Читать книгу Watching - Jeff Edwards - Страница 10

Jade returned to the college, once again, life returned to its normal, school tempo.

All financial matters were handled by Groom and Son, with the Commodore, as Jade’s guardian, giving his final assent. Jade simply received a small allowance each month, sufficient for her few small needs. The fact that she was now a very wealthy young lady did not intrude upon her daily life— it was the same now as it had been prior to the death of her parents.

Jade, and especially Rani, now concentrated all their attention on their final exams, which were due to start within the next month. All their spare time was spent reviewing their texts, and preparing.

One evening, a week prior to the exams, Jade was concentrating on her mathematics when Rani entered their room, a letter clutched in her hand and a look of ashen dread on her face.

‘What’s the matter, Rani?’

Rani didn’t reply, instead, she walked to her bed and sat on the edge, staring into space.

Worried, Jade went to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. ‘What is it? What’s the matter?’

Rani exhaled a long breath. It seemed as though she had been holding her breath for some time. ‘It’s my parents. I’ve received a letter from them.’

‘Are they alright?’

Rani turned toward her friend, and fixed her gaze upon Jade’s face. Jade could see the deep anguish within Rani’s brown eyes. ‘They want me to return home immediately. It seems they can’t wait to see me again.’

‘And you’re worried about that?’

‘They’re excited about me returning home, and want me there quickly. Father writes that they have a gentleman that they want me to meet.’

‘Is that all?’

‘Don’t you see?’ Rani exclaimed as she began to pace the floor. ‘They’ve already selected a husband for me. I’m to be married. There will be no university for me. No medical school. No medical practice. I’m expected to be a wife and mother for the rest of my life. All my study has been for nothing.’

Jade was aghast. ‘They can’t do that to you. It’s positively medieval!’

‘They can, and they will. You just don’t understand.’

‘What if you refuse to marry the man?’

‘How can I? To have made a promise, and then to go back on it, would bring discredit on them. It would reflect badly on their business, and their personal standing in the community.’

Jade regarded her friend, thinking deeply. ‘What if you didn’t go home? What if you refused to go?’

Rani nodded her head. ‘How, Jade? I’m completely dependent upon them. What would I do for financial support? I could find work, but I would still be unable to attend university. You know as well as I do how expensive it is.’ She sighed. ‘It looks as though my fate has been decided, and medicine is not to be a part of it.’

Jade sat beside her friend, holding her hand, as they both silently contemplated their lives before them. Tears began to streak Rani’s cheeks, as Jade took her in her arms, and comforted the distraught girl.

They held each other tight, wondering what would become of their friendship in the coming years — Rani in India and Jade here, separated by half a planet.

Neither Jade, nor Rani slept much that night.

Jade could hear Rani, tossing and turning, on the other side of the room, and an idea began to take shape in Jade’s mind, but she had no idea if it could be brought to fruition.

The following morning, as they were preparing for classes, Jade decided to begin her plan. Watching as Rani half-heartedly selected her books, Jade said, ‘I think you should take one step at a time.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked a disconsolate Rani.

‘I think you should simply concentrate on what’s happening first; your exams. Get the best results you can. You never know what will happen after that. Take one step at a time, Rani.’

‘I don’t really see what will change.’

‘I know, neither do I, but it will make you feel better when the results come out. You will know that you haven’t been wasting your time here. Perhaps when your parents see your results, they can be persuaded to change their minds.’

‘I doubt it very much, but I see your point. I owe it to myself, especially after all the study I’ve done.’

‘That’s right. I was thinking that we could get Mrs McLean and some of the other teachers to write to your parents, recommending that you would be far more valuable with a university education.’

‘Worth more on the slave market, you mean,’ she said with a wry smile. ‘Alright, let’s try.’

Following classes later that day, Jade made her way to the village post office, where the local telephone stood in its glassed kiosk. Phoning the Commodore, she explained the situation that Rani found herself in. They then discussed possible solutions and Jade put forward her plan. The Commodore conceded that there was some merit in her idea, and agreed to do what he could to assist.

‘It will all come down to what sort of results Rani achieves in her exams. We won’t be able to do much if she just simply scrapes through.’

‘Don’t worry; Rani has studied far too hard to miss out.’

‘Then I’ll set things in motion.’

‘Thank you, Grandfather. Rani deserves this.’

Exam time, when it finally arrived, came as a relief to the girls.

With all the study behind them, they moved into the exam hall for the first exam, expecting the worst, and then pleasantly surprised, when they found questions that they could cope with.

They began writing confidently, and did not let up until the final bell rang.

Over the next few days they devoured the exams, until, finally, a week later, they were finished.

Closing the last book, and handing in the last paper, they emerged from the hall, and let out a loud cheer, while hugging each other in relief.

‘I’m so glad its all over,’ bubbled Jade.

‘I’d love to do it all over again. I’m sure I could do better a second time.’

‘Don’t be silly. Who’d want to go through that again?’

‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘You know I am. Now, let’s go and celebrate.’

‘Where?’

‘Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’ve made arrangements for you to come and stay with the Commodore and me, ‘til the results come through.’

‘But I’m supposed to go home. They’re expecting me.’

Jade smiled. ‘The Commodore telegraphed them. Your father has given his permission for you to stay, but just until the results come out.’

Grabbing Jade by the hand, Rani smiled broadly. ‘That will be absolutely wonderful. Thank you.’

It was a sad occasion, as the senior class packed their boxes, and suitcases for the last time.

For years now, the Staunton College for Young Ladies had been their home, and the girls of their year, like sisters. Abiding friendships had been formed, as well as a few of a much deeper nature.

The staff, as usual, were sad to see the young ladies go, but were gratified by the changes they had been able to bring about in the girls. Each of them was now perfectly suited to take their place in the upper strata of society.

Mrs McLean knocked on their door and handed Jade a number of envelopes as she was packing. ‘The staff were more than happy to assist.’ She smiled. ‘I hope it works out.’

The Commodore arrived to collect the girls, and, among many tears and hugs, the bags were stowed in the rear of the car, while the three piled into the front seat for the journey home.

As Jade watched the college disappear among the trees, she turned to Rani. ‘Do you think you’ll send your daughters there?’

Rani looked over her shoulder, at the gates of the college: ‘I don’t know. Things are different. Times are changing. It was a good place, but I think it’s rooted too much in the past. I think the school would have to change a lot before I’d send my children there.’

Jade nodded. ‘I think you’re right. Times are changing.’

The Commodore made quite a sight over the next few weeks, with his impeccable suit, and thick grey hair. A dashing man, made even more dashing by the sight of two beautiful young ladies on his arm, one a blond English rose, and the other a dark Asian beauty, as he escorted them to the cinema and restaurants.

Young men turned, and watched the sight of the laughing trio, as they passed. Each would gladly have swapped places with the elderly man, just to get close to two such glorious women.

The Commodore had allowed Jade to splurge a little of her money on new clothes and cosmetics, for both herself and Rani. He stood patiently outside the shops, watching them cavorting inside, as they tried on numerous costumes. It would have been more comfortable for him inside, out of the weather, but the thought of him trespassing on the female domain was too much for him to contemplate.

Finally, the examination results were published.

Shrieks of joy erupted from the girls as they realised that they had achieved their goals. They hugged one another, and the Commodore, in their excitement.

‘Well!’ said the Commodore. ‘It looks as though I’ll have to book a table at the most exclusive restaurant I can find,’ he said proudly. ‘And if you both behave yourselves I may even allow you both a glass of champagne, or two, to celebrate.’

The evening was delightful.

With the Commodore’s witty banter brightening up the candle-lit table, the excellent food, and glasses of bubbling champagne tickling their noses, the girls giggled their way through the food.

A small band played, and the Commodore took turns dancing the girls around the small dance floor. It was the first time the girls had danced in public, and they enjoyed the attention they drew from the other diners. It was so vastly different from the cloistered school dances, shared with spotty faced boys from a neighbouring school.

However, Jade noticed that Rani became more withdrawn as the evening progressed. She knew immediately what was on her friend’s mind, and took Rani by the hand. ‘You don’t have to go back to India if you don’t want to,’ she said.

Rani returned her look. ‘What do you mean?’

‘What would happen if you just ... didn’t go home?’

‘My parents would be very upset.’

‘What if you told them that you were going to university?’

‘They wouldn’t support me. I’d have to go home.’

‘What if you did have the money?’

Rani could see where the conversation was going, and knew she could not accept Jade’s help. ‘I know what you’re about to say, Jade, but I will not accept any money from you — I’m not a charity case. There are far more deserving cases than myself.’

‘Don’t be silly. You are by far the most deserving case that I know. Besides which, I have no intention of forcing my money on you. However, I have discussed my finances with the Commodore, and he has agreed that you are a very suitable investment opportunity.’

‘You certainly are,’ agreed the Commodore.

‘So,’ Jade continued, ‘I have decided to invest in your future. I am going to make sufficient funds available to you, to allow you to do your studies. In return you will pay me back at a suitable interest rate, when you are fully employed.’

‘But ... that will be years away.’

‘I’m prepared to wait. In the meantime, I’ll be able to get free medical treatment from my very own, fully paid-for, doctor,’ said Jade with a grin. ‘Do you accept my offer?’

‘But what about my parents?’

‘Perhaps I can be of assistance there,’ offered the Commodore, ‘I think they should receive a well-turned letter from me, pointing out that children are not for sale in these enlightened times. Plus, I will point out that if they were to try to force you to come home, a few pertinent letters in the letters section of The Times might be of great embarrassment to them.’

‘Do you think it would work?’

‘They won’t be happy about it, but what can they do — send someone to kidnap you?’

‘I wouldn’t put it past them.’

‘Do you want to give it a try?’ asked Jade.

‘I insist on a formal agreement. I don’t want it said that I tried to cheat you.’

‘Of course. I’ll have my solicitors make a contract.’

‘Are you sure? Do you realise how much this will cost?’

‘Rani, do you realise just how obscenely rich I am? Tell her, Commodore, because I don’t even know,’ Jade requested of her grandfather, keeping her calm gaze on Rani.

‘Rani, I can assure you that Jade can afford this indulgence,’ replied the Commodore, trying to keep a straight face.

Rani looked at the pair of them, their faces watching her expectantly in the candlelight, as she tried to come to terms with the possibility that her dreams might come true. At a loss for words, she just nodded in agreement.

‘Wonderful!’ Clapped the Commodore, ‘Now whose turn is it to dance with this old sea-dog?’

Groom and Son were contacted, and Walter drew up the necessary documents. Gerald Groom had deemed the matter to be of little importance, and turned it over to his son, who greeted the Commodore, and the two girls, before leading them into his small, cramped office.

‘You’ll have to excuse the office; I’m just one step above the cleaner around here at the moment.’

‘But not for long,’ said Jade, reading the signs of pure ambition in Walter’s manner.

‘We all seek something better,’ agreed Walter Groom ... with a grin.

The papers were signed, and witnessed, with Walter handing Rani a cheque. She took one look at the amount, and felt faint.

‘I can’t afford to repay this much money!’ she gasped.

‘Not at the moment, you can’t, but just wait until you have patients lined up to get in to see you,’ said Jade.

‘I wish I was as confident about this as you are.’

‘We all have confidence in you,’ agreed the Commodore. ‘Your school work proves you’re perfectly capable.’

Walter Groom arose from behind his desk. ‘How about if we all step outside this cupboard I call an office so we can all take a breath? In fact, I insist that you all accompany me to the tavern next-door for lunch.’

‘That sounds like an excellent idea,’ said the Commodore.

During the meal, Walter Groom assessed the young ladies before him. Both were beautiful in their own way, and both were attractive to him in other ways — Rani for her latent sexuality. The mixture of English and Indian blood producing an exotic young woman with a lush body, and eyes that drew one into their brown depths. Plus an intelligence that promised to match his own. She would definitely be a handful for any man. Jade, on the other hand, was not only beautiful, but already wealthy, with the potential to become even more so over the years.

As he considered the two, he decided that Jade would be the one to whom he would give further attention. A wife with money is always preferable to a wife without, no matter how sexy she was. With money, you can have sex whenever you want. Jade was definitely the best way to get ahead in this world.

Walter Groom leaned back in his chair, sipping delightedly at a whiskey, his decision made. Janice Green, with her good looks, and lots of lovely money, would definitely be worth pursuing as wifely material. Yes definitely, wifely material.