* * *
Epilogue
The fluffy beige cushions on the teak chairs supported Pieter's body firmly and cosily. The smell of the burning coal mingled slowly with the odour of the tropical vegetation. He did not at all feel like leaving this position, but the barbeque was merciless with his food.
Pieter swayed the platter with grilled jumbo-prawns and scampi under Jane's nose, saying: “this is it. This is life. Mmmmm... Let us enjoy every second of it.” He took one of the grilled jumbo shrimp and started to open it. He started to coo like a child unwrapping one of the few real surprise packages on Christmas Eve. “I can really appreciate the simple things in life.”
Jane installed herself opposite him and opened her hand. Reluctantly he gave her the shrimp. She looked up to the pitch dark sky and tried to recognise the starts.
“I think there are very few people who are, just like us, reflecting on their past weeks,” she said.
Pieter continued to open the shrimp and placed the platter between them. He felt safe, despite all the action of the past days. Not many people got killed in their bedroom and eat shrimp that same evening. He felt safe because he knew that Abdi had placed hidden guards around the house.
“Yes, I guess a lot of people have other things on their mind right now. Like primal survival. But now I want to enjoy my well deserved rest for the next ten years.”
“It is just a matter what you define as rest.”
“That is easy,” he answered: “silence, quietness, not to be shot at.” He paused and added: “to be alone with you.”
“We could fall short on the alone, Pieter,” Jane answered almost casually. “It just happens that I am pregnant.”
THE END OF THIS BOOK
An interview with the author:
The Abacus Equation Page 49
