‘Twas dead of night and people slept In comfort of their bed, The old clock chimed each hour away, Close by the old bed head. The child inside gave urgent thrust In Mother wide awake, She gently shook her slumbering spouse And thought of things to take To hospital in country town, The very best they state, … Continue reading It’s a Girl!
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
Chapter 4 – Unwelcome Changes It was soon after the Raja’s proposal word came to the London household Priya’s grandfather Ram Gopal who she’d never met had passed away. Because of Ram Ropal’s elevated position in the community the Indian newspapers gave full page reports of his life and accomplishments. A date was notified … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 3 – Priya London The Humphrey London family were called into conference when all sons had returned from their respective shipping journeys. It had been some time since John’s and Gita’s death but the shock of those combined deaths continued to be felt. Priya missed her parents terribly and the first few weeks saw the child constantly … Continue reading Priya
Chapter 2 – Family Gita was fifteen years old when her Maharashtra Brahman father Ram Gopal decided to take the family on a trip from Bombay to visit with northern relatives in Gujarat to discuss business. The only practical fast mode of transportation was on boats that regularly traded around the Arabian Sea and provided passenger accommodation as well as cargo space. … Continue reading Priya
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