The Plantation - Di Morrissey [51]
‘He wouldn’t like it,’ admitted Roland. ‘But we are a family concern and I can bend the rules a bit.’
‘Your father wouldn’t. He’ll send him off once he knows,’ said Margaret.
‘Margaret, Father is not going to know. Smedley-Smith is an excellent worker and I simply can’t replace him. There’s a war on in Europe, in case you’ve forgotten, so where do I get someone else to take his place?’
Margaret stared at Roland. ‘So you’re going to let this situation persist? And are you telling me not to say anything about it?’
‘Yes, I am. I have to be practical.’
Margaret was quiet a moment then said briskly, ‘Well, if that’s the way it is, I’ll strike a bargain with you. I won’t mention this situation to your father … but in exchange I think you should get me that Baby Austin car that Gilbert told you about.’
‘Margaret! That’s blackmail,’ exploded Roland but just the same he sounded amused by her cheek as they got into the car.
Margaret stared out the window. ‘I’m so looking forward to driving Bette around and showing her a few new places in my own car.’
Roland said, ‘Well, I hope you girls enjoy Ipoh.’
When they pulled up back at the lodge, Margaret marched up the front steps and stopped as she saw Bette stretched out on a sarong on the floor of the verandah in her swimsuit and Gilbert bending over her, his face close to her bare leg.
‘What on earth is going on?’ she demanded.
Gilbert straightened up and held up a jar. ‘Leeches, I’m afraid. We’re covered in them.’
‘Ugh. I hate those things,’ said Margaret.
‘I’ll get the salt,’ said Roland. ‘That gets rid of them.’
True to his word, Roland bought the Baby Austin Tourer for Margaret, and Gilbert drove it to Utopia from Kuala Lumpur.
‘I’ll drive Gilbert back up to KL in the Olds mobile, as we have to attend a planters’ meeting,’ Roland told Margaret.
‘Roland, the car is gorgeous. It will be so useful, thank you, darling,’ said Margaret, experimenting with the fold-down roof.
‘A deal’s a deal,’ grinned Roland. ‘Father agreed, when I told him that I’d bought it. Said he didn’t want women stranded here with no transport, especially as I’m moving around a lot more these days.’
‘Gilbert, can you entertain Bette? I won’t be long. I just want to savour my independence and get used to driving the car before I take passengers.’
‘I love the shape and the open roof. It can fit four passengers, too,’ exclaimed Bette as Margaret took the key from Gilbert.
‘It’s been checked out, and it’s as sound as a bell. I had no trouble driving it here,’ said Gilbert. ‘So, Roland, we’ll leave early tomorrow morning for the meeting then?’
‘Yes. And thanks for bringing the car. Bette, make sure Margaret doesn’t drive too far until she’s familiar with it,’ said Roland.
‘She’s a good driver. What meeting are you going to?’ asked Bette. ‘Aren’t you going too, Margaret?’
‘I don’t think Margaret would be all that interested. My friends are telling me there is talk of Malays in the countryside aligning themselves with the communists,’ said Roland. ‘These communists are a loose, somewhat unstructured group and usually they have been in the big towns. Communist alliances in the countryside will destabilise the local communities and plantations, so there’s an extraordinary meeting of the Planters’ Association to see what can be done about it. With the war favourably affecting exports, we have to make sure that these communist groups don’t upset the applecart.’
Bette stared at Roland in alarm. ‘So it could be trouble for the plantation, then?’
‘I shouldn’t think so, but best to be on top of things,’ said Gilbert.
‘I still think we should have a few more precautions in place other than what the government here is doing,’ said Roland.
Gilbert wrapped his arm around Bette’s shoulder. ‘Keep smiling, Bette. Next time I come back what say we go into Taiping for a day, go to the pictures,