The Plantation - Di Morrissey [41]
Margaret closed her eyes and Philip put his head in her lap and slept. But Margaret was listening to the long exchanges between Roland and Bette and learned more about her husband’s history than she’d known previously.
Bette kept in the background when they arrived at Utopia. Everyone was fussing over Philip, who raced around. Eugene kissed Margaret on the cheek before she introduced him to her sister.
‘Very nice to meet you, young lady. I hope you enjoy your stay with us,’ he said, rather formally.
But Bette’s effusive and genuine responses soon had the old man smiling broadly.
Margaret called Philip from Kim’s embrace. ‘Bette, this is Roland’s old amah. She thinks she owns Roland, and now, I suspect that she thinks the same about Philip. We’ll take you over to our bungalow so that you can settle in. We’ll see Mr Elliott again later for drinks at sunset.’
‘Really? How lovely.’
At Margaret and Roland’s bungalow, Ah Kit showed Bette to her room while Margaret went to inspect her garden and Philip trailed behind his father. When Bette had washed and changed her travelling clothes, she stood on the verandah looking out at the view.
Margaret joined her and sat down in one of the wicker chairs, sighing. ‘Really, these people do let things go the minute your back is turned. I’ve lost several shrubs. And the weeds! Thankfully the kitchen garden seems all right. I suspect Cookie keeps an eye on that because vegetables are more useful than flowers.’
Bette turned to her sister. ‘Margie, this is magical. Magnificent. Out there … total jungle up on those hills. It’s such a wildly romantic setting.’
‘Wild is right,’ said Margaret. ‘I’ve had one experience wandering through the forest. No more. And I was close to civilisation, but I still felt ill at ease.’
‘I’d so love to get out there. Do you think Roland could arrange it? You wrote about the hunting trips he and his father used to make …’
‘Bette! You don’t know how to use a gun.’
‘I don’t mean to go shooting. Just to go and see the wilderness, experience it all. I’d love to sketch the jungle and the birds and other wildlife, and scenes in the villages, like those we passed.’
‘They’re called kampongs. Whatever for? Just relax, Bette. You’ll find there are plenty of other things to do here. We’ll go to our club, at least a couple of times each week for tennis and cards, and there will be lots of parties at the other plantations. There are heaps of single men for you to meet, but you must be careful and not get too carried away with all the attention. Be guided by Roland as to whom is suitable,’ advised Margaret.
‘I’m not looking for a husband!’ exclaimed Bette. ‘I’ll just hang around Eugene. I bet he has a million stories.’
‘Mr Elliott,’ said Margaret firmly. ‘Bette, don’t get carried away. It’s not becoming to be so gung-ho. This is, after all, just a pocket, an oasis, if you like, of civilisation in a very primitive setting.’
‘That’s what I like,’ said Bette. ‘I should have been a Victorian lady explorer.’
‘What rubbish,’ said Margaret. ‘Why don’t you have a rest before we go to the big house for drinks.’
‘I’d rather take a walk around the garden with Philip. You said that he had a swing, didn’t you?’
‘Well, don’t get all hot and bothered before we go over to the big house,’ said Margaret.
Within days, word had spread through the district among the single assistant plantation managers, army officers and young men from the civil service of the arrival of a pretty, single young woman. Attendance at the club swelled. Bette was in demand as a partner for tennis, card games and dances. She was squired around the district to picnics, into Slim River, and on other sightseeing forays by a series of young men. Everyone seemed to find her delightful company, with her ready laugh and happy nature.
Margaret was pleased that her sister was so popular, but she was also protective. Roland was amused and enjoyed teasing Bette about the young men who had found their way to Utopia, but he was careful to pay attention to make sure that the men were the