He had not long to wait. At half past eight on Friday morning the telephone in his bedroom rang, and to his delight Merri’s silvery voice came over the line. ‘Good morning, Julian. I rang up to tell you that Bill is leaving today for Macao. The office tells me that you’ve booked me again. So if it’s all right with you I’ll call for you at half past nine.’
When she arrived in her car she said, ‘This is the 1st March and it’s the hottest day yet; so unless you’ve any other plans I thought I might take you to bathe at Sheko.’
Stunned afresh at the sight of her flower-like face and slim body, he was willing to agree to anything; so they drove down to the beach. Quite a few people were already in the water, and when he had hired two tents she said, ‘What about skis? You do water-ski, don’t you?’
He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not. I’ve never learnt to.’
She sighed. ‘What a pity. It’s marvellous fun. Bill and I came here yesterday. He’s absolutely first-class and wonderful to watch. But never mind. We’ll just go in for a swim.’
Again Julian felt the awful handicap of middle-age that, despite his firm good figure, was creeping upon him. But they enjoyed their bathe and afterwards lunched off a delicious crab omelette and avocado pear salad.
When she asked him if he would like to return to the Repulse Bay for his afternoon nap he suddenly formed a determination to break that habit of the ageing and replied, ‘No; let’s drive up into the hills and find a place where we can sit and enjoy the heavenly view.’
Half an hour later they had left the car and were sitting side by side several hundred feet up looking out towards Lamtong Island and the ocean that faded into a blue haze beyond it.
It was very peaceful and they were utterly alone there. Putting an arm round her shoulders, he made to draw her to him; but she wriggled free and said abruptly, ‘No, Julian, no. It’s too hot for that sort of thing.’
He did not press her; yet as he refrained he was suddenly cynically conscious that, heat or no heat, had he been younger he would have laughed at her protest then pulled her to him and kissed her.
All the morning he had been tempted to ask her about Urata. Now he could resist no longer, and enquired, ‘What sort of a time did you have with Bill?’
Her large grey eyes regarded him with an amused look, and she replied, ‘I believe you’re jealous.’
‘Of course I am,’ he admitted with a smile. ‘I just hated the thought of your being with him, because I know you like him.’
‘I do,’ she agreed frankly, ‘and we had great fun. We danced every evening and it was heavenly. He’s the nicest and most amusing man I’ve met for a long time.’
‘Then you find him nicer than me?’ Julian asked with a sinking feeling.
She regarded him gravely for a moment with a little frown. ‘No, I wouldn’t quite say that. The two of you are so utterly different. Bill is a masterful sort of man. He wants his own way in everything, but all the time he is bubbling with spontaneous gaiety. Whereas you are wonderfully peaceful to be with. And you understand things about life and art that Bill hasn’t got a clue about. He is much more exciting; but you have so many things he lacks, and I’d put my trust in you much sooner than I would in him.’
‘Thanks for the compliment,’ Julian smiled, much comforted; but, wisely, he made no further attempt to kiss her.
That night they dined at the Carlton and on the way home she willingly surrendered again to his kisses.
Over dinner they had planned their next day. Merri had said that one of the most enjoyable outings was to hire a private launch and go round the island, but it was so expensive that usually a group of tourists clubbed together to make the trip. Not the least deterred by that, Julian had asked her to engage one so that they could enjoy a long day together on the sea.
Next morning they left Ferry Pier in a big motor launch with a crew of five: a skipper, an engineer, a deck hand, a cook and a steward. In the forepart of the launch there was a cabin that would seat ten in rough weather, and a small bar; above it the deck, covered with an awning, was furnished with a table and a number of cane armchairs. Below, in the stern, lay the engine room and the galley.
In perfect weather they headed westward, with no more than a gentle breeze to chop the sea slightly and refresh them in the torrid heat. By midday they had come round to Ti Tam Bay and, anchoring, went overboard for a swim. Back on board they were served an excellent lunch, then during the afternoon they rounded Kau Pi Chau Point and headed north. By six o’clock they had entered the Lei U Mun Channel and were about seven miles from Victoria, but opposite Quarry Point the engine broke down.
That did not particularly worry them, as they had planned to make the most of their day on the water and dine on board. However, the trouble proved more than a temporary fault and, after tinkering with the engine for three-quarters of an hour, the Chinese engineer told them apologetically that it might be two or three hours before he could get it going again.
Still not unduly worried, they watched the sun decline in the west crowned by a great aura of orange, salmon and gold, while drinking cocktails then eating a very pleasant meal. By the time they finished it had grown chilly; so they went down into the cabin and, with the aid of a pile of cushions, snuggled up comfortably in a corner there. With the failure of the engine the lights had also failed, so by nine o’clock they were shrouded from the sight of the crew by complete darkness.
Confident that it could not now be long before the repairs to the engine were completed, Merri was in one of her happiest moods. She let Julian kiss her to his heart’s content, responded passionately and now and then gave little sighs of pleasure.
He had not meant to force the pace but after a while the temptation was too much for him and he said softly, ‘Merri, I love you. I love you desperately. Will you marry me?’
She gave a little gasp, drew away from him and asked, ‘Do you … do you really mean that?’
‘Of course I do,’ he assured her. ‘You are the loveliest and sweetest thing that God ever put breath into. I’ve told you all about myself, so you know what you’d be taking on. I’ve had a rotten life so far; but you said yourself only the other day that I ought to settle down and make a new life for myself. I know I’m much older than you, but I’m still young enough to do that, and I’m sure I could make you happy. My sweet, I beg you to say yes.’
She gave a sudden nervous little laugh. ‘I … I’ve had quite a number of proposals; but never before two in one week.’
‘Does that mean that Bill proposed to you?’ he asked with a frown.
‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘On his last night here, before he left for Macao. He was terribly set on marrying me; but I couldn’t, even if I really loved him enough, and I’m not sure that I do. You see, the Japanese are responsible for a great deal of the dope running that goes on here, and Mother loathes them on that account. She would never consent to my marrying a Japanese.’
‘I see. Then that puts Bill Urata out of the running. And, anyway, you’re not in love with him.’
‘I find him terribly attractive. But that’s not the same as being head over heels in love, is it?’
‘No. And what about me?’
‘I find you terribly attractive too, but you fulfil an entirely different need in me. In some ways Bill is almost a barbarian; whereas you have all the intellect, love of beauty and kindly worldly wisdom that appeal so strongly both to the Chinese and European in me.’
‘Such qualities are much more lasting, Merri, than being able to dance the Twist and ride a surf-board with agility. Say “yes”; I implore you to.’
She shook her dark head. ‘No, I can’t. Please, Julian, don’t press me. To be honest, I’ve let you make love to me partly, at least, to get Bill out of my mind, because that’s all over and I want to forget about him. Perhaps to tell you that is unkind, but it wasn’t altogether that. I’ve never been kissed by such an accomplished lover, and I’ll admit that your gentle fondling of me sen
ds me into a dream of bliss. But you must be content with that for the moment. To marry you is another thing, and you must give me time to think.’
More than content with her admission that she liked him so much, Julian refrained from urging her further, but again drew her to him and time drifted by unnoticed by them.
When at last she asked the time he looked at his watch and saw that it was after ten. Worried now about getting her home, he went aft and spoke to the engineer, who was working on the engine by the light of a torch. The Chinese assured him glibly that the major trouble had been dealt with but another half-hour went by before the engine began to stutter. Unrealised by them, the current had meanwhile carried the launch several miles down towards Lamtong Island. In consequence it was midnight before they at last landed at Starr Ferry, and they still had to collect the car and drive across the island.
Fearing that Merri’s mother might be waiting up for her, Julian insisted that she should drive straight home so that he might support her explanation for her lateness, and afterward he would walk back to his hotel. When they arrived he found that their fears were only too well founded. Mrs. Sang let them into the house herself and her fine face was grim with disapproval.
Merri nervously gabbled out an account of what had happened, but her mother said only, ‘You go straight up to bed, child. I want a word with Mr. Day and he shall do the explaining.’
With a crestfallen glance at Julian, Merri went upstairs, while he followed Mrs. Sang into the drawing room. Pushing the door to behind them, she rounded on him and, her eyes hard as agates, said angrily, ‘The engine broke down! I don’t believe it! That’s the oldest story in the world. You fixed things with the crew of the launch so that you could make love to Merri.’
‘No, honestly. It’s the truth, Mrs. Sang,’ he protested.
‘You’re lying! Her lipstick’s all over your face. I shouldn’t be surprised if you succeeded in seducing her.’
Julian drew himself up and retorted sharply, ‘I did not; and you’ve no right to suggest such a thing. I admit to kissing her, of course; but she’s not a child just out of the school room, so why shouldn’t I? And you may as well know that I’ve asked her to marry me.’
‘Marry you!’ exclaimed Mrs. Sang, her blue eyes widening.
‘Yes. Why not? I’m a bachelor with no entanglements, and I’m sure that I could make her happy.’
For a moment the handsome blonde woman stood there staring at him, then she burst out, ‘No! I won’t have it! When you were here on Sunday you saw all the valuable things in this house. You realised that I was a wealthy woman and that all this will go to Merri. You’re just a fortune hunter, trying to turn the child’s head with your knowledge of the world and polished manners.’
‘What nonsense!’ Julian gave an angry little laugh. ‘You haven’t the least foundation for making such a charge. I’m probably as rich as and maybe richer than you are. In the United States alone I have enough money safely invested to buy this house and everything in it.’
Mrs. Sang’s hands were trembling. ‘All right, then!’ she snapped. ‘If I’m wrong about that there’s another reason. You’re too old for Merri; much too old. At your age how could you expect to keep pace with a girl of hers? After the first excitement of being married and having her own home had worn off she would become bored with you. How can you expect me to agree to her making a marriage that would be bound to go on the rocks within a few years?’
‘I don’t agree that it would,’ Julian replied stubbornly. ‘Merri’s great wish is to travel. She is highly intelligent and greatly interested in art and history. In these days there are very few men who’re not tied by some business or profession, and wealthy enough to take their wives to live for a while with every comfort in any country they wish to see. I’m in a position to provide her with a whole series of new sights and interests for years to come; so you’re quite wrong in supposing that she would become bored if she married me.’
‘One can get bored with travelling after a few years. And what sort of a life is it for a girl to live out of a trunk for months on end, even in the very best hotels? The real joy of marriage is to settle down, make a home, have children and live among a circle of friends.’
Julian gave a slight smile. ‘I think now, Mrs. Sang, I can guess your real reason for objecting to me as a husband for Merri. As she is your only child and you have very little social life you are most reluctant to lose her. It’s only natural that you hoped that when she did marry it would be someone with a good position here in Hong Kong. Well, let me reassure you. I’ve found Hong Kong to be one of the most delightful places I’ve ever stayed in, so I am quite prepared to buy a pleasant property on the island. Merri and I would travel only part of the year and make our permanent home here. Does that satisfy you?’
‘No, it does not!’ Merri’s mother flared, her blue eyes blazing. ‘Since you drive me to it I’ll give you a reason that is final. When you came here on Sunday you thought we had met before. You were right. We had. I recognised you immediately. I was Matilda Cray, the young Australian V.A.D. who appealed to you for help when the Japanese broke into the temporary hospital at the Jockey Club. If you’d been half a man you would have saved me from rape and worse. I’ll not let my daughter marry a coward.’
Chapter VII
The Past Catches up with Julian Day
Momentarily speechless, Julian stared at the woman who had once been Matilda Cray. Then he had seen her face fully only for those two agonising minutes when his muscles had seemed near breaking point as he had tried to hoist her up through the skylight; now he realised that she had hardly altered at all. The tall, well-made girl had only put on flesh, acquired a few wrinkles round her eyes and a harder mouth, to become this big, handsome woman.
As he stared at her, she went on furiously, ‘I suppose you know that the nurses in that hospital, British and Chinese alike, were raped time after time all Christmas Day and all through the following night, and knocked about and beaten into the bargain? That’s what happened to me after you took to your heels to save your skin. But I fared worse than they did; far worse. A Japanese officer took a fancy to me and had me shanghaied to a house on the mainland. He kept me locked up there for weeks while he inflicted every sort of bestial lust on me. Then … then when at last he tired of me he sold me into a brothel in … in Canton. If you’ve any imagination, Mr. Day, try to picture the sort of hell that was for a young girl like me. On some nights I had to accept as many as a dozen stinking sweaty men one after the other. That lasted a whole year. If I hadn’t been as strong as an ox I would have died after a month of it. That’s what you let me in for.’
Panting, she paused a second and Julian stammered out, ‘But Mrs. Sang, I … I—’
With an angry gesture she cut him short. ‘That I’m not an old harridan peddling myself on the waterfront for enough rice to keep me alive, or long since dead, is no fault of yours. But I survived. Sang … Sang came to that low brothel one night, having been misled into believing it a good-class one. He happened to see me, paid for a whole night with me and after he had had me talked to me for a long while. He was a wealthy merchant and he bought me out. Later, in 1944, he married me. After he died I … I saw the red light and got my money out of China. But my family had long since given me up for dead. I couldn’t bring myself to return to Australia with little Merri—a half-caste child—and face them; so I came here: a lonely widow with a ruined life. You could have saved me from all those agonies I went through, but you lacked the courage. Now you know why I won’t have you as a husband for Merri.’
Holding out both his hands in a helpless gesture, Julian said, ‘Yours is a terrible story—terrible. I can’t find words to express my … well, horror … sympathy … distress. They’re all inadequate. But you are being unjust to me. Remember everything happened very quickly. I saw you only for a moment through the skylight before calling to you, and looking down on you I underestimated your weight. Even so, in normal circum
stances I think I could have pulled you up; but I had a wound in one arm, was bruised all over from having escaped capture by rolling down a steep hillside, and was practically all-in from three days of constant marching and fighting. You can’t hold me guilty of more than an error of judgment.’
‘I do! When you found you couldn’t pull me up you could have shot me. In those days my looks had attracted a dozen men who tried to seduce me. But I had been brought up to believe that to keep herself chaste was a woman’s first duty; so I was a good girl. I meant to keep myself for some man I’d fall in love with and marry. Rather than be raped by the Japanese I would willingly have died. If I’d known the hell that was in store for me I’d have gladly suffered death ten times over. I implored you to shoot me. But you hadn’t the guts. You just crouched up there looking on while one of them blacked my eye and they threw me down on the sofa.’
Helplessly, Julian shook his head. ‘I couldn’t have shot you. My pistol was empty and I hadn’t a round of ammunition left. I appreciate how you must feel, but there was nothing I could possibly do to save you.’
Ignoring his explanation, she retorted bitterly, ‘Yes, you could have if you had done as I asked you in the first place. I called up to you to come down and help me barricade the door. If you’d done that, before they could have broken in we would have had time to get out on the roof together and escape them. But you chose to remain up there rather than risk your own safety.’
Julian realised that she must have nursed this grievance against him for years, and that there was no arguing with her. He could only repeat, ‘I was half dead on my feet—too exhausted to think clearly. I admit that I did the wrong thing; but anyone might have in the circumstances. I felt ghastly about it for weeks afterwards. But you cannot blame me for more than an error of judgment.’
Bill for the Use of a Body Page 8