The Plantation - Di Morrissey [40]
‘I’m so excited to be here. This is so exotic,’ said Bette. ‘All the hustle and bustle, not as big as Singapore, but just as colourful.’
Roland glanced at her bright eyes and happy smile as she gazed about. ‘There’s lots more to see. Let’s start with a cold drink before we start our journey,’ he said. Margaret linked her arm through Roland’s as they walked along the dock.
‘How was everything in Brisbane? Your family is well? They must have enjoyed having Philip around. We all missed having him about the place here.’
‘He was the centre of attention. But it’s been tiring managing him on my own. Bette helped of course. Mother enjoyed the bedtime story and cooked him cakes and biscuits. The activity helped keep Father distracted. He pours over the newspapers and listens to the radio all the time. He’s terribly concerned about the war in Europe, as is everyone else at home.’
Roland glanced back at Bette. ‘Yes. It’s very worrying.’
‘But surely we’re fine here. The war will never touch Malaya,’ said Margaret firmly.
Roland didn’t look as convinced as his wife, but turned to Bette. ‘So this is your birthday trip? The war in Europe certainly changed any plans you might have had about going there, like Margaret did.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t have gone to Europe anyway. I’ve wanted to come here, to the East, for ages. Margaret’s letters home make it sound so fascinating.’
‘Then we’ll try our best to keep you entertained,’ said Roland.
‘You don’t have to do that. I’m quite good at entertaining myself,’ said Bette cheerfully.
‘She wants to go into the jungle,’ said Margaret with a small smile. ‘I’ve told her that’s a foolish idea. She’ll understand why when she gets there.’
‘We’ve invited some of the neighbours over for a big curry tiffin on Sunday, to meet Bette and welcome you home. The club hasn’t been as much fun these past few months without you, and I’ve been losing badly at bridge without my best partner.’
‘You play bridge now?’ Bette asked. ‘How clever of you, Margie.’
‘One has to keep one’s end up. It’s very popular here.’
Bette sat in the back of the Oldsmobile with Margaret and Philip.
‘There’s not a lot to see,’ warned Margaret. ‘Endless jungle, plantations and a few villages. A small town or two.’
‘But that’s exactly what I want to see,’ said Bette. ‘I’ve brought my sketchpads and watercolours. I just know I’m going to love being here.’ She glanced at her sister. ‘Thanks so much for inviting me. And you too, Roland.’
‘It’s lovely for Margaret to have your company. And fun for Philip.’ He glanced back at the boy. ‘You going to show Aunt Bette your favourite toys, eh, young man?’
‘Bet-Bet … play,’ said Philip enthusiastically.
‘Oh goody,’ said Bette. ‘Do you have any pets?’
‘Ah, that’s a moot point,’ smiled Roland.
‘Roland, I asked you to get rid of those animals while we were away,’ said Margaret.
‘It’s tricky to boss a macaque around,’ said Roland.
‘A who?’ asked Bette.
‘A very mischievous monkey. Don’t encourage them, they become pests,’ said Margaret.
‘Did you have pets when you grew up here?’ Bette asked Roland as they drove along the old trunk road towards Slim River.
‘I certainly did. I even kept a python for awhile, until feeding it became an issue and Mother made me release it.’
‘Ugh. There are enough animals in the wild without encouraging them around the house,’ said Margaret.
‘What fun,’ said Bette.
‘Are you always so enthusiastic about things?’ Roland asked Bette with a smile.
Before Bette could answer, Margaret chipped in, ‘Mother calls her our little Miss Sunshine. I call her Pollyanna. Really, if Bette can find a good side to a bad situation she will.’
Bette merely smiled and began asking Roland questions about the plantation. How was the rubber collected, what did the workers do, where did they come from, how did they live? She asked how and why Roland’s father had come to Malaya. What was his childhood like at Utopia? Would Philip