Refined By His Fire

by Cathy Conradie

  Chapter Four

  An expensive Audi A6 park amongst the other cars in the parking area of the seemingly unimportant cricket club grounds of the Elgin Cricket Club where the usual Saturday club match took place. It is just another very hot summer’s day in January in Grabouw and very few people noticed the two very prominent cricketing figures who take out their camping chairs and cooler box. Some lifted their eyebrows, but not many recognized Christo Vosloo and Robert Hopkins behind their dark sunglasses. They didn’t care much. What mattered is the exciting game taking place, their boerewors braai and beer.

  Christo looks at Robert, very amused.

  “So, what’s the big deal, mate? Why coming here to this small town to watch an ordinary club match?”

  Robert smiles mischievously.

  “Well, it’s my day off. I’m not in the mood for my hotel room or the hustle and bustle of Cape Town and all the sight seeing everyone will partake in today. I live here, remember? So, I was thinking of doing something else to keep myself occupied.”

  Robert cracks open a Castle and drinks deep.

  “No ways, mate. You don’t fool me. You are up to something and you might as well tell me.”

  “Well . . . Peter and I had a chat about the squad that will be announced in weeks’ time. The squad for the World Cup in Australia, and—” Robert sighs dramatically.

  “And?” Christo asked curiously and annoyed.

  “Well, I know you trust Peter and his judgment of talent.”

  “He is the best spotter in talent. So what? What’s the deal?”

  Robert nods with his head to the pitch’s direction.

  “That.” he says.

  “That blonde batsman in front of the wickets. The gutsy, crazy chap with no helmet.”

  Christo stares.

  “Why? Who is he?”

  “Adrian Parker. 20 year old, almost 20 year old policeman from Grabouw. Mostly known for his rugby for Western Province last year, playing at fullback, but he has made his debut for Western Province cricket in October last year. You don’t know about him because we were on a tour as you can recall. I’ve seen tapes of the matches he played. Peter has seen some of it live and some on tape. He is one short, small bugger, but he can hit a six harder and further than Ryan or Smitty can, even more further than Hansie ever could have. In all his matches, he has hit sixes. Except in one, where he was dismissed for a duck. In the eight games he has played, he scored five half centuries and one century. He also took a total of 24 wickets.”

  “No way, that’s too good to be true, Robert.”

  “Well, my info is correct. When we are back at the hotel, you can use the Net on my laptop and go to the stats. Do yourself a favor, go into the stats when he has played the SA Schools’ cricket week. He has participated in it three times. The last time he has captained the SA Schools side.”

  “Believe me, I will, but okay, what’s the big deal? Is Peter actually considering picking him for the squad?”

  “I believe so, yes. And—” Robert chuckles.

  “Rumor has it that Peter considers it strongly to appoint him as your vice.”

  Christo shoots him a double take.

  “That’s madness, mate! He is too young, seemingly plays cricket for the fun of it. Yes, I admit his performances are extraordinary, but that doesn’t mean that he will be able to cope at international level. Why doesn’t Peter appoint anyone else as my vice?”

  “Because he wants Adrian, no one else.”

  “Robert, I need someone who is a leader, someone who will be able to take over when I am not there. Someone who will not be scared of the moment, someone who won’t shy away from a challenge.”

  “In all the SA Schools’ weeks he acted as Western Province’s captain and was chosen as captain of the SA Schools cricket side. He was the head boy of Bishops and the vice captain of the Western Province rugby team. This guy stands back for nothing. He is a policeman!”

  Christo laughs cynically.

  “Well, mate. I don’t know. I don’t mind this, but we are on our way to the World Cup. I still don’t see the big deal, because he is on 15 of 30 balls. That’s very slow batting for a one day match.”

  As if Adrian knew that Christo and Robert were there and as if he is able to hear them, he clubbers the next delivery with an arrogant finesse for a huge six, to the delight of his home crowd. Play is delayed to bring a spare ball of the same condition while the other one is searched for.

  “What in the world was that?!”

  Christo stares in disbelief and Robert smiles.

  “Did you see that, mate? That bowler is not one of the slowest pace bowlers. Parker wears no helmet and . . .” he shakes his head.

  “I think we need to stick around. I don’t think he is going to finish soon.”

  “Told you. That’s the main reason why Peter wants him in the side. Peter wants someone to make big scores, or fast scores anyway. A big hitter, an entertainer. Sort of . . . a secret weapon. We have a lot of home work to do, orders from above. Contact needs to be established with Adrian’s station commander and some contract needs to be drafted between CSA and SAPS. Everything needs to be ready before we leave and in particular, before the squad is announced.”

  Three weeks later as he is about to finish his last night shift, Adrian very tiredly enters the charge office and puts the keys of the Police van he was driving on the counter with the log book so that he can book the vehicle back.

  “I’m resigning.” Adrian complains tiresomely and Lieutenant October laughs.

  “Oh come on, Parker. I’m sure it is not that bad. What is wrong?”

  “No, good gracious! I’m dog tired! It was a nightmare working last night and the fact that Barry and I were the only cars outside didn’t make it any easier. The criminals were playing around in town big time last night.”

  Lieutenant October sighs.

  “You can say that again. Your dad was swearing like a sailor when I had to phone him a fourth time. Two culpable homicides, a murder and a rape, in Grabouw’s precinct? One can expect something like that over December, but not now. Seems like the devil is back in town.”

  “How can Lieutenant be so negative? That’s not good.” Adrian says annoyed and Lieutenant October laughs again.

  “Come now, book back your vehicle so that you can go home. I can see that you are wasted.”

  Adrian proceeds to book the vehicle back in the official register and Barry also enters the charge office.

  “Hey, old man. How has the rest of your morn been?”

  “Don’t ask, Engelsman. I’m going to fire myself.”

  Adrian looks up when a person at the counter clears his throat.

  “Good morning, sir. Can we help you?”

  “I hope so, mate. I was looking for Adrian Parker.”

  “Well, I’m the man you’re looking for. What’s up? What can I help you with?”

  “Well, I was wondering if you followed the media lately. Reading the papers, listening to the radio or following the TV news.”

  Adrian giggles, and picks up his police hand radio.

  “This is my only radio I listen to, apart from my CD’s in my car. I don’t follow the media. I’m a policeman and on my off days I don’t want to hear anything negative.”

  “Well, clearly you’ve missed it. How fast can you pack?”

  “I’m sorry. You’ve lost me completely.”

  “Well, we need to be going to Durban and from there, catch a connection flight to the Drakensberg. That is all happening in the space of the next few hours.”

  Adrian frowns.

  “Drakensberg? What on earth for? Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve had a horrific night behind of me and I am very tired. I don’t think I want to go anywhere right now except home and besides, my station commander won’t just approve me leaving.”

  “Well, I was wondering if you can go and speak to him because we need to be at the airport at half past eight. The reason for that
is that you are part of the Protea cricket squad.”

  Adrian shoots Christo a double take.

  “I’m sorry? Is this some kind of a joke?”

  “No, mate. It’s not. Sorry to be sounding rude, but for someone who is involved in cricket the way you are I would have thought you would recognize me.”

  Adrian blushes very embarrassed, puts his head on his arms on the counter for a split second.

  “Oh man, I wish I can just disappear!” he says aloud.

  “Christo Vosloo! How could I miss it? I’m so sorry. I . . . I can’t think straight whatsoever at the moment. Well, listen, I . . . I’ll go and speak to my station commander. Fortunately for you, he is already in. An early bird. But,” Adrian says very seriously.

  “I’m not making any promises. Just . . . what tour is this for? Do you want to . . . No, good gracious! The World Cup?!”

  Christo laughs.

  “Yes, mate. The World Cup. In Australia. I really hope you have a passport and that it is in order.”

  “Yeah, I do. But . . . We’ll be away like, what, eight, nine weeks? I don’t have that much leave!”

  “Well mate. I don’t care. I want you in my team and you do what you need to do to make this happen. But you really need to hurry. We can’t be late.”

  Adrian finishes writing in the register and hands the Police van’s keys safely to Lieutenant October. Lieutenant October smiles mischievously.

  “I always knew this will happen.”

  “Don’t hold your breath, Lieutenant. The station commander will never approve this.” Adrian says and proceeds to Henry’s office. Adrian knocks his coded tap softly on Henry’s office door and Henry looks up.

  “Good morning, Major.” Adrian dutifully stretches Henry.

  “Good morning, Student. Glad to see you are safe through all the drama of last night.”

  “It was a horrific night shift. I never could have imagined that something like that can happen in our precinct.”

  “So,” Henry lights his pipe.

  “What brings you to my office so early in the morning?”

  “Major, I . . . I have a situation and I don’t know how to deal with it.”

  Henry smiles very knowingly.

  “Christo Vosloo?”

  “How . . . How do you know?”

  “Close the door and then, sit down.”

  Adrian obeys.

  “What do you know about Christo Vosloo, Major?”

  Henry opens a drawer in his desk and pulls out official correspondence.

  “I’ve known that you have been chosen for the Proteas since almost three weeks ago. It took a lot of calls, lots of correspondence to get this authorization and the contract drawn up. But it is all done. All in time. All in time for you to go out there and to enjoy this tremendous opportunity given to you.”

  Adrian stares speechless at Henry.

  “But how?”

  “Well, your old man has got a lot of contacts in and around the SAPS. Remember now that General van der Westhuizen and I shared the same dormitory in the College. We were in the same platoon. We go a very long way together. And my goodness, this is an exceptional circumstance! You don’t get to represent your country every day in a sport that you are good at!”

  Adrian sits back in the chair, hastily drying the tears of tiredness, surprise and overwhelming emotion from his eyes.

  “You just need to sign the contract and then you are all ready to go.”

  “Dad . . . I am so tired . . .”

  Henry becomes very concerned instantly. Adrian’s complexion is pale because of fatigue and he appears very overwhelmed.

  “I know, my son. But go home, pack your things, drink a tonic and on your way to the airport, don’t forget to come and say goodbye to your old man.”

  Adrian smiles bravely, signs the contract and both him and Henry gets up.

  “Come here.”

  Henry pulls Adrian close, embracing him and kissing him on the forehead.

  “I’m very proud of you. Go out there and enjoy every single moment. Show those Aussies and English who are the best. They will look like amateurs when you are done with their bowling. And remember, I love you.”

  “I love you too, Dad. Thanks for making this possible. This is awesome . . .”

  Arriving at the Durban International Airport, the rest of the team management is awaiting them. Adrian managed to sleep very briefly during the flight, but he still feels exhausted and silently hopes that no one will expect too much of him.

  Exiting the airport building, an expensive BMW is parked outside and the rest of the team management gets out.

  “Adrian, this is the rest of the team management that you and I will be working with.”

  Adrian shoots Christo a double take.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t follow.”

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you. You’re my vice for this tour.” Christo adds innocently.

  “No, no. This is impossible. You are making the biggest mistake now. First you make a mistake to choose me and now you make a mistake to appoint me as the vice captain!” Adrian protests.

  Robert steps closer, smiles.

  “Our secret weapon.” Robert announces.

  “Welcome, Adrian. I’m Robert Hopkins. The coach. It’s a privilege to have you with us.”

  Adrian blushes shyly.

  “Adrian, this is the team manager, Arthur Johnson.”

  Adrian sticks out his hand, but gets frightened of the apparent hard look in Arthur’s eyes. Arthur smiles.

  “It’s okay, Adrian. I won’t bite.”

  They shake hands.

  “Well, that’s the four musketeers then.” Christo says.

  “We’ll just go to the hotel quickly and get our stuff, meet up with some of the team members and then we’ll come back to the airport for the connection flight.”

  “What time will that be?” Adrian asks.

  “I don’t mean to sound rude, but I was hoping to catch a nap before we go. I’ve worked a night shift and it’s been a horrible night. We were terribly busy.”

  “I’m sorry mate. You’ll have to grit your teeth. We still have lots to do.”

  Arriving at the Drakensberg at the resort, Adrian closes the door of the room he was to share with the others, undresses and hang his uniform neatly on a hanger and hang it in one of the cupboards. He unzips his bag and stares at the content, noticing an envelope on top of the clothing with Barry’s handwriting on it.

  Adrian opens the envelope and reads the brief letter.

  “Hey old man, no words can describe how proud I am of ye! Enjoy this two months, remember all the pics where ye go and forget about the boring police work. I am going to miss ye terribly. Blessings, Barry.”

  Adrian purses his lips and swallows at the lump in his throat. He knows Barry will be okay on the farm, it’s just that over a year later, it seemed as if Barry started to get over the loss of his parents. Though Barry was two months older than Adrian, Adrian was always the one who looked out for Barry and protected him in all different ways. Adrian also knew that he and Barry will remain best friends for life, but that one day, each of them will find a wife, gets married and have kids. But until then, Adrian felt responsible for being there for Barry and it was terrible for him to think that he wouldn’t be there, especially at the station. Both Adrian and Barry were also very excited about the prospect of working together on one vehicle, now that they were soon to be fully fledged Constables.

  Adrian also knows that deep inside in his heart, he would feel more at peace about Barry, when Barry will stop being stubborn and also become a Christian, allowing Jesus Christ to rule his life.

  Adrian puts the letter back in the bag, dresses into a pair of running shorts and gets into the top bunker bed next to the window. He is past dog tired and falls asleep instantly.

  Fifteen minutes after Adrian fell asleep, the rest of the team arrives and the chalet soon buzzes with lively conversatio
n and activity. Ryan comes to a standstill in front of the closed door, opens it and switches the light on, but when seeing the sleeping figure in the top bunker, immediately dims the sharp lights. He puts his bags down and curiously steps closer.

  Ryan hasn’t read the newspapers lately and is not really keen in following the media. He was very intrigued when he met with only thirteen members, not knowing where the other member was or who it was. Obviously, the team management knew, but the others were unaware of the newcomer.

  Adrian moans softly in his sleep, turns from the window on his other side and becomes aware of the light in the bedroom. He groggily opens his eyes. There was no way that he slept seven hours. It was too short and he doesn’t feel rested at all. His eyes lock with Ryan’s and he stares in disbelief.

  “Oh, my goodness! I must be dreaming!”

  Adrian sits up in his bunker, wide awake.

  “I mean, I know you represented the Proteas since four years ago, it’s just . . . it’s just . . .”

  Ryan step closer right to the bunker, hugs the youngster close for a while.

  “It’s okay, buddy.”

  Ryan chuckles when Adrian lets him go, hastily drying a lost tear or two.

  “I’m sorry.” Adrian says embarrassed.

  “Must be a very funny sight for everyone else. This macho policeman being so emotional about a long lost friend.”

  “No one saw you. And no, it’s not funny. You are over tired and rightfully overwhelmed by this whole ordeal. Just hang on. I’ll get you a nice night cap.”

  Adrian smiles, amused.

  “What?”

  “No, no. Just wait a minute or two.”

  Ryan disappears and after a short while emerges with a mug in his hands.

  Adrian takes the mug from his hands, curiously smells the hot milk.

  Ryan laughs.

  “What’s this?”

  “Come, buddy, drink up before it cools down. Works best while it is still warm.”

  Adrian takes a careful sip.

  “You doctored this, you rascal!”

  “Just some honey and a tot of Scotch. You’ll sleep like a rock.”

  Adrian finishes the milk and Ryan takes the mug. Adrian lies down, smiles.

  “Feel drowsy already.”

  “I’ll tell the others to keep it down a couple of decibels. We all have a very long day ahead of us tomorrow anyway.”

  “It’s okay. Try to share a dorm with 37 other guys. If you can sleep through that racket, you can sleep through anything.”

  “Sleep well, buddy. See you in the morning.”