The Blue Mountains of Kabuta Read online

  ' Your Uncle Ned certainly lived well,' Jon's mother said dryly.

  Jon looked up quickly, but fought back the words she wanted to say. Why shouldn't Uncle Ned live well ? she asked herself silently. He had earned the money. She still could not get over the fact that it had been Uncle Ned's money they had lived on for these long nine years. She longed to tell her mother, but Alex Roe had been very definite about Uncle Ned's desire for it not to be known. Surely the knowledge would make her mother think more kindly of poor Uncle Ned ? On the other hand, her mother might say it was a sign of his feeling of guilt—or even that as Uncle Ned was the eldest of the family, it was his duty .. . That was something her elderly parents had taught her.

  But Jon herself knew that she would never forget it. How good of him, how thoughtful and understanding.

  Dear Uncle Ned who had given her the farm and the money. That had annoyed her mother.

  ' He should have left it to me. You're too young, Jon,' she had said angrily.

  Jon had tried to find a logical reason to remove the hurt her mother obviously felt. He knew you were a city girl, Mum, and that my dream has always been to live in the country.'

  How startled her mother had looked ! Has it ?

  I never knew,' she had said, but Jon had changed the

  subject, for it was true, her dream had always been to live near mountains where there were wide open spaces and a lake or sea. Here—the first two parts of her dream had come true, but, so far, there was no river or lake in sight !

  Now, as they ate their lunch with Dorcas moving quietly round the room, Jon's mother talked of their new home.

  ' It's quite nice, but I had no idea we'd be so isolated, Jon. Your uncle should have thought of that. Two women living alone.'

  I expect we'll have a night-watchman, Mum.'

  ' If we can trust him.' Jon's mother played with a piece of bread, gazing out of the window across the valley to the distant blue-grey mountains. I wonder where the town is. We didn't pass any shops or houses on the way here. I wonder if we did the right thing in coming out, Jon. Maybe we should have taken Mr Williams' advice and sold the farm.'

  But he didn't advise us to sell it, Mummy. He merely said that if we were unhappy here we could sell it. Uncle Ned wanted me . . . us . . . to live here and we must give it a try.'

  Her mother sighed. ' I suppose so, but somehow I can't see us settling here for good. Now, be honest, can you, Jon ? '

  Worriedly Jon looked at her mother. How frail and unhappy she looked ! If this sort of life was really impossible for her, Jon thought, but somehow she managed to smile: Let's give it a chance, Mum, and if it doesn't work out, we'll think about selling it.'

  Her mother smiled, lifting her hand to touch her pretty dark hair. All right, darling, but somehow I have a feeling that we won't be here for long.'

  They had coffee outside on the mosquito-screened stoep. It was very hot and the mountains were vanishing in a haze.

  It's so terribly quiet,' Jon's mother said. Almost eerie. I wonder if we have any people near us. It's so

  lonely. Maybe we're the only people for miles and miles.'

  There must be people, Mum. Alex said he would introduce us to some this evening.' Jon stifled a sigh. Strange how different she and her mother were. Already Jon loved the quiet serenity of the silence, the isolation, the scent of the gardenias, the lovely colour of the purple creepers, the tiny lizard she had just watched scuttle over the stones and up the wall as if aware of danger, but her mother was yawning, seeing none of the beauty.

  Well, I don't know about you, darling, but I feel like a good rest.'

  You are feeling better ? ' Jon asked anxiously.

  Her mother laughed. Yes, but I must confess I prefer being on terra firma. That last flight really scared me.'

  They went into the quiet house, separating to go to their own bedrooms.

  Jon liked hers. It was austere in a masculine way with a single bed against the wall. Uncle Ned must have been fond of yellow for her curtains, too, were that colour. There was a chest of drawers with a small mirror on the wall and a large cupboard. But Jon stood by the open window, shielded from the mosquitoes by a screen, as she looked almost hungrily at the mountain peaks, fast vanishing in the heat haze. She unpacked, hanging up her clothes. Thinking of the trunks and crates that were coming out by sea, she knew a moment of dismay. Had they done the right thing, she wondered, making such a decision, giving up the flat, selling the furniture and rushing out here ? It had been her mother's idea, then, yet now .. .

  Alex Roe is coming at four o'clock,' Jon's mother said urgently, standing by Jon's bedside.

  Slowly and with difficulty, Jon woke up. She yawned, stretching herself. ' I must have been tired.'

  You've only got ten minutes.' Ursula Hampton hesitated. Jon, I wonder what we should wear tonight ? First impressions are so important.'

  Jon slid out of bed and shrugged. We'll ask him if it's black tie.'

  Black tie ? '

  Jon laughed. ' That's what they call it when you have to dress up. Surely you knew ? '

  My friends never dressed up, unfortunately,' Ursula Hampton said sadly. Bill always said it was too much bother. If they knew what it means to us ! It's so much more fun. Well, darling, you'd better get going. Alex Roe is a busy man and . .

  I know, Mum,' Jon said patiently, and hurried to the bathroom where she had a quick shower. Then she dressed, pulling on a pink cotton frock for the time being. It was much too thick, she thought. Somehow they must find some shops so that they could buy some thin dresses, more suitable for this intense heat.

  She was on the stoep as the big black car drew up. Alex got out. He was wearing khaki shorts and a matching shirt. His hair was damp as he smiled at her and opened the car door.

  Out tumbled three dogs who hurtled through the air towards Jon, and Alex called sharply :

  Steady on, Rex, Sandy, Jock ! Calm down ! ' He grabbed at the dogs and they looked up at him, their tails wagging. Sorry about that, Jon,' he said. ' I should have let them out one by one. These are your dogs, incidentally.'

  Mine ? ' Jon stared at him, her eyes wide with delight. They were Uncle Ned's ? '

  Yes, I've been looking after them. You like dogs ? '

  And how ! ' Jon held out her hands invitingly and the dogs came round her, sniffing at her suspiciously at first, then finally showing their acceptance of her friendliness by licking her hands.

  Alex turned to open the car door for a moment. When he came back, he held a small cat in his arms. This is also yours,' he said. Little Tim, Uncle Ned called him It was a stray kitten he found in the market, terribly thin and covered with sores.'

  He looks all right now,' Jon said as she took the small bundle of fur in her arms.

  What on earth ! '

  She swung round as she heard her mother's startled voice. ' Our watchdogs, Mum. They'll look after us all right.'

  Alex smiled. ' You also have a good night watchman, Mrs Hampton. You have nothing to worry about.'

  It seems so lonely after living in a flat, Mr Roe.' I'm sure it must. Look, couldn't you call me Alex ? We don't go in for formalities here.'

  Jon saw her mother's face brighten. I'm glad. My name is Ursula,' Mrs Hampton said quickly, 'Alex.'

  Alex Roe gave a little bow. Thank you, Ursula.' He turned to Jon. Would you care to be shown round ? That is, if you want to see it all ? '

  Of course,' Jon said quickly. What a stupid question, she thought. Naturally she wanted to see her farm.

  Alex had turned to her mother. ' Would you care to ? ' but Ursula Hampton was shaking her head as she sat down. She had put on a blue skirt and thin, matching blouse. Now the boxer, Sandy, came up to nuzzle his nose against her hand.

  Some other time, Alex, thanks. I'm still tired.'

  Alex nodded. Then he led the way into the house, Jon following him That,' he said over his shoulder, is called a stoep out here. Spelled S.T.O.E.P. Not a verandah.'

  I see.' Jo
n had already wandered round the house, but now Alex showed her the small office with the filing cabinet, desk and typewriter.

  Your uncle was clever at figures and he has a good African clerk who does most of the work. You'll soon grasp it. Pay day is always busy, but...'

  How many people will I be employing ? '

  Depends on the season. Being October, this is our spring. We're ploughing and planting like mad. It's

  also dependent on the weather, of course. If it rains we can't plough. Most of the work is done by piece work, but of course there are a number of regular workers, too.'

  They went into the lounge that ran the width of the house, with two french windows opening on to the stoep. It was an attractive room with deep comfortable armchairs, oil paintings on the walls of sea scenes, brocaded curtains, a number of small coffee tables.

  ' Your uncle entertained a lot,' Alex said casually. He was a popular man and a bachelor, too. That always helps, so he was often invited out.'

  ' Are you married ? ' Jon asked—and then wondered what had made her ask such a silly question, for she was not the slightest bit interested.

  Not yet.' Alex gave her a quick amused look. So far I've managed to steer clear of that hazard.'

  He led the way to the kitchen. It was clean and neat with a huge fridge with its deep freeze. There was a double sink and many cupboards.

  ' Why didn't Uncle Ned marry ? ' Jon asked, thinking this did not look like a bachelor's home.

  Alex gave her a strange look as he followed her through the kitchen door and they stood on the concrete paving in the hot sunshine. On one side were several white buildings and Jon could hear the sound of music coming from one of them.

  ' Don't you know ? ' Alex asked her.

  Jon looked up at him. What a strangely ugly face, she thought again, and looked for the word to describe it. Craggy ? He had a biggish nose and a square chin and that dark sun-tan. And those strange green eyes you rarely saw, for most of the time his eyes were half closed.

  ' No, I don't know,' she said.

  Alex looked down at her. ' He loved your mother.'

  Jon's hand flew to her mouth. 'Oh, no ! Poor Uncle Ned ! But when . . . He'd gone away when Mum met Daddy.'

  ' When your grandparents died and he went over to help you out. Your mother had been a widow for nine years, but she made it very plain that she still hated the sight of your uncle.'

  Poor Uncle Ned ! How wonderful if . .

  Alex shrugged. I doubt if it would have worked. It's no good forgiving if you can't forget. It wasn't to be, so . .

  Impulsively Jon caught hold of his arm. If he loved her, why did he leave everything to me ? '

  Looking grave, Alex Roe told her, He was afraid that your mother, in her bitterness, might refuse to accept it and that would have hurt you. He wanted you to have it because he knew you loved him.'

  ' I see . . .' Jon said thoughtfully, thinking of the long years Uncle Ned had lived there alone, remembering the woman he loved who could never forgive him for something that was not his fault.

  We'd better get cracking,' Alex said curtly. I haven't time to waste.'

  I'm ready,' she said at once, frowning because he had implied that she was wasting his time and actually he had been the one doing most of the talking.

  The walk round was quick, and although Jon tried to look intelligent and as if she understood everything Alex said, most of the time she was completely lost. Never before had she seen pineapples growing, but here they were, acres and acres of them, stretching away as far as the eyes could see.

  Had she been asked, she might have said she thought they grew on trees like coconuts. Someone, hearing Jon had inherited a farm of pineapples, had told her seriously that they grew in the ground like carrots !

  But they didn't. They grew on plants which were about two to three feet tall. The plants had long pointed spiky leaves, and had thorns with the fruit half-hidden.

  It takes two years after planting to bear fruit,' Alex was saying curtly as he strode along rapidly, Jon almost

  breathless but managing to keep up with him. You then get fruit every year. However, after five years, you have to uproot the plants, plough the land and plant again.'

  He showed her the compound where the workers lived, showed her some women picking pineapples. All the time he talked brusquely, mostly over his shoulder as she tagged breathlessly behind him, and often she was lost, but somehow didn't like to ask him to explain more slowly in case he looked upon her as a dumb brunette '.

  The dogs had gone with them, and were leaping over the pineapples, chasing the birds that came down to tease them by swooping low and then rising up in the air as the dogs barked.

  As they walked back towards the house, Alex looked down at the quiet girl by his side. Well, how are you going to like being a farmer ? '

  She drew a long deep breath. I think I shall love it.'

  She saw the amused look on his face as he asked : ' You really think you could run this farm ? You don't want to sell it ? '

  Startled, she stood still, looking up at him. What makes you think I'd want to sell it ? '

  A number of reasons. You're obviously a city girl, knowing nothing about farming. You could get a good price for this farm. Good money.'

  I'm not interested in money,' she said firmly. ' Uncle Ned left me the farm and I intend to run it.'

  That's very brave of you.' She could see how his mouth twisted as if he was trying not to smile. Now let's see how much you've grasped.'

  He immediately shot a number of questions at her. She tried her best to answer them, but knew she had dismally failed.

  He laughed as if triumphant. You've got an awful lot to learn.'

  She glared at him. It hadn't been necessary to humiliate her so.

  ' So had you, once. You told me Uncle Ned ..

  Alex laughed outright. Touché ! You win and I lose. I was lucky, because I had Uncle Ned.'

  And I have you, she thought silently. You may be a help, but you're also a pain in the neck.

  They walked the rest of the way in silence, Jon trying to keep calm but glancing now and then at the man by her side. He was a mass of contradictions. Sometimes easy to talk to, sometimes understanding, and, at other times so horribly unpleasant.

  At his car, they stopped. I'll pick you up at a quarter to seven,' he said curtly.

  Jon remembered something. Mum wondered what we should wear.'

  Alex looked at her and smiled. ' Clothes, little Jon, what else ? '

  Jon's face burned. You know very well what I mean. Do we dress up ? '

  Alex ran his hand through his hair and looked thoughtful.

  ' Madeleine always does. I suppose one could say cocktail party frocks. Trouser suits are acceptable.' He smiled. ' See you later.'

  She watched him drive away, then turned and walked slowly towards the house. Who was Madeleine ? she wondered.

  As Jon showered and dressed, she thought how totally different this new life was going to be from their life in England. She was glad the dogs had come, for already her mother sounded happier as Sandy, the friendly boxer, had adopted her and now followed her wherever she went.

  ' What a difference it makes,' Jon's mother had said, and a lot of Jon's anxiety was lifted as her mother continued, ' That awful quietness has gone.'

  Rex, the Alsatian, seemed to have chosen Jon and she already loved his questioning eyes and the way he stood close to her, not touching her but as if telling her that

  he was there if she needed him. Jock, the spaniel, was something of a problem, for he ignored everyone, going straight for his basket under the kitchen table, curling up and going to sleep.

  Jon had wondered about how to feed the dogs, but Violet, the plump, cheerful African girl, had smiled, saying she knew.

  Wondering what dress to wear, Jon looked through her wardrobe. Finally she chose a dark crimson kaftan with loose sleeves and gilt trimming. She made up carefully, then brushed her hair, thinking as she
did, wondering who this Madeleine was that Alex Roe had mentioned. Was she the girl he planned to marry eventually ? He had joked about it, but then, with Alex, you were never quite sure when he was serious or teasing.

  She put on gold sandals with flowers on the straps. She looked out of the window. Already the night was beginning to close in. The sun was going down, half-hidden by the mountains, but the sky was a mixture of pale green with streaks of red and gold. How early it got dark out here in Africa, she was thinking, as the electric light suddenly went on and she heard the rackety roar of an engine. That meant they had their own engine. She had a vague memory of Alex telling her this, but there was so much to try to remember. She wondered who switched it on and off. Did it run all night ?

  All questions that only Alex Roe could answer—which meant that she must swallow her pride and ask them !

  She sighed now as she looked in the mirror. Alex was right. She looked ridiculously young. Tonight she felt as young and helpless as she looked ! It was so easy to talk confidently, but was she going to be able to run the farm—alone ? She hadn't a clue. Not a single clue. Of course there was Alex to help her as he had been helped by Uncle Ned. But how long would she take to learn it all ? He had his own life to lead

  besides, she thought, as she got into the kaftan, she hated the thought of having to be dependent on him Or on anyone, for that matter.

  Jon ! ' her mother called. Come and zip me up, darling '

  With one last look in the mirror, Jon hurried to the next room. It was similar to hers, but the colour scheme was different. In here the curtains were made of deep red and black striped material with a matching rug.

  Her mother was peering into the mirror. ' How can you be expected to see in this bad light ? ' she was grumbling. She was wearing a long green velvet gown. Its very simplicity ensured its elegance, Jon thought. Her mother had brushed her dark hair up, piling it high on her head. She wore a diamond necklace and matching ear-rings, but, Jon thought with dismay, wasn't it rather overdressed for a cocktail party ? Knowing how sensitive her mother was, she was tempted to remark on this, but then decided to say nothing.