Funeral
THERE WAS A DEEP throaty roar breaking the morning quiet. A large black Honda motorcycle pulled into the Railway Hotel. The brakes pulled the machine to an abrupt halt. It was still early morning. The hotel staff came to the end of their night shift, and a half-asleep porter went out to meet the rider. A small backpack was handed to the man. The motorcyclist walked up the five steps to the reception desk.
'Yes, Sir, how can I help you?'
The rider removed the matte black helmet. The protective shield was lifted, and wave upon wave of blonde hair fell upon the sleek shoulders.
'Sorry sir, I mean madam, can I assist you in any way?'
If the hotel staff were anywhere near awake, they would have noticed how the leather-clad rider moved. No man could slink like that. It was the gentle swell of a graceful sea motion on a calm day.
'I need a room for a length of stay to be decided. I expect I will know shortly. You have a hideous concrete extension; I will not stay in that. Could you give me a room in the old section? Thank you.'
'But madam, the new block has air-con and hot water in the showers. So it is much more comfortable than the old wooden buildings.'
'Do I look like I need air con?'
'No, not at all. Follow me; I'll take you to a sea view room.'
After unpacking her backpack, which took all of 15 seconds, she changed into the briefest bikini ever spotted on Hua Hin's sand. Then, she went to a beach restaurant that had opened for morning coffee.
Camilla settled down and decided what to do next. The answer she sought could be found, at least partly, right here. Maybe not all she needed, but she felt the next chapter in her quest was unfurling.
'Where? How? And who? Keep your eyes open, and keep talking to people. Come on, girl. It's coming.'
Camilla was talking to herself loudly, like a football coach in the final minutes of a match.
'What are you staring at?' Camilla said to a young girl who was about to take her order.
Emma and Gi didn't fancy cooking. But they needed a break from household chores. So, they went to the beach for an early lunch. They were deciding on "hor muk talay". A seafood dish served in a coconut. It was challenging to master. But cooked well, it was a delight. Where better to enjoy a seafood lunch than at their favourite place on the beach?
The girls settled down to get stuck into the juicy prawns. Then, as a tall girl barely covering her assets in glimmering gold material, she sat down.
'Do you mind if I join you?'
'Looks like you already have.'
'Don't worry, and I won't take your food.'
'It is hard to make friends here. What do you want?'
'Sorry, can we start again? I'm nice, really, but under a lot of pressure to get a story for my editor.'
'Story about what? What makes you think we can help?'
'It must be clear, even to numbskulls. Something very newsworthy is happening around here. But, sorry, again, I don't wish to be so abrupt.'
'Look, we don't know you or want to. So why should we disrupt our meal even to allow you to join us?'
'Okay, can we start again?'
She put her hand out to Emma and Gi. Each girl shook the pink and soft hand with little feeling.
'My name is Camilla Cortez, and I am a journalist. I live in Bangkok. They gave me an assignment, and my editor thought I would fail, then he could sack me - I refused to get in the sack with him.'
'He must have fallen in love with your charm.' The French girls giggled.
'With a name like that, you must be Spanish or Mexican?'
'It sounds like it, I agree, but I'm English, born and bred. I worked hard to get this job and don't want to lose it, so please help me, girls.'
'How can we help?'
'Before they moved me to the Bangkok office. I worked in Hong Kong, and rumours about a British spy were wafting around. He disappeared. I promised myself I would sort this out and get a huge story. The Hong Kong Editor, who didn't bed me, was very helpful. He knew a lot more than he let on. It was his idea to make some further progress in Thailand. Hence the abrupt transfer to the Bangkok office.'
'We are French and don't know French or English spies.'
'No, maybe not, but you may know of his contacts?'
The French girls peered at each other, wondering, 'What is she talking about?'
'Come on, girls; you must have heard about the goings-on around here?'
While Skip and Black finished their onerous tasks, Kev and Skylab were sleeping (in separate rooms). As a result, both suffered a troubled and dream-filled sleep. But then, there was a rap at Skylabʼs door.
'Sorry to wake you, but a guy from the temple needs to speak to you.'
'Hello Myrtle, how are you feeling?'
'I am okay, thanks, but I think you should see what's up with the funeral arrangements.'
Skylab washed and dressed as quickly as she could and ran downstairs.
'Good morning, Abbot. What is the problem?'
'There is no big problem, my child, but we need the photo of the dear departed.'
At most funerals in Thailand, a large photograph of the dead person is placed next to the coffin.
'Oh yes, sorry, it must have slipped my mind. I have been busy. I'll find you a suitable picture and bring it around soon.'
She was shocked by how late it was. She awoke Kev and told him to shower, dress in black or white quickly, and meet her at the temple. Kev drowsily wandered into the kitchen, where there was a fried egg sandwich and a very morose Myrtle.
'This is a sad day. Each day gets worse. I want you to do something for me, please.'
'Sure, Myrtle, anything I can do to help.'
'I want someone to dress Nick in the outfit I bought him on Koh Samui.'
'I donʼt know, Iʼll have to ask.'
'But you said ANYTHING.' She screamed. Kev did not argue.
'Okay, Myrtle, please don't upset yourself. Let me eat this while you fetch me the clothes, then Iʼll see the monks.'
'Skylab, I donʼt know if this is normal, but Myrtle wants Nick's body dressed in these.' Holding out the colourful printed shirt and shorts. Skylabʼs eyes raised to the ceiling.
'Oh no, please no.'
She was dreading the head monk's comments.
'But Skylab, the body is already prepared and wrapped in the white cotton. I am sorry,' said the Abbot.
'That's what I thought you'd say. How about we put these clothes over the top of the wrapping cloth? It would make his girlfriend thrilled.'
'A first time for everything, I suppose, falangs can be strange,' said the Abbot.
The chanting started. Everybody was dressed in black or white, except Nick, who wore his colourful shorts and top.
A black motorbike with a rider dressed head to foot in black leather cruised past the funeral. The rider carefully examined the ceremony and who was present.
Many people came and paid their respects by placing a floral wreath near the coffin. Flower tributes were all around the temple room. Myrtle barely controlled her emotions. She was putting on a brave face. Especially after a monk, one of the few who could speak some English explained that death is a journey to rebirth. Myrtle asked the monk to think about their dead unborn baby in his prayers. The monk was more than happy to grant her latest wish.
Kev looked around at the mourners and saw Black and Skip sitting near the back. When the chanting of prayers was over, people milled about. Kev went to find out if the two men had any further information.
'We have been busy. We have had to take care of our bodies and theirs. So far, there are no nasty surprises, except one. We found the body of Sombat buried in a shallow grave near the stairs. I have to go to Bangkok and see his widow, but it's not a job I'm looking forward to.'
Skip took over, 'You said you saw a splash about halfway to the shore?'
'Yes, but not a huge splash.'
'My diver has not found anything but will continue the search until tomorrow. On the bright side, the restaurant owners were delighted to get their boat back in one piece. And now they can restart their water skiing business for the tourists! I will stay here for the next few days, so I'll see you tomorrow.'
The following day at the temple was the same as the first day: prayers, chanting, and then a brief talk with the mourners. Black did not come as he spent time with Sombatʼs widow in the city.
Myrtle was improving. She accepted Nick's death, and the young monk explained that life and death are journeys. This time, the young monk spent more time with Myrtle talking about Buddhism.
The funeral proceedings started at 4 pm on the third and final day. There were prayers and chanting as before. But this time, the monks led by the Abbot placed Nick, in his colourful garb, onto the pyre. The mound was lit. The mourners lined up behind Myrtle. They put dried leaves and strips of sandalwood in the shape of flowers onto the flames. There was a considerable change in Myrtle's demeanour. She was calm, and an angelic smile warmed the hearts of everyone who saw her.
After the funeral, when the other guests had left the temple, she announced she would not return to Ireland. Instead, she would become a Buddhist nun. The young monk had converted her without knowing it.
Afterwards, she called her parents to tell them about her decision. Myrtle cuddled and kissed Skylab. She shook Kevʼs hand, thanked them for everything, and made them promise to visit her. Then, she left her room, said her goodbyes, and joined the other Nuns at the nunnery.
'That was a turn-up for the books,' said a surprised Kev.
'No, I saw it coming. Did you not notice her change over the last few days?'