Free Gone Away by Marjorie Moore Page A

ending,” Maimie exclaimed, dropping back against her pillows. “I don’t think much of that for an adventure,” she added contemptuously.
    “I didn’t think you would!” Patricia laughed. “Now, hadn’t we better be getting up? You know we’ve still quite a bit of packing to do.”
    “I suppose we had.” Maimie slipped from her bed and stood, clad in thin nylon pyjamas, staring through the porthole. “It’s hotter than ever today. Isn’t it incredible, having fine weather every day?”
    “ Marvellous.” Patricia got out of bed. “It’s difficult to imagine that it’s probably rainy and cold in London.” She crossed to the basin an d collected her towel and spongebag. “I’ll go along to the bath now. Shall I order yours?”
    “Please.” Maimie slipped into her dressing gown. “Singapore by lunchtime. I can’t believe that either.”
    “I’m longing to meet your future husband. I hope I like him.” Patricia laughed.
    “I think you will. He’s your sort—serious. I always told him I had every intention of converting him when we’re married. He’ll have to come down to my level and enjoy life more.” The note of levity left Maimie’s voice. “You won’t mind not taking a job right away—that is, if we delay our wedding—will you?”
    “My dear, I haven’t j o b a job yet!” Patricia laughed “I can hardly mind not taking it! But how long do you intend waiting before you marry?” she added more seriously.
    “I don’t know. Of course, it will depend on Seymour. But, you see, I know nothing of the country, nothing of the life, how to run a house or anything. Claud says you can have a wonderful time in Singapore if you’re a single girl; it seems silly to rush to marry now I’m here. Besides, it will be nicer for you to be certain of a home for a time, won’t it?”
    “Naturally it will.” Patricia’s words were unconvincing, and as she made her way along the narrow corridor to the bathroom, Maimie’s words kept recurring to her mind: “You can have a wonderful time in Singapore.” Claud had told her that, and Claud, as far as Patricia knew, lived just outside that city himself.

 
    CHAPTER TEN
    “ Oh, look! I am sure I can see him ... there, beside those crates!” Maimie’s voice rose excitedly.
    Patricia’s eyes followed the direction indicated by her companion, but among the excited crowds swarming the docks she found it impossible to pick out any particular figure. It was just as well, as a moment later Maimie spoke again, and this time there was a note of disappointment in her voice. “No, that isn’t him,” she announced somewhat ungrammatically. “I thought it was at first. I can’t think what’s happened to him. Supposing he didn’t understand which boat we were due on, and doesn’t turn up at all?” There was anxiety in her tone.
    Patricia slipped her arm through her friend’s as they leaned together over the rail. “Of course he’s there somewhere,” she reassured Maimie. “In that awful crowd it’s impossible to pick out anyone.”
    ‘I can’t think why they won’t allow passengers ashore.” Maimie’s voice was querulous. “It’s absurd keeping us hanging about like this.”
    “I expect it’s all those customs formalities or something like that, but we’ll be allowed to land soon and I’m quite certain that your precious Seymour will be waiting at the bottom of the gangway with open arms!” Patricia smiled. “Cheer up. I’m sure he’s not far away. ” As she finished speaking, Claud Burny strolled toward the two girls and took up his position beside them. He threw his cigarette with careful precision across the rail into the water below before speaking. “Spotted your fiancé yet?” he inquired of Maimie with a casualness that amazed Patricia. It really was strange, she mused; here was Maimie getting all upset because her eyes hadn’t yet alighted on her fiancé , and then there was Claud inquiring about Seymour Warinder as if,