Page 58 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

‘Where are you going?’ Libby asked.

‘To a meeting in Bowbazar – Ghulam is hoping to speak.’

Libby’s heart lurched. ‘What kind of meeting?’

‘A discussion about what should happen to Bengal – and Calcutta – once the British go.’

‘Can I come?’

Fatima looked worried. ‘It might get rowdy.’

‘But you’re going to risk it,’ Libby pointed out. ‘Please let me go with you, Fatima? I’ll just keep quiet at the back; people won’t know I’m there.’

Fatima gave her a dry smile that reminded Libby of Ghulam. ‘From what my brother’s told me about you, I find it hard to believe you’ll sit like a mouse through a political meeting.’

Libby blushed. ‘Ghulam’s spoken about me then?’

Fatima nodded. ‘I think – against all his expectations – you’ve impressed him. And it takes a lot to impress Ghulam.’

Libby grinned. ‘Good. He impressed me too. I’ve never known a man quite like him with so much passion and single-mindedness to a cause.’

Fatima pushed her spectacles up the bridge of her nose and studied her.

‘My brother is very single-minded. I love him dearly but I accept that he puts his campaigns and beliefs before anything or anyone else. He’s always been like that and he won’t ever change.’

‘I admire that in him,’ said Libby.

‘But it has turned him into a man who doesn’t allow others to get close to him.’

Libby felt herself go hot. ‘Why are you telling me this?’

‘May I be frank, Libby?’

‘Of course.’

‘I have seen you with my brother and I think perhaps you have grown a little fond of him?’

Libby swallowed. ‘Is it so obvious?’

‘To me, yes. And I also know that he likes you – perhaps in other circumstances would allow a friendship to develop – but these are difficult and uncertain times. If you come with me to the meeting it must be as my friend and not because you want to see Ghulam. Don’t fall in love with him, Libby; you will only get your heart broken.’

Libby put her hands to her burning cheeks. She was mortified that Fatima had guessed her feelings for Ghulam so easily. Had the brother and sister also discussed Libby’s growing infatuation? She had to know.

‘Have you talked about me in this way with Ghulam?’

‘No,’ said Fatima, ‘I am just advising you in confidence – as one woman to another.’

Libby felt wretched. But Fatima only confirmed her own fears: that the time and place would never be right for her and Ghulam. He was not the kind of man to put his own feelings or desires before his politics, and that was part of why she was attracted to him. He had spent his whole life fighting for a free and socialist India. Affairs of the heart would always be secondary. Fatima was being frank to save Libby a lot of heartache, although she couldn’t help but wish she might be the one to change Ghulam.

‘Has Ghulam ever been close to another woman?’ Libby asked.

Fatima hesitated. ‘Once, yes. He has had many casual friendships with women over the years – mostly comrades in the party – but this woman was different.’

Libby swallowed. ‘In what way? Did he love her?’

‘Yes, very much. But they argued badly – she became a fighter with the Indian National Army and accused Ghulam of betraying India. You can imagine how much that hurt him.’

‘How cruel of her,’ Libby said indignantly.