A Different Sky by Meira Chand

Author:Meira Chand
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781409000631
Publisher: Random House

22

ROSE HAD BEEN ONLY once to Cousin Lionel’s house, when a relative from Malacca had stayed with him many years before. At Mavis’s suggestion Howard had gone to Katong to explain their position to Lionel, and had returned with a message of welcome.

There was very little transport available. Rickshaws, trishaws and taxis had all but disappeared from the streets, and anyone going anywhere was walking. A large handcart was found and a couple of wheelbarrows into which they piled their belongings. In spite of the warning to take only personal possessions Rose packed linen and towels and as much tinned food as she dared, as well as sugar and rice. She had tied up her silver framed photographs along with other items of family silver in an old tablecloth, and hid the parcel beneath some sheets. She was worried about Cynthia, who had been transferred from Woodbridge Mental Hospital to a small hospital on Joo Chiat Road, along with some Chinese doctors. Joo Chiat Road was not far from Cousin Lionel’s so at least this thought was a comfort to Rose.

Howard roped things to his bicycle and strapped his saxophone to his back, along with his short wave radio concealed in a canvas rucksack. He looked over his shoulder at the roof of Bougainvillaea House that could just be seen above the trees. They set off for Katong with Hamzah and Ah Fong harnessed like animals between the shafts of the cart to pull it along. Rose and Mavis puffed with the exertion of pushing the wheelbarrows; both women wore straw hats, and gloves to prevent them blistering their hands.

It had been a traumatic few days. The Eurasian community, like the British and Chinese, had been summoned for screening. They had all gone in trepidation to the Padang, and stood before the Singapore Recreation Club to await their fate. A Japanese officer had delivered a reproving lecture full of ugly threats. Eurasians of particularly fair skin had been separated for internment with the British, their colour taken as proof of genetic complicity. Those of duskier hue were sent home with stern warnings to mend their Anglophile ways. For the first time in her life, Rose was glad to have a dark skin.

It was late when they reached the coconut estate on which Lionel Pereira lived. Rose surveyed the beachside village of ramshackle dwellings and attap-roofed huts with a sinking heart. The estate had many fishponds from which the residents eked out a living. Lionel’s home was built of wooden planks and raised some feet above the ground, and was next to the track that served as a road into the estate. Stray dogs slept beneath the veranda, chickens pecked around the house and a vegetable patch ran along one side.

Lionel was waiting for them on the steps of the veranda, strumming a guitar. A cigarette hung from his lips and his family were arranged about him. Rose observed his grubby vest, muscular biceps and worn trousers rolled up above rubber sandals, in growing apprehension.

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