A Painter in Penang: A Gripping Story of the Malayan Emergency

by Clare Flynn

  Jasmine was shaking, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I hate all this kind of thing. I don’t understand at all how adults behave. I feel stupid. I wish I were dead.’

  Evie jumped up and wrapped the girl in her arms, then drew her down to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. ‘Oh, darling, most adults don’t behave like that at all. Do I? Does Arthur?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mummy. When I saw how nice you were being to the Baxter chap I … well… I thought he was trying… and you were encouraging…oh, I feel so stupid. I’m so sorry. I feel a twit.’

  Evie gave her a squeeze. ‘You’re not a twit. Nor the least bit stupid. It’s very hard when you’re young to always see people in their true colours. Come to think of it, it can be hard for all of us at times. We can form a first impression and then end up revising it completely. It’s the same for everyone. When you’re older you sometimes get there a bit faster as you’ve met so many different people. You get better at reading the signs. But sometimes even we oldies get it wrong.’

  Jasmine pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose. ‘Sorry, Mummy. I didn’t want to quarrel with you. And I don’t think you’re old at all.’

  ‘No need to apologise.’ She stroked her daughter’s hair, tenderly. ‘But I’m interested to know what you thought of Lieutenant Ellis.’

  Jasmine gave a conspiratorial giggle. ‘I didn’t like him at all. I only danced with him because I was cross with you. He’s a creep.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘He has terrible bad breath. I was jolly relieved when you rescued me.’ Leaning her head against Evie’s shoulder, she said, ‘And I don’t want a boyfriend, Mummy. I don’t feel ready for that. And certainly not an old man like Lieutenant Ellis. Not anyone at all actually.’

  ‘Thank goodness for that.’ Evie beamed at her. ‘We are in accord, dear girl. Now, let’s get to bed.’

  * * *

  Lying in the dark of the cabin, Evie listened to the soft breathing of her sleeping daughter. It was a relief that the tension between them had broken and that Jasmine had no interest in the unpleasant army officer. By the sound of it, Howard Baxter wasn’t going to get very far either. And Evie certainly wasn’t about to encourage him in his pursuit of Jasmine.

  She didn’t know whether she ought to be offended or amused by Jasmine’s misapprehension that Evie was flirting with the rubber planter. Clearly the Grenville girl had been more aware of the behaviour of her notorious parents than Evie had previously supposed. Although Katy was in Britain now, perhaps it was no bad thing that Jasmine was removing herself from Nairobi and the goings on among some members of the sports club. She wished Arthur were here with her now to talk all this over and to take a firm hand with Jasmine’s admirers.

  Thank goodness there were only four more days to get through before the ship was due to dock at Penang.

  6

  It isn’t easy to avoid people when you’re on a ship. Not unless you hide out in your cabin all day and skip meals. Jasmine couldn’t do that – and anyway she loved sitting on deck, feeling the sting of salt on her cheeks and watching the ocean slip by beneath them. But she had managed to find a little hideaway where she could paint and draw undisturbed. It was a small deck at the stern of the ship, tucked behind the library and the writing room. Few people realised it was even there, tending to stick to the main promenade decks along the sides of the vessel. There was a wide ledge extending from the bulkhead, wide enough for her to sit on and set out her painting materials beside her. Partially shaded by an overhang, it was her quiet sheltered haven.

  Every day that brought her closer to Penang, the more she wanted to be there. Mummy was sweet and kind but she didn’t really understand the strength of Jasmine’s feelings. How Penang represented a warm cocoon that would wrap around her and protect her from all the things she didn’t want to confront. The things Katy had witnessed and then reported back to her to their mutual disgust. The things the other girls at school whispered and giggled about. The things that for a horrible twenty-four hours she had even thought her mother was getting up to with Howard Baxter, that big-headed, self-satisfied rubber planter.

  Penang was far removed from all these sordid concerns. Jasmine luxuriated in the thought of scything through the salt-water pool at the Swimming Club, sitting propped up against the trunk of a casuarina tree, toes in the warm sand of the beach as the waves caressed the shore. Or taking the funicular railway up Penang Hill and gazing out across the Straits of Malacca to the heights of Kedah Peak on the mainland. She imagined painting the scenery in changing light, her mind playing with the effect of light and shade as the sun made its slow progress across the sky.

  Right now, she was experimenting, creating an abstract impression of the sea and sky around her, using loose watercolour washes. She let the paint and water guide themselves and enjoyed the different effects the pressure of her hand on the brush caused, applying the paint in varying levels of intensity. Painting always helped clear her mind of the rubbish that crowded into it, erasing everything but the scene in front of her and the impact of each brush stroke. She’d read somewhere that art was a form of meditation, but as she’d never attempted to meditate, that comparison didn’t mean a lot to her. She preferred to describe it as an escape. When she painted, nothing could reach her, touch her, harm her. It was just her, the paper and the paint. Complete concentration on that and nothing else. It was all she needed.

  She turned her head slightly to watch a frigate bird soaring over the ocean on the starboard side of the ship. There was an illustrated book of birds in the ship’s library that she’d happened to look at earlier so she knew from the large white flash on its breast that this was a female. Entranced, she watched the elegant bird glide on her long, narrow, outstretched wings, deep forked tail behind her, its two prongs opening and closing to help her steer the course. The bird swooped to snatch a flying fish as it broke through the surface of the water, soaring skywards to eat it in flight.

  ‘They don’t dive under for the fish. They’re not great swimmers.’

  Jasmine twisted round as Howard Baxter eased himself onto the ledge beside her.

  ‘Lucky for them there are plenty of flying fish and squid on the surface, otherwise they’d starve. Lazy creatures.’ He looked at her and smiled. ‘You’ve found a good spot here.’

  Jasmine glared at him, anger bubbling inside her. How dare he invade her special private territory? How dare he sit down uninvited and spoil her afternoon? She said nothing. Maybe if she ignored him, he’d give up and go away.

  ‘Your mother told me you love painting. May I have a look?’ He edged closer to her.

  She snapped the cover closed over her block of paper. ‘No. I don’t like people seeing my work. And anyway, it’s not finished.’

  ‘What’s the point of doing it if no one gets to see it?’

  ‘It’s for me.’

  He seemed to accept that and nodded. ‘Well, if you ever change your mind I’d love to have a look. Mrs Leighton says you’re very talented.’

  Jasmine grunted. Why didn’t he go away and leave her in peace?

  Howard leaned back against the bulkhead, legs stretched out in front of him. He was wearing shorts and she could see the dark hairs against his tanned skin. She shuddered and turned away to look for the frigatebird, but it had gone.

  ‘We’ve got off on the wrong foot, haven’t we?’ He balanced one heel on top of the toe of his other foot. ‘I must have said something to upset you. I’m a bit of a clod that way. I’ve tried to think what it was but I can’t come up with anything, so I hope you’ll forgive me anyway.’

  ‘There’s no point in forgiving you for something you don’t even know you’ve done. And I don’t either so we might as well forget it.’

  His face broke into a wide grin. ‘That’s good news. I can’t believe my luck in running into you in Colombo. I’ll have the chance to get to know you by the time we get to Penang. And then–’

  ‘And then we’ll say goodbye,’ she said firmly. ‘As I’m
going to do now. I have to…’ She tried to think of an excuse for leaving.

  ‘Have to what? It’s hours before dinner. And I have no intention of saying goodbye when we get to Penang. Didn’t your mother tell you? I’m going to be working on one of your father’s estates.’

  ‘My father is dead.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry about that.’

  ‘So, it’s not his estate anymore.’

  ‘I know that too. It belongs to Guthrie’s now. I’m going to be working for them.’

  ‘So? What’s that got to do with me?’

  He pondered. ‘Well nothing, I suppose, when you put it like that. I really have upset you, haven’t I?’

  ‘It’s not you. I like being on my own. I’m not fond of conversation. Particularly with people I don’t even know.’

  ‘Exactly. That’s why we have to get to know each other. Then I can make sure I can protect you from all the other chaps who want to get to know you. I can be your personal anti-pester protection.’ He shot her another broad grin.

  Jasmine stared at him. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  ‘I mean that army fellow on our table. Absolute slime ball. And you must have noticed all the other Guthrie chaps, eyeing you up whenever you walk into a room.’

  Jasmine’s mouth felt dry. ‘That’s not true.’

  ‘Of course, it is. I should know.’

  ‘Why? Why should you know?’

  He gave a dry laugh. ‘Because I can’t keep my eyes off you for a moment either. When anyone else looks at you, my natural instinct is to jump up and knock his block off. Last night, when Lieutenant Slimeball was dancing with you I’d have dragged him off you if it hadn’t been for your ma stepping in and wresting you from his clutches.’ He turned to look at her, his eyes smiling.

  ‘You’re mad,’ she said, simply.

  ‘Mad about you.’

  Jasmine laughed. ‘Well, I’m sorry to hear that, as there’s nothing I can do to help you. I’m not in the least bit interested in you, Howard Baxter. In fact I’m not interested in boys at all. Now, if you won’t stop pestering me, I’m going back to my cabin.’

  He raised his hands. ‘Don’t do that. I’ll shut up. Why don’t I go over there so you can get on with your painting in peace? I promise I won’t breathe a word.’ He got to his feet and strode across the small deck area and took up a position opposite, his back to the ocean and his eyes on her.

  ‘I can’t concentrate if you’re going to stand there watching me.’ She sighed in irritation. ‘Look, can’t you go and find something to do? Watch the birds. Look for dolphins. Anything. Only stop looking at me.’

  His lips tightened but he did as she said, turning to lean against the white metal railings and staring out across the blue expanse of ocean.

  Jasmine picked up her pad, but the paint had dried before she could finish the idea she’d been exploring. Turning the paper over, she reached instead for a piece of charcoal and began to sketch the outline of Howard Baxter. She drew the stick over the paper, using broad bold strokes to capture the angles of his body as it bent forward, the back of his head and his shock of unruly hair, his broad shoulders. He was an ideal model, barely moving, his body tall, muscular under his cotton shirt and his bare tanned legs shapely below khaki shorts. It was like drawing a Greek statue. Only Greek statues didn’t try to talk to you or tell you they couldn’t keep their eyes off you.

  Gradually, Jasmine began to relax, seeing Howard only as a collection of shapes she needed to bring to life on the paper. She forgot the way he had intruded on her and instead lost herself, as she always did, in the pleasure of creating something from nothing by making marks on a blank sheet of paper.

  Her concentration was broken when she heard a match strike. A soft plume of smoke spiralled into the air above his head and she heard him draw the smoke down into his lungs. ‘You don’t mind, do you? Would you like one?’

  ‘No. It’s a filthy habit.’

  He pulled the barely smoked cigarette from his mouth and flung it out to sea. ‘I’d been looking for an excuse to stop.’

  Jasmine gave a little gasp. ‘Seriously? You’re going to give up smoking because I said I don’t like it?’

  ‘Of course.’ He turned to face her. ‘There are enough reasons you’ve decided to dislike me without me adding to them. I can’t change how I look or who I am, but I can change something like that.’

  She pushed her hair back from her brow and stared at him. ‘I don’t get it.’

  ‘It’s quite simple. I’m nuts about you.’

  Jasmine spluttered in disbelief. ‘Please stop it. You’re giving me the creeps. You don’t even know me.’

  ‘I feel as if I always have.’

  ‘I’m only sixteen.’

  He began to hum a tune, his eyes still on her.

  ‘What’s that?’

  An old song that became popular again last year when I was doing my National Service. It was on the radio all the time. Perry Como sang it. When You Were Sweet Sixteen.’ Howard began to hum the tune again, occasionally adding words where he remembered them. ‘I’ll get a copy of the record for you. I imagine you’ll have a gramophone where you’re staying?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, but please don’t.’

  ‘Well, I shall certainly buy it for myself and play it until it’s worn out, while I think of you.’

  She rolled her eyes.

  ‘Have I mentioned that I love your name too? It’s so perfect for you. A fragrant flower of the east.’

  ‘Now you sound really corny.’

  ‘Another thing wrong with me. I’m compiling a list. I’ll tackle them one by one until I’ve removed all the obstacles and worn down your resistance. Corny is going to be a tough one though. How will I stop sounding corny when I talk about you? I’ll have to think about that one.’

  He pulled himself up to sit, perched on top of the guard rail.

  ‘Be careful!’ she cried. ‘If you lose your balance you’ll end up in the ocean.’

  ‘So you do care? You’d mind if I fell in the sea?’ He swung his legs up under him and slowly, arms outstretched, rose to stand balanced on the narrow wooden top of the rail.

  Jasmine dropped her charcoal. ‘Stop it! Get down before you kill yourself. I’d mind if anyone fell in the sea. Even Lieutenant Slimeball.’

  He leapt off athletically and landed safely on the deck, arms outstretched and took a bow. ‘You are looking at the former three times champion of the English Inter-schools’ Gymnastics Competition. Haven’t done that in a while but I’m glad to see my balance is still as good.’ He came and sat down again beside her on the ledge. ‘And I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you think Ellis is a slime ball too.’ He grinned at her, then took a large white handkerchief out of the pocket of his shorts and gently rubbed her forehead with it. ‘You’ve got charcoal all over your face.’

  Jasmine felt the blood rush to her cheeks. ‘I’m always doing that. Comes from pushing my hair back. Mummy gets cross with me.’

  ‘Well, I promise I never will. I think it looks quite charming, actually. It shows how absorbed in your art you are. I’ll be sure to always have a clean handkerchief on me so I can save you from walking into a crowded room looking like a coalminer.’

  Jasmine felt herself smiling, then her annoyance resurfaced. ‘You think you know everything, don’t you? Well I find you too clever by half. Now I am going below.’ She gathered up her art materials and stuffed them into the leather satchel she used to carry them around. ‘I suppose I’ll see you at dinner.’

  He reached for her wrist and held it. ‘Please sit next to me tonight, Jasmine. I don’t want you near that snake of a man.’

  She didn’t reply. Removing herself from his grip, she jerked open the door to the companionway and walked quickly away.

  * * *

  While dressing for dinner, Jasmine told her mother an edited version of her encounter with Howard Baxter that afternoon.

  ‘I’ve n
ever been so embarrassed in my life. Do you think he’s playing a joke on me? Because if so I don’t find it very funny.’

  Evie sighed. ‘I don’t think it’s a joke. All he ever wants to talk to me about is you.’

  ‘What?’ Jasmine was aghast. ‘He told you he has a crush on me?’

  Evie nodded. ‘I’ve tried to explain to him that you’re too young to be thinking about a boyfriend but he won’t be discouraged. You’ve become an obsession for him.’ She put down her hairbrush. ‘And to be honest I’d rather a nice young man like him has a crush on you, then that creepy Lieutenant Ellis. But don’t worry, darling, in a couple of days we’ll be off the ship and you can forget all about him. It’s most unlikely you’ll run into him in Penang. Especially since he’s over on the mainland.’

  ‘I feel stupid. I can’t understand why he says all that stuff. I don’t like it at all.’

  Evie put her arms around her daughter. ‘I’m sure he’s the first in a long line of handsome young men who will be desperate to gain your affection.’ She smiled, but it was a sad smile. ‘My little girl is growing up. And I must say you look beautiful tonight.’ She stepped back and looked at Jasmine, who was dressed in a pale pink silk gown.

  ‘I don’t want to grow up. And I don’t ever want to have a boyfriend.’

  ‘One day you will. When you meet the right person. But you’re still very young. I didn’t marry your father until I was twenty-seven. You don’t even need to think about all that kind of thing right now. Howard Baxter is much older than you. When men get to his age all they want to do is find a nice girl and settle down with her.’ Evie opened her jewellery case and put on a pair of pearl earrings to match her necklace. ‘That young man will soon find a girl nearer his own age and will be married before you know it. Once he’s got his first manager’s job.’