a high concrete wall and an electronically locked gate with an intercom. He was born in a village called Madho Patti in Uttar Pradesh about seventy years ago. I guess he wants to do some good for the people of his village so he has turned the family home into a school. By doing good he means to help the students to learn the English language but most importantly to follow the path of enlightenment as he calls it, by following the teachings of Ananda Marga.
Oohh!! Ananda Marga they are those dangerous bombers aren’t they?
I would say that he is quite an unusual man. I mean that he is very short and you wouldn’t call him handsome by any stretch but nevertheless he is super confident and single minded in his plan. I don’t think that we have much in common and he might not be the easiest person to live with but I’m sure that his heart is in the right place. Anyway, I will have to share a room with him for a few days so I guess that I will get to know him fairly well.
Oh, dear dear, I will worry about you Eliot. I hope that you have made a sensible decision.
I don’t need anyone to worry about me. I have done this before. I can look after myself.
Maybe, Eliot but you are not getting any younger and before I suppose you had your wife for support.
For a split second Eliot was about to jump up and burst out the door but Eleanor was talking over his feelings.
Yes, I suppose you have been doing this job most of your life. What is it exactly that you do Eliot?
Eliot wasn’t sure how seriously he should take the question. Did she care? Did she really want to know? Don’t take yourself too seriously he heard himself say in his head.
I’m a teacher trainer. My job is to help teachers who teach English as a second language to make the learning more interesting, more fun for the students.
Well that’s a very important job Eliot. You must be very pleased with yourself.
Was she serious? Because it was question time he couldn’t help himself and maybe she would pick up the hint of sarcasm. He had never shown an interest in her before.
So what exactly do you do Eleanor?
Oh I thought you knew Eliot. You know how I said that I got a copy of our next book club book at the library for you. That is where I work. At the library. I am the senior librarian……. I will just check the fish but I think that we can eat now. Would you mind opening your bottle of wine. I’m not very experienced with these things because as you know I’m a boring old teetotaller.
The table had been set when Eliot arrived and now they sat down opposite each other. Steamed Barramundi and an Asian salad. It smelled and looked delicious. Eliot poured himself a glass of wine and she poured them both a glass of water. His thoughts and feelings towards Eleanor were suddenly confused. He wished that he could disappear. He was getting to know her. She was very kind to him. Something, some sneaky perception was challenging him.
I would like to say grace if that is ok Eliot……
She lowered her gaze.
Dear heavenly Father. For what we are about to receive, may the lord make us truly grateful. Amen
When she looked up her smile was framed by her red lipstick and for the first time he noticed the green of her eyes. Under her auburn curls this woman was like a kalaidescope. Tonight her dress was covered in fruit. She raised her glass of water. Cheers she said and good luck with your adventure. They ate in silence for a few moments and then Eleanor said sorry and got up from the table and returned with two table napkins and a pen and a piece of paper. When she sat down again she searched for Eliot’s eyes. They ate in silence for a while.
So Eliot I would be right in saying that you are not a Christian.
For a moment Eliot considered the question. He had an answer of course but what should he say. Was it necessary to say his truth? Why did he always want Christians to feel bad?
Well I was bought up in the Church of England, taught about the love of God by the Very Reverend Stan Titler, got confirmed, sang in the choir and got married in a church. But no, I am not a Christian. I have no reason to believe in God, well the church God.
It’s funny. I knew that you wouldn’t be a believer Eliot. You can just tell. But that’s OK , there is enough room in God’s realm for all kinds of good people. ….just a small favour. Could I please have your email address so that I can keep in contact with you? I will miss you Eliot.
Only half an hour later, before the table was cleared he said thanks for the meal Eleanor and I have a big day tomorrow, I’d better get to bed. No thank you but he didn’t feel like a cup of tea or coffee. He bent down and picked up Elvie and stroked her head and when he said, be a good girl and I will see you in a couple of months. It occurred to him that it might not be obvious who he was talking to and it made him smile. He offered his outstretched hand to Eleanor. Thanks for everything he said.
As he climbed the stairs to his apartment , the letter from Marion that he had put away in his bedside drawer came into his head and now he made up his mind that he was going to take it with him, read it every day, confirm her support for what he was about to do. Her younger smile and the twinkle in her eye came to him now. He smiled again.
9.
A week before Louise dropped Eliot off at the airport, Jalal had arrived in stinking hot Jaunpur and the school driver Rajamata had met him at the train station and had driven him to the school and at the same moment that he approached the home of his childhood, Madan the school principal stepped down at Kajgaon station on the train from Kolkata. He had travelled all the way from his wife and children in Darjeeling.
He carried his case across the tracks and down the narrow path between to rice paddies and onto the road and then rolled it along the road the short distance to the school, a green double story building that was once the home of Jalal Singh and his parents and was now Madho Patti Junior Elementary School. Those who saw him wheeling his case gave little recognition to the principal other than sometimes a nod of their heads. Jalal and Madan greeted each other in a way that two people would, when they had come together for just the second time, formally, matter of fact and after a little while Jalal reminded Madan of the obligations of their beliefs so they went to their different rooms and lay their mats down on the floor.
Your wife and children are well in Darjeeling?
They are thank you Jalal. And your wife, how is her health?
I have come here from Bombay and Cochin where my wife has entered a sanatorium to help her get over some problems with her digestive system. She will attend this sanatorium and then I will return to Cochin. In these two weeks we have much to do Madan, but I must tell you, I have some news. I have not been idle back in Australia. I have employed two graduates, two young teachers to teach English at our school. I have recruited them through Jaunpur University. Their names are Karishma Singh and Scheweta Gopal and I know that the parents of our students will be very happy.
This is very good news Jalal.
It of course means Madan that you will not have to teach English anymore and you will have more time to concentrate on the administration of the school, the finances, the timetable, talking to the parents. All of those things.But I have other news Madan. I have employed a teacher trainer from Australia. His name is Eliot Wilson and he comes highly recommended, with lots of experience as an English teacher in many countries. He will arrive in just over a week and he will spend his time in the classes of our two new graduates helping them to become good English teachers. You will have to cook up food for us three at meal times.
But Jalal, this must be very costly, are you sure that we can afford it, where is the money to come from?
It is not your worry Madan, I have undertaken to cover these expenses myself. Just think what the parents will say when they know that their children are being taught by a teacher from Australia and how many other parents here and in Kajgaon will want their sons and daughters to come to our school.
I suppose you know best Jalal. Is he a follower of Ananda