Page 144 of The Sapphire Child
Stella got down to typing up the major’s notes while the young men played chess and looked distractedly out of the window. The mist cleared, but rain came on and drummed on the tin roof, making it impossible to have a conversation. When it finally eased, the major said, ‘I want to go and see the felling contractor at the next village. Does anyone want to come with me?’
‘Yes, I will,’ said John, eager to get out.
‘How far is Tiger Fall?’ Andrew asked.
‘Half an hour’s ride,’ said Maclagan. ‘You could easily do it and be back for tea. Take one of the local syces to show you the way.’
‘Stella.’ Andrew turned to her. ‘Do you want a swim?’
Her interest quickened, but she looked to her boss. ‘Do you need me, sir, or can I go swimming?’
‘Of course you must go,’ said Maclagan. ‘If anyone deserves an afternoon off it’s you, lassie.’
Stella could hardly contain her excitement as she and Andrew set off on ponies behind a local hillsman riding a mule that was carrying their swimming towels and a tiffin basket of provisions. Wisps of mist hung in the trees like giant cobwebs and the branches overhead dripped onto them, soaking their shirts and topees. But it was warm and by the time they had reached the ravine, the sun was breaking through.
They dismounted and stepped towards where the syce was pointing across large boulders that were steaming in the sudden sunshine. Stella could see a stream bubbling and frothing between the rocks and a vertical cliff towering above that was festooned in creepers and overhanging bushes of vivid green hues. They could hear the waterfall thundering nearby but couldn’t see it.
Andrew held out his hand. ‘It looks slippy.’
Stella took his hand and they scrambled over the rocks. They rounded a stony outcrop and abruptly the ravine opened into a sheltered grotto of ferns and foliage. A wall of water cascaded down the cliff face and drummed into a large pool of grey-green water.
Andrew gave a whoop of delight and pulled Stella onto a sunny ledge of beige rock. At once, he stripped off down to his underpants and plunged in. He came up bellowing at the cold and flicking water from his hair.
‘Come on, Dubois, it’s wonderful!’
Stella laughed. With a pang, it reminded her of the times they had swum together in Kashmir, diving off the baroness’s shikara into the Dal Lake. She swiftly undressed – she’d put on her costume under her clothes at the bungalow – and jumped in after him.
‘Oh, it’s freezing!’ she shrieked, splashing about.
Andrew swam towards the waterfall and dived through the spray, leaping out of the water and disappearing under again. Stella climbed out and sat on the sunny ledge watching him. Although the water had come up to her chest, when Andrew stood it hardly came beyond his waist. She couldn’t help noticing the dark hairs on his broad chest and navel and the tautness of his muscled arms. He was wearing something around his neck that looked like a small ivory head.
He caught her staring.
‘I was wondering what you had round your neck?’ she said, blushing.
‘It’s Ganesh.’ He fingered the head. ‘A good luck charm from Dawan – belonged to his father. It’s to keep me safe.’
‘I’m glad to see it’s working,’ said Stella.
He looked askance at her and then grinned. ‘Why have you got out so soon? You used to tease me about not staying in long enough.’
‘I’ve grown soft in Delhi.’
He swam over to her. ‘Oh, have you now? Well, there’s only one remedy.’
‘Which is?’
And without warning he grabbed her round the waist and pulled her into the pool.
Stella gasped and grabbed at him to stop herself pitching backwards. They both went under. Stella came up spluttering and coughing, her hair steaked across her face. Andrew was laughing. She splashed at him. He dived off and she went after him, throwing water in his face whenever he stopped to look round. They continued their water fight until she was breathless and panting.
‘Stop,’ she cried.
‘Does that mean I win?’ he asked, a wide smile across his tanned face.
‘Maybe.’
He stood over her. ‘I’ve waited a long time to hear an admission of defeat from Stella Dubois.’
