The Night Tiger(93)
“Give him a different one, Lydia,” says William quietly. “He can read quite well.”
“Oh!” Lydia colors. “Well, we’re a bit low today.”
Ren feels sorry for her, being chided like this. Yet the hopeful shine in her eyes says she doesn’t mind. She hands over a book with a girl’s name, Jane Eye or something like that. Who’s Jane and what’s wrong with her eye? Ren thinks. There’s another one, a slim volume that slips out. Heart of Darkness. But Lydia seizes it swiftly, “Oh no, dear. Not that one.”
But Ren catches that electric tingle. It’s moving again, coming to the doorway. His girl from the party, her gaze serious, searching for Ren. And when she sees him, her face lights up.
* * *
Ren is happy. Very happy. She sits next to him, not wearing blue today, but a crisp white cotton dress. “I’m glad you’re all right,” she says, pouring a glass of water for him. William and Lydia are down at the other end of the empty ward, Lydia ostensibly recataloging the books in her cart. Ren catches brief snatches of their conversation. But it doesn’t concern him, because Ji Lin is sitting on the chair next to his bed, smiling at him.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
Ren wants to reassure her that he is much, much better, but a numbing weakness grips him. He gasps, soundlessly. Ji Lin stares at his ashen face in consternation.
“You don’t look well. Shall I get the nurse?”
No, he doesn’t want her to leave, but he can feel it dropping, that blurry grey veil that paralyzes and drifts him away. Back to that other place where he hasn’t finished his task. Alarmed, Ji Lin glances at William and Lydia, deep in conversation at the other end of the ward. The tension in William’s shoulders forbids interruption.
“I’ll get the Sister,” Ji Lin says, jumping up in her quick, boyish way. In the far corner of the ward, William’s head jerks, surprised at her sudden exit.
Lydia tilts her face closer to his. They look nice together, standing by the window. Her mouth moves. What is she saying, that makes William’s expression go hard, his mouth a thin line?
“—know about Iris,” she says.
That’s the name of the lady that William is always writing letters to. Those cream-colored letters on thick, soft paper that dents when you press a fingernail into it. William doesn’t look happy.
“Let’s not talk about this now,” he says, turning away.
“Then when?” She’s following him, careless about being overheard now since it’s only Ren left in the ward. “We’re the same, you and I,” she says. Her eyes glisten, though whether it’s with tears or some other emotion, Ren can’t say. “I want to help. Please, let me help.”
William gives her a forced smile. “I need to go.”
Lydia stares after his retreating back. A breeze through the open windows makes the white curtains flutter; it’s so quiet that you can hear the clock in the corridor ticking. Awkwardly, Lydia wheels her book trolley back between the empty beds. She pauses at Ren’s bed as if she wants to question him, but at that moment Ji Lin returns. She looks troubled, her eyes downcast.
Lydia gives her a long, sideways glance. “You’re Louise, aren’t you?” she says.
A brief pause. “Yes.”
“I was wondering how you knew Mr. Acton.”
“I don’t know him. He just happened to be passing the station this morning and gave me a ride.”
Lydia doesn’t seem quite satisfied with this answer and asks several more questions. Where she works, what her family does, how old she is. Ji Lin is polite but guarded.
“May I ask why you want to know?”
Dazed, Ren stares weakly at their two profiles. One with fair, curling hair, the other with cropped dark bangs.
“I was just curious about your … job. Whether you had any troubles or needed help.” At the word troubles, Lydia’s eyes sharpen with concern. But Ji Lin is careful, saying only that she works part-time at a dance hall, and it’s all right.
Lydia studies her for a moment. “Well, let me know if you ever need a friendly ear. I’m interested in helping local girls find jobs, so they can better themselves. There are so many jobs that girls can do nowadays, if men would only let them.”
“Thank you.” Her words touch a chord, for Ji Lin’s dark eyes go soft and she looks genuinely touched. “That’s very kind of you.”
“We women must stick together—in fact, I teach health classes to the girls on the rubber estates.”
“What sort of classes?” Ji Lin looks interested.
“Well, mostly basic healthcare, feminine needs.” An understanding look passes between them. “If you need any supplies, let me know. It’s one of the ways I can do some good stuck out here. By the way,” Lydia lowers her voice, “be careful around Mr. Acton.”
“Why?”
“He’s—well, odd things happen around him. Have you noticed?”
A curious expression appears on Ji Lin’s face. “What sort of things?”
“Those who get involved with him tend to be unlucky. Especially young women.”
* * *
William inhales sharply. His stomach hurts, leaning over the white porcelain sink in the washroom, both hands gripping its slippery surface. A burning, twisting sensation. He lifts his pale, sweaty face, staring at the mirror.