Turning to look at Evie, she said, ‘But I think you should know I’ve told Reggie that if your husband should ever ask him to work over at Batu Lembah, I’m on the next ship home.’
‘Batu Lembah?’
‘The other Barrington estate. Near Butterworth. I presumed you would be living there.’
‘No. At the moment I’m staying in the house in George Town. My husband joins us most weekends.’ She swallowed, hoping the exaggeration wasn’t evident.
‘Right. Of course. I’d forgotten. The late Mrs Barrington didn’t like Batu Lembah and preferred to be in town. I suppose all her friends were in George Town.’ Susan Hyde-Underwood looked wistful. ‘It can be very lonely being an estate manager’s wife. All very well for the men. They have their work and the company that offers. But for us girls, most of the time you’re the only white woman for miles, stuck on your own, day in, day out. If I didn’t have my garden I’d probably have gone mad. But if Mr Barrington ever insisted we were to leave Bellavista and move over to the mainland, well, I’m sorry to say this to you, but we will definitely be heading straight back to England.’
‘What makes you think he’d ask you to do that?’
‘Nothing really. But this house was his family’s home. And I suppose now I know about you… I have to admit, Mrs Barrington…I’m wondering whether he’s brought you up here to look around with a view to you both moving here.’
‘He hasn’t said anything like that to me. Quite the contrary. I’ve been nagging him to show me around the estate – I was surprised this morning when he finally agreed. I suppose he thought it would be easier than bringing me over to Butterworth.’ As she sought to reassure the woman, Evie admitted to herself that actually living up here might be preferable to George Town. At least it was cooler and far from the club and Veronica Leighton.
‘I’m sorry. I just wanted to be straight with you. It’s probably me being particularly anxious because of the baby being imminent.’ She told Evie when it was due, adding, ‘I’ve waited so long for a child. I’d begun to despair of it ever happening. I’d started to think it was the wretched climate here. And just as I’d given up hope, bingo! I realised it had happened at last. As you can imagine, we’re both over the moon. Reggie’s convinced it’s a boy and a Malayan lady in one of the kampungs took one look at me and said I was having a boy. I’m increasingly sure of it myself, but I’ll be happy either way.’
‘And your husband?’
‘Him too. He doesn’t really mind.’
They had left the vegetable garden and reached a small lawn, surrounded by a profusion of flowering shrubs.
‘I tried growing roses, but they didn’t take well. Better to work with the plants that are indigenous. You must come and look at my orchids. My pride and joy.’
Beyond the lawn, they entered a maze of gravelled pathways weaving between the bending trunks and spiky fronds of palm trees and the big glossy leaves of bananas. The air was peaty, rich with the smell of soil and rotting vegetation. Above their heads, the area was draped with netting, presumably to keep the birds at bay. A collection of terracotta pots, containing smaller plants, hung from the branches of trees. In between the different shades of green were bright splashes of orchids, all shapes and colours – delicate peach, buttery yellows, vibrant cyclamen-like pinks and the softest mauves. In the background, Evie could hear the gentle tinkle of falling water and saw a small pond encircled with rocks.
‘Your husband’s grandfather apparently had a passion for orchids too. But things were rather neglected by Mr Barrington’s uncle. I’ve a long way to go, but I’m working hard at restoring the area to its former glory and I’m building quite a collection.’
‘They’re exquisite,’ said Evie. ‘I can see why orchids have become a passion for you.’
Mrs Hyde-Underwood nodded. ‘I just hope there’ll be time for them once the baby’s arrived.’
‘I’m sure the…the kedan is it?’
‘Kebun.’
‘I’m sure the kebun will be only too happy to take over.’
The woman sniffed. ‘I doubt it. Vegetables and mowing lawns are more his thing. But we’ll see.’
Evie had the sense that behind her smiles, Mrs Hyde-Underwood was not as happy as she’d first appeared. Clearly devoted to her husband, there was nonetheless a sadness about her. Might living in Malaya mean Evie herself would eventually feel the same?
As if sensing Evie’s thoughts, Mrs Hyde-Underwood assumed a cheery voice. ‘Let’s go and have a cold drink on the veranda. It’s shady round the other side.’ Without waiting for Evie to reply, she headed back towards the bungalow.
Sipping homemade lemonade, Evie suggested they move to first name terms, then asked her hostess if she had known Felicity.
‘Not well. But we did meet once. Over at Batu Lembah. It was when I first came out here. Mr Barrington had just bought the estate there, and hired my husband from Dunlop’s to take over at Bellavista as manager.’
‘What was she like?’ The question spilled out – but Susan Hyde-Underwood seemed to take it in her stride.
‘Not very friendly, actually. She didn’t have a lot to say and I was probably nervous myself and wanting to make a good impression meeting Reggie’s boss’s wife. That can’t have helped.’
‘I only met Felicity myself on one occasion – when I was fifteen. I do remember was she was beautiful.’
Susan nodded. ‘Frail and delicate. A bit like one of my orchids. Fine for a flower but I’m not so sure it’s such a great quality in a woman.’
Evie wanted to ask how Douglas had behaved towards Felicity, but that would be going too far.
But Susan evidently had no such compunctions herself. ‘I couldn’t understand how they’d come to be married, actually. She struck me as
