it looks so delicious. You’ve made so many dishes I don’t know where to start.”
Nita was quietly bursting with pride. “Maybe try a little bit of everything first,” she suggested. “You can always have more.” She was used to feeding hungry men. Nita knew that appetite was important but when good food was presented, overconsumption generally followed. She had gauged Dink well. He definitely had an excellent appetite. With a propensity for gluttony when the meal warranted.
They all served themselves. Nita and Ajay continuously prompted them to take more. Kylie noted that Nita served Soval’s plate herself before she took her own meal. They sat comfortably at the long table and ate ravenously. It was a special and spectacular meal, particularly the octopus curry and the grilled fish, both tender and juicy with complex mixes of spices. Ajay was telling them more about the island’s various charms: the superb beaches, good snorkelling and fishing, the forest paths, the food and culture.
Dink was intent on his food and not closely following the conversation, but he did manage the occasional grunt of acknowledgement. Or maybe it was satisfaction. He paused for breath after another mouthful. “That rice is so tasty. What do you put in it?”
“It’s the leaves from the spice plant,” Nita explained cheerfully, pointing over the verandah rail to a tree in the garden. It was an unimpressive plant, tall and spindly with tiny leaves.
“Of course it is,” Dink effused. “I should have known. This place continually amazes me.”
“It’s actually a pretty common plant, also called curry pili. The leaves are dried and used to make curry powder.” Ajay espoused his extensive local knowledge once again.
Once dinner was finished, and they were all pleasantly sated, Nita offered citronella tea, made from the stalks of the citronella plant in her garden. Kylie and Dink were keen to try it. Nita retired to the kitchen to prepare it.
Following his pre-meal rant, Soval had been relatively subdued during dinner and seemed preoccupied. Ajay noticed this too. “Is everything OK, Papa?”
Kylie thought it cute that he still called his father Papa.
At his direct question, Soval seemed to start back from his distracted state. “Yes. Ajay, I’m fine.” Although he still seemed lost in thought as Nita returned with the teacups and saucers neatly set out on a silver tray. Soval explained, “I’m working on a new project. It could mean big things for me if it comes through. These are exciting times.”
“I didn’t know about this project,” Nita said, genuinely surprised, and her voice quivered slightly.
“It’s still early days. I need to keep it secret,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Even from your wife, Papa?” Nita scolded.
“I didn’t want you to get excited. You are always so positive. I would’ve felt like I let you down if it didn’t happen.” Soval was squirming at the direct questioning and felt stupid that he had said anything at all. He must be more careful. Nita was annoyed that he had not shared this secret with her, but her strong love of her husband blinded her to this fault. “You have never let me down, Papa, so whatever it is I can wait.” She served the tea. “Citronella is an excellent digestive agent. While we sit, let me tell you about how Soval and I met.”
Dink and Kylie listened attentively to their hostess as she set the scene and recounted their chance meeting in London. Dink sipped his citronella tea and found the taste to be slightly bitter, although not unpleasant. What he had not counted on was his immediate and intense visceral reaction. He worried that he may not be able to control his bowels. He sat clenching hard as he tried not to look too uncomfortable. At someone’s home that you had just met, it was an awkward situation. He was distracted and did not really appreciate Nita’s tale but Kylie was attentive enough for both of them. “That is such a wonderful story, and so romantic.”
“Yes. We have been very happy ever since.” Nita glanced towards her husband, who seemed lost in thought once again but managed to respond, “We are both very lucky,” adding quickly, “Nita looks after me but she is also selfless and continues to teach the local girls. She had over a dozen girls in her last class.”
“What do you teach them, Nita?” Kylie asked as Dink held his breath and shifted slightly in his seat. He thought he might be turning blue with the effort of holding everything together.
“Ah, it’s just a group discussion. Girls and women developing self-respect and independence. About making good moral choices in life.”
“That is such a great idea. Very modern.” Kylie was inspired. “Nita, that is so impressive.”
Nita, of course, deflected the compliment, saying, “It’s really just talking together to sort out our problems.”
“Still, it sounds fantastic to me.”
Dink was nearly at his wit’s end and felt he could not take it any longer, interrupting the ongoing conversation, “Thanks so much for having us, Soval and Nita. It’s getting late and we should probably make a move.” As an afterthought, he glanced down at his watch. It was approaching ten-thirty.
“Oh, OK. If you need to go,” Nita said. If only she knew how much he had to go!
Kylie was clearly unimpressed at the need for a sudden departure but could see something was wrong with Dink. She kissed their hosts goodbye, giving Nita a prolonged hug and whispering in her ear, “You are incredible.” Their warm parting smiles spoke of a shared connection.
Ajay offered to walk them home, but Dink declined brusquely as he started off down the path into the forest. It was all Kylie could do to catch up with him. Dink had a head torch on, and this was the only light in the dark forest. He had walked a few hundred metres before slowing down, and Kylie was just walking up to him when he stopped abruptly and erupted with a prolonged episode of explosive flatulence. This was followed by a series of staccato bursts that became less forceful and gradually faded. Dink was doubled over with the effort. He was breathing hard. Kylie now understood why he had left hurriedly and said, “Are you all right?”
“One hell of a lot better now. That citronella tea nearly killed me!” He was dripping with sweat and looked wan in the shadowed torchlight.
“I thought it was quite nice,” she teased.
“Mmm.” His guts were still churning. “Quite the digestive agent!”
Chapter 9: Camille
January 25th, 2010
“Can I get you some more tea, Nan?” Nan was Kitty Albert, Camille’s maternal grandmother.
“Oh, Camille, you are such a darling.” The old woman leant forward and deftly took her granddaughter’s hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “But please stop fussing over me. I think I’ve already had four cups this afternoon. I’ll be running to the toilet all night.”
“I like to spoil you. You deserve it.” This was absolutely true. Camille did enjoy her nan’s company, and Nan deserved all kindness after a hard life raising her family in difficult circumstances.
“OK, but no more tea,” Nan murmured almost absent-mindedly. She was staring out the window and her eyes studied the path up towards her home. She could see
