Page 55 of The Girl from the Tea Garden
‘Sam?’ Adela’s stomach jolted at his sudden mention.
‘Yes, he rescued Ghulam from Nerikot and hid him in a forest bungalow. If the authorities found out– or the Raja– Sam would be in big trouble.’ Fatima gave her an anxious look. ‘You won’t say anything, will you? I shouldn’t have said—’
‘Of course I won’t,’ Adela cried. ‘How could you think I would?’
‘Sorry,’ Fatima said, touching Adela’s head in affection. ‘I didn’t mean to get on my high horse. I just worry about you with that man. He’s from a different class to us, Adela, and thinks he can have whatever he wants. You will be careful, won’t you? There can’t be any future in it.’
‘Who cares about the future?’ Adela was impatient. ‘I’m just enjoying this season. I won’t pretend I’m not flattered by Jay’s attention– who wouldn’t be?– but I know he’s not going to propose to a girl like me. We’re friends, that’s all. So stop worrying.’
Sitara brought in tea and ginger cake. Fatima talked about the hospital and no more about Sanjay. Before she went, Adela asked, ‘Is your brother safe?’
Fatima shrugged. ‘I don’t know where he is and it’s probably best not to.’
‘Does Sam know?’
‘I haven’t heard from him for a month or so– he sent word that Ghulam was safely away from Nerikot, that’s all.’
‘So Sam hasn’t been to Simla?’ Adela could feel her cheeks redden despite her attempt to sound nonchalant.
Again Fatima shrugged. ‘I think Sundar would have told me if he had; they are good friends now.’
Adela grinned and nudged her friend. ‘So even the busy DrKhan finds time to see her admirer Sundar Singh.’
To her delight, Fatima also blushed. ‘Very occasionally,’ she admitted, ‘I beat him at backgammon.’
‘Well, I hope you will drag him along to the play too,’ Adela said with a departing hug.
Rushing to the theatre on the eve of the first night of the play, Adela ran into her former boss, Bracknall, by the bandstand, where a military band had just finished playing.
‘Hello, sir,’ Adela said. ‘When did you arrive in Simla?’
He took her hand and held on to it. ‘MrsBracknall arrived last week to set up house; I came two days ago.’ He swept her with a look. ‘I’ve been hearing things about you, Miss Robson. Running about with some Indian prince, my wife tells me.’
Adela laughed, trying to withdraw her hand. ‘Prince Sanjay is a family friend, that’s all.’
‘I thought your family were tea-wallahs?’
Adela winced at his derogatory tone. Pulling her hand away, she said proudly, ‘My Aunt Sophie and her husband, Rafi Khan, are good friends of the Rajah of Gulgat. Prince Sanjay is the Raja’s nephew.’
Bracknall stared at her as if she had grown a second head. Adela said, ‘Well, I must get to the theatre ...’
He grabbed her arm to stop her. ‘Rafi Khan from Lahore?’
‘Yes.’ Adela regretted at once mentioning them. Too late she remembered Sophie’s antipathy to Bracknall and that he had once been Rafi’s boss. She didn’t like the twisted smile on Bracknall’s craggy face.
‘Well, well. So Sophie Telfer is your aunt– or MrsKhan, as she no doubt prefers to be called.’
‘That is her name,’ said Adela.
Still gripping her, he said, ‘Perhaps I’m old-fashioned, but I’m not one of those who believe in these mixed racial marriages. Can’t quite see how a Christian marrying a Mohammedan can be lawful, but then Sophie Telfer would do anything to escape the shame of her first failed marriage I imagine.’
Adela was shocked at his words. She threw off his hold. ‘Auntie Sophie married Rafi for love. They’re devoted to each other.’
Bracknall gave an indulgent laugh. ‘Oh, the innocence of youth is quite charming. I could tell you a few stories about your aunt and uncle that would have your eyes on stalks.’
‘I must go.’
‘I’ll see you at the office next week, my girl, and we can talk more about the Khans.’
