The Plantation - Di Morrissey [136]
Christopher burst out laughing at the shocked expression on Julie’s face. ‘Geez, Julie, you’ve got more cousins than you can poke a stick at!’
‘I can’t believe it. Your grandfather was Tony Tsang? This place, the life … It must have been so different for Great Aunt Bette,’ said Julie. This mansion seemed a long way from the house in Brisbane where Bette had grown up.
‘You will have a lot of questions,’ said Carla. ‘This is quite something. I often wondered if anyone from Australia would be curious about us. I’d love to sit down and go through all the family things with you, Julie, but I do have an appointment that I must keep.’
‘I’m so sorry to just barge in like this,’ began Julie. ‘Unfortunately I’m booked to go back to Australia tomorrow. Perhaps we could correspond.’ She didn’t want to miss this chance to learn more.
Carla leaned forward. ‘Julie, I don’t think you understand. All these questions you have about Por Por, you should ask her yourself,’ she said gently.
‘Who’s Por Por?’ asked Julie, confused.
‘That is our name for Bette. It means grandmother and that’s how we like to think about her, although she is really our step grandmother.’
Christopher leaned forward. ‘Carla, are you saying that Bette, Julie’s great aunt, is still alive?’
Carla nodded. ‘Yes. Of course, she’s no longer young but she is still very bright, alert and still drawing. We will soon celebrate her ninetieth birthday.’
‘Oh my God. Where is she?’ Julie looked around, as though expecting to see Bette walk into the room. Christopher held Julie’s hand as she was shaking with excitement. ‘Is she here in Penang?’
Carla shook her head. ‘Oh, no. As she got older she got homesick for Australia, so she went back.’
‘She’s in Australia?’ asked Julie incredulously.
‘Yes. She lives in Cairns. All our family like to visit her there often.’
‘Cairns! Why Cairns?’ asked Julie, amazed by this news.
‘She said she liked the climate. After all her years in Malaysia, she said that she couldn’t live any further south than Cairns. It would be too cold for her anywhere else, even Brisbane. She still lives independently, in an apartment. It’s very nice.’
‘Is she still painting?’ asked Julie, her voice almost a whisper.
‘Yes. She likes to paint Australian flora, especially the orchids that grow in North Queensland. I’ll write down her details for you.’ She rose and left the room.
Julie turned to Christopher. ‘Pinch me. I don’t believe this. Wait till I tell Mum. She’ll be over the moon.’
He gave her a quick hug. ‘I’m really happy for you. I suppose you’re going straight up to Cairns when you get back?’
Julie shook her head. ‘I’ll have to talk to Mum. I just hope that it’s not too late and Bette will see us.’
‘Nonsense, I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to meet you and your mother,’ said Christopher.
Julie nodded. ‘Maybe we’ll phone her. Or send her a letter.’
Carla returned with a piece of paper and handed it to Julie who glanced at the address.
‘Yes, I suppose we should write first, let her get used to the idea. I hope she’ll agree to see us.’
‘Por Por is a very lovely lady,’ said Carla. ‘You’ll like her. Perhaps you could come back and see us another time. Stay here, of course. I’ve written my phone and email on the paper as well.’
‘How about I take a photo of the two of you?’ said Christopher.
Julie handed him her camera and he took a shot of the two women with their arms around each other.
‘Well, we don’t want to hold you up any longer,’ said Christopher. ‘It’s been very interesting.’
‘So the wedding’s off?’ asked Carla with a smile.
‘’Fraid so. I’m going back to Australia. Christopher is here, working at Butterworth,’ said Julie.
Carla shook Christopher’s hand. ‘Do call me and come for tea sometime. I’ll give you a proper tour of the treasures of Rose Mansion. They seem to interest you.’
‘Thank you. I’d like that.’
‘So would I,’ said Julie. ‘And I’ll bring my mother, next