Page 828 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Court. Sh Sulman was rather huffy about not getting an invitation to Ham's wedding with Miss Savidge
tomorrow, but I fixed it up with Mrs Steele & had one sent out. Court. In afternoon M & Nanny & James
went to the Steeles to try on James' page's clothes. Ayesha came to tea to meet Miss Savidge and see the
wedding dress. I went to the Fort and took the parade, then to the Shaikh's garden to collect some flowers
for the bouquet for tomorrow & then to the Steeles. From there we went to the Agency and discussed
seating arrangements. Gastrell seemed very cross. A female cousin of Steeles came out from home with
Miss Savidge, we think she is a dressmaker. She is very red and wears bright blue and very common but
extremly amusing. She is going to tour Egypt after being here and seems to be well off. Dined with the
Russells, the Skinners were there & Denison expected but didnt come as he thought it too rough! A very
lively amusing party.

Sunday 29th October

At the very last moment they postponed the wedding as Miss Savidge was ill & the doctor suspected
dysentry. Bad luck for all of them, she & Mrs Steele both had violent hysterics when the doctor told her it
should be put off. The Shaikh came in to attend the wedding - all dressed up and I caught him & had a photo
taken of him with James by the Indian photographer who is going away. Then he & I went to the Agency to
say good-bye to Gastrell. They came over in evening to say good-bye & went out to the boat before dinner
time. I went out to Rafaa to attend the wedding of Sh Mohammed's son with Sh Sulman's daughter. The boy
looked very young. There were a lot of people there, all the shaikhs & some merchants too. The usual Arab
dinner and then we went into the bridal chamber to wish the bridegroom luck - it is such a stuffy business.
The room is entirely hung with coloured silks and mirrors with a large bed at one side, everyone crowds in &
gets round the side of the room, there is incense & rosewater and then one goes out.

Monday [30th October]

The Shaikh of Sharjah arrived here yesterday & last night I got a message from Denison asking me to send
him back to Sharjah to meet the admiral. I wrote to him but he declined to go - its not my business so I dont
really care. Customs & office in the morning. Finished my half year report on finance, & very depressing too.
Motored on Rafaa road in evening. Some aeroplanes arrived, wapatis & 2 flying boats en route for Aden.
Warmer day.

Tuesday 31st [October]

The down boat, with Lock on it, is a day late. The Shaikh of Sharjah eventually decided to go back to his
country. Motored in afternoon, went to the RAF rest house where they asked us in, Wing Commander Rolley
& two others. Then to Russells for Bridge. While there I got a message from Sh of Sharjah asking if he could
call on me - I declined the honour at that hour. Chisholm & Arnold, APOC are here, back from Qattar.