LEILA WAS dressed and ready, so unlike Jean whom he had always found in her underwear. She had chosen a long close-fitting white dress that showed off the shapeliness of her figure – indeed gave it a touch of voluptuousness – and accentuated the blackness of her hair; as did the one white flower in it, a child-like touch that caused him to remember Miss Leithbridge’s charge of cunning. She was quite stunning. If there were any friends of Jean’s in the restaurant their resentment at him and their sympathy for Jean must be muted by involuntary admiration. A favourite saying of his mother’s was: what have I done to deserve this? Only she said it if some misfortune had befallen her. He was saying it now, to himself; but it was because of his inexplicable good luck. His mother also said, if she had been fortunate: ‘You’ll see, I’ll have to pay for this.’ He felt that he too would have to pay for it, though what form the penalty or penance might take he had no idea.
Her father was in the house, she said. He was reading a story to his grandchild.
‘He wants to meet you, Andrew.’ She took his hands and gazed at him. ‘You’re looking very handsome.’
‘And you’re looking beautiful.’ His voice was a little hoarse.
She let go one of his hands and held on to the other to lead him to her daughter’s bedroom. They must have looked like an engaged couple. He wondered if that was her intention.
Her father, small and grey-bearded, finished the story – it was in English – closed the book, kissed the little girl on the brow, and stood up to meet Sandilands.
‘Father, this is Andrew Sandilands.’
They shook hands.
‘I have heard of you, Mr Sandilands, from your students. They are full of praise. What is it they say above all? You do not condescend.’
‘Well, sir, we Scots consider ourselves the most democratic nation on earth.’
‘If you, Mr Sandilands, and my dear late wife are examples then your boast is justified. Leila’s mother was born in Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. She was as gracious to the peasant in his hovel as to the prince in his palace.’
Well, thought Sandilands, so would I be. What, though, of that absurd colour prejudice? Mrs Abad could not have had it, but then her father had been a doctor most of whose patients had been Malays, whereas Andrew’s mother had from his infancy filled him with prejudices, most of them out of the Bible, the kind so hard to get rid of. He hated colour prejudice and knew all the arguments against it and yet he suffered from it. So did all mankind, but that was no excuse. Surely Leila could cure him.
The little girl in the bed was gazing steadily at him. She did not frown but she did not smile either. She had still to make up her mind about him.
Lacking natural ease towards small children, but knowing that he must gain her approval, if not her affection, he went over. ‘Hello, Christina. Do you remember me?’
She nodded.
‘Do you like to listen to stories?’
Still impassive, she nodded again. Perhaps a little distrust had come into her eyes.
‘I’d like to read you a story. What kind do you like best?’
‘About bicycles.’
He couldn’t help laughing. It was the wrong thing to do.
She frowned. ‘I’ve got a bicycle. It’s red and white. It can go fast.’
‘I hope you’re very careful when riding it.’
‘I always put my hand out when I’m going to turn.’ She demonstrated.
‘That’s good.’
‘And I always ring my bell when there’s anybody in front of me.’
Her mother then rescued him. ‘That’s enough, darling. Mr Sandilands and I have to go. Perhaps Grandfather will read you another story.’
Grandfather still had the book in his hand.
Leila kissed her daughter. Sandilands did not. He could not trust himself to make it look natural. Besides, the little girl did not look as if she wanted him to kiss her.
They went out.
‘Has she ever been to Scotland?’ he asked.
‘No. Neither have I.’
He was surprised.
‘My mother died when I was three. I have never met her people.’
‘I’d like to take you there.’
‘Then I could meet your parents.’
‘Yes.’ His father would make her welcome but his mother was more likely to rebuff and insult her. He could not hide his disquiet.
Leila noticed but said nothing.