18
A few days later, Jasmine and Mary had returned from the school and were about to go in to lunch, when Reggie burst into the house and onto the side veranda to find them.
‘Not like you to be late for tiffin, darling.’ Mary smiled.
‘We need to talk.’ Reggie’s face was ashen.
‘Then we can talk over lunch. Jinjiang is about to serve.’ She saw his face and frowned. ‘Here, sit down and get your breath back. You look white as a sheet.’
‘No. It can’t wait.’ Reggie’s expression was grim. ‘This is serious.’ Exchanging glances, Mary and Jasmine perched on the edges of their chairs. Reggie’s tone shocked Jasmine. Normally such a genial man, he was almost barking at them.
Mary looked up at her husband. ‘What’s happened? What on earth’s wrong, Reggie? You’re frightening Jasmine.’
‘I’ve had a
