Part 8 (1/2)

'They'll be fine. Despite the apparent chaos, there is a system to all this. Hamid will sort out things. h.e.l.lo, my dear.' He untangled Philip and balanced him on his hip as Margaret caught up with them. He embraced Margaret and kissed her lightly on the mouth. 'Good trip? The boy was good?'

'Spoiled rotten. But everyone thought him splendid. It will be good to get him back into a routine at home, though. Three months in Brisbane was too long to be away. I certainly missed the amah's help,' she added. 'You've met Bette?'

'Yes. We can talk in the car. Hamid will get the luggage. Let's get out of this crush. This must be a bit overwhelming for you, Bette.' Roland led the way with Philip now riding on his shoulders.

'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 Suns.h.i.+ne. 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 have the same experiences?

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. 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 pa.s.sed.'

'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.'