The Man From Coral Bay

by Jan Anderson

  The maddening thing was that he obviously knew his country as well as—if not better than—Tom, and was much more adept at pointing out the things for her to see. He kept drawing Terry or Sue's attention to something on the road, or to a particular view, but she knew quite well his comments were intended

  for her. Well, she thought rather ungraciously, Tom never had been much good at either history or sightseeing, shoe might as well absorb what she could.

  As if he were reading her thoughts he suddenly addressed her directly. Are you interested in this country's civilisation, Miss Finch, or is history just a bore to you? I'm afraid I sometimes get carried away, forgetting people don't have quite the same interest as I do.'

  As a matter of fact,' she said coolly, I love history, and I've read a lot about Ceylon ever since my brother has been out here. I don't know much, because there aren't an awful lot of books, but I feel I do know a little.' At least, she thought, history was a safe, impersonal subject. She could hardly sit in complete silence for the rest of the journey.

  His eyebrows were raised, as if in surprise at her admission. Then you must have decided on one or two places you want to see.'

  ' Oh, yes,' she admitted, ' most of all I think, the ancient city of Anuradhapura. I've seen pictures of it and my sister-in-law described it to me once. And there was something else some great rock, but I've never been able to find out much about that.'

  You must mean Sigurya. We'll see that in the distance later. I think I would always tell visitors who could only spend a day or so in the country to put that at the top of their list. There's nothing quite like it anywhere in the East.'

  Rossi found some of the tenseness draining out of her and settled down to enjoy the drive. They came down on to the plains again, past the paddy fields and occasionally the great sheets of water that Rossi learned were called tanks ' and were the earliest form of irrigation known to Ceylon. There was a stillness and a serenity about them that made her want to stop and cool herself.

  At some time in the afternoon Rossi dozed off. When she awoke again it was to hear Sue chanting: ` I can see the sea ! ' and there, calm, and as blue as one of Ceylon's own sapphires, it lay in a natural harbour of incredible beauty.

  ' Wake up, Aunt Rossi,' Terry urged her, ` we're nearly there.'

  It was in fact nearly another ten miles, but both children seemed to know every inch of the road that ran parallel with the sea. Occasionally through the trees Rossi got a tantalising glimpse of blue, but mostly there was a thick barrier of palm trees. She was told about the family of children who always ran out and waved, the place where they sometimes saw the elephant, the other place where Daddy had run over a snake, and the huge temple tree just off the road that legend said had grown on the spot where the beautiful daughter of the headman had been killed by a marauding leopard.

  Finally Terry said excitedly, The next gate is ours,' and Matthew Lincoln slowed down the car to turn down a narrow, dusty track.

  He stopped outside a single-storied building and said, ' Would you like a hand to settle in?'

  Rossi shook her head. ` No, thank you,' she answered politely, thinking it was bad enough for Tom to have to let his enemy drive them here, but for him to come into the house was too much. ` I'm sure that Nanny knows where everything is.'

  He shrugged. Just as you like, but should you want anything I'm only five minutes away. The kids know where to find me.'

  She nodded stiffly.

  ' Can we come and see the animals later, Uncle

  Matt?' Terry asked eagerly.

  ' No,' came in Rossi more sharply than she intended, ' your father will be here soon.'

  Terry looked sullen. ' Mummy always lets us.'

  Matthew Lincoln ruffled the boy's head. Do as your aunt says, Terry. Besides, I'm going to be busy tonight, and all the animals will be there tomorrow and the next day.'

  As he climbed back into the car he turned back to her. ' I hope you'll be happy at Coral Bay, Miss Finch, but don't expect miracles, will you? Your brother has a lot to learn. You could probably help him realise that.'

  You mean I should ask him to leave! ' she retorted.

  Ah, so the tales have spread already. Then perhaps it would be better to make your own judgement —or have you already done that?'

  Her silence was answer enough.

  She watched the dust of the car disappear before turning back to the bungalow. Well, politeness had been observed. There was really no need to see anything of him. But the children . . . she would have to talk to Tom about that.

  Rossi had had no preconceived ideas about the house that was to be her home for the next few weeks. Tom had, after all, talked about the plantation, the sea and the beauty of the beach and the nearby lagoon. But, subconsciously, having been inside only one Ceylon home she supposed she had been expecting Tom's new one to be a little like that.

  When she followed Nanny inside her spirits fell. It was a small, rather dark bungalow, sparsely furnished with shabby coconut matting on the grey stone floor. At first glance it did not appear to be

  particularly clean either.

  She gathered from Nanny that there was only one servant indoors—that in itself an unusual thing in this country—and he, it seemed, was not highly thought of. There were three bedrooms, all rather poky and airless. Nanny slept in some sort of lean-to at the back. Perhaps, thought Rossi loyally, things had only got like this since Julia left. She had always been a very good housekeeper.

  One thing she was thankful for, the children did not seem to notice much amiss. They could think of nothing else but dragging her off to see the beach.

  Because Tom had not arrived with the luggage and she did not know quite where to start in the house she allowed herself to be led through the coconut trees, across a scrubby area and then she was on a strip of literally golden beach, stretching as far as she could see. It was a little like the photographs one saw on travel posters, but she had never known such a place really existed.

  Looking up the other way she saw that the beach seemed to end abruptly at a sort of point. She asked the children about it.

  Oh,' said Terry, ' that's what we call the lagoon. It's where the river opens out to the sea. Between us and the river is all Uncle Matt's land, so when Dad's here and we want to go to the lagoon we have to walk right along the beach and round that way. You see,' he added calmly, Dad doesn't like Uncle Matt very much. Do you think it could be because Uncle Matt's got a better bungalow?'

  Rossi shook her head. Oh, no,' she said

  quickly, and truthfully, that couldn't be the reason, Terry. Besides, Mr Lincoln has lived here a long time and your father hasn't. It takes time to get a house just right.'

  Now that they had reached their destination Sue began to droop again. I'm thirsty,' she announced. ' I want a drink.'

  This, however, proved to be quite a problem as Rossi discovered when she went back to the house and asked Nanny.

  The old woman shrugged and started gesticulating. It seemed something had gone wrong with the pump and they could get no drinking water. It had been like this for three days.

  But what are the boys doing for water?' Rossi asked, exasperated.

  Oh, they drink from the village pump or stream, but they're used to it. It is not pure for our children.'

  Well then, where do we get drinking water until the pump is mended?' Rossi asked, sighing. She too was feeling hot and thirsty, and would have given anything for a cup of tea.

  Nanny looked at her from dark, limpid eyes. You must go and ask Mr Lincoln.'

  Rossi could have sworn there was the slightest of emphasis on you '.

  Is there no one else?' she asked.

  Oh, no, Mr Lincoln is a very powerful man. If the water goes only he can put it right. It is the same with everything '

  Then,' said Rossi, more firmly than she felt, we will wait until my brother arrives.'

  Nanny's expression was even more soulful. ' That will not help. Mr Finch, sir, cannot men
d the pump. He will have to send to the town for help.' Her shrug this time was particularly eloquent. ' It will mean there will be no water until tomorrow . . . or even the next tomorrow.'

  Rossi looked down at Sue's hot little face, and

  swallowed with her own dry throat. They could not possibly wait until tomorrow for a mere drink of water. Well, there was nothing else for it; she would have to go and throw herself on Matt Lincoln's mercy.

  CHAPTER IV

  It was better, Rossi decided, to go on her own. She met plenty of opposition from the children, but was firm in her refusal to allow them to come. Cue was far too tired to move a step, but if Terry came, she would insist on following him. Rossi had learned that much about her nephew and niece in a couple of days.

  The road was narrow and rough, but very quiet. Thick foliage bounded it on one side, dense and impenetrable, while on the sea side the long, graceful trunks of the palm trees, topped with huge leaves, moved with the gentle breeze.

  As she turned in the next drive Rossi found it impossible not to notice the difference between the two properties. Here, it was lined by beautiful shrubs, jacaranda with its pale mauve flowers and soft feathery leaves, interspersed with white oleander and others whose names she could only guess at. She touched one clump with flowers looking like long red tassels and wondered what it was.

  As if she had spoken her question aloud Matt Lincoln answered it for her. That's called bleeding heart. Rather an apt name, don't you think?'

  She nodded. He was standing just ahead of her, legs apart, watching her quizzically. She found herself looking at him properly for the first time—a man you had to like or hate, but who made you intensely

  aware of him. His dark, tanned skin had weathered with many years in the tropics, but nothing could soften the craggy outline of those features.

  I presume,' he went on, this is not a social visit already. What can I do for you—or can I guess? The water pump has gone wrong.'

  ' You guessed right,' she said stiffly, and I'm sorry to bother you, but the children do need some fresh water. If you could tell me what's wrong perhaps I could get our boy to do something about it.'

  I'm afraid your boy couldn't mend a simple fuse. I'll get Raja to come in a few minutes. In the meantime you can have a couple of our bottles of drinking water we keep ready in the fridge.'

  She followed him on down the drive to where it opened out to a series of thatched buildings. Then, on a little further, and they were at the bungalow.

  It was not so much that it was a beautiful building. It was not. A long, simple whitewashed house with a sloping roof, it stood in a clearing that had obviously been planned by someone with a deep love of the natural beauties of the country.

  A broad terrace in front of the bungalow led on to a sandy area that was shaded by one of the most beautiful trees Rossi had ever seen. Tall and graceful with waxy yellow flowers and dark heavy green leaves, it took pride of place amongst all the other flowers whose myriad colours were like dancing rainbows.

  A pool under the trees was covered with waterlilies and steep banks of water flowers dipped down to meet them. As Rossi gazed there was a hurried movement round the pool and she stepped back hastily.

  ' Ever seen an iguana?' Matt Lincoln asked, and when she shook her head he beckoned her over. She

  looked down at the scaly creature that had she been alone she would have taken for a small crocodile. Sleepily it moved on about its business.

  Is it dangerous?' she asked curiously.

  No, not this one, certainly. It regards this area as its own domain and won't be shifted by anyone. But if they get annoyed the lashing tail can do a fair bit of damage.'

  Rossi bit back her next question. She was here for water, not to admire Matt Lincoln's home. But she could not resist another quick look round, at the tantalising glimpse of sea through an avenue of palm trees, and towards the north where the land dipped down into the lagoon.

  You're welcome to walk round,' he said, now or at any time.'

  Thank you,' she answered in that same stiff tone, ' but I've only come for the water. Sue will be thirstier than ever.'

  Of course.' His voice was grave, and she guessed he was laughing at her. Here's Raja with the bottles. He'll carry them across for you and have a quick look at the pump. No,' he added, as she turned towards the drive, I should go via the beach. You'll find it quicker. There's a path that comes out very near your boundary. That's the one the children use.'

  Thank you, Mr Lincoln.'

  The name's Matt. And there's no need for thanks That's what neighbours are for.' With a casual wave of his hand he went back into the house.

  Rossi thought no more about Matt Lincoln until Tom came home. Until then she had had her hands full trying to get the children something to eat, clear some cockroaches from Terry's bedroom and generally find her way.

  Darkness came on her very quickly. Only then did she discover that the electric light was also working only spasmodically so that she had to get Ponniah, the rather sullen servant, to light some primitive kerosene lamps. Nanny was fine for looking after the children and seeing to their wants, but she was obviously not going to step outside her own

  particular duties. So within a couple of hours of

  struggling with a strange house and all its peculiarities Rossi was just about exhausted. All she longed for was a cool shower, but that was not to be, because the pump was still misbehaving itself.

  You'll have to have a proper wash tomorrow,'

  she told the children firmly.

  We could have just a quick dip in the lagoon,' Terry said hopefully. I know Uncle Matt wouldn't mind a bit.'

  ' No ! ' exploded Rossi, in no mood to argue, we've been nuisance enough to Mr Lincoln already. Anyway, it's dark now.'

  But he doesn't mind, honestly he doesn't,' Terry assured her, ' Mummy was always having to ask him things when Dad wasn't here, and he always did everything for her. I expect he would even let us all have a bath. . .

  Any minute now Rossi knew she would lose her temper, so she made Nanny hustle the children off to bed, then she flopped for five minutes wondering what time Tom would arrive.

  It was after nine when she heard the car outside. As the door slammed she heard his angry voice. She ran out to find him berating Raja and another sturdy Ceylonese who were still struggling with the pump. They had taken it to pieces and now seemed to be putting it together again.

  He saw her standing there in the light of the arc

  lamps the men had rigged up. What the hell are they doing here?' he demanded.

  She sighed. Tom, they're fixing the pump, you can see that. We've had no water at all.'

  Then they can damn well go and fix someone else's pump. They know perfectly well—or rather Lincoln knows—that they're not allowed on this property.' And with that he obviously told the two men to clear off.

  They both backed away from his anger, but the first one to come, Raja, did look at her and say, ' Please, madam, only another fifteen minutes and it will be working. We have found the fault.'

  Let them finish, Tom,' she pleaded.

  No. I'll do it myself.'

  She felt her stomach tighten as the men slipped into the darkness of the trees. This was all so unlike Tom. Was it Matt Lincoln who had driven him to this—or Julia?

  He looked tired and drained. She felt desperately sorry for him. But she still wished he had let the men finish the pump. He needed a shower even more than she did.

  Inside the bungalow he slumped into a chair and said wearily, Fix me a drink, Rossi, there should be something in the cupboard over there. Here's the key.' And he tossed one across to her. ' It's been one of those days, hasn't it?'

  She poured him out a drink, for which there seemed to be no ice, and sat down facing him.

  You'll want a shower or something, Tom. Fifteen minutes and they would have finished.'

  And have Lincoln crowing over me again? No dice. I'll fix the pump in the morning. Tonight it
will have to be a quick dip in the sea. And, Rossi. . .

  Yes?' She sat forward on her seat.

  ' I'm not going to have the kids running in and out of his place, as they seem to have been doing. Julia allowed it and now Nanny does . . . although I can't really blame her . . . but now that you're in charge, it's got to stop.'

  But, Tom,' she protested, you can't include Terry and Sue in your quarrels, or even me. It isn't fair.'

  I haven't discovered that the world is particularly fair,' he returned with sudden savagery. But now I'm going to bed. We'll talk about things in the morning. Nanny's shown you your room, I suppose?'

  She nodded. A few minutes later she closed her own door behind her. Tom must be very tired. She must not judge him tonight. Somehow, tomorrow, with the hot sun and the sea just outside there things must look a little better.

  Rossi woke soon after six, feeling she had slept very little. She had, of course, but it had not been a comfortable night, what with the stifling heat under a mosquito net that smelt damp and musty, and the rustle of unknown insects on the coconut matting. Once, as she lay awake, the noise across the floor sounded like a dry slither and she lay rigid as she imagined a snake making its leisurely way across the room. But then all was silent and when she could strain her ears no longer she fell into a fitful sleep.

  Now, knowing she could not sleep again, she pushed aside the netting and put her feet gingerly to the floor. Her mouth was very dry, yet the rest of her felt sticky as though the night had left its mark. At least, though, the heat had gone with the dawn and now the air would remain fresh for a little while until the burning sun left its mark on another day. Suddenly she knew she could not wait for Tom to mend the pump—not if she had to find some energy to help with the children and get some sort of order