and lime mineral water. Again Karen ‘aught Hadi glancing atthe wine rack She felt her neck sti fening, Somehow i seemed mean to serve mineral water to thelr guests while ten fect avsay a whole selection of aleo- holie drinks were on display teasing the drinkers with their mere existence and so close. She knew what Stephen would ‘ay, Tt was ike watching a striptease show in the company of priests and nuns, Why ever didn’ I cover the rack with a ‘Grape? I could kick mysel ‘Suddenly she excused herself. have to check the fod in the oven: ‘i "Not lng after that, dinner was served and they all sat at the dining table. Wahyuni complemented the tomato sauce she just lasted, ”Karen” she sai, “you must teach me how to cook Australian food. “Sure. But there's plenty of time for that, Wahytni:” Karen dwt dare look at her husband who was responsible for ‘preparing’ the soup, which involved a can opener and a big ‘sucepan. ‘When the chicken was served, Karen and Stephen tied to keep the conversation away’ from the food, which Hadi and ‘Wahyuii appented to take forever to eat. Good thing that Hadi loved Karen's dessert, Peters ice cream served with conned fruit salad. He cheerfully accepted 80 more help- ings “They had coffee back in the lounge, Leaning against the buck of his chai, almost relaxed, Stephen was thankful that their guests hadn't seemed to notice thatthe entre dinner repliedhad been produced in less than half an hour. nthe meat time the food that Karen had prepared and cooked with 3 reat deal of love was sitting in the far comer of the ktchon, all forlorn. Hadi sipped his coffe. Despite the fairly relaxed atmos- phere, Karen was restless. Was she imagining things? He kept looking at the wine rack. Ie occurred to her that when they were entertaining they'd normally have port with theie coe ‘She stood up and asked, “Well, what CD should we pat on sow? Hadi? Wahyuni? Any requests?” ‘Wahytini looked up. “T love Handel and Bach. Do you have any? ‘Do you really?” said Katen, “lke them too” She pulled out a Handel CD and placed it gently inthe player ‘After hearing the frst few bars Hadt looked adoringly at his wife, "You played this mamber this morning. What ist? Gigue?” "Yes, 'm going touseit asa prelude. Forthe choi they've selected a Beethoven concerto” “Oh,” Stephen and Karen looked admiringly at Wahyuni “You're playing ina concert?” “Abvno!” Wahyuni hastened to reply, alittle embarrased “Not a concert. It's just an ecumenical service, at our chase” “An ecumenical service at your church?” Stephen nearly spluttered in his cup while Karen nearly dropped hers. “es, we goto the big Uniting Church in Kew Karen glared at her husband, Stephen checked a grimace, Indonesin-Kestukan The Curse 1 watch my daughter Narda tar he ed to one side an inp het sinks Ths the third ine she’s done it is week Ioan to happen to my ser ts when she waste same te. T promptly forget what vas teling her and ook at he, Grercome with concer. So what'd you go there fr" aks Nai, her fae sill turned lg aay fom me, looking at me ot ofthe cor- nerf here ‘Go whee? Oh, ys To check they sia the sk-lue slat Fd sen the other day By the was, Noida” assume casual i, "yo have rouble hearing” ‘arin stops and thinks before answering sem dont T* Ske now looks pointy at me. "Why you ask Mum? Have tee distracted ate?” Navide” Leach out to hold her hand, “Is something troubling you?” ‘arid loos away "Nara, whats tooling you?” 1 press on, my heart xg Shes sil refsing to look at mean even pis er hand avery [wait Thnow Nard well enough not ash her Rum? he finaly sys scorching my face nove. “Would you erly ape” Told my breath “iT missed out on The scholars? ‘Oh Gon That al Is that ale “Oh Narita! a be disappintd, But upset? No. We an sul ator to py for Jour eduction” Again, she seems #0 tae an efor to hear me. “Have you Been word bout tat Oh daring you shoold't! What concerns mei hat yon ser fo have rwble Bearing”