at some traffic lights. Ravi said something to Pintu and they both turned to look at Eliot, one big head and one smaller head above their blue shirts and then they were both smiling. Eliot wondered what they saw through their Indian eyes, what their Indian brain thought when they looked at him. He tried to imagine what it must be like for Pintu and Ravi and to look at their passenger. He was pink? He had a big nose? He was lumpy but he didn’t have a ponytail. His toe had begun a weak throb. He would have to look after it as soon as he arrived in Madho Patti
Pintu turned his head to look at Eliot again and when he did it was a curious look and then he flashed him a teethy smile that might have meant anything. Now they crossed Keshtopur Canal and joined the VIP Road. The sign to the International Airport loomed overhead and Eliot relaxed and his warmth for Pintu and Ravi was growing.
Almost there. He would be able to sit back and have a coffee when he had checked in.
Pintu and Ravi both turned and smiled at Eliot again with their yellow nicotined teeth but Eliot was thinking outside of the moment and wondereding what Louise would be doing tomorrow, because tomorrow was Saturday. A walk and coffee and a film and more coffee and maybe some shopping. He thought of Eleanor, she would be in her garden plot on Saturday morning and he knew exactly how she would look, her overalls and knee pads and he saw her bright red smile under her auburn curls. Her green eyes. He surprised himself. He knew that she would spoil Elvie. Don’t worry master will be home in a couple of months. He will be so happy to see you. We mustn’t return you thin, must we? That’s what she would be saying.
Then Pintu rested his arm along the front seat and turned his face to the back seat again.
We are enjoying taking you around in Kolkata Mr. Eliot and seeing that bad things do not happen to you.I hope you will be returning to Kolkata sometime soon and if you do, you must come and stay with my family. These hotel people where you stayed last night, they are only wanting to make money off you. They don’t care about you really. They are only interested in themselves and they give India a bad name I am thinking. You stay with me and my wife who is making the best goat curry in all of India. You stay with us next time and we show you Kolkata, all of the sights, and if you need shopping or woman or hard drink. No problem.
Thank you Pintu, that would be very nice. I hope that I will come back to Kolkata one day and I would certainly come and visit you
On they drove, past the big yellow building aptly named The Daffodils Nursing Home, past the myriad of giant billboards advertising everything that you didn’t really need, past an army barracks where soldiers were parading and Eliot was thinking about another place and time in Addis Ababa and Mengistu. Ravi suddenly turned the taxi left off the main road onto the canal side road and then right into Fourth Cross Road which was jam packed with traffic; cars, motor bikes, and rickshaws and hundreds walking, slowly worming their way somewhere. Now they were barely moving. Pintu said something to Ravi and they both laughed.
Eliot felt a little uneasy, what had happened to the uneventful trip to the airport In Kolkata? You could get caught in a traffic jam and in Kolkata you could miss your plane and then the monkey in his head ran away with it and he didn’t have travel insurance when he missed the flight to Varanasi and what about Jalal. Yes Jalal would not be impressed, not with someone who didn’t turn up when he said he would. Maybe the whole thing would be called off because of his obvious imperfections, such as unreliability and incompetence. The words that Jalal would say where in his head and then he heard Marion’s voice, don’t be silly Eliot, by now you must know that you can trust Pintu and Ravi. Her words made him smile.
Hey fellas, this isn’t the way to the airport. I don’t want to be late for my flight and I haven’t checked in yet!
Don’t worry, Mr Eliot. Your flight is at 1.30pm. Plenty of time for catching the plane. We be only taking five minutes at most, we are just in need for buying something.
Pintu gave a giant smile. Eliot was thinking, who are you to decide what I do and when I do it? Who are you to decide how much time is plenty of time to get to the airport? I’m the person who is paying for the taxi. Then Marion would say, look Eliot, look at that amazing Hindu temple.
After crawling along Four Cross Road for at least five minutes Ravi pulled the taxi up outside a stall that sold many sorts of everyday things, from buckets to mobile phone credit and T shirts. Ravi handed Pintu some rupee notes, and he jumped out of the taxi, obviously saying something humourous as he did and then disappeared behind the plastic awning at the back of the stall. The advertising on the front of the stall was as busy as the street. On the awning was the message. PEDESTRIANS DON’T HAVE AIRBAGS.
We are only being a minute Mr. Eliot.
Where is Pintu going?
Ravi did not answer, instead he made a phone call. Pintu was probably picking something up for his wife, why couldn’t he do that on the way back from the airport? Just relax said Marion, there is no chance that you will miss the plane Eliot. He concentrated on the mass of people travelling with purpose in all directions but he was distracted because it was getting hot in the taxi and his shirt was becoming saturated. He was about to say something when Pintu’s smaller head reappeared and Eliot could see what kind of errand he had been on.
He was carrying three big long neck bottles of Kingfisher beer, tops still on. He had a wider grin on his face than even before. He looked like he had just made a century for India and wanted suitable acclamation. Eliot didn’t know what to say.
We are thinking that you are thirsty before your flight Mr Eliot. Kingfisher is top beer in the world Mr Eliot. Hey, eight percent and so soon you are thinking differently in your head and Kolkata is the best place for to be living. No you are our guest in Kolkata and you are not to be paying.
Well I would have to admit it fellas it’s the right weather for having a cold beer.
We were thinking this the same. Remember, any time is the best time for some strong drink.
Pintu produced a bottle opener from somewhere, removed the top and passed a bottle across the seat. Eliot accepted his bottle of Kingfisher with mixed feelings.The bottle was pleasantly cool in his hand on a morning that was becoming seriously hot.
It is very early for me to be starting drinking....but thank you.
The Kingfisher was wonderfully cold and the first mouthful went down well, but it was so hot in the taxi that Eliot felt the beer immediately drain from his pores. Within minutes the sweat rolled down his arms as he wiped his hands on his shorts. Pintu and Ravi talked with animation and good humour and he couldn’t help his feelings warming to them even more as he began to see the world a little differently and he smiled at himself and imagined losing his passport and misplacing his mobile phone because he got a little drunk. Mr. Serious Jalal and the principal whose name he couldn’t remember and the parents were all very disappointed but it appeared that Eliot had been drinking at the airport and somehow had missed his flight. I’m sorry, he said but the Australian teacher will not be coming to our school because he has a drinking problem. Very disappointing! Eliot chuckled to himself .
The beer has made you happy Mr. Eliot. You are liking this beer?
Yes thanks Pintu, its going down a treat. Tell me, are you allowed to drink alcohol and drive in India?
The government is saying no but when the police stop us we are just putting some rupees into the palms of their hands and the problem disappears, out of sight. India is number one corrupt country in the world.
I thought it was Indonesia.
Oh no Mr.Eliot, they are just beginning, not even coming close to us.
Ravi moved the taxi under the shade of the tree and they sucked away on their Kingfisher in silence and the heat was still almost unbearable and when their bottles were almost empty he realised why there was quiet in the front seat. Pintu and Ravi were showing signs of having a morning nap and then Pintu’s jaw hit his chest.
We need to get going to the airport now fellas, I really appreciate the Kingfisher, really generous of you. I will have happy memories of Kolkata.
Our pleasure Mr. Eliot.