Part 7 (2/2)

'What sort of club is it?' asked Margaret.

'Basically, our neighbours and friends have a clubhouse, about half an hour's or so drive from here. We get together regularly for tennis and cards, tiffin, stengahs, that sort of thing. A break from the routine.'

'It's sounds fun,' said Margaret enthusiastically.

'It is, rather. Sometimes we also go to each other's plantations or have swimming parties. There's also a lodge in the hills we can use.'

'What's the lodge like?'

Roland smiled. 'Father built it years ago with some of his friends. Carved it out of the jungle. They built a very simple bungalow but it can sleep ten people or so if they want to stay over when they go out hunting. Wait till you see it.'

'Hunting animals, you mean? Like tigers? Deer? Pigs?'

He nodded. 'Yes, Father's a pretty good shot. Good fis.h.i.+ng in the headwaters, too.'

'It all sounds exciting,' said Margaret, pleased at the idea of socialising.

'Before we head back, I'd like to show you another rather special place. It's a bit a drive, I'm afraid.'

Margaret nodded. 'Lead on,' she said.

As Roland drove into the hills surrounding Utopia, Margaret looked down into the jungle-clad ravine. He pointed out landmarks and talked of how his father, Eugene, had come as a young man to establish a plantation in such rugged country.

'Tiger country. All kinds of wild animals used to come around at night. That's one reason why the houses are built on stilts. There weren't the roads, rough as they are, that are here now. I'll show you the lodge one day. It's basic, but quite an adventure. And it can be rather fun if we go with good friends.'

His voice was filled with enthusiasm and he sounded almost excited. Usually Roland was reserved but now she was seeing a different side to him. 'You sound like you enjoy that sort of thing. I don't think it's something ladies would care to do,' said Margaret rather primly. 'Hunting and roughing it, I mean.'

'My Lord, Margaret, my mother used to enjoy it. No airs and graces, a chance to look after ourselves as we only have basic staff and a couple of natives to help with the hunting. Some of the women are very good shots. You can see photographs of them in Father's study.'

Margaret didn't answer, but looked again at the wilderness around them, finding it difficult to comprehend that this was her new home.

Soon the jungle gave way again to the neat rows of rubber trees, and Roland drove to a rise and stopped the truck. From this spot the 360 degree view took in the great scope of Utopia. But what interested Margaret more was that up here, on the top of the hill so far from any civilisation, stood a small white church.

'What's the church here for? It's miles from anywhere. Who would come here for services?'

'My father built this for my mother, a sentimental gesture. It's for our family and friends to use on occasion. My mother always hoped I'd get married here.'

'Oh, for goodness' sake, I'm glad we didn't! No one would come way out here!' said Margaret. 'And who would conduct the ceremony?'

'The clergy come around regularly and conduct services here. Our neighbours come, as well.'

'It's a nice idea, I suppose, but I'm very glad we were married in KL,' said Margaret firmly.

'Come and have a look around,' said Roland. 'My father wants to be buried here. Mother is in England caring for her own parents but she'll eventually come back here to enjoy her final years with Father at Utopia.'

'Ugh. How morbid. Perhaps we should go and visit her in Kent. I'd love to meet her,' said Margaret.

'Let's settle into life out here first,' said Roland. 'And you have just been to Europe. Most people wait till a child or two arrives before making the pilgrimage back home.' His tone was final.

Margaret didn't reply as Roland went to open the little church door and show her inside. But a trip back to England to meet his mother sounded rather like a good idea. She was sure that she would be able to persuade him, eventually.

Within two weeks Margaret had settled into the plantation routine and had taken to running the household as a small fiefdom, as though she'd done it all her life. Roland slipped from bed while it was still dark to take the muster, leaving her to sleep until Ah Kit tapped on the door and brought her a tray with a pot of tea and a slice of bread and b.u.t.ter. While Margaret sipped her tea, hot water was brought in and poured into the water pitcher so that she could bathe in warm water. She found that in the hot and humid climate, she changed clothes several times a day, but whatever she dropped was picked up and returned fresh and ironed the next morning.

When Roland returned later in the morning their hot breakfast of toast, eggs, smoked fish or kedgeree and fruit was ready. He then bathed and changed and returned to work, reappearing after midday. Sometimes they lunched with Roland's father at the big house where they were seated in the dining room and served a three-course meal. Margaret paid attention to the menu so she could ask her cook to prepare similar dishes chicken a la king, steak and kidney pudding, mulligatawny soup. Sometimes there was a visitor pa.s.sing through and one day she was thrilled to see Dr Hamilton, who had called on Eugene before heading up-country.

'Have you heard from your lovely mother?' asked Dr Hamilton. 'We had a splendid time in KL while you were at Fraser's. I'm sorry I didn't get to see her before she left. Had a bit of an emergency at the hospital, if I remember correctly.'

'Mother is settling back in at home and sends her best wishes to you,' said Margaret.

'And how are you settling in, my dear?' asked the kindly doctor.

'Everything is wonderful. I feel very spoiled. I'm learning the household and other duties,' she answered.

'A tip, don't tread on the houseboy's toes, they like everything to remain status quo,' said the doctor. 'But you mustn't let the others think they can raid the larder either, if you know what I mean. There is always a bit of leniency, a closed eye here and there, which they consider their right and due, but if they think they can hoodwink you, they will.'

'Oh, Roland has taught me that and I'm not about to be taken advantage of, or thought of as a softie,' said Margaret firmly, and the doctor patted her shoulder.

'Excellent. You'll fit in marvellously. I'm looking forward to our tennis tournament. All meant to be fun, but those devils take it frightfully seriously. I'm the umpire.'

'That's at the Stevenson's place, isn't it,' said Margaret.

'Right. Jolly nice setup they have. Excellent court. Two weeks after your little boating extravaganza, I hear. Sorry I can't make that, have to get around the district, you know.'

Dearest Mother, Dad and Bette,Where has the time gone? Surprisingly the weeks have flown by and I thought I might find time hanging heavily on my hands. Far from it! Since I last wrote I feel I have settled into our bungalow and my trunks have arrived and been unpacked so I feel a lot more comfortable with some of my things around me. Roland and his father have been busy getting a s.h.i.+pment of rubber ready to send down to Singapore but we still find time to enjoy the best part of the day together a G & T for me and Roland's stengah on the verandah at sunset. Cookie makes delicious 'nibbles kechil' (that means small eats) and we share our news. Roland and his father have been busy getting a s.h.i.+pment of rubber ready to send down to Singapore but we still find time to enjoy the best part of the day together a G & T for me and Roland's stengah on the verandah at sunset. Cookie makes delicious 'nibbles kechil' (that means small eats) and we share our news. There was much excitement last Friday when a snake was found curled up around the Shanghai pitcher in the laundry. It was a huge thing, brightly coloured, and I believe quite dangerous. But the gardener dispatched it with a parang those lethal large knives they carry to clear the jungle. I do feel I am getting a little more used to the idea of wildlife being about, though in the rubber trees one sees mainly birds, but you hear the monkeys shrieking at night. Sometimes we go over to the big house for drinks and dinner with Roland's father and he does enjoy telling me stories of his hunting trips and has the trophies to prove it! The jungle is all around us so who knows what creatures could be lurking. While the plantation has been cut from mostly secondary jungle, I always have the feeling that if the plantation was not maintained and the jungle kept back, we'd be swallowed up in no time and who would know we were ever here? But of course I wouldn't say that to Roland. The Elliotts have worked so hard to establish Utopia. There was much excitement last Friday when a snake was found curled up around the Shanghai pitcher in the laundry. It was a huge thing, brightly coloured, and I believe quite dangerous. But the gardener dispatched it with a parang those lethal large knives they carry to clear the jungle. I do feel I am getting a little more used to the idea of wildlife being about, though in the rubber trees one sees mainly birds, but you hear the monkeys shrieking at night. Sometimes we go over to the big house for drinks and dinner with Roland's father and he does enjoy telling me stories of his hunting trips and has the trophies to prove it! The jungle is all around us so who knows what creatures could be lurking. While the plantation has been cut from mostly secondary jungle, I always have the feeling that if the plantation was not maintained and the jungle kept back, we'd be swallowed up in no time and who would know we were ever here? But of course I wouldn't say that to Roland. The Elliotts have worked so hard to establish Utopia.Hamid, my father-in-law's driver, has taken us into Slim River several times which is quite some distance away, an hour or more, but it's been very interesting to see this little town, which is very colourful and filled with stalls and local food places. Roland loves to eat the local snacks like murtabak, which is like an apple turnover but filled with spiced meat and egg with pickles and cuc.u.mber to accompany it. I ate a very tasty ikan baka a grilled local fish. As you can see I'm learning quite a few Malay words. The servants speak far too fast and sing-song for me at present, but I'm getting the hang of it!Roland knows of a wonderful waterfall and hot springs in the area, but he says that it's very difficult to get to them. I have even started a garden plan. When we visit other plantations such fun I come back with an armful of cuttings. Some of the gardens around the old established bungalows are very charming and things grow very quickly here. Our English friends are always amazed at how fast plants pop up. I have even started a garden plan. When we visit other plantations such fun I come back with an armful of cuttings. Some of the gardens around the old established bungalows are very charming and things grow very quickly here. Our English friends are always amazed at how fast plants pop up.Dr Hamilton stopped in for lunch last week and sent his best wishes. And I played tennis with the DO's wife, whom you met at my wedding and she asked to be remembered to you and hoped you and Father would take a trip here to see us in the not too distant future!Give Bette my congratulations on her exam results and her art cla.s.ses sound most intriguing.The houseboy has just brought me afternoon tea and truly exquisite scones. Cookie is a very deft baker! And no, I don't feel too spoiled as I'm doing my bit and Roland is very pleased that the house runs so smoothly. But I have to admit, I am getting very used to the luxury of help and having no nasty domestic ch.o.r.es at all to do! Don't forget the coloured b.u.t.tons to match that piece of material I sent you, please, Mother. There's an excellent tailor in Slim River and I'm having a light silk suit made for the races coming up. It will be a really big do in KL. Roland will combine it with business but we are looking forward to a few days in the city with friends.Signing off for now, Your affectionate daughter, Margaret Margaret wrote home weekly, in great detail, about her activities. But the next week her letter home had only one piece of exciting news she was expecting a baby.

4.

Port Swettenham, 1940 THE PORT WAS BUSY. Exports of rubber, copra, pine apples and wood from the large trading houses were swung in giant nets onto the decks of the cargo s.h.i.+ps. Incoming goods were offloaded. The pa.s.sengers on board the steamer from Singapore stood at the railing, watching the activity on the dock, seeking familiar faces as they waited for the gangplank to be raised and permission given to go ash.o.r.e.

Roland stood head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd on the dock, dressed in his high-collared, white suit. He waved to Margaret, who was holding their son Philip's hand as the two year old jumped up and down at the excitement of it all. Holding the boy's other hand was Margaret's sister, Bette.

Although there was a family resemblance, Bette differed from her sister in that she was shorter and curvier with long, thick hair which the breeze blew about her shoulders. Bette wore a sundress and looked younger than her twenty years. Margaret was wearing a smart suit and a small jaunty hat. Margaret usually tended to dress rather formally, especially since discovering the local tailor with his swathes of Indian silks and Egyptian fine cottons. She ordered fas.h.i.+on magazines that arrived regularly and designs from them were quickly copied by her tailor. Margaret acknowledged that she sometimes overdressed, but she felt that there was a standard to maintain in being Mrs Roland Elliott of Utopia plantation, especially as their busy social life seemed to demand an up-to-date wardrobe. It was an indulgence she said was justified and she rarely asked for anything for the house any more after an initial flurry of curtain and cus.h.i.+on making. Even the baby's room had been kept somewhat basic. Margaret, however, did not extend the same restraint to her garden, which she loved. She had designed it herself and made sure that it was attended each day by the gardener. It had started to look quite beautiful.

The gangplank was in place and Roland smiled as he watched his son drop his mother's hand and dart between adults, dragging Bette with him as he forged his way to the bottom.

Roland caught him and swung him high in the air. 'h.e.l.lo, young man. My, how you've grown! Did you miss your papa?'

In reply the little boy flung his arms around Roland's neck, squeezing him tight.

Roland held out his hand to Bette. 'Lovely to meet you, Bette. How was the trip?'

'Wonderful. I'm so excited to be here. I think Philip has missed you.' She turned to look for Margaret. 'I must help Margie. Goodness knows where our bags have gone.'

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