CHAPTER 22
Singapore
Annabel stared at Julia in dumbstruck silence. She couldn’t believe what she had just been told: her kind, sweet, loving grandmother had pushed her first husband down the stairs to his death? It just couldn’t be true.
They were sitting in a small coffee shop near Julia’s office in Raffles Place, where she had suggested they meet during her lunch break.
All around them buzzed office workers in smart suits, grabbing a quick bite to eat, a caffeine injection or a moment’s respite before continuing with their busy day.
Julia put down her mug and sighed, registering Annabel’s reaction. ‘I’m sorry, it must be very upsetting to hear all this.’
Annabel shook her head. ‘Not upsetting exactly, more confusing. It’s so strange that we’ve never heard any of this before.
But maybe this explains why; it’s hardly surprising that Granny kept all of this secret, especially if she was responsible for a man’s death.
When she got back to England I suppose she must have wanted to put all of this behind her, make a fresh start.
’ Annabel picked up the teapot in front of her and topped up her cup.
‘Yes, I’m sure.’ Julia gave a sad smile.
‘And this is why Mama didn’t want me to tell you; she didn’t want to tarnish your grandmother’s reputation or have anyone thinking badly of her.
She made that promise to Ah Ling, you see.
But I felt strongly that you should know.
I mean, you’ve travelled all this way to find out, I thought you deserved to know the truth. I hope it was the right decision?’
Annabel smiled and nodded reassuringly. The worried look on Julia’s face eased as she continued, ‘Ah Ling maintained that Dorothy acted purely out of self-defence on that night, and not violence. Douglas Llewellyn did not treat her well and they had been arguing right before he fell.’ She shrugged.
‘You might say he got his just deserts.’
‘But what happened next?’ Annabel asked, suddenly worrying for her grandmother. ‘Was his death considered suspicious? Were the police involved? Did Dorothy face charges?’
She was reassured by Julia’s vehement shake of the head.
‘No, nothing like that, don’t worry! Douglas Llewellyn was incredibly drunk on the night he died – all the household staff could attest to that – and the doctor recorded accidental death.
It was assumed that Douglas had tripped at the top of the stairs and was too intoxicated to steady himself as he fell. He landed badly and broke his neck.’
‘All the household staff?’ Annabel asked. ‘Who else was there? Did anyone else see?’
Julia shook her head. ‘No, no one else saw it happen. But the staff were around and had seen the lead up to it, but Ah Ling said she was the only one who knew the truth because Miss Dorothy told her. She trusted her like a sister, you see, she was her confidante. And even though her husband had been cruel and unkind to her, Dorothy was racked with guilt at what she had done. She was a good woman. Ah Ling worried that she never forgave herself and would live with that guilt until the very end.’
Annabel shook her head sadly, remembering her darling grandmother and the last time she had seen her in the hospital.
In those final moments, it consoled her to think that her grandmother had been at peace, thinking of Grandpa and their happy family.
But had her mind drifted back to that fateful night in Singapore in 1941? Oh, poor Granny.
‘What a terrible time she must have had.’ Annabel mused, shaking her head sadly. ‘To lose her mother and her husband on the same day! How did she bear it?’
‘It must have been an awful time, indeed,’ Julia agreed.
‘Dorothy put all her energy into taking care of her father and, for a while, she and Ah Ling moved back to the family home. Poor Mr Templeton was lost without his wife. He had been devoted to her and had taken leave from his job to stay home and take care of her during her final months.’
Annabel nodded. ‘Yes, we read that in the article we found about the history of McKinley’s. Douglas Llewellyn had taken over the management of the company.’
‘That’s right. His wife had become the centre of Mr Templeton’s world and his grief overwhelmed him. He wasn’t eating, wasn’t sleeping and, despite previously being in reasonable health, he deteriorated rapidly. Don’t forget, it was also a worrying time in Singapore with the threat of war looming.’
Annabel’s brow creased as she pieced together the dates. She opened the notebook that was on the table in front of her and scanned through the notes she had made. ‘This was November 1941, right?’
Julia nodded confirmation.
‘So, the Japanese invasion was just around the corner. Gosh, what a time it must have been.’
‘Yes, they came in February 1942. Unfortunately – or maybe fortunately, who knows – Mr Templeton didn’t live to see it. He died just before Christmas.’
‘Yes, we found his death record, it said he died of heart failure.’
Julia shrugged sadly. ‘Some people don’t believe that you can die of a broken heart, but Ah Ling said that’s what it was. The poor man was bereft without his wife and his body just gave up. He was reunited with her in Bidadari cemetery.’
Annabel nodded. ‘We found that in the Public Records and went to find their graves, but the cemetery is no longer there.’
‘No,’ Julia agreed. ‘There’s been so much development in Singapore in the last sixty years. Sadly, even sacred sites have been built on.’
Annabel finished her tea, a pensive look on her face. ‘But the big question remains: how on earth do we get from the Dorothy Llewellyn of 1942 Singapore to the Dotty Penrose I knew and loved in Cornwall? And how – and where – does my father fit into the story?’
Julia smiled. ‘Well, the story is just beginning. But . . . I’ve been thinking about it and decided that it’s not really my place to tell you what happened next.’
Annabel felt instant disappointment. ‘But . . . ’
Julia raised a hand to stop her. ‘Don’t worry, Annabel.’ She reached into her bag and pulled out a thick A4-sized brown envelope. She handed it across the table. ‘I’m going to let your grandmother tell you in her own words.’
She chuckled softly at Annabel’s confusion.
‘It will all make sense, I promise.’ Then she checked her watch.
‘I’m so sorry, but I’m going to have to go; I have a meeting.
Read that when you get back later, and give me a ring if there’s anything I can help you with.
’ She sighed. ‘Mama didn’t want anyone to see it, knowing how protective Ah Ling was over Dorothy.
That’s why we didn’t send it back to Dorothy with all the other letters and photos after Ah Ling’s death; She was worried in case the information it contained caused trouble for Dorothy’s family.
Mama doesn’t know I’m giving it to you, but I think you need to see it.
Send it back once you’ve read it, won’t you? ’
Annabel nodded. ‘Of course!’
Julia stood up from the table and lifted her bag up onto her shoulder.
She smiled down at Annabel. ‘I hope I did the right thing in sharing all of this with you.’ She nodded at the brown envelope that Annabel was still holding.
‘Prepare yourself – it’s quite a story! But I’m pleased to say it has a happy ending.
’ She patted her new friend’s shoulder encouragingly, then left the café.
Annabel remained at the table for a while longer to eat the toasted sandwich that had sat untouched during Julia’s narration.
She was so tempted to open the brown envelope there and then.
But the café was full and new customers were loitering hopefully nearby, so she put it safely in her bag to read back at Emma’s later.
She stepped out of the café, into the busy Raffles Place.
Skyscrapers towered up to dizzying heights above her and the streets were filled with smartly dressed professionals rushing to and from their offices.
Dynamic and modern, it was the beating heart of Singapore’s financial district.
How different it must have been when Dorothy lived here, Annabel thought, and she made a mental note to research the area’s history.
Unlike the dozens of workers rushing around on their lunch hour, Annabel took a leisurely stroll around the large central green.
With its lush, green grass and shady trees, it was a mini oasis in the concrete jungle.
Locals and tourists alike were enjoying a peaceful lunchtime interlude, relaxing on deckchairs and picnic benches with a takeaway, taking in the sculptures on display, or people-watching from one of the many bars or cafés around the outside.
Annabel was contemplating a stroll down to the river when her phone started vibrating.
She smiled when she saw it was James and answered straight away; she had so much to tell him.
But despite her pleasure at hearing his voice, her stomach did that uncomfortable lurching thing again, as if something didn’t feel right. Why was her body reacting this way?
‘How was your meeting?’ Annabel asked, once they’d exchanged pleasantries. James hadn’t been able to join her to see Julia as he’d had a meeting with his solicitor. She hadn’t liked to pry, but assumed it was divorce business.
There was a momentary pause and she heard a sigh before he replied. ‘Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly straightforward. But I think we’re making progress.’ His voice brightened as he changed the subject. ‘How was Julia? Where are you now?’
‘All good, thanks, but there’s a lot to digest. I’ve got so much to tell you. I’m still in Raffles Place, but thinking of heading down to Boat Quay for a wander. I’d like to picture where McKinley’s warehouse was.’
‘Good idea,’ James replied. ‘Well, I’m just in the car now. How about I come down and join you?’