21

The only person Evie told about her strange encounter with the Taoist monk was Mary Helston.

‘There’s a lot of wisdom among the Chinese,’ Mary said, ‘if only we listened to it. We British are all too quick to assume that we have all the answers and that other races and cultures are decidedly second-best with nothing to offer us.’

‘Are you religious, Mary?’

Mary thought for a moment. ‘I go to church. I believe in God. But I received little comfort from the vicar when Ralph died. I suppose I go more out of duty, and because it’s expected. But I feel closer to God when I enter a church outside of the services and just sit down and pray in silence. Or even don’t pray at all.’ She smiled. ‘To tell the truth, Evie, I find being somewhere like Penang Hill or walking along the beach I can just as easily talk to God. He doesn’t discriminate where He goes.’

‘That’s exactly what my monk said. He told me the gods are everywhere and you need to listen for them. I felt close to God talking to that monk. He was so quiet and gentle and … well, good I suppose. He seemed to think that we don’t need special buildings to find God. Better to look inside one’s heart and in nature.’

Mary tilted her head to one side, considering Evie’s words, then said, ‘I find those temples too fancy with their painted statues and choking incense. And if they genuinely believe God is present in the natural world why go to the trouble of building all those gaudy temples?’

Evie felt rebuffed, afraid that Mary must think her silly. ‘Well, you could say the same about building churches.’

‘I do.’ But her friend squeezed her hand. ‘Anyway I’m glad this monk has revived your spirits and made you feel more positive.’

‘Do you think he’s right about needing to show forgiveness and understanding to Doug? You were there at Batu Lembah. You saw that woman.’

Mary stretched her legs out in front of her. They were sitting on a fallen log on the shore, under the casuarina trees. Further along the beach Jasmine and her friend Penny were racing each other between two rocks. Mary tilted her head in the direction of the girls. ‘I know nothing about marriage, but I’m going to ask you a question. Why do you think Penny spends so much time with me?’

Evie felt a rush of guilt. It had never occurred to her to ask. She had been grateful never to have had to have anything to do with Penny’s mother, Rowena, one of the members of Veronica’s ‘witches’ coven’. ‘I suppose I imagined her mother was always busy,’ she said, lamely.

‘If you call being passed out in bed drunk or dosed-up with pills busy, then yes, she’s often busy.’

‘Gosh. That’s dreadful. Poor Penny.’

‘And when she’s not out cold, Rowena’s at it hammer and tongs with her husband. We can hear them through the walls, screaming at each other night after night.’