A River of Roses by Rex Shelley

Author:Rex Shelley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789814677714
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International

Chapter Twenty-four

Daud bin Ibrahim

“THEY’RE HERE!” Antonio called from the verandah as he saw Alan Alvares walking up the driveway with a tall European.

“Righty-o! Be with you in half a tic,” Philippa replied. She had arrived earlier, straight from her school, and was dressing in the front bedroom.

“Oi! Tony!”

“Hello, come in, come in …”

“Good evening, Mr Rosario …” A nice bass-deep voice.

“Got the hooch … Good stuff this. And this is my friend Dunman Gudgeon …”

Feet on the planks of the steps.

“No, no, no, don’t worry Alan … here we keep our shoes on … Singapore style lah … Not Malaya, lah. Please, please … It’s true.”

A mumble, “I noticed no shoes around …” Probably Alan.

“Please take a seat … Ah no! Not that one.” Antonio’s voice, loud, sharp, urgent. “It’s got a nail-head sticking out. Gloria will kill me if she knows I haven’t banged it in yet …”

Philippa knew which cane chair it was. I’ll let them settle down before I go out, she thought. And I must remember, he’s Tony.

She checked herself out in the mirror. Vera’s brighter lipstick looked O.K. The old dark green dress, still even darker than a deep green jade, wasn’t too faded. Not in the evening light, anyway. Adding the belt was a great idea to hide how loose it was. She ruffled her hair a little. Must not look too pretty-pretty.

“Ah … come, join us Philippa … My sister, Philippa … Duncan Gudgeon, Alan Alvares …”

“Duncan. Did I hear it right?” she asked.

“Yes, Scots name … but I’m not really Scottish.”

“Alan’s brought the drink of the gods, Phil,” Tony said.

She repeated to herself, Don’t forget now: Tony, Tony, Tony. They shook hands with how-do-you-do’s.

“Phil’s one who appreciates the good things in life … . Whisky, brandy and sin … er … I mean gin. Alan’s whisky, everyone?”

Duncan spoke with hesitation, “Er, if you’ve got one … I’d rather have a beer … that is, if …”

“Sure,” Tony said at once and went into the main part of the house.

“It’s a terribly hot day,” Duncan said, turning to Philippa.

“Ha, ha … in December?” Alan chuckled softly.

Philippa saw that Duncan looked straight into her eyes with a glint of admiration. As a man looks at a beautiful woman. Not the knowing look she expected from the White Y business, assuming he had been primed.

She had seen him rise and stand tall in the verandah when she appeared. Heavily built. Square shoulders. Muscular. Mousey blond. Handsome. Big blue eyes. Big staring blue eyes. But avoiding hers after the initial brief contact as she looked for a sign of conspiracy. He didn’t expect this sort of me, she thought. Shaken a little?

She could not help comparing Duncan Gudgeon with Daud bin Ibrahim, whom she had met six days ago. They were of the same height. Both exuded an impression of physical power. Both at ease on meeting her. But something in Duncan Gudgeon made her a little defensive. Maybe it was …

“One Tiger Cub. Made in Singapore …” Tony said like a conjurer with background patter.

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