MONEY TREE by Gordon Ferris

Author:Gordon Ferris [Ferris, Gordon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Merula Books Limited
Published: 2014-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY TWO

Anila brushed the floor twice and shook the rugs three times. She ground enough maize for several meals, all the time waiting for the sound of the agent’s lorry. Other women from her syndicate kept dropping by – casually, just passing, no reason – but really to share their misgivings and add to the suspense. By mid afternoon Anila had convinced herself she would not see the agent that day. Maybe he wouldn’t come back? Maybe Chowdury had already got to him and warned him off? That was it! He’d sent one of his men to intercept the agent and tell him they had nothing to sell him this time, or maybe next time, or the next. She was going mad.

Then through the sounds of the children calling and the animals bleating and the villagers chattering to each other, she heard it. Different to Mr Roy’s straining engine and clashing gears. A smoother, more powerful motor driven by someone who knew how. She tried not to run. With nerves breaking she walked inside and gathered up her few flimsy offerings. Now they seemed tawdry and ill-made. How could anyone want to buy these? Nevertheless she lashed the four small stools together and hoisted them on a sling round her shoulder and over her back and walked towards the meeting point.

Others were already gathered by the well surrounded by their handicraft. They aimed to meet the agent before Mr Chowdury could get to him and infect his mind. When the remainder joined her, looking excited and worried in turn, Anila led her little band of women to where the land opened out at the edge of the village. The ground was beaten flat and soiled with oil stains from other lorries that, like the agent’s, were too big to drive into the centre. A solitary neem tree softened the picture and offered some shade. They arrived at much the same time, the lorry and the women. They set out their work alongside the lorry while Anila explained the new situation.

She tried as hard as she could to show confidence. She knew that fear on her face would at best get her a bad deal, at worst make him refuse to treat with her.

‘Good afternoon Mr Bedi. We were expecting you today.’

‘I can see that,’ he swept a hand round, indicating the line-up of women and their wares. ‘But where is Mr Chowdury? I do not see him. I want to finish my business quickly today and get back to Udaipura.’

‘There has been a change Mr Bedi. Mr Chowdury is not coming today. Do you remember I asked you and Mr Roy the wood gatherer, if you would deal with me directly?’ He looked quizzically at her. ‘Well, that is now the situation here. This is the Chandapur Women’s Cooperative. All these women here are members and we have come to sell you our work.’

‘I see. I see. Well this is a big surprise. I am not sure I want to deal with a cooperative.

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