Always in My Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

You are lucky, Sarah.’
    Sybil drew her to her side. ‘That’s quite enough, Jane,’ she admonished softly. ‘You’re far too young to have an opinion on such things – and I don’t think Sarah is feeling frightfully lucky right at this moment.’
    Jane looked at them both and frowned. ‘Then why did Philip come to see Pops in the middle of the night? And why were they wearing that uniform? Are they soldiers now?’
    Sarah and Sybil exchanged glances over Jane’s head. ‘Not really, darling,’ Sybil murmured. ‘But he and your father have to dress like that when they go to KL on special business.’ She smoothed back the untidy hair and kissed her cheek. ‘I shouldn’t worry your prettyhead about such things when I’m sure Wa Ling can be persuaded to cook us all pancakes for breakfast.’
    Jane regarded her mother and sister thoughtfully, and Sarah suddenly wondered if Jane had a much clearer understanding of what was going on than they realised.
    Sybil’s smile was tinged with sadness as she cupped Jane’s chin. ‘Go and get dressed, and let Amah brush your hair,’ she murmured.
    As Jane pouted and reluctantly left the veranda, Sybil’s smile faded. ‘Your father and I agreed that it’s better if we don’t tell her too much,’ she said softly. ‘She wouldn’t understand, and we don’t want her upset by all this talk of war.’
    Sarah shook her head. ‘I think Jane knows far more than we give her credit for,’ she replied. ‘We forget sometimes that although she has childlike ways, she also possesses a keen curiosity and hears a lot of things that perhaps she shouldn’t.’ She blushed. ‘And, judging by her questions just now, I suspect she overheard Philip proposing to me last night.’
    Sybil reached for her hand, her smile warm and delighted. ‘Oh, my dear. I’m so pleased. Is there a ring? Can I see it?’
    Sarah drew the slender chain from beneath the bodice of her dress and held out the ring so her mother could coo over it. ‘He was planning to ask Pops’ permission today, but with everything else going on it looks as if we’ll have to put our plans on hold for a while.’
    ‘Not at all,’ said Sybil, her eyes alight with pleasure and excitement. ‘Goodness me, it’s taken him long enough to pop the question. We can’t have him dillydallying now just because of a few little yellow men causing trouble upcountry.’
    Sarah gave Sybil a gentle hug, the mound of the baby between them making it rather awkward. ‘Perhaps, when Philip and Pops get back, we could all go down to Singapore City and celebrate the occasion at Raffles?’ she said, in an effort to keep the mood light. ‘We could do some shopping and have a bit of a holiday before Christmas.’
    Sybil caressed the mound of her stomach where it pushed against her dressing gown. ‘I’d like that, but I’m not sure your father will agree. Baby’s not due until late February, but he’s such an old fusspot he’s refused to let me go anywhere. Besides, he won’t want to leave the plantation, and with things as they are, I actually think I’d rather stay here.’
    Sarah was startled by this uncharacteristic declaration from her mother. ‘I never thought I’d hear you turn down a trip to Singapore.’
    Sybil laughed and slipped her hand into the crook of Sarah’s arm. ‘The mere thought of travelling all that way in this heat is too exhausting. But don’t you dare tell your father I said that,’ she added quickly. Her smile softened and her voice was mellow. ‘Bless him. He clucks about me like a mother hen as it is. And he’s got enough to worry about without me adding to his woes.’
    They walked slowly along the veranda until they came to Sybil’s bedroom. ‘I’m thrilled about Philip’s proposal,’ she said as she turned in the doorway. ‘That’s one in the eye for those old cats at the country club,’ she added with a saucy wink, ‘and I can’t wait to tell them all just how enormous that diamond