‘Would you like some tea, Mr Berry?’
‘That would be delightful, actually,’ Henry said, suddenly parched.
She nodded and disappeared, after giving orders to Marimuthu to go back to their father’s shop.
‘Er, wait, Master M,’ Henry said, when he realised the boy was leaving, clutching his precious sweets. ‘Thank you for your excellent navigation.’ He gave the lad three rupees. He knew it was a fortune to the boy but he liked him, liked the family.
The boy’s eyes lit up, his glance searching for his sister in fear that she’d make him return it. He stuffed the money into his shirt pocket. ‘Thank you, Mr Berry.’
Henry was left alone to glance around the room that he could swear still smelled of Jack’s cigarettes. Kanakammal returned not long after with a tray and all the accoutrements for an English tea.
Henry had been standing by the mantelpiece, admiring two grainy photos of Jack. In one he looked rather solemn but dapper in his suit; in the other he was grinning in shirtsleeves with an arm carelessly thrown over the shoulder of a man Henry recognised as Edward Sinclair.
‘Ah, Ned Sinclair. I feel almost responsible for their meeting. Jack and I were at my club when Harold Walker brought a newly arrived Ned from Rangoon. Um, you probably don’t know but I married his sister, Arabella, earlier this year?’
‘I hope you are very happy.’
He twitched. ‘Thank you. We are very happy.’
She nodded, said nothing.
‘I was very sorry to hear of Ned’s death, of course. And Bella is taking a long time to get over his loss.’
He watched her turn the pot of tea three times. Perhaps Jack taught her that old superstition. ‘It was a terrible day for all of us. He died on the day my husband left, the day of the terrible accident at Top Reef … and the telegram from England.’
‘So I heard. Jack told me, still in shock himself, although he and I haven’t spoken since he left.’
‘I have not heard from my husband, Mr Berry, and I am unable to write to him because I do not know where he is.’
Henry felt a twist of sadness in his gut for this beautiful woman.
‘I see. Perhaps I can give you his address?’
‘It has been a long time. He knows where to reach me if he wishes to,’ she said and he knew it was an admonishment, even though the words were not said unkindly.
It sat between them that Jack obviously had no intention of contacting her directly.
‘When is your baby due, Mrs Bryant?’
‘Nine days. It will be a son and you can tell his father that I will name him Charles Edward Bryant and I will keep his father’s image and memory strong in his mind.’
Henry swallowed. What a sad situation. ‘Er, I shall do that for you.’
‘Milk and sugar, Mr Berry?’
‘Just milk, please. Mrs Bryant, I owe you an apology. Jack gave me instructions the night before he left Bangalore and on the morning of his departure we visited a lawyer together to finalise his assets and business dealings in India.’
‘It seems then he knew he would not return,’ she said evenly.
‘I cannot say, Mrs Bryant. Jack was very distraught at that time. His thoughts were certainly with you and the child. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the names you’ve chosen.’
She nodded, and waited for him to continue.
‘Anyway, down to business,’ he said, brightly, covering his embarrassment on behalf of Jack. Henry opened the wallet of paperwork he had brought with him. ‘It’s really quite simple, Mrs Bryant. Jack has left all his money and all his assets in India to you and your child.’
When she said nothing, Henry took a nervous sip from his deliciously strong tea, and continued. ‘Um, let me give you a quick rundown of what that entails. There is this house, of course. There is a very large and beautiful home in Bangalore that is worth a fortune. He bought very well a year ago. There is a property in KGF – it says here it’s located at Funnell’s Hill. I hope that means something because I am not familiar with it.’
‘Yes, I know where that is.’
‘Good. Well, this property comprises a shop that has been fitted out and fully refurbished, as I understand it?’ He scanned his notes. ‘It’s ready to open its doors once stocked. Behind it is a small three-bedroomed house with a garden and some outbuildings. The house has been fitted with a newly attached kitchen and bathroom. So that property is complete and could be sold or rented.’
Again, she remained silent.
‘And then, of course, there’s the money.’ Henry cleared his throat. ‘It’s a sizeable sum, Mrs Bryant. I’ve written down the amount and it is in a bank in Bangalore. I can have that sent to you as you choose.’ He handed her a piece of paper.
Kanakammal took it and read the figure but showed no reaction. Henry wondered whether she fully understood what he had just told her. She was now a very wealthy woman.
‘Thank you, Mr Berry.’
‘Please call me Henry. I’m sure if we’d met when Jack was here, we’d have been good friends.’
She gave him a small smile and it made a dazzling difference to her countenance.
‘I have no need for such money or property.’
Henry smiled benignly, sipped his tea. ‘Oh, well, nevertheless, it is all yours to do with as you choose.’
‘May I ask for you to help me as you have helped my husband?’
‘Of course. I will be delighted to assist in any way that I can.’
‘Thank you, Henry. I would like you to sell this house,’ she said, looking around.
‘Really? But where will you live?’
‘My child and I will live in the house behind the shop. I think I will open my own store.’
‘Mrs Bryant, is this a little hasty? Perhaps you need some time?’
She shook her head. ‘I do not want to remain here. I shall move as soon as the baby is born. You may start whatever preparations you need to make to sell this house. Jack always said the mining company would pay a top price for it.’
Ah, Henry thought, so Mrs Bryant is thinking clearly. ‘All right, I shall make an approach to Taylor & Sons. And shall I deposit the proceeds into the bank account that has been opened in your name?’
‘No. The proceeds will be used to build a new school in KGF for the local children. I also wish for each family of the men who died in the accident that sent my husband away from me to be given a sum of money. I will leave it to you to work it out. I do not want that money to be traced back to me in any way, but I do not want the mine to take any glory from it either. The families must know that Mr Jack Bryant gave them this money, not out of guilt, but out of care.’
Henry was astonished. Momentarily lost for words, all he could do was nod.
‘Will you take care of this for me?’
‘Yes,’ he finally spluttered. ‘I’m sure I can arrange this.’
‘Then I am very grateful. There is one last task.’
‘Yes?’
‘The house in Bangalore you mentioned.’
He dreaded what was coming next. Jack had been so proud of this house. ‘Please don’t say I have to sell it,’ he said, surprising himself.
She smiled again and it touched his heart. ‘No. But again I have no wish or need for it in my life. And my son is well provided for.’
‘Well, you don’t have to decide now —’
‘I know exactly what I wish to do with it.’
‘Ah,’ he said, not entirely surprised any more.
‘I want you to sign it over to Mrs Iris Sinclair. Ned’s widow.’
It was too much for him. ‘Surely not. I mean —’
‘I insist. Although I don’t wish Jack to know, I think my husband would be very happy that she is living there.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘It’s … complicated, as they say,’ she said, folding her hands neatly across her swollen belly. ‘Perhaps you know that my husband was in love with this woman?’
&nbs
p; Henry’s tic spasmed and he began to make a blathering sound.
‘Please don’t be upset. I have always known this. With her husband dead, she has nowhere to live of her own, very little means other than Mr Sinclair’s pension, I imagine. I have more than I need.’
‘How do you know all of this?’
She smiled again. ‘I take an interest in her because of what she meant to Jack. But I must do so from a distance because she despises me.’
Henry rocked back in his chair. ‘And you want to give this woman part of your fortune?’
‘Jack loved her. He should have looked after her.’
Henry couldn’t fathom it. Was this young woman some sort of apparition? She certainly showed none of the traits he was used to in the women he knew. His own wife would probably need to have a lie-down once she heard this news, especially as he knew Bella had no time at all for Iris Sinclair. In fact, Bella had told him Iris was almost certainly having an affair with Jack Bryant when she was engaged to Ned.
He shook his head. ‘I suppose I can’t persuade you against this.’
‘She has a new baby and she’s living with her parents. I see her from a distance and she never looks happy. I think there are too many bad memories for her here – she lost everything that was meaningful to her in the space of a day and night. I have no need for a big house in Bangalore but perhaps Mrs Sinclair might thrive there. She was born and raised in Bangalore, as I understand it.’
‘And I suppose I’m not permitted to tell her where this gift has come from?’
Kanakammal flashed him a steely glare. ‘She is never to know that I have given this house. Tell her whatever you want, but my name is not to be mentioned.’
He nodded, resigned, took off his glasses, polished them, and put them back on again. ‘All right, if these are your instructions.’
‘They are. One more thing.’
‘Yes?’
Kanakammal rose, left the room and quickly returned with something in a handkerchief. The linen was monogrammed with Jack’s initials. She handed it to him. ‘Please also give her this.’
Henry opened the handkerchief to reveal a beautiful woman’s wristwatch. ‘Surely he gave this to you?’
She smiled. ‘I do not wear jewellery any more, Mr Berry. I have no need for it. She will cherish it. But please tell her it is a gift from Jack.’
He shook his head in disbelief.
‘I will carry out your instructions to the letter, but with your permission I will inform Jack of these details.’
‘You said it was my money and property to do with as I please?’
‘It is.’
‘Then my husband need not be informed of my decisions, other than the naming of our son.’
He nodded. She was absolutely right. ‘As you wish. Then I had better see Iris Sinclair immediately and inform her of this gift.’
‘Thank you.’ She smiled, a flash of wickedness in it that caught him off guard. ‘The money in the bank, of course, I shall keep.’ And after a brief pause, she laughed deeply and Henry delighted in her amusement. She’d understood everything, particularly that she was now a very rich woman.
48
Iris Sinclair sat across from the government man from Bombay. She frowned slightly, wondering whether he was showing signs of possessing a small tic; catching herself staring she was glad to be distracted momentarily by the servant who delivered her sleeping child back into her arms.
‘All clean?’ Iris said.
‘Yes, madam,’ the young woman said and disappeared.
Iris glanced shyly at Henry as she settled the dozing infant with its shock of thick dark hair into the crook of her elbow.
He was in a better position to admire her; the first time they’d met it had been so brief and she had appeared distracted, embarrassed even, and now he knew why. He hadn’t fully believed Bella’s claim that Jack and Iris were lovers, but the irresistible Kanakammal had confirmed it. She’d been so matter-of-fact, too; Henry was still in awe of her composure and her incredible generosity of spirit. He stared at the other woman in Jack’s life: Iris, painfully thin, exquisitely fragile and hauntingly beautiful with it.
Her sadness seemed to seep through her, from the tentative smile to the deep sorrow in her large, dark eyes. ‘My parents have been so good to me, to hire some extra help for the baby.’
‘He or she?’ Henry politely enquired.
‘She. I’ve called her Lily.’
‘Iris and Lily … a tiny bouquet,’ Henry said, pleased with himself.
Iris indulged him with a courteous smile and he cleared his throat. ‘So, Mr Berry —’
‘Henry, please.’
‘Henry,’ she nodded. ‘Let me organise some refreshment for you. It’s so rare that I have a visitor.’
‘Oh, I can’t believe that,’ he said, sounding jolly.
But her expression remained pensive and she bit her lip. ‘What I should have said is that I rarely accept visitors. I just can’t bring myself to make small talk, I’m afraid.’ She shook her head. ‘Forgive me. Tea or coffee, or perhaps you’d prefer a small sherry?’
‘Tea would be lovely,’ he replied, wishing his tic would settle and hoping he could manage to drink another cup of tea.
‘Sabu,’ she said, turning to the door.
‘I will organise it, madam,’ said the tall Indian who had been standing sentry by the door.
‘Thank you. And could you close the door, please?’ Iris smiled conspiratorially at Henry. ‘My mother uses Sabu as a spy. She’ll be desperate to know why you’re here, you see, but this way it remains between us.’
He smiled. ‘If you don’t normally receive visitors, why did you agree to see me, may I ask?’
‘Because you mentioned Jack.’
‘Ah, even the wretched man’s name opens women’s doors,’ Henry said, then wished he hadn’t. Iris’s expression only became more maudlin. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said softly.
She shook her head lightly. ‘So, is Jack all right, Henry?’ She sounded fearful.
‘Yes, yes, absolutely; from what I hear, he’s fine.’
‘We never did get to say goodbye, you see.’
‘I know. But as I understand it, he did try to see you.’
‘Yes. It was a traumatic time for all of us. I know my family had my best interests at heart, although I’m not sure I’ve fully forgiven them for not permitting him to say goodbye.’
‘I’m sure it was a terrible time for everyone.’
‘Jack has never written since, never made any contact, so this is a surprise.’
‘He left quite bereft.’
She stared at him. ‘So why are you here?’
He reached into his briefcase and withdrew a small sheaf of papers. ‘Do you recall the house in Bangalore that Jack bought last year?’
‘Yes, I remember it very well,’ she replied calmly, but he noticed her blush.
Henry sighed. This felt wrong but he couldn’t go against Kanakammal’s wishes. ‘Jack wants you to have the house. These are the deeds.’
She regarded him for half a minute, unmoving, but it felt like an eternity to Henry. ‘May I just check that I’ve understood you correctly? You’re telling me that Jack Bryant has asked for his house in Bangalore to be given to me?’
Henry was a poor liar. ‘Well, er, he knew that your husband’s passing would have made life difficult for you and the baby.’
Iris shook her head and Henry hated seeing her eyes beginning to water. ‘But, why would he do this?’
‘Surely because he cares about you?’
She looked suddenly broken. ‘It’s a glorious house, Henry; I think he wanted it to be a home, hear the sounds of a family in it. It was like his secret but he chose me to share it. We felt very close that day …’
‘I understand.’
‘Ned’s sister never did,’ she said sadly.
‘Iris, there’s something I should tell you. Do you remember I told Bella Sinclair that I’d pay her a vi
sit in Madras?’
‘I do.’
‘Well, I should tell you that Arabella Sinclair is now Mrs Henry Berry.’
‘What? Really? Good grief, Henry. You’ve taken my breath away.’
He laughed. ‘I can hardly believe it myself, sometimes. She is a lovely young woman and has fitted into Bombay life with surprising ease.’
‘I’d like to see her again some time.’
‘She has matured a lot in a year, Iris. And she was devastated by the loss of her brother. I think she would benefit from knowing she had a sister-in-law and larger family down here who cared about her.’
‘We do. Of course we do.’
‘Then I must bring you up to Bombay some time for a stay with us. Bring Lily. Bella would love it.’
Iris smiled and nodded. ‘That would please Ned,’ she said, her eyes misting over at the mention of his name. ‘Forgive me. It’s all still fresh.’
‘Again, please don’t apologise on my account.’
Sabu arrived with the tray. ‘I’ll do it, Sabu,’ Iris said.
The man moved his head from side to side and left silently, closing the door again.
Henry straightened as she leaned across to pour his tea. ‘So, may I take it you are happy to accept this gift?’
She pushed his cup and saucer forward, frowning. ‘Why doesn’t Jack sell it and keep the proceeds?’
‘His father was a wealthy man. From what I can gather he won’t be short of a penny. And this is what he wanted, even then.’
‘You mean he’s planned this gift since last year?’
‘It seems so,’ he said carefully.
‘And what about her?’
‘Her?’
‘The grasping Indian wife,’ Iris said, sudden bitterness lacing her tone.
Henry was stunned. ‘Er, do you mean Mrs Bryant?’
‘I hate her being called that,’ Iris said.
‘Why?’
‘I always thought Jack married her out of spite.’
‘Spite?’
She seemed to regret airing this thought, fiddling with her hair. ‘Jack fell out with Ned over our engagement.’
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