“I ordered too much,” Lorna said evenly, “and I hadn’t the heart to turn anyone away.”
“I like it. I always think the scent of pink frangipani is so much more elusive than that of the white. But I’m afraid the room will reek for you tonight.” She accepted a drink and raised it, smiled frankly and even ruefully at Lorna. “Here’s to you!”
It was friendly gesture and Lorna tried to rise to it She didn’t dislike Elise as a person; that was the worst of it. Elise was exceedingly likeable if one could forget she was the woman Paul would have chosen had it been possible.
Talk became general, glasses were filled up. Bill beamed and was not in the least self-conscious; he was too happy to be affected by the conjectures of those around him. Elise, more sensitive than he, took care to be companionable with the other women. The Ramsays seemed all set for a comparatively happy existence.
At eight o’clock Jake, in stiff white uniform, wheeled in the food. And what a delectable array it looked; Even Lorna was surprised at the appetizing selection which she had arranged with so much care; it appeared so new and different, set out here in the living-room. She caught Paul’s astonished, glance, wished it could have kindled some warmth in her.
The compliments she accepted with a smile. She took a plate from Colin, a drink from Paul, and sat down between a young superintendent’s wife and Mr. Astley. The senior superintendent’s wife had tonight put on her most modem dress—a grey brocade with a stiff bow at the neck—and she looked about her with the changing expression of one who hasn’t decided whether to let herself go or be a deadweight. Seeing that she was being plied with drinks she would eventually, no doubt, relax.
The gramophone played quietly, people talked and laughed noisily. Dishes were replenished, the fruits brought, new bottles opened. And finally, Paul proposed a toast to Colin, who as usual enjoyed being the centre of attention.
“It’s not my birthday till Thursday,” he confided to everybody, “but thanks for the good wishes. Jolly sporting of you.”
“As the Governor’s son you should do better than that,” Paul said. “I gave you plenty of time to prepare a speech.”
“Dash it, I’ll have to say something starchy on my birthday,” he grumbled. “Let me be informal here. Do you chaps and girls mind if I don’t make a speech?”
Someone said, “We’ll mind if you do!”
He grinned. “Thanks. Shall we dance?”
Next to polo, dancing was the activity that Colin liked best. He turned up the volume of the gramophone, had the rugs rolled and pushed out into the corridor, and took Lorna into his arms. They were joined by other couples, and it was only after three dances had made her breathless that Lorna insisted on sitting out. He left her and found someone else.
Lorna leaned back in her chair, saw that Mrs. Astley sat on her right and was clasping a tall glass in her hand. The older woman now looked benign.
“A lovely party, Lorna,” she said. ‘This is the first time we’ve all been together since you came, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s very pleasant.”
“Are you feeling well?”
“Very well.”
“I just wondered, my dear. You look a little queer round the eyes, but perhaps you’ve been worrying a bit as this is the first party you’ve given. By the way, you’re not cross with me, are you?”
“Cross?” Of course not.”
“Well, you have resented some of the things I’ve said to you. I’ve only ever wanted to be kind to you, but one’s remarks are sometimes misconstrued. And then strange things happen, too. Who would ever had thought, for instance, that Mrs. Ramsay would go back to her husband?”
Lorna said steadily, “They parted through a misunderstanding. It’s all over now.”
“Still, it’s odd that she can face everyone, after behaving so queerly. Bill Ramsay isn’t all that fascinating.”
“A husband doesn’t have to be fascinating to be loved.” Mrs. Astley laughed, rocking the liquid in her glass. She took a swallow of it and said comfortably, “Oh, if you’re determined not to be put out by it I suppose the rest of us should mind our own affairs. Still, in your shoes I wouldn’t be so complacent. Elise Ramsay stayed in your house as long as she could without starting rumours, and then she went back to her husband—not across to Main Island. It’s all rather significant.”
“Significant?” Lorna echoed, her courage shrinking.
“You must have realized, Lorna, that Mr. Westbrook persuaded her to return to Bill Ramsay. She’s only two miles away. As a matter of fact I saw them together myself, only the day before yesterday. Your husband had just passed our place and he picked up Mrs. Ramsay—presumably to give her a lift home. I watched it through binoculars.”
Sickened, Lorna set her teeth, set them so hard that her head began to ache. She excused herself to Mrs. Astley, moved towards the table for the ostensible purpose of acting hostess. Bill came to her side and asked her to dance. She acquiesced, and afterwards went outside with him into the cool air.
Bill talked, told her that he had agreed to move over to the smaller island in two months’ time. He asked if she didn’t think Elise was looking wonderful, said he was sorry Lorna hadn’t been able to come to the small gathering they’d arranged a week ago.
“Why don’t you drop along and see Elise?” he asked. “Perhaps I will.” But she knew she wouldn’t. “I’m so glad you’re happy, Bill.”
“I’m happy, all right, and that business has put me on my toes. Elise is almost complaining that I give her too much attention now!”
He went on for another five minutes, and then took her inside. The dancing had stopped for a while, and conversation appeared to be general.
Someone asked Colin, rather loudly, “Do they make a big thing of birthdays at the Residency?”
“Only mine,” he answered modestly. “I get felicitations on Thursday and a solemn function next Saturday.” He turned to Paul, who sat a few chairs away. “I forgot to tell you that we’re expecting you and Lorna next week-end. Come on Friday, if you can.”
Paul’s response was smooth. “I’m afraid that’s out. We shan’t be here.”
“I thought I’d made it clear that was why we asked you over this week-end. We’re going away on Tuesday.”
Lorna felt the blood drain from her cheeks. She looked across at Paul, saw that he still smiled suavely at Colin. “Where are you going?” Colin demanded.
“For a cruise. A liner puts in at Panai Town tomorrow and it leaves on Tuesday at midday. I’ve booked through to Tahiti; we should manage it before the cyclones are troublesome.”
There was a sudden babble: ‘Tahiti! What do you know?” “What a marvellous holiday!” “Boy, that sounds something!” And so on.
Then silence again, and it was ended by a question from Elise in carefully modulated tones: “So you’re going on a belated honeymoon, Paul? Why haven’t you said anything about it before?”
He shrugged. “I’ve been trying to clear thinks up first. I thought we couldn’t go till these thefts were pinned on to the culprit, but it seems that might keep us here for ever, which is far too long. I didn’t want to take strong action because the labourers are likely to become apprehensive, but I shall have to ask the Governor to send some police from Main Island to track our thief. We just haven’t the time for it ourselves.”
“So you’re as determined on this honeymoon as that?”
“As determined as that,” he said flatly, his eyes narrow as he smiled at Elise. “Bill will run the place for me.” Once the news was digested, the groups formed again and there was more dancing. Somehow, Lorna got through the rest of that evening, but she could not bring herself to approach Elise or look at Paul. She knew that Elise was chagrined, that Paul had spoken maliciously, to hurt the woman. It seemed that it suited him to have Elise made sorry by her own imagination.
About midnight, when the women drifted into the bedroom for their wraps, Lorna stationed herself in there to help if
necessary; but she kept clear of Elise, even when the other woman laughed exasperatedly and said she was as prickly as a porcupine. Lorna was gathered into herself, defensively.
But Elise made her listen for a moment, when no one else was near. She whispered urgently, “Don’t go with him, Lorna—not yet. Make him wait till the next liner. Anything can happen in a month!”
The next, moment they were in the corridor, just behind two other women. Goodnights were said, Colin groused because everyone was going home too early, and then, for good measure, he sang them his favourite song.
By one o’clock, Lorna was pushing plates together and loading a tray, while Colin scooped up foils and cake cases and Paul put away half-empty bottles and siphons. Colin wheeled away the trolley.
Paul said, “You did well, Lorna. I’ve never seen such a choice of eats at an island party.”
“What did you expect—sandwiches?” she asked shortly.
“I knew the catering was safe with you, but I didn’t think you’d outshine the veterans,” he said evenly. “Tonight you’ve set a standard.”
‘To match your bombshell?”
“You mean the cruise? But you knew we were going.”
“I haven’t even thought about it—and you didn’t intend me to.”
“Maybe not. It’s sometimes better not to dwell too much on things you’re afraid of.”
It was like him to pinpoint her reaction. She drew in her lower lip, but even had she prepared a reply she could not have spoken, for Colin creaked back with the trolley and began to load the glasses. He stood the tall glasses in a line, played a tune on them with a pickle-fork. Paul said suddenly, “We’ve had enough, Colin. Lorna’s tired.”
“Sorry, old chap. I think I had one drink too many.”
“In that case, you’ll be better off on the veranda for the night. The couch is made up.”
Lorna quickly said goodnight and went to her room. But the headache and the sweet smell of frangipani engulfed her. Her face white and with a clamminess across her brow, she lurched into the corridor and leaned against the wall. Paul found here there, slipped his arms under her and carried her back into the room. He laid her on the bed and swiftly pegged the windows wide and took out the flowers, set a fan whirring in the corner of the room.
He came to the bed and had unfastened the belt of her frock before she could stop him. But quiveringly, she thrust away his hands.
He said grimly, “I can’t leave you like this. If you’re still rocky in the morning I’ll send over to Panai Town for the doctor.”
“I don’t need a doctor,” she said quietly, bitterly. “I only need to get away from this house ... and you.”
His face dark and tight, he straightened away from her. For a moment he stood there with his hands clenched at his sides, and then he went from the room and closed the door.
CHAPTER TEN
SUNDAY morning was always quiet on the northern side of Panai. There was no Christian church, but the labourers enjoyed their workless day in their own fashion, fishing a little, talking and drinking kava, tending their taro and yams or perhaps preparing for the next festival.
At the bungalow that morning Colin rose fairly early because the sun slanted into his eyes, but he found that Paul was out before him; they met on the road to the beach, and Paul turned back for a second swim.
Lorna awoke slowly, and only roused completely when Jake brought coffee. After thinking for a moment she asked him for toast. He brought it, and when he had gone she crumbled the slices and tossed them out on the grass for the birds. She knew that Jake would tell the men that she had had breakfast in bed.
She took a bath and put on a figured house-frock, made her bed and tidied the room. She listened at the door and heard the men talking over breakfast in the living-room, crossed to the french window and went out into the garden. It was bright and breezy, not unlike that other morning before the squall. She reflected, detachedly, that there would be squalls and near-cyclones more and more often, till it was windy nearly every day and the rains came.
She walked the paths, saw the wine-coloured canna stems were thick with buds, that the poppies were finished, though their seed had germinated between the plants. Her head was clear but she felt heavy-limbed and blank, as though she had gone through some drastic experience which had left her emotionless.
From the end of the garden she saw Paul start out in the car. He had made no attempt to see her this morning and she was glad. She might get through the day without pain if only everyone would ignore her.
Not that she minded Colin, she thought a few minutes later, when he came out looking for her. He was silly and pleasant and undemanding.
“Hi,” he said. “No hangover?”
“Not really. What about you?”
“I felt a bit dippy before I had a swim, but that and a good breakfast put me right up where I belong. I must say you look a bit green.”
“Green!”
“I suppose I mean white; you must be reflecting the trees. It makes your face look hollow under the cheekbones.”
“Sounds attractive. Are you always as frank as this first thing in the morning?”
He turned to walk beside her. “You can be just as uncomplimentary to me, if you like,” he offered generously. “When you’re young and good-looking you don’t care what anyone says about your appearance. That takes you into the picture, as well.”
“Thanks. What time are you leaving today?”
“Are you hurrying me off, too? Paul says I should go soon after lunch. I told him I’d like to go for a run in a jeep, so he’s sending one up for me. Coming?”
She nodded. “Where do you want to drive?”
“Anywhere. I said I’d take a few sandwiches with me, but we may as well get back for lunch here.”
“No,” she said, quite decisively. “We’ll take sandwiches for two and go some distance. There’s a patch of jungle I’ve always wanted to investigate but I haven’t been able to do it alone.”
“Won’t Paul expect you here for lunch?”
Inside herself she hardened. “This is your week-end. We’ll leave him a note. Where has he gone, by the way?”
“Down to the offices. He said he has a lot to get through before going away.”
“He might have taken you with him, so that you could pick up the jeep yourself.”
“I suggested that, but he doesn’t seem to care much for my company this morning. He says the driver on duty is a pal of Jake’s, and he’ll send him up and tell him he can stay with Jake till we return. I don’t argue with Paul these days.”
He grinned. “That was certainly a good party you put on for me last night. The stepmother herself couldn’t have turned out a better spread.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. Do you like our crowd?”
“Oh, sure. I’ve known them all some time.” They had arrived back at the house and he waved her into the living-room. “Looks bare this morning, doesn’t it? Paul threw out the flowers and told the servant to air the cushions. The way he looked at me I wondered if I ought to peg myself out on the line. Think he’ll send the jeep up right away?”
“Probably. I’ll see about those sandwiches.”
The jeep did not arrive till nearly eleven, and the driver had no sooner slipped out on to the path than Colin stowed the basket and put Lorna in her seat. The note for Paul had been placed conspicuously on the living-room table, and it was with a sense of thankfulness that Lorna felt the jeep move away and out on the road.
The breeze still blew gustily, but there was no sign of the thick cloud which had accompanied the squall; only a streak or two of high cirrus flawed the blue. They followed the coast road to the rickety bridge, then turned inland on a rough road, between tall sugar cane which eventually gave way first to wild sugar and then to thick bush bananas. Here and there near the road were fields of Indian corn and orchards of papaia, but after half an hour pf bad road they ran into forest which Lorna had always wanted to explore. The trees we
re tall and thick-leaved, feathery ferns grew to tree height and in places the bamboos were so thick that they formed an impenetrable wall.
“I’ve often wondered why this was never cleared,” she said. “I’ve never dared to drive through it alone.”
“Why? Is it a burial ground?”
“Don’t! I never thought of that.”
“The islanders have them, you know,” he said conversationally. “Mostly they bury their dead at sea, but some of the older people keep to the ancient custom of using a forest. The idea is to make it difficult for evil spirts to find their way in. There’s nothing ghastly about this place. Look at those orchids.”
They were russet-coloured with black spots near the centre, whole masses of them between the tree-roots. And further on the orchids were white with mysterious green hearts. It was a green wonderland, and much more beautiful than Lorna had expected.
They came out into the sunshine, and it was hot and windy and dust-smelling. Colin took a road which he thought must lead to the sea, and presently they saw it, blue and scintillating beyond the trees. In a bay which no one ever seemed to have found, they ate sandwiches and drank ice-cold orange juice from a vacuum jug.
The sea roared gently round the rocks, the palms soughed in the breeze, eddies of sand rose and settled, the tall wild grasses whispered. Lorna looked up at the sky and willed away every unhappy thought. She needed this break, needed to recover and collect her wits and forces. She stared, and dozed—roused a little later to find herself alone.
She got up on one elbow and saw Colin a long way away. He was only a tiny figure at the edge of the sea, and she found herself calculating the distance between them as nearly half a mile. He disappeared behind a rock, and she thought it was rather uncanny to be here alone, so far from the rubber trees and Panai Town. Uncanny, but a relief; she could lie like this for ever.
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