Barbara Cleverly by Ragtime in Simla

Joe. ‘Didn’t like him much.’
    ‘Not surprised!’ said Meg Carter explosively. ‘I can’t stand him! Charlie always makes allowances but then he makes allowances for everybody. If he told the truth he’d say he can’t stand him either. He’s not a bit like Alice. Where Alice was and is a really good businessman, Reggie is just a pretentious ass, idle, drinks like a fish — ’
    ‘Meg!’ said Carter, seriously annoyed. ‘You don’t know that.’
    ‘Everybody knows that! You should hear Dulcie Pettigrew!’
    ‘I’ve no desire to hear Dulcie Pettigrew,’ said Carter. ’Sharpest tongue in Simla! Wouldn’t believe a word she said. All the same, it is true that he is something of a layabout. There is a sort of huntin’, drinkin’, dancin’, gamblin’ mob in Simla, mostly army or ex-army, who make a business of bad behaviour and Reggie Sharpe is right in the middle of that. Johnny Bristow, Bertie Hearn-Robinson, Jackie Carlisle, Edgar Troop, oh they’re all the same! I was going to say I wouldn’t have one of them in the house but then, not one of them would condescend to enter our humble abode! It’s a sort of twilight world – not received by H.E. and I very much doubt if any of them would be received by Sir George. They batten on the visitors, show them around, give them a good time, show them “the real India” – I can hear it all! Edgar Troop’s the worst! A good deal older than the others and definitely their leader. I can’t stand him but Reggie sees a lot of him, it seems.’
    ‘The wonder of it is that Alice puts up with it,’ said Meg. ‘But they say they pretty much live separate lives now. Alice gets on with all the many things she has to do while Reggie surveys the world through the bottom of a whisky bottle!’
    With this flourish Meg decided that the two round-eyed children had heard enough of adult conversation. She rose from the table and, summoning the help of the ayah with a clap of her hands, bustled them off for their afternoon sleep.
    This flurry of activity over, Carter said confidentially to Joe, ‘You must excuse Meg – though I have to say that’s the reaction you’ll get from any decent woman in Simla once the name of Reggie Sharpe is mentioned. Men seem to rub along easily enough with him but there’s something about him that makes women bristle with rage and disgust. I could almost be sorry for him. But, of course, they all know
    ’
    ‘Know? Know what?’
    Carter stirred uncomfortably and listened for the sounds of laughter from the other end of the bungalow before continuing.
    ‘Well, when I said “huntin’, shootin’ and gamblin’” just now I could have added, er
    ’
    ‘Whorin’?’ suggested Joe cheerfully.
    ‘Exactly. That coterie may not be received by H.E. but they all find a warm welcome at Madame Flora’s.’
    ‘Madame Flora’s eh? A de luxe establishment I take it?’
    ‘Oh yes. Very recherché! And she is actually French, the madam. The place seems to be run jointly by her and her English protector – who but Edgar Troop! Troop! He’s everything people mean when they talk about a “bounder”. Calls himself Captain Troop but no one’s sure in what outfit. He was never a captain in the British Army or the Indian Army either. He lays claim to having served in the Imperial Russian Army and it may be true. He’s certainly very knowledgeable. Understands the frontier and he’s well connected in tribal territory.’
    ‘Has he any other source of income?’ Joe asked. ‘Apart from battening on Madame Flora? Couldn’t you get him for living on immoral earnings?’
    ‘No, it’s not a crime under the Indian Penal Code. I mean – you couldn’t enforce it. In a country where the avocation of temple prostitute is perfectly respectable such a thing would be ridiculous. And anyway, Edgar Troop takes people on shooting trips. Plenty of starry-eyed tourists to fall for that sort of thing. Really knows his stuff. I took the trouble to go out with him once just to check up, you know. Not ready to risk any amateurs getting