The Man from Coral Bay

60c .

Jan Andersen

Rossi's brother Tom, out in Ceylon, had run into some domestic difficulties, and had begged Rossi to go there for a few weeks to help him out. And there she met Matt Lincoln, who was responsible for the domestic difficulties — and all Tom's other problems too .

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4 HARLEQUIN

Romance PRINTED IN CANADA

OTHER

Harlequin `Romances by JAN ANDERSEN 1387—THE HOUSE CALLED GREEN BAYS 1 499—THE SILENT MOON 1 532—THE MAN IN THE SHADOW 1 709—THE MAN FROM CORAL BAY

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Original hard cover edition published in 1972 by Mills & Boon Limited 0 Jan Andersen 1972 SBN 373 - 01709 - A

Harlequin edition published August, 1973

For Shelagh

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the Author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the Author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

The Harlequin trade mark, consisting of the word HARLEQUIN and the portrayal of a Harlequin, is registered in the United States Patent Office and in the Canada Trade Marks Office.

1709

Printed in Canada

CHAPTER I To Ceylon?' Rossi echoed, staring at her mother across the breakfast table. ' But I don't think I want to go just at this moment. Anyway, surely it would be better if Julia brought the children home with her.' Mrs Finch regarded Rossi with the sort of patient look all mothers give to daughters whom they think are being particularly dense. She tapped the sheet of airmail in front of her. ' Darling, the letter is here. You've read it. For some reason best known to himself Tom doesn't want the children disturbed. And we both know that when Tom gets an idea in his head it takes a lot to shake it out. Anyway, if Julia is ill, then presumably she's not able to look after Sue and Terry.' Rossi sighed, knowing her rebellion would be short-lived, simply because it was her brother Tom who was involved. He was eight years older than she was and wherever he beckoned, she followed. It had been like that ever since she was a child and when their father died he had somehow filled that role too—until he had suddenly upped and gone to Ceylon. You always said you wanted to go to Ceylon,' Mrs Finch pointed out, and now you're being offered a free ticket.' I know, but I suppose I thought of a holiday, or something like that.' Rossi pushed her dark, flyaway hair away from her face. Well, it will be more or less. I remember Julia telling us they had four servants—or was it five? We know there's a nanny, because we're always

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hearing about her.' Rossi's thoughts started to drift and for once she watched her mother clear the table without offering to help. Perhaps it was a good idea to have a complete break. She had been feeling restless lately, what with some mild dissatisfaction with her job and the growing knowledge that she and Andrew would never make a go of it. Perhaps slipping away like this would mean no harsh words, no recriminations and, most of all, no regrets. A small, rather neatly built girl, she had a natural buoyancy that was appealing. She found it difficult to hide her feelings. When she smiled—which was often—she was happy, but uncertainty showed in wide sea green eyes. She picked up Tom's letter and read through the small, spidery writing again. It seemed that Julia was suffering from some severe kind of nervous exhaustion, possibly brought on by the heat, Tom said vaguely, and had been ordered back to England by her doctor for a complete rest and change of climate. She would be going straight down to Devon to stay with her parents and not stopping in London at all. While the nanny was quite reliable with the children he did not feel he wanted to leave her in sole charge for such a long period, particularly as he was away up country a lot these days and she tended to take the easy way out and spoil them. He knew it was a lot to ask of Rossi, but if she could come out for a couple of months to keep an eye on things generally, it would take a great weight off his mind. It was typical of Tom to assume her answer would be yes, because he added that he had tentatively booked a flight for her in ten days' time. He ended by saying he had written to some great friends of his, the Hales, who were home on leave in Sussex 6

and would give her all the help she needed about clothes, etc. Rossi looked at the letter for a long minute, then abruptly got to her feet and followed her mother into the kitchen. ' You know,' she said cautiously, ' I think there's something funny going on.' Funny, dear? What on earth do you mean? I thought the whole tone was very worrying.' ' Silly! I meant funny-peculiar Look, as far as I can tell, Julia must be coming back to England within the next four or five days. See, he says here that if I come on the fourth it will mean the kids will only be on their own for about a week.' Her mother was looking perplexed. I don't follow you, Rossi. You're off on one of your tangents.' No, I'm not, I'm just trying to work things out. You're the one who says that Tom never does anything without a reason. I'm just wondering why, if Julia is landing at Heathrow and we're less than an hour away, he doesn't suggest she and I meet before she's whisked off to Devon. After all, presumably she can tell me far more about the house and the sort of luggage I have to take than ever these people the Hales can. And wouldn't you think she'd be dying to give me instructions about the children? After all, I hardly know them, do I?' Mrs Finch thought for a moment. Perhaps she isn't well enough.' If she's well enough to travel six thousand miles from Ceylon, then she's well enough to talk to me at the airport for half an hour. Tom must realise there are heaps of questions I want to ask her about the children. No, for some reason, Tom doesn't want us to meet. I'm convinced of that. Why else does he carefully avoid telling us what day she arrives? 7

I've a good mind to ring up the airport and see if I can find out.' No,' said Mrs Finch firmly, I don't think you should. Besides, you're jumping to conclusions as usual. It could just as likely be that Julia doesn't want to see anyone. If she's ill . . . and she always was rather a reserved girl. These people the Hales will be able to tell you all you want to know.' It was a signal for the phone to ring. And of course it had to be Mrs Hale. She sounded a very warm, pleasant sort of woman and was most insistent that Rossi should come down to Wadhurst for the weekend. ' Timing couldn't be better,' she explained, we're having a small party on Saturday night. Lots of ex-Ceylon people live around here and we've also got a couple of planters home on leave, so we thought it was a marvellous excuse to talk shop. Come down on Saturday for tea and stay over Sunday if you can manage it. Tom tells me he wants me to give you all the tips I can think of. I'll do my best, but of course Julia. . . .' She stopped, as if entering a forbidden subject, and instead hastily started to give travelling directions. So, two days later, Rossi found herself driving through the wintry countryside. It had snowed about a week ago and while the last slush had disappeared from the London streets within a couple of days, here a thin white film covered the bare fields, and in sheltered spots blackened drifts clung to the roadside. A bitter wind, racing against the roof of the car, made Rossi shiver and turn up the heater. At least there could be no better time of year to be flying off to Ceylon. Fat Hale proved to be as nice as she had sounded on the phone. A plump, rather jolly woman in her 8

thirties, she loved to talk about Ceylon, where it seemed she had lived since she was twenty. Her home was full of all the treasures she had brought back with her over the years; a large ebony elephant with massive ivory tusks, beautiful batik paintings, the kind of thing, she explained, that Rossi would see plenty of in Ceylon; carved wood and strange bronze figures that were supposed to be four hundred years old, and on one wall there was a collection of masks, brightly-coloured, evil-looking things. In contrast, her husband Jack was quiet, with a very dry sense of humour, rarely talking except when he was asked a direct question; although, Rossi decided, he didn't get much chance to talk when his wife was around. Both of them seemed devoted to Tom, talking about him and the children, but noticeably hardly mentioning Julia. Over tea Pat Hale said, Tom's had a real run of bad luck this year. Everything he touches seems to go wrong. He's beginning to think he's some kind of Jonah. He often talks about you, so it's marvellous that you're going out there. He needs some sort of stabilising influence, someone to worry about him, instead of him doing all the worrying. We both said before we came home on leave that Julia was. . . Just as she had done on the telephone she stopped abruptly and busied herself with the teapot. Aware of the sudden change of atmosphere, Rossi said carefully, How long have you been home?' ' A month. Just over a month. It's the worst time of year for us. Just think of it—leaving a temperature of near ninety to plunge down to this! ' But Rossi did not want to talk about the weather. Do you know Tom and Julia well?' she asked. Oh yes.' Pat Hale pushed a strand of hair away 9

from her forehead. Jack works in the same office as Tom.' ' Worked, you mean,' her husband corrected quietly, it's two months since Tom left.' Rossi opened her mouth, then closed it again. Something stopped her saying that neither she nor her mother knew that Tom had changed his job. He had been with the same firm most of his working life. And Julia?' she said instead. Of course you must know her well, then. My mother and I are worried about her. Tom's a bad letter writer. All he's said is that she's suffering from nervous exhaustion. Can you tell me any more than that?' The glance that Pat Hale shot at her husband was so swift that Rossi wondered if she had imagined it. But she hadn't—she was almost sure of it. Just a shade too casually Pat said, Oh, Julia's not really a mixer. She tends to keep herself to herself. I think that's why her nerves have got on top of her. And maybe the climate doesn't really suit her. You need the right sort of temperament to live in the East.' ' And Julia hasn't got it?' Pat shook her head. ' I'm only guessing. I only know she seems rather unhappy. Some of us have tried to help her, but she shuts us out. Still, I expect you know your own sister-in-law better than we do.' Rossi admitted that she didn't. You see, Tom married Julia at the end of one of his leaves. We hardly knew her then and they had their honeymoon on board ship returning to Ceylon. Since then I've only met her during the last two leaves.' Because of her instinctive loyalty to Tom she did not admit that she had found Julia a little standoffish nearly two years ago. 10

Pat Hale seemed to take this as a signal to launch into confidences about Julia. She leaned slightly forward. Oh, well, then you won't even know that Julia has made Tom's life quite impossible lately —and he with all his other problems, like leaving his job and starting the project up on the north coast.' This time Rossi did not see the quick glance, she only sensed it, and she knew it had come from Jack Hale, as if he were warning his wife that she had said quite enough already. Rossi felt a small shiver of apprehension. There was something going on between Tom and Julia, something she knew nothing about. Pat glanced hastily at her watch. ' Heavens, it's half past five, and I've still got a million things to do before the guests arrive.' Can I help?' said Rossi. No, really, thank you, at least not at the moment. You just make yourself at home, and then you can have a nice long luxury bath. I did all the food earlier, so there are really only the finishing touches and I want to check that I haven't forgotten anything. I'll call you if I need a hand, really I will.' On impulse Rossi said, ' May I use the phone? There's something I've forgotten to do.' Of course. It's in that little cubbyhole just at the end of the hall. All the telephone books are there and it's reasonably private.' Rossi got through to Overseas Passenger Enquiries at London Airport and learned that the next flight in from Colombo was on the following day about noon. No, they were afraid they had no details yet about passenger lists. They did not receive those until the last minute. Rossi put down the phone slowly. Her mind was II

made up. She was going to try to see Julia. She worked it out that it was unlikely she would have arrived today; it would be most probably tomorrow or Monday. And with only one flight a day, surely she could catch her. Anyway, it seemed worth a try. The party that evening was a strange, unreal affair. There were about eighteen guests and with the exception of herself all had either lived in Ceylon, had visited there, or were home on leave. It was a little like an old school reunion, with only one topic of conversation. While they were all perfectly polite to her she recognised the wavering glances, the lack of personal interest that made her feel distinctly like an outsider. She began to feel rather bored. ' You don't look as though you belong.' The voice, rather light, yet firm in texture, came from behind her. She swung round to find a young, fair-haired man with a roguish twinkle in his eye, grinning at her. Before she could reply he said, No, don't tell me, you're not one of the Ceylon gang, that's your trouble.' You're right,' she agreed ruefully, ' I feel a bit like a fish out of water. But I'll be able to join what seems like a very exclusive club in just about a week.' Then you must be Tom Finch's sister. Someone has just said that you were going out there to join him. Here,' he took her glass from her hand, let me get you another drink while you grab those two seats over there. At least if we can't talk about Ceylon, we can talk about Tom.' She watched him ease his way across the room, a thin, wiry man who moved lightly and talked ,

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easily to the people who waylaid him. Unconsciously she smoothed her hair into place and hoped she wasn't really as pale as she felt among these tanned, outgoing people. He brought back fresh drinks, then dropped into the seat beside her. Now,' he said cheerfully, let's introduce ourselves properly. I'm Barney Lawrence, a rather indifferent manager of a tea plantation somewhere towards the south of the island.' And you really know Tom well? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Someone was telling me earlier that everyone who's in tea knows everyone else.' ' That's just about it these days. There aren't so many of us left. Now, your name please, Tom's sister.' She found herself relaxing really for the first time that evening. It's Rosamund,' she told him, but I've been known as Rossi ever since I can remember.' Then hello, Rossi. I'll look forward to seeing you in Ceylon. I'm right on the tail end of my leave, so I'll be back any minute. And with this weather, frankly, I can't get there quickly enough. Are you going for a holiday?' Not really. I'm going to look after Tom's children while Julia comes home . . . for a rest.' Ah, yes, the enigmatic Julia. So she's coming home after all.' Her eyes flicked towards his. ' What do you mean by that?' He raised his shoulders and let them drop expressively. Nothing really. No, that's not strictly true. You see, with the British population shrinking, nowadays Ceylon grows more and more like a 13

scattered village. Therefore everyone likes to know all about everyone else. It's difficult out there to be " different " . You stick out like a sore thumb. And Julia's different. We all know Tom so well, but we don't know her; not really, anyway. I don't think she likes the country, and yet I'm not completely sure. You see,' he smiled wryly at her, ' because we don't know, we tend to make up our own stories. There, at least I'm being honest with you.' ' Barney,' she said slowly, ' if I asked you a straight question, would you give . me a straight answer?' He cocked his head on one side, regarding her with a wide brown-eyed gaze in which she could read nothing. ' Well now, having claimed to be honest, I'll have to try, won't I? Go on, fire away.' Why is it that people don't seem to like Julia?' He leaned back against the sofa as if that was the last question he expected to be asked. She wasn't sure if she detected relief. ' Now, what on earth makes you think that?' ' You see,' she said quietly, ' you not only haven't answered my question, you've asked another one.' ' All right,' he returned bluntly, ' then I'll do my best. It isn't that people don't like Julia, it's that she doesn't want to know them. You should know yourself, Rossi, that if you put out a hand to help someone in need and that hand is knocked away without explanation, you'd have to be a saint to run after that person, or even to take a deep breath and try again. Well, that's Julia, I suppose. Probably she is unhappy, but if she won't let us help her, then we can't find out what's wrong. Mind you, I say we, but I'm really the last person to ask. I live in the hills north of Kandy and I'm only in town rarely, but—well, I've known Tom a hell of a long time 14

and I don't like to see him going downhill, getting grouchy and turned in on himself. I reckon a few months in Europe for Julia will fix things between them. She probably needs a good rest in a more equable climate and—well, I daresay Tom will also get things in perspective. And with nothing else to worry him he may even be able to get his new project on its feet.' ' What is his new project?' Rossi asked eagerly. Pat mentioned it, but I never really had a chance to ask.' Before he could answer Pat swept down on them. ' Now, you two, that's enough of the tete-a-tete! Food's on the table and you can't monopolise Rossi any longer. There are heaps of people I want her to meet. People who will tell her the right things about Ceylon,' she added, pulling a slight face at him Barney cocked an eyebrow. Then you'd better make sure she's warned about Matthew Lincoln, hadn't you?' It was as though everyone in the room stopped talking together. It seemed to Rossi that those who did not turn to look at him or give him a furtive glance stayed quite still, as if waiting to see what Pat would reply. She said in a brisk, schoolmarmish sort of voice, Now, now, Barney, don't start spreading scandal. Rossi has come here purely to gain first-hand knowledge of the country, the climate, the food and what clothes to take—not to learn about our troublemaker.' Or, thought Rossi silently, about what directly concerns me: Tom, Julia and the children. It was as though all these subjects were taboo and that these people here were determined to talk to her about 15

everything but what really mattered. Suddenly she was glad she was going to Ceylon. Something was wrong, something that she was not supposed to know about. She was relieved when the party broke up and she was able to slip away to bed. Everyone had been very pleasant and helpful, but for some reason it had been an exhausting evening. Barney sought her out again and held her hand

briefly. I won't say goodbye, Rossi, because you'll probably be seeing me sooner than you think. I tend to turn up like a bad penny. You're flying out next Friday, aren't you?' She nodded. He flicked his thick hair away from his forehead. Then lots of luck, and don't take us all too seriously.' Not even Matthew Lincoln?' she said warily. There was not a flicker of expression in his eyes as he answered. No, not even Matt Lincoln. I'm afraid I can't say forget him, because he'll be rather an important part of your life.' ' Who is he, Barney?' Tom's neighbour. I wish I could say friend.' He shrugged. ' I suppose some would call him the black sheep of Ceylon.' ' Would you call him that?' she persisted, suddenly feeling the unknown Matthew Lincoln was part of the emerging pattern. I'm not one of the old school,' he told her, therefore I'm a bit more broadminded. But I can't say that I care for the fellow any more than anyone else does. He's out to ruin Tom.' With that he disappeared and she was left gaping after him, even more bewildered than she had been a few minutes ago. 16

As soon as she decently could after breakfast Rossi asked the Hales if they would mind if she left before lunch. She murmured about realising suddenly all there was to do before next Friday. And when they demurred she added her worries about seeing a little more of her mother before she left. She finally left about ten-thirty, knowing she would have to keep going if she were to reach London Airport at the time she had set herself. She parked the car and ran across to the arrival lounge to find that the flight from Colombo had already landed. Mercifully, however, the passengers had not yet cleared Customs. For some peculiar reason Rossi felt nervous. She was dry-mouthed, tense and could barely control her impatience. And then, across the heads of people craning to see into the Customs hall, she saw two familiar people, a middle-aged man and woman. Who . . . and then the penny dropped. Of course, they were Julia's parents. She had only met them at the wedding and one other time, when the whole family gathered at Christmas. Should she make herself known to them now, or wait until Julia came through? But before she could make up her mind Mrs Fletcher had somehow seen her, so she walked slowly across, her hand outstretched. ' Why, hello, dear,' the older woman said, pleasantly, but with a puzzled air, ' we didn't expect to see you here. Julia said she had told no one but us of her flight. How strange!' She spoke as if she was not too happy to see Rossi there and would have been relieved to get rid of her before Julia appeared. ' You know,' she rattled on, ' poor dear Julia has had a dreadful time . . . she's not at all well. We're very anxious to get her home as quickly as Irf

possible.' Drat the woman, Rossi thought; it was going to be even more difficult than she thought. As reasonably as she could she said, ' Well, I thought it would be rather nice to speak to Julia. It's two years since we saw each other. Besides, I want to ask about the children. I imagine she'll want just a few moments' rest before driving all the way to Devon. Perhaps we could have some coffee. .. Her voice tailed off as she and Mrs Fletcher spotted Julia at the same time. Always a tall slender girl, she was now painfully thin, and the tiredness about her eyes was something more than of the normal traveller who has just flown six thousand miles with little sleep. Mrs Fletcher rushed towards her daughter, twittering away. Why, darling, how wonderful to see you! Have you had a good journey, are the children all right, and how would you like a nice cup of tea ? ' Like a lot of women of her type she asked a lot of questions and never waited for an answer. Julia allowed herself to be hugged by both her mother and her more retiring father, but without visible enthusiasm. Then she looked over their shoulders and saw Rossi. The change that came over her was instantaneous. She pulled abruptly away from her mother, picked up her cabin bag and seemed to try to hustle them off. Her eyes were wide with . . . no, it could not be fear .. . more like the brilliant, hunted look of a stag when it knows it is cornered. Rossi sensed she should not have come, but having done so was determined not to be pushed aside. Julia,' she said warmly, I felt I had to come 18

and see you. There's so much I want to ask you about Ceylon, about the children and the house. You will be able to spare a few moments, won't you?' No,' cried Julia explosively, I can't. I won't!' Rossi stepped backwards as if the other girl had hit her. But why? It's about the children mostly —your children. You must want to give me instructions. You must want to tell me things, for their sakes.' The eyes watching her were suddenly dark and bitter. Ask your brother. He was the one who told you to come out, not me. He seems to think you can look after them as well as I can, so why should I interfere? Why should I even care?' ' Julia . . . please. What you're saying can't be true.' Shock was bewildering Rossi. Think what you like. But I'm certainly not coming in any corner with you to get all matey and confidential. If you're bent on going out there, then don't expect one single shred of help from me. You always were Tom's slave, weren't you? Well, now's the time to go and put it into practice! ' She swung round, done with Rossi and her intrusion. Come on, Mother . . . Dad. I don't want tea or anything. I'd like to get home, quickly.' Rossi stood and watched them go, her heart plummeting. What she had only sensed at the Hales' party was proving to be a very substantial fact. Something was very wrong between Tom and Julia And what else would she find when she landed over there in a week's time?

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CHAPTER II The V.C.IO was high in a sapphire blue sky, leaving behind London and its bitter east wind, before Rossi was aware of the shuffling movement nearby. Then the business man who had been sitting in the next seat suddenly gathered together his belongings and disappeared and someone else was sliding in beside her. Hello, Rossi.' Her eyes widened. Barney—how on earth did you suddenly appear? And why are you on this plane anyway?' Answer to first question : I was late. I only caught the flight by the skin of my teeth and they pushed me into a seat right forward, so I persuaded them to swap me over. Answer to second question: Well, I told you I was going back within a few days anyway, so I decided after the weekend that London, a freezing temperature and me simply did not go together, and besides, it would be nice to have some company on the flight. You don't mind, I hope?' ' Oh, no.' She did not try to conceal her pleasure. Apart from the inevitable boredom of a long flight, she had liked what she had seen of Barney Lawrence. And he would not be able to wriggle out of answering questions up here. That's fine, then.' He took his jacket off and settled down in his seat. I loathe these flights back and forth. Somehow people in planes don't cornmunicate any more than they do on English trains. I know if I start up a conversation with anyone either he's a salesman selling shoes, or else he's in oil and insists on telling me his life story. Girls are a rarity 20

—particularly pretty ones.' Rossi smiled. ' I think you may wish you'd never said that after this particular girl has asked all the questions I intend to ask. And you can't escape this time!' He pretended to put on a woebegone expression. ' I jumped straight into that one, didn't I? Still,' he spread his hands expressively, I have no secrets. So why shouldn't I want to answer questions?' Rossi glanced out of the window, trying to marshal her thoughts. England—or were they already over the Continent? —was hidden below a white, fluffy blanket. Up here it was hard to think the sky could ever be anything but this stunning blue. And then the stewardess was bringing round drinks, more postponement. She noticed that Barney ordered for them both without referring to her, a gesture she found she rather liked. When it came, it was champagne. She started to protest, but he touched her lips with his finger. I always do this when I go back. My last act of defiance. Liquor is very, very expensive in Ceylon. Besides, that's what you were drinking at the Hales', wasn't it?' You've got a good memory.' Only when I want to.' He watched her over the top of his glass and while there was laughter in his eyes, there was also something else. Surely, she thought in sudden panic, Andrew wasn't forgotten as easily as this. Besides, she was not sure whether she wanted to embark on anything quite so soon. Quickly she said, It's about Tom I want to ask.' About changing his job, you mean? I guessed you didn't know about that. Tom told us that he didn't intend to tell his family until he was firmly established. I suppose he felt his mother would have 21

worried, and perhaps you wouldn't have approved.' ' And Julia? She obviously didn't approve?' ' Too right she didn't! ' She took another sip of the sparkling liquid. One thing about champagne, it made it much easier to talk to strangers—particularly attractive ones. Go on, Barney,' she said quietly, tell me.' ' Well, as you know Tom's been in tea all this time, and I don't know whether it was because he was a little bored with the stuff, or whether he saw that his chances of big promotion were growing small, or perhaps it was a bit of each, but he became restless and started to look around. . . She stopped him. I'm sorry to interrupt, but why wouldn't he get promoted? I always thought he had a big future.' ' Oh, it's not Tom,' he returned quickly, it's mainly the political situation. Many of the big promotions are going to the Ceylonese themselves, all part of the general change throughout the country. It's happening to planters too, and I imagine in an awful lot of industries. Most of us say that when we're thrown out we'll get a job back home—but not Tom. He wants to stay in Ceylon. He's determined to stay in Ceylon; and the only way he can be sure of doing that for more than a few years is to work for himself.' ' And that's what he's doing?' He nodded, reached over to fill her glass, then lit up a small cigar. ' He's bought a piece of land on the coast and has started a plantation of coconuts. I haven't been there, but I believe it's a beautiful spot.' ' Can he make a good living out of it?' She wanted to ask if Tom knew anything about coconuts, but loyalty prevented that. 22

' Not at the moment,' he told her, ' but it could be very profitable one day.' I wonder why he felt he had to leave his job so quickly,' she mused, ' or is he doing something else as well?' Without waiting for a reply she smiled. Tom always did have the courage of his convictions. That's one of the reasons why I've admired him so much. He's always been brother, father, friend, adviser to me. He'll make a success of it, I know he will.' She stopped suddenly and turned to him. ' Where does that man . . . Lincoln fit into things? He does, doesn't he?' Matt Lincoln? Oh, yes, indeed he does. While Tom is determined to succeed, Lincoln is equally determined that he won't.' But that's awful! ' She was appalled to think that anyone could be against Tom. ' Why is he against him?' For a moment she thought he wasn't going to tell her, then he said rather cautiously, Well, to be honest, Rossi, I don't know many of the details. Only that the whole business seems to have started over a strip of land that lies between Tom and Lincoln's properties. Tom wanted it, I believe he even thought he had it, when Lincoln pulled a fast one on him. Ever since then there've been all kinds of niggling disputes, but Tom will have to tell you himself. I only know that Matt Lincoln isn't exactly a popular man. He rides roughshod over too many people—if he deigns to speak to them at all! And now, please—I will answer your questions if you want me to, but I'd prefer you to ask Tom himself. He's a good friend of mine, you see, and . . Of course, I'm sorry.' Rossi was full of apologies. I didn't stop to think It's all been so unexpected, rushing out here, not really knowing why, 23

and then Julia behaving so strangely. It's not fair of me to try to involve you, but there wasn't anyone else to ask. Poor Tom,' she added ruefully, he really is going to need some sympathy and support, isn't he?' Barney nodded. That's about it. He's lucky to have a sister who believes in him.' ' That means you haven't?' He grinned, I've got three older than I am who still treat me like a kid brother.' Deliberately, Rossi swung the conversation away from herself and the problems she was going to face and asked Barney how he came to be in Ceylon. She learned that he was brought up there as a child when his father was in business in Colombo, but returned to England when his father was transferred. I never settled very well,' he explained. I think by then the East was in my blood. I tried various jobs, and then I got an offer to go back again to train on a tea estate. I've never regretted it. I come home on leave to visit the family, but as you see by today, I can't get back quick enough. I hope you'll come and visit High Rocks estate before you go back. It's quite a place, very high and wild and beautiful. There's only one snag.' Oh,' she said, what's that?' You've got to like tea! ' And they both laughed. Rossi was beginning to enjoy herself, finding Barney a marvellously stimulating companion. When they touched down in Ankara around midnight he insisted she had a cup of real Turkish coffee, thick and syrupy, and then took her up to the duty-free shop and picked out the only things worth buying. As dawn broke he woke her to point out the most exciting part of the flight, the sight of the endless, 24

s !sandy, barren ridge of mountains, desolate in their lendour that, after thousands of miles, tapered ` down to the Persian Gulf. . . . There they touched down again, in the early blue-gold light, and she saw her first Arab staring curiously through the gates of the airport in the middle of nowhere, yet there were also men in business suits talking interminably of oil. The final stop was at Bombay, and there the relentless, suffocating heat hit her for the first time. Outside, as they walked from the plane to the airport buildings, she felt herself taking great gulps of air while at the same time trying to get out of the sun. Even the handrail up the steps made her flinch. Will . . . will Colombo be as hot as this?' she asked Barney. ' Not at this time of year, at least most of it won't. The humidity will be lower, and that's the whole secret.' Inside, she had a cool drink and fingered the fine [silk scarves, the ivory figures and brass ornaments. She remembered Tom bringing home to their mother the odd brightly coloured scarf. London was a long, long way away and it seemed impossible to recapture the bitter cold she had left. She had, on the Hales' advice, packed a light dress and had changed at the last stop, but still she felt the cool fabric clinging to her. For the last leg of the journey they were crossing the sea. Less than two hours later Barney was shaking her, pointing out of the window. There she is,' he said with evident pride, ' the Pearl of the East.' She stared down at the tip of lush green coastline that showed briefly before the plane turned over the sea again. ' I wonder,' she said, almost thinking 25

aloud, ' what it holds for me. I know it's silly, but suddenly I'm afraid of what I might find.' Her hand that lay on her lap was suddenly covered and gripped. ' You won't find anything, Rossi,' he said softly, that you can't cope with. Just Tom, your brother, who needs you now instead of you needing him. But if ever there's something you want, remember me, won't you? It's a small country, and I can move fairly fast if I want to.' She turned to thank him, not wanting to take her hand away, and saw his eyes were both grave and tender. ' I mean that, you know. Just whistle and I'll come.' Thanks, Barney,' she answered softly. I know you mean it, and it makes things a lot easier realising that not everyone in the country is a stranger. I don't know why I'm feeling like this suddenly. It isn't as though I have anything to go on.' Tiredness,' he said promptly. A long journey like this can play havoc with your mind as well as your body. If you take my advice you won't let Tom tell you anything of his troubles tonight. You'll wait until tomorrow to get things into perspective. You'll need about twelve hours' sleep, and don't skimp on it. I always do, and I'm as old a hand as any.' The wheels hit the runway with a rushing sound —hot tyres on hot tarmac. They were down at last and Rossi peered eagerly through the windows at the small crowd gathered to meet the passengers. Outside, the air was still hot, but nothing like it had been in Bombay. Barney touched her lightly, Don't look so worried. Tom will be here. And if he's not, then I'll take you into town.' But Tom was there; only just arrived, she could tell that by his faintly flustered air as she came finally 26

through the long cool Customs hall. ' Hello, Ros, it's good to see you.' He gripped her hard and gave her a brotherly peck on the cheek. She examined him anxiously. Always lanky, he was now extra thin and there were lines of strain around his eyes that she did not remember, the same tense look as Julia. But he was still the same Tom, smiling cheerfully, greeting Barney as an old friend, firing questions at both of them. Do you want a lift back to town, Barney?' he said. ' I've got the car here. Or is someone meeting you?' Barney shook his head. No, I came . .. unexpectedly. I was going to pick up a taxi.' Then come on, let's get out of here. Airports are worse than railway stations. I suppose,' he said, grinning, ' that your unexpectedness had nothing to do with my baby sister?' Barney raised an eyebrow quizzically. And if it did?' Then, like a good stand-in parent, I shall feel it my duty to warn her about you. His reputation, Ros, stretches from here up to Trinco. And everywhere he goes he leaves a trail of bleeding hearts. Where did you meet? The Hales' party, I'll bet.' You bet right,' Barney said lightly. Someone ought to keep an eye on her, I thought. Mustn't have poor old Tom worried.' ' Hey,' said Rossi, ' that's me you two are discussing as if I'm not here! I'll tell you now that I'm quite capable of taking care of myself, but I would like one of you to make yourself useful as a guide!' They were driving along a narrow hazardous road that seemed to be teeming with bullock carts rumbling in and out of dozens of strolling people, 27

all of whom seemed to be totally ignoring the blaring horns of the cars. Occasionally there would be an elephant, hauling timber, and bony-backed cattle. The road was lined with small wooden houses and more extraordinary places calling themselves hotels. On the rough baked earth were cooking fires with steaming pots of non-stop coffee, and beside them piles of brightly coloured cakes. It was a scene she had pictured often in her mind, but yet in real life it was much stronger, much more colourful, and so very alive. She hardly heard the two men talking, she was taking in so much of this new world that was to be her home for the next few weeks. They came into the city of Colombo over the Victoria Bridge, one of the main bridges of the Kelani river. On it Barney made Tom stop briefly and pointed east into the distance. Over there, Rossi, about sixty miles away is Ceylon's most famous mountain, Adam's Peak, where Buddha's first footprint can be seen and revered—the most sacred mountain of the East. You probably won't get there, but it's worth persuading Tom to bring you out to this point one morning at dawn and you can actually see the peak rising out of the mist. It's worth the struggle, I can assure you.' Tom pulled a face. She'll be lucky. You should know what a devil I am for getting up in the morning.' He edged his way out into the stream of even denser traffic, driving with supreme disregard for everyone else. Once or twice Rossi closed her eyes, only to open them and find that a collision had been narrowly and goodhumouredly avoided. If anyone had asked her at that moment what her first impression of Ceylon was she would probably have said: the cheerfulness of all the people. They 28

seemed to be smiling all the time. They drove briefly through the main city centre. Rossi had only a glimpse of rambling white buildings, strangely European in style and all a little dilapidated, a mixture of English and Eastern names, before they were out on the sea front with Tom saying carelessly, I'm sorry, Rossi, I don't feel like stopping. You'll be able to come and explore the Fort on your own.' And then he was drawing up in front of a more modern-looking hotel where Barney was to be dropped. Barney held her hand warmly for a moment and gave her the smile that had first made her heart tilt. I'll be seeing you, Rossi, again probably sooner than you think. Look after yourself, and Tom, and don't think too badly of our funny old country.' He waved once more and followed the porter with his baggage into the hotel. ' I can see,' said Tom with raised eyebrows, ' that Barney has made another conquest.' ' You're not,' she said lightly, going all big brother on me and giving me some sort of warning, are you?' ' About Barney? Never. He's a good friend of mine. He's been fishing around in the pond for some time, but when he does bring up his catch it will be for keeps.' So now you're comparing me to a fish,' she mocked him. If you like to put it that way. There are many worse fellows I'd see you end up with than Barney. But anyway, what about that chap I was always hearing about—Andrew, wasn't it?' It's over, I think,' she told him. I suppose the spark just wasn't there.' So you're free to join the hunt again.' 29

She frowned slightly. I know you're only joking, Tom, but deep down I think you're being really cynical.' Maybe. I've had so much to be cynical about lately, I forget when to laugh, or when to kick the world in the teeth. Maybe I'm getting old, or past it, or something. Certainly fate isn't throwing many trump cards my way these days.' Oh, Tom, I am sorry that you're so low. I just hope there's something I can do to help.' Don't look so woebegone, Rossi, just because I'm depressed for five minutes. Now that you're here things will probably take a turn for the better. I just feel I want someone round me who's on my side all the time.' While he was talking she had not been watching where they were going. Now she saw they were slowing down along a narrow residential road, outside a two-storied, white house. To Rossi it seemed a fair size. ' Is this where you live, Tom?' she asked. ' Only temporarily. Come on in and I'll explain. It's two flats, by the way, not a house.' But he was not able to explain for some time, for hard on the heels of the Ceylonese servant who came down to bring her bags in were two small children, who rushed at their father, then stared at her, tonguetied. She bent down and kissed them both. Hello, Terry, hello, Sue—you don't remember me, do you?' And when they both shook their heads she said, I'm Auntie Rossi, and I'll be staying for a little while until Mummy comes back.' Terry, who at seven was the older, and growing very like his father, looked at her shyly. You bought me that red and white wooden train, didn't 3o

you? I've still got it. Would you like to see it.' His father tousled his hair. Later, Terry. First, your Aunt Rossi is dying for a wash and a cup of tea. She's come a long, long way to see you.' Has she come from Mummy?' Sue asked innocently. ' In a way she has, yes. Just for a little while you must help her do all the things Mummy usually does and also do exactly as she says.' Terry nodded wisely. Oh, we'll do that, won't we, Sue?' And then he suddenly looked frightened. But she won't get ill like Mummy and go away too, will she?' And before his father could answer he added, You won't get cross with her, either, will you?' No,' said Tom, glancing at Rossi over the top of his head, I promise not to do that. Now, off with you both for half an hour while we sort things out.' When they had gone he rubbed his hand tiredly through his hair. That just shows you how vulnerable kids are, doesn't it, and how much they take in. I'm afraid once or twice lately I lost patience with Julia. I...' Rossi put her hand on his arm. Look, Tom, let's talk about it later, when the children have gone to bed perhaps. For the moment you look just about as tired as I feel. But a cool bath should put me right temporarily.' They were still standing at the top of a wide flight of stairs, on a cool, high landing. Even from here Rossi could see the flat was a fair size. She wondered idly why Tom had left his original one. He opened the door into a large square bedroom blessedly cool from the air-conditioning that was humming under the closed windows. I'll leave you to it, love. Make yourself at home and shout if 31

there's anything you want. I honestly don't know where everything is, but either Nanny or one of the boys will. There's a bathroom at the end there—oh, yes, and while the air-conditioning is on keep both doors and windows closed. There'll be some tea in a half an hour or so.' But Rossi never had her tea. After a bath she decided to lie on the bed for five minutes before changing and starting to unpack. The next thing she knew Tom was calling her. To her amazement she opened her eyes to darkness. From the door he said, Sorry to wake you up, Ros, but the kids have just gone to bed and I reckon if I let you sleep much longer you'll lie awake all night. Tea's off, but there's a long cold drink waiting.' She must have been sleeping for over three hours —a deep sleep in which she remembered strange dreams, of Arabs and smiling Ceylonese, of deserts and blue sea, all mixed up, and at every corner she seemed to see Barney's quizzical face watching her and then behind him, like a dark hovering shadow, Julia, so full of hate and despair. She jumped out of bed and splashed cold water on her face as if to dash away that last stinging memory, slipped on the first cotton dress she could haul out of her suitcase and went to join Tom. The living room was even more spacious than the bedroom, very English in its comfortable furnishings, plain oak refectory table and six ladderback chairs and tweed-covered sofa and armchairs. Beyond was a broad balcony where Tom was sitting holding out a glass towards her. She took it from him and went to look out into the dark scented garden and listen to the chorus of cicadas. 32

' It's sort of like velvet,' she said, you almost feel you can touch the air. Is it always like this?' ' No, sometimes it's unbearably hot and we can't sit out here. That's generally before the monsoon, but this time of year the humidity is not so high and the temperature drops a little at night.' But the scents, Tom—no one told me Ceylon was like a huge perfumed garden!' He laughed at her enthusiasm It isn't really, you know. I don't want to spoil your illusions, but there are some very nasty smells indeed. It so happens that the people who own this house are very keen gardeners. If you take a walk round in the morning you'll see pretty well every shrub and flowering tree that the country has to offer.' Rossi sat down on one of the basket chairs and sipped at her drink. You said this wasn't your flat, Tom. What happened to the one in . . . Bullers Lane? That was the address, wasn't it? We've been sending all your letters there.' I know. I simply didn't want to put Mother into a flap. When I packed in the job I moved my address up to Coral Bay—that's where you and the kids will be spending most of the time. But some friends have taken over my old flat, so I collect the mail from there.' And this place?' She spread her hands. It belongs to some people who've gone abroad for six weeks, too short a period for the usual let. So they agreed to let me have it as long as I paid their boys and the general running expenses. It suits me very well while I'm getting things on their feet. Until they come back, I'll probably spend half the week here and half up north. You're going to love Coral Bay, Ros, it's out of this world.' Julia didn't like it, did she?' she said quietly. 33

No.' The single word came out flat and hard. He turned back into the living room. It looks as if the meal is ready. Shall we go and eat?' Throughout the rest of the evening he asked questions about home, about herself. In fact he talked of everything and everyone but Julia. She decided not to press the subject tonight. Tom was obviously tense and tired and she needed to feel her way carefully. But already she had realised one thing The wound Julia had left was still very deep and raw. Rossi found it amazing that she slept so long and well. It was the children who woke her the following morning, tapping gently to tell her that breakfast was ready and they could not bear to wait for her any longer. They had been up since seven o'clock, they told her importantly. Breakfast consisted of a delicious fruit, something of a cross between a peach and a melon, which— again the children told her, delighting in her ignorance—was a pawpaw, followed by toast and tea. Shall we show you the garden afterwards?' Terry asked her. I can tell you the names of nearly all the flowers.' ' That would be lovely,' Rossi told him. Later, Terry,' Tom put in, coming suddenly into the room. He turned to his sister. I've got to dash into town for about an hour. If you'd like to come and get your bearings there . . . it might be a little while before you're able to get there.' Can we come too?' the children chorused. No, not today.' Tom shook his head. It's not fair to ask your aunt to keep an eye on you when she doesn't know one street from another.' For a moment Terry looked like sulking. She won't know where the snake-charmer is if we don't show her.' 34

The snake-charmer's on the green, old son,' Tom reminded him, too far from the shops, so Rossi won't have time to go there. But if you behave yourselves perfectly and I can spare the car, you might take her there tomorrow morning.' What did they mean ? ' Rossi asked when they were in the car heading towards the centre. Is there a real snake-charmer?' Oh, yes.' He pointed as they passed the large flat green that lay between the road and the sea. That's the Galle Face Green—just about the most known place in the city. He's usually around, or someone will dig him out. The trouble is the cobra's usually too stuffed with food to perform properly.' He darted in front of a line of traffic and a few minutes later had somehow managed to beat another driver to the only available parking place. He slammed on the brakes. ' I shall be almost exactly an hour, so if you want to explore, that should give you just about enough time. The Fort is built more or less in a square because it was once an old garrison town, so if you keep turning right along here, you should get back to the car. All the shops are in this quarter—including Laksala's, which is where you'll find all the souvenirs and local crafts, and not at a prohibitive price.' Rossi started to stroll around, fascinated by all the new sights and sounds about her, particularly the pavement traders, all trying to attract her attention. There were umbrella repairers, shoe menders, men making rough jewellery, and others selling cheap pens and leather goods. Everywhere were the cigarette men, offering one per person and, as a match, a smouldering piece of rope. It was very hot, but she was surprised how little 35

it seemed to affect her. So far she had accepted none of the pleas for ' the lady to come inside and look '. She thought she might be tempted by one of the large ebony elephants, or the glittering mounds of sapphires and garnets. Instead she decided to penetrate a little further, suddenly remembering that the Hales, talking of Colombo, had described the narrow streets that made up the quarter known as the Pettah—the heart of the real city, they had told her. She asked her way once and was directed away from the harbour. Here there was little shade, and with the sudden narrowing of the streets, the heat became stifling. But the more she saw, the further she wanted to go. There were strange little shops selling bales of brightly coloured cotton, and others filled with kitchen utensils and a jumble of household goods, from a mound of Sunlight soap to faded packets of biscuits. On the pavement were piles of dried fish and chillies; shiny neatly stacked leaves to wrap the betel nut in. Men were cutting glass and rough soldering silver, dipping their work into vats of acid. She watched, fascinated. But it was the brightly painted Hindu temple that stopped her finally. Tucked between the shops it was like a miniature palace in brilliant colours of blue and gold, green and red, heavily decorated with carved figures, many of them elephant heads on human bodies. The decoration came right down to the ground from the sharp pointed roof. As she stood staring up she realised that not only had she the beginnings of a headache, but that her whole head was starting to swim and her eyes were not focusing properly. She shook herself slightly. It was after all very hot. Perhaps if she could find some shade . . . better still, the thing would be to 36

try to get back to the car and sit down to wait for Tom. But before she had walked a couple of hundred yards she knew she was not going to make it. The noise, the people, the buildings crowding on to the narrow street, the stifling lack of air were all crowding in on her at once. She tried to reach out for some support, but felt herself sliding gently to the ground in a dead faint. Rossi came to hearing the jabber of strange voices and above them all a strong, rather bad-tempered English voice saying, ' For God's sake, move away from her, she needs what little air there is.' And then a damp cloth was placed on her forehead. She was feeling rather sick and her head ached intolerably, but she managed to open her eyes to distinguish a tall man with dark hair and even darker brows that did little to hide the impatient look in brown wide-set eyes. ' Has someone got that taxi?' he roared, and then she felt herself being lifted bodily into the back seat of a car. She tried to protest that it was all unnecessary, but the words would not come. In none too gentle a voice he said, Can you tell me where you live . . . or rather where you're staying? No one but a tourist on her first day out would do anything as stupid as you have.' ' Prince Street. My brother is waiting for me in his car there . . . it . . . it's a pale grey Austin, I think.' Hmm, well, perhaps I should be giving him advice as well as you.' She tried to pull herself into a sitting position, but the sharp daggers of pain were still going through her head. She badly wanted a drink of water. But more than anything else she wanted to tell her rescuer what she thought of him. 37

Are you always as rude as this?' she managed to ask. To anyone behaving as you have, yes. You could have had a nasty case of heat-stroke. Now, I daresay, a couple of days in bed will teach you a lesson.' She felt the taxi stop and a door bang, and then, surprisingly, Tom's voice, if anything even angrier than the other man's. What the hell are you doing with my sister?' Delivering her back to you,' came the cold reply, after picking her up off the floor in the Pettah. I presume you can cope now. She should be just about coming round. And if you want my advice you'll explain to her that she isn't strolling round Hyde Park here!' Oh, God, thought Rossi, still unable to focus as Tom helped her into his car, you'd think she'd committed some crime by the way everyone was behaving round her. When Tom started by saying, ' I told you to stick to the Fort. What on earth possessed you to go wandering off like that? And to humiliate me by allowing him of all people to bring you back! ' She could only say, near to tears: ' Please, Tom, don't you start on at me. I don't know who he is. Presumably not a friend of yours.' You can say that again. Your Sir Galahad was a man called Matthew Lincoln.' CHAPTER III Rossi did not really feel herself again until about thirty-six hours later. She had, the doctor told her severely, taken her overdose of the sun in a big way 38

—much more foolishly than most tourists these days. She apologised meekly, thinking she was not likely to repeat such stupidity. To her it seemed much more likely that she had not recovered sufficiently from a long and tiring journey; neither had the leap of fifty degrees helped. Feeling a little shaky, but otherwise all right, she slipped on a cotton robe and went out to the terrace. Tom was sitting there, twirling an empty glass in his hands. She came and sat there facing him, sensing his change of mood. ' I' m sorry to make a fool of myself like that, Tom. It won't happen again. But now I think it's time that you told me about Mr Lincoln . . . about Julia and . . . oh, everything else that seems to be going wrong for you.' When he hesitated she leaned forward and poked him on the knee gently. I'm your sister, remember? I'm on your side, and I only want to help.' All right, I suppose it would help to talk about it.' He refilled his own glass and poured her out a cold fruit drink, before settling uneasily back into his chair. I suppose it all started when I decided to pack in my job here. I'd found this piece of land up north, or rather a pal of mine had told me about it. Told me the enormous success Lincoln was having and that he reckoned he could wangle this ten acres. The chap who had owned it before had already planted the coconuts and the thing was almost a going concern. And if I could get in there quickly. . . . ' Anyway, I took an option before telling Julia about it, thinking it would be a marvellous surprise for her. But no, she was against it right from the start. Said it was too risky, the place too cut off, 39

what about the children—oh, every excuse you could think of. I'm afraid we had a few rows over it, but I decided I must go ahead. You see, Ros, the whole tea business is running down here. In about ten years there probably won't be a job for me anyway. I'll be nearly forty then—just think of that! —and heaven knows what I could do back in England at that age. The only alternative as I see it would be to get out now and start afresh while I'm young and the kids are young.' Surely Julia saw all that?' Rossi pointed out. ' Of course she did. She wanted me to pack up and go back to England now, but she should know this country is in my blood. I don't want to leave it until I'm pushed out. She never even tried to see my point of view,' he added bitterly. And when does this man Lincoln fit in?' Rossi probed further. ' He owns the nearest piece of land, about forty acres or more. And he exploits just about everything and everyone around there. I thought he would be a very helpful neighbour to have, but no .. he's been in my hair ever since I bought the place, trying to put me off, giving me damn bad advice, stealing my labour, trying everything. In short, he wants to get me out. I probably could have accepted all this, if it wasn't for the strip of land that lies between our properties. No more than a couple of acres, but it's pretty well vital to me, because a tributary of the river runs through it .. . hardly more than a stream, but enough for my purposes. He doesn't need it, since his land borders on the main river and lagoon. The land's been lying idle for a couple of years, I gather, but no sooner do I put in a bid for it than he doubles it and buys it for himself.' 40

But what's he got against you?' Rossi asked. ' I don't know. I wish I did. Some sort of power complex . . . a dislike of any sort of competition. He's a bit like a boy I knew at school. Anything I had he always wanted. Lincoln's the same. You'll find it out soon enough.' ' I must say,' Rossi told him, I didn't exactly take to him when he picked me up off the ground. He was quite unnecessarily rude and overbearing.' ' That's Lincoln all over. Doesn't like strangers, I'm told. But there's no need for you to have anything to do with him. In fact, I'd be most upset if you did.' Two days later Tom and Rossi made the final preparations to travel up to Coral Bay with Nanny and the children. He had wanted to leave earlier, but reluctantly agreed that Rossi needed another day to acclimatise before starting on a journey that would take about six hours. The children were very excited as they set out, telling her all about Coral Bay. I can catch fish,' said Terry proudly. And we can both swim,' Sue added. You can't swim properly yet,' Terry poured scorn on his sister's claim, you keep one foot on the ground.' I don't!' The beginnings of a battle were there, so Rossi quickly started a game of I spy ' as Tom concentrated on driving along a road that was even more hazardous than the one from the airport. This was the city's rush hour, and it seemed to Rossi that pretty well every inhabitant of Colombo was on the streets, either going to work on wobbling bicycles, walking haphazardly along the middle of the road, or just standing around staring. 41

Will we be passing through anywhere interesting?' she asked. I'd like to do as much sightseeing as I can.' Tom shook his head. ' Only Kandy, I'm afraid. The rest will be typical Ceylon country, paddy fields down here, coconuts a little higher, then rubber further inland and finally tea in the hill country. When I'm a little less pushed, we'll try to take a few trips, certainly before you go back. We'll be stopping in Kandy for about half an hour, though, so you'll be able to see what a provincial town looks like. Of course, many years ago, it was the ancient capital of Ceylon, where all the kings of Kandy had their seats. And there's the famous Temple of the Tooth, which is the biggest Buddhist temple in Ceylon.' Tooth?' said Rossi, puzzled. Why tooth?' I know,' Terry shouted. ' Can I tell her, Dad?' Go on, then.' It's where they keep a very special tooth of Buddha's,' Terry told her proudly. It's a huge great place just to keep a tiny relic. Isn't that funny? But sometimes we come up to see the procession, don't we, Dad? Do you think we'll be able to come this year?' Perhaps,' said Tom vaguely, we'll see.' Rossi occupied the next few minutes getting the children to tell her all about Ceylon's most famous celebration, the Perahera, that took place once a year, when the gold casket containing the relic was paraded through the streets, on the back of an elephant. Massed elephants followed on and then the Kandyan dancers carrying burning torches. As they drove on, the country was slowly changing, the paddy fields giving way to the foothills and in the distance could be seen the first tea-covered 42

slopes. To Rossi, Ceylon and tea were synonymous, yet she had not the first idea what growing tea looked like. She asked her brother. ' You'll see more than you'll ever want, soon enough,' he told her, but I suppose it's a bit like a low privet bush. We'll have to arrange to take you up to Barney's place. Then you can see the whole process. He'll love to show you—and to show off a bit. He's got quite a model estate up there. He lives like a king, like most of the planters. There's only one thing missing.' What's that?' A queen!' Oh.' Rossi found herself flushing slightly as her brother glanced towards her. You could do worse, you know,' Tom commented. Barney's a good chap. And I reckon he's sown most of his wild oats. He's ready to settle down.' I didn't come out here looking for a husband, Tom,' Rossi protested. ' Besides, I've only met Barney twice. I know nothing about him except that he was good fun at a party, and good company on a plane flight. I don't think that's quite enough, do you?' Tom grinned. You're taking me too seriously. All I'm saying is that if you're seeking a bit of light relief while you're over here, I'll know you're in good hands.' You mean you approve. I'm twenty-two now, Tom. Have you forgotten that? Quite old enough not to ask my brother—however much I respect his judgement—to vet my boy-friends.' Touché,' he shrugged. We'll say no more. Here's Kandy, kids. Time for a quick lunch while I do my business, and then we'll be on our way.' 43

He inched into a parking place on the broad main street, and pointed out an air-conditioned café where Rossi would take Nanny and the children. He told them to be at the car in about half an hour's time. Although they were in the hills the heat here was stifling and Rossi was glad to get into the cool, surprised to find that the cafe—and its menu—was typical of any she might have found in England. A small pocket of resistance, perhaps? When they came out, Tom was beside the car, but with his head inside the bonnet. Rossi peered over his shoulder. Is there something wrong?' Too damn right there is,' he answered without looking up. She won't budge. It could be the petrol pump, or it could be something else. I never was much of a mechanic.' Is there anything I can do?' Rossi asked anxiously. ' You could go along to the garage and ask .. . no, on second thoughts you haven't got used to dealing with them yet. I think you'd better take the kids for a walk and come back in another half hour.' He was off, shouting some sort of instruction to one of the inevitable onlookers, looking nervous and harassed. Rossi stared after him for a moment, worried by this new side of Tom. Always before he had been easygoing, carefree, yet solid as a rock. When everyone else went to pieces, Tom was always there, calm, steady, ready to cope with any situation. Terry tugged at her arm. ' Could we go and look at the market? I love it, but there's usually not time.' She was pulled back to the present. What about this Temple of the Tooth? I thought that was what 44

you wanted to show me?' Terry looked doubtful. I think it's too far, an awfully long way down that road. Sue would be an awful nuisance.' I wouldn't,' declared Sue. ' I can do anything you can do.' ' I think I'd like to see the market,' Rossi said hastily. I've never seen one in Ceylon, and besides, you two are much more used to the heat than I am. Perhaps Daddy will get the car going and we'll still pass the temple.' Even the walk to the market was far enough—a huge, modern place, full of noise and colour. There were tempting stalls of pawpaws and mangoes, mounds of bananas and the smaller, stubbier plantains. Avocados cost next to nothing, so did the mouth-watering melons and peaches. From every stall came requests to taste something, buy something, compare it with the next man, but it was all done in a cheerful smiling way. Rossi smilingly shook her head most of the time because she only had a few rupees on her, but she did succumb on the way out at the silent pleas of both children, and bought both bananas and mangoes for them to eat on the rest of the journey. They returned to Tom to find him in furious argument with the mechanic, who didn't seem to be having much success either with the car. At Rossi's silent question he said crossly, He wants to tow the car back to the garage and do the job there. That will mean being here for the rest of the day, if I know them.' The sun was beating down in an almost shadeless street. Rossi said practically, If I can't be any help, I think I should get Sue out of the sun. Nanny tells me she gets sick if she's out for too long. Can 45

you suggest anywhere we could go ? ' Tom paused to think. There's a hotel along the road. It's about the only place. Really, the kids ought to be on their way, or it makes an impossibly long day. These fellows tell me it's going to be a two-hour job, so that means at least three.' There was a moment's silence, while they considered the only possibility, then the watching crowd parted and shadow loomed over them. It was as if someone had actually sent for Matthew Lincoln. He nodded briefly to Rossi, then said quietly to Tom, ' I suppose you're having car trouble. Is there any way I can help?' Tom glared at him as though his arrival was the last straw. If you can find and fit a new petrol pump in five minutes, then yes, you can. Otherwise we can manage perfectly well on our own.' Matthew Lincoln looked down at the two children and the barest shadow of a smile crossed his face. ' I could give Terry and Sue and Nanny a lift—and your sister too, of course.' Tom lifted his head from the car and his voice was like ice. I told you we didn't need your help. Isn't that enough answer for you?' The big man shrugged. Of course, if that's the way you feel.' He was starting to move away when Sue burst into tears. Rossi pulled the little girl into her arms. ' What's the matter, Sue? Are you very hot?' Yes,' she gulped, I want to go home. I don't want to sit and wait for Daddy now that Uncle Matt's here.' Matthew Lincoln paused in his stride and Rossi looked across at her brother. No ! ' said Tom.

46

It was Terry's turn to speak up, his voice a little shaky, but determined. Please, Dad, can we go? I don't want to stay either, it's terribly hot here.' You'll do as you're told,' said Tom sharply, and Sue burst into fresh tears. Rossi did not want to go with Matthew Lincoln any more than Tom did, but Sue was looking pale, and she certainly did not fancy trying to pacify her for at least another three hours. Come over here, please, Tom,' she said in a low voice, and led the way towards the awning of the cafe. It's no good, Rossi,' he said, ' you won't talk me into it either. I'm not having my children contaminated by that fellow.' Look, Tom,' she said reasonably, the little I've seen of him, I don't care for him either and I would have given anything for this not to have happened. But it has. And as Sue looks like working herself into a state, I don't think you've got any alternative. To expect the children to sit and wait in this heat for three hours when they can be on their way home doesn't seem right. It doesn't seem fair to drag them into your quarrel. Besides, I'll be with them all the time. There'd be no question of him " contaminating " them.' Tom was silent. Then he glanced across at where Sue was still weeping silently and both Nanny and Terry were doing their best to cheer her up, without any success at all. ' I suppose,' he said grudgingly, I haven't much choice, have I? But let me tell you this, Ros—it's one more black mark against him. If he hadn't turned up, Sue would have known she had to wait. Oh, she might have been a little fretful, but nothing more. He's a totally disruptive influence.' 47

He strode back to the car and, without looking at the other man, jerked his head at the children. All right, you can go, but you're in your aunt's charge, remember. If I find you haven't done exactly as she said, you'll both be in real trouble.' Terry nodded mutely, and Sue's team began to die down. Perhaps, Mr Lincoln, you would show us where your car is. The sooner we get going the better.' Just as you say, Miss Finch, you appear to be in charge.' She could have sworn he was laughing at her and felt angrier than ever at being forced into this position. Of course, his car had to be larger, roomier and much newer than Tom's. He opened the back door and saw both children in with Nanny, then held the front open for her. She hesitated, having visualised travelling in the back, but she could hardly make an uncomfortable fourth in this kind of heat. She got in without a word. Matthew Lincoln had hardly edged into the traffic when Terry leaned over the back of the seat. ' Uncle Matt,' he said eagerly, ' do you think we could go round by the Temple of the Tooth? Dad promised to show it to Aunt Rossi, but now he can't, and she's dying to see it.' Rossi said stiffly from her corner: Don't exaggerate, Terry, I can see it another time. It's much more important to be on our way. For Sue's sake, if nothing else.' It's no trouble,' the man next to her said lazily, and I think if you look back you'll find that Miss Sue has made a very speedy recovery.' I don't want to go,' she said quickly, loyal to Tom. Well, I do, and so does Terry.'

48

They came to the end of the town, to a pretty, ornamental lake, on the edge of which stood one of Ceylon's most famous temples, with its round, pointed roof that was reflected in the lake below it. Rossi didn't want to appear too eager, but she could not stop herself craning round in her seat for a last look as the car passed by. Matt Lincoln glanced down at her. It is rather beautiful, isn't it?' he said lightly, if somewhat over-decorative. Don't worry, I'm going to drive round the other side of the lake and you should get a better view of the whole.' On the far side of the lake, opposite the temple, he pulled up for a few moments. Rossi made no comment except: Thank you, but I think we'd better get on now.' As they turned over the miles much more quickly than in the morning Rossi could not help being aware that there existed a rapport between the children and Uncle Matt '. A non-stop conversation seemed to go on among the three of them about things she knew nothing about. It also became obvious that the children must spend quite a bit of time with their father's enemy '. She could only think that Tom knew nothing of this and that Terry and Sue were astute enough to hide their clandestine friendship from him when he was at home. She did not know what to say or think, except that her fierce loyalty to her brother made her doubly antagonistic towards this stranger who treated her so casually. 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 49

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 5o

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 51

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 52

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 leanto 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.' 53

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 mend 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 54

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 55

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 56

red down at the scaly creature that had she been one 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. 57

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 58

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. . . 59

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. 6o

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 to this place. So she dived to the bottom of her suitcase and pulled out the scarlet bikini she had ught for her holiday with Andrew last year. She might as well have been wearing a nun's habit for all the effect it had on him. Then, knotting up her hair and tossing a towel over her shoulder, she let herself quietly out of the door. No one was astir. Rossi ran lightly down the sandy path towards the sea, scattering a crowd of small grey monkeys making noisy conversation just above her head. She laughed in delight at their pretended terror, then stopped just a little further on as two tiny birds of brilliant plumage darted into the undergrowth in search of insects. Across the coarse sand and down to the water's edge to a sea of limpid blue that looked as soft and as inviting as silk. But then Rossi remembered someone at the Hales' party talking about part of the Ceylon coast with its dangerous undertow and hidden holes in the sea bed. Since she was not a particularly strong swimmer she hesitated. It looked all right, but then looks could be deceptive. She was not, however, going to be done out of her morning swim so, following the beach along, she headed for the lagoon. Running her bare toes through the warm grains of sand, Rossi found it impossible to remember she had been in cold, cold London only four days ago. Why on earth should Tom want to give up and go back there when all this beauty was here for the taking? Poor Julia, she thought, wanting to get away from it all. At the end of the beach the sea met the broad 61

mouth of the river with a little flurry of white froth. And then, behind, the water seemed so still that it was impossible to believe it was slowly moving. Here, out of the rhythmic sound of the waves, all was silence as though there was no human for miles. Rossi took a deep breath, waded into the clear water and started to swim inland. When her feet were no longer touching the bottom she turned on her back and floated, watching the sky change from mist to a bright, bright blue, hearing the sudden piercing cry of a bird from the far river bank. Then she turned over again and watched the fish, small shoals of them, dart unconcernedly below her. Rossi felt herself begin to relax for the first time for a couple of weeks, since, in fact, she first heard she was coming to Ceylon. She could have stayed here all day, but a few hundred yards away new responsibilities were awaiting her, so, reluctantly, she started to swim for the shore. She had not seen the second swimmer enter the water. She was only aware of a fast, smooth crawl coming towards her, and then Matt Lincoln was bobbing up beside her. So you too have discovered this is the best time of day?' He shook the water from his eyes. ' Or is it merely the lack of a shower?' ' Did you follow me, Mr Lincoln?' She found she could touch ground again and started to back away. Somehow the feeling of sand under her feet made her feel less vulnerable. Alas, Rossi Finch, I'd like to answer yes, but this has been my morning routine even since I came to the bay. If, however,' he added gravely, you feel the lagoon is not big enough for both of us, I could make for the sea in future.' 62

There'll be no need of that,' she returned sharply. ' I doubt whether I'll make a habit of this. It was only. . . . . that the pump still doesn't work?' ' Only because Tom was too tired last night,' she returned loyally. I daresay he's already done it by now. So if you'll excuse me, I must go back to the children.' As she turned away he called after her. She paused, letting the water flow over her arms. I just want to give you a small piece of advice.' Go on,' she said coldly, I'm listening.' This bay really is a small corner of paradise. It's only the people who sometimes cast a blemish on it. Remember that when you feel like chucking it all in. You only have to come down here or into the sea and look back at the land, as though you were looking at yourself in a mirror. . . You seem to be warning me in some way, Mr Lincoln,' she went on in the same voice. No, not warning you, just trying to help. To put things in perspective. Your brother. . . Ah, so that's it! You want me to try to talk Tom round to your way of thinking, whatever that is. I'm sorry, but I believe very strongly in loyalty.' At any cost?' His eyebrows were raised quizzically. ' If it concerns someone I believe in—yes. And now good-bye, Mr Lincoln. Thank you for your help last night. I shan't be disturbing your morning swim again.' It was difficult, Rossi discovered, to sweep off with dignity when you were up to your waist in water. All she could do was to turn her back on him and walk through the shallowing water as quickly as she could. She was beginning to see just why Tom was 63

affected by Matt Lincoln's presence. She had been gone longer than she thought and the children were already having their breakfast under the strip of corrugated iron that served as the only shade around the house. In the bright morning light the defects of the place showed up even more clearly than when she had arrived yesterday, hot and tired. She noticed that the water pump was still in pieces. When she asked Terry where his father was she was greeted with a sigh of resignation. Oh, he's gone into town to find the man to mend the pump.' But . . . he told me. . . ' I expect,' Terry said seriously, that he told you he would mend it himself. But he's not very good at it, and he hates Uncle Matt to do it, so you see he has to find this man.' Tom came back about half an hour later, angry, by the way he slammed the car door and marched He'll be here this towards the breakfast table. afternoon,' he told her. I'm afraid you and the kids will have to manage about water as best you can until then. Sorry, Ros, but this isn't always a very efficient country.' She decided not to pursue the subject of the water pump, which was obviously a sore one, and instead leaned forward to pour her brother more tea before saying cautiously, I think, Tom, you'd better tell me what authority I have here. I would like to do something about the bungalow. I expect, since Julia went, you haven't had a lot of time, but I can see it's not half as well run as the Colombo flat. In fact, without too close an inspection, it looks downright grubby.' I hadn't Does it?' he said in faint surprise. noticed. But you're probably right. When I'm 64

here I spend all my time on the plantation. As soon as breakfast is over you'll have to come and see what I'm doing.' Yes, I'd like that, but first there's another thing. What about shopping and cooking?' He seemed to have a faintly uneasy look. ' Well, shopping has to be done in the little town we came through down the coast. It's fairly basic, but you should be able to manage well enough. I can see you get the car at least once a week, or in an emergency you could get a taxi. And cooking—well, since Julia went Ponniah has been making do. I must admit he's not much good, but I simply couldn't afford to keep on the cook. I had to have extra labour in the field. Do you think you can manage?' I can try,' she said with sinking heart, having glimpsed the primitive oil cooking stove in the kitchen. But don't expect anything fancy, will you?' ' Of course not.' He patted her-lightly on the shoulder. You just do the best you can, Ros, that will be good enough for me. At least I shan't have to think of everything.' By the end of that first day Rossi was remembering with nostalgia her mother's forecast that her trip to Ceylon would be just like a holiday. In a land where servants were plentiful Tom was obviously trying to make do with one, and a pretty inefficient one at that. Ponniah did not like the stigma of being the only one in a white man's household and took great pains not to hide his feelings. All Rossi knew as she hurried Ponniah from room to room trying at least to get the place clean, was that she would not be able to keep up this pace in such scorching heat and be able to produce an adequate 65

meal as well. At lunch time she gave up the uneven struggle with the kerosene stove and served salad and fruit and a tin of corned beef. It was a good job that Nanny was there to keep a general eye on the children, although that was, as she remembered the reason why she had come out here, not as cheap labour. At these thoughts she pulled herself up short. She was being disloyal to Tom after all. His difficulties were greater than hers. To try and get things more in perspective she took the children down to the beach for a swim. The sea was safe here, after all. The water had a marvellously refreshing effect on her and afterwards she lay on the sand for ten minutes, letting the sun soak into her bones. Terry's voice beside her made her open one eye. Auntie Ros, can I ask you a favour?' I expect so,' she answered drowsily. Could I go and see Uncle Matt. . . She shot up. ' No ! ' Just for five minutes,' he pleaded, he promised to mend my train.' ' No,' she repeated more forcefully, ' not unless you father gives you permission. Ask him to mend your train.' ' He's not awfully good at mending things,' Terry said wistfully, adding with family loyalty, ' although he is good at lots of things, I know.' When Nanny had come to collect the children for their late tea and it seemed a little cooler, Rossi decided to go and find Tom and have the promised look at the coconut plantation, which somehow had been overlooked this morning when he had gone tearing off after breakfast to solve some crisis or other. She made her way along a rough path, parallel to 66

the sea, through fairly heavy undergrowth. This part of the property had been sadly neglected. It was thick with chattering monkeys overhead and bird life, heard but unseen. She came out into the open where the men were working among the palm trees, tall elegant trunks, set neatly apart from one another in ridges. Tom saw her and waved. She crossed over towards him, looking round her in puzzlement. Was this enough to give him a livelihood? Was it really what he gave up his career for? He pushed his battered bush hat to the back of his head. Sorry to neglect you today, Ros love, but it's also been another one of those days.' Trouble?' There's always trouble unless you watch them like a hawk. Toddy tapping the moment my back is turned.' In answer to her bewildered look he said, ' It's a bit like tapping for rubber. They can distil arak from the stuff you get from these trees. Trouble is, there's a time to do it, and just the right amount. The way these fellows bleed the trees with their illicit tapping, the nuts could be ruined.' Rather guiltily she said, ' I'm afraid I only associate coconuts with fairs at home. Can you really make your fortune here?' She spread her arms about her. Good lord, yes,' he told her. I've just got to be able to last out long enough, that's all. My capital is strictly limited. But much of the wealth of Ceylon comes from coconut. There's ordinary coconut, then the desiccated kind. Then there's coir that's used for ropes and mats, nets, brushes, even fuel, and the fronds for roofing. The timber itself is highly prized, because it's pooch-proof, which is more than you can say for most wood, with the ants 67

eating their way through everything. The milk from the actual nut is supposed to have medicinal uses, and of course there's the properly distilled arak. They make soap, candles and all kinds of things with the oil, and cattle food with what's left. There,' he grinned, ' a potted lesson for you on coconuts ! But I could go on for ever, because the uses of the coconut are endless.' To her inexperienced eyes it looked like being a long time before Tom would get any return on his work and his money. What, she wondered, was he living on in the meantime? Well, no doubt he would tell her in his own time. The following morning Tom let her have the car to do some shopping. She took the children with her, and Nanny, whom she would probably have to rely on for both bartering and interpreting, as well as helping with the children. By the time they got there the small town was a blaze of hot, sandy heat. The street was lined with the sort of shops Rossi was growing accustomed to seeing in this country. But Nanny headed her purposefully towards the main market, where she found herself plunged right into things, examining the barrels of salt fish, fingering the golden piles of mangoes, testing the avocado pears, then choosing tomatoes and the largest chicken she could find. At least that was a safe bet. She also bought bottled fruit juice, just in case the water situation had not improved. It was sort of inevitable that, while they were walking back to the car, they should see Matt Lincoln. He was a man who managed to be everywhere at once. She nodded briefly to him and continued to the car, but, quick as a flash, Terry had rushed over to 68

him and engaged him in earnest conversation. She left them alone while she packed the car, then she called sharply, Terry, it's time to go for lunch. Now.' She watched the small figure back reluctantly away from the large one, feeling rather like a stuffy schoolmistress. At least Matt Lincoln got the message, for he raised his hand to her and was gone, towering above the crowds he edged himself through. Rossi said nothing to Terry, but she could not help -noticing that his eyes were dancing with pleasure. She wondered what the two of them had been talking about. As soon as they got home she started on preparations for lunch, directing Ponniah over the vegetables, but preparing the chicken herself. At least, she discovered, the pump was working, so there was plenty of water. Tom came in tired and hot and soon afterwards Rossi called them all to lunch. Sue wriggled on to her seat quietly, making a great show of not noticing the empty chair beside her. ' Where's Terry ? ' Tom said sharply. I expect he'll be here in a minute,' she said innocently. With a sigh of exasperation Rossi asked Nanny to fetch him. But the old woman looked faintly guilty. Terry not here, lady.' Tom looked from one to the other, then back to Sue. I'll give you one chance to tell me where your brother is.' Sue hesitated, then seeing her father meant it, whispered, He's gone to get Uncle Matt to mend his train.' Tom leapt to his feet, slamming down his napkin, 69

-41 but Rossi was even quicker. You're not going after him, Tom.' Like hell I am! And while I'm there I'm going to tell Lincoln exactly what happens to people who entice small children away from their homes! ' No, Tom,' she almost exploded. I have to live here as well. In that mood of yours, heaven knows what you'll do and say.' ' I know exactly what I'm going to say, but what I do rests entirely on his reaction. My fists are as tough as his.' Rossi took a deep breath. Things are difficult enough as it is, Tom, without you adding fuel to the fire. If you go across there in that mood, then I catch the next plane home.' CHAPTER V Tom's expression as he looked at his sister was one of complete bewilderment. Never in her twenty odd years had she rounded on him so fiercely. He seemed to be silent for a long time, then he said in an ominously quiet voice, ' And whose side are you on?' She sighed. You know I'm on your side, Tom, but getting violent with Matt Lincoln isn't going to help the situation one little bit.' He started to say something else, then, seeing that Sue was watching him, wide-eyed, strode away from the terrace. Rossi ran after him. Please, Tom,' she pleaded, I don't care for myself, or for you for that matter, but any physical quarrel you have with Matt Lincoln must reflect back on the children. They can't help becoming involved.' 70

TOM turned on her and though he was staring at her she knew he wasn't really seeing her. I shall never be able to express in words what I think of Lincoln—that's why, one day, I'm going to have to use my hands. I don't think you begin to realise, Ros, what he's done to me. He not only tries to break me here, he was instrumental in wrecking my marriage. Now he wants to get at me through my children. Can't you see,' he finished savagely, ' why I can't afford to let anyone I care for come under his corrupting influence?' Before Rossi could ask the question that was burning on her lips there was a movement in the trees and Terry came tiptoeing through—quite obviously hoping not to be. seen. Rossi laid a swift hand on her brother's arm. Whatever you feel, Tom, please don't take it out on Terry.' If you think I'm going to hit my son, then you're mistaken, Ros, but he does have to learn that when I tell him not to do something, I mean what I say.' So a few minutes later a tearful small boy was sent to his room without lunch and told to stay there until tea time. The rest of the meal was subdued, until Sue, wriggling away in her chair, asked to be excused and ran into the bungalow to escape the mood of her father. The chicken, over which Rossi had taken so much trouble, had hardly been touched, so she put it in the fridge for the next day. Then she brought out coffee for Tom and herself and when it was poured out, said to him quietly, What did you mean when you said that Matt Lincoln had wrecked your marriage? It's not really true, is it?' He shrugged and said wearily, Enticement is the word to use, I believe. Certainly before she left 71

home Julia was confiding in him more than me. What else went on I can only guess. I simply prefer not to think about it.' He got to his feet, his coffee still untouched, and walked back towards the plantation to begin work again. Rossi watched the slump of his shoulders, hearing again the desolation in his voice, and she could have wept for him. Now she could well understand the deep antagonism he felt towards Matt Lincoln. It had gone far beyond even a business quarrel and she felt her own resentment against the man begin to build up again. Oh, he was charming all right, attractive even, and no doubt very shrewd, but behind that smooth, friendly surface must be a calculating brain. She remembered suddenly the conversation at the Hales' party and later with Barney on the plane. No one, it seemed, had a good word for - Matt Lincoln. All those people couldn't be wrong, could they? And then there was the barest whiff of scandal about a married woman '. . . . Could that have been Julia? Oh, lord, Rossi thought, what a mess . . . and somehow she had landed right in the middle of it. Fortunately in the next day or two she neither saw nor heard anything of Matt Lincoln. In fact, she rather suspected he might not be there. Terry had been subdued since the last incident and had made no move either to go next door, or even to loiter round the boundary of the properties. Rossi found all her time being taken up with getting the house into some sort of running order after weeks of neglect. She quickly learned that while in England you might leave a house for that time and nothing much would happen apart from a layer or two of dust and an overgrown garden, but here, very quickly, nature would take over. The damp would

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quickly rot both clothes and furniture, apart from books and other personal possessions. Ants could create a trail of havoc, and once cockroaches took hold on a place, they were not easy to get rid of. Rossi collapsed at the end of each day, tired out, and knew, with the unaccustomed heat, she could not keep this up much longer. Tom had gone back to Colombo for two or three days, but when he came back she decided to ask him if they could take on another servant, preferably to do most of the cooking. If necessary she would pay part of the cost herself and Tom could pay her back when he could afford it, but the daily struggle between her and the kerosene stove, and between her and Ponniah, was growing to ridiculous proportions. This particular bungalow had been badly planned, for there was little circulation of air during the hot part of the day, and the whirring fans were quite inadequate—particularly in the dark, steaming little kitchen. She found herself going to bed earlier and earlier to try to catch up on rest and so be able to face the new day with just a little more energy. Sue had been off colour the day before Tom went back to the city, but then it merely seemed she had eaten something that had disagreed with her. She didn't seem ill, only a little listless, and for once did not fight against her afternoon rest. But the day after Tom went her temperature went up and Rossi decided to keep her in bed, giving her nothing but cool drinks. In the late afternoon she sat by the bed and put her hand on the hot little forehead, realising that Sue was not at all well and she had not the faintest idea what was wrong. She had little experience of children, and certainly not of their ailments. Fortunately Nanny did not seem unduly worried, saying that Sue had often been

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affected by the heat when she was overtired. Usually her temperature went up for a day or so, then just as quickly went down. Some time after midnight Rossi was wakened by small arms shaking her. Terry's face was pressed to hers through the mosquito net. Wake up, oh, please wake up, Rossi! ' She sat up quickly, startled out of a strange dream. ' What is it, Terry? What's wrong?' ' It's Sue. She's ever so poorly and saying all sorts of funny things. Nanny's there, but I don't think she knows what to do either, so I said I'd come and get you.' Rossi rushed into the back room the two children shared and found Sue was indeed poorly. She was bathed in perspiration, her face chalk white, and all the time she was talking deliriously she tossed from side to side. Rossi swallowed, afraid to show her fear in front of both Terry and the Ceylonese woman. What's wrong, Nanny, have you any idea?' Nanny threw up her hands. No, lady, I do not know. I think Miss Sue is rather ill.' Then we must get a doctor,' Rossi said firmly. There is one, I suppose?' Oh, yes, lady, but in the town. Mr Tom has the car, so how will we get him?' She was swaying helplessly on her heels in a sort of rocking motion. She was wringing her hands and muttering to herself. It was quite clear that she was even more frightened than Rossi was. Rossi only hesitated a moment. After all, there was no car and there was no telephone. Either she had to stand here and just hope that Sue was better by morning, or she had to get help. And there was only one place she could go for help. Even Tom

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would not deny that. Telling Nanny where she was going, she pulled on shoes, trousers and a top and, grabbing a torch, ran out on to the terrace. She had not realised it would be quite so dark. The moon was behind clouds and the air was so still that it seemed as though a heavy black curtain hung between her and the trees. The sounds of the night were unfamiliar too; the chorus of crickets, the distant bark of a dog—or could it be something else—the soft rustle of the undergrowth and over everything, the sea breaking over the shore. Rossi headed for the road, knowing that though it might be slightly longer, at least there was nothing to trip her up and the two drives were broad enough not to hem her in. She started to run, concentrating on the few yards picked out ahead of her by the torch, but soon she too was bathed in sweat. The night temperature had hardly dropped from the intense heat of the day, and there was no breeze to give even a lightening of the black, clammy air. She reached the road and turned towards the next drive, only about three hundred yards, she guessed. The thought of Sue's hot little face, her cries back there, drove her on, still watching only the road. Like everything else at the bungalow, she thought crossly, even the torch was on its last legs. She did not know what made her look up suddenly. Perhaps it was a sound, although she certainly did not remember hearing anything she had not heard before. For a fraction of a second she thought she was walking straight into a high wall she did not even know was there. And then the wall moved very slightly and she gave a gasp that sounded more like a cry on the still air. She could

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not have been more than a few feet from a very large elephant. Rossi's first instinct was to run, anything to get away from so huge an animal that towered over her, but in the end her instinct made her stand perfectly still for a moment before backing inch by inch the way she had come, never taking her eyes off the elephant. Only then, because she was staring so hard that her eyes were beginning to water, did the shape become a little clearer in the darkness and she realised there was more than one elephant, probably two, or possibly three behind the first one. When she was far enough away not to feel so scared she stopped, wondering what to do, because the road was completely blocked, and not all the tea in Ceylon was going to make her try to pass those massive beasts. Yet even greater was her fear for Sue, so she did the only thing she could think of, crawled through a gap in the undergrowth that formed some kind of hedge, and started to make her way along, as quietly as possible, parallel to the road. When she heard the first trumpeting roar she thought her heart must stop beating, and then as she waited, dry-mouthed with fear, the great beasts started to move ponderously along the road, away from Matt Lincoln's property. By the time she reached his bungalow, half running, half sobbing, forgetting all about the snakes she might have imagined in any other circumstances, she was scratched and dirty, and her clothes wringing wet. The house was in darkness, but she did not even stop to wonder whether he was there, or even whether he would mind her coming like this, but hammered on the door as loudly as she could. The first to come was the boy, Raja. Before she 76

could say, ' Please get Mr Lincoln as quickly as you can,' he was there in front of her, a towelling robe pulled round him. ' Please, oh, please, Matt, could you help? Sue is desperately ill and I must find a doctor. Have you a phone, or do you know where I could find one?' He looked her up and down, but wasted no time on pleasantries. ' Get the car out, Raja,' he said curtly, and then roared something else into the depths of the bungalow. As he disappeared, presumably to dress, another boy came forward, holding out a glass of brandy to her. She had never felt in such need of a drink before, and took it from him gratefully. She barely had time to gulp it, before he was back, fully dressed, and Raja had the car out at the front. ' Come on,' Matt said, ' in you get.' ' But . . . but aren't you even going to phone the doctor?' He hustled her in ahead of him and told Raja to go next door. Only then did he say, ' You don't know our phone service at this time of night. It's like rousing the dead, and always when you're in a real hurry. And then if we did get hold of the doctor we have no guarantee that he'll come out here immediately. No, it would seem that the best thing would be to take Sue to the doctor.' Rossi did not know what to say. She wanted to disagree, but deep down she was thankful that someone else was taking the decisions. When the car stopped, he strode into the bungalow as if he owned it and started giving orders to Nanny. Rossi had never seen the old woman move so fast. Within a few moments Sue was wrapped in blankets and, he was carrying her out to the car again. He, 77

made Rossi get into the back and then, with infinite care, he passed the child over to her to cradle in her arms. Finally, telling Raja to drive fast, but with care, into town, he got into the front himself. It could not have been more than ten minutes since she had arrived at his house. Rossi looked down at the white little face, the damp matted hair and the eyes that did not focus properly. Sue was still moaning in her sleep and every now and then she would call out, Mummy!' and cling more tightly to Rossi. It was all Rossi could do to stop herself breaking down completely. As if sensing her rising fear Matt turned and said, surprisingly gently, ' I know it must seem very frightening to you, but that's the way of a lot of tropical fevers. Temperatures soar without apparent reason, but come down just as quickly. . . . I know that probably sounds easy to say, but the doctor here is a good man—if a little slow—and very thorough.' I've never seen a child so ill,' Rossi whispered. I only hope you're right . . . and with Tom in Colombo, and Julia all those thousands of miles away. . . It's a bit of a responsibility, isn't it?' She nodded in the darkness of the ca,r. I don't think Tom has any idea how little I know.' Of course. But he does realise you have common sense. And that's the most important thing. Don't forget, if Julia herself were here she would be just as frightened at seeing her child delirious.' Within only a few minutes more Raja had pulled up in front of a long white bungalow, just back from the sea. Before Rossi had realised what was happening Matt had scooped Sue up once more and was walking up to the front door and hammering on it. 78

When the doctor was brought by his servant—surprisingly quickly—he seemed to take in the situation at a glance. He carried Sue into his surgery and told the other two to sit down outside. It would be better if they calmed themselves with a cup of tea. The tea, in small porcelain cups, also appeared amazingly quickly. For the first time Rossi looked down at herself and realised what an appalling wreck she must look, with her clothes muddy and torn and several scratches on her hands and arms. Matt must have noticed at about the same time because he said, frowning, ' I didn't realise you had come to my place the hard way. I'll get the doctor to put some antiseptic on those cuts. You should have come by the road.' I tried to,' she said, then swallowed at the memory, but . . . but there were elephants right across the road. II. . . I didn't see them until I was almost on them. I didn't dare try to get past them. I'm afraid I was a bit unnerved.' A bit ! ' he echoed. I'm surprised you managed to get to me at all. I suppose you struggled along the other side of the hedge.' She nodded. You poor kid! You've got guts, I'll say that. Only out from London a few days and you meet your first wild elephants—in the dark.' Are . .. are they dangerous?' ' You get the occasional rogue, but on the whole they're peaceable enough, as long as they aren't teased. But if you do see one, particularly if you're in a car, it's wise to stay still and wait until they've passed. An elephant is too large a beast to tangle with.' I wish now I hadn't been so frightened about 79

Sue,' she said ruefully. ' I would have liked to watch them for a while. I suppose it was because I was alone and it was pitch dark. . . One night,' he said, I'll take you into the jungle that lies behind us. It's quite an experience for the first time. There's a huge tank that lies about a mile inland and in the dry season most of the animals come down to drink somewhere about midnight. You feel very close to the country at a time like that.' Oh, I'd like that,' Rossi said eagerly. I took Julia once,' he went on, and I think she felt it was one of the highlights of her stay here.' You took Julia,' Rossi repeated slowly. Suddenly she was back to earth with a bump. What could she have been thinking of saying she would like to go—with him? And how could he have been brazen enough to tell her about Julia? I don't think,' she said suddenly, in a chilly voice, this is quite the time to be talking about trips into the jungle.' Ah,' he said. I see.' You don't see at all.' I do, you know. It was a perfectly good idea while you forgot who I was. But then I mentioned Julia's name, and you remembered all you'd been told about my reputation.' She coloured very slightly, but was silent. Fortunately, at that moment, the doctor reappeared. He spoke quickly to Matt in his own language, then, when Matt replied, he turned to Rossi and said in English, I understand, Miss Finch, you are the little girl's aunt. There is nothing to be frightened of. She has caught some kind of virus and has an exceptionally high fever. I would like to keep my eye on her for a couple of days. 8o

ave you any nursing experience?' She shook her head. ' I thought not. Then, if you will allow it, I will take her immediately to our small hospital in the town. I visit there every day, and we have some excellent nurses. Ah, I see you still look frightened. Please, Miss Finch, let me assure you that she is in no danger, but she might need drugs for a day or so to bring her temperature down. I understand you are not on the telephone and you are also nine miles out of town. It is a long way for me to come in a hurry.' Yes, I see,' she said slowly, and instinctively looked towards Matt. I think you should leave her,' Matt said. Tom could not make any other decision himself. We'll both go along with the doctor now and get her settled, and then you must go home and get some rest.' Thank you,' she said gratefully, but there's no reason why you . . He brushed aside her thanks and started to hustle the doctor along. Within another ten minutes they had taken Sue along to the neat whitewashed hospital just out of the centre of the town and she was settled in a small side ward, with a dark, smiling nurse to look after her. Rossi suddenly realised she was in good hands and she could do nothing more. It was only when Matt drove her home that she realised how tired she was, dog-tired, dirty, and smarting all over where they had treated her cuts. When he dropped her Matt asked, When does Tom come home?' Tomorrow.' Do you want me to phone him in the morning?' She hesitated, then shook her head. I think it would be better not. If I can get into the hospital 81

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tomorrow and have some proper news to give him, then I'll try and phone him from there. It will only aggravate things. . . ' If I speak to him, you mean.' She nodded. All right, I understand. I'll phone the hospital first thing in the morning and come over straight away with the news.' There's no need,' she started. He raised a faint, cynical eyebrow. You mean you prefer to wait until you can walk into town rather than be beholden to me again?' Once again the colour sprang into her cheeks. Of course not,' she replied. It's just that you've done so much already. I never thought . . . . that I was human?' He finished her sentence for her again. Look, Rossi, let's look at it this way. I don't care a damn about Tom, but I do care about Sue and Terry. So let's just say I did for Sue what anyone would have done. It's tough for you out here trying to cope when you've hardly found your sea-legs. If you like, tomorrow morning, we can concoct a story for Tom that will absolve me from any kind of blame or interference. But for the moment, it's time for you to get some rest. Sleep well, Rossi, and remember—Sue is going to be perfectly all right.' Rossi never thought she would have slept so easily, but as soon as she had showered and crawled under the mosquito net she must have gone out like a light, because the next thing she knew was that Terry was beside the bed obviously willing her to wake up. I'm sorry,' he said, but I couldn't wait any longer. Is Sue all right? When I woke and found she wasn't in bed, I was rather frightened, but 82

Nanny says she's probably in hospital. Is that right?' That's right,' Rossi assured him. ' The doctor thought he could look after her better there, and Uncle Matt is going to telephone after breakfast to find out how she is.' ' Is she very ill?' he asked solemnly. ' No,' Rossi told him more firmly than she felt, ' she's just got rather a high temperature, that's all. The doctor's not a bit worried about her.' Oh,' he said in great relief, ' that's all right, then,' and sloped off to give the news to Nanny. When Rossi came out for breakfast she heard voices and found Terry and Matt Lincoln sitting on the terrace step in earnest conversation. She had never seen her small nephew so totally absorbed. It gave her a curious feeling to see them so close together, with Matt Lincoln so relaxed and younglooking, as he never was with adults. He turned sharply at her step and a shutter came down over his face. But he was normal enough as he said, She's all right, Rossi, her temperature has come down a little during the night, but they're insisting on keeping her there today and overnight. If you want to see her they suggest you go late this afternoon. I'll take you,' he finished abruptly. And me,' Terry pleaded. She was relieved that she had a genuine reason for refusal. She said quietly, Thank you, but Tom will be home by then.' Fine, but let me know if anything goes wrong. I'm here all day.' With a brief wave he was gone. Relief at knowing Sue was all right made Rossi suddenly limp, and she knew there could be no work for her today, so she promised Terry they would spend the day on the beach, swimming and fishing, 83

and they would take a picnic lunch down there. It was a strange, unreal sort of day, on one hand beautiful and peaceful, swimming and lazing on the golden sand, on the other . .. she could not quite say what gave her the uneasy feeling that something was not quite right. At first she put it down to her natural worry about Sue. Until Tom was here and they had been to the hospital to see for themselves she could not put her mind at rest. During the morning she dozed while Terry built an enormous sand castle, and it was when she woke she knew something was different. Apart from the sea there was a different sound about the place, but she could not put her finger on it. It's funny,' she said finally to Terry, I feel I should be hearing something and I can't.' Oh, you mean the men working,' he said instantly. ' I know, they stopped quite a long time ago.' ' Do they usually at this time of day?' she asked. I don't think so,' he said uncertainly Perhaps Dad has come home early.' So Rossi decided to go up to the house and see for herself. There didn't seem to be much sign of life, so, leaving Terry with Nanny, who also had an oddly uneasy look, she walked across to the plantation. There was not a single man there, but the tools were all in a neat pile, as if they had stopped work for the day. Puzzled, she walked back. Do you know what's happening?' she asked Nanny. The older woman looked away. Lady go and ask Ponniah.' So Rossi went in search of Ponniah. Even he did not look too pleased to see her. Where is everyone?' she asked. There are no men on the planta84

tion and soon my brother will be home.' He looked at her sullenly, and for a moment she thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he shrugged. They are not working for Mr Finch any more,' he said finally. What do you mean?' she demanded. My brother is not here, so they must be working for him ' He shook his head. They have all gone.' She felt her stomach pitch over. ' Where are they ? ' she said more calmly than she felt. ' I must go and tell them to return.' They will not return,' he told her. They are now working for Mr Lincoln.' CHAPTER VI Rossi could not believe her ears at this statement. She started to question Ponniah more closely, but at each corner she received the same answer—that all three boys were now working at the next plantation. Ponniah finished by saying to her rather slyly, Lady should go and have a look herself.' Rossi made no answer to this. She doubted whether she would recognise the boys. She had only seen them from a distance each day. But when she had dismissed Ponniah she turned back to Nanny and said, ' Do you know if what he says is true, Nanny?' The old woman shrugged. ' I think it is so, lady. They do not like working here. They prefer to work with the Master Lincoln. He pays more money,' she ended simply. It was that last statement that roused Rossi to 85

anger. That Matt Lincoln should wait until Tom was away and then lure his workers away with the promise of more money seemed to her too despicable for words. She thought of his help last night—calculated no doubt to win her over—and she went hot with shame. So Tom and everyone else was right after all. The last shred of doubt disappeared. She glanced at her watch. Tom would be home in three or four hours. What on earth was she going to do? In spite of wanting to see Matt Lincoln soundly routed, she did not want to be a witness to Tom's violence towards him. That would serve no purpose at all. Well, she decided finally, it was up to her to try to put things right. So, telling Nanny not to allow Terry to follow her on pain of severe punishment and, swallowing her pride, she headed for the next property. From wanting to have nothing to do with Tom's neighbour she seemed to be making quite a habit of paying him visits—however unsocial they might be. She looked around her, aware once more of the difference between the two properties and grew even angrier at Matt Lincoln's selfishness. He had everything here . . . surely he could not really take away what little Tom had? She walked up the path from the sea to where the waxy white flowers of the temple tree glowed in the sunlight. Raja stepped silently out from the house. ' I'd like to see Mr Lincoln,' she said formally. The Master is not here, but he will be here soon. Would the lady like to wait?' He pointed to a chair on the terrace. ' I'd prefer to wait here, thank you,' she answered stiffly. ' Would the lady like a drink?' The dark face was friendly and smiling. She thought of the differ86

ence between Raja and their own boy, Ponniah, and even felt resentful at that. No, thank you,' she snapped. For a few moments she walked about the garden and then, from the far side of the property, she heard the sound of sawing. She decided to walk across to the plantation and see for herself that Tom's boys were working there. She soon found out how right Ponniah had been. Though she did not recognise the faces of the men she did recognise the dark red turban one of them always wore and the old floppy army hat of the other. Both of these two were laughing and talking with the other men as they worked. She turned angrily away. She followed the path back towards the house trying to decide the best way to tackle Matt. It was no good her losing her temper. She had to match cunning with cunning. A small rustling in the bushes stopped her suddenly. She knew by now the only danger round here was from snakes She had not seen one yet and knew they tended to keep away from human noises, nevertheless she was still wary. It was not a snake that pushed out in front of her, but a small, golden bundle of fur, the most enchanting creature Rossi had ever seen. Without any fear she bent down and spoke gentle, soothing words to the small head cocked towards her. The reply was a baring of the sharp teeth, a hissing snarl. Yet in a curious way it was a friendly noise, as if it was only doing what was expected of it. Rossi reached out a hand and touched the furry body of the cub. It snarled a little and withdrew, but did not really move. She had never seen a leopard as small as this and only after she had been 87

laughing in delight at its antics, and playing with it for a few moments, did she stop to wonder if the mother was anywhere around. When she heard the step behind her she nearly jumped out of her skin. He's only a couple of months old,' Matt said conversationally. ' One of the local boys found him after his mother had been killed, and brought him to me. He just loves human beings.' He picked up the cub by the scruff of the neck and tickled it behind its ear. Don't you, Rascal?' He looked directly at Rossi. We call him that because he's up to every kind of mischief.' Still holding the leopard cub, he went on, Raja tells me you were looking for me. He also remarked that you seemed rather angry. Not more trouble, I hope?' He had that extraordinary knack, Rossi decided, of putting everyone at a disadvantage. She had wanted to storm him and tell him exactly what she thought of him; instead, here they were, face to face, both wanting to touch the mischievous, snarling bundle of fur. Rossi stepped back and said in her coolest voice, You could call it trouble, I suppose, but not the sort you mean.' I see. Well, you'd better tell me what's wrong.' Surely you know that, without my telling you,' she burst out. I know you hate Tom for some reason or other, but there's no need to play such dirty tricks on him when he's not here. Haven't you the common courtesy—or the courage—to wait until he comes back before trying to wreck his venture even further?' She could have sworn for a moment there was a look of real surprise on his face. But she dismissed the idea as impossible. He was much too shrewd 88

not to know exactly what he was doing. Very carefully he put Rascal on the ground and shooed him away. Then, in a patient, resigned sort of way he said, Right. I appear to have done just one more thing to upset your brother—and you now —but until I can confirm or deny the accusation, I think I have a right to know what I'm accused of.' You've stolen the only labour he has!' She spat out the words. I beg your pardon?' ' You heard exactly what I said, and you know perfectly well what I mean.' I'm afraid I don't . . . oh, wait a moment. Are you trying to tell me that the new men who started work with me today came from your brother's place?' ' You know perfectly well they did. What did you do, bribe them, or frighten them, or merely threaten them! ' Suddenly his face darkened. The joke—if it was a joke—was over. I don't think you should make accusations quite like that, Miss Finch. And before you say something further that you might regret, hadn't you better check up on your facts?' There are no facts to check on,' she retorted. They're our men, or they were yesterday, and now they're yours. Are you trying to tell me you didn't know they worked for Tom?' ' I' m telling you exactly that. I have an excellent foreman who takes on all the labour. I don't question his choice, unless there's trouble amongst the men, or he wants to dismiss one. Come with me.' She found herself following him, unwillingly, but having no alternative. She honestly did not know whether to believe him or not. On the terrace he turned to her again. Wait 89

here,' he commanded, then went inside and called something to Raja. A few moments later a small, wiry man appeared and bowed towards him. He did not give her a single glance. Matt said to the man, very clearly, Ajit, I'd like to know where you found those extra men you took on this morning.' The little man looked faintly uncomfortable, but with a lot of gesturing and raising his eyes to heaven, started to talk very quickly and, of course, incomprehensibly, in his own language. Matt listened to him then put in a couple of questions. The man spread his hands helplessly and started to talk again. Finally, when he had finished, Matt dismissed him, and turned to Rossi. Well, it seems quite straightforward. I told him a couple of days ago that we must have extra labour as soon as possible. He passed the word round in the village, which is equivalent of telling everyone in the local back in England. These men came forward and said they were leaving your brother anyway, so naturally, since they had the right sort of experience, he took them on. Now do you believe me?' ' Tom won't,' she said obstinately. No, I dare say you're right. What do you suggest I do? Dismiss them and make them go back to where they came from?' Something of that sort, yes. There probably isn't anywhere else for them to work anyway. You could explain to them that they're letting Tom down and if they don't work the whole crop could be ruined.' He smiled rather wryly. You can only lead a horse to water, you know. They said they were go

going to leave Tom.' And you believe that,' she said contemptuously. I believe they wanted to leave him,' he replied in a dangerously calm voice. ' And that comes to much the same thing. There must be something wrong. If Tom gets them back, he'll get a sullen crew who won't give their best. If I were you I should make it my business to ask why they all wanted to leave.' There was logic in what he said, but Rossi was beyond all logic. I wonder,' she said, if you put it about that you were prepared to pay more than anyone else. I would call that enticement. Funny,' she added, Tom was only talking about a different kind of enticement a couple of days ago. . . As she spoke she knew she should not have said that, but it was too late to withdraw. She saw the expression in his eyes, and for a single, frightening moment thought he was going to hit her. Instead he said, It's a great pity such loyalty is so misplaced. It might be a good idea if you put your own house in order, before coming to organise mine. Now, will you please go, before you force me to say something I really regret. Your brother will have his men back by tomorrow. But I take no responsibility for them after that.' As she watched him walk away she began to wonder whether she had helped Tom or not. She had certainly done nothing to improve this relationship. Tom came back around tea time. Terry had been looking anxiously out for him, but Rossi had expressly forbidden her nephew to run at him with the news about Sue. When Tom climbed out of the car she was about to go and greet him when she saw he was not alone. 91

She hesitated, then her eyes widened in pleasure when she saw who it was. ' Why, Barney, what a wonderful surprise!' He grinned at her and shook her hand. ' I really believe you mean that. Hello, young Terry, how are you? And where's Sue?' he added. Rossi looked at her brother. Tom, there's nothing to worry about now, but Sue hasn't been well.' You mean she's in bed?' he said sharply, heading towards the house. Rossi put out a hand to stop him. Well, yes, but she's not here. She's in hospital. . . Then why the hell didn't you phone me, or let me know somehow?' He started back into the car. ' I'd better get there immediately.' Tom, please listen,' she said. Sue is perfectly all right now and you can go in and see her in about an hour. We've checked with the hospital already.' She finally seemed to reassure him, then Nanny came with the tea, so they were all sitting down before he asked—more calmly—that she should tell him what happened. She recounted the events of the previous night, but by the time she came to Matt's part in them she merely said vaguely, . . . and when I got her to the doctor he insisted she should stay the night so they could keep an eye on her and make certain her temperature went down.' Then it looks as though there's not too much to worry about now,' put in Barney. She's in safe hands. It must have been quite a responsibility for Rossi to decide what to do.' Suddenly Tom seemed to realise there was a piece of the story missing. He turned to her. How did you get her to hospital? We haven't even got a 92

phone.' He saw her hesitation and said in a surly voice, ' Oh, I see, I suppose you went running next door.' As evenly as she could Rossi told him, I had no alternative, Tom. This happened around two o'clock in the morning. I didn't even know where the nearest phone was.' . So he phoned and the doctor came out immediately.' He seemed to want to pour salt on the wound. Well, she had better tell him the truth. ' No,' she said, when I told Matt Lincoln what had happened, he said there was some doubt how long it would take the doctor to get out at that time of the night. He insisted on driving Sue in himself.' And you allowed it?' His voice was full of injured amazement. Of course. It seemed to me that Sue came before any quarrels you or I had. To me she seemed very seriously ill indeed. I was frightened, Tom, just as I think you or Julia would have been.' It seems to me,' Barney put in, much to her relief, that Rossi did just the right thing. She had no alternative. Besides, I daresay even Matt Lincoln is human as far as children are concerned.' Tom shrugged as if even that was in doubt, but he did not berate her any further, and as soon as tea was over he got out the car and drove into town. She shook her head when he asked if she wanted to come to. She knew Sue missed him when he was away, so it was better that she had him to herself. When he had gone and Terry had disappeared to play, Rossi poured Barney another cup of tea. But he left it untouched and leaned towards her, covering her hand with his own. 93

Come on, Rossi, out with it.' ' With what?' she said warily. Look, I don't know you very well, but even I can see that something's wrong. A week or two ago I met a happy, excited girl off to Ceylon for the first time. Now I see an anxious, tense—yes, and even tired version of the same girl. I know it's not a very flattering thing for a man to say, but if Tom doesn't put things right, then I've got to. And it can't all be worry about Sue.' She sighed. ' Is it really as obvious as that? Well, I suppose you're right. Things haven't been too easy. But then they're even more difficult for Tom, so I haven't the heart to complain.' Right. I want chapter and verse. Tom's my friend, so I can speak frankly to him. To start with, how much help have you got here?' When Rossi told him that there was literally one boy—and not a very willing one at that—and also that she was having to struggle with most of the cooking, he was obviously horrified. You can't do it, Rossi. This isn't England, you know, and you haven't got used to this climate yet. If Tom can't afford more help, then he can't afford to strike out on his own. But I think that's something we can't put right, tactfully, don't you?' She nodded. I was going to say something anyway. With the business of Sue, I realised I couldn't cope properly, but . .. but that's not the real problem.' Ah, now we're getting down to it. I suppose it wouldn't be anything to do with Matt Lincoln, would it?' When she didn't answer, he gripped her hand more tightly. I guessed as much. The man's obviously a menace, even if he does offer to rush 94

kids to hospital. Go on, Rosi, tell me.' She was glad to get the whole business off her mind. She told him how impossible it was to live so near someone, particularly a man the children liked, and have to keep them at arm's length. She felt like a buffer between him and her brother, trying to keep an impossible peace. Barney said softly, ' You haven't said yet what your personal opinion of him is.' Until this morning I She shrugged helplessly. 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 95

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 96

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

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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

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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 99

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 quite 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 100

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. 101

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 102

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 103

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. Some time 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 beauti104

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 stone 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 sevenhundred-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. 105

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. You all right?' Barney said from below. I . . . I think so. Is it much further?' No, not to the platform. I'll come and give you a hand, Rossi.' No, I'm all right. I think I can manage as far as that.' She gritted her teeth, and knew her voice was little above a whisper. She tried to take her mind off her head and her feet. Think of anything except where she was. Coral . . . the sea rolling in to a golden shore .. . the blue jays sweeping from the trees . . . the chattering monkeys. From there her thoughts sprang quite naturally to the baby leopard held in Matt's arms. Funny, she thought for no reason, how men like him have a soft spot for children and animals, yet are completely ruthless when they move into the adult world. 106

One more step and you're there,' came Barney's voice, and she felt him ease her down on to the iron platform. She put her head down for a moment and took a deep breath. ' I'm sorry, Barney, I don't know what came over me.' Only what overcomes nine out of ten people who come up here. I should never really have let you come as far as this in such heat.' He took both hands in his. Can you manage just down the next staircase? There's shade on the main platform, and somewhere to sit.' She struggled to her feet and again going backwards, started down behind him, before she could think that she would really prefer to stay exactly where she was. He almost lifted her down the last couple of steps, and led her gently over to the broad stone steps near the lion's paws. This time when she was sitting down she really did put her head between her knees; and when she came up Barney was holding out the bottle of fruit juice. Gradually her head began to clear. I think it really was just the heat,' she told him. I'm not usually afraid of heights—although it is a bit shattering to look over that edge, isn't it?' You're not meant to look while you're climbing,' he said severely. Only from here or the top.' I suppose not,' she agreed. I can't help wondering how they got up here the first time, all those hundreds of years ago.' It beats me too. It makes some of our achievements look rather puny.' They rested for about ten minutes, then started down the main face of the rock. It still seemed a long way to Rossi, and she was glad when, about 107

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half an hour later, they pulled up in front of the rest house. Barney arranged for her to have a cool shower and so by the time she emerged from that, she felt almost new again. They sat on the verandah for lunch, almost under the shadow of the great rock. Rossi realised it was the first time since she had arrived in Ceylon that she had eaten out. The food was simple, but good, and surprisingly English, with a choice of curried chicken, or beef stew followed by fresh fruit salad. Barney seemed to know everyone. As people drifted in and out there was always someone to call a greeting to him, to ask how things were up on the estate. The conversation always turned into tea, the current prices, the size of the crop and strange words and phrases which seemed to be a language all of their own. Afterwards, Barney asked her what she would like to do. He seemed faintly disappointed when she told him she would like to go back. We could go somewhere else,' he said, we've got time, and besides, I suppose I'd like to keep you to myself a little longer.' I know,' she said apologetically, but Sue might be home by now, and—well, I suppose I want to see how things are getting on. I don't think I could take a lot more sun today, Barney.' No, of course not. And I'm just being selfish. We'll have another cup of coffee and then hit the road.' He gave her a sideways glance. ' Tell me, Rossi, are you just as conscientious over everything?' She thought for a moment. I didn't know I was. It's just that I feel responsible for both Tom and Sue. They haven't got anyone else at the moment, have they?' 108

All the way home her thoughts alternated between wondering if Sue were home from hospital and if Tom's labour problems had sorted themselves out. She half wished she could bring about some kind of reconciliation between Tom and his neighbour. She did not like the thought of leaving her brother in such isolation, with no one to talk to, no one to turn to if he was in trouble. But she could not see that would ever happen. The two men were poles apart and looked like going even further, if yesterday's incident was anything to go by. The bungalow seemed silent and empty when they pulled up outside. There was no sign of Nanny or Terry, or even Ponniah. She turned anxiously to Barney. ' It's all too quiet, do you think everything's all right ?' Of course,' he reassured her, glancing at his watch. It's more or less siesta time. You go into the house and I'll stroll along to the plantation and see if I can find Tom.' She went into the quiet house and to her relief, when she looked into the children's room, Terry was there, sound asleep. That was surprising in itself. While he might be sent to his room each day, he very rarely managed to sleep. Nanny was also asleep. Rossi could hear the snores from outside the little room she used at the back. She finally ran Ponniah to ground, also half asleep, stretched out on the ground near the outhouses. He was supposed to be keeping a watch on things. Ponniah,' she said sharply. He leapt to his feet. ` Lady . . . Can I get something, lady?' You can tell me where my brother is.' That wary, sly look came into his eyes and he 109

started to sidle away. Master very angry. He would not speak.' ' Where is he?' ' He has gone to fetch Miss Sue.' Rossi looked towards Barney. ' Something must have upset Tom. I think I'll walk across to the plantation and see what's going on there.' Although she had enjoyed her day out with Barney, she wished now she had not left Tom when so much was going wrong for him. She should put him before her own pleasures, before everything. Barney touched her arm. I know what you're thinking—that we shouldn't have gone out, but Tom must learn that he cannot be dependent on you all the time.' Rossi smiled wryly. It was ironic the change there had been since she arrived in Ceylon. All her life she had been dependent on Tom, and now, suddenly, the roles were being reversed. Barney had walked with her to the plantation. It was deserted as she had half expected it to be. So the men had not turned up for work after all. She could only pray that Tom had not -gone raging over to Matt Lincoln's and made matters even worse. Barney squeezed her hand. Don't look quite so worried. At least this part of the operation isn't your responsibility. Come on, we'll go back and get Nanny to make us some tea.' By the time Rossi had had a cool shower and a cup of tea she was certainly feeling a little better, but she was still edgy. She let Barney take Terry down to the beach while she waited for Tom to come back. It was nearly a half an hour before she heard the sound of the car. Then he was lifting Sue out, looking much better, but a pale ghost of herself, with 110

her blue eyes looking too huge for her face. . . . Instinctively she reached out for Rossi, who cradled the little girl in her arms, thinking all the time: her mother should be here. Julia should be here at a time like this. Tom said abruptly, Can I leave her with you for the moment? I've got things to see to.' Wait, Tom, I want to know what's happened. Where are the men?' Gone. I threw them out, if you must know. A bad worker is worse than no worker.' He stopped suddenly. Anyway, how did you know about the men?' ' I. . . . We'll talk about it later, Tom, but please don't act foolishly, at the moment.' Like going across to Lincoln and telling him what I think of him, you mean? No, that pleasure must wait. For the moment I'm going back to the village to see what labour I can raise for tomorrow.' Reluctantly Rossi watched him go, then turned all her attention to Sue. Within a few minutes she and a bustling Nanny—obviously delighted at having her charge back again—had got Sue to bed and had surrounded her with her toys. The little girl said seriously, I'm not ill any longer, I don't think. I'm just a little tired. But Daddy says that tomorrow Uncle Barney is going to take me up country.' Will you like that?' said Rossi. Oh, yes, it's quite different there, but it's nice and cool.' She cocked her head on one side. I don't think I'd like to live there, but I love to go for a holiday. Daddy says that Uncle Barney has got a big dog called Crackers, and there's a pool where we can swim, so there'll be lots to do, won't there?' There'll be heaps to do,' Rossi assured her. 111

And Terry and I will be able to tell you all about the tea, won't we? Daddy says you've never seen real tea growing. The only thing is . . .' her voice grew suddenly wistful . . . I wish Mummy was here too. I do miss her an awful lot, and I know Daddy does too. Do you think she'll come back soon?' As soon as she feels better Rossi swallowed. she'll come. I'm quite sure of that, darling.' It isn't that I don't like you being here,' Sue said anxiously, it's just that. . . .' her voice trailed away. I know exactly what you mean,' Rossi spoke reassuringly, and we'll get her here just as soon as we can.' A little later she left Sue in Nanny's care and went to find the others, only too relieved that whatever had hit Sue seemed to be having no lasting effects. Barney, walking up the path followed by Terry, met her eyes. I heard them come. Is Sue all right?' ' Yes, she's fine, and very much looking forward to her stay with you. It's Tom I'm still worried about. He's gone storming off to the village to find some labour. He says he sacked the men who came back. As far as I can see he seems to be getting deeper and deeper into trouble. Oh, Barney, I wish I knew someone who could help him.' I know someone who could help Dad.' Neither of them had noticed Terry come silently up. Now he was looking from one to the other with the same serious expression that had been in Sue's eyes. I do really,' he added anxiously, when neither of them said anything. Do you, Terry?' Rossi said quickly and, to humour him, Who is he?' 112

He's the hermit who lives behind those hills there.' He waved his hand airily towards the line of hills that lay inland, striking right through the jungle. The hermit?' Rossi repeated, frowning. ' Oh, yes, he lives there all right. Uncle Matt has told me all about him You can go up there and consult him and he always has the answers. And do you know, he lives in a cave surrounded by leopard and bear and snakes, but none of them ever hurt him. Uncle Matt says he has more sense than most lawyers. I'm not quite sure what that means, but if Uncle Matt says it, then it must be O.K.' Rossi and Barney glanced at each other. This time it was Barney who stopped, crouched beside Terry and said, I expect your hermit is quite a clever chap, but I honestly don't think he'd be able to provide labour for your father. That requires a very special kind of help.' Terry still looked doubtful. I think I should tell Dad about him, or maybe,' his face brightened, Uncle Matt would take me up there.' Very hurriedly, Rossi put in, I don't think that's an awfully good idea at the moment, Terry. . . Terry's face fell. Oh, I see, you mean because Dad doesn't like Uncle Matt. You see,' he added with sudden fierceness, one day I'll make sure they're friends.' And he ran off as if to hide the emotion he was feeling. Poor little fellow,' Barney said. He feels all this very badly. It's a great pity Julia isn't here. Someone needs to teach Lincoln a lesson, make him realise that though he's been top dog around here all this time, he has to make room for others.' When Tom came back from the village he and Barney went to the plantation together, talking 113

deeply as they went. At least, thought Rossi, for today, he has someone to share his problems with. Barney knew a fair amount about coconuts as well as tea. He might have a few helpful suggestions to make. She only wished she could share Tom's optimism about this whole project. Secretly she wished he was back in his old steady, secure job dealing in tea. Uncertain of quite which way to turn, she went inside first to see if Nanny was doing everything she could for Sue, and then to make some preparations for the evening meal. She had already learned to her cost that Ponniah did nothing until he was given specific instructions. As soon as they came back from the tea estate she decided, looking round the ramshackle, hot little kitchen, that she would see about getting the extra help. She was struggling to light the stove when she thought she heard someone calling. Well, Barney and Tom were not yet back, so, pushing damp hair away from her face, she went to the front of the bungalow. Of course, she might have guessed; it had to be Matt Lincoln. There was hardly a greeting from him before he looked her up and down and said sharply, ' What the hell are you doing around here, Rossi? Cooking?' She took a step back, caught off guard. ' Is there anything wrong in that?' ' Of course there is, in this climate. Particularly if you're not used to it. It's the easiest way of all to knock yourself out. Has your brother still only got one houseboy? ' As a matter of fact he has—as if it's any business of yours.' 114

Only when I see it's affecting other people—and it's certainly affecting you.' Rossi swallowed struggling to keep her temper, as he stood there in the doorway, so tall that he almost blocked out the light. If it had been anyone else but Matt Lincoln she would assume he was only angry on her behalf. She probably did look a frightful mess. Very coolly she said, I'm sure you didn't come over here just to criticise my brother's domestic arrangements. Can I help you in any other way?' Yes.' He smiled suddenly and his whole personality changed. Perhaps he could be human with adults after all. I've really come to see your brother—if, that is, I can persuade him to speak to me.' I . . . I don't know,' she said uncertainly. I've only just seen him myself this afternoon, and he was certainly very angry. I. I . . I think it was something to do with your boys.' You bet it is,' he said grimly, only they aren't my boys, they are his. Now, I understand they have no jobs at all.' Rossi did not hear the silent steps of her brother across the sand. She only heard his sharp, bitter voice. ' And when, Lincoln, did you decide that you could discuss my business with my sister? I'd prefer that you left this property, now.' Not before you tell me what you intend to do about those boys you were employing.' You stole them from me,' Tom returned carelessly. ' I should have thought they were your responsibility. Frankly, I couldn't care less about them. They're sullen and lazy and will probably do as much damage to your crop as they've done to H5

mine—with a bit of luck.' Matt looked from Tom to Rossi. If he saw the plea in her eyes he gave no sign of it. But when he spoke there was no anger in his voice, only a kind of weariness. ' You know, Tom, most of the problems we face could be solved over a talk and a drink, but since that obviously doesn't appeal to you I'm beginning to think there soon won't be room for both you and me here at Coral Bay. Think that over, won't you, because it affects your future as well as that of your family.' CHAPTER VIII The next day Barney drove Rossi, the children and Nanny up to High Rocks estate, along a route south that took them through Kandy again and then up into the higher hills. Neither Rossi nor Barney mentioned the scene that had taken place the previous day; it was just a little too close in their minds. Besides, neither wanted the children to become any more involved in the quarrel between their father and Matt Lincoln. As it was Rossi felt that Terry was too much aware of what was going on and that he was becoming increasingly distressed by it. They reached the hill town of Nuwara Eliya in the late morning. From there, Barney told them, it would take about half an hour. They climbed steadily all the time along roads that wound between all the acres and acres of tea bushes. There seemed, for miles around, to be nothing else but tea, with the green stretches occasionally relieved by the stark whiteness of a tea factory. 116

I won't try to tell you anything now,' Barney said cheerfully, ' because tomorrow I'll be giving you the grand tour.' Will I be able to come too, Uncle Barney?' Terry pleaded. I daresay, but you've seen lots of tea estates, when your mother's taken you out of the hot weather.' I know, but I've never seen yours, and anyway, I'll be able to take Crackers with me, won't I ? ' Barney smiled again. I don't think you'll be taking Crackers, young Terry. He'll be taking you. He knows every inch of the tour, even better than I do.' Up there the air was cooler and fresher and already Rossi felt some of the energy that had been sapped during the past few days begin to return. This would probably be a good recuperation period for herself as well as for little Sue. As if he knew what she was thinking Barney reached over and squeezed her hand. ' Nearly there,' he said in a quiet voice. ' I feel almost nervous just in case you don't like it. Look,' he pointed, ' those hills just ahead are part of High Rocks.' A few minutes later they were turning down a long drive where the hedge was thick with purple bougainvillea and the air filled with the scent of summer flowers and newly watered grass. They came on the house quite suddenly, a long low bungalow with a slate roof and dark green shutters, surrounded by a lawn that would have done justice to a bowling green. ' Why,' Rossi cried, we could be right back in England It really is just like home, only more so, if you know what I mean.' 117

' That's what everyone says,' Barney assured her. The great thing up here is the competition amongst the gardens. We really can grow most of the things grown in an English garden, but I'm afraid I'm way behind in the stakes,' he added ruefully. ' It's the wives who make the running! ' Rossi flushed. Almost immediately she got out of the car Rossi sensed that the gay, apparently carefree and easygoing Barney she had met so far took on a different disguise up here. It was quite obvious that he ran everything on this estate with smooth-running efficiency. The bungalow was speckless and filled with flowers. The servants who came to greet him were in starched white uniforms and had no need to be told what to do. Two rooms had been prepared for Rossi and the children, with a slip room at the side for Nanny. There was a large, nicely old-fashioned bathroom and the windows of both rooms looked out on to the garden—in particular the rose bed that followed the length of the lawn. There was no need for air-conditioning up here. It was just like a warm summer day in England. For all her excitement at being here Sue was tired and she went to bed without protest, having understood that if she did that now she would probably be able to join in some of their activities tomorrow. Nanny would bring her lunch on a tray. When Rossi and Terry walked to the dining room, Crackers was waiting for them, a huge friendly golden labrador, who licked their hands and obviously adored all the attention that was lavished on him. Lunch was an impeccably served meal of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. It was impossible for 118

Rossi to believe first that she was in a bachelor establishment and then that she was in the centre of Ceylon. Is it always like this?' Rossi asked in amazement when the trifle was put in front of her, ' or is this specially to remind me of home?' Barney shook his head ruefully. ' I'd like to say it was specially for you, but we tend to eat in a very English fashion up here. It's a kind of tradition in planters' circles, and though I'm on my own I find it hard to break with tradition. Not only that, but the boys have done it this way for years and they don't need telling any longer, so I prefer to leave things as they are. That way the house runs like clockwork.' I thought,' Rossi said mischievously, I'd read somewhere that all planters were wild, their reputation was terrible and when they came into town, well .. . anything could happen.' It's true, I'm afraid, at least up to a point. You see, it's a rather lonely restricted life here. We have to work hard and at the end of the day there's comparatively little social life, so when we come into town we tend to let our hair down.' Well, you certainly seem to have behaved very circumspectly while I've seen you,' Rossi said. That's because I want to make a good impression.' He grinned. I'm saving my worst moments up for when you know me better!' Terry was looking from one to the other, obviously dying to join in the conversation. Finally he said to Barney, wide-eyed, Have you ever been very drunk, Uncle Barney? I've heard Dad say about planters. . . Barney held up his hand in mock dismay. I think we'd better not hear what your dad says about 119

planters. It might not be very flattering.' Oh. Oh . . . all right, then. But could I ask you just one question?' As long as it's a fairly respectable one, suitable for the ears of your aunt.' I just wanted to know if you've ever tasted the toddy they tap from the coconut trees. Dad says it's a killer, but,' he added innocently, none of the men seem to die, so he must be wrong, mustn't he?' I think it's pretty vile stuff,' Barney answered gravely. One of my " friends " once gave me some as a joke, and I can assure you I was very ill indeed afterwards.' He turned to Rossi. I expect you've heard of toddy tapping. They come down at night and take the juice from the bark of the tree. It doesn't do your crop much good.' He glanced at his watch. Now for some plans. I think it would do you both good to have a rest this afternoon. I have some rather tricky labour problems on my hands that I want to deal with today so that I can leave tomorrow absolutely free for you. But if you don't want to rest for long there's the garden and the swimming pool at your disposal and of course you can walk anywhere you want. I'm sorry about this, Rossi, but a planter is a little like a doctor. When he's here he's never off duty. Unfortunately, I have no other European here, only the factory manager, who's excellent, but when it comes to final matters of arbitration, the men won't deal with anyone but me.' Please don't apologise,' Rossi said, you're working and I'm the one who's on holiday. Besides, I think I feel like a restful day. I hadn't realised that all the problems down on the bay had knocked some of the stuffing out of me.' Right, then I'll be off. Make yourself completely 120

at home, won't you, and if there's anything at all you want, shout for John. He's been here twenty years longer than I have.' Is he really called John?' Terry asked. Well, not exactly, but his name is so long and unpronounceable that the people before me called him John, and he's been John ever since.' With a brief wave and a kiss blown across the room he was gone. For a moment there was silence while Rossi collected her thoughts, then Terry said in his direct child's way, You like Uncle Barney, don't you?' Yes, I do.' So do I. In fact I think I would call him my second best friend.' That sounds quite a compliRossi laughed. ment! But tell me, who is your best friend?' He hesitated. You won't tell, will you, because I have to keep it a secret.' Cross my heart,' Rossi promised. He dropped his voice to a whisper. ' It's Uncle Matt. I don't think there's anyone nicer in the whole world—except for Dad, of course,' he added hastily. Rossi did not know what to say. She knew Terry liked Matt Lincoln, but that his opinion should be quite so high stunned her. It was certainly a secret she would keep. It was then that she remembered what her mother used to say—one of those odd theories that mothers have throughout the world that somehow stick with one all one's life. If a person is liked by both children and animals, then he must be all right.' It was a maxim she had stuck to through thick or thin and, come to think of it, it had more or less worked up to now. 121

Rossi thought about Matt Lincoln and wondered if he was the exception to the rule. She hoped not. She sincerely hoped not, for the last thing in the world she wanted was for Terry's illusions to be shattered. ' You don't mind, do you, Rossi?' Terry was saying anxiously, about Uncle Matt, I mean. You see, when Mummy was here at first we all used to be such good friends, and he taught us so many things. It's only since he and Dad. . . .' his voice tailed away. ' Of course I don't mind,' Rossi said staunchly. We all have a perfect right to choose our own friends. Mr Lincoln has been very helpful to me, so I have nothing against him at all, but you see I can't be really best friends with him like you are because it would seem disloyal to your father. After all, I haven't known him a long time like you have.' No, I suppose you're right. But it would be super if somehow you could patch up the quarrel between him and Dad. Would you try, Rossi,' he pleaded, for my sake, and for Sue's. She likes him too, only she's a girl so she can't do all the things I can do, like fish and go looking at the animals and things.' Well,' said Rossi, ' I'll try, but I'm afraid it won't be very easy, especially now after there has been this trouble over the men. I don't know what it's about, but I don't think Mr Lincoln has altogether played fair with your father. So let's not rush things, shall we? We'll see what happens in the next week or two. The best thing now is to enjoy your stay at High Rocks with Uncle Barney.' Rossi insisted they both followed Bamey's advice and went to bed for an hour. Surprisingly she slept and woke much refreshed to find Nanny had already 122

got the children up and they were pleading to go into the garden to see the pool. It was Crackers who provided the afternoon's entertainment. The pool was at the end of the garden, a natural pool scooped out of the rock and earth, fed from a stream that came down from the hills and continued on through the estate. As soon as Crackers came in sight of it he leapt forward with a huge bark of delight and landed in the water with all legs extended, flat on his belly, and then proceeded to swim round and round uttering little cries of joy. The process was repeated over and over again as each time he got out and shook himself he looked towards one of the children, who would throw a piece of wood into the centre of the pool and Crackers would be in there after it. It was like a marvellously recurring pantomime. Rossi even managed to photograph him in full flight just before he landed ' slap ' into the water. Sue seemed a lot better today, but her energy had not returned, so she was content to sit there on a rug in the sun and play with Crackers. Rossi dipped her finger into the water and decided she was not brave enough today, after swimming in the warm sea and lagoon. This was more like the temperature of a Scottish lake. Even Terry, although he pretended to be brave, said he would have a swim tomorrow morning. Perhaps Uncle Barney would come too. At four o'clock exactly John brought out a tray of tea and a plate of cucumber sandwiches and a large sponge cake iced with chocolate. It really was too ridiculously like England. All round the lawn where they sat were the rose bushes, the massed scarlet hibiscus, banks of purple fuchsia and magnolia, jasmine and oleander. Colour was everywhere and the green of the lawn was like 123

a sheet of emerald. Perhaps the strangest thing of all to Rossi was to see, tucked under the colourful and exotic blooms of the shrubs, tiny clumps of carefully reared buttercups, bright clusters of lobelias, the gently purple harebell and even a small variety of sweet pea. She wondered what her mother, who was a skilful and enthusiastic gardener, would think of all this. It would certainly take her breath away. In a strange sort of way, it might have been better all round had Mrs Finch been the one to come out here instead of Rossi. She would have coped better with the domestic side of things. She might even have kept the balance in neighbouring relationships Still, it was too late to think of that, and besides, Rossi would not have wanted to miss the experience. And she would not have met Barney. Barney came home when Sue had been tucked into bed and Terry was grumbling about having his bath. He looked tired and a little strained, something she had not seen before. ' I'm going to have a bath and change,' he told her, and then maybe I can be a little more civilised.' As he came through to the large comfortable sitting room about an hour later John was there with a whisky and soda ready for him and a drink for Rossi too. Then, to Rossi's even greater amazement, he bent over the log fire that she thought was just for decoration and lit it. Within a few minutes there was the crackle of burning twigs and the distinctive scent of burning wood. When John had gone Barney turned to Rossi and smiled All right, don't say it, now you think it's like an English winter's evening. Don't forget it gets quite chilly at five thousand feet when the 'sun "-24

goes down. The log fire isn't strictly necessary, but . . . well, it's very nice to look at.' It's wonderful,' Rossi agreed, sinking back into her chair. And you like where I live?' asked Barney, at least what you've seen of it—the house and garden, which after all is most important to a woman.' I think it's all perfect,' she said truthfully. There was a little imp of mischief inside her that added silently that it was a little too perfect. How on earth could she hope to live up to a place like this? As if he half guessed the way her thoughts were going Barney added eagerly, If you did come to live here, Rossi darling, and I'm going to persuade you eventually—you know that—you could run it all just as you want, and you needn't lift a finger if you don't want to. In fact, it would be marvellous to think you wouldn't have to work, that you could take a real rest.' She was not sure that she wanted to take a real rest at the age of twenty-two; a few days perhaps, even a few weeks, but more than that . . . the thought was a little daunting for someone who loved new experiences and who had worked hard at jobs she liked and whose life had been full in every way. Still, perhaps she was not being quite fair. After all, if you loved someone enough everyone else would fit in. They would probably both have to change a little. They had dinner later by candlelight, another marvellously cooked and served meal of baby lobster and a fresh fruit flan. The wine mellowed her and brushed away some of her foolish fears, so that afterwards when coffee had been brought and John dismissed for the night she and Barney sat on the 125

sofa in front of the fire with his arms about her, and her head resting on his shoulder. It could be like this every day, she thought dreamily, to be loved and protected; no worries, no big decisions to take. It was all that most girls wanted. The next day Rossi was aroused early to go on a tour of the estate. In the end Terry decided not to come, preferring to stay behind and play with Crackers. They went by Land Rover, for there were about twenty miles of road to cover. Barney took her first to the ' nursery ' where the young bushes were cultivated, then up to the main fields where the pluckers were at work. They were nearly all women colourfully dressed with thick bright bandanas round their head so they could the baskets on their backs. Their fingers seemed to move with lightning speed over the bushes, seeking only the best and youngest of the leaves. If they picked old or poor quality leaves, Barney explained, it would count against them when they mustered to have their baskets weighed. Each bush, he went on, could be plucked every eight to ten days. Rossi looked about her. For miles there was nothing to be seen except tea, thousands of stubby bushes, with surfaces plucked as flat as table tops. The leaves were indeed a little like privet at home. Impossible to think that by tomorrow this would be small dark specks of tea, fit to drink. Again and again Barney would stop the truck and talk to an overseer. The women, without stopping their plucking, would watch Rossi shyly from under lowered eyelids. Some of them were incredibly beautiful, but it seemed as they grew older that beauty gradually left them. They drove to the highest point of the estate, where it seemed to Rossi, they could see half way 126

across the island, mountains, rocky peaks and plunging chasms, and on the far side of the hill a high waterfall. Before they turned for home Barney took her to his favourite part of the estate where, he told her, he went when he wanted to get away from the sight and smell of tea. Here were a few acres of hard turf running alongside a wooded slope—trees grown specially from the workers' cooking fires—up to a small area where orchids grew in abundance. Oh, I can't believe it ! ' Rossi cried as she bent to touch the purple waxy flowers. Why, at home, I don't suppose you could grow these in a greenhouse, yet here they are growing wild. It's truly like a little corner of paradise.' I hoped you would think that,' Barney said as they turned to walk back to the truck. And yet, unwillingly, as they drove back along the neatly edged roads, with not a weed in sight, with not a bush out of place, she could not help comparing it with that other corner of paradise, down on the coast, where everything grew in disorderly profusion, where somehow the utter wildness of everything was its real beauty. Then she shook herself mentally. It was a foolish sort of comparison, because in the space of a day she had moved from one world to another. They dropped down to the village where, Barney explained, some three thousand people lived, all the workers and their dependants. There was a school, churches, shops and the lines '—rows of small neat houses all joined to each other, where the families lived. Barney was responsible for all of this. No wonder a planter could be called a king. ' And,' he added, ' many of them never leave the estate during the whole of their lives. Everything 127

they could possibly want is here. Of course it won't be the same for the young ones growing up, but it's probably just as well for the older ones. I don't honestly think they would be able to cope with the outside world.' Finally, proudly, he showed her over the tea factory where she saw the leaves withered and rolled, looking like nasty wet grass cuttings before they were dried and sorted, and coming out of the end after a mere four hours just like the tea she bought at the supermarket at home. Throughout the huge, airy building was the warm, scented smell of fresh tea, but when she saw its final moment—in huge mounds on the floor, ready to be scooped into packing cases and shipped all over the world—the whole thing became vaguely unreal. And now,' said Barney, taking her by the arm, ' we're going home for a nice cup of tea.' She laughed, but when John produced a cup of tea back at the bungalow brewed specially for her and Barney told her that the leaf had still been on the bush yesterday it took on quite a different flavour, fresh and strong. Terry demanded to know all they had seen, but as Rossi gave him a brief explanation he said importantly, I know what you haven't seen that I have at Dad's old office.' What's that?' she asked. Where they taste the tea. There are long lines of little cups and they go along taking a mouthful from each, making a disgusting noise as they suck it up. Then, do you know, they spit it all out into a big dustbin!' Rossi could not hide her smile. She turned to Barney. Is it really like that?' I'm afraid his description is all too accurate.' 128

That day and the next slipped away all too quickly. In the evening Barney had invited several other planters round to meet her. All had travelled a distance of five miles or more and all were delighted to see a new face, demanding all the news from England. Rossi found them charming people, but all much older than herself. Once again she wondered how she would fit in to this strange, almost artificial kind of life. But she did gather, as Barney took her proudly round, introducing her to his friends, that she was the first girl for whom he had actually given a party. She felt very touched by this knowledge. From some distance away across the room he caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back and knew that if she married Barney she would indeed be a lucky girl. On the following afternoon Barney took a couple of hours off to take her and the children for a picnic up by the falls. Terry spent his time—with Crackers as usual—scrambling about the rocks and Sue played about on the grass. She was looking much more like herself today. Another two or three days of this climate, Rossi decided, and she would be really back to her old high spirits. It was that evening, just after John had followed the ritual of lighting the fire and serving the drinks that the telephone rang. Barney left to answer it and came back in a few moments looking rather put out, she thought. It's for you,' he said. She gazed at him, startled. But who is it? There's no one who would phone me here except for Tom. And it isn't Tom, is it?' He shook his head. No, it's not Tom,' he said curtly. It's his neighbour, Matthew Lincoln.' ' But . . . but what on earth could he want me 129

for? Didn't he say?' No, he refused to give any message. He merely said he wanted to speak to you.' Mystified, and a little annoyed, Rossi picked up the phone. It was difficult to show her real feelings, she found, because the line was so bad. All she could gather at first that something had happened to Tom. He had had some kind of accident. But is he bad?' she found herself shouting. No, but he can't move much,' came the reply. Needless to say if he knew I was phoning you he'd have my head on a plate. Frankly, I think he needs someone to look after him for a couple of days, to see he doesn't try to do anything stupid. Can you get away?' Yes . . . yes, I suppose so. But there are the children, remember, and I don't think Sue is really well enough to go back to normal life.' Then I suggest you leave her up there with Nanny There'll be plenty of people around to help, and you come back with Terry. I'll come half way or so to pick you up in the morning. The rest house at Anuradhapura would be a reasonable place. I'll be there from ten o'clock.' ' But. . . .' she started to protest. The voice came back faint but still brusque. ' Goodbye, Rossi, I'll see you then.' She replaced the receiver and walked back to the sitting room saying, Well, talk about taking over!' What's happened, Rossi?' She told him what had been said, adding, But I have no idea what's wrong with Tom, whether he's badly hurt or not. I presume not or he would be in hospital. Matt Lincoln knows I have no nursing experience.' Barney snorted. ' Your Mr Lincoln certainly 130

seems to think he knows everything. I presume you're going to ignore his orders.' I don't know,' she said uncertainly. ' I don't like to think of Tom on his own, especially in the state of mind he's in. I think it's right that I should go. Would you mind, Barney, very much?' Of course I mind,' he said crossly. Tom's a grown man. He shouldn't need his sister running about after him.' Rossi swallowed, knowing he was angry simply because he wanted her to stay. He doesn't even know Matt Lincoln has sent for me. Honestly, I think I must go, but how it's done is up to you. The children are the real problem— and getting down to this place he mentioned.' Barney was silent for a moment, tussling with himself. Finally he said, ' All right, I'll take you, it's hardly more than an hour's drive from here. I'll bring Sue and Nanny down at the weekend. Terry too, if you want.' No, I'll take Terry. He's no trouble on his own.' She dared not add that he would be even less trouble with his favourite Uncle Matt around. But I don't see why you should cope with Sue.' I won't be coping with her. Nanny will be, and John will keep an eye on things. He's had years of small children before I came on to the scene. She'll be quite safe.' Somehow the mood of that evening had changed, spoiling by Rossi worrying about Tom, thinking about fresh problems she had to face. In the morning she and Terry were ready at the truck just after half past eight. Then Barney called her back into the house. In the quiet of the sitting room he pulled her towards him, kissing her with a new urgency. When 131

he released her, breathless, he said, ' I can't do that in front of either Terry or your friend Lincoln. I just want you to know once and for all, I'm going to marry you. There's no one else for me, Rossi, no one at all.' I know, Barney. I'm just a bit confused, that's all. Perhaps we can talk again at the weekend. Perhaps things will have settled down again.' She squeezed his hand tightly. Then, together, they walked back to the truck that was to take her to the meeting with Matt Lincoln.

CHAPTER IX Neither of them said very much on the journey. Barney was concentrating on the driving, but also probably fretting that half of his plans for her stay had fallen in ruins. Rossi felt guilty about this, but she still felt that Tom came first. After all, he and the children were the reasons why she had come to Ceylon in the first place. If Barney loved her he must understand that. The point was, did she love him enough to live up at High Rocks for the rest of her life? It was a question she could not answer honestly now. She was glad that Terry was there, with them, so that no awkward questions could be asked. Instead he talked brightly most of the way, pointing things out to Rossi, firing questions at Barney. Somehow time passed quickly enough, but she was still glad when they pulled into the outskirts of a town, then on to the courtyard of a now familiar kind of place, a long low building almost impossibly white in the bright sunshine. Though there were several cars there Rossi quickly noticed there was no sign 132

of Matt's. And when one of the boys carried hers and Terry's suitcases into the lounge she soon saw he was not there. Barney glanced at his watch. Well, we're on time, I should have thought the least he could do was to be here.' He sounded cross. I'll wait with you, Rossi.' No, please, Barney, I'd rather you didn't, you've got so much work to do. Terry and I can go and look around outside, and then if he's not here soon, we'll have some coffee.' ' And what if he doesn't turn up?' Oh, he'll turn up all right.' You sound mighty confident.' Barney glanced down at her. Her colour rose. She had not meant to sound quite as definite as that. ' Oh,' she returned carelessly, ' he seems one of these efficient people who works to a schedule.' Oh, well, then . . . if you're quite sure, Rossi, then I think I'd better go back. I've still got these labour problems on my hands and. . . I know.' She touched his lips with a forefinger. You don't have to explain. Anyway, I'll see you at the weekend.' Barney looked at her with a wry smile. It seems an awfully long way away. Try to give me an answer then, won't you?' He kissed her swiftly on the cheek and was gone. She and Terry wandered out into the garden and beyond, where there was a huge tank stretching far into the distance. Not far along the shore a group of Ceylonese were bathing and washing their clothes. The whole scene was very quiet and restful. Did you know that this tank was built just about two thousand years ago?' 133

Rossi swung round. Matt Lincoln was standing there looking cool and composed, wearing a crisp blue cotton shirt with darker blue trousers. I'm sorry I'm late,' he went on without waiting for an answer, I've had some trouble with the car. I've left it with the garage, but they've promised to have it ready in about an hour.' And Tom?' she said anxiously. Tell me what's happened. He's not hurt badly, is he?' No, I promise you he isn't. Come on back to the rest house. They told me you were out here and I've ordered some coffee.' While they sat in the long cool room with the fans whirring overhead, he told her that Tom had apparently thought he had heard a prowler during the night and had rushed out to the terrace, slipped and fallen. At first it was thought he had broken his leg, but the latest theory of the doctor's was that he had merely cracked the bone—not serious, but enough to make him rest for about a week. Rossi waited until Terry wandered back towards the garden before she said quietly, And how do you fit into this? I hardly think that Tom called for your help, however bad he thought he was.' I'm afraid you're right there. He shrugged. No, it was the old bush telegraph. His boy told my boy and I phoned for the doctor and then I got the report back. I gather he's likely to do something very stupid like trying to walk on the leg, unless there's someone to keep an eye on him. I hoped you might have some influence.' I can only try,' she said helplessly, wondering if anything more could go wrong for her brother. But what about now? What's happening during this crucial period?' Don't worry, he's in good hands until around 134

four this afternoon. He will be at the hospital for tests and they are arranging for him to be brought back by taxi. I would have offered, but I hardly think he would have accepted.' No. . . .' She looked up at him. I suppose I should thank you for getting in touch with me, after all that's happened between you and Tom.' I've told you before, you and I can be neighbours and perhaps Tom will one day realise I'm not his enemy.' ' But you would still like to buy his land, wouldn't you?' she challenged. ' Oh, yes, I don't deny that, but that doesn't turn me into a villain, does it?' There are unpleasant ways of getting people to move, you know.' Like trying to steal another man's labour force —that's what you're still thinking, isn't it?' She said nothing, but her colour was high. I can't do anything but tell you that I had no influence in the matter. And while you may think I'd stoop to anything, fortunately I know I won't. Now, shall we forget about the problems back at the bay for the next hour? There's nothing that can be done here, except to cause you and me a great deal of distress—not to mention young Terry. I'm sorry about the car, but it can't be helped. At least your brother is in good hands.' All right,' she agreed with a half smile. The funny thing was that each time she ran up against this man she found herself eager for an excuse not to quarrel, not to find fault. Terry had wandered back into the room as Matt was paying for the coffee. ' What are we going

to do while the car is being mended?' he asked. There's a man out there who says there are hun135

dreds of monkeys in the two trees further along the edge of the tank. I suppose we couldn't go and see them?' he added wistfully. Matt ruffled his hair. Now it just so happens that I thought you might want to go there, also that your Aunt Rossi might like a whirlwind tour of the ruined city, so I've got a taxi and a guide waiting outside to take us wherever we want.' ' Oh, but. . . .' Rossi started to protest. Do you mean,' he said sternly, that you can ignore the fact that you want to bypass Anuradhapura which was the capital city of this island for a thousand years starting four hundred years B.C. Where's your sense of history, woman?' So they drove around the narrow empty roads stopping to look at the ruined temples, lost ' for so many hundreds of years, guarded by the carved moonstones, at the incredible dagobas, huge brick edifices with shining domed roofs, in which were supposed to be housed relics of Buddha. The one they stopped and walked around was higher even than St Paul's Cathedral. Rossi found herself lost in the past, wandering through grassy areas realising that the stone drinking pools, the great temple with its army of sixteen hundred stone pillars, the crumbling flights of steps, the carved lions, all were part of the splendours of an age when beauty and artistic talent created something for another world to look at in awe. Finally Matt took her to the Bo-tree, the most sacred place in Ceylon. The tree, he explained, was about two thousand five hundred years old, a magnificent, huge gnarled relic of nature, standing behind gilded railings. It was supposed to be endowed with miraculous powers, and pilgrims came from all over the East to gaze at it and worship there. 136

All about them was the fragrant scent of lotus blossom, the flower that seemed to stand for Ceylon and all its history. Petals lay beneath the tree, carefully placed there by the pilgrims. And there were more blossoms at the feet of the enormous statue of Buddha only a few yards away from the tree. ' I feel here,' Matt said, as they walked away, that I have come to the very heart of Ceylon.' And I,' Rossi said truthfully, ' would not have missed this visit for anything. I had no idea that a ruined city could have such a marvellous feeling of history. You have a way of making everything come alive.' Only because I have come to love the country I've adopted. Now,' he added brusquely, as if regretting his moment of weakness, back to the garage, I should think my car will be ready by now.' They were back at the coast in little over an hour, but Matt insisted on giving them both lunch before driving them back home. It was the sailing club, he explained, as they were served a simple but delicious meal of mixed fish. I don't get enough chance to use it these days, the land is too demanding.' Do you remember,' Terry said suddenly, when you took me and Mummy out in a sailing boat? That was super fun. And we very nearly caught a marlin, didn't we?' Very nearly,' Matt agreed. ' Would you like to do it again?' Oh, please . . . could we really?' ' If we can take your Aunt Rossi along, and we can persuade your father that you'll come to no harm.' He looked directly at her. You'll have to do that, won't you, Rossi? It shouldn't be too impossible.'

By the time they reached the bungalow Rossi was a mass of confused feelings. She could even believe that she might force Tom to believe that Matt had some good points after all. It was only as they parted, after Terry had gone rushing off, that he shattered her once more. Don't forget what I said about Tom,' he said, ' and you might use your influence to persuade him that he's in the wrong business. He can't win here, you know; if he goes on struggling much longer, he'll lose every penny, then no one will want to buy his land.' ' Why, you . . . you . . . I can't think of a word to describe you! All today you've been buttering me up, trying to make me influence my brother, just so you can buy his land and kick him out. Well, it won't work, I promise you that. I shall see personally that it doesn't! ' Before she could turn away she found her arm held in a grip of steel. No, you can't run away from the truth, Rossi. I think you're a stronger person than that. You're only allowing yourself to see what you want to see. Don't you understand that we all—with the possible exception of your friend Barney—want to help Tom, but he's heading for disaster. Someone has to make him see it before it's too late.' Rossi tried to pull away, but found she could not. ' And I suppose,' she said in a low, savage voice, you're hoping I'll do your dirty work for you. Well, let me just tell you that nothing, and I mean nothing, will shake my faith in my brother. Since I was small he's been both father and brother to me, and he's always been right in the end. Oh, I grant you he's probably made some mistakes here, but not enough to warrant his getting out just because 138

you raise your finger and demand it. I just wish I could tell you how two-faced I think you are! ' All right, if that's the way you want to believe it, don't say I didn't warn you. But before I go, let me show you my third face, the one you don't know yet.' And before she could move, his mouth was on hers with a kiss that seemed to knock all the breath from her body. For a few seconds she seemed to have no will power to resist, then she was struggling until he finally let her go. Remember me, Rossi,' he called as he got into the car. ' I don't give up very easily.' She turned away and for some reason found that there were tears stinging her eyes. Oh, how unfair the world was sometimes! How much easier it would have been to stay up in the hills with Barney, yet she had chosen to be here, and look what had happened. What she would not admit to herself was the flame that had torn through her body when he had touched her. She only knew she was left shaken and unhappy. She felt a small hand creep into hers. Are you all right, Rossi? You're not really crying, are you, because I'm sure Dad's going to be all right. Uncle Matt did say it wasn't really a bad fall.' She returned the pressure on her hand. I know, Terry, I know. I expect I'm just a bit tired, that's all. Let's go inside, shall we, and start to get things looking a bit more shipshape for when he comes back. There might even be time for a quick swim.' In the end there wasn't, because just as Rossi had seen that the house looked reasonable and there was something for a meal that evening she heard the taxi draw up. Tom shouted for Ponniah and she went out to see him and the taxi driver half helping, half carrying Tom to the long basket chair she had set 139

out on the terrace. ' Bring some tea,' she ordered Ponniah as soon as Tom was settled, as quickly as you can.' Tom was looking drawn and tired. He looked from her to Terry, in extreme surprise. ' What the hell are you doing here?' ' You didn't think I'd leave you to the tender mercies of Ponniah, did you?' Terry was hopping anxiously from one foot to the other. ' Is your leg really broken, Dad? Will you have to go to hospital like I did when I broke my arm?' ' No, it isn't,' he answered crossly. I've merely cracked the bone and it's damned painful, but if the doctor thinks I'm going to lie around here like an invalid he's got another think coming. Anyway,' he glared at Rossi suddenly, how did you know what had happened?' Bush telegraph,' she said succinctly, before Terry could open his mouth. ' Oh. I know what that means.' And his eyes darkened with anger. It means,' she said quickly, exactly what I said. Bush telegraph. Nothing more, nothing less. So don't start reading trouble where there is none.' And Sue. Where's Sue?' She and Nanny have stayed up with Barney until the weekend. She's tons better and Barney seems to have plenty of staff used to children to help keep an eye on her.' I see.' He turned to his son. Ponniah tells me we've acquired an almost tame iguana who comes to drink at the pond every evening. You might like to go and see if he's there. But don't forget to keep away from his tail. Keep in front of him if you find him.' 140

O.K., Dad. I'll come back if he's there, 'cos I don't suppose Rossi's ever seen a real iguana.' As soon as he had got rid of Terry with such obviousness, Tom turned to his sister. Did Barney bring you back?' No.' ' I imagine you didn't hire a car for all that distance.' No, I didn't,' she replied calmly. Then there's only one answer.' He closed his eyes as though in great pain. You know I gave you strict instructions, particularly with regard to Terry, and you flagrantly disobeyed them. I will not have either you or my son contaminated by that man.' Rossi sighed wearily. Oh, Tom, please don't start that argument again. Think of what might have happened if we hadn't got Sue to hospital last week. And think of your own comfort now. I'm not making friends with Matt Lincoln, I'm using him.' That statement was quite true, she realised with surprise. All the way along she had used him and he had asked nothing in return—at least not until about an hour ago. Her lips burned at the memory of the payment that had been exacted. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Tom, not of that of course, but of the quarrel that had gone before, only that would have meant telling him also of the reason for the quarrel, that Matt Lincoln was determined to get him out. Such knowledge could make Tom turn to his own kind of reprisal. So she contented herself by saying, Please, Tom, let's change the subject. When we talk of Matt Lincoln, it only makes bad feeling between you and me, which is just the sort of thing that would please him. Instead, I'll get you a glass of beer. It seems 141

hotter than ever today.' That evening after Terry had gone to bed she and Tom sat in the empty, rather barren living room and played chess, something they had not done since he had taught her as a child. Because of the long silences between moves, the strange sounds of the house and the garden seemed more pronounced. All round them was the light squawking of the geckos, the tiny pale greeny-grey house lizards that darted endlessly up and down the walls, across the ceiling, heading for the rather doubtful comfort of the flickering electric light. She had learned already from Ponniah—on one of his gloomier days—that for a gecko to fall from the ceiling meant certain death for someone. The most startling sound was the trumpeting of an elephant, sudden and loud enough to make Tom look up and cock his head. Nearer than usual,' he commented. ' They don't usually come within a couple of miles of here.' There were several on the road that night Sue went to hospital. I thought at first they were huge rocks or something.' Mum, well, they do come on to the road sometimes, but they rarely cross to this side. They're probably taking a short cut to the far side of the ta nk.' Where the hermit lives?' ' Who told you about him?' He looked sharply at her. ' Oh, Terry, I suppose? Someone has filled his head with nonsense about the old man having practically supernatural powers.' And does he?' Rossi asked curiously. Good lord, no, but I presume he does have a way with animals, probably comes from living in the wild for so long. He's a kind of grand guru.' 142

Long before the evening was over Tom's head began to nod, so Rossi persuaded him to go to bed. With Ponniah's help they managed to manoeuvre him to his room. When she passed about ten minutes later he was sound asleep. She stopped only to let the mosquito net down to protect him and to wish that from now things would go right for him. She had not dared to ask what was happening on the coconut plantation. In the morning Tom seemed a little more cheerful and since he wanted to catch up with some long overdue paperwork she decided to make Terry do his own lessons with the promise of a swim later. It was when she and Terry were wandering up the beach late in the morning that she saw Ponniah hurrying down to meet her. His face seemed longer and gloomier than ever. Please, lady,' he said, ' I would like you to come.' Where?' she demanded. To the house? Is something wrong with the master?' No, the master is working.' His eyes slid to Terry. Terry,' she ordered, go and see if your father wants a cool drink or something I'll be along there in a few minutes.' Reluctantly, he went to do her bidding, while she turned to Ponniah and said patiently, ` Now, perhaps you will explain to me where you want me to come.' He did not answer, but started off with a long, loping stride towards the plantation. Mystified, she followed. They came to where the slender trees stood in their long ridged rows. There were a couple of new labourers leaning on their picks, looking wide-eyed 143

and nervous. Well?' she demanded firmly. What's wrong?' Look at the trees, lady.' She went closer and saw that about head height along some of them were sawn marks, or in some cases round holes that looked as if they had been drilled. This had been painted over with something dark that smelt like creosote. She had not the faintest idea what all this was about, but it certainly looked wrong. What is it, Poniah?' she asked. I do not know, lady, but it does not look good. Shall I go and tell the master?' No. At least, let me think a minute. The master is not well and we do not want to worry him unnecessarily.' Then I will go and ask my friend Raja. He is great man for coconuts.' She was about to say no, remembering that Raja was Matt Lincoln's man, but she decided that was a silly decision. Besides, it was the only way of getting at the truth without worrying Tom unnecessarily. ' All right,' she said, but hurry.' She wandered over to the piece of land that lay between Tom's property and Matt Lincoln's. As yet nothing had been cleared there. It was a tangled mass of undergrowth, with only a narrow path leading round the edge. She tried not to think about the trees, because deep inside her she already knew the answer. Ponniah was back in less than five minutes, but Raja was not with him. Instead, he was shaking all over. Please, you must come this way now, lady.' Why? ' Because . . . because it is said that you must. 144

My friend Raja is very unhappy man.' So once again she followed, but this time in the other direction, edging round the path, leaping across the stream in the middle, until she came out to the edge of the other, much larger plantation. Raja was there all right, surrounded by a similar unhappy band of labourers. Well, Raja, what is it?' she enquired more strongly than she felt. ' Ponniah said you would come to look at my brother's trees. Instead I am brought here. Do you know anything about it?' The Ceylonese said nothing, but she followed the direction of his eyes. Here, many of the trees had received similar treatment, all the ones nearest to the boundary. She gasped. But what is it? What has done that to the trees? Can't you tell me, Raja?' From behind her came a now familiar voice. Raja could tell you quite easily, but he prefers that I do.' Well?' She tilted her chin towards Matt Lincoln, who stood towering over them all like a rock. Only this time there was no amusement in his voice, in his face; not even mild contempt. Anger was there of a kind she had never met before, an anger born not of the moment, but of a deep and terrible wound. Come with me, Rossi, and I'll show you.' He strode over to the nearest of the trees and jabbed his finger at the black, slashed marks. Let me tell you that you're looking at a dead tree.' He swung his arm round the whole acreage. You're looking at ten years of wasted effort. Someone bent on destruction has come along during the night and with the precision of an engineer either drilled or sawn through the trunks of half of these trees, then injected them with poison. They'll never 145

bear another coconut, and just as soon as I can manage it, they'll have to be cut down and burnt.' Somehow she did understand his anguish. To cut down all those living, thriving trees seemed as much an act of sacrilege as if they had all been living creatures, but there was just a tiny corner of her brain which was working out something else. ' You seem,' she said, ' to have brought me to see this appalling thing as if I, or someone I know, might be to blame, when all the time you seem to be forgetting that my brother has suffered in exactly the same way.' Except,' he said contemptuously, that he has far, far fewer.' ' But does that make the attack any less vicious?' she asked, still bewildered by what had happened. You seem to be talking as if Tom had climbed out with his bad leg and done the damage personally.' He passed a hand wearily across his head. I'm sorry,' he said, I don't know quite what I'm saying. I only know that when I get my hands on whoever did this—or caused it to be done—he's never going to be able to set foot on this part of the island again.' CHAPTER X The impulse to shout back at Matt Lincoln dissolved. Instead, Rossi looked about her at the utter devastation of the coconut plantation and wanted desperately to offer some kind of sympathy. The despair and utter weariness on his face was an almost tangible thing, and she was the first to admit that had a similar thing happened to her she would also have hit out at the nearest person. 146

` I'm sorry too,' she whispered. ' It seems impossible to think that anyone could do a thing like this. I . . . I suppose I must go back and break the news to Tom. He doesn't know yet. I just can't think how he's going to react.' She started to walk away and he followed her, laying a hand on her arm. ' Rossi, there's something I want to say. Something I must make clear now.' ' Yes?' she waited, quivering as she felt his touch again. ' Yesterday you accused me of wanting to get your brother out. I think you even suggested I might stop at nothing to do so. Well, it's true that I don't think Tom has much chance of success, but I wouldn't have had something like this happen to him for the world. This is just like kicking a man when he's down.' It's all right,' she said. I think I know you wouldn't stoop to anything like this. You love the land too much—even if you don't always love your fellow humans. I don't suppose I can convince him that you're in as bad a state as he is—even though you can probably ride such a disaster somewhat better. I'm just a little frightened of what he'll do. He's low enough already. You see,' she went on quietly, I expect it's difficult for you to believe this, but Tom has always been such a cheerful, easy-going man. I find such a change in him. It's as though . . . as though he's lost faith in everything.' There's one thing you could do.' What's that?' she asked. Get Julia back. That's what he needs more than anything.' ' But. . . No, don't say " but " before you've given the whole matter some thought. I know I'm right. And 147

there's one more thing, Rossi . . . you probably don't like running across to me when things go wrong. I know exactly what your opinion of me is, but nevertheless, I would like you to remember I'm here if you want help. It's bad to sit over there worrying on your own.' Thank you,' she said, thank you. I will remember that.' She walked slowly back through the trees, listening to the sound of the surf breaking on the beach, to the ' did-'e-do-it ' birds flying overhead with their endless clear question repeated again and again. And at her feet she heard a rustle and looked down to see Matt's baby leopard scampering playfully after some quarry. It was all so beautiful, she thought. Paradise. Must there be a serpent in every paradise? When she reached the house she realised she had been gone nearly an hour. Tom was sitting out on the terrace with a beer looking tired and annoyed. Where have you been?' he said crossly. Terry said Ponniah had taken you off on some secret mission. He's back, but I can't get a sensible word out of him.' Rossi swallowed. It was not going to be easy or pleasant breaking the news to him. She considered asking Terry to leave them alone, but decided not to. Terry would find out soon enough what had happened, and perhaps the presence of his small son might keep a rein on Tom's anger. I wish it was good news,' she said at last, but I'm afraid it's more bad.' Well, go on.' ' It's your coconut trees,' she blurted out, at least most of them. They're finished, Tom, finished.' He sat up slowly. What do you mean? How 148

can they be finished?' Someone has come along and poisoned them. I don't quite understand how, but they seem to have been either drilled or sawn through and the poison injected.' Well,' he said slowly, ' I presume we can make one guess as to who is responsible for that.' No,' she exploded, you mustn't jump to conclusions. He's in exactly the same trouble. Many of his trees have been killed just like yours.' ' Well, I still wouldn't put it past him to fix the whole thing.' He spoke with icy calm, a reaction which seemed to her even more worrying than if he had gone berserk. ' You can't say that,' she cried. No one would do a thing like that. It would be a terrible sort of revenge.' He put his head in his hands. Well, anyway, it looks as if I am finished unless I can find a way out, or raise some capital from somewhere. But if I ever have to get out, I'm not going to sell the place to Lincoln, whatever he may think. Leave me, both of you, while I see if I can work out some ideas. After lunch I'll see if Ponniah and one of the new men can help me along to see the damage.' As she went into the house she felt Terry's small hand tucked into hers. Poor Dad,' he said, I wish we could help him, don't you?' ' I do indeed, Terry,' she said sadly, but I don't honestly know what we can do, except perhaps look after him well and keep as cheerful as we can.' Will we really have to leave here, do you think?' I don't know that either. I think we've got to give your father time to work things out. I do know that if he can possibly stay here he will. He loves 149

it so much.' ' But he still doesn't like Uncle Matt, does he?' The little boy was quiet for a moment, then added astutely, ` If they were both to work together then things might be all right, mightn't they?' Perhaps,' she smiled. At least it would help.' After lunch she was surprised that Terry went off for his rest without a murmur. Perhaps he too wanted to think. He was a very wise little boy. She tried to read, but couldn't. In the end she put her book down and went out to find a shady spot on the terrace. Her head was buzzing with all that had happened today. Even now she could not believe that anyone was capable of such wanton destruction. But what really worried her was what had been left unsaid. Who could possibly have done it? Having seen the ordinary labourers around here she knew that none of them would have had the intelligence or general knowledge to perpetrate what was probably an engineering feat however simple. There were the overseers of course, people like Raja and Ponniah. But Ponniah was basically a house servant, and though sullen and often unwilling, he had his own kind of respect for Tom. And as for Raja, he was obviously Matt's key man, in one of the best jobs to be found in these parts. That meant it was likely to be someone from outside. After all, she did not know much about local politics, or local jealousies. Perhaps there was someone else who wanted to see both Matt and Tom back where they came from. When her mind had finished circling on that subject, she thought what Matt had said about Julia and reluctantly admitted that he might be talking sense. At a time like this Tom needed a wife by his side, not 15o

a sister. And the children needed a mother badly, because certainly Tom was not going to be much use to either of them at the moment. On impulse, Rossi went inside and started a long letter to Julia. She did not ask her to come back, or anything like that, she merely put down all the facts, everything that had happened since she had come to Ceylon. When she had nearly finished she re-read the letter and decided it added up to a gloomy picture. But she did say that Terry was in good form and that Sue was now, although it occurred to her that she didn't even know whether Tom had written to his wife about Sue's illness. Before she finished it off she decided to put it away until the morning. Somehow she must find a way of broaching the subject of Julia to Tom this evening. Somehow it was easier than she expected. As he was on his own Terry was allowed to stay up for dinner, but instead of delighting in the privilege he was very subdued and picked at his food and though both Tom and Rossi made a point of not talking about the immediate problem and making him tell stories about Crackers and the two days spent up at High Rocks, he was still not his perky self, and when Tom shooed him gently away to bed before coffee, once again he went without a murmur. Tom turned to his sister. Do you think he's sickening for something?' She shook her head. No, at least I don't think so. He's very sensitive, you know, and I think what has happened recently has shaken him rather deeply.' Julia would know what to do. I don't think I do, unless it's to give him all the affection and attention I can.' Rossi fingered her coffee cup, staring into the deep 151

brown liquid before she said bluntly, Tom, do you still love Julia?' Oh, God, yes, of course I do. It's whether she loves me is the crux of the thing. I'm a bit of a failure, you see, and I don't think she likes that. But now that's she's not here, I can see that I was a bit rough with her at times. I suppose neither of us could compromise.' Well, decided Rossi, she had found out what she wanted to know, so before she went to bed was able to finish the letter to Julia in just the way she wanted to. Perhaps, somehow, she might touch the right chord in Julia's heart. Usually she woke early in Ceylon, and got up too, to make the most of the cool freshness that quickly vanished as the sun rose. But on this particular morning she overslept and even when she did wake, had that thick drugged feeling of one who had slept too deeply. She lay for a few minutes longer, then forced herself to get up. Tom had already had a cup of tea and called to her that he was up, but would be ready for breakfast in about ten minutes. She put her head into Terry's room, but he must also have got up without waking anyone. After telling Ponniah that they were almost ready for breakfast she went outside to call Terry. Surprisingly, there was no reply. That in itself was unusual, because Terry never wandered far without his breakfast and he had orders not to go beyond the garden without telling someone where he was. She went back to Ponniah. Have you seen Terry this morning? Has he had his breakfast?' Ponniah shook his head. ' No, lady, Master Terry I thought was still in his bed. He has not been here while I was up. That was at half past six.' 152

Rossi frowned and went back to Tom. Have you heard any sound from Terry this morning? He seems to have dodged us all. He could have gone for a swim in the lagoon, I suppose, but I don't honestly think he would without permission.' Not after all my threats,' he snorted. No, he must be in the garden somewhere, or even on the plantation. He seems to have become rather keen on birds lately. He probably imagines he's doing a little bird-watching. I told him to look out for the kingfishers and the green bee-eaters. Both are fairly easy to distinguish.' He glanced up at Rossi's face. Don't look so worried, love, he can't be far, can he? And I don't hold you responsible for all his movements. But if it makes you feel easier, take Ponniah and go and rout him out.' But after twenty minutes' searching Ponniah agreed with her that Terry was certainly not on his father's land. There was only one answer. He must have gone over to Matt's. She decided to tell Tom where she was going, and when his face tightened in that way she was beginning to recognise, she said curtly, I have no alternative, Tom. Believe me, this time I shall be just as angry as you are. But I can't just leave him to wander around there, just hoping he'll turn up in a few minutes.' Reluctantly Tom agreed. She sent Ponniah to search along the beach and the edge of the Lincoln property that bounded it, while she went to find Matt Lincoln himself. He would almost certainly be on the plantation and in fact, as she drew nearer, the sound of sawing told her the trees were already being taken down. It seemed to her that the path she was beating to his door was becoming more and more used. And the 153

silly thing was she would have done almost anything to keep out of his way. But she was drawn almost like a magnet. He saw her coming and went to meet her. ' What can I do for you today, Rossi?' ' I don't want you to do anything,' she answered tartly, I just want your permission to look around for Terry. He's certainly not at our place, so we thought he must have come over here, although . . her voice faltered slightly, he did have very strict instructions, and I don't honestly think he would disobey anything quite so explicit.' The look he gave her was piercing. Nor do I.' He turned round to all the men working and barked a few instructions. Immediately they downed tools and came towards him. We'll all look,' he told her. It will be done in a fraction of the time. Apart from anything else my boys and I know every inch of the land here. But I'll tell you something, Rossi.' I only know,' she said miserably, ' that I keep making a nuisance of myself. If I hadn't overslept this morning. . . If . . . if . . . if . . . the world is full of ifs. All that matters now is that you can't find Terry. I just want to say one thing before we start looking. He's never before been across here without coming straight to me. He knows that I would be just as angry as his father if I found him swimming in the lagoon without permission.' Rossi's heart sank, and she felt the first small flicker of fear. If Terry wasn't here, then where on earth could he be? At the other side of the road the real jungle started. Even a small boy as keen on wild life as Terry was would not lightly have set foot over there. 154

Within minutes the whole area of Matt's property was being searched systematically. If Terry was hiding here, or anywhere, he could not fail to be found. It was about half an hour later when she and Matt were heading back to the plantation to call off the search that she heard the shout, and saw Tom, leaning heavily on a stick at the far corner of the field. Without stopping to think that this must be the first time he had set foot on his enemy's land for a very long time, she started to run towards him. Have you found him, Tom?' she said breathlessly. Then she saw the whiteness of his face under the tan, the look in his eye, as he handed her over a scrap of paper. I found it pinned to his pillow,' he said. She read the childish writing over twice, without understanding it. I have gone to get help for Dad. Plees Dont wurry. Appalled, she stared at her brother. ' But where could he have gone? And who would he think could help?' That's what I want to find out. He knows no one in these parts except the local boys and your friend there.' He jerked his head towards Matt, who was still heading towards them. In silence Rossi handed the scrap of paper to Matt, who looked first at her, then at Tom. ' I' m afraid,' he said quietly, this is one occasion that Terry has not come to me.' Tom closed his eyes in despair. Even he would not have tried to dispute this knowing how Terry felt about Matt. I've got to find him,' he said fiercely, ' I've got to, but I simply don't know where to start. The police up here—well, I suppose they're all right, but they're a bit thin on the ground, and 155

where would they start looking any more than us?' Nevertheless,' said Matt briskly, we've got to start somewhere. You'd better come inside and use my phone.' Rossi saw Tom's momentary hesitation, and held her breath, then with the faintest of shrugs Tom started to limp along the path. Do you want some help?' Matt said. ' That leg. . . No 1 ' Tom spat out. I'm being forced into one kind of help and despise myself for it. Anything else would be quite intolerable.' ' Suit yourself.' Matt strode on ahead. At the entrance of the house he stopped abruptly and waited for Tom and Rossi to catch him up. I've just thought of something. Please answer one question. What kind of help does Terry think you need?' It was Rossi who burst out : He heard us talking about the trees yesterday and he thinks nothing is going right for Tom. He was very listless and not at all himself all yesterday. Why do you ask? Please tell us.' Well,' said Matt slowly, I don't want to raise your hopes, but one of the things young Terry loves to hear about is the hermit. He's never tired of asking about the old man and because he's heard how none of the animals attack him, seems to think he has superhuman powers. Could he, do you think, have imagined he could find him and bring him back to Tom?' Tom did not answer, but in a blinding flash Rossi remembered the conversation she and Barney had had when Tom's labour troubles had started. Oh, yes,' she cried, I think it's very possible. You see, last week, Barney and I were talking about 156

the men who had gone, Terry told me all about the hermit and remarked that . . . what was it . . . Uncle Matt said he had more sense than most lawyers and he thought it would be a good idea if his father went up to the cave to talk to him. I think Barney persuaded him that labour troubles needed a more practical kind of help. I thought Terry had just put the matter out of his mind, but now I'm not sure, not sure at all. Do you remember, Tom, he even asked you about the hermit. . . ' Well,' said Matt, ' I would hazard a guess that that's where he had gone.' He turned to Tom and said sombrely, ' And if I'm right, I hold myself partly responsible, for somehow letting him think that the old man could really help people. One forgets that children take things so literally. I'll get the truck out now. The boy can't have had more than about four hours' start.' And you really think a child as small as he is could find his way up there alone?' Tom said. There's only one way there. I just hope to God he's taken it, then we should be able to find him.' I'll come with you.' No.' Matt's reply was back immediately. I think we should be more practical. After one leaves the truck the going is very rough. You simply couldn't manage it with your leg. Besides, we don't know for certain that he's gone there. Someone must stay by the phone and get in touch with the police. The whole village must be alerted.' Fortunately Tom seemed to see the sense of this. And he was far too worried and anxious to argue. So he sent Ponniah back to his bungalow, so that there should be someone there in case Terry returned, while he went in to telephone. Toni may not be able to come,' Rossi said 157

quietly, but I am. Tell me what I should get.' Some trousers, tough shoes, a hat and some insect repellent. But you'll have to move quickly. I'll pick you up in ten minutes. Oh, yes, and you'd better put on something with long sleeves.' She was ready on the doorstep waiting for him when he came in the truck. Without a word she climbed in beside him and he was off up the road before the door was even closed. She sat tensely in the front watching the narrow black road disappearing in a cloud of dust. ' Matt, do you think. . . If you're going to ask me if I think this is where Terry has come, then I'm not going to answer. It's an outside chance, but as good as any other.' ' I suppose,' she said slowly, your fear is not that he's lost, or even frightened, but that something could have happened to him ' Yes, that's right. I must be honest with you, Rossi. We're just turning off into real jungle here. This is where all the snakes that were once on our land have been driven back to. It's a country of leopard and elephant, and once you get on to the higher ground, of bear too—a particularly unfriendly sort of bear. Terry has lots of courage, I know that, but will it be enough to make him act sensibly? I just can't tell. It seems,' he added, that he's taken the business of killing the trees harder than either his father or myself. One should never underestimate the amount of compassion in a child.' He slowed the truck down and then made a lefthand turn along a rough track. After less than a quarter of a mile the area opened up and they were on the edge of a large tank. Matt pointed across the water to where she could see rocky hills in the mist. ' It's up there,' he told her, ' that the hermit lives.' 158

' But Terry couldn't possibly have got all this way,' she said, horrified. ' Not the way we've come, certainly. But we had to come along the road with the jeep. I'm reckoning he would have cut straight into the jungle almost opposite my place. There's a kind of track there that I've pointed out before now, but it peters out into a real jungle trail. It's the one the animals use. He would come out near the side of the tank we're just coming to and then head directly towards the hills ' A few minutes later he pulled up at the edge of the water and, telling her not to move out of the truck, first climbed on top to scan the area towards the hills with his binoculars. There appeared to be no sign of life, except some flamingoes that rose noisily into the air as soon as they were disturbed. Matt then handed her the glasses and told her to keep looking, while he started to examine the track along which he reckoned the little boy would have come from the road. What, Rossi wanted to cry out, if Terry lay there, somewhere between here and the road? But she kept silent about her fear, knowing him to be an utterly practical man as far as the terrain was concerned. She rested her eyes from the strain of looking through the glasses and rubbed her hands across her face. It was intensely hot today, and inland there was no sea breeze to take the edge off the heat. These inside of the truck was like an oven and she felt she was gulping fire every time she breathed. In the utter silence she waited and then, out of the corner of her eye, saw the movement on the ground towards the front of the truck. The small dark shape slithered across the ground. She was 159

seeing her first snake. From somewhere behind her she heard Matt's soft voice. Don't move, Rossi. Don't move a single inch.' So she stayed exactly as she was, only her eyes following the snake as it lay there coiled, seeming to watch her sleepily. It looked harmless enough, but she guessed it wasn't. She only knew her mouth was very dry. Suddenly it turned away and slithered in the opposite direction, so that in seconds it was lost to view. That,' explained Matt, was a tic polonga, just about the most dangerous snake in Ceylon. It leaps up at its victim and its bite is almost certainly fatal.' ' Oh!' Rossi swallowed, thinking of the small distance between the snake and the openside of the truck. On the other hand, you could count yourself lucky actually to see one. Here,' he held out his hand, do you recognise this?' She looked down, puzzled, at the article in his open palm. At first glance it looked like a lump of bright red mud. But it wasn't. ' I think,' she said, that it's plasticine That's what I hoped you would say. Go on.' His voice rose excitedly. And Terry was playing with some only yesterday. He must have pushed it into his pocket. He puts everything he finds in his pocket.' That's also what I hoped you'd say. At least it means that he must have come this way. And, more importantly, that he's come this far safely. Come on, we're going like the wind towards those hills. I know we're going to find him, Rossi.'

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CHAPTER XI Almost immediately Rossi felt the ball of fear that had been tightening in her stomach for the past couple of hours begin to loosen. If she had tried to explain to either Tom—or Barney—that whatever she personally thought of Matt he still gave her a strong feeling of confidence they would have jeered at her. But she was not afraid to admit to herself that if anyone could find Terry, then Matt Lincoln could. The reassuring touch of his hand was enough. So was the look from those dark, shuttered eyes. The truck kept up a steady pace, following a direct line from where he had found the plasticine to the foothills, travelling round the western side of the lake. They did not talk at all, for Matt was keeping a sharp look out for any more signs on his side of the truck, while she searched the ground behind every bush and tree for just a glimpse of a familiar red tee-shirt. Matt drew up finally where the flat ground ended and started to rise sharply. The hills were not high, but all rock and thick vegetation. He blew the horn three times. Rossi looked at him questioningly and he replied: ' If Mala the hermit is there and is willing to see us he'll appear somewhere above us in a few minutes, then we have to wait for him to come down and either speak to us, or guide us up. Not only is his cave impossible to find, but these hills are thick with leopard and bear. It's where they sleep during the day before coming down to the tank at night to drink.' 161

But if we can't find our way,' Rossi asked quietly, how on earth would you expect Terry to?' I don't, but Mala has his ways of finding and knowing. I'm counting on my instinct, nothing more. I just hope it's not going to let me flown. Ah, wait . . . there he is,' and Rossi found herself looking right up the hillside to where a distant figure was waving. The figure then disappeared. That means,' he added, that he's coming down to us. We have about fifteen minutes or a little more to wait.' • It will seem like an eternity,' Ross said softly. Until I know that Terry is safe. . . I know how you feel, and I promise you Terry means almost as much to me.' • Have you any family?' she asked, turning her mind away with an effort. No, I was an only child and my mother died when I was young.' He pulled a wry face. My father brought me up and since the shock of my mother's death more or less frightened him off women for life, he would hardly let one in the house. So our existence was rather rigid and very masculine. I daresay that's what makes, me a bit boorish sometimes. I'm certainly not Ceylon's most popular bachelor. But children are a different matter. I can feel at ease with them, yet with only one or two women.' Julia?' she said quietly. ' Yes, Julia. We found we had interests in common and we could talk about them. You know, whatever you may have heard, or whatever you may think, there was nothing more between Julia and myself. She was lonely and I suppose I was glad of some company too. She was never in love with anyone else but Tom, but he . . . well, as you see, he's 162

been going through a bad patch. Julia was the one to suffer.' Rossi was silent, digesting what he said, wanting to believe him. There's another thing. I may have my faults, but stealing, or even coveting my neighbour's wife, is not one of them.' Have you ever told people what you've just told me?' No,' he answered gruffly, why should I? I don't have to justify myself. Besides, having the sort of reputation that I seem to have—quite unwittingly—gathered, it's as good a way as any of keeping unwelcome visitors away. I'm not a social butterfly and I've no wish to become one. . . . Enough—here's Mala, coming down the last stretch.' He leapt out of the truck and started to run. In a second she was out, following him, in time to be beside him while he made polite but hurried greetings, then shook the white-robed, bearded figure by the hand Forgive me, Mala, I come in haste, on a very urgent matter.' The old man smiled. Ah,' he said, then you come about the boy.' Rossi felt relief surge through her, but she had to thrust in with the important question. ' You have him?' she asked anxiously, ' and he's all right?' Yes, he is well, but tired, so I have left him sleeping. Come, we will go up to him. When I heard your car horn, Mr Lincoln, I hoped you would be coining for him. I did not know whose child he was, and since he was rather exhausted—and a little frightened, although he was much too proud to admit it—I thought it better not to try to start the long 163

walk back to the coast in the full heat of the sun.' He started up a narrow path whose beginning, a gap between two rocks, would not have been visible to the ordinary eye. It then continued through thick jungle vegetation where the gap to walk was only wide enough for a single human being. There were strange, strong scents everywhere. Matt pushed her gently ahead of him and smiled at her reassuringly. ' I told you it would be all right,' he said. Yes, you did,' she said gratefully. And I think I believed you, really I did.' Without being told, Rossi knew that the area they were passing through was teeming with wild life, much of it the most dangerous kind. In the thick still air the trees and brush were full of rustles, yet strangely she felt no fear, even though neither the hermit, nor Matt, carried any kind of weapon. Finally they came out to the top, where the rocks were perched one on top of the other and through them ran a neat patchwork of caves. He led them to the nearest one and there, curled up on a pile of large dry leaves, lay Terry, sound asleep, his face innocent of all the troubles he had been through. Before entering Mala and Matt bent to remove their shoes—in Mala's case rope sandals—so Rossi did the same. Inside, she looked about her, amazed at this simple, but immaculate home '. In the corner stood a home-made lectern where lay open his single, precious copy of the Koran. Matt had already told her Mala was a devout Muslim, and certainly the calmness of his features, the gentleness of his clear brown eyes, showed that he had found happiness in this simple life. In another corner lay a neatly folded blanket and a pillow and beside it was a strange elongated indenI64

tation, a marked difference from the smoothly brushed sand around. It was Matt who pointed it out, but not until they were outside again did she ask about it. The old man smiled. Oh, it is one of my friends —a lonely cobra who visits me in the night twice a week.' ' But aren't you afraid?' asked Rossi. No, I have no need of fear. If I do not attack him, he will leave me in peace. Just as the bears who inhabit the cave next door respect my privacy.' Rossi nearly asked about young Terry, but he was all right, so perhaps Mala's faith was carried to the child. But she made a mental note not to mention the visiting snake to Tom. ' I think,' the old man went on, it would be better to wake the boy now, to give him time to get used to his surroundings before you leave. Then, while you are resting, I will sing you a few pages from the Koran.' So they went inside again and Rossi gently shook Terry awake. He opened his eyes and smiled at her without any surprise at all, and then saw Matt. I'm glad you came,' he said. It was rather a long walk. Mala said he would carry me back as I've scratched my feet a bit, but that wouldn't have been really fair.' He sat up and went on eagerly, Do you know there are bears in the next cave, but I wasn't a bit frightened, and Mala told me that when the monsoon changes he and the bears move to two more caves.' Rossi hugged him, so glad to see him safe and happy that she could not bear to scold. I think we'd better go soon, Terry, your father will be worrying about you and we've taken up enough of Mr Mala's time.' 165

Terry's face fell. ' All right, but first Mr Mala told me he would show me how he ate fire. Will you please, Mr Mala?' he pleaded. The old man laughed and patted Terry's head. ` Of course I will, young master, but first I wish to sing a little for your friends.' He went to the lectern and opened the Koran and in the same rather high-pitched voice that he spoke with, started to chant the words which obviously meant so much to him. The three of them sat in silence on the sandy floor, absorbed by the utter sincerity of the old man. Afterwards, Matt dived into the pocket and produced a pack of cigarettes and some matches, which he handed to the hermit. It is not much with which to say thank you,' he said, but I had little time to find something you would need. Next time I will bring torch batteries and a little rice. So as not to disturb you I will leave them at the bottom of the hill.'

The old man bowed his head in thanks, then lit a cigarette and started to chew it unconcernedly. When that was done he reached into the embers of his fire that was near the opening of the cave and ate a piece of the smoking wood with apparently no pain at all. Terry's gasp in the silent cave was the only audible thing, but Rossi felt herself draw in her breath sharply. Afterwards he walked down to the base of the hillside with them and shook them all warmly by the hand, saying, I wish you all good fortune. I have told the young master here that I would like to help his father, but alas, I cannot perform miracles. He must be very brave and loyal and at all times have faith. Nothing is ever bad for long.' He bowed slightly and was lost among the thickets. 166

How does he manage to live?' Rossi asked curiously as they climbed into the truck. Oh, he collects special jungle herbs and exchanges them in the village for rice. Other than that he lives on the fruits and berries he finds. His needs are very simple, except you see that he enjoys a cigarette, and he does seem to value a torch. But he's a truly happy man. A long time ago he was a policeman in the city, but he found ordinary everyday life too much to bear. He told me that one night he dreamed about these particular rocky hills and went on searching until he found them. I don't think he has ever regretted his change to this kind of life. But he doesn't normally welcome strangers. The only thing he lives in fear of is that his solitude will be destroyed.' Matt bumped across the rough ground, then looked down at the small figure between them. `Well, young Terry, you realise you've caused a lot of worry to everyone. It was lucky we found you. As it is, your father has got the local police searching for you.' Terry's face fell. But I left a note to say I'd gone somewhere to help Dad. Didn't he understand that?' Perhaps he did,' Rossi said gently, but he was afraid for you. This is a dangerous part of the country, not like your own garden, you know.' ' I thought perhaps the hermit could make the trees grow again, so that Dad won't have to go back to Colombo. But he said he couldn't do that. I also wanted him to bring Mummy back and make Daddy happy again. . . .' Suddenly his voice wobbled, and it was as though the whole adventure had caught up with him and he burst into tears. Rossi cradled him in her arms all the way home, 167

hoping she could persuade Tom not to be angry with him, that the boy had probably been frightened enough by his experiences. Over his head her eyes met Matt's as they slowed down to turn down the drive. She saw compassion there and something else she did not understand. Thank you,' she said softly. Without you we might not have found him.' He smiled briefly. I can only hope his expedition will have had some effect. I hope he will still go on believing that things will turn out all right. You have to trust people, you know, Rossi, and find out about them for yourself.' ' Yes, I'm learning that.' And now I'm going to drop you here. I don't want Tom to feel he has to thank me. That would be worse than being shouted at.' He pulled up the car and lifted Terry down. Something tells me you're thinking of marrying Lawrence. If you do, I hope you'll be happy. There was a special sort of look in his eye when I picked you up. It's a good life for some to be a planter's wife. I just hope it would be for you, Rossi.' Before she could say anything he had turned and driven off, leaving herself and Terry standing there. Terry pulled at her hand. His tears had almost dried up, but the wobble was still in his voice. Do you think Dad will be cross with me? You will come with me, won't you? I'm not really scared, but—well, you see. . . Of course I'll come with you, Terry. And you must expect him to be just a little cross. After all, most people who are worried get cross. And you didn't really tell him where you were going, did you? It was only an inspired guess of Uncle Matt's that made us go to the hermit.' 168

Fortunately, Tom's anger was tempered with such relief at having Terry back safe and sound that it seemed like nothing at all. Terry's cuts and scratches were bathed, then he was sent to bed for the rest of the day as a kind of punishment. But Rossi could see he was quite glad to go, first because it was a simple way of avoiding any further wrath of his father's, who after all was inclined to be unpredictable these days, and also because he was obviously still rather shaken and tired. When Rossi took him some tea and sandwiches he was already half asleep. Neither she nor Tom were particularly hungry that evening, but they sat a long time on the terrace over a couple of drinks Even though Terry was back, Tom's depression—presumably over the trees—had returned. ' What are your plans now, Tom?' she asked. He shrugged. ' I don't know. I just wish there was a way I could make this place pay. I love it here. I feel I never want to leave it, but I honestly don't know where I'm going to raise extra cash.' ' Who do you really think damaged those trees, Tom?' she said suddenly. Search me. But whatever you say I wouldn't put it past Lincoln. He's ruthless.' ' I think you're wrong about him,' she said bluntly. You mean because he rushed out and rescued Terry like that? Well, he's got a way with kids and animals, that's all. And women,' he added sourly. I don't think you're being fair,' Rossi went on. ' You're blaming all your troubles on him, simply because he's both successful and difficult. And if by " women" you're referring to Julia, I just know

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you're wrong about that too. There was absolutely nothing between them.' Because he says so?' Would you believe it if Julia herself told you? Did she often lie?' No, but she never denied it either.' Perhaps she thought you should trust her. It's awful not to be trusted, Tom.' Tom put his head in his hands. ' Oh, don't let's talk about it. Everything is a mess. I don't seem to be able to get out of it. At least in the middle of it all, Ros, you manage to remain sane and put up with me. Even if you do sometimes stick up for our friend Lincoln. But you won't change my opinion of him, you know.' I think Terry thought he could bring you together. That was one of the " miracles " he thought the hermit could pull off. I must say I thought he was a remarkable man. And a very happy one too. I don't wonder that people believe in him.' That night Rossi slept uneasily, her unconscious mind going over all Tom's problems and muddling them up with her own. The following day was hot and heavy and she spent it on domestic chores and some shopping, for tomorrow Barney would be here with Nanny and Sue. She supposed Barney was her own particular problem. It was one thing to be attracted by him, to enjoy his company, even to be kissed by him, but that was still a fair jump from the kind of love that must last a lifetime. She thought of that night by the sea, the first time he had kissed her, when she half convinced herself she was in love with him, but even then she had persuaded him not to tell Tom. Although in one way it was not important, in another it seemed to make things so final. 170

After lunch, when everyone was resting, she walked down to the beach alone and watched the blue sea rolling in. Then she wandered through the overgrown garden, coloured only by the shrubs that seeded themselves, and watched a kingfisher darting through the leaves, the sapphire blue of its feathers dazzling in its intensity. Oh yes, she understood why Tom did not want to leave here, even if he could not make it pay. She stood for a moment gazing down at one of the small, still pools on the edge of the sea and watched one of Ceylon's most rare and extraordinary sights, the fish—only a few inches long—that climbed trees, pulling itself out of the water and up the rough slippery bark. She smiled to think she was accepting all this so casually. Unbidden, her thoughts turned to High Rocks, the glory of its garden and the absolute order of its fields. In that instant she knew it wasn't for her. She could not commit herself to spending most of the rest of her life up at High Rocks, or even another bigger such estate. She sat down heavily on a fallen tree and watched the fish make its slow inevitable progress upwards. At least he knew where he was going. She didn't. And yet if she loved Barney she would be willing to go anywhere with him. She tried to conjure up his touch, his kiss, but failed utterly. She closed her eyes. She really did want to be in love with him because they could probably make each other happy. She was still muddled in her mind when Barney drove to the front of the house soon after breakfast the following morning. But it was Sue who caught her attention first, looking perky and happy, just like her old self. Rossi scooped the little girl up in her arms, hug'7'

ging her tightly, before passing her on to Tom who had just limped out to the terrace. Look, Daddy,' she cried, look what Uncle Barney has given me,' and thrust under his nose a large box of nameless joys. In the confusion Barney turned to Rossi and reached for her hand. I missed you,' he said quietly. She waited for the thrill his touch would give her, but it never came. Oh, she was glad to see him, even happy, but now the knowledge was hanging over her that she would probably have to refuse his offer of marriage, even that pleasure was snatched away from her. Come on,' he said, I think it's safe to leave the kids with their father—let's walk down to the beach.' She would have done almost anything to say ' no ' , to postpone this moment, but she knew that was only the coward's way out, so she merely nodded and let him lead the way down to the beach. She still had not completely made her mind up what to say, if he really did want an answer. Was it kinder to turn him down flat now, or ask for more time to think things over? That was what she would really like to do, but it was hardly the fairest thing. Sue looks marvellous,' she said brightly. You've really been looking after her well.' Nothing to do with me, I'm afraid, just our good mountain air. But she was no trouble, no trouble at all. I think kids that age are better on their own. Possibly, had Terry been there she would have wanted to do too much too quickly. I see that Tom's leg is not as bad as Lincoln led you to believe. I suppose you need not have come back at all.' You're wrong,' she said quickly. He's spent the last two days more or less sitting about. I think 172

I was needed. Matt was right to send for me. Besides, it's just as well I was here. . . .' She launched into a graphic description of Terry's disappearance and the journey to find him. At the end of it all Barney said, So Matt Lincoln turns out to be the good guy after all, not the villain. Don't say that Tom's changed his mind too?' Her silence was enough answer for him. Rossi. . . he reached for her hand again. ' Rossi, I've discovered I'm not a very patient man, after all. I want to know. . . Neither of them had noticed the sudden darkening of the skies, even the damp, sticky heat building up. But suddenly the heavens opened and with a great rush of water, Rossi was tasting her first real monsoon. Come on! ' he yelled, and pulling her by the hand raced back to the house. But even in that short time both were drenched to the skin and had to go in to shower and change. Immediately Rossi was cooler and fresher and guiltily glad that her answer had been genuinely postponed. But within half an hour the sun was as brilliant as ever and the only sign of the rain was the steam rising off the earth. As soon as they had had coffee Terry came over and tugged Barney by the hand. ' Dad says I can take you to see his trees. Please come. They're all dead and Dad says he doesn't know what he's going to do.' Good-naturedly Barney allowed himself to be pulled along, saying to Rossi, Are you coming too?' She followed them, thinking that Terry would provide the perfect escort. There could hardly be an 173

emotional scene with a small boy playing gooseberry. They came to the ruined plantation and Barney looked about him, aghast, seeing instantly the end of all his friend's work. To Rossi it was still difficult to imagine these young, strong-looking trees, with their high waving fronds, were actually as dead as if they had already been cut down. Barney went from tree to tree, looking at the holes and the incisions. ' My God,' he said, whoever could have done a thing like this? It seems the work of an expert. I suppose,' he said, turning to Rossi, Tom has made the obvious suggestion?' ' And what's that?' she said tightly, knowing perfectly well what he meant. Your neighbour. . . ' No ! she almost exploded. ' Neither of you have any right to make allegations like that without a vestige of evidence! ' She turned away, watching Terry run away from them, playing some sort of game with himself around the trees. Rossi?' Yes?' ' I think I know already what your answer is. You've been half evading me ever since I arrived. Are you going to marry me or aren't you?' ' Oh, Barney, I wish I could say yes. In my own way I do love you, but I don't think it's the kind of love that I'm looking for. Perhaps,' she shrugged helplessly, it's too gentle.' There are worse things than that to make a happy marriage,' he said quietly. I know, but I don't think it's enough for either of us. I would feel I was letting you down, particularly as we would be so dependent on each other's 174

company up at High Rocks. But . . . I'm still muddled, Barney, forgive me. Perhaps I'm the one who needs to get away and put things in perspective. Perhaps. . . They were interrupted by a small hand holding something to them. Even covered with mud they could see the glint of metal underneath. Barney took it and turned it over indifferently. ' It's a penknife,' he said, or rather almost a hunting knife. A good one too. I suppose, young Terry, it must belong to your father.' He rubbed away at the mud and came to the initials engraved on the handle. Rossi heard the quick intake of his breath before, without a word, he handed her the knife. She stared down, not wanting to believe what she saw. But the initials were there in cold metalM.W.L. She felt faintly sick. You know what this means, don't you?' said Barney. Come on, we're going back to Tom. If this isn't evidence, I don't know what is.' And he turned and strode back across the plantation. Rossi felt cold all over. What had been said yesterday about trust and loyalty? And she had believed it too. With all her heart she had believed it. Very slowly she followed Barney and Terry. What on earth would be the effect on the child when he knew what mischief his friend had perpetrated. Because there would be no hiding something monstrous like this from Terry. They came in sight of the terrace and Rossi stopped dead. Surely there could not be more shocks today. But there was little doubt about the tall slender figure standing beside Tom. Julia had come home. 175

CHAPTER XII Rossi's first thought was that the post must be incredibly fast to bring Julia here within the space of two or three days. Her second was that her sisterin-law looked a great deal better than she had done a few weeks ago. Julia actually smiled, then came forward and kissed her. Hullo, Rossi, I hear my kids have been leading you a bit of a dance. I'm sorry about that.' Rossi shook her head. ` No, they've been fine, really they have. They're safe and well, which is all that matters now.' Terry was dancing round excitedly. ` You see, Rossi, Mala did help after all. He brought Mummy back, didn't he? And it was all because I went to see him. So none of you can be cross any more.' Across the top of his head Rossi met Tom's eyes. Tom shrugged slightly as if to say, If he wants to believe that don't destroy his illusions.' Terry rushed on: So I'll have to go and tell Uncle Matt now, won't I?' This time it was Rossi's hand that fell heavily on his shoulder. ' You can tell him later, Terry, but not now.' She felt the metal of the knife she held almost burning her. ' Nanny,' she said, seeing the old woman hovering there, obviously delighted to see her mistress back, could you take the children inside for a moment.' Amid protests, both children were led off and Rossi turned to her brother. I'm sorry, Tom, to cast a bit of a cloud over Julia's homecoming, but there's something I have to get off my chest. I don't 176

suppose you've had time to tell her about the trees yet, but while we were over on the plantation just now, we found this. Or rather Terry picked it up.' Silently she held out the knife. At least now we know who was responsible. I was wrong about him. I seem to have backed the wrong horse. But he's not going to get away with it. I'm going straight across and ask him to come over here. You can then confront him before all of us. It's about time he was taught a lesson.' She started to walk quickly towards the next property. ' Rossi. . . .' she heard Tom call her name, but she did not look back. If she had she might have faltered in her determination. For too long had she allowed Matt Lincoln to win her over, to trick her into believing in his motives, yes, even to be attracted by him, when all the time he really did have one goal and one goal only—to get Tom out. As she walked faster and faster, uncaring of the heat, her anger grew. Much of it, she knew, was directed at herself for being so influenced by Matt Lincoln, for being happy to be influenced. All the way along she had wanted so badly to believe in him. Perhaps she had wanted to draw him and Tom together as much as Terry did, but simply to assuage her own mixed feelings towards him. She found him at the house, just getting out of his car. He smiled that rare warm smile, but she steeled her heart. Hello there, Rossi, I'm glad you came over. I wanted to find out about Terry. I also wanted to see you. . . Terry is perfectly all right,' she said coldly. He also seems to think the hermit has worked a miracle, because his mother is home. But once again I didn't come on a social visit. I wanted you to come across and see my brother. He has some177

thing to say to you.' He heard the note in her voice and his eyes darkened. ' If Tom wants to see me, then surely he can run his own messages.' He happens to have a bad leg.' Ah, yes, of course. I was forgetting.' The sarcasm was obvious. Will you come?' ' To face some sort of firing squad? Of course I'll come. It's better to get these things over quickly. Should I bring my bullet-proof vest? Lead on, Miss Finch, I'm right behind you. You make a loyal keeper for your brother.' She bent her head as she walked in front of him, determined not to be touched in any way by his continuing sarcasm. When she came in sight of the terrace there was no sign of Barney, but Tom and Julia were standing there, very close together, hands clasped. At least, she thought, some good was going to come out of all this. Matt and Tom stood face to face. For a moment neither spoke, then Matt said in a surprisingly light voice, Rossi tells me you have something you wish to say to me.' When Tom still said nothing, Rossi snatched the knife from where it lay on the table. There,' she said loudly, ' that's what he wants to say to you. It was found beside his damaged trees. I suppose now you'll deny having anything to do with . . . with all that slaughter.' He raised his eyebrows, deliberately not looking at her. Hello, Julia, welcome home. I'm sorry you should come back to some kind of mock trial.' He looked from brother to sister. I am on trial, aren't I, accused without any kind of defence. So 178

what's the point of my denying anything? Who will believe me?' There,' said Rossi, ' I told you so.' But she spoke not in triumph, but in pain. ' Say something, Tom, it's you he has destroyed.' Suddenly Tom broke away from his wife. Sit down, Rossi.' And then more loudly, Go on, do as you're told. Sit down. And you too, Lincoln. I do have something to say and I prefer to do it this way.' Ah,' said Matt, we come now to the judge's sentence.' Tom ignored this, took a deep breath and looked down at Rossi. I'm afraid you're wrong, quite wrong, as Matt well knows, but I've decided the time has come for a few home truths. Julia has come back and more than anything else we . . . I want to make a fresh start. I've been messing people's lives up for too long. I've messed my own up, and what I'm going to say is not exactly going to win me friends. Matt did not destroy those trees. I did.' Rossi gave a little cry. Oh, no!' Oh, yes. And you can all hear how and why it was done. Perhaps in that way I can purge myself. I knew I couldn't win here. I hadn't enough time or money. Julia had told me the same thing months ago, but I wouldn't listen. Just as I wouldn't listen to Matt who made me a perfectly fair offer for my land. Instead of cutting my losses I plunged deeper and deeper in. If he could succeed, so could I. The more I tried the more jealous I became. He even seemed to be the only one who could get through to Julia and my children. I became obsessive about you, Matt, and it got even worse after Julia went. I suppose a doctor would say I was a bit sick. That labour problem and Sue 179

falling ill were the final straws. ' I discovered one of my sacked men slashing away at my trees with the knife he had stolen from you, Matt. He was trying to do amateurishly what I could do professionally. So I forced him to help me do the whole job. In return I would protect him from being arrested for theft. I honestly don't know what I hoped to gain from such an appalling thing. Revenge, I suppose. It was after this, by the way, that I fell and hurt my leg—some kind of retribution.' His head suddenly dropped. If you want to call the police, Matt, I shall quite understand.' No,' answered Matt quietly, ' I don't want to call the police. You've suffered enough already. We'll get together again when you and Julia have had time to talk and plan your future. All I'm concerned with is that the war is over—our war—even if the last battle left us both with scars.' All this time Rossi was sitting rigid in her seat, unbelieving of what she heard, yet knowing it all made sense. Once again she remembered Matt's words about trust and loyalty and knew she personally could never face him again. She honestly did not quite know how she was going to face herself. She looked at Matt once and once only, recognised the pain in his eyes, then turned and ran into the house before the tears should come. She must have cried herself into an exhausted sleep, because when she woke Julia was sitting on the end of her bed with a large mug of tea. Drink this,' she commanded, when Rossi struggled into a sitting position. I made a fool of myself,' Rossi said at last. I think you, I and Tom have all made fools of ourselves. But you saved us, too, by bringing 18o

everything into the open. I think from now on, once I can persuade Tom he's not really either mad or a criminal, he'll be a different person. He and I have learned our lessons the hard way. Rossi, I'm sorry I treated you like that at the airport. If I had stopped a minute longer with you I would have broken down. To leave Terry and Sue was the hardest thing I ever did, so I made myself try to hate Tom. I was suffering from nerves and exhaustion and I knew we had to get away from each other if we were to save our marriage. I was just as much to blame as Tom, you know. I was difficult and standoffish and couldn't see that he desperately wanted to launch out on his own even if he did fail. Now it's my job to help him get on his feet again. I think we'll be able to do it.' ' I'm glad you got my letter so quickly,' Rossi said. Letter?' Julia looked puzzled. I didn't get any letter. I came because . . . well, I had that strong feeling I was needed desperately out here. I booked the first flight I could.' I'm glad you came.' Rossi sighed. ' Now, I want to book the first flight back. I must leave you two and start my life over again.' I don't want you to go just yet.' I couldn't stay here,' Rossi said quickly. Julia was silent for a moment. You're in love with Matt, aren't you? I don't think you even know it, but you are. Tom told me a little while ago that he thought that you and Barney Lawrence might make a go of it, but I could see that wasn't on. So could Barney. He's gone back to High Rocks, and he sent you a message. " Tell her there are no hard feelings." ' ' Dear Barney,' Rossi murmured. But Matt 181

I . . . it can't be true. Why, at one moment I was hating him.' Well, love and hate aren't far apart, are they? But I can see the tremendous pull between you. You can't chuck all that away, Rossi.' way I've treated him I wouldn't even want to see him again, not even to apologise. I couldn't bear to see that look of utter contempt in his eyes.' Well,' Julia rose from the bed, you know best, I suppose. leave you to have a shower and come and join us outside. The kids keep asking for you. Thanks, Rossi, for all you've done for them.' Rossi got up slowly and showered and dressed. She felt numb. What she said to Julia had been the only answer. Tomorrow, she really must book herself back on the first flight to London. Her paradise was paradise no longer. She looked out of the window. Even the sun looked a little less bright, the sky a little less blue. But the grey, gritty skies of London would be infinitely preferable to staying on here as an outsider. She thought momentarily of Barney—but that would only have been an escape. She could not hurt him any more either. Through the rest of that afternoon she moved like an automaton, speaking when she was spoken to, entertaining the children, lending a hand with tea, but all the time wondering if she could ever come alive again. Tom seemed much more relaxed. Already he and Julia were making plans to go back to Colombo where he was fairly certain he could get a similar job to the one he had had on tea. He was even fairly philosophical about having to leave Ceylon one day. But it would not be for several years. He also was determined to try to pay back to Matt Lincoln for 182

c the damage he had caused. For him a great weight had been taken from his shoulders. As usual, darkness fell quickly, but as it did Julia came to find her, saying, Oh, Rossi, do me a favour, please. I think Terry has left his sandals on the beach. I think they're probably somewhere just to the left of the path. That's where we were just before tea.' ' All right,' Rossi said mechanically, ' I'll go and find them.' She reached for the torch, but soon found she did not need it. The moon was already up and seemed to be lighting a way, just for her. She found the shoes easily enough and stood for a moment, trying to hold on to the beauty of the scene. There really could be no other place in the world quite like this. And she was going, never to come back. She felt the tears begin to sting behind her eyelids again. So you do still find it all beautiful. In spite of everything?' She started, but she did not turn round at the sound of his voice. If he had come to bait her then she must make quite certain not to rise to it. I suppose this was cleverly arranged by Julia?' Rossi said in a low voice. Well, I'm here; you've trapped me. Say what you want to say. I hope I can find the courage to listen. Then I can go back and you need never have to face me again.' What a strange girl you are—sometimes frightened, sometimes brave, but always speaking exactly what's in your mind. I didn't come to harangue you, but to ask you if you would come somewhere with me tonight.' Come somewhere with you?' she exclaimed, still 1, not looking at him. What are you trying to do183

exact your revenge on me instead of Tom? From now on, until I go back to London on the first possible plane, I want to keep out of everyone's way, just in case I do more harm.' No,' he said quietly. I've told you, the war is over, and you're included in that. But I think I have a right to ask one thing of you.' Yes,' she said humbly, yes, I suppose you have. Where will I have to go?' I'll tell you that later. I want you in comfortable clothes, something like the ones you wore yesterday to get Terry, and I want you to be ready, waiting on the terrace, at eleven o'clock.' ' But that's late. I don't think. . . ' I don't want you to think. If you do, you won't come. But I assure you you'll be quite safe with me. I've told Julia that you'll be out for a couple of hours. She at least understands perfectly.' Then I suppose I must come.' Rossi gave a brief nod, and with head still bent, went back to the house. She handed the shoes to Julia saying, I don't know what's in your mind, Julia, but if I thought you had told Matt what you told me . . . about feelings I didn't even know I had—I don't think I could bear to see you again. My affairs are my own. They always will be.' Julia pulled her back. Please, Rossi, credit me with some sense. Matchmaking is not my line. I only told you what I saw.' And just now?' He came to find you and I told him where you were. Please, Rossi, stop blaming yourself. Anyone would have done exactly the same thing. After all, all your loyalty to Tom is unquestioned. That's the most important thing, isn't it?' ' Perhaps. I don't know. Just at this moment 184

the only ray of happiness I can see is yours and Tom's. That's what I'm holding on to. I'm only sorry you'll have to leave here.' ' I am, too.' Julia smiled sadly. ' It's beautiful and peaceful. I can see that now, but for me, before I went away it was becoming a prison, because I knew there was no real future for us. I couldn't think further than that. Oh, when things were very bad, Matt and I used to have long talks about it. I think he was the only person who kept me sane. One day, the people here will get to know him and see him as I did. Then perhaps they'll accept him —and more important, he might allow himself to be accepted. He and I were two of a kind, a little lonely, a little raw. I daresay the gossips read more than that into our friendship—in fact I know they did—but I was much too proud to tell them they were wrong.' She put her arm lightly around her sister-in-law's shoulders. Come on, that's enough about me, let's go inside and you can tell me whether we ought to throw the kerosene stove into the sea, or bury it ceremoniously.' Rossi spent the rest of the evening on edge, wishing she had been strong-minded enough to refuse Matt Lincoln's request. All he probably wanted to do was to show her up. And yet, deep down, she knew that was against his nature. He was nothing if not honest and, had he wanted to do that, he would have done it in front of the others. So she busied herself over small things, escaping from the dinner table as quickly as she could, mainly to leave Tom and Julia to talk things over in private. The most sensible thing, she decided, when she got to her room, was to start packing. She could then be ready to leave immediately there was news of a flight vacancy. So, slowly and methodically, 185

she gathered the things together that, once she got home, she would have to put away for the summer. Home. The very word made her feel panicky. Oh, she would be pleased to see her mother, but after that, what? A new job, start all over again, go back to Andrew? But she knew she could not do that just as she could not go running to Barney. The trouble was that these few weeks, instead of being a holiday, even a break from routine, had proved the most unsettling in her life. She closed her eyes. All those loose ends to be left untied. Because of her wandering thoughts, she did not notice the time until it was five to eleven. So she dropped everything to scramble into trousers and shirt and grab her bottle of insect repellent before going out to the terrace at the exact moment Matt drew up in the Land Rover. She got in without a word. She waited until they had been driving down the road for about a mile before she said quietly, I think I have a right now to know just where we're going.' 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 186

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 187

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 188

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 189

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.' 190

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.'

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