The Pearl of Penang

by Clare Flynn

  Jasmine snorted in disgust. ‘I won’t wet my knickers. Only babies do that.’

  ‘Of course you won’t. You’re far too grown up.’ Keen to keep this tentative conversation flowing, she added, ‘But even grown-ups can get scared sometimes.’

  ‘Do you get scared?’

  ‘A bit.’

  ‘What of?’

  ‘Oh, lots of things. Coming to live here in a new country. Meeting new people. Being so far away from home and everyone I know.’

  ‘Where’s your mummy and daddy?’

  Evie bit her lip. ‘My mummy lives far away in America and Daddy’s in heaven.’

  ‘That’s where Mummy is. She went to live there with the angels when I was a baby. Maybe she knows your daddy.’

  ‘I’m sure she does.’

  The little girl’s face was solemn. ‘I suppose you’ll go and live there too, won’t you? And Daddy. I’ll be all on my own with just Aunty Mimi and Benny and Cookie.’

  In the driver’s mirror Evie could see that Benny was smiling. She felt a rush of affection for the child that took her by surprise. ‘No, Jasmine, I have no intention of going to live in heaven. At least not until I’m very, very old, and that’s a long time away. And your daddy. He’s not going to leave you.’

  ‘So, why did my mummy go? Didn’t she like me?’

  Evie laid her hand gently on the seven-year-old’s arm. ‘I’m sure your mummy loved you very much.’

  ‘Why didn’t she take me with her to heaven?’

  ‘Your mummy only went to heaven because she got sick. You’re not going to get sick. Your mummy would want you to have a long and happy life, until one day in many, many years when you’re a very old lady you’ll meet her again when you go to heaven.’

  ‘How old?’

  ‘Very, very old. Maybe eighty or ninety.’

  ‘Or a hundred?’

  Evie smiled. ‘Yes, probably a hundred.’

  ‘My mummy used to cry all the time. She didn’t want to play with me. She was mean.’ Jasmine’s lips were trembling and her eyes threatened tears.

  Pulling the little girl against her chest, Evie said, ‘I promise I won’t be like that. I’d love to play with you and I promise not to be mean.’ She hesitated, circumspection battling with honesty, then decided honesty should prevail. ‘My mummy was often mean to me too, so I know how horrid that is. And I don’t have any friends here in Penang, so I’d be really pleased if you’d be my friend.’

  Jasmine considered for a moment, before saying, ‘But I don’t want to call you mummy.’

  ‘Then why don’t you call me Aunty Evie?’ She held out her hand.

  The child put out her own small one and they shook. As they sealed their new friendship, the car glided to a stop in front of a large white building surrounded by palm trees. Benny walked round and opened the door. Evie got out, offering her hand to help Jasmine. ‘Come on,’ she said, ‘Let’s go and see what this place is like. Please wait for me, Benny. I’m going to talk to Jasmine’s teacher.’

  Jasmine’s new teacher was a smiling redhead with a freckled face and warm eyes. She bent her knees and squatted in front of the little girl. ‘Pleased to meet you, Jasmine. I’m Miss Helston.’ Standing up, she addressed Evie. ‘And pleased to meet you too, Mrs Barrington.’ They shook hands, then the teacher called to a girl around Jasmine’s age. ‘Penny, this is your new classmate, Jasmine. Please take her and show her the playground. Don’t forget to introduce her to the other children before Assembly.’ Penny took Jasmine’s hand and the two small girls slipped away. Miss Helston sighed. ‘Children are so accepting of each other at that age. Don’t worry about your little girl, she’s in good hands here. Do you have a few minutes?’

  ‘As long as you need. That’s why I’m here.’

  The woman looked relieved. ‘I’m so glad you came. Mr Barrington told the head that Jasmine would be brought here by your syce, but I so much prefer to meet the parents. Let’s sit down over here in the shade. I have about fifteen minutes before I’m expected at Assembly.’ She gestured towards a wooden bench under a jacaranda tree. ‘Please tell me about Jasmine. I understand she’s been boarding at the convent in Butterworth?’ Her face was puzzled.

  Evie felt herself starting to blush. It was embarrassing explaining her circumstances. ‘Jasmine’s mother died some years ago. Her father thought she’d do better being cared for by the nuns. He’s a rubber planter and his work is very demanding of his time.’

  Miss Helston was listening intently. ‘Yes, I know Mr Barrington.’

  ‘He and I have only just married.’ She hesitated, the blush intensifying. ‘Yesterday in fact.’

  ‘Oh, my goodness. How terrific! Congratulations.’ Miss Helston’s smile was generous and genuine. ‘I’d no idea.’

  ‘I’ve only been in Penang a couple of weeks so I’m still feeling my way. And I’m afraid I know little of Jasmine. She’s frightfully shy and I’m trying to gain her trust.’

  ‘Poor mite! Don’t worry.’ The young woman seemed to sense Evie’s discomfort. ‘She’ll be fine. Children at the school often come and go as their parents get posted elsewhere. Some are only here for a while before they’re packed off to board back in Britain or up in the Cameron Hills. Have you recently arrived from England yourself?’

  Evie nodded. ‘My first time out of the country. Well, apart from France.’

  ‘It must be a bit of a culture shock. I’m British too, of course. Here since I was a small child and I’ve never been back. My father works for the Hong Kong Shanghai bank. Maybe one day I’ll get a chance to see England again.’ She laughed. ‘But enough about me. Let’s talk about Jasmine.’

  Evie flushed. ‘I’m sorry but there’s nothing else I can add.’ Deciding to tell the truth she said, ’To be honest, Miss Helston, just now in the car is the first time I’ve managed to get so much as a word out of her. I imagine her mother’s death was difficult for her and … well, she’s unsure about me and my relationship with her father.’ Jasmine was not the only one unsure about that.

  ‘Understandable. Don’t you worry. She’ll soon come out of her shell. It’s a very friendly school.’ She twisted round to face Evie fully. ‘Look, why don’t you come to tea one day at our house? I can tell you about Penang and let you know how Jasmine’s settling in. How about next week? Thursday at four?’ She told her the address.

  ‘That would be lovely. The syce can drop me off after he’s picked Jasmine up.’

  ‘Bring her too. One of the other girls in her class lives next door to us. They can play together while we chat.’

  ‘That sounds wonderful.’

  ‘See you on Thursday.’ Miss Helston hurried away into the school building.

  As Evie walked back to the waiting car a weight lifted from her shoulders. A friendly face. A warm person. A similar age to her. So different from those witches at the club. She sent up a silent prayer that maybe she had found a friend.

  Returning to the house, Evie found Veronica Leighton waiting for her. Wearing beige linen ‘pyjama’ trousers, her silk blouse emphasised her small frame and the fashionable lack of breasts. As always in encounters with Veronica, Evie immediately felt ungainly in her faded cotton frock, and oversized with her ample bosom. To her irritation her guest behaved as the hostess, summoning Aunty Mimi to bring them lime juices with soda in the garden. Evie smarted, but decided to rein back her annoyance until she knew what Veronica wanted.

  Expecting some kind of excuse or apology for the sniping gossip she’d overheard in the ladies’ powder room, Evie should have realised by now that wasn’t Veronica’s style. Indeed it was hard to imagine her ever asking forgiveness of anyone for anything.

  Mrs Leighton draped herself over one of the large wicker garden chairs, took out a fan and gave a long sigh. ‘It’s always so damned clammy compared to Africa. I’ll never get used to it. One needs to change clothes at least four or five times a day. Such a bore.’

  Evie said nothing, waiting to find out
why Veronica was here.

  ‘The old crow in there said you’d taken the child to school this morning.’ She gestured towards the house. ‘What on earth possessed you?’ She took a silver case from her handbag, snapped it open, removed a cigarette from under the retaining bar, screwed it into her lacquer holder but didn’t light it.

  ‘I wanted to be with Jasmine on her first day. It’s daunting starting a new school.’

  Veronica’s expression was disbelief. ‘She’s a child, Evie. That’s what they do. Go to school. You shouldn’t be doing anything so tedious as that. It’s what the servants are for.’

  ‘But I’m Jasmine’s step-mother–’

  ‘Exactly! You’re not even her own mother.’ She leaned forward. ‘My advice, darling – don’t try too hard. You don’t want to seem desperate. Kids sense these things and take advantage. God! Children are so boring. Much better to keep the girl at arm’s length. When she’s older and ready to enter society it might actually become more interesting. You know, helping her choose clothes. Dishing out the advice.’ She paused. ‘But I am Jasmine’s godmother, so I’m probably better placed to do all that.’ Her mouth formed a smile that could only be intended to patronise.

  Evie was saved from delivering a response by the arrival of Aunty Mimi bearing a tray. Once the drinks were served, Evie asked, ‘What brings you here this morning? You must have lots more interesting things to do.’

  Veronica acknowledged the evident sarcasm with a half smile. ‘I wanted to see how you’re doing, darling. Check you’re all right. You left early last night. And old Dougie was a few sheets in the wind. Arthur had to take him for a swim to sober him up.’

  Evie sipped her coffee, holding back from a reply.

  Undaunted, Veronica pressed on. ‘Aunty Mimi tells me he headed back to the estate before dawn this morning.’ Her eyes widened in feigned concern as she stretched a hand out and touched Evie’s arm lightly. ‘I do hope everything’s all right between you?’

  ‘Perfectly fine.’ She tried to inject an airy nonchalance into her voice. ‘Why would it not be?’

  Veronica pursed her lips. ‘It’s not exactly the way one expects the groom to behave on his wedding night. You must be dreadfully disappointed.’ She leaned back in her chair. ‘Or… perhaps… you and he have come to an arrangement? How do I put it delicately…un mariage de convenance. The French are so good at this kind of thing – they have a term for everything in matters of the heart – or possibly in your case – of the head.’

  ‘I’ve no idea what you’re implying, but as I’ve told you once before, what happens between me and my husband is our affair only.’ Evie realised her voice sounded prim, tight, high-pitched. She took a big gulp of air and dug her fingernails into her palms.

  ‘No need to get all stroppy, darling. I only wanted you to know that I’m here to help – if things get too much you can confide in me. Arthur and I are Dougie’s oldest friends out here. We understand all his… his foibles.’

  ‘I don’t need any help, thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you?’ She could feel her heart thumping as she said it. Anger was making her brave.

  Veronica looked affronted. ‘I brought you the details of my little Indian tailor chappie, Mr Ramanathan.’ She handed her a card. ‘As I said, I only want to help you settle in. I realise how strange everything must seem here after England.’

  Evie muttered a thank you and accepted the card. It would be so satisfying to confront Veronica about what she’d overheard in the powder room, but she decided to hold back. What was the point? The woman must know she’d heard everything. What difference would telling her make? Clearly Veronica had no intention of apologising or attempting to put a different slant on the conversation. But there was no different slant possible. Those words could never be taken back and Evie realised she was grateful – if there had ever been a risk of her trusting Veronica Leighton it would never happen now.

  ‘Anyway, darling, one other thing. I almost forgot the main reason for my calling today. I’m here to invite you to play croquet next Thursday afternoon. It will give you a chance to meet some of the girls properly. It’ll be such fun.’

  ‘I can’t. I’m already doing something on Thursday.’

  Veronica’s surprise was evident. ‘Oh do tell!’

  ‘I’m having tea with Jasmine’s teacher. She invited me this morning.’

  ‘Well cancel. We can find an excuse.’

  ‘I don’t want to cancel. I like Miss Helston.’

  ‘Miss Helston? No, no, no!’ Veronica shook her head in an exaggerated manner. ‘N.O.O.U! Noou!’ Her lips formed a small circle as she formed the long drawn out sound. Seeing Evie’s puzzlement, she added. ‘Not One Of Us.’

  Evie resisted the temptation to reply that was what she liked about the teacher.

  ‘She’s a nobody. Inconsequential. Her father’s just a bank clerk. Not very clubbable.’ She patted Evie’s arm in that irritating patronising manner she had. ‘No background. No breeding. And the mother! She has a North Country accent – imagine! Lived here for years and never managed to lose it. Frightful people. No, darling you must make an excuse. You don’t want to get wrapped up with Miss Helston – at least not outside the school premises – and certainly not accepting an invitation to tea!’

  ‘Thank you for the advice, Veronica, but I intend to ignore it. I liked Miss Helston enormously when we met. I think we’ll have a lot in common and I’m sure we’ll get on famously.’ She paused, relishing the look of horror on Veronica’s face, then said, ‘She’s someone I feel I can trust. Not the kind to gossip behind people’s backs.’ Shaking as she said it, she felt a huge wave of relief. ‘If there’s nothing else I can do for you, I need to get on.’ She rose. ‘Thank you again for recommending Mr Ramanathan. I’ll be sure to pay him a visit some time.’

  7

  Jasmine began talking to Evie after that first trip to school. She appeared to have settled in well and was eager to tell Evie about what they’d done in class each day, and proud to show off her drawings. Each afternoon, Evie made sure she was around when the little girl came home so she could hear her reading.

  ‘I have three friends.’ Jasmine said, offering their names proudly. ‘But Penny’s my best friend.’

  ‘And you like this school better than being with the nuns?’

  The child nodded solemnly. ‘And I like sleeping here too in this house. It’s nice being with you.’

  Evie was touched as well as relieved. At least Douglas could have no grounds to complain.

  On Thursday afternoon, Evie set off to Miss Helston’s house with Jasmine. The teacher lived with her parents on the outskirts of George Town.

  When Miss Helston answered the door, she seemed unduly pleased to see Evie. She ushered them inside. Turning to Jasmine, she said, ‘Penny’s already here. Go through to the garden. I’ve put some lemonade on a table out there and cake for you both to enjoy.’

  Needing no further encouragement Jasmine scampered away into the garden to join her friend.

  Mary Helston ushered Evie into a drawing room, with wide-open French windows giving on to the lawn. ‘It’s cooler in here under the fan and we can keep an eye on the girls. My parents aren’t at home. They play bridge on a Thursday.’ She paused a moment then said, ‘I’m so glad you came. I was worried you might not.’

  ‘Of course I came. Why did you think I wouldn’t?’

  Miss Helston shrugged. ‘People are very cliquey here and I’ve never been one of the crowd. I thought one or other of them would have tried to poison you against me by now.’

  ‘I prefer to make up my own mind.’

  ‘Good. Because I’m hoping we’ll get along.’

  ‘I’m sure we will.’

  They sat down to tea with home-baked scones and the conversation turned to Jasmine. Miss Helston confirmed that she had settled in to her new school and was already a popular member of the class. ‘Jasmine’s bright. A bit shy, but growing in confidence every day. S
he loves singing and is a fast learner. I’d be a happy woman if all my pupils were as delightful as she is.’

  ‘I’m sure her father will be pleased to hear that.’

  ‘I don’t know Mr Barrington, but I did know his late wife slightly.’

  ‘Really?’ Perhaps now Evie would get a different perspective on her predecessor.

  ‘I didn’t know her well, but you seem different from her. Felicity was part of a set – most of them weren’t my cup of tea at all. Talking of tea, can I top you up? Or offer you another scone?’

  Evie declined. ‘I heard Felicity was very popular.’

  Miss Helston raised her eyebrows. ‘Was she? I wouldn’t know, as I wasn’t part of that crowd. But I did hear she hated Penang. Terribly homesick for England. Some of the wives struggle to adapt here. Of course, it’s easy for me to say that, having spent most of my life here.’ She gave an apologetic smile. ‘But it’s hard to adjust if your heart is in another country. The climate can be trying for them – not just the heat and the humidity but the fact that it never changes. Always hot every day. Lots of the mems miss the seasons. And a few of them struggle to grasp even the few basic Malay phrases you need to get by here..’

  It was hard for Evie not to feel daunted by that herself.

  Noticing her expression, Miss Helston hurried to add, ‘Most of them get used to it in the end. Wait here a moment.’

  She hurried out of the room and returned with a book. ‘Take this, I have no need of it. I learnt Malay as a toddler from my amah. It’s a dictionary called Malay for Mems. Everything you’ll need is in there. Try a few phrases at a time and you’ll soon build up your vocabulary. Even the Chinese and Indians know how to speak Malay so it’s essential for communicating with your servants. And we Europeans tend to pepper our sentences with Malay words.’

  ‘I have picked up that the tuan is the boss and I know I prefer a pahit to a stengah.’

  Miss Helston laughed. ‘Nothing like getting your priorities right. You certainly won’t get far in Malaya without knowing what your favourite tipple is.’