Watching. Jeff Edwards

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СКАЧАТЬ herself warming to her roommate. Rani’s smile, and couldn’t-care-less attitude, appealed to her. ‘I don’t think they’ll like me very much either. I’m not sure I know how to be English.’

      ‘What do you mean?’

      ‘I only arrived in England yesterday. I’ve never been here before.’

      ‘You’re not English?’

      ‘I don’t know what I am. My parents are English, but I was born in Shanghai.’

      Rani laughed. ‘You’re the funniest looking Chinaman I’ve ever seen.’

      Jade laughed too. ‘And you’re the funniest looking Smith that I’ve ever seen.’

      The two girls broke up in fits of giggles, and they each knew that this was the beginning of a true friendship.

      Jade’s life at the Staunton College for Young Ladies quickly settled down to one of predictable boredom. The same routine day after day; the same meals on the same days each week. At least there were new things to learn, which helped somewhat.

      The educational standards were maintained at a reasonably high, if narrow, level. Families who sent their daughters there expected their child to be able to mingle in the highest levels of society. They were schooled to be able to hold their own in a conversation with a foreign ambassador, or visiting dignitary. To this end, history, literature, languages and art were taught, along with the more diplomatic and housewifely etiquette, dancing, riding, and home sciences.

      Rani hated most of it, but hid her disdain, pretending to be enthusiastic. She had asked Jade what her aim was in life, and been surprised that Jade had no idea at all of what lay in the future. ‘I’m too young to worry about what’s going to happen in ten years time,’ she said. Rani, on the other hand, knew exactly where her life was heading, and it certainly wasn’t in the direction that her parents envisioned.

      ‘My parents have sent me here to become someone’s perfect wife. I’m to be the prize that seals some important business deal.’

      ‘That’s horrible.’

      ‘Don’t worry; I’ve got my own plans. When I get out of here, I’m going to university, and then medical school. I’m going to be a doctor, a specialist for women, and then I’m going home to help out the women of India.’

      ‘Will you be able to get into medical school? Do they take many women?’

      ‘They will if they want some of my father’s money,’ laughed Rani.

      Jade and Rani became inseparable friends. Rani was the student of serious subjects like history, English and science; while Jade loved the creative subjects, like drama and art appreciation. They helped one another out, impressing their teachers by the ease with which they passed their exams.

      Jade found her holidays with her grandparents to be great fun. They were a loving pair of individuals, who doted on their granddaughter. The Captain took to taking Jade around the local village, introducing her to everyone; showing off proudly.

      June Taylor took Jade shopping in the city, and spoilt her with gifts. Jade loved it all, and was always sorry to leave them at the end of their short times together.

      The long holidays were another matter altogether.

      First, was the long trip home by boat. Rani shared part of the trip as far as Bombay, but the last leg of the journey was spent alone in the company of a hired chaperone. Usually the chaperone was an older, unmarried woman with nothing but endless time on her hands, and, inevitably a great love of cough medicine, or flash of gin, which was surreptitiously and constantly consumed.

      On arrival in Shanghai, Jade would be greeted enthusiastically by her father, and distantly by her mother.

      Even the exceptional school reports from Jade’s teachers, were not enough to break through her mother’s indifference. To Ann, Jade had been sent to get her schooling in England expressly for that reason, and the results were merely confirmation that she had been correct in sending Jade away.

      Jade noticed that her father had begun drinking heavily again, and seemed to be staggering most evenings on his arrival home. It depressed Jade that she could not do anything to dispel her father’s misery. She avoided the house as much as possible, spending as much time as she could visiting with her former schoolmates.

      The return to school came as a relief — at least at school she was not surrounded by her parents’ total lack of joy.

      * * *

      The months and years passed quickly, as Jade and Rani found themselves learning and developing their individual characters, unfettered by parental influences.

      In later years, Jade’s time spent at the school later became defined in her mind, not by the years or school terms, but instead, into the periods in between summons to attend the headmistress’ office.

      The first time Jade was called, alone, to the office of Mrs McLean, was just after lunch, one summer day. It had been two years since her arrival at the school.

      Mrs McLean sat upright behind her desk as Jade entered, closing the door quietly behind her.

      ‘You wished to see me, Mrs McLean?’

      ‘Sit down, Janice.’

      As Jade sat down, Mrs McLean cleared her throat and began. ‘I have just received a telegram from your parents. They have also just received a telegram from your grandfather Sir Robert Green. It would appear that your grandmother Lady Green has just passed away, and as it is not possible for your parents to attend the funeral — they wish you to attend in their stead.’

      Mrs McLean rose. ‘I’m sorry for your loss, Janice.’

      Jade didn’t know what to say. ‘I never knew her ... I ... I have never met them.’

      ‘Really? Well I’ve arranged for Miss Wright to accompany you. The funeral is tomorrow. Be ready to leave after breakfast.’

      Rani expressed her sympathies to Jade as well, but, for her part, Jade felt nothing. To Jade, Lady Green had been a photograph on the shelf above her parents’ fireplace. There had been letters from her, read aloud to her by Father, but none had been addressed to Jade personally. The letters had simply told of general news from home, almost like having her father read the newspaper to her. There had been little in the letters to give a hint to the character of the author.

      The funeral was a suitably sombre affair. There were a few relatives present, but Jade knew none of them. She sat beside Mrs Wright, who held her hand for support, and studied the flower-bedecked coffin, wondering what the occupant of the casket looked like.

      Following the service, Jade was led forward by Miss Wright who introduced the child to her grandfather, Sir Robert Green.

      Sir Robert took Jade’s hand in his, and looked into her eyes. ‘You have the green eyes of your grandmother,’ he whispered.

      ‘Daddy calls me Jade, because of my eyes.’

      Sir Robert smiled. ‘Then I shall call you Jade as well. May I come and visit you occasionally?’

      ‘I’m СКАЧАТЬ