“I thought Isabella and Nadine might be here, or are they coming later?”
“Just us for coffee. As you will see, it’s a bit of a long story. We thought we might all be able to do lunch later.”
“Well, if Mike and Sian are not going to bring my surprise in here to meet you, let’s go and join them in the kitchen.”
Christian followed his mother through into the kitchen, his inner disquiet returning. Ruby was her busy self, and did not look up as he walked in. In the far corner, Mike and Sian were talking to someone he vaguely recognised as having visited their house in Adelaide a few times. As he looked closer, he recognised Tim Mickelson, an anaesthetist who had been to their house a few times for coffee with his mother.
“Christian, you will remember Tim who’s been to the house a few times. We decided to get engaged last week, but we didn’t want to tell anyone until we could tell you. So now it’s official and you’re the first one to know, which is how I wanted it.”
Christian looked at Mike and Sian. They both just looked back at him wide-eyed and shocked. He realised he needed to quickly get to his father and prepare him for the shock that was coming.
“Christian, nice to see you again and great to hear that you’re okay. I hope this is not too much of a shock for you,” Tim said turning and shaking Christian’s hand.
“Tim, I am extremely happy for you both, and please don’t think me rude but there is something I have got to do urgently, which you will understand later,” Christian said, turning to head out towards the stoep and his father. He had only taken one step when he heard the Tom Jones song begin and the words drift in through the open door.
“Where’s that music coming from?” Renata asked.
“I must have left the iPod on. I will go and turn it off,” Christian said over his shoulder as he headed for the doorway.
“That’s strange. I didn’t hear it before, and that’s one of my favourite songs.”
“Yes, mum, I know it is. Wait here and I’ll go and switch it off.”
Christian walked out of the kitchen into the family room and stopped. His mother was right behind him.
“Mum, best if you stay in the kitchen with Tim.”
“You have forgotten that mothers have instincts like no other human beings, especially when it comes to sons. You are hiding something from me.”
“Mum, it’s better if you let me handle this,” Christian said, turning to face her, putting his hands on her waist, to stop her coming any further into the family room. Then he heard his father’s voice from behind him.
“Renata.”
He could see Mike and Sian watching from the doorway, a concerned look on both their faces. He took his hands off his mother’s waist and stepped aside to allow her to fully see his father.
“Oh my God! Is that you, Jannie? It can’t be you! I buried you!”
“It is me, Renata. I was the surgeon who operated on Christian. I have explained to him that I had survived the shooting that took place at our house in Wynberg, thanks to a Dr. Sandy van Andover at the Salt River Mortuary where I was taken. I have been in hiding in Rwanda hoping that if Van der Walt believed that I was dead, that you and Christian would be safe. Mike and Christian have told me how he was killed down the mine in Johannesburg, and is no longer a threat to any of us. It is so wonderful to see you again. You are just as I remembered and I’m sorry that I haven’t been here for you.”
Christian watched as his mother looked away from Jannie and slowly sat down on the sofa. Mike and Sian sat next to her and put an arm around her as she started to cry. Tim was standing in the doorway looking very perplexed. Christian looked at his father, who had not heard the conversation in the kitchen - that his mother had become engaged to Tim. Jannie was looking at Christian as if to say ‘what do I do now?’
“Dad, I’m sorry. There is no easy way of doing this. This is Tim Mickelson who in the last few minutes officially became engaged to mum.”
Christian watched as Jannie stared at Tim for sixty seconds, feeling his hopes dissipating. Then to Christian’s surprise he walked across to where Tim was standing, reached out with his hand and said,
“Congratulations, Tim, you have made an excellent choice.”
“I, along with everyone else, thought you were dead Jannie - if you will excuse the bluntness. I’m sorry you had to confront this after all you have obviously been through.”
“That’s okay, Tim. Surprises sometimes don’t work out the way that you hope, and you, along with everyone else, would never have expected me to return like this. It was always going to be a long shot to integrate back into Christian and Renata’s life, let alone seamlessly. It was, in many ways, an unrealistic expectation.”
“Jannie, I think it’s fantastic that you have survived. The reality now is that you two need some time alone. There will be much that you have to discuss and provide each other answers about, as well as catching up on Christian’s adventures. Ren, I’m going to go back to the hotel. Either give me a call when you’re finished or I’m sure Mike will bring you down as an alternative.”
“Thanks, Tim, for being so understanding,” Renata said tearfully from where she was sitting on the sofa. “Jannie and I obviously need to have a discussion which will take some time. I’ll call you when we’re finished.”
Christian heard the front door close and turned to look at his mother. Mike had gone through to the kitchen, and his father was now sitting on the sofa next to his mother. He looked at them both and thought they looked like they belonged together, then wondered whether that was wishful dreaming. Sian then got up and went to join Mike in the kitchen, who was making fresh coffee. Christian started to feel uncomfortable as both his parents just looked at each other, not saying anything. He stood up to go and join Mike and Sian when Mike walked back in with the coffee and placed it on the small table in front of Renata. As he walked back out with Mike, he heard his father say:
“Renata, I just need to say how sorry I am. I know how extremely difficult it must have been for you and while it doesn’t help with much of the hurt, there wasn’t a day that went past that I didn’t think about you. I have missed out on over twenty years of sharing a life with you and Christian, which I would love to hear about, but I’m also realistic and I’m not expecting to walk back into your life. I would love to share certain aspects and at worst, be your friend and father to Christian.”
Christian stopped just beyond the doorway. He needed to know how his mother was going to respond to his father.
“Why didn’t you just let us know that you were alive somewhere?”
“Van der Walt had threatened to kill you and Christian unless I gave him all my research and the documents that I had taken. I knew that if I did that, he might kill us all. As long as he thought I was dead and had the documents, then there was no reason to come after you and Christian.”
“But why didn’t you at least try and contact us, or Mike and Sian?”
“Van der Walt had the ability to monitor everything coming into and going out of South Africa, and had friends in Mossad and the CIA. If he or they had suspected that I was alive, with the documents I had about germ warfare and nuclear research, they might have thought that I had contacted you which would put you in danger again. Believe me, there wasn’t a day when I wished that I could.”
“I have a whole new life now, Jannie. For so long I missed you and couldn’t form a relationship with anyone else because I had loved you so much. For the first time, I have now met someone and I had felt the love that we had.”
“I understand that, Renata. Christian has filled me in on small parts of the twenty years in Australia. As I said, I don’t expect to walk back into your life. I just hope over a period of time you will forgive me for what happened and that would be my greatest expectation fulfilled. I would like to come to Australia and be a father to Christian. He has grown up into a magnificent young man; you have done a wonderful job.”
“Thank you. I wouldn’t b
e concerned about you coming to Australia. I do understand that you did what you did to protect us, and part of me is very grateful for that. It is so nice to see you alive even though it will take me some time to adjust to you being around. I’m sure Christian was as shocked as I am, but I can see that he has already formed a bond with you. I’m sure in some way we can function again as a family.”
“Thanks, Renata. That is as much as I can realistically expect and to be a father to Christian again as well as perhaps a good friend of yours and Tim. If that works out, it would be wonderful bonus.”
Christian looked back in through the doorway. His mother looked up, wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, then reached out and took his father’s hand. She held it for a few minutes before saying,
“Jannie, you never left my heart and I suspect you never will. Coming back to Australia would be wonderful for Christian. I am prepared to help you get back there and settled and perhaps we could be, as you say, good friends. I have so many questions that I want to ask you but I feel in a state of shock, and perhaps we just need a little space first. I will also need to go and need reassure Tim. Perhaps we can talk about this tomorrow, once everything has settled a little,” Renata said looking at Sian.
“I suppose it depends on how Tim feels; we could all have lunch today at the Mount Nelson and invite Nadine and Isabella if you want.”
“Tim, I’m sure will be fine, and that sounds like a really great idea to have everyone sitting around, talking in a less strained atmosphere, getting to know each other.”
“We might need to extend that invitation to Isabella and Simone,” Christian said looking at Mike.
“The more that we have, the easier it might be. Who is Simone?”
“It’s a short story, Mike. I’ll explain a little bit later.”
Renata stood up as Sian offered her a box of tissues which Renata waved away.
“I’ll take you back to the Mount Nelson.”
“Is it all right if I tag along as far as the hotel?” Christian asked. “I have someone to meet there.”
“Is that the lady from the ICC?”
“Yes. She wants me to sign some papers and indicate how the reward should be used.”
“Well, perhaps the five of us should just have a glass of wine together. It might make it easier tomorrow for Tim. What do you think, Christian?” Mike asked.
Christian looked at his father, who just smiled and nodded.
“Well, we will give you three a twenty minute head start and then I will bring Jannie in the car. That will also give Jannie and me a chance to debrief.”
The fifteen-minute trip to the Mount Nelson Hotel seemed much longer. Christian had no idea as to what he should say to his mother as they drove, other than he was sorry that he had not let her know ahead of time. He also had little idea of what he would talk to Tim about; however he knew that it was important from his mother’s point of view that Tim felt involved.
Sian, in her inimitable way, kept up a monologue that included comments on everything from corruption in local politics, to the beautiful springtime weather. The brightness of her commentary, Christian thought, was a useful distraction, which moderated both the awkwardness and the shock they were all feeling. It also allowed him time to text Petrea as they drove. ‘Meet you in the foyer, looking forward to seeing you’ was the reply he received within a few seconds.
Chapter 28
Sian turned left off Wilkinson Street, beneath the giant Roman columns guarding the entrance to the Mount Nelson Hotel. On either side of the red brick driveway were giant palm trees, each with huge poorly coiffured fronds, irritated incessantly by the southerly Cape Town breeze, sweeping visitors to the grand entrance of the hotel. At the top of the driveway, Sian parked the BMW between the steps and a large pond bordered by bright pink and white petunias. The hotel, Christian thought, was from the early nineteen hundreds, but had been lovingly restored and painted in a non-period pinkish hue. Modern polished white sandstone blocks that had been added extended out in front of the hotel to create an outdoor food and drinks area. Dotted with white corrugated iron tables, each covered by a pink and white umbrella, the presence of numerous couples and families created the atmosphere of twenty-first-century conviviality. Circumscribing the hotel were manicured gardens with a variety of native plants that he had not previously seen in Africa.
Christian got out and opened the front door for his mother. Renata gave him a big hug and said,
“Don’t worry, honey; I’m sure it’s all going to work out.”
Christian hugged her back then held her at arm’s length, smiled, and hugged her again. Renata hooked her arm through his, as Sian gave her keys to the valet, and Christian headed toward the steps.
`”Wait for me,” said Sian as she hurried to join them.
Sian, on catching up with them, took Christian’s free arm and they all ascended the steps in unison. As they arrived at the top of the steps, Christian looked up and saw Tim waiting for them. Renata let go of his arm to embraced Tim.
“Tim, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that was going to happen.”
“Renata, that’s fine. I don’t blame you at all. It would have been a surprise with amazing potential, if we had not met. However, I think there will be many issues that you two should work out, just so that you can be certain about us. I have booked a flight back on Monday and suggest that you, Christian, and Jannie sort out what needs to be sorted out and then come back to Australia and we can go from there.”
“Tim, don’t you think that is something that we should have discussed first?”
“I know how I feel about you, Renata, and I know that you would have tried to persuade me not to, but I think this is seriously the right decision so that we can all then clearly see the way ahead.”
“Tim, after all this time, I’m certain you are the one that I want to be with. I can understand what a shock this has been. However, I think you’re right that there are issues to be worked through so that there is no confusion, particularly for us going forward.”
“Tim, I’m so sorry I had no idea that you and mum were seeing each other, let alone thinking about becoming engaged. It was my idea to arrange it as a surprise. I feel badly now that it has worked out the way it has. I’m sorry that I also spoilt your surprise for me.”
“Christian, you have been through an enormous amount, so don’t worry. Your intentions were all good. We are all mature adults and will all work through this to find a solution for everyone. So why don’t we all sit down and have lunch here in the beautiful sunshine. Maybe a good bottle of Stellenbosch wine or two will ease some of the tensions.”
“That’s a good idea, Tim. I think Christian needed to sign some papers with the woman from the ICC. Maybe, honey, you would like to invite her to lunch as well.”
“If you are sure that you don’t want to be alone, that would be great. I had texted her so assume that she’s waiting inside at reception. I will go and find her and bring her back.”
“Great. We’ll be at the table over there, number twelve,” Tim said pointing to his left.
Christian walked into the reception area. Standing at the far end, he spotted the unforgettable shape of Petrea. She was dressed in the pinstriped trouser suit he had so admired at Adelaide airport, and a crisp white professional shirt, which also emphasised her femininity. Almost at the same time as he saw her, Petrea spotted him and waved, holding the briefcase in one hand and pointing to it.
Christian smiled and looked at her, and the attraction he had felt when he first met her instantly returned. Swinging the briefcase, she strode towards him with an authority that he had not previously noted. It added to her attraction. As she walked, she kept her eyes on him, he tried unsuccessfully to remember her advice about interpreting body language. Within a few seconds she was standing in front of him, holding out her hand.
“Great to see you again, Christian; fantastic that Kariba is now all locked up in The Hague and Brutal Bos
co has surrendered to the Ugandans. We have applied to extradite Bosco and they will both then be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“I have to admit I had a lot of help,” Christian said, shaking her hand.
“Modesty is quite sexy when done genuinely well, and is that all the girl gets after a few months’ absence?” she looked at his hand shaking hers.
Christian laughed, bent forward, and kissed her on the cheek.
“Better?”
“Acceptable for the moment,” she said smiling. “Shall we go and find an espresso coffee and you can tell me all about what happened, then I will get you to sign the necessary papers.”
They walked through to the small dining room but stopped when the lift door opened, and a young African couple walked out. Christian and Petrea paused as they surveyed the reception area, when from the back of the lift, laughing, Simone and Isabella walked out hand-in-hand. In their preoccupation with each other, they almost bumped into Christian and Petrea. There was an awkward silence as they all stood and faced each other.
“Christian, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that you were going to be here,” Isabella said.
“Isabella, don’t worry. It’s great to see you happy, seriously.”
“Would you like to come and join us for lunch?”
“No thanks, Isabella. Mum, Tim, and Sian are at a table outside. Mike and Jannie are joining us in half an hour and we have been invited to join them. Isabella, this is Petrea. She is the lawyer from the ICC who extradited Kariba. She has some papers that I need to sign with regards to Kariba and the reward.”
“Nice to meet you, Isabella. I have heard lots about you.”
“Petrea, this is my partner Simone whom you have possibly heard a little about from Christian.”
Petrea reached her hand out towards Simone who ignored it and instead kissed her on the cheek.
“Delighted to meet you, Petrea. And nice to see you again, Christian. I’m sorry that it was all so rushed at the airport and Isabella and I didn’t have a chance to talk to you.”
Old Lovers Don't Die Page 34
