Читать книгу Watching - Jeff Edwards - Страница 8

While the guns of The Great War — The War to End All Wars — was turning the fields of France and Belgium into stinking piles of rotting flesh, a much quieter, and even genteel way of life existed on the other side of the world.

This was the world that Janice Patricia Green, the only child of John Thomas Green and Ann Elizabeth Green, a handsome English couple residing in the British quarter of Shanghai, came to know as home.

John, the latest of many generations of diplomats, was the son of Sir Robert and Lady Green, who was currently England’s Ambassador to Italy.

Ann Green, Janice’s mother, was the only child of Captain Aubrey Taylor R.N. and June Taylor. The Captain was currently on active duty in European waters, while his wife tended their home on the coast of England. There, she constantly looked out to sea, praying, and awaiting her husband’s safe return.

Due to the fact that her father had been assigned to numerous overseas postings, Ann Green had spent little time with her parents. Almost all of her early life had been spent in the bosom of the ladies who operated the Staunton College for Young Ladies. A school whose primary aim was to teach its students those skills necessary to become the successful wife of a man of substance.

This school had no time or space in their curriculum for the personal nurturing of its students. Love was expected to be provided by the student’s family, if and when she saw them, and certainly not by the school’s staff. Self-esteem was found, or not, by the student, as a matter of luck. Consequently, a graduate of the Staunton College for Young Ladies was fully equipped to masterfully manage the running of a household, yet making it a loving household was also a matter of luck.

The marriage of John Green and Ann Taylor was generally agreed to be a positive thing for the career of John, as he followed in his father’s footsteps in the Foreign Office. The pair made a handsome couple, with John’s height and wavy brown hair and Ann her dignified beauty and soft blond hair, as they left on their honeymoon. It was a foregone conclusion that, together, they would travel from posting to ever more important posting, throughout the world. Moreover, true to expectations, John’s initial minor position in Greece had been carried out with aplomb, resulting in his elevation to the position of Under Secretary to the Commercial Attache in China.

The birth of Janice Green had taken place in their residence in Shanghai, and was officiated at by an English-speaking doctor, of Indian descent, from the local European hospital, assisted by several Chinese midwives.

It had proven to be an extremely difficult birth resulting in thirty-six hours of agony for Ann, a fact that Ann, in later years, was never loath to mention to her daughter, whenever that child did something of which her mother disapproved.

The entire experience had been so traumatic for Ann that she swore to herself, and had made abundantly clear to her husband, that she would never allow herself to become pregnant again, especially if it meant being ministered to by a group of ‘heathens’. Ann became adamant that further children could wait until they were posted to England, or, at the very least, to a civilized country. Consequently, to his annoyance, John was relegated to the guest bedroom, while Ann remained in the master bedroom.

Janice was born with her mother’s blond hair, and the startlingly green eyes of her father’s mother. The baby’s green eyes were a curiosity to the oriental staff, who insisted on constantly touching the baby, ‘for luck’.

This intense curiosity from her ‘pagan’ staff further upset Ann greatly. She felt that her hours of agony had resulted in her having given birth to some sort of freak, and after a time grew to hate the baby. It’s constant crying was a drain on her energy, and the thought of taking the child to breast brought on a feeling of such loathing that she refused have it anywhere near her. ‘Get it away from me. Feed it a bottle!’ demanded the furious mother.

At a complete loss as to what to do, John called for the doctor, while the female servants shook their heads and sighed at the stupidity of these European fools. The cook took matters into her own hands and sent one of the gardeners off with a message for one of her relatives.

Within an hour a wet-nurse was found, baby Janice was put to breast, while Ann was left to recover her composure, leaving all the obligatory problems to her servants.

Ann was relieved to be rid of the child, leaving its upbringing to the staff, and devoted herself to managing the household, acting only as supervisor and chief critic in her daughter’s rearing.

Her father, on the other hand, was delighted with his new bundle of joy, whose green eyes were an absolute delight to him. He immediately began calling her Jade and bought a small pendant of that stone to hang around her neck.

Ann was aghast, and refused to call her anything but Janice.

The staff however, opted for her father’s approach, and called her ‘Missy Jade’. Ann saw this as a direct slight to her command of the household though, and after many tirades the staff were forced to refer to the child as ‘Missy Janice’ whilst in her mother’s presence, but reverted quickly to ‘Missy Jade’ when Ann was not around.

John, trying to assert a modicum of authority under his own roof, paid no heed to Ann’s wishes, and called the child Jade at all times.

The wet-nurse that had been found was the cook’s niece, an intelligent young woman by the name of Yee-Ling. Yee-Ling’s husband, a schoolteacher, had died of influenza when she was four months pregnant with her first child, and grief had hit her badly. She ate little, and her weakened body, as well as her tortured soul, produced a further tragedy of the stillbirth of her child.

Yee-Ling was just eighteen years of age, standing just a little over five feet in height, with lustrous black hair that reached to her waist and the high cheekbones of a true oriental beauty.

Fortunately, the position as wet-nurse saved the girl from a slow death due to grief, and meant that Yee-Ling could concentrate all her energies on raising Jade as a substitute for her own child, which she did with a single-minded determination that almost bordered on mania.

Nothing on this earth was going to take her new child away from her ...

* * *

For convenience, Yee-Ling was given a room next to Jade’s nursery, and Jade’s earliest memory was of a savage night of storms, with thunder and lightening erupting around the house. Scared, clutching her favourite stuffed animal, Jade had jumped out of bed and ran to the room next-door. Climbing into Yee-Ling’s bed, Jade was overcome with the feeling of warmth and safety experienced there.

Yee-Ling had crooned softly to her in Chinese, stroking her hair, making her feel better until finally, she had fallen asleep once more. The following morning she had been disappointed to awake and find herself back in her own bed.

As Jade grew older, she began to sense the undercurrents of unhappiness within her family.

The older girls at school whispered about what their parents did in their bedrooms at night. Hinting at some very mysterious occurrences, she came to realise that her parents sleeping in separate rooms was not how the other parents lived. It seemed to explain why her parents never seemed to smile as much as other parents she had met.

Her mother remained prim and proper, going about her household duties in the most precise, and impersonal, manner. It was the same manner that she adopted in her dealings with her husband, and Jade. No matter how hard Jade tried to gain her mother’s approval, she never achieved more than the indifferent nod of the head if she did something worthy, and was always chastised at length for even the most trivial offence.

Jade gravitated more and more toward her father and Yee-Ling, who were far more generous in their affections and welcomed her presence. They were the ones who played with her, and showed their delight when Jade was able to produce a painting or bake an apple pie for their supper.

She also began to notice the way in which Father regarded her mother. Knowing it was useless to try to argue with her, he agreed with Ann’s wishes on almost all occasions. Like Jade, he sought to break down the barriers between them, but without success. As a result of the intolerable situation, he began to seek solace in drink.

Jade noticed that he often came home late, and then spent a great deal of time working in his study, with papers spread across the desk before him, and a large glass of liquid near at hand — a glass that was rarely empty.

Having raised Jade through her early childhood, Yee-Ling continued to be the person who had the closest links to Jade, with her father a close second. With the position of wet-nurse no longer required, she remained in the household, helping the cook and the maid in her spare time and while Jade was at school, but on her return, in the early afternoon, Yee-Ling was the one who helped her with her homework, and would feed and wash her, ready for bed. If Jade was to visit friends, Yee-Ling accompanied her, and brought her home afterwards.

When her father arrived home, if it was early enough, he would sometimes spend some time with Jade, helping her with her studies, nodding with approval at Jade’s accomplishments. She had proved to be a natural student, absorbing information like a sponge. Jade loved to stand before her father, and Yee-Ling, reading from her books, and demonstrating her abilities to conquer even the most complex spellings.

It was while she was reading to the two of them that she noticed something unusual. Her father and Yee-Ling were sitting side by side on her bed, as she read to them from her latest book. Both were giving her their full attention, when they noticed that their thighs had come into contact. Each sprang aside, and Yee-Ling blushed deeply.

‘Please excuse me,’ said Yee-Ling, as she rose and left the room.

Jade wondered what had caused such a strange reaction to such a simple event, but promptly forgot about it as she continued to read to her father. However, her father did not appear to be listening.

It was not the last time that she noticed Yee-Ling blush while in the presence of her father. Jade became aware that her father’s eyes often followed Yee-Ling as she moved about the room.

Several weeks later, a fierce storm lashed the house.

Jade awoke, and lay listening to the thunder rolling across the sky. She was not afraid of storms any more. After all, she was now at school, and a young lady, however, the thought of Yee-Ling’s warm embrace, and soft, gentle singing, was enticing. Climbing from bed, she went to Yee-Ling’s room, and whispered, ‘Yee-Ling, may I sleep with you?’

‘Of course you can, little one,’ she responded as she opened her arms to the young girl.

Snuggling close, Jade felt warm and safe, as Yee-Ling began to sing. Just then, the door opened, and her father stood in the doorway. Dressed in a dressing gown, he had been about to go to bed when he thought to look in on his daughter. He swayed slightly, and Jade could see that he had been drinking.

‘I was just checking on Jade, and found her room empty.’

‘She is here with me, Mr John. Safe and well.’

‘Good. Good. But it is best if she were in her own bed. She’s getting to be too old to be creeping to your bed for comfort.

Please take her back to her room, and then return here. I wish to talk to you.’

‘Of course, Mr John,’ replied Yee-Ling, as she arose and took Jade by the hand. She led Jade back to her bedroom, and tucked her in, with a kiss on the forehead.

Jade asked, ‘What does Daddy want to talk to you about? Have I done anything wrong?’

‘No, little one, you have done nothing wrong. I’m sure it is nothing.’

Not convinced, Jade was worried. Perhaps Daddy was cross with Yee-Ling for letting Jade sleep in her bed. Worried, Jade climbed back out of bed a few minutes later and quietly opened her bedroom door. Silently, she made her way to Yee-Ling’s door, and opened it a crack so that she could look in.

Jade’s heart pounded loudly with excitement. She did not know what to expect. Perhaps her father was going to beat Yee-Ling for some error, and, if so, Jade was determined to try to stop him.

As Jade looked in, she saw Yee-Ling standing before her father, head bowed, as John Taylor spoke to her.

‘I wanted to thank you for all the help you’ve been in raising Jade. You’ve done a wonderful job,’ he said as he laid a hand on Yee-Ling’s shoulder. ‘However, my wife has decided that Jade should attend her school, in England. Ann wants her to receive a proper English education.’

Jade’s breath caught in her throat. Her mother wanted to send her away? No! Never! They couldn’t allow it to happen.

Yee-Ling gasped. ‘Oh, Mr John. No! I could not bear to be parted from my Jade.’

‘I’m afraid it must be done. I’ll be devastated to lose her as well, but it’s for her own good.’

Yee-Ling looked up at Father. Tears coursed down her cheeks, and a look of utter dread was on her face. John Taylor touched her cheek, brushing away a tear. ‘Please don’t cry. It will be just as bad for me. Jade is the only thing around here that makes life worth living.’ He stepped closer to her, and placed his arms around her, hugging her to him.

‘What will we do without her?’ moaned Yee-Ling. ‘She is my child!’

‘I know how much she means to you. It has taken me all evening to get up the nerve to come and tell you. Please don’t cry.’

‘I must cry. I am losing yet another child.’

Jade stood at the door. She too was crying. She wanted to rush into the room and hold her friend and father, but was afraid to do so.

John Taylor gently pushed Yee-Ling away from him and regarded her tearful face. The anguish written on it was evident. It was just how he, too, was feeling. He bent toward her and began to wipe away the tears. Yee-Ling responded by turning her face, and kissing his gentle hands. Unable to stop himself, John leaned down to Yee-Ling and covered her cheeks and then her eyes and forehead with kisses, trying to comfort her, and to find comfort for his own sorrow.

With a sigh, Yee-Ling leaned her face back, so that his kisses now found her mouth, where they lingered.

The kisses of comfort now transformed to ones of ardour, and were returned by Yee-Ling, as her hands pressed against the silk of his dressing gown. His hands responded, cupping her face, as he drew her into a deep embrace, before sliding down her front to encircle the taut nipples beneath her thin nightgown.

Yee-Ling reached up to his hand, taking it from her breast, she kissed it, and pulled away from him, leading him by the hand, toward the bed. She pushed him backward onto the bed, and reached down to untie his dressing gown, pushing it apart, and untying the pyjama bottom beneath.

Standing back, she raised her silk nightdress and climbed onto the bed, lowering herself onto John Taylor. They both gave a groan of pleasure as their bodies merged.

Jade stood mesmerised by the scene. She did not understand what was happening, but realised that both her father and Yee-Ling were enjoying the experience. She felt happy for them both, but was still worried about her being sent away.

She heard her father give a cry, and was alarmed that he had been hurt. Yee-Ling gave a heavy sigh as well, and she collapsed on top of Jade’s father. His arms drew her to him, and they kissed deeply.

Jade relaxed as she realised that neither of them were hurt.

‘Please don’t send Jade away from me,’ whispered Yee-Ling.

‘I’ll do what I can,’ promised Father as he kissed at her throat.

Jade was much relieved — she was not going away. Much happier, Jade closed the door and returned to her room.

The matter of Jade’s future schooling, became a hard fought battle of wills between her parents, and the victory to her father caused a further deepening of the rift between her parents.

Ann was shocked that John had the temerity to oppose her plans. She had become used to having her every wish obeyed, and the resistance John expressed to her proposal was quite out of character for him. Eventually, John’s position as ‘the man of the house’ held sway and Jade was allowed to stay at the local school, with her friends.

Soon after, Jade began to notice the changes.

Her father was much happier. He didn’t stay out as late at night, and he seemed to be drinking less. It was difficult to tell with Yee-Ling, as she had always been able to hide her emotions from Jade. However, Jade caught Yee-Ling crooning softly to herself at odd times. She also caught her father and Yee-Ling exchanging glances when they thought no one was looking. It would have been unnoticeable to anyone that did not know, but Jade did, and enjoyed their secret, knowing that she, unknown to them, shared it as well.

Of an evening, Jade forced herself to remain awake, lying in bed, and waiting to hear whispered voices from the room next-door. As soon as she heard the voices, she would creep to Yee-Ling’s door, eager to watch the lovers; to see, and hear their joy. It filled her with an excitement that she did not understand ... and a strange, heady joy as well.

One evening, as Jade watched from her usual place at the doorway, a hand was placed on her shoulder, causing her to gasp in fright. ‘Why aren’t you in bed?’ asked her mother.

Jade spun around, blushing deeply. ‘I-I was just going t-to ask Yee-Ling for a drink of water,’ she stammered.

‘Go to your bed, immediately, Janice.’

‘Yes, Mother,’ whispered Jade, as she moved toward her bedroom door, hoping that her mother would not hear the noise coming from Yee-Ling’s room.

Her mother had not moved, and appeared to be waiting to make sure that Jade obeyed her, before returning to her own room. Quickly Jade entered her room, and closed her door, remaining just inside to hear what was happening. Jade had hoped that her mother would move on, but unfortunately, a sound had attracted Ann Taylor’s attention.

From within her room Jade heard the door of Yee-Ling’s door open, and her mother’s scream of rage. Jade did not know what to do. She opened her door, and looked out.

Her mother saw her, a look of thunderous anger upon her face, and screamed, ‘Return to your bed immediately, Janice!’

Shaken, Jade did as she was ordered, laying in her bed and listening to her mother’s ranting screams, her father’s apologetic voice trying to calm her down, and Yee-Ling’s distraught crying. It went on for what, to Jade, seemed to be hours and hours.

Eventually she fell asleep, with the voices still ringing in her ears.

Jade awoke the next morning to a new world.

There was no Yee-Ling to waken her, and set out her clothes.

There was no Yee-Ling to make breakfast for her.

There was no Yee-Ling. Her room was empty. She was gone.

She found her father, dark rings under his eyes, preparing to leave for work. Jade grabbed the arm of his coat and asked, ‘Where is Yee-Ling?’

John Taylor looked down at his daughter, a distraught look on his face. ‘She’s gone Jade, and won’t be back. I’m so sorry.’ Tears welled in his eyes, and he turned away quickly.

Jade watched him go, tears flooding down her cheeks, and her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her. Lost, she wandered into the dining room, where her mother sat in stony silence, sipping delicately at a cup of tea.

Looking up, her mother saw Jade’s tears. ‘Sit down, Janice and wipe your eyes. Eat your breakfast.’

Obeying, Jade sat opposite her mother, all thought of food gone. ‘I’m not hungry, Mother.’

‘Don’t be silly. Eat your breakfast.’

Jade nibbled at the corner of a piece of toast, pretending to eat.

‘You’ll be leaving for England, just as soon as passage can be arranged for you. I’ve made arrangements for you to attend my former school. It will be the making of you.’

‘But I don’t want to go,’ whispered Jade.

‘Don’t argue. You are far too young to know what you want. You will do as you are told.’

A fresh flood of tears coursed down Jade’s cheeks.

‘Tears will not do you any good, Janice. You will be leaving. That’s the end of it. Now get ready for school.’

‘But what about Yee-Ling?’

Ann Taylor’s voice turned to ice. ‘You will never mention that person’s name again. Do you understand?’

Jade felt the suppressed rage of her mother and nodded dumbly. She knew that she would never see Yee-Ling again, and what was worse, she would never know what happened to her.

A month later, Jade, accompanied by her mother, boarded a liner headed into exile on the other side of the earth.