Part 35 (1/2)

'We've all been invited,' said Andrew.

'The Gideons' beach house? I'm looking forward to a swim in the sea,' said Bette.

'You might not find it ideal for swimming. But there are some nice spots. Personally I prefer swimming off the islands,' said Tony. He gave Bette a smile. 'I now feel I have a special project.'

'A project?' she asked.

'Yes. You. I'm going to show you some of my favourite places. And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it,' said Tony firmly.

Bette was surprised that the Gideons referred to their home as a beach house. It looked more like an English stately home with its gothic windows, a coat of arms above the entrance and stone lions standing on either side of the terrace that overlooked the coastline.

The Gideons' house party was really enjoyable, made more so for Bette because of Tony's company. They took long walks along the beach, sat by the pool, or just talked at length. Once Tony asked Bette when was she returning to Australia.

'I'm not sure. I haven't made a lot of plans and I left everything open ended.'

'Bette, when we go back to Penang I'd like you to visit my family home sometime, and meet my children. Would you come?'

Bette looked into his eyes and nodded. Tony leaned towards her as Bette's eyes closed, waiting for the touch of his lips on hers. A fuse had been ignited and Bette had no idea whether it would surge brightly and explode or simply fizzle out, but there was no stopping the consequences, nor did she want to do so.

By the time Tony drove Bette back to Penang and to the E&O Hotel at the end of the short holiday, there was an unspoken bond between them. The pa.s.sion between them was restrained. Bette didn't like to think too far ahead to the time when she'd be leaving Malaya. Now was the time to enjoy herself, not to wonder what her future held.

Tony courted Bette a.s.siduously. He arrived at her door at the hotel with gifts, sweets and flowers. He took her to lavish restaurants and clubs. When she said that she had no suitable clothes for such occasions, he insisted on buying her a beautiful gown to wear dancing. He drove her around the city in his Allard K2 sports car. She'd never ridden in a convertible before and she loved the red twoseater. Tony a.s.sured her that she could drive it any time she wished. Bette could never remember a more glorious time. He showed her the backstreets, the temples and the markets, and, wherever they went, Tony introduced her to his friends.

After a week he announced, 'You've met my friends, now I'd like you to meet my family. My mother-in-law has invited you to tea, with the children.'

Even after the Gideons' stately beach house at Batu Ferringhi, Bette was unprepared for the grandeur of the Tsang's large rose-hued mansion, set back from a wide boulevard amid formal gardens. Tony possessively took her arm as they approached the entrance and entered the elaborately carved front doors with coloured gla.s.s lanterns that hung on either side. Bette was aware of shadowy figures in the cool dark rooms and the sweet smell of incense. She heard children's laughter as Tony guided her into a large open-air courtyard surrounded by stone walls, where water splayed from a fountain as though it was dancing in the sunlight.

Two children came running towards them, abandoning their amah in her black trousers and starched white jacket. Everyone was smiling. The younger child, a girl of about ten, flung herself into her father's arms, the other, a young boy about Philip's age, smiled at Bette as Tony introduced her to them.

'This young man is Toby and the little miss is Connie.'

'I'm so pleased to meet you both,' said Bette. 'Thank you for having me to your house.'

'James and Eunice are both at boarding school in England. Toby will be heading there shortly, as well,' said Tony.

Both children greeted Bette warmly. Their manners were impeccable and any curiosity they had about their father's friend was carefully hidden, but Bette thought that they seemed to be kindly disposed towards her. Then she became aware of another woman walking slowly into the courtyard. She was dressed in a batik sarong topped by a richly patterned silk batik tunic fastened with carved b.u.t.tons and a jewelled clip. Her hair was pulled smoothly, tightly, into a bun, which was pinned with a jade ornament.

'Bette, I would like you to meet Madam Chang, my mother-in-law,' said Tony.

'Thank you for inviting me,' said Bette, taking the fingertips of the hand the older woman held out.

'You are welcome to the house of Tsang.' She turned and spoke swiftly in the baba patois of Malaya and Hokkien to the servants standing behind her. Then she said to Bette, 'Tea is ready upstairs.' Her English was clear and very precise. 'You are the first Australian lady we have had to tea.'

'I am honoured. What a beautiful house,' exclaimed Bette as the two women followed Tony and the children up the carved staircase.

'Tony's parents, his great uncle and grandfather have all added to the original home. There is a lot of history in this house,' said Madam Chang.

'Did you come to live here when Mai Ling married Tony?' asked Bette.

'Yes. I was a widow and I came to help Mai Ling with the children, and of course I stayed when Mai Ling was killed.'

They entered a pretty room with tall windows where a long table was set in a formal English style for afternoon tea. Chinese rugs, porcelain vases and dark carved furniture contrasted with the silver tea service and the gold-edged china. Jellies, cakes and delicate triangle sandwiches were spread along the table. Two amahs and a young nyonya house girl were there to serve them. When everyone was settled, Madam Chang lifted the large silver teapot and poured the golden tea into a fine bone china cup, which she handed to Bette.

Bette unfolded her linen napkin and caught Tony's eye as he gave her a warm smile. Soon she was relaxed and laughing as the children giggled and told stories about each other. Connie explained to Bette that she had just received her first bicycle, a dark green Raleigh. She couldn't ride it yet but after tea would Bette please come and watch her practise?

The time pa.s.sed quickly. When tea was over, they went outside into the garden and Connie showed Bette her bicycle. When Bette showed them that she could ride it, they all clapped in appreciation of her talents. While Bette had an idea of what the rest of the large house might be like and the treasures it contained, it was clear to her that, above all, it was a boisterous, happy family home.

'You were a big success. The children enjoyed you,' said Tony as he drove her back to the hotel.

'They are delightful, and a credit to you.'

'I must share your compliment with Madam Chang. She is very conscious of her position,' said Tony. Then he added, with a grin, 'But she is old now, and she would never have ridden that bicycle!'

'I hope it wasn't too unladylike!' joked Bette.

'No. And they want you to come again. Perhaps we could arrange an outing?'

'That would be lovely,' said Bette and she meant it. Despite the formality and opulence of the Tsang mansion, it was filled with laughter and a sense of cooperation. The atmosphere was very different from the mood at Utopia.

By now Bette was utterly in love with Tony Tsang, and it seemed that he was fascinated with her. But while their pa.s.sionate embraces held a promise of mutual longing, Tony made no moves to take things further.

Seeing Bette looking rather wistful and thoughtful one morning, Tony asked if everything was all right.

'I have a letter from my parents. They are concerned about my frittering away my time here. It seems Margaret has told them about my relations.h.i.+p with you.'

'And they disapprove. Do they say that our friends.h.i.+p would be inappropriate in your society?' asked Tony.

'No, not at all. They make no mention of anything like that. My father, however, is concerned about the communist insurgency and the news of attacks on Europeans. There seems to be a lot about it in the Australian newspapers,' said Bette. 'He wants me to come home before things get out of hand, as he puts it.'

'That's understandable,' said Tony calmly. 'Fathers worry about their daughters. Has he suggested that Margaret returns also?'

'I have no idea. I imagine that he is leaving the decision about what is best for her to her husband.'

'Then it's very clear what you should do, my sweet Bette.' As she gave him a curious look, he said, 'You must marry me so I will look after you.' He took her hand. 'I've been wanting to say this for some time. Would you marry me?'

Bette stared at the gentle, loving and humorous man she adored. She'd just loved being with him and tried to live for every moment they were together, not daring to think past each day. She had never dreamed that Tony would offer to be by her side for all the days of her life. But now that the words were there, hanging between them, she knew this was very right. And very wonderful. She flung her arms about him.

'Oh, yes, Tony. Yes, yes.'

13.

Penang, 1950 THE WEDDING WAS INTIMATE, fifty guests at a reception at the E&O Hotel following a ceremony in St George's church and then an offering at a Buddhist temple.

Tony had explained that traditionally, Straits Chinese weddings were hugely elaborate twelve-day celebrations.

'I don't expect to follow the baba custom,' said Bette. 'And your family may consider me to be an outsider.'