The Pearl of Penang

by Clare Flynn

  Douglas tensed. ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’

  ‘For goodness sake, Doug. I’m your wife! Don’t I deserve an answer to that? You can’t just announce you’re calling our son after your late brother without so much as telling me a thing about him. Until now, I wasn’t even aware he existed.’

  Douglas stared at the backs of his hands where they lay flattened on his thighs. ‘It happened when I was nine. Not long before my mother died. Hubert – or Bertie as Mother and I called him, was eleven.’

  Evie felt a swell of emotion, and instinctively held her new son closer to her. ‘How awful that must have been for you. I’m so sorry, Doug.’

  He turned his head away and stared into the middle distance. ‘It was my fault.’

  Evie could barely breathe. ‘Your fault? How could it be? You were only a child. Not much older than Jasmine.’

  ‘We were playing hide and seek. At our family home in Lincolnshire. I climbed out of one of the attic windows onto the roof. We weren’t supposed to go into the attic and certainly not out onto the roof, so I thought Bertie would never find me. I was going to wait up there until the time ran out so I’d be the winner. But he spotted me from the terrace and came rushing upstairs to tag me.’ Douglas squeezed his eyes shut and took a few short breaths. ‘I heard him come into the attic and so I hid behind a chimney stack. When he climbed out onto the roof I crept up on him and said boo. He jumped out of his skin with fright, lost his footing and fell from the roof, screaming.’

  Evie’s free hand shot to her mouth and clamped over it. Sensing her distress, the baby began to cry. Evie stroked his head and the child calmed at once.

  ‘I climbed back down into the attic and ran downstairs. When I got outside, the gardener was already there on the terrace. He yelled at me to go back into the house. He didn’t want me to see what had happened to Hubert.’ He looked up at Evie. ‘But I did see. And I’ve never been able to un-see what I saw that day. Or un-hear his scream as he fell to the ground.’

  ‘Oh, Doug.’ She reached her hand out to take his but he got up and moved away to stand by the window.

  ‘I never owned up to what happened. I didn’t tell them I was up on the roof too. That makes me a moral coward.’

  ‘No. You were a frightened little boy who was probably in shock.’

  ‘Bertie was my father’s favourite. After he was killed, Father couldn’t bear to look at me. It was as if he was always thinking the wrong son had died. When my mother got ill and died too there was no one left to object when he sent me away.’

  He turned back to look at her. ‘So you know my terrible secret, Evie. Do you see why I have to call my son Hubert?’

  She looked at the little bundle in her arms. ‘Hubert it is.’ She shivered. It was neither the name nor the legacy she wanted for her child. Bending over she kissed her son’s plump cheek.

  He can be christened Hubert she told herself, but we’ll call him Hugh.

  While the war raged on in Europe, and the Blitz began in England, life in Penang continued much as before – but with some token efforts by the expatriates to ‘do their bit’. Douglas was increasingly involved in exercises with the defence volunteers. He remained scathing about the value and relevance of what they were doing, claiming that no war on the peninsula would ever be fought that way, if indeed it were to be fought at all. Like many of the planters, he suggested that his local knowledge and familiarity with the language might prove useful in assisting the regular army with planning and liaison, but all such offers were rejected as impractical or unnecessary. Objections to the traditional warcraft they were drilling in were always brushed aside by the regular army, with the assertion that they may well be required at some point to return to help defend Britain or assist in a counter attack on the continent of Europe. No one appeared to take seriously the threat of an invasion of Malaya itself – including Douglas. Eventually he resigned himself to participating anyway, and acknowledged that the small-arms training was useful and brought back his days in the officer training corps at school.

  Evie, like most of the women, was pressed into service in sewing parties, knitting balaclavas and socks for the troops and for Red Cross parcels destined for Prisoners of War.

  The Barringtons steered clear of the many fund-raising parties organised on behalf of war charities by the Patriotic Fund. With a small baby, Evie had no desire to venture out and Douglas was scathing about the wasteful nature of such efforts, with more money spent on alcohol and petrol by the attendees than could possibly have been generated in donations or ticket sales. Evie mentioned this to Mary, who told her that the Chinese were far more effective in raising money for the war effort and did so without recourse to partying.

  Mary Helston rarely spoke about her friendship with Frank Hyde-Underwood and Evie knew better than to press her on it, taking satisfaction from the fact that it was evidently flourishing. The RAF officer was not often on the island however, being frequently required to be in Singapore for exercises, and his flying duties involved reconnaissance flights all over the peninsula.

  Motherhood was proving an unexpected joy to Evie. The baby was placid and a good sleeper. Comparing notes with Susan Hyde-Underwood, when the latter dropped in to see her, bringing baby Stanford, made Evie realise she had been blessed with an exceptionally tranquil child. Susan’s son was anything but, and judging by the heavy lids and dark circles around her eyes, she was suffering from lack of sleep as a consequence.

  Jasmine had taken to her baby brother and, without a trace of sibling jealousy, mothered Hugh and lavished affection upon him. It was a close contest between Jasmine and Aunty Mimi as to who would make a greater fuss over the baby. The little Chinese housekeeper took it upon herself to act as Hugh’s amah and informed Evie that it had once been her role with Jasmine, making it clear that she would tolerate no one new being taken into the household to undertake such duties. As Evie had had no such intention she was more than willing to accept this extension to the housekeeper’s duties.

  All in all, it was a happy time for Evie, yet deep inside her there was still a hollow ache at the absence of Arthur Leighton in her life. She knew what she felt for him was both wrong and pointless but it didn’t stop her feeling it. If anything, his absence made her feel more strongly about him. She would castigate herself for disloyalty. Why were her husband and two children not enough? Guilt gnawed away at her insides, though she had no reason to feel guilty since, apart from that kiss in the sea, nothing had happened between them. She almost wished she had something more to feel guilty about – at least she’d have a memory to treasure and relive. Then she blamed herself for thinking that too.

  Douglas, for his part, once Evie had forgiven his affair, behaved as if it had never happened at all. There was no repetition of his declaration of his need for her and love for her. He remained taciturn and often morose and showed no romance and little affection. She wondered whether he saw love-making as just another sport – something to be enjoyed like any other physical activity. Eventually, Evie accepted that this was how he was and nothing would change that. He was one of a generation of men who believed that overt displays of affection were sentimental and unmanly. He had told her once that he cared for her. For him that was enough – he evidently believed that, once said, there was no need to keep repeating it.

  In mid January 1941, when Hugh was around six months old and she had begun to wean him, Evie decided she needed some distraction, and suggested to Douglas that they host a small dinner party the following Friday evening.

  ‘If you must,’ he said, ungraciously.

  ‘I’m thinking of you too.’

  This elicited only a grunt.

  ‘Who shall I ask?’

  He shrugged. ‘Whoever you please. It’s all the same to me.’

  ‘I was thinking of the Rogers, but I understand they’re in Batavia.’

  Another shrug.

  ‘For heaven’s sake, Doug. Try and show a bit of interest.’


  ‘It’s your department. Whoever you invite is fine by me.’

  Controlling her irritation, she said, ‘In that case, I’ll ask Mary and the Hyde-Underwoods and I’ll tell them to bring Reggie’s brother. He seems to have taken quite a shine to Mary.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘I mean you get on well with Reggie, and Frank seems a very affable fellow–’

  ‘Look, Evie, I’ve told you, it’s fine by me. I’ll be home in plenty of time.’ Softening, he added, ‘I suppose it does give me an opportunity to discuss Reggie’s proposal for a new rolling machine. Saves me a trip up to Bellavista.’

  ‘I’ll tell Susan to bring Stanford with them – he can be put in the cot in Hugh’s nursery.’

  She asked herself why Douglas always had to be so grumpy but at least he had accepted the plan without further objection. He got on well with Reggie and although he had only met Frank briefly, he appeared to find him tolerable. So, it was a surprise to Evie when on the appointed evening, their guests had already assembled and Doug had yet to put in an appearance. He had promised to be in George Town by six and now at seven he was still missing.

  Trying to hide her irritation, Evie escorted the guests onto the terrace outside the drawing room, where Benny was waiting to serve them with drinks. If Hugh were to wake and she had to attend to him, there would be nobody to entertain their guests. She had tried several times to telephone the bungalow at Batu Lembah but there was no reply, so Douglas was presumably on his way. She glanced at her wristwatch, telling herself that it was only a small gathering – and of friends who knew Doug’s quirks and so would understand. It was unlikely they’d be offended.

  The conversation began, as usual, with discussion of the distant war. Tonight they were talking about the situation in North Africa where the British and Australians were tackling the Italian army and Regia Aeronautica.

  Changing the subject, Evie turned her attention to Frank. ‘How are you finding life in Malaya?’ Not so long ago, that question had been frequently asked of her.

  ‘I feel bad that I’m sitting the war out over here while most of the RAF are giving the Luftwaffe a good thumping. It’s tough finding out how many of the chaps I learned to fly with went for a Burton during the Battle of Britain.’ He glanced at Mary. ‘But there are definite compensations to being here in Malaya.’ It was clear that the young officer was besotted.

  ‘Well, I can’t imagine why you’d want to be back there.’ Susan Hyde-Underwood shivered visibly. ‘Those poor young men sacrificing their lives.’ She shook her head, her eyes grave. ‘But we must be thankful that the Germans have lost more pilots than our boys.’

  ‘Yes, the lads put up a terrific fight.’ Frank lit a cigarette. ‘Can’t help feeling guilty when all I do is fly around in my Brewster Buffalo looking down on endless empty jungle.’ He frowned. ‘Present company excepted, but I get very cheesed off when I see so many people out here acting as though there’s no war. The bombs are dropping back home and here they sit in the sun, sipping scotch all day and playing bridge.’

  ‘Not all of us.’ His brother looked affronted.

  ‘I did say present company excepted. People like you, Reg, and Mr Barrington are doing work that’s absolutely essential to the war effort. But not everyone is.’ He looked at Mary again. ‘Remember that dreadful woman we met at the Penang Club? The drunkard you rescued me from.’

  Mary looked uncomfortable.

  ‘I saw her again the other day. A few of us were having dinner in Raffles in Singapore and she came into the restaurant. Sloshed again. Slurring her words. She managed to knock over one of those enormous flower arrangements. She screamed abuse at the maitre d’ when he tried to steer her out of the dining room. No sign of her husband – I wouldn’t blame him if he’d buggered off and left her. She’s an absolute disgrace.’

  ‘I don’t think we want to talk about Veronica Leighton, Frank.’ Mary’s tone was quiet but firm.

  They were interrupted by the ringing of the telephone inside the house.

  Evie sighed. ‘That will be Doug to say he’s been delayed.’ She hoped she didn’t sound as annoyed as she felt.

  She started to get up but Benny came out onto the terrace and addressed Reggie. ‘Tuan, you must come to the telephone.’

  Reggie went into the house.

  His wife, looking pale, said, ’I dread to think what that might be. Reggie’s assistant at Bellavista is a first rate fellow who would never dream of calling unless it was an emergency he absolutely couldn’t handle himself.’

  Mary and Evie made reassuring remarks until Reggie returned, his face ashen.

  ‘There’s been an accident.’

  Susan gasped. ‘What? Who?’

  ‘That was Batu Lembah.’ His expression was grave. ‘It’s Doug. He’s had a fall.’

  ‘A fall? How? What’s happened? Is he hurt?’ Evie was on her feet.

  ‘I don’t know the details. Just that he fell into the shaft of a disused tin mine. He’s still down there. Frank, can you come with me? I need to get over there to help organise a rescue party to get him out.’ Looking at Evie, he said, ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine.’

  Evie’s heart lurched in her chest and she struggled to breathe. ‘I’m coming with you.’

  Mary moved to her and put an arm around her shoulders. ‘Evie, you’d be better staying here. The baby needs you.’

  ‘I need to be there for Doug when they get him out. He may be badly injured.’

  ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea, Evie.’ Susan looked at her husband for confirmation.

  ‘I don’t care whether it’s a good idea or not. I’m going with you, Reggie. Are you going to stand here all night arguing or are we going to go?’ To Susan she said, ‘Can you look after Hugh? Aunty Mimi will make up some formula if he wakes in the night. Otherwise he’s doing well on solids already.’

  Mary, sensing that Evie was immoveable, said, ‘I’ll stay with Susan. I want to be here for Jasmine in case you’re not back before she wakes up.’

  Evie hugged her friend. ‘Thank you. The guest room is made up and there’s a day bed in the nursery. Aunty Mimi will get you anything you need.’

  She rushed upstairs to kiss her sleeping baby, then followed the two men out to the car.

  25

  All the way to Batu Lembah, Evie tortured herself with fears as to what her husband must be going through. Despite the brevity of the telephone call and the lack of information, she kept quizzing Reggie for details.

  ‘But how badly hurt is he? Why haven’t they got him out? How long has he been down there?’

  Reggie kept repeating that he knew no more than he had already said. ‘The Assistant Manager just said Doug was overseeing jungle clearance in a remote part of the estate with a small gang of coolies and had fallen down a mine shaft. I’ve no idea if anyone saw it happen. The jungle’s littered with disused tin workings and most of them are unmapped. We have to hope it’s not too deep but we can’t tell until we get there and can assess the situation properly.’

  It was after nine when they arrived at the estate. Mike Overton, the Assistant Manager, was waiting on the steps of the bungalow to meet them. Evie shivered, remembering the last and only time she had been here at Batu Lembah. She decided it must be a truly cursed place.

  The small group gathered inside the bungalow where the house boy made Evie a cup of tea, which she drank gratefully, the warmth and sweetness helping allay the shock.

  ‘No one saw what happened,’ Overton began. ‘The tuan was doing his usual inspection rounds. He’d gone out to the north-east quadrant where we were clearing virgin jungle.’

  ‘Was he alone?’ Reggie interrupted.

  ‘Yes. But there were fifty coolies working out there. That’s why he went over there, to see how they were getting on. They claim they never saw him.’

  ‘So how did you find him?’ Evie asked. ‘How did you even know he was missing?’

  ‘His dog, Badger. He was barking and going be
rserk. But there was no sign of Doug. The men stopped what they were doing and went after the dog. It took them some time to find him as some of the forest there is impassable. Then they raised the alarm.’

  ‘So where is he?’ Evie was growing in impatience.

  ‘At the bottom of a shaft to a tin mine. The countryside is pitted with them. There was a virtual Gold Rush here for tin in the last century. They dug shafts all over the place. If they didn’t find any tin they just abandoned the workings and moved on. The jungle in some areas is like Swiss cheese. We lost a coolie a few months back. Fell down a shaft and no one noticed. When he was missing from roll call the alarm went up. It was nearly two days before we found the body. What was left of it.’ Overton gave a little shrug and Evie took an instant dislike to the man and wanted to thump him.

  Oblivious to Evie’s distress, Overton ploughed on. ‘Mind you, that coolie might not have fallen. You never know with some of the Tamils. There might have been a fight and one of them could have killed him and dumped the body down a shaft.’

  Reggie stepped in. ‘That’s enough of that, Overton. The mem doesn’t want to hear all this. We need to talk about Doug.’

  The Assistant Manager had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘Sorry, Mrs Barrington. I didn’t mean to cause offence.’

  ‘Can we get to him now?’ Reggie asked.

  ‘I can take you there but it’s doubtful we can accomplish much until daylight. Not unless we want to have someone else at the bottom of a shaft.’

  ‘Take us there now. I want to see the way the land lies and be ready to get him out as soon as the conditions allow. All right with you too, Frank?’ Reggie placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

  ‘I’m in.’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’ Evie moved towards the door,.

  Reggie stepped in front of her, palms towards her. ‘No, Evie. I must insist. You’ll do more harm than good. You’ve no idea of the conditions out there. You don’t know the jungle. We don’t want you at the bottom of another shaft. It would be better for you to stay here and raise the doctor on the phone. Telephone the Wellington estate, tell Freddie Reynolds there what’s happened and ask him to rustle up a rescue party and get over here as soon as he can. We’ll also need bandages and clean water, antiseptic. The houseboy will do what you ask.’ Turning to Overton, he instructed, ‘Right. Torches, rope, stretcher, blankets. Let’s go.’