Kurinji Flowers by Clare Flynn

Author:Clare Flynn [Flynn, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Clare Flynn
Published: 2014-10-08T04:00:00+00:00

***

I stood in the hall, leaning against the heavy mahogany table, dreading the thought of making the telephone call. I'd waited until Marjorie was out of the way and Nirmala and Thankappan were in their own quarters at the rear of the house eating their luncheon. I didn't like to think of the servants listening to my conversations. Nirmala was always creeping up behind me when I wasn't expecting her. I wondered whether Marjorie had asked her to spy on me, then I decided I was being ridiculous. I wasn't bothered so much about Thankappan. He was shy and respectful, always keeping his distance and avoiding eye contact. Nirmala, on the other hand, appeared to be amused by my domestic inadequacies. Her former role as Tony's ayah gave her added standing, and I didn't feel comfortable with her.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and picked up the receiver and asked for Hector's number. The operator connected us and he answered after the third ring.

'Hector, it's Ginny.'

'How delightful. I was just thinking about you.'

I was anxious about what I had to say so plunged right in. 'Tony's angry. Someone told him about the satyagraha meeting and that I've been up to the Hindu temple to paint. I think it must have been that Mistry chap. He saw me up there and must have mentioned it to Tony.'

'Why would he do that? Not like him.'

'I neither know nor care why he would do it. The net result is Tony doesn't want me to go up to the temple anymore.'

'Why not?'

'Apparently I need to respect the dividing line between the Indians and us, and not stir up trouble with the independence movement.'

Hector's laughter boomed down the wires. 'My dear Mrs T, I doubt even a woman of your own impressive talents has the capacity to incite the gentlemen of the Congress party into insurrection by sitting outside a temple painting the scenery and quietly observing a demonstration of yarn weaving.'

'He thinks it's inappropriate.'

'He's a bloody fool.'

'Don't say that. I hate you being horrid about Tony. It makes me feel disloyal.'

'All right, but I can't believe you've done me the honour of a rare telephone call just to tell me Tony's not happy with you visiting Indian holy places.'

'No. There's more.' I hesitated. 'Look, Hector, I think we need to see a bit less of each other for a while. Well, actually, not meet up together at all anymore.'

'You think? Or Tony says?'

'Don't make this harder for me.'

He waited in silence for me to carry on.

'He doesn't want me spending time with you. Not alone. Obviously, if we meet up in public at the club, that's different.'

There was a silence, then he began to laugh again. 'He's afraid I'm leading you astray, is he?'

'Yes.'

'You need to tell him he's being an idiot.'

'He's my husband. I must do as he says.'

'My arse, you must.'

'Hector! Really.'

'You're not going to listen to him, are you? Besides, he'll calm down after a few days. It will all blow over.

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