The Plantation - Di Morrissey [31]
‘It’s fine, Margaret. You did jolly well to find your way back,’ said Roland. ‘You probably saw an iguana. Those big ones can look very fearsome.’
‘I will telephone my wife and tell her all is well,’ said Broadstairs. ‘Would you like to go over to my bungalow? The ladies will still be there.’
‘I’d rather not if you don’t mind,’ said Margaret. ‘I’m not properly dressed and I feel a little shaken. Please extend my apologies and hopefully we can reciprocate the hospitality.’ Margaret glanced at Roland.
‘Of course. Why don’t you all come to dinner tonight at the Smokehouse, Broadstairs? I’ll let MacAllister know,’ said Roland.
‘Splendid idea,’ said Broadstairs.
‘Did you finish your game?’ Margaret asked Roland sheepishly.
‘No, we didn’t, I’m afraid.’
‘Oh, it’s my fault I do so apologise to you all. Please, all of you go and finish your game. If you can just arrange a car to take me back …’
‘Are you sure, my dear? I hate to let these fellows down.’
‘I insist. I’ll take a bath and a rest and see you all this evening.’ She gave the men a wan smile.
‘Righto, you can use my driver,’ said Broadstairs.
‘I suggest we go straight to the twelfth hole. It won’t take us long to finish,’ said the man partnering Broadstairs.
By the time Roland returned to their room, Margaret had bathed, dressed, eaten a sandwich, taken a nap and collected herself. She was almost ready to laugh off the episode. Roland gave her a big hug and she could smell whisky on his breath, but she was pleased that he seemed so loving and wasn’t at all cross with her for spoiling his golf game.
‘Well, aren’t you the talk of the club! Everyone agrees it’s very easy to get lost on those trails, but you found your way out, no hysterics, no tears. Quite a feat, darling. But please, it is dangerous. You have to take care.’ He gave her a big smile. ‘Next time you go out walking, stick to the paths and take someone with you. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I am so sorry.’
While Margaret was quietly pleased by his contrition, she said graciously, ‘Please, Roland. Don’t be sorry. I’m upset I spoiled your game of golf with those important people.’
Roland pulled off his jacket and loosened his shirt. ‘Oh, stuff and nonsense. Father has had dealings with Broadstairs’ firm, but he and those other fellows are a bit stuffy. And my game was dreadfully off today. So I should have listened and stayed here with you.’ He reached for her. ‘Shall we have a cuddle before we go out?’
Margaret stood up. ‘Didn’t you say six pm to meet everyone? By the time you’re bathed and dressed … Shall I meet you downstairs? I was going to walk around the garden.’
‘Don’t stray too far!’ he said. And they both laughed.
But Margaret was unsettled. She hoped that when she got to the security of Utopia she would feel safer because the vastness, the strangeness of this landscape, its people, its culture felt very alien.
When they finally arrived at Utopia, after farewelling Winifred in Kuala Lumpur, it was dark. Roland had suggested that Winifred might like to travel further, perhaps going as far as Bangkok, before returning to Australia. But Winifred had no desire to travel on her own, and, she suspected, she would have had her fill of the exotic East by the time Roland and Margaret had returned from their honeymoon. The darkness was almost physical; damp, pressing and enveloping. Margaret had been asleep and barely took in the glow of lights, the murmur of voices, even when Roland helped her from the car while issuing instructions to the people who had met them.
A light shrouded with small flying insects hung by the front door under a portico. Eugene stood at the door as she went up the steps to the front entrance.
‘Welcome, my dear Margaret, welcome. This is an unholy hour to arrive, Roland.’
‘I know, Father. Margaret is weary. I made a call at Tanjung Estate and saw Sidney Baker. You know how he loves to chat. He’s had a few problems but I’ll go into that later. Do you