The Lake Villa: A spellbinding story of secrets and love in war-torn Indochina (The Oriental Lake Collection) by Ann Bennett

Author:Ann Bennett [Bennett, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andaman Press
Published: 2023-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

16

Tonlé Sap, 1995

Colette walked along the jetty and stepped onto the deck of Achariya’s houseboat. Achariya’s eyes lit up and she smiled broadly when she saw Colette. Colette was relieved to see that Achariya looked far brighter than she had on the first day. Once again she was dressed in a bright yellow sarong printed with red and orange flowers and now her skin was glowing and there was more colour in her cheeks.

‘You’re looking lovely today,’ Colette said, kissing her friend’s cheek.

‘It’s because of your visit, madam. I’ve been looking forward to you coming back but I wasn’t sure it would be today. Let me put the kettle on.’

‘I can do that, Achariya,’ Colette said. ‘Please sit down.’

‘No, I insist. It does me good.’ Achariya eased herself out of her chair and moved stiffly towards the kitchenette.

‘Well, alright, but do let me know if there’s anything I can do,’ Colette said, sitting down reluctantly. Perhaps Achariya was right and it was good for her to move about. On the other hand, Colette didn’t want Achariya to tire herself out.

‘Did you go to the town hall to ask about the land?’ Achariya asked from inside the houseboat.

‘Yes. I went this morning. A bit of a waste of time, I’m afraid. Apparently, foreigners aren’t allowed to own land in Cambodia now.’

‘Of course. I should have remembered that before you went. That’s the rule nowadays.’

‘So, even though nobody wants the land, and the local authority has no use for it, I can’t buy it back myself. It’s such a tragedy. Henri’s grave is on that land.’

Achariya appeared in the doorway, her face solemn.

‘I’m so sorry, madam. It’s very unfortunate. If there’s anything I can do to help…’

‘I was wondering…’ Colette began. ‘If you might be able to buy the land for me.’

‘Me?’ Achariya said weakly. She came and sat down again. ‘I’m afraid I cannot do that, madam. Not even for you.’

‘But why not? I would provide the funds. We could own the place together.’

‘You know I would, gladly. I’d do anything I could to help you, madam, you know that. Only I’m not allowed to own land myself. That’s why we live in this floating community. We can own boats on the water, but we can’t own land in Cambodia. We are ethnic Vietnamese you see, not true Khmer nationals.’

Shock went through Colette and she looked at her old friend, shamefaced. Of course. She had known that years ago. How tactless of her to have brought this up, to have complained about not being able to own land here when Achariya and her whole community had been denied that right for generations. That was the whole reason for the floating community here on Tonlé Sap. It was their way of getting round the ownership rules.

‘I’m so sorry, Achariya. How thoughtless of me. I should have remembered.’

‘Don’t worry, madam. It’s easy to forget when you’ve been away for such a long time.’

Inside the kitchenette the kettle whistled shrilly and Achariya got up and went in to make the tea.

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