Under the Sign of the Swastika

[aine]

Santiago smiles wryly, "I fear I wouldn't have the right temperament, I am far too impatient." Although he knows this isn't true as he remembers the hours of painstakingly slow tracking and waiting he has done in the past. "Plus I fear I'd use to for aggression which wouldn't be right, would it?"

[Tabs]

"Quite right," replies Zhongshan, "your honesty does you credit; as your wife said, it is for defence only."

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Mr. Zhongsan," says Elisabeth. "While we will not be in Chengchow long, I would like to attend your class while we are here. Perhaps our daughter would be interested as well." The desire to protect Posie is prominent in her mind, and it flowed naturally into the girl learning to protect herself too, in addition to the discipline that came with pracitcing marital arts. Posie would probably be eager to try it, especially if the two of them did so together.

[Tabs]

"Of course," he says, "your daughter will be most welcome. More tea?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, but I think we had best be going soon," says Elisabeth. "We have an engagement this evening, and we need to get ready for it. If you'll excuse us, I shall see you in the morning." And perhaps Posie as well, she thinks. I wonder how she'd get on with the urchin?

[aine]

Santiago stands, "Thank you for the tea, sir. It has been very pleasant. Shall I bring the two ladies around for a class tomorrow, perhaps?" He says to Elizabeth, '''We'd better hurry, we need to get changed for dinner tonight and I don't know how far the residence is."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, we'd better go, darling," says Elisabeth, also rising. She offers Santiago her arm. She looks forward to wearing the lovely dress she bought earlier today, and she's sure he'll like seeing her in it.

[Tabs]

Twenty minutes later a rickshaw with Mr. and Mrs. el Aguila aboard rattles over the cobbles towards the Swastika Society's compound. They recognise Mingzhu, smoking her habitual cigarette, sat on the front step.

[aine]

Santiago helps Elizabeth down from the rickshaw and pays the man. "What? Not yet dressed for dinner, MInghzu?" He asks in amused surprise.

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth beams as she alights from the rickshaw. "Thank you," she says to Santiago. "How is Posie doing, Mingzhu? Is she still tired, or did she have a nap?"

[Tabs]

"No, not yet, Señor," answers Mingzhu, stubbing out her cigarette. "Posie is fine, Elisabeth; full of energy," she says with a sigh; "the little girl is teaching Feng how to cook a Spanish omelette," Mingzhu grins at Santiago. She waves her hand as if to sweep away inconsequential matters, "You'll never guess what has happened!"

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth tries to think of what might have happened, but she comes up blank. "You're right, I'll never guess it," she says with a grin. "I suppose you'll have to tell us."

[Tabs]

"The Doctor and Caroline have left, and they've taken all of their things with them. But the best part: Jian said that they left together!"

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh my!" says Elisabeth, raising a hand to her mouth. "Well, I wish them the best, and I hope they've found true love. It's a shame we never had a chance to see them off, though."

[aine]

Santiago is truly surprised this time. He just can't believe it knowing how Henry felt about Caroline. Rather worried for his old friend he says, "Did Henry seem, um, happy? Was it his idea do you know? Where did they go?" He is rather agitated.

[Tabs]

" 'True love', Elisabeth, I presume that you are being sarcastic," says Mingzhu. "We are talking about a femme fatale and Henri, who--excuse me, Señor--seemed a bit--um--unused to women. As for the details, I don't know any. When Jian told me the happy news I came outside for a smoke."

[Mr. Handy]

I know what Caroline is like, thinks Elisabeth, but true love exists, and you never know when it will blindside you, She glances at Santiago and smiles. I know it's probably not like that in her case, but I can still hope. "Well, we'd best get ready for the party."

[aine]

Santiago breaks from his concerned introspection and smiles fondly at Elizabeth. "We'd better hurry then. There may be some omelette to clean up first!" He heads into the compound towards the kitchen.

[Mr. Handy]

"Or eat up, at any rate," says Elisabeth, following Santiago - and her nose - to the kitchen. "I doubt they'll make a mess. I daresay Posie is a better cook than I am."

[Tabs]

Santiago's fears regarding the omelette are realised, there is egg shell and potato peel everywhere, but Elisabeth is also right about Posie because she can tell the mess is down to Feng, the hapless man is trying to poach the eggs. Posie turns away from the fireplace and says:

"Oh, Mummy, the silly man is hopeless!"

Ouyang and the old man Dao are watching on from the far end of the table, they don't look at all happy with the culinary antics.