The Man From Coral Bay

by Jan Anderson

  Yes,' he answered lightly, ' I suppose you have. We're going into the jungle.'

  ' But . . . now . . . in pitch darkness?'

  She saw that he was grinning. Yes, of course, this is the best time. The jungle only comes alive now.'

  Rossi swallowed, dry-mouthed, wondering if he was after all going to wreak some terrible kind of vengeance after all, by frightening her out of her life.

  As if he had read her thoughts he said, I believe you think I might abandon you to the bear, or even the leopard?' He laughed out loud. Well, it's a thought, I suppose. At least I know you're going

  to behave yourself while we're out.'

  She moved uncomfortably in her seat, wishing once more that she had had the guts to refuse to come.

  It seemed to Rossi that they turned off the road at about the same point they had when searching for Terry, only when they reached the tank they turned in the opposite direction and were soon on a narrow track with tall dense trees on either side and the headlights cut a swathe into undergrowth so thick that it looked as if no living creature could force a way through it.

  Suddenly, without warning, he jammed on the brakes and dimmed the lights.

  Before she could open her mouth to question him he put a finger to his lips. ` Listen, and watch,' he said.

  Above the quiet ticking over of the engine, she heard what sounded like an army of trucks breaking through the jungle. No, she told herself, if he wasn't frightened, then she was damned if she was going to show that she was. Nevertheless, the sweat broke out on her forehead.

  By now her eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness and she could see shapes under the night sky. Just ahead of them—not more than a hundred yards—the first of her ` army ' broke through the trees and crossed the track. She drew in her breath, for it was surely the largest elephant she had ever seen. It was followed by another, then another, two or three smaller ones, until about fifteen must have passed in front of them. And, as the last disappeared, noisily, there was a great trumpeting from the interior.

  Rossi sat, awed and speechless, until Matt said, ` Well, Rossi, you've seen something tonight that

  few other people have seen round here. Oh, it's easy enough to see the odd elephant, even two or three, but I've only seen as many as this twice, I think. Let's hope we're as lucky on the next stage.'

  She turned to him, surprise colouring her voice. ' Do you mean that you've only brought me out tonight as a sort of tourist trip? The jungle by night, or something like that?'

  Something like that,' he agreed, but she sensed laughter in his voice. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy the sight of those elephants?'

  I . . . I thought it was just fantastic, but I simply don't understand.'

  Then don't try.'

  They drove on and a few more small night creatures crossed their path, a porcupine, a graceful frightened deer and somewhere in the distance could be heard the banshee-like cry of the jackal.

  After about half an hour they came out into the open. The moon was up, high in the sky, shining directly down on the tank not far ahead of them. It looked just like the sheen of dark, rippling silk. Matt turned off both the engine and the lights. ' This is where we wait,' he said.

  What are we waiting for?' she asked, trying to sound disinterested.

  ' For the very thing I've brought you out to see.'

  Rossi asked no more questions. She seemed to be beyond all questions, all understanding. Instead she tried to take in the scene around her, the extraordinary silence. There seemed to be no living thing around them except some birds paddling on the edge of the water.

  Suddenly they rose and flew away and Matt hissed, Now, watch.'

  Two dark stubby creatures lumbered down to the

  water's edge and started to drink. She did not need to be told they were bear. She watched them, fascinated for about five minutes, and so intent was she that she hardly noticed the other figure slide out of the darkness no more than a hundred yards away along the shore. The moon seemed to pick up the ripple of that spotted fur, the long lean line of the cat-like body.

  Leopard!' she breathed, and could not believe what she was seeing.

  When the leopard had drunk its fill it disappeared as quickly and quietly as it had come and its place was taken by a small herd of deer.

  When she felt she could watch no longer she turned to Matt. ' I know this is what you brought me to see and it's a sight I shall always remember, but why? I must know why.'

  He turned to her for the first time and she saw his eyes were almost luminous in the darkness. Because,' he said, I wanted to show you these animals drinking together. The bear and the leopard are deadly enemies and the deer are a prey for them both, yet, because there's a drought on, all these enemies come together and for a while forget their quarrels. The need of them all is greater than the need of the individual.'

  I think,' she came back slowly, that you're trying to tell me that you and Tom are the bear and the leopard and the time has come to forget your quarrel.'

  If they can do it, we certainly can, don't you agree? '

  Yes.'

  ' And if we can, then you can, can't you?' But I have no quarrel with either of you.' He smiled. You think you have with me, or

  rather you think I have with you. You feel you've betrayed me in some way.'

  But I did,' she whispered. ' You told the truth and I refused to believe you.'

  He put his hand on hers. You're making an awful lot of a very human error, Rossi. Do you want to go away thinking we've parted in anger, that you can never face me again?'

  ' No. No . . . I don't.' For some stupid reason she could feel the thickness gathering in her throat. But it's myself I can't face.'

  ' Then,' he took her face in his hands and turned it towards him, you don't hate me after all?'

  If he sees me cry now I'm done for. ' No, Matt, I don't hate you. Why should I?'

  Then let's talk about something practical—Tom and me. I've been thinking. He's got to get out and go back to Colombo, he's admitted that himself. I think I can persuade him to sell me his land. I still want it, you know, but under strictly fair conditions. But I also want him and Julia to keep the house and most of the garden for weekends and holidays. He can either own it, or rent it from me for a small sum. I imagine he would prefer to do that so that what capital he has is not tied up. Do you think we can talk him into accepting that? As long as he doesn't feel beholden to me, or even guilty. Guilt makes for bad friendship.'

  You're very generous, Matt.'

  ' No, just sensible. I've always liked Tom and I think I know that when you hit rock bottom you tend not to behave as a normal person. I know, I've been through something similar myself. I saw all the signs a long time ago. Besides, you and Tom get on well, I imagine you would like him as a weekend neighbour.'

  Me?' she said, bewildered. Where do I come into it?'

  As my wife, of course,' he said calmly.

  She looked at him completely stunned As your . . . what?'

  Wife. What else? I do intend to do the right thing by the woman I love.'

  ' But you've never told me, you've never even hinted. How could you possibly say you love me?'

  ' If I had told you before this moment you would have thrown the words right back in my face. If you want the precise moment when I knew we were going to fall in love it was when you rushed over for my help when Sue was ill, all scratched and dirty. There's never been any doubt in my mind ever since. I -did try you out once, remember, and knew you weren't exactly averse to me.' His hands were on her body, his lips on hers. I love you, Rossi Finch, and I've waited a long time for you,' he murmured.

  Rossi felt the tears she had been holding back all this time start to fall and he drew back dismayed. Why are you crying?' he demanded.

  I think,' she answered, half laughing, it must be because I'm happy. I really believe Julia must have been right after all.'

  And where does Julia come into this?'

  Some
day I'll tell you, but for the moment, kiss me again, Matt, please.'