by Hilary Wilde
Alex talked to her as he had never talked before. Relaxed, he told her about the animals that were rescued when the Kariba Dam was built; he explained about the arrows that were shot into wild animals and that sent them to sleep long enough so that they might be examined to see if they were healthy, or to move them to a less crowded part of the reserve.
She felt quite sorry when she recognized the road to the valley where she lived. Alex must have noticed it, too, for his whole behaviour changed. He became serious.
I'm sorry I was difficult on the outward trip, Jon, but I was so angry I could barely trust myself to speak. I felt I might explode and use language that would startle you.' He smiled. I'd hate to shock you ' Then his smile vanished and she saw his hands clenched round the steering wheel. You know, Jon, when I think of what those poachers do, I feel I'd like to kill them with my own hands.' His voice was unsteady for a moment. Kill if they must, but not by slow torture.'
Jon turned to him impulsively. She had not long, because they were under the jacarandas and would soon be home.
I owe you an apology, too, Alex. I shouldn't have believed what Caroline said. I should have known better and trusted you.'
He smiled. ' Well, while we're apologizing, I should say I'm sorry I forced you to watch the kill.'
But it wasn't a kill, Alex. It was an act of mercy, to put him out of pain. I didn't realize there were poachers and such things happened. I didn't realize the awfulness of it all.'
He drove round the back of the house and helped her down from the truck. How could you know ? This is a totally different world.'
She watched the truck until it was gone from sight, then went slowly indoors, conscious of her tiredness, and the need for a bath or shower.
Tim came striding into the empty kitchen, his face furious.
Where the devil have you been ? I was worried sick.'
' Tim, I'm sorry. We told the girls.'
You could have left me a note.'
Tim, there wasn't time. We had to find the lion and shoot it.'
Lion ? What on earth are you talking about ? '
She followed him into the lounge, describing the awfulness. That poor lion—what he must have suffered ! ' she finished.
Sounds daft to me, Jon. The lion would have died in the end.'
She stared at him. But he was starving and in agony. He'd killed a baby . .
And gave wonderful Alex Roe the chance to look like a hero. Why didn't one of the game wardens shoot it ? '
' They're all ill.'
He caught hold of her shoulders and looked at her. ' Jon, will you marry me ? ' he said bluntly.
She was close to him. She could see the two freckles on his longish nose, the way his mouth curled down, the longish hair. But she saw a stranger, no longer the pleasant amusing helpful Tim she had grown fond of
—the man holding her shoulders was just a stranger. A man who could put a little cat where it could only die in agony—a man who said let the lion die, again in agony. What sort of man was this ? How could she have believed all he said ? Letting him make her doubt a man like Alex, persuading her to believe lies.
I'm sorry, Tim, but . . .' She tried to free herself, but his hands gripped her.
' I thought you loved me,' he said accusingly. We've been everywhere together.'
That doesn't always mean marriage. Please, Tim, you're hurting me ! ' He let her go and she rubbed her shoulders. Look, Tim, I like you a lot, an awful lot, but marriage . .
' You're in love with Alex Roe, aren't you ? '
She felt her cheeks burning. I am not In any case . . .' she began, then stopped suddenly, remembering that her mother had asked her not to tell anyone.
What has he got that I haven't ? ' Tim demanded. Money ? Is that what you girls are after ? Or do you like his arrogance, his sarcasm, his showmanship ? There must be something that attracts you all ! '
He turned away and went to his room, slamming the door angrily. Jon stared after him. She hated having to hurt him, but he mustn't have even the smallest hope, for she knew that there could only be one man for her—Alex Roe. And if she could not have him, then she would remain a spinster for life !
Soaking in the bath, she went over Alex's words on the truck. How easily he had talked to her, not once had he teased her. If only he was always like that
She closed her eyes, remembering something he had said that she would never forget and that helped her understand his absorption in his sanctuary.
A true hunter must be a naturalist, Jon. He must love the wild, his animals, his bushveld, his mountains, his birds and the wild flowers and trees. He must love it all. A true hunter needs a strong heart, a sharp eye, natural reactions and quick reflexes. It's a great life,
Jon, although it can be tough.'
She went over the words again and again, for that was how she felt. She loved the beautiful mountains, the gay little coloured birds who flitted from flower to flower, who sang such odd tunes; she loved the dogs, the cattle, even the tiresome goats. She loved the trees, too.
Alex's words had been a revelation. They had shown her a different kind of man from what she had thought him. And it made her love him more. Maybe, she told herself, maybe in time she could learn to love him as a stepfather instead of as a man.
Her mother came back as she was dressing. Jon was glad, for she rather dreaded Tim's reactions. However, they had a quiet evening for a change, for the rain that had stopped at lunch time had begun again and the roads were pretty bad, so Tim decided to stay at home for once. He was his usual amusing self, but all the time Jon was conscious that he was looking at her. And not with love.
Was it hate or contempt? she wondered.
CHAPTER XII
Next morning when Jon woke, the sun was streaming in her room. Rex was wandering around restlessly and Dorcas brought in a cup of coffee. Jon drank it quickly, had a hasty shower and then took the dogs for their usual walk.
How beautiful everything was—so pristine fresh with the sparkles of rain water still on the leaves and flowers. That was, if you ignored the ankle-deep mud on which she kept slipping and sliding
As she walked, she thought of Alex and all the things he had talked about. Now she could understand his love for his sanctuary, his desire to fight the poachers, to protect the animals. She wondered for a moment if her mother would. When she got back to the house, she saw a strange car outside the door. Tim's was not there, but he often drove to distant parts of the lands and hated going in the truck which made his back ache, he said. But who could the stranger be ? It was a beautiful white car, a Mercedes, too.
She slipped in the back way and hastily showered and pulled on her pink cotton frock, gazed in the mirror and pulled a face at her reflection. If only she could look her age, she thought ruefully. If only she could look twenty-three !
' Darling, are you there ? ' her mother called, a note of excitement in her voice.
' Coming, Mum ! ' Jon called. Would the visitor have breakfast with them, she wondered, and where was Tim ? Usually they waited for him if he was late, but if there was a visitor...
She went out on to the stoep and stood still in amazement. She recognized the man. He was the old Colonel she had met before—the friend of her mother's who was teaching her bridge.
' Jon darling, I do want you to meet Geoffrey.'
Jon smiled and held out her hand. ' The Colonel and I have met before.'
' I know, darling, but you didn't really meet him. I want you to get to know him well.'
Jon was staring, puzzled, at her mother, who sounded quite nervous.
Shall we go in for breakfast, Jon ? Geoffrey came early as we want to drive down to Big Bend today and must start early. Tim is late, but he can have his breakfast later.'
Of course.'
They sat round the breakfast table in an awkward atmosphere of several speaking at once, laughing nervously, and then there being a long silence. Jon hunted in her brain for something to say to the old man th
at would interest him.
Are you very good at bridge ? ' she asked.
Dorcas brought in the paw-paw and placed the plates before them.
' We don't have this in England, ' the Colonel said. ` I think it's such a pity. Apparently they can't pack it or something.' He smiled at Jon. I'm not very good at bridge, but I enjoy it. '
` You're English ? ' she asked.
Her mother laughed. ` Very much so. He lives in one of those adorably converted oasthouses in Kent.'
Dorcas removed the plates and brought in a large plate of scrambled eggs and fried mushrooms.
Your favourite, I know, ' said Ursula, smiling at the Colonel.
He smiled back. You spoil me.'
I enjoy it,' Jon's mother said with a sudden gay little laugh, then she leaned forward. Let's stop behaving like idiots. I've told Jon all about you, Geoffrey darling, and she quite understands.'
Jon saw a slow red flush come to his cheek and was startled by the nervous way he smiled at her. ' And you don't mind ? ' he asked earnestly.
Jon was puzzled. What was there for her to mind
about ? That he was teaching her mother to play bridge and taking her out for the day ?
Of course not,' she said politely.
The Colonel smiled. Bless you ! I thought you might resent it if I took your lovely mother away.'
Jon was even more puzzled. After all, it was just for the day !
She looked at her mother, who smiled back. ' Geoffrey wants to take me to Big Bend to meet his children and as soon as the guest house is ready for Tim, darling, we'll be getting married. I hope you'll be our bridesmaid and Alex our best man.'
Jon stared at her. She couldn't speak for a moment. She looked at the Colonel and saw the nervousness in his smile and the wistful look in her mother's eyes.
It couldn't be true, she thought, feeling that everything was rushing madly at her and she was too confused to think.
' I hope you'll be very happy,' she said, then thought how stiff it sounded. She jumped to her feet, went to her mother, put her arms round her and kissed her. I'm so happy for you, Mum. I know you've often been lonely and I always hoped one day you'd marry again.'
She saw her mother dab quickly at her eyes before she smiled.
Bless you, darling, I knew you'd understand.'
Jon moved to the side of the aristocratic-looking, white-haired man, and kissed him gently on the cheek. Welcome to the family, Stepdaddy,' she said warmly.
How very sweet of you ! He spoke huskily as if very emotional, and Jon thought they needed a gayer note.
Pity it's breakfast time, Mum. We should celebrate this with champagne,' she said cheerfully.
We'll do that at the wedding, darling. Just the four of us. Geoffrey and myself, you and Alex. It'll be lovely.' She glanced at her watch. I'd better go and get ready, Geoffrey.' She laughed and looked at Jon. He's a stickler for punctuality and is always ready half an
hour before I am,' she said, and left the room.
They talked as they finished breakfast. Jon poured him a second cup of coffee and thought he was much nicer as she got to know him. There was a gentleness about him, also a wistfulness.
The years since I retired have been lonely ones. My children hardly know me, because I had to leave them with my married brother as I didn't want to interrupt their schooling. Your mother is so lovely I can't believe my good luck.'
Suddenly Jon wanted to hug and kiss him and she knew he was going to be right for her mother.
Excuse me a moment,' she said. Would you like to wait on the stoep ? '
He smiled. You want a short chat with your mother ? Understandable. Tell her she can be late for once.' He was chuckling as he went outside to the stoep.
Jon hurried to her mother's room. ' Mum darling, are you sure he's not too old for you ? '
Her mother turned, her face more serene than Jon had ever seen.
' You're as old as your heart is, darling. In some ways he's younger than me. I need someone to fuss over and someone to fuss over me. We share the same interests. We'll travel round the world. He isn't all that old, you know. I'm forty-one and he's only ten years older. He's been very ill and had to retire from the Army early, also his hair went white when he was thirty. That's what makes him look older than he really is.'
Jon hesitated. ' Mum, I always thought . . . ' It was difficult to put into words. She spread out her hands and pretended to look at her nails. Mum, I thought you were going to marry Alex.'
' What ? ' her mother cried out in amazement. ' You must be joking I Me marry Alex ? Whatever made you think that ? '
Well, you've spent a lot of time together. I mean, he was always driving you to Qwaleni
' That was to see Geoffrey. He had a bad back and
was under treatment and Alex used to drive me and fetch me back.'
But I thought . .
Ursula patted her hair and straightened the charming ruby-red silk frock. ' I do hope his children like me,' she said worriedly, then turned to look at Jon. You were joking, darling, weren't you ? I mean, about Alex. Whatever made you think he was in love with me ? I'm years older than he is ! '
Only five years, Mum. It was ... well, he always looked after you, and . .
Ursula laughed. Exactly. He treated me like a piece of delicate Dresden china. That told me that he saw me as an older woman. When a man loves a woman, he isn't that kind of attentive. Besides, we share no interests at all. I think he's crazy over his animals. With all his money he could have a wonderful life, but he prefers to bury himself here and . .
But he's happy here.'
Her mother laughed. Fair enough ! Let's hope the girl he marries will also be happy here, but it certainly isn't my cup of tea. Darling, I must go. See you much later tonight.'
Jon watched the long white car drive away and walked slowly back into the house, ignoring for once the dogs. She sat down heavily in a chair, staring ahead of her, just staring at nothing.
All these months she had been so sure that Alex loved her mother and that her mother loved Alex. How could she have been so stupid ? Was it fear that had blinded her ? Fear of not winning his love ? Could fear invent a rival ?
The telephone bell shrilled impatiently. Jon answered it. She sat very still, listening, and then asked him to repeat it again.
Your farm manager has just cashed a cheque which leaves you very much in the red, Miss Hampton,' her bank manager said. Unfortunately I was engaged or I would have phoned you before allowing it to be paid.
I thought you ought to know. You may have signed other cheques.'
' How much was it for ? ' Jon asked, puzzled. Why should Tim need to cash a cheque today ? It wasn't pay day, nor had they ordered anything that required payment by cash. ' How much ? ' Her voice was horrified as she listened. ' I haven't signed a cheque for that amount ! '
Then it must be a forgery. I'll get on to the police,' he said crisply.
But he wouldn't . . .' Jon felt stunned.
I suggest you ring Mr. Roe,' the bank manager said curtly. He's better at handling these things than you.'
Yes, Mr. Baker, I will—at once,' said Jon.
She stood up, her limbs suddenly heavy. It couldn't be true. Tim forging her signature ? Cashing a cheque that size .. .
Somehow she walked to Tim's room and opened the door. In a few moments she knew he had gone. And so had the portable radio they had loaned him ! All his clothes, his books, suitcases. Everything that was Tim's had gone, including, she suddenly noticed, the clock they had lent him with a strong alarm.
Tim . . . how could he do this to her ? She walked back to the phone and rang Alex's number. The phone rang and rang, but there was no reply.
Jon went outside on the stoep and the dogs leapt to greet her, but she stood still, unable to believe her eyes. In the middle of the lawn was an ostrich.
Instinctively she turned to the phone. The ostrich must have escaped from Alex's sanctuary ! Then she remembered that she had t
ried in vain again and again to get Alex and there was no reply.
At that moment, the dogs got out through the back door and went racing round the garden barking at the ostrich, who looked up at them, then got aggressive, racing towards them, beak ready, long neck outstretched, running through Jon's precious plants, trampling on
everything.
Rex, come here Sandy Jock ' Jon screamed and screamed and finally got the dogs inside and shut them on the stoep. She went back to the phone just as the bell shrilled—her party call, three short and one long.
It was Madeleine. She sounded furious. ' Jon, is Alex there ? We've been trying and trying to get him, but there's no reply.'
I tried and there was no reply. No, he isn't here. I don't know where he is, but I must find him. His ostrich is in our garden.'
Oh no, Jon Wait until you hear this. The giraffes are in ours and Dad is furious. They're eating all our trees and the kids are having a whale of a time. What can have happened ? '
I haven't a clue. Maybe someone left the gates open.'
' Or knocked down the wire fence.' Madeleine gave a cry of delight. I bet you it was that Tim Dean ! '
Tim Dean ? ' Jon drew a deep breath. ' That's absurd. Why would he do a thing like that ? '
Because he hates Alex—he knows we're both in love with him. Did he propose to you ? Tim, I mean.'
Why ? I mean, why are you asking me ? '
Madeleine laughed, an ugly, malicious laugh. ' Because he proposed to me three weeks ago. Yes, he did. I turned him down, of course. I told him about Alex and me.'
' About Alex and you ? ' Jon said dully.
' Yes, don't tell anyone, but we're secretly marrying in two weeks' time, Jon. We're not telling anyone as Alex loathes publicity and he's so wealthy the reporters would rush at him like madmen. I wouldn't mind, but what he wants goes. I told Tim I loved Alex. Did you tell him the same ? '
Jon clutched the receiver. Her head was whirling, everything was happening too fast. I told him I couldn't marry him because I didn't love him.'
