The Spanish Helmet Read Online Free PDF Page A

revisionist New Zealand history. He has a theory New Zealand was discovered prior to the Maori or British and wants the opinion of some outside sources.’
Aimee smiled at him. A smile that almost seemed to apologise.
‘You’re going to have a tough time doing that,’ she said, ‘I’ve studied history for six years now and have only occasionally heard mention of the alternative history theories in official study material.’ She wiggled her legs. Perhaps trying to avoid DVT, Matt thought. ‘It’s something that’s only ever denied in official circles.’
‘And in unofficial circles?’
‘It interests me. I’ve never looked deeply into any of the theories, but I’m aware of half a dozen or so. One day I may even take the time to research one or two of them. But I haven’t had any real call to until now.’
‘Half a dozen? I didn’t realise there was so many ideas out there.’
‘For sure, every madman and his dog has a theory of alternative history and a couple of pretty sane people have one too.’
‘And what are the ‘madman’ theories then?’
‘Maybe it’s a bit strong to say a ‘madman’ theory. It’s rather a case of some people that support them being too… keen.’
‘How so?’
‘Take for example the theory that the Celts discovered New Zealand,’ Aimee said. ‘You should like that one.’
She had no idea. It was a perfect place for her to start. Matt wanted as much info as he could get.
‘The idea that Celts discovered New Zealand centuries prior to the Maori has been around for a while. Some farmers to the north of Auckland, on the Kaipara Harbour, found some large stones that they decided - in their professional opinion - were megalithic monuments. Henges and circles.’
‘So why haven’t I heard of these?’ Matt lied, remembering all of the conversations he had with Warren about New Zealand’s standing stones.
‘Probably because they’ve never been taken seriously by anyone with a qualification,’ Aimee said, ‘the whole situation is confounded by some of the people that stand behind the theory. Some of the supporters go way beyond what’s appropriate.’
‘Ah, the madmen.’ Matt laughed. ‘What is it exactly that they do wrong?’
‘The main problem is their approach to it all offends too many sensitivities . One or two groups even run big websites spouting their theories all over the place. That would be OK in itself , but the content of the websites is often overtly racist against the Maori. They suggest that Maori are impure and inferior, that God will smite them for their evil ways. They accuse the Maori of blocking access to the sites they want to study and think the government helps to cover it up. Political correctness.’
‘But what do they have to gain from proving their theory, why are they so stubborn?’ Matt asked.
‘Money.’
Matt was about to ask how a change in the history of New Zealand could possibly provide some sort of payout to these theorists, but just as he opened his mouth, dinner arrived.
‘Chicken or Beef?’
‘Chicken’ Aimee said.
The steward passed a foil covered tray over Matt to Aimee.
‘Mine’s the beef,’ Matt said.
The moment had passed and so Matt and Aimee made small talk as they ate. Matt intended to continue where they left off after dinner but when he returned from a post-dinner bathroom trip, he saw Aimee’s head sandwiching a pillow to the window. He would never disturb someone who could actually manage to get sleep in one of these tin cans, so he popped his headphones on and resolved to finding out more in the morning.
Relaxing in his seat and staring at, but not seeing, the images moving past on the little screen in front of him, Matt wondered what he had got himself into. Clearly, Aimee and other historians in New Zealand didn’t give much credit to the theory of Celts being the first inhabitants of New Zealand, yet here he was going there to study it. Matt wasn’t sure if he might be setting himself up for an