Page 114 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden
Sophie leant close to her husband and said, ‘Neither of us wants to leave India.’
Rafi raised his chin in a defiant gesture that reminded Libby of Ghulam. She tensed, fearing what he was about to say.
‘I’m going to Lahore after the ceremony in Delhi,’ said Rafi, ‘to see about a forestry job back in the Punjab.’
‘It’s where Rafi first started as a forester,’ said Sophie.
‘Yes, I remember,’ said Clarrie. ‘And your family are there too.’
Rafi nodded.
‘It’s time Rafi made peace with his father,’ said Sophie. ‘For years he hasn’t gone because his family wouldn’t accept me as his wife.’
‘But,’ said Rafi, ‘now that I’m considering returning to help in the new state of Pakistan, I think my father will relent and want to meet Sophie.’
Libby gaped at them in dismay. Ghulam would be deeply saddened at the news. His words rang in her head:‘We need Muslims like Rafi to stay and help build the new India.’
‘But Ghulam says Lahore is a tinderbox,’ said Libby. ‘Surely you won’t risk going there at the moment?’
‘You’re in touch with Ghulam?’ Sophie asked in surprise.
Libby flushed. ‘Yes, I am.’
‘The dak from Calcutta is almost daily,’ teased Clarrie.
‘Well, well,’ said Rafi, ‘my little brother showing some sense at last.’
‘I think that’s wonderful,’ encouraged Sophie. ‘I can see that you both would have a lot in common.’
‘Apart from Khan being rabidly anti-British,’ exclaimed James, ‘and Libby being half his age.’
‘Like Tilly was to you, James,’ Sophie said with a wry smile.
Libby felt a surge of gratitude to the Khans for their approval. She saw her father go red; he looked about to protest but Rafi swiftly intervened and said, ‘I’m sure the reports about Lahore are exaggerated – I hope so at least.’
‘Rafi’s family no longer live in the old city,’ said Sophie. ‘After the death of his mother, they moved to a quiet suburb that hasn’t seen any violence.’
‘So when do you hope to join Rafi?’ Clarrie asked.
‘That depends on how quickly Rafi can find a job,’ said Sophie. ‘But with him being an experienced forester and a Punjabi, it shouldn’t take long.’
‘I’d rather Sophie waited here till after Independence,’ cautioned Rafi, ‘just in case ...’
Libby’s heart thudded. ‘So you are expecting trouble in Lahore?’
Rafi tried to hide his concern. ‘No, I just think it will take longer than Sophie thinks to arrange a forestry job and somewhere to live.’
‘It’s such a big step to take,’ Libby said. ‘Do Ghulam and Fatima know you are leaving Gulgat for good?’
Rafi shook his head. ‘They know I’ve been thinking about it but we decided not to tell anyone until we were safely out of Gulgat.’
‘Ghulam is so upset about the whole Partition thing,’ said Libby. ‘He’s very against the idea of a separate Muslim state.’
‘We didn’t want it either,’ said Sophie, ‘but we’re just being realistic about the future.’
‘It won’t last,’ said James.
‘What won’t?’ Libby asked.
