The Timor Man. Kerry B Collison

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СКАЧАТЬ admirer, for the rumours he created regarding the new tuan’s Dutch shaped head, incorrectly designating him as a descendant of the former colonial rulers.

      Achmad had suffered the embarrassment of their jokes until being requested through the driver pool manager, Sjaiful, to become the new Second Secretary’s permanent driver. He was ecstatic as this removed him from the uncertainty of not only his work hours but also provided him with the opportunity to deal only with a tuan who understood his language. He was so very pleased that evening when, having completed his ritualistic prayers, he prayed also for the health and good fortune of his new tuan who had come from that faraway country of weapons they threw into the sky called kangaroos and cuddly little bears they called dingo. He knew all of this as he had listened to the other tuans and their njonjas discussing such things and laughing, happily about their country with its strange habits and practices. Although culturally confused, he was a good driver.

      Achmad’s position in the world improved overnight.

      Ah, he had thought, he must ensure that his children have his advantage of understanding a second language!

      Direct communication permitted Coleman access to government circles never before open to the monolingual embassy personnel. His willingness to assist others soon endeared him to the other Embassies for few of their staff could match Coleman’s fluency. His face could be seen at all the major social and diplomatic functions as the Corp Diplomatique suddenly discovered that they could invite senior military and cabinet representatives to their function without fear of their being left out of the conversations.

      It was at such a function Coleman first met Louise. Embassy functions were not designed to entertain. More so, these events were orchestrated to continue to highlight both one’s country’s and one’s own presence on the cocktail circuit. Most parties commenced at the evening hour of six-thirty and rarely continued for more than two hours. Dress was normally formal and it was obligatory that all members of the host Embassy attend the Ambassador’s residence where the functions were normally held.

      Coleman had dressed slowly to avoid perspiration spots. He just could not get used to the depressing heat! The black tie and cummerbund made him feel self-conscious when he was first required to wear the dress suit but now, his confidence was such, the thought of wearing the Singapore tailored outfit made him feel more presentable. During his first formal reception not long after his arrival, he had discovered that almost without exception the other male guests were as uncomfortable as he in the tropical heat wearing the white dinner jackets, and yet they all persevered with the inappropriate attire just because of tradition.

      Most of the time, the talk at these functions was mundane. One woman would complain of boredom, poor servants, bad stomachs and the heat while another would compete with stories of rashes, cockroaches and petty theft amongst the servants. The men bragged of their latest excursions to Mama’s Bar where they drank hot Bir Bintang and paid the equivalent of thirty cents for a short time hooker out in the rear toilets.

      Coleman soon discovered that eating the paté de fois was dangerous at these events. He restricted his diet to the occasional chicken saté as the electricity, and therefore the refrigeration, was not completely reliable.

      He viewed the assembly which, as the alcohol took effect, appeared more like a flock of penguins gathering than the elite of the diplomatic establishment. It was Australia Day. Unfortunately, it was also the Indian National Day but tradition had it so that the Indian Ambassador would first attend the Australian function and delay the commencement of his own so as not to draw upon each others’ common guests.

      He was bored. Even the champagne was warm and he found himself restless. He was about to refuse yet another glass from the attentive jongus and leave when he saw her moving through the garden towards the steps.

      She was wearing a full length white evening gown and her blonde hair was cut just above her suntanned shoulders. Lifting the hem of her dress between thumb and forefinger, and with very little effort, she covered the four steps back into the crowded, hot and noisy main reception hall.

      Coleman removed two glasses from the waiter’s tray and stepped into her path.

      “I think you may have misplaced this,” he said, holding one of the glasses towards the young woman.

      She stopped. Casually casting her eyes over the now noisy gathering she returned her gaze to Stephen.

      “Thank you,” she smiled in response, accepting the flute. “I knew I’d left it here somewhere.”

      Stephen was surprised to see an unattached and yet attractive European alone. Especially one as beautiful as this!

      “Coleman. Stephen Coleman,” he offered.

      “Louise,” she answered, “and thank you for the champagne.”

      “Would you prefer to move away from the crowd? It’s safe, I can assure you,” Stephen offered, indicating an area in the corner garden.

      She hesitated and then turned without speaking, leading the way back down the steps to the fountain and impeccably maintained garden. Raising her glass she said, “Saluté, Coleman, your timing was perfect!”

      Stephen laughed and touching her glass with his own, paused momentarily to observe her place the crystal glass to her lips and sip the champagne before he followed, drinking the flute dry.

      “Well,” she teased, “you’re either from the liquor suppliers or very thirsty,” referring to the speed at which he had consumed his drink.

      “No such luck, I’m afraid. Just a thirsty civil servant,” he joked, feeling the alcohol working its wonders as he stood there bewitched by this beautiful woman, her fragrance more intoxicating than the wine he had consumed.

      “Well, civil man, how would you like to be my servant and take me away from all of this?” she bantered, tossing her hair with her left hand while flashing impeccable teeth.

      Stephen admired her beauty as she stood there, the party lights playing tricks with the colour of her fair hair and golden skin. She was immaculately dressed, her make-up highlighting her beautiful features. Taking her by the hand, he led the way through the now inebriated mass of diplomats and the portals of the white-columned entrance.

      Always alert, Achmad spotted his tuan and soon had them both in the Holden speeding away from the celebrations. He was almost as excited as his boss that the beautiful woman now sat in the rear of the vehicle with her head on his tuan ’s shoulder.

      There had never been any question that they would make love. She had opened her apartment, and within moments had disrobed standing naked in the room as if it were quite natural to do so. Coleman had followed — an urgency now taking charge as he held her, feeling her warmth and then her hands slowly stroking, encouraging him to the floor as she dominated the love play.

      He felt his heart thumping as his body moved in concert with the slim soft stomach and firm breasts on top of him. Her perfume permeated the air and, as she called encouragingly he found his body moving to her commands, moaning together as they held each other tightly until the waves of muscular spasms urged by her orgasm caused him to ejaculate, draining his energy in total. She took his hand and slowly kissed his fingers, then his palms, his wrists and finally his mouth until he clung to her body passionately, unable to respond any more through sheer exhaustion.

      They rested together, in a lovers’ embrace, oblivious СКАЧАТЬ