The Forgotten Pearl Read Online Free PDF Page B

to choke and splutter, coughing up seawater. She took a huge gulp of air, then started to wail.
    By the time Maude returned with Cecilia, Mrs Murata was cuddling a wet, bedraggled Shinju to her chest, alternately kissing and murmuring to her in Japanese. Poppy was sitting beside them, shivering with shock despite the oppressive heat.
    â€˜Well done, Poppy,’ murmured Cecilia, stroking a strand of Poppy’s wet hair off her face.
    Poppy smiled wanly, relief and horror flooding through her in equal measure. I saved her. Shinju’s alive, but it was so close. I thought she was going to die.
    Cecilia checked Shinju over carefully, checking her pupils, pulse rate and breathing, then helped Mrs Murata carry Shinju back to the house. Maude carried the still-full picnic basket, while Poppy trailed behind, her legs wobbly beneath her.

3
    The Dragon Pearl

    Back at the house, Shinju was given a warm bath and dressed in one of Poppy’s old cotton nightgowns, which was far too big for her. Poppy thought she looked like an exquisite porcelain doll, with her pale complexion and lustrous black hair. Shinju was then propped up on the sofa and fed bread and milk.
    The others gathered around to drink restorative tea and eat Daisy’s famous lemon cake.
    â€˜Thank you, Miss Poppy,’ said Mrs Murata solemnly. ‘You saved Shinju’s life. You’re very brave.’
    She took Poppy’s hand and pressed it warmly.
    Poppy shook her head.
    â€˜I didn’t see her go,’ confessed Mrs Murata. ‘I sorted the linen with Daisy and collected the dirty washing, and all the time I thought Shinju was playing with little Charlie. When I turned around, she was gone. Daisy and I called out everywhere, then Daisy remembered you and MissMaude had gone down to the bay for a swim, and perhaps she had followed you.
    â€˜When I ran onto the beach and saw her lying there . . . I thought . . . I thought . . . I have seen too many people taken by the sea.’ Mrs Murata bowed her head, tears spilling down her cheeks.
    Cecilia took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Everything’s all right,’ she murmured. ‘Shinju is safe. It was a miracle that Poppy saw her when she did.’
    Poppy sat silently with her thoughts. What if I hadn’t seen her? What if I’d turned around just a minute later? Shinju could be dead . . .
    â€˜I didn’t notice her,’ Maude admitted. ‘Poppy and I were quite far out, then Poppy just started racing for the shore. I thought she’d seen a shark. Then I turned around and saw a splash and a small black head sinking under the water. It wasn’t until I saw Mrs Murata calling that I realised it was Shinju.’
    Everyone turned and smiled at the little girl, looking so old-fashioned in her oversized nightgown.
    Shinju smiled at Poppy. ‘ Arigato ,’ she said, her voice croaky and hoarse.
    â€˜ Dou itashi mashite ,’ replied Poppy, taking a sip of tea, its warmth spreading through her, making her feel strong again. ‘It was my pleasure.’

    The next morning, Poppy was feeding the hens in the chookyard when she heard Daisy calling her name. She wandered back to the house and found Mrs Murata waitingin the shade of the verandah.
    â€˜ Ohayou gozaimasu, Murata-san ,’ called Poppy, climbing the steps to the verandah.
    â€˜ Ohayou gozaimasu ,’ replied Mrs Murata with a bow. ‘Miss Poppy, I have come to formally thank you for saving my granddaughter yesterday.’
    Poppy flushed with embarrassment. ‘Oh no, Mrs Murata, it was nothing, really. It was just lucky that I saw her.’
    â€˜Miss Poppy, it means a great deal; our Shinju is very precious to us. She is the third generation of our family to be born in this country.’
    Mrs Murata sat down in a wicker chair on the verandah. Poppy sat down in the chair opposite.
    â€˜I have brought you something as a token of