Page 84 of The Pearl Sister
‘Charlie has shown me the town,’ Drummond said, setting him onto his feet. Kitty noticed her son’s face was filthy from chocolate and ice cream and God knew what else.
‘I did, Mama, and everyone thought he was Papa! He lookum the same!’
‘He doeslookthe same, yes, Charlie.’
‘We fooled a few people, didn’t we, Charlie?’ Drummond laughed as he set about wiping the child’s dirty mouth.
‘We did, Uncle Drum.’
‘We might well be receiving some house calls from confused neighbours who believe that your husband has returned early from his travels. Personally, I can hardly wait.’ Drummond winked at Kitty.
Sure enough, in the days that followed, there was a stream of townsfolk beating a path to her door. Each time, Drummond greeted them politely, behaving like the perfect host. He was far more ebullient than his brother, joking with them gently about their mistake and charming all who met him. The end result was a flood of dinner invitations arriving through the letter box.
‘Yet another one,’ Kitty said as she opened it. ‘And it’s from the Jeffords! Truly, Drummond, we must refuse them all.’
‘Why? Am I not your brother-in-law? Let alone Charlie’s uncle and my father’s son? Have I not been invited here at the specific request of my twin brother?’
‘You said only recently that a snakebite was less deadly than the viper tongue of a female neighbour. You will see such an event as sport, and however dull you may find our “colonial middle-class” acquaintances, I do not wish you to offend them,’ Kitty retorted.
‘I told you that I was drunk that evening. I remember nothing,’ he called after her as she stalked along the hallway and into the drawing room.
‘What the matter, Missus Kitty? You lookum sad.’ Feather duster in hand, Camira surveyed her.
‘Nothing, I think I must be tired.’
‘Mister Drum upset you?’
‘No.’ Kitty sighed. ‘It’s too complicated to explain.’
‘He likem light in sky; Mister Andrew dark, likem earth. Both good, jus’ different.’
Kitty thought how accurate Camira’s assessment of the twins was.
‘Charlie likem him, me an’ Fred likem him. He good here now for us.’
But not for me . . .
‘Yes, it is good he is here. And you’re right, Charlie seems to adore him.’
‘Mister Drum makem the life better for you, Missus Kitty. He funny fella.’
Kitty stood up. ‘I think I’ll take a nap, Camira. Could you mind Charlie while I do?’
Camira studied her suspiciously. ‘Yessum. I in charge of little fella.’
Kitty went to lie down and wondered if she was sick. She certainly felt feverish and, despite her best intentions, the mere thought of Drummond’s presence only a few feet away through a paper-thin wall had set her senses on fire. He hadn’t said a single intimate word to her since the first night, and he’d confessed to being drunk then anyway . . .
Kitty rolled over to try to get comfortable and allow her tired mind some rest. Perhaps he really was here out of best intentions: minding his sister-in-law as his brother had asked him to do.
* * *
IN SINGAPORE STOP HEAR DRUMMOND WITH YOU STOP GLAD YOU ARE NOT ALONE STOP BUSINESS GOING WELL STOP LOVE TO YOU AND CHARLIE STOP ANDREW STOP
Kitty read the telegram over breakfast and groaned. Even her husband seemed to think it was wonderful that Drummond was staying with them. And so far, her guest was making no move to leave. Eventually, she’d had no choice but to accept some of the dinner invitations and, subsequently, they’d been out to dinner three times in the past week. Much to her surprise, Drummond had behaved impeccably on each occasion, charming the wives and telling swashbuckling stories to their husbands of his life in the Outback. And, most importantly, staying sober throughout the entire evening.
‘Docome again to visit!’ Mrs Jefford had tittered as Drummond had kissed her hand as they had said their goodbyes. ‘Perhaps Sunday luncheon next week?’
‘Thank you, Mrs Jefford, I will let you know if we’re free, as soon as I’ve consulted my diary,’ Kitty had replied politely.
