Fields of Gold Page 25

  ‘You’re not just saying that?’

  She laughed. ‘We couldn’t shut her up.’

  ‘But she’s not acting as though I’m on her mind.’

  Now Flora gave him a knowing look. ‘Then I’ve taught her well, haven’t I? No daughter of mine should be an easy rose to pluck. It’s up to you now, Ned. I would be lying if I didn’t warn that there are several young men interested in Iris and some who’ve held a candle for her for years.’

  ‘Oh, God.’ He was deflated.

  ‘Don’t worry. Iris has her head screwed on.’ Ned nodded disconsolately. She patted his hand. ‘Just keep reminding her of why you’re her best choice. I’m counting on you … and I’ll help wherever I can.’

  This brightened him. ‘I’ll stay close … and patient.’

  ‘Good boy. Now, you’d better go home and see if you can’t catch a couple of hours of sleep. I’m sorry I interrupted it for silly kul-kuls but it was an opportunity I couldn’t let you miss.’

  ‘It was worth it.’ He leapt down the steps with a new spring in his stride. ‘See you on Tuesday night.’

  ‘Oh, Ned? I meant to warn you. Don’t talk too much about your friend Jack Bryant, will you?’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘He’s dangerous around women … and Iris has always been blindly attracted to people who don’t fit the mould. That’s why you have nothing to fear from Ivan Chalmers. He’s as predictable as the monsoon.’

  ‘Jack is the opposite,’ Ned breathed.

  ‘Exactly.’

  So just what does that say about me? Ned wondered.

  Jack was bone tired but the message to go to the chief’s office at the end of his shift was not something to be ignored. He’d run over his past few days of work in his mind and there was nothing out of the ordinary, no errors, no one unhappy, as far as he could tell. He’d only had a few dates in the last couple of weeks, nothing serious and no offence given to anyone, he was sure.

  Although he kept himself to himself, recently he had helped out at a fete to build the gymkhana stand. He’d changed the wheel on Dr Walker’s motor vehicle when the old man found himself stranded near Nundydroog, and he’d not taken any notice of Geraldine Walker, who’d been batting her eyelashes at him. That wasn’t so hard, he had to admit – none of the Walker girls was especially good looking. He would reserve judgement on Iris until he met her.

  He felt bad that he hadn’t even seen Ned over the last couple of days to find out how the meeting at the station went.

  He hung up his overalls and checked his appearance in the mirror of the changing area. Hardly neat and tidy but not too dishevelled. He was unshaven, he realised, as he ran a hand over his rough chin, but it would have to do. He said goodbye to the new shift’s team in the engine room and stifled a yawn.

  Jack walked out of the engine room and across the mine yard, striding quickly towards the brick building, well away from the shaft. He walked up the stairs onto the shady verandah, still attempting to tidy his hair. He ran a glance over all the doors, until he found the Mine Superintendent’s plaque.

  ‘Come in,’ came the reply at his knock and Jack entered. ‘Ah, Bryant, good. I’m glad it’s you. Sit, sit,’ Drew said, dragging a big white handkerchief from his pocket and wiping it over his face.

  The man was perspiring heavily and it didn’t look as though the morning heat was entirely responsible. Drew was a huge man, as wide as he was tall, and Jack wondered how long it had been since the manager had seen his toes. Despite his size, Drew daintily sipped on black tea and lemon.

  ‘How’re things going, Jack?’

  It was such an open-ended question; Jack wasn’t exactly sure what the man wanted to hear.

  ‘All fine, Mr Drew. Is there a problem?’

  ‘Problem? No. What gave you that idea?’

  ‘I’m not really sure why I’m here.’

  ‘I’m just wondering how you are and how work is? I notice you’ve moved out of the cottages.’

  ‘Yes, sir, I have. It’s cooler up on the hill, more private. I really like the house and have already settled in. I … er, well, I’ve asked the mine management if I could rent it off Taylor & Sons. No one else seems to want it.’

  ‘But you can live for free in the lodgings?’

  Jack nodded, then gave a small shrug. ‘It’s not a lot. I have some family money and it’s my only real expense. It was that or a car … and I’ll be happy with a motorbike, to tell the truth. Some peace is worth paying for.’

  ‘Well, I think we can help alleviate some of that cost for you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You’re being promoted, Bryant. You’ve been doing a good, steady job for us and old Tom had decided he wants to make a trip back to England while his bones can still cope with the cold. He’s decided to retire early and although you’re young, we think you’ve got it in you to take on the role of senior engineer.’

  Jack couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He’d never imagined he could take over Tom’s job. Drew was grinning, shaking Jack’s hand.

  Jack grinned back, bemused. ‘Did you say senior engineer? Are you sure, sir?’

  The Super slapped Jack on the back. ‘It’s a very responsible job, Jack. I’m sure you know it. I’m putting you in charge of winding in particular, but you’ll run the engineering department alongside Tom until he leaves at the end of the year and then you’ll take over completely. We think it’s time to blood a younger man, who can grow into the role and give us some longevity in the position. We think you’re that man. Frankly, you’re the best-trained man we have across KGF right now. We’re counting on you, so don’t let us down.’

  ‘I won’t, sir. Do I begin immediately?’

  ‘From tomorrow’s shift.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Drew. I think I’ll probably have to double-check that I didn’t dream this.’

  Drew smiled.

  ‘Well, I’ll get on, then,’ Jack said.

  ‘Bloody hell, man. Aren’t you going to ask about money?’

  ‘Money?’

  ‘There’s a significant salary increase for starters, and that house you’ve rented – we’ll be letting you live there at no cost. Now go home and get some sleep.’

  ‘Yes, Mr Drew.’

  ‘Oh, and Bryant?’

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘Get a shave! You have to set standards now.’

  Jack grinned. He was headed straight out to Cresswell’s to get some fresh blades.

  At the store he met Ned, who was buying some boot polish, but Jack was not in luck – they were out of blades. They exchanged news; Ned was thrilled to hear of Jack’s promotion and went on to detail the conspiracy between himself and Flora Walker to win the hand of Iris. Jack clapped him on the back and walked out with him into the hot sunshine.

  ‘So you’re definitely coming to the dance, right?’

  Jack didn’t say anything immediately.

  ‘Don’t even think of letting me down, Jack. I need your help.’

  ‘To tell Iris how brilliant you are and what a good husband you’ll make? Don’t be pathetic, Sinclair.’

  ‘I’ve never wanted anything more in my life than this. She represents my future happiness. Without her, I’ll only ever think I’ve got second best.’

  ‘Don’t be so dramatic. She’s a girl. There are dozens of them in KGF, let alone Bangalore. What makes Iris so special?’

  ‘She’s the one, Jack.’

  ‘All right, all right,’ Jack said, raising his hands in mock defence. ‘I’ll help. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when it all goes pear-shaped.’

  Ned laughed. ‘It won’t. See you at the dance.’

  They parted company and once again Jack made the trek up Funnell’s Hill. He called into Chinathambi’s store.

  ‘Ah, morning, sir,’ the older man welcomed. ‘What is it I can get you?’

  ‘Blades, please. For the Pall Mall.’

  The older man’s eyes widened with recognition. ‘Wilkinso
n’s Sword,’ he muttered and went hunting for the small packet.

  ‘How’s your family?’ Jack asked to pass the time.

  ‘All well, sir, thank you.’

  ‘How many children did you say you have?’

  ‘Nine, last count,’ and then he laughed at his own joke. ‘Another baby on the way.’

  ‘Nine? How do you keep them all fed?’

  Chinathambi waggled his head. ‘Kanakammal, my eldest, can work now, and if she gets a position in a household then perhaps her younger sister can join her. We shall see. God will provide.’

  Jack looked surprised. ‘So you’re Christian?’

  ‘Yes, Mr Bryant, sir. I was converted into Catholicism when I was about Kanakammal’s age, through a missionary family where we’re from.’

  ‘Kanakammal?’ Jack repeated slowly, enjoying the way the strangely rhythmic name rolled off his tongue.

  ‘Yes, sir. There’s something very special about that girl,’ he admitted, rolling his r’s heavily.

  Jack remembered the elegant daughter with the strikingly pale eyes. There was something mysterious about her and, despite the language barrier, he’d seen amusement dance in those eyes when she’d lifted them to his. Perhaps he could help the family and give her a better start in life? It must have been his mood, lifted by this morning’s good news from management.

  ‘Chinathambi, bring your daughter over to the house on the hill at Marikuppam this afternoon. Pale-blue shutters. Can you do that?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I know the house. But, why, may I ask?’

  ‘Can she cook? Clean? If so, I shall employ her.’

  ‘She is an excellent cook, sir. Taught well by her mother. She will clean happily for you. And her sister, Namathevi, will be a very good help to her if you would consider both, sir.’

  ‘Your daughters don’t speak English as well as you do.’

  ‘Kanakammal is fluent, sir. She has an ear. Her sister is learning but not so good.’ He noticed Jack’s look of surprise. ‘I was forced to learn English. Most of today’s children aren’t so ready to give up their own language.’

  Jack didn’t want to get into a political discussion. He paid for the blades. ‘It seems I will have less time to myself soon, Chinathambi, and will need some servants. Bring your girls this afternoon and we’ll sort it out.’

  The shopkeeper all but danced around the counter and took Jack’s hand. ‘Thank you, sir, thank you.’ He raised both arms to the heavens. ‘My wife will be so pleased.’

  Jack grinned. ‘See you later.’

  ‘Yes, you will, sir,’ he said, clapping merrily to the astonishment of two other shoppers who’d just stepped in.

  ‘Morning, ladies,’ Jack said politely as he pushed past, realising too late that one of them was Daphne’s mother.

  She scowled at him but nothing was going to dampen Jack’s mood this morning.

  Much later that day, as Jack sat on his verandah watching the sun dip low, collar open, unshaven and newly awoken from his sleep, he watched three figures walking up the hill. They had to be coming to his house because there were no other houses close by. It’s why he liked its position and high vantage.

  It was far too big for him, of course, its echoing rooms adding to his loner status, but he didn’t mind. He loved its silence. The front garden needed some work but a mali would have the grass mown short into a crisp, green carpet soon enough. The back garden was ringed by tall trees, including several fruit trees. If Chinathambi’s daughter wanted, he could have a full vegetable patch planted out the back with all her herbs and spices, as well as other vegetables. He had also populated the henhouse with four hens and a strutting rooster.

  Jack really only lived in the front two rooms – his own bedroom and a sitting room. He had a bathroom attached to his bedroom, so the entire back of the house he essentially had no use for. Perhaps with a woman’s touch the house would feel a lot more like a home.

  He was looking forward to having some help. He might even start entertaining soon, as his mother had taught. Smoke from his cigarette drifted into his eye, making him squint slightly. He couldn’t remember the older girl’s name. She was tall, carried herself with the fluid grace he remembered from that first meeting. Her younger sister skipped unselfconsciously alongside, chatting animatedly. Jack smiled at the happy family and was glad he could do this for them.

  Chinathambi walked with an umbrella for shade, while his daughters strolled beneath the direct gaze of the sun, untroubled by the heat. Jack raised his hand in welcome. He had not so long ago employed a butler and he also had a mali, who appeared two or three times a week to run errands. But to have full-time household staff to cook and clean would be a genuine luxury.

  It made him think of Mrs Shand from the house in Pendeen. Jack had taken it for granted then – clean linen on his bed each week, his shirts laundered and ironed, his socks darned, a hot meal always available, which he often turned down. He wished he could be back home right now to thank her properly, perhaps spend a moment with her to ask about her son or inquire after her health. It was only now, so far away, that he could appreciate how good life had been for him in Cornwall. He’d love to tell his father about his promotion, about the new house and staff and how he was taking responsibility for himself. This would please the old man and thrill his mother.

  He had written to them today with his news but perhaps he should plan to sail home. He was permitted six to eight weeks leave. As soon as he was feeling comfortable in his new role, he’d speak to the boss about it.

  Jack couldn’t remember a time he had felt happier or more relaxed.

  ‘Hello, Chinathambi.’

  ‘Hello, sir,’ the shopkeeper said, arriving with a smile and his arms full. ‘My wife asked me to bring you this.’ He held out a dekshi.

  ‘I can smell it from here. It makes my mouth water.’ Jack inhaled the seductive aroma of the spicy lentil dhal, a staple of the region he could never tire of. ‘Thank you.’ His butler, Gangai, stepped forward to take the pot. ‘Boil up some rice. I’ll have that for my evening meal.’

  Gangai nodded and disappeared. Jack turned his attention to the girls. The youngest stared up at him, wide-eyed and curious. She too had the wonderful light eyes but none of her sister’s presence. He glanced at her elder sister, who looked down. This time it was respectful but not, he noticed, in any way servile. He liked that about her immediately.

  ‘I have brought Kanakammal as you asked, sir. This is Namathevi. She is nine.’

  Jack’s gaze didn’t waiver from the eldest. ‘Kanakammal. That’s it,’ he said, hearing the familiar but tricky name again. ‘Welcome.’ He watched the father utter something under his breath to his eldest.

  She finally looked up and nodded at Jack, saying a few words in Tamil that Jack could not hope to understand, then to his surprise she uttered them in English. ‘Thank you for the job, Mr Bryant, sir. I will speak only English in your presence now.’

  There was something defiant about her – well couched beneath her deference, but definitely there. He smiled. ‘Come in, come in and see the house, the kitchen, while I speak with your father.’

  The girls immediately moved, ushered up the steps to the verandah as Gangai reappeared.

  ‘Gangai, will you show …’

  ‘Kanakammal,’ she prompted.

  ‘Thank you. Will you show Kan-naka-mal,’ he pronounced slowly, making Namathevi laugh, ‘and her giggling sister around, especially their rooms at the back.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  They followed him into the house.

  ‘Is she comfortable with this, Chinathambi?’ Jack asked.

  The man gave a single shake of his head from side to side and beamed. ‘Very happy, sir. We are too. She wants to work. Wants to help the family.’

  ‘She’s so young.’

  ‘She’s strong and …’ he searched for the word. ‘Ah, and independent,’ he said, triumphant to have recalled it.

  ‘What about the little one
?’

  ‘She worships her big sister, sir. Besides, if Kanakammal has her sister to boss around, it will make her feel more at home.’ The man laughed. ‘She will be very reliable, I promise you, sir.’

  ‘Well, so long as she’ll cook my meals and help Gangai with duties, we’ll all get along just fine,’ Jack said. ‘Now, how does twenty-five rupees a month sound? Of course, all meals, accommodation and two new saris for each girl, each year, will be provided at my expense.’

  ‘It sounds very good, sir,’ Chinathambi said.

  And with that, they shook hands and Jack suddenly had a new job, three full-time servants and a new home to call his own.

  27

  The dance was well under way when Jack arrived. The hall was crowded with merry-makers, mostly Anglo-Indian but many English guests also. Dozens of embittered women’s eyes glared at him from the moment he slipped inside the double doors. Jack flicked away the insects battering at the lamp above his head.

  Junie Evans nudged the arm of Daphne Ellis. ‘There he is!’ she murmured. ‘Oh, Daphne, how did you let him get away, child!’

  Daphne didn’t want to look at Jack Bryant; she had promised herself she was strong, even made an oath that there would be no more tears, no admission that her heart felt as though it were being torn in two. She sucked in her breath at the sight of him, cutting a dashing figure in his tuxedo.

  Jack was looking every inch the god tonight – especially tall, especially broad and with that dark wavy hair, he could pass for the son of Zeus any day, she decided, but Daphne’s weren’t the only eyes arrested.

  Inwardly she felt something give and prayed that she would not let herself down. She must face this test and pass it. She’d been the envy of her friends a couple of months ago, but now she was reduced to the small legion of broken hearts, each once believing that they’d be the one to tame Jack Bryant and win his love.

  She watched him walk around the dance floor. It wasn’t really a swagger, as others had often said. No, Jack just possessed a distinctive lope; if he were an animal, he’d be a tiger, not frightened of any other predator, walking slowly, head high, muscles rolling as he strode proud and aloof. Daphne had lost her inhibitions when Jack’s lips had found hers and even now she blushed inwardly to imagine how far she might have let him go if time had been on their side.