by Jan Anderson
Barney said softly, ' You haven't said yet what your personal opinion of him is.'
She shrugged helplessly. Until this morning I
suppose I was fairly indifferent. He was kind enough to me, and of course to the children, and although I didn't care for his arrogance, I couldn't say I had any personal quarrel with him. But I could see why Tom felt so strongly.' She decided not to mention Julia, because that did seem like a family matter.
' And then this morning?' he prompted.
' I went to the plantation and found that all Tom's small labour force had walked out and gone to work for Matt Lincoln.'
You mean he'd bribed them.'
I don't know,' she said honestly. ' I stormed over there and told him what I thought of him. He more or less convinced me that he didn't know the men had worked for Tom. His overseer had taken them on.'
That sounds a likely story,' Barney snorted.
The trouble is,' she went on, it doesn't really matter what Ithink, or whether I'm convinced. I just know that Tom won't believe a word of it. As soon as he learns, he'll go bulldozing in there and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he picked a fight. He's spoiling for just something like that. I think he's in a bad way, what with Julia going home and everything being so difficult here, so that he needs
to blame someone and get everything out of his system. I must say I'm glad you're here, Barney, perhaps you can stop him doing anything really foolish.'
' Of course I'll do my best,' he assured her. The immediate problem is the labour one, I assume.'
Matt Lincoln said he was going to make the men come back here. I don't know whether he meant it. There's nowhere else for them to work, so I suppose it's just possible, but it seems—if he's telling the truth—that the main trouble is money. They aren't getting a fair wage.'
Look,' he said, leave this part to me. It will be too late by the time Tom comes back to do anything about it. There's no need even to tell him today. Let's wait and see if they come back tomorrow and go on from there.'
' Thank you, Barney,' she said gratefully. I'm so full of my own woes that I haven't even asked you how things are, or how long you are here for. Did Tom just meet you, or what?'
She learned that they had met by accident at, the Club and Barney had happened to say he was taking the first couple of days off since his return when Tom suggested he came back to the coast instead of staying in Colombo.
And of course,' Barney finished cheerfully, I jumped at the suggestion. Now, the only thing left is to make you take a day off too.'
Rossi managed to persuade him to go off for a swim while she went inside to tackle the problem of how to make dinner for two into dinner for three. It did not look very hopeful.
While she was studying the half empty larder shelves and wishing she had had a few more cookery lessons, Ponniah padded in behind her. Without
imagining he could offer a suggestion she sighed and said, There is not enough dinner for three, Ponniah. Have you any suggestions?'
He thought for a moment, then surprisingly said, ' I could bring some fish, lady.'
She turned on him in surprise. Could you
really?'
He nodded. Yes, but I will need to go away for one hour.'
That's fine.' She would have happily told him to go away for two hours if the result had been worth it. Amazingly he was back within the hour bearing three small but succulent crabs and three avocado pears.
She fell upon the feast with delight. ' Where on earth did you find this, Ponniah?'
' In the village, lady,' he replied evasively.
She knew he was lying, but she did not much care today. Sometimes, she had already learned in this country, it was better to ask no questions and turn a blind eye.
Tom came back shortly afterwards, bearing the news that Sue was a great deal better and demanding to come home, but the doctor had insisted that she must stay one more night.
' He also told me,' Tom went on while they were sitting on the terrace with an evening drink, that she ought to go up country for a day or two. Get away from the heat and the humidity.'
Is that possible?' Rossi asked. I could take
her, gladly, but are there hotels in the hills.'
' Oh, yes, one or two. Nuwara Eliya is about the best. . .
My dear Tom,' Barney put in with a sigh, I don't know what you're discussing the relative merits of the local hotels for. Sue and Rossi would
be bored to tears in no time. If they're going up country at all, then they're coming to stay with me. I'm afraid,' he turned to Rossi rather sheepishly, `it's a bachelor establishment, so there'll be some feminine touches missing, but we do eat well, and the estate is in a beautiful part of the country. We even have a swimming pool of sorts. What do you say, Tom?'
He turned to his sister. I suppose it's up to
Rossi. It sounds a splendid idea to me. I daresay the doctor will let her travel the day after tomorrow.'
Then that's settled,' Barney said complacently. Terry must come too, of course, and it might be a good idea if you brought Nanny. Take some of the pressure off Rossi too.'
The day, which had begun so disastrously, became the best evening Rossi had spent since she came to Ceylon. The dinner turned out perfectly, the avocados just to the right point of ripeness, the filling of the crab sharp but creamy, and then the fresh fruit and cheese to follow.
Barney sat back afterwards over his coffee and said, I don't know why I'm boasting of the food at my place, when you obviously eat just as well here.'
Tom had the grace to say, Tonight was special, I don't know how Rossi managed it. She's been having a rough time with the cooking ever since she came.'
Can't you raise one extra boy?' Barney said casually, as if he had just thought of the idea.
Don't forget you can't afford to have Rossi go under just now. You've probably forgotten how killing this climate is for the first few weeks.'
You're probably right,' Tom said slowly. ' I haven't been thinking of anything much except
labour in the field.'
Rossi held her breath, but he went on, I'll get Ponniah to look into it tomorrow. These boys have always got a pal who wants to come and work with them.' He pushed back his chair. ' Now if you two will forgive me for about half an hour I have some paper work I must catch up with. I can't afford to waste the daylight. Help yourself to another whisky, Barney, if you'd like one.'
After he had gone they sat for a moment listening to the sounds of the night and watching the pale cheeky geckos dart up and down the walls seeking the light, then Barney said, ' Walk down to the sea with me, Rossi. I can't resist a sea at night.'
They walked along the sandy path through the trees until they were on the shore with the waves breaking in soft, even rhythm It was a perfect night, with just enough breeze to take the edge off the heavy heat, and with an almost full moon turning the blue of the sea to silver. Far out to sea the twinkling lights of the fishermen were strung out like a long line of swaying, bobbing lanterns.
Rossi kicked off her sandals and ran to the edge, letting the water lap over her bare toes. At this moment she felt almost happier than since she had arrived. She turned to Barney and said impulsively, It is really a little like paradise here. No wonder Tom doesn't want to let it go. Standing here like this one can forget all the problems. They seem sort of insignificant, don't they?' She frowned suddenly. ' Why are you looking like that?'
Because I'm thinking of all those insulting things I said to you when I arrived this afternoon. Just now you look like a sea waif, all golden and beautiful, Rossi. Come here, please.'
She did not resist when he took her in his arms
and they clung together, unaware of anything but the need to hold on to this moment of perfection.
CHAPTER VII
When finally they drew apart Barney touched her cheek with his forefinger. I've been wanting to do that ever since I saw you at that party in London, looking a little lost, as if you didn't qui
te belong.'
' But I didn't belong, did I?' she said in a funny, cut-off voice.
' Not then, perhaps, but I'm going to change all that. I wouldn't have had anything happen to Sue for the world, but it's made a marvellous excuse to get you up to High Rocks and show you what the other half of Ceylon is like. Then you really won't ever want to leave.' In a different voice he added, ' You know I'm not going to let you leave, Rossi.'
A little helplessly she replied, ' You're rushing things, Barney—you hardly know me. We haven't even spent a whole day together.'
' But I know what I want,' he said firmly. I always have been like that. Oh, don't worry, I don't expect everyone to be the same, so I'm not going to rush you. I'm just going to try and show you that you can't do without me either. I do want to know one thing. I have got a chance, haven't I? If there's someone at home, or if I'm really batting my head against a brick wall, I'd like to know, so I can change my tactics.'
Rossi could not help laughing. Well, at least
you're honest, Barney. And yes, of course you
stand a chance. I like you too . . . in fact I think
it's more than that, but I suppose I'm a little cautious
by nature, especially of my feelings, so you'll have
to be patient with me.'
He put his arms round her and hugged her exuberantly. ' Oh, I'll be patient with you, my darling. I've waited a long time for you, I expect I can wait a little longer.'
They walked back to the house, hand in hand, but before they came in sight of the terrace, Rossi withdrew hers gently. ' If you don't mind, Barney, I'd rather we said nothing to Tom yet. Let him just think we enjoy each other's company.'
But I believe he would rather like me for a brother-in-law,' he protested.
You're a long way from that,' she reminded him Besides, he has so much trouble on his plate at the moment, I'd like him to think I was giving all my attention to him and the children. He really does need me here, to lean on, to talk to, even just to feel there's someone wholeheartedly on his side.'
O.K., I can take a hint, and you're quite right, he is knee deep in everything at the moment. God, I'd like to teach that fellow Lincoln a lesson! He's more than half of the trouble.' He paused. I believe Julia was seeing a bit too much of him, wasn't she?'
Rossi nodded. Yes, I think so, but how serious it was, I don't know. Perhaps it was just another ruse to get Tom out of here. Because that's what he wants.'
Perhaps because she was a little easier in her mind, Rossi slept long and well that night. But her first thought, when she woke, was of whether the men had come back to work. She could hardly go and see. She must just keep her fingers crossed.
Barney was just finishing his breakfast when she came out. She looked anxiously round for Tom. ' Have you any idea. . . .' she started to ask.
No,' Barney told her. Tom went off about an hour ago and he hasn't come back. I decided it was more tactful to keep out of the way. If there's trouble he won't want me around to help settle it. He's too independent.'
And proud,' Rossi added wryly. He always hated asking anyone for help. What are you going to do today, Barney?'
Take you out,' he said promptly. No, don't say anything. I told Tom you needed a day away from the kids and domestic chores. He quite agreed with me, particularly as Sue isn't here. Nanny will keep an eye on Terry, but the boy will probably want to be with his father. Tom says he doesn't mind him hanging round the plantation as long as he's on his own. So . . . where would you like to go?'
' I simply don't know,' she said. ' If we really are going somewhere then I'd be happier leaving it to you. I've seen nothing of Ceylon but the journey up here and an hour's stop in Kandy.'
He thought for a moment. Well, from here it's really a choice of the ancient cities or the great rock, Sigirya. I think on balance I'd choose the latter. It really is one of the great sights of Ceylon.'
Yes,' she put in eagerly, that's what M . . . what I heard people say,' she tailed off lamely. Somehow this did not seem the moment to mention that Matt Lincoln had talked about it.
Then we'll go there. Strictly speaking the ideal time to go up the rock is around six a.m., before the full sun hits it, but we haven't much choice. But I think we should get going soon. How soon can you be ready?'
Ten minutes,' she said promptly.
Barney dissuaded her from going to find Tom to
tell him their plans. You'll only get involved,' he
said, and then you'll spend the whole day worrying. I've told him we're going off together. He knows there are only a couple of places to choose from. Oh, yes, and don't forget to bring a hat.'
So they drove inland and south, across the great stretches of paddy fields, past enormous tanks, then into dense forest. Everywhere some kind of living was scratched from the land, yet although the country was obviously poor, Rossi was struck again by the smiling faces of everyone they passed.
Barney talked much of the time, but not of the things they saw. He seemed to take his surroundings for granted. He talked mostly of the things he liked doing, golf, fishing and water sports, as far as she could gather, and of his determination to make the High Rocks estate one of the finest in Ceylon. He also wanted to know every detail of her past life.
At some point along the journey they both relapsed into silence and as she studied his profile and noted how quick all his movements were, she thought for the first time about last night. In a way, ever since then, she had deliberately set her mind against thinking of it. It had been a shock to her to realise he took their attraction for each other so seriously. On the other hand it had been rather a pleasant shock, and when he kissed her last night she knew she found him dangerously attractive. But as she had told him, she was going to be very cautious, it was not long ago that the affair with Andrew had seemed like being the real thing. And yet she had always believed that when she fell in love, deeply in love, she would know immediately. There would be no doubts, no uncertainties, nothing to stop her saying the simple word ' yes '. That was, presumably, how it had been for Barney. But she should know by
now that love came in many ways, like a clap of thunder for some; for others a gradual, warm glowing feeling, that was good and sure to last.
' You're miles away,' he accused her. What are you thinking about? Us, I hope.'
Yes, I was as a matter of fact,' she said truthfully.
You're not going to turn tail and run, are you?'
Of course not,' she laughed. ' I was thinking how much happier I was today, thanks to you. I think I was letting everything get on top of me.'
Well, I'm glad I've been of some use, anyway.' He reached over and squeezed her hand gently.
Sometime later they turned off the main road on to a narrower one that led to the rest house. Here, they stopped for a cool drink and Barney filled a plastic bottle with more fruit juice which he tucked in his pocket. We'll need this half way up,' he told her.
At the far side of the building he pointed up. There she is.'
The rock was indeed an awesome sight—an enormous square block, eight hundred feet high, that looked as though it had been tossed on to the flat land round it with a giant hand.
But we can't get up there, surely?' Rossi gasped.
We can indeed, but there's only one way up. There always has been only one way up since a great city was built up there around the fifth century. As you can see, it was pretty well impregnable. The Rock of the Lion. It's going to be a fairly stiff—and a very hot—climb Want to change your mind?'
Not on your life!'
Oh, well, we can always turn back half way up.' The first part was easy enough, through beauti-
fully laid out gardens and up an imposing staircase that wound up and round the rock. Even though they took it slowly and easily, stopping to rest every few minutes, Rossi soon knew she was going to feel very hot indeed.
Already, looking down, she could tell they had come a long way. Then they were walking along a ston
e gallery and pausing to see some of the finest rock paintings in the country. The clear outlines of the figures in the fresco and the warm ochre colour had lasted around fifteen hundred years, protected from the rain and the worst of the sun by a steep overhang of rock. They finally came to a broad platform where two huge lions had been carved from the stone, guarding the last ascent. They sat in the shade for a moment and Barney said, ' This is where you can turn back. We're not far from the top, but from now on the going gets tough. You don't suffer from vertigo, do you?'
Not as far as I know,' Rossi said, ' and having come this far I'm determined to get to the top, even if it's on my hands and knees.'
That prophecy was not too far from the truth. She almost wanted to take back her brave words, for, after a steep climb up an iron staircase, she discovered the next stage was literally up the face of the rock, where footholds had been cut out, and where only an iron railing lay between her and the seven hundred-foot drop below. She turned her head away and tried not to think that coming down was going to be far worse.
Drenched in sweat and with the sun beating down on them, they reached the top at last, a four-acre ruin of an ancient city. Barney made her sit on the Lion King's throne and then took her all round the outside walls.
It seemed that the whole of Ceylon lay at their feet —mile upon mile of jungle, with the hills, rising in the distance. But this incredible place towered over everything.
Well,' said Barney, was it worth the effort?'
' Oh, yes,' she breathed, I wouldn't have missed this for anything. The Lion King must indeed have felt monarch of all he surveyed, almost king of the world up here.'
There was no shade up here, so Barney insisted that they start down almost immediately. A large hat and sunglasses were not sufficient protection against sun as hot as this.
She began to feel odd about half way down the most difficult bit. On Barney's advice she was going down backwards, inching her way along the rocky footholds, but even so, her head was swimming, and she began to wonder if she could make it without help.