Part 11 (1/2)

Bette had by now become known to many of the plantation workers as she took her drawing book into the avenues of rubber trees to sketch scenes and people. Margaret thought Bette's fascination with the workers odd but, nevertheless, she supplied her sister with clothes to protect her from the mosquitoes. Bette drew the tappers working and sometimes walked back with them through the rubber trees to their kampongs. She had also started doing a series of sketches of two pretty Indian women tappers.

She had initially befriended one of the young women after she'd watched her packing up her bicycle at the edge of the section near a little roadside altar. Bette studied her carefully as the woman removed her long-sleeved cotton jacket, gloves and her hat and, finally, unwound the scarf from about her head, revealing her pretty face. The girl then gave another female worker a ride home on her bicycle and the two smiled and nodded at Bette, chattering and giggling as they headed back to their kampong on the wobbly old bicycle. The next day Bette asked the women if she could sketch them and they agreed.

When she showed the sketches of the two women to Margaret and Roland, both had to admit that Bette's work was enchanting and that she'd captured the life of the plantation workers very well. So one morning when Margaret asked her if she wanted to go into Slim River with her in the Baby Austin, Bette, who was getting ready to go and sketch, said, 'Can you manage without me? I really want to finish these sketches of the two Indian girls.'

'I can't imagine why you want to draw them. It's so muggy and bug-ridden down there,' said Margaret. 'I'll be back just after lunch. Philip is with Ah Min.'

'I'll make sure I'm back in time to have lunch with him,' said Bette.

Margaret waved happily to Bette as she sailed off in her beautiful Austin Tourer, enjoying her new found independence and feeling that life was just wonderful.

Several hours later, Margaret awoke in what was clearly a hospital bed with her anxious sister sitting beside her.

'Oh, Margaret, thank heavens you've woken up. You have given us such a fright.'

'What happened? Where am I?'

'You're in the hospital at Tanjong Malim and you've broken your leg rather badly, I'm afraid.'

'Where's Roland? Is Philip all right?'

'Roland's on his way back from KL. He won't be long, and I left Philip with his amah. He's fine.'

'How did you find me?'

'That's a bit of a story. When you hadn't returned by mid afternoon, I began to worry. Roland and Eugene were in Kuala Lumpur and while I thought you might have got delayed shopping or run into a friend, I decided to go over to Mr Elliott's place and see Ho, who I thought was the most senior person left on the estate. When I told him that I was worried, he looked very concerned.

'”Mem, maybe mem Elliott had accident.” I thought this was a bit dramatic, but it wouldn't hurt to check, so I rang the police station at the district headquarters.'

'So you spoke to Alan Williams, the police commander, did you?'

'No, he wasn't there, so things got a bit more complicated and it took a while to speak to someone who understood what I was saying. Eventually, with Ho's help, I managed to explain to him that I was worried about you and he grasped what I was saying. He then asked me if I was coming there and I said, no I was just looking for you. Had he heard if you had broken down? But he kept on insisting that I had to come there. Finally he said, ”Mem, you must come at once. Mem's car, it run into bad buffalo and fall over. Mem, she go to hospital in Tanjong Malim.”'

'So how did you get here? There's only the Bedford truck left, and no one can drive that.'

'Yes, I found that out when I asked Ho. He a.s.sured me that only Roland, Eugene and Hamid could drive it. But I can drive, so I collected some toiletries and a change of clothes for you, made sure Ah Kit understood what was going on. I spoke to Ah Min and gave Philip a hug and told him that I was going to see his mummy and that he was to be a good boy and I'd be back soon. I have to say that truck is very difficult to drive. I don't think the gears work very well, but here I am. Tell me what happened to you, if you're up to it.'

The hospital halls echoed, rubber-soled shoes squeaked and there was the unmistakable smell of disinfectant. Margaret's leg was in traction and there was a bandage around her head, but she managed to smile wanly at her sister.

'I don't really know. I was happily driving along, past a kampong, when a great water buffalo seemed to leap out at me and the next thing I know, I'm here. How's my beautiful little car?'

Just then one of the doctors walked into the room.

'Is she all right? Doctor, this is my sister, how is she?' asked Bette anxiously.

'I'm Dr Singh, I'm afraid your sister has a very badly broken leg and a fractured ankle.'

'Why has she a bandage on her head?' asked Bette nervously, stroking Margaret's hand.

'She hit her head on the windscreen and she has some cuts, which have required some st.i.tches, but they are not serious.' He smiled at Margaret. 'You are very lucky, Mrs Elliott. Your injuries could have been much worse.'

Roland and Eugene arrived at the hospital later.

'I shouldn't have let you talk me into that car. I feel that this is all my fault.'

'Don't be silly, Roland,' said Margaret. 'It was the stupid buffalo. I'll be all right.'

Roland called in another doctor from Kuala Lumpur for a second opinion. He was a.s.sured that Dr Singh had done all the right things but that Margaret would have to spend quite some time in the hospital in traction.

As Margaret grew stronger there was a constant stream of visitors who brought food, champagne, flowers and chocolates along with magazines newly arrived from Australia.

Philip visited frequently and was fascinated by the contraption suspending his mother's leg. Margaret was glad she'd joined the KL Book Club, as she now had time to read while trapped in bed. The hospital was clean and well run and the staff were friendly and seemed to Margaret to be fairly capable. Her private room was basic, with just a large fan and shuttered windows that overlooked a garden, and she was very bored.

After several weeks Margaret was well enough to go home, but she was still in plaster and she could only just manage to move on crutches. She had a long list of instructions from Dr Singh about rest and not overdoing things. While she was pleased to return to the plantation, she found everything difficult and told Bette that she felt clumsy, awkward and ugly.

'Nonsense, Margie. You're managing very well. And thank goodness you have your amah, the houseboy and so many people to help you! Imagine if this had happened when you and Philip were in Brisbane!' said Bette.

Margaret grabbed Bette's hand. 'It's still hard. I need you around to help me, Bette. I hate this. I feel like an old lady. I'm bored, too. I can't play tennis and it's so hard to get around anywhere. I can't even get to the club. You must stay on. You're so good with Philip. Roland is away so much these days. All this war talk is driving me silly. Come on, entertain me, let's play cards.'

'Well, you know my ticket's booked to go home next month,' said Bette, but seeing Margaret's anguished and pleading expression, she added, 'I'll speak to Roland. Father and Mother might be disappointed, but I'm sure they'd want me to stay and help out.' She patted her sister's hand.

Margaret lay her head against the back of the rattan chair on the verandah, her leg on an ottoman, her eyes closed, looking pained. 'Thank you, Bette. It's not as if you have anything pressing back at home, anyway.'

Roland was grateful to Bette when she told him she would stay on at Margaret's request and would postpone her journey home.

'Margaret needs a lot of attention while she is still incapacitated, Bette. I will send a telegram to your parents, to let them know your change of plan. We should follow it up with a letter to tell them not to worry about Margaret. Anyway, I think your father will be relieved that his daughters are sitting out these troubles in a peaceful place like Utopia.'

Margaret was pleased and seemed to cheer up once she was sure Bette was staying. She gave her a bright smile. 'And staying on will give you a chance to see more of Gilbert, won't it?'

5.

Brisbane, 2009 IT WAS SUNNY AND clear, with just enough breeze to keep things cool for the crowd who swelled and then lingered at the fundraising fete run by the Campaign Against the Bypa.s.s Committee. Julie and her mother watched from the front verandah of their home, where tables and chairs were set for tea, scones and cakes. At the bottom of the front steps, under a shady awning, was a small bar where cold drinks were sold. Dotted all around the garden under colourful umbrellas were stalls selling everything from home-made jams and pickles to craft items, plants, a white elephant stall, books and odds and ends. Scattered throughout the garden were games such as hoopla, lucky dips, a chocolate wheel and a mini fun fair. clear, with just enough breeze to keep things cool for the crowd who swelled and then lingered at the fundraising fete run by the Campaign Against the Bypa.s.s Committee. Julie and her mother watched from the front verandah of their home, where tables and chairs were set for tea, scones and cakes. At the bottom of the front steps, under a shady awning, was a small bar where cold drinks were sold. Dotted all around the garden under colourful umbrellas were stalls selling everything from home-made jams and pickles to craft items, plants, a white elephant stall, books and odds and ends. Scattered throughout the garden were games such as hoopla, lucky dips, a chocolate wheel and a mini fun fair.

Julie was amazed at the transformation of her mother's garden. A whole team of neighbours and friends had come together for this day, which would be the start of many events to raise money for a serious cause to stop the council wiping out an area of beautiful old homes. But despite the seriousness of the purpose, the atmosphere was light-hearted, as though everyone had come to a party.

'The more money we can put in the kitty to fight the council, the better,' said Caroline.

'The more people that come and see what a special place this is, the better too, I suppose,' said Julie. 'Not just our house, but the whole area. Then they'll understand why it's so important to preserve it.'

Caroline gave her daughter a big smile. 'I'd better go, it's my turn to man the chocolate wheel. Have you heard about that fortune teller? Her tent has quite a queue now!'

'Fortune teller? That's Mrs G.o.dden from the pharmacy,' said Julie.

Caroline shrugged. 'Maybe, but people are saying it's uncanny what she knows.'

'Perhaps I should see her and find out what's going to happen with the council. Could save a lot of time and effort.'