by P J Skinner
‘It was a long time ago.’
‘Do you remember her?’
Fergus sighed. He shut his eyes as if trying to see into the past. He opened them again, but he was looking right through Sam as if she wasn’t there anymore.
‘She was beautiful and funny. Every day was an adventure. I remember the time we found a snake in the garden. She wouldn’t let the gardener kill it and trapped the snake in a bucket. We took it to the riverbank and released it. The funny thing is it tried to bite her. She thought the whole episode was hilarious.’
‘She sounds wonderful.’
‘My father never recovered from her death. He sent me to boarding school so he could drink in peace.’
‘That must have been ghastly for you. I’m so lucky to have both parents alive. I'm ashamed that I complain about them sometimes.’
Fergus pulled his chair closer to her. His eyes were shining.
‘She was like you, Sam. I thought I would never find someone who came close to matching her, but then I met you. You confuse and beguile me in equal measure. I don’t understand my feelings for you.’
Sam felt as if she would faint under his scrutiny. She searched his eyes and read pain and bewilderment. This was not her usual experience of love, but she sensed its intensity penetrate her being.
‘I'm not sure what to say,’ she said.
‘Say nothing. There are no words for this.’
They stood up and he embraced her. His heart hammered in his chest, or was it hers? He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. Her passion almost overwhelmed her and she pressed her body against him, but then he drew back from her.
‘Let’s take it slow tonight,’ he said. ‘We have all the time in the world.’
Chapter XXIV
Fatimata bent over Chief Sesay and put her hand on his chest.
‘You won’t find anything in there, Fatou. I’m a heartless old bastard.’ He laughed and his chest rattled like a viper.
‘You’re a good man, but you’re dying. Why did you let your daughter go to Njahili? She should be here by your side.’
‘She has her own destiny. I’m too old to tell her what to do. I trust Alex to pay the best price for the stone. She’ll spend the money wisely.’
‘Fona needs electricity.’
‘Oh, I don’t intend for her to spend the money here. I hope that she’ll travel and see the world first.’
‘She hasn’t told you.’
‘Told me what?’
‘Joseph, your daughter intends to go to the hospital in Njahili to be cleaned.’
The Chief was struck by a fit of coughing. Fatimata helped him to sit up further on his cushions. ‘Did she tell you about this? What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn’t you stop her?’
‘She’s always wanted to be Chief. I couldn’t stop her. You say that she has her destiny. This is the one she has chosen.’
‘No, I won’t allow it. This is not what I wanted. We have to stop her. Tell Sam to come and visit me please.’
‘But Joseph …’
‘Don’t but me, woman. How could you let this happen? I didn’t want that for my daughter.’
‘We may be too late.’
‘Bring Sam to me now.’
***
The traffic in Njahili ground to a halt. Alex drummed his fingers on the dashboard and whistled tunelessly. Adanna stared straight ahead, her profile serious. They pulled into the parking space outside the diamond trading building, only for a jobsworth to approach their vehicle, trying to make them leave again.
‘Only bona fide buyers and sellers may park here,’ he said, flapping his hands. ‘You must leave.’
Alex ignored him, got out of the car and gave him a couple of dollars. He led Adanna into the hallway.
‘Ah, you are buying a diamond for your engagement. You should have told me.’
Adanna laughed.
‘It’s not that funny,’ said Alex.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.’
‘I’m only kidding. Relax. Today is just the beginning. First, we have to get the diamond cleaned.’
‘How do we do that?’
‘They boil the diamond in acid.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, hydrofluoric and nitric. Dangerous, but effective. You won’t recognise the diamond when they’ve finished. Cleaning will reveal whether any flaws are hiding under the dirt.’
They descended the stairs to the basement and entered a grimy office inhabited by a dwarf who was sitting on a beanbag stuffed on top of an antique, spindle-back chair. His legs stuck out in front of him and he had pince-nez glasses balanced on the end of his short nose. He leered at Adanna for a good ten seconds.
‘Good morning, Alex. I see you’ve brought your niece with you today.’
Alex ignored the jibe.
‘Good morning, Nelson. May I present Adanna Sesay, the daughter of Chief Joseph Sesay, Paramount Chief of Fona.’
The dwarf’s eyes widened and he blushed.
‘My apologies, madam. To what do I owe this honour?’
‘We’d like you to clean a diamond for us and organise an auction. It’s an urgent matter. Can you schedule the process for today?’
‘It depends. Show me.’
Adanna reached into her bag and deposited the diamond on the table in front of Nelson. His mouth fell open and he poked at it.
‘The Star of Simbako? I thought that was a myth.’
‘It’s quite real. Can you help us?’ said Alex.
‘Absolutely. Come tomorrow morning and I’ll have it ready.’
‘I presume you’ll advise the traders about the auction?’
‘They'll be here.’
Nelson took out some electric scales and placed the diamond on the plate. The digital scale showed twenty-four points six carats. He whistled in admiration and took out some forms which he filled in triplicate. ‘Please check the weight and provenance. I need you to sign here and here. Then we will register the diamond with the state and royalties will be due.’
‘I understand.’ Alex picked up the pen.
‘Not you,’ said Nelson.
Alex handed the pen to Adanna who read the papers and signed at the bottom.
‘Is that all?’ she said.
‘For now. The most important part happens tomorrow.’
***
When Sam and Fergus came home from the project that evening, Fatimata was waiting for them. They were both in high spirits, having found another five good-sized diamonds in the pit. The sight of Fatimata sitting at the table with her arms folded and a grim expression on her face took the wind out of their sails. Fergus rolled his eyes at Sam who shrugged.
‘Good evening, Auntie Fatou,’ said Fergus.
‘Good evening, Mr Fergus and Miss Sam.’
‘Are we late?’ said Sam.
‘No, dinner is ready in five minutes, but I’ve bad news.’
‘What has happened?’ said Fergus.
‘The Chief is dying.’
‘But I thought he was getting better,’ said Sam.
‘No, he’s fighting, but he will die. I’ve done my best, but his body is too weak.’
‘That’s terrible. Should we call in and check on him?’ said Fergus.
‘He wants to see Sam.’
‘Me? Why?’
‘I don’t know. You should go in the morning when he is stronger.’
‘I’ll go first thing tomorrow.’
‘What about me?’ said Fergus.
‘He didn’t ask for you.’
She stood up and disappeared into the kitchen where the clanking of pots and pans indicated her disinterest in continuing the conversation.
‘What about Adanna? We should call her before he gets worse,’ said Sam.
‘I’ll go to the telephone exchange right now.’
‘Aren't they closed?’
‘Damn, I forgot. I’ll drop y
ou off at the compound in the morning and go straight there.’
‘What about the sat-phone?’
‘Alex took it to Njahili to get fixed.’
Fatimata came out with the dinner which she placed on the table without ceremony.
‘I must go now,’ she said. ‘I want to talk to the doctor.’
‘Can I take you?’
‘No, Sahr is coming now. Leave the plates in the kitchen. I’ll wash them tomorrow.’
Just then, the lights of the jeep appeared at the gate. Fatimata waddled down the stairs to the car and struggled in.
Sahr gave them a wave and drove away.
‘We should fill out the register. I want to take the sheet to the Chief tomorrow so he can sign it. Otherwise, they’ll be seen as illegal and the state can confiscate them,’ said Sam.
‘That’s true. If he dies, we can sell the diamonds to benefit the community. I’ll get the scales.’
They tipped the diamonds out onto the table and weighed them one by one, noting their size and colour on the sheet. Then they put them in the film canister with the others. Neither spoke much. When they had finished, Fergus took Sam’s hand, led her into his bedroom and closed the door.
***
The diamond exchange was still closed when Alex and Adanna arrived early the next morning. They went to a local hotel for coffee and returned to find that all the parking spaces were full.
‘I see the word is out,’ said Alex.
‘What word?’
‘The auction for your diamond.’
They parked the car down the street outside a local shop. The owner’s son promised to look after it for a small tip and they walked back to the exchange. The place was buzzing with expectation as they entered the hall and descended to the basement. Several people in linen suits hung around outside Nelson’s office. They parted to let Adanna and Alex enter.
‘Ah, there you are,’ he said. ‘The process was a great success. The Star of Simbako is looking fantastic. Would you like to see?’
‘Yes, please,’ said Adanna.
Nelson spun around on his bean bag and opened a small safe in the wall. He stretched his arm into the back and pulled out a black felt bag with a gold string which he handed to Adanna. She took it from him and pulled the string. The bag opened and she let the diamond fall into her hand. She gasped.
‘Wow!’ said Alex. ‘That’s extraordinary.’
The diamond had lost the oily lustre and was now transparent, like a large, rounded, crystal of quartz. Adanna picked up the gem up and held it to the light. The stone was almost flawless.
‘Now it really is a star,’ she said.
‘Probably worth more than one,’ said Alex. ‘I hope I can afford it.’
‘Are you going to buy the diamond? But why are we doing an auction? I'll sell it to you with no other bidders,’ said Adanna.
‘I promised your father that I would pay the correct price. This way, if I’m the top bidder, I can keep my word to him. It’ll be worth more when I have it cut and polished. I’ll take my profit that way.’
‘Thank you, Alex. You honour him.’
‘The auction room awaits,’ said Nelson.
‘I’m ready,’ said Adanna.
***
The next morning, Fergus dropped Sam off at the compound and went to use the telephone. She climbed the stairs of the Chief’s house and knocked on the door. It was opened by Tamba who was red-eyed with grief.
‘Come in. He’s waiting for you.’
Tamba led Sam to the back of the house and pointed to a door on the left.
‘He’s in there.’
‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘He wants to see you alone.’
Sam walked to the door and stood outside. It was open and she could see a bed against the wall. The Chief was propped up on some pillows. He gazed out of the window. Light poured in and hit the foot of the bed. The room reeked of Vicks and the fetishes hung around the bed. Sam coughed and the Chief turned his head.
‘Is that you, Sam?’ he said.
‘Yes, it’s me. Can I come in?’
‘Of course. Sit on the bed so I can see you.’
Sam walked around the bed and sat facing the Chief. His face had hollowed out and his skin was grey. He choked on a breath.
‘Fatimata told me that you wanted to me to visit.’
‘I need your help.’
‘My help? With what?’
‘Adanna. She travelled to Fona with Alex.’
‘To sell the diamond. Yes, Fergus told me. But what’s that got to do with me?’
‘She’s planning to get mutilated in the hospital. You’ve got to stop her.’
‘But how do you know? She didn’t tell me anything.’
‘You’ve been busy with Fergus and Alex. She discussed the risk with Fatimata.’
‘But why would she do this?’
‘She wants to be Chief after me. They will not accept her if she is not clean.’
‘Did Alex know what she is planning?’
‘I don’t think so. He wouldn’t agree to help her if he did.’
‘Fergus has gone to phone him, but we can call again and warn him before it’s too late.’
‘Please find her and bring her to me. I need to talk to her and change her mind.’
‘We’ll do our best. I have a favour to ask you too.’
‘Anything.’
‘I need you to sign the registry sheet for the diamonds that certifies their origin in Fona so Alex can sell them for the good of the community.’
‘Tell him I said he should first take out all the expenses and give you a bonus.’
‘I’m not sure he’ll believe me on that second thing but thank you.’
‘No need to thank me. You’ve helped heal old wounds and I’m grateful you came.’
She pushed the sheet in front of him flattened on a book. He signed without checking the figures.
‘Get Tamba to stamp it with the community seal.’
‘I will.’
‘Come closer, child.’
Sam leaned close, steeling herself against the smell of decay. The Chief lifted his hand and put it on her head.
‘Bless you. Go find my daughter. Tell her to come home.’
Sam kissed him on the forehead. ‘Get better soon,’ she said.
Tamba was waiting outside and gave her a hug.
‘Chief Sesay can’t last more than a couple of days. Please hurry.’
Fergus was waiting for her outside, the engine running.
‘Get in,’ he said. ‘We’re going to Njahili.’
***
Alex was hungover. He was wearing dark glasses in the house to mitigate the pain caused by the sun shining through the windows. William had made breakfast and the odour was overpowering. He stifled a retch.
‘Aren’t you going to eat anything?’ Alex said.
‘No, thank you. I’m not hungry this morning. Maybe the rich food we had last night took away my appetite,’ said Adanna.
After the auction they had gone to the bank where Adanna had opened an account in the name of Fona Chiefdom. Alex had arranged a transfer of the sale amount minus the government royalty, which they deducted at the diamond exchange, to the account.
‘I need ten thousand dollars in cash,’ said Adanna. ‘I'll give you a cheque.’
‘Ten thousand? It’s dangerous to carry that much around with you.’
‘I’ll get a taxi and deliver the money tomorrow. I’m staying with my family for a couple of days.’
They had then gone to a restaurant to celebrate the sale. As usual, he had drunk too much and was now regretting it. He sat at the table and poured himself a cup of black coffee. Alex wanted to ask what the money was for, not that it was any of his business, but he resisted. Adanna was not the sort of person who invited questioning.
‘Okay, I’m planning on travelling back to Fona on Saturday m
orning after I have finished my business in town. Does that suit you?’
‘That should be perfect.’
‘What about the hospital? Don’t you have to pick up your father’s medicine?’
‘I’ll do that first.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?’
‘I’m sure.’
Alex had a large amount of money in cash stored in the basement of the house, a habit he had developed to ward off sudden changes in government or outbreaks of civil war. He put ten thousand dollars in a duffel bag and dropped it on a chair beside Adanna.
‘There you go, be careful.’
Adanna patted the bag and carried it upstairs where she added a nightgown, a washbag and some clean clothes. She had changed into jeans and a tunic when she got to Njahili and there was no reason to believe anything other than she was a young woman off on a short visit. Alex relaxed. William went out onto the street and returned with a taxi which waited outside the gate.
‘See you soon then,’ said Alex.
Adanna had a strange look on her face as she left as if expecting something wonderful to happen. Perhaps she had a secret boyfriend in her life, after all. Inscrutable didn’t get close to describing that young woman. Alex retreated inside for another cup of coffee.
***
The roads were in a terrible condition after all the rain and progress was slow. Sam changed the tape in the cassette player to break the monotony. They stopped for lunch in a small town a couple of hours from Njahili. Sam ate rice and eggs and Fergus chose a meat stew.
‘What meat is that?’ said Sam.
‘Bushmeat, I expect,’ said Fergus.
‘Bushmeat?’
‘Better not to ask. Could be anything, but it won’t be monkey this far from the forest.’
‘I’ll stick with the eggs.’
‘Wise.’
Sam finished her food and watched as Fergus cleaned his plate. He had cut the meat into neat cubes and now he was eating them one by one with the concentration of Dembo when presented with some cashews. She had been fighting a dilemma for several days. Fergus had all the hallmarks of a serial dumper. He got nervous if she showed any inclination to be with him. If he initiated contact, she could reciprocate, but she had to play it cool most of the time as he preferred it when she pretended she wasn’t interested. Not the best basis for a relationship.
