Fictional Stories by chapter
Partition Felicity Rani sighed and turned to look at guest children playing in hotel gardens. Their parents sat in broad armed chairs reading books and drinking limbu pani and other beverages enjoying final sunlight hours. Soon it would begin getting cold and they’d return to their rooms to dress up for evening walks around viewing areas on the mountain where they could see winking lights … Continue reading Transitions – Chapter 5
The Rift It was at Sahib Humphrey’s funeral a final rift took place between the Gopal Das family and Felicity Rani Reed Smith. Felicity Rani was granddaughter to the Gopal Das family and they came to the funeral expecting to manage funeral arrangements as they’d done for their daughter Geeta. They came with good intentions. But Felicity Rani had other ideas. While she’d deferred … Continue reading Transitions – Chapter 4
Changing Times It was the turn of the century and times were changing. When the Reed ancestor had left London he had entered a country in which seeds of independence were beginning to germinate. The 1857 Indian rebellion had resulted in British Government takeover of administration from the East India Company. A managed but gradual parliamentary system was formed which supported landed gentry and the … Continue reading Transitions – Chapter 3
Shadi Gopal Das suddenly found himself elevated in the eyes of surrounding communities, at least at his level in the rigid caste system. People he didn’t know joined in with the known crowds flocking to his house to bring their congratulations and gifts. Gopal Das accepted each gift carefully and thoughtfully. The acceptance of gifts brought with it obligations at some chosen point of time … Continue reading Transitions – Chapter 2
Chapter 10 – Kharma Priya sat deep in thought at the club office. Her dinner appointment with Uncle James last evening had unsettled her. While a marriage proposal from the Rajah had momentarily caused her to think of a time when she’d no longer be within the confines of the London family support environment it somehow hadn’t driven home the fact she was approaching the … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 9 – Discovery Su-An Sim Perera glanced at the yellowing sheets with crumbling edges and now safely stored in plastic envelopes on her desk. They’d been filed in several folders carefully catalogued as to the year of writing and each journal page had been neatly signed off at the bottom with a signature that was becoming even more familiar with each passing day; Priya … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 8 – Justice Served Next morning James Humphrey London took a rickshaw to the harbour Police Chowk. There was spring in his step as he remembered late night discussions with his sisters and their suggestions he’d decided to modify slightly in the interests of the family. The sisters consulting together had suggested to James while the ship in the harbour obviously checked out as … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 7 – Confrontation Priya looked out her office window and watched her retreating relative as he walked away from the club gate. She sighed and was about to sit when she remembered her promise to Matilda Sheffield-John a short while ago. Wearily she retraced her steps and looked around the club reading room puzzled that the Major was not in his usual chair with … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 6 – Fortunes Restored James Humphrey London sat in his office and surveyed reports with satisfaction. Business had turned around and they were heading for prosperity again. They’d experienced a lean year with two ships out of action while a careful search was made for men of good character and reputation to take over command of these ships for the family. It was hard … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 5 – Matilda’s Dilemma In the weeks that followed Matilda sat in her favourite chair at the club and watched Priya at work. Her anger at the obvious snub delivered when she’d attempted to assert her authority over the girl slowly dissipated and she determined to know more about this unusual native girl. She was surprised to learn the story of John London and … Continue reading Priya
