Page 41 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

‘Thank you, I’d like that very much,’ Libby said, touched by their warmth. ‘I hope you’ll all come to my party. My aunt and uncle are insisting on hosting one.’

The Dunlops seemed overwhelmed. Flowers answered for them. ‘We’d love to!’

‘It’ll be a chance to pay back some hospitality before I leave Calcutta,’ said Libby. ‘Everyone’s been so kind and generous. And you will get to meet my father.’

‘Our fathers could talk about Shillong together, couldn’t they?’ Flowers smiled. ‘That would be the next best thing to visiting, wouldn’t it, Dad?’

But this seemed to upset Danny. ‘How I wish I could travel back with you as far as Shillong – go and see my old school – just one last time.’

In alarm, Libby saw the man’s eyes welling with tears. Perhaps her coming here and stirring up old memories had not been a good idea after all.

Suddenly Flowers put a hand on Libby’s arm and said, ‘Perhaps I could travel with you as far as Shillong? Then I could visit Dad’s old school for him – see if there’s any information on our family.’

‘What a splendid idea!’ MrDunlop said.

Libby was taken aback. She was looking forward to travelling with her father and having him to herself. She’d even daydreamed that George might travel up and join them to see Assam for himself; Flowers didn’t fit into that plan. ‘But your work – wouldn’t it be difficult taking holiday at such short notice?’

‘I’m due some leave – I never take time off. But if you’d rather I didn’t come with you ...’

‘No, I didn’t mean that,’ said Libby hastily, feeling guilty at her selfish thoughts. ‘It would be fun to have you with us.’

‘And you could visit Adela’s mother at Belgooree,’ Flower’s father suggested. ‘That’s not far from Shillong. Adela was always inviting you.’

‘I wasn’t thinking of going further than Shillong,’ said Flowers.

‘I’m sure Clarrie Robson would like that,’ said Libby. ‘If you can get more than a few days off, then you must spend some time with us in Assam.’

‘What about your father?’ Flowers asked.

‘He’s probably wondering how on earth he’s going to keep me occupied while he’s at work.’

Flowers’s pretty face lit up. ‘Then I’d love to.’

‘Good,’ Libby said. ‘I’ll write to him and tell him.’

Leaving the flat, Libby wondered why she had encouraged the impromptu idea. She didn’t know Flowers well and had no idea how her father would really react to having her to stay.

Flowers accompanied her out of the building. At the entrance she stopped Libby with a hand on her arm again. ‘Sorry about inviting myself along with you. We don’t have to do it. I just thought it might keep Dad happy to say I’d look into his family background. This whole Independence thing – he and Mum never used to argue about anything but they can’t agree on the future. None of us really knows what to do or think – least of all me.’

Libby felt a stab of sympathy and was ashamed at her reluctance to have Flowers go along with her to Shillong.

‘Of course we must do it. I’ll arrange it with Dad.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Thanks.’ Flowers gave her a cautious smile. She kept her hand on Libby’s arm. ‘There’s one other thing I wanted to say while we’re alone. It’s about George.’

Libby’s insides tensed. ‘Oh?’

‘I think you have feelings for him. Am I right?’

Libby reddened. ‘Why are you asking? Do you feel the same?’

Flowers’s dark eyes widened. ‘Me?’ She gave an embarrassed laugh. ‘George is very attractive and good fun, but I don’t think of him as a suitor.’

Libby felt a wave of relief. ‘Oh, I thought perhaps you did.’