‘Damn it, ’Dallas muttered. ‘Nobody was responsible.’ The war had claimed Frazer and he was just as much Dallas’s son as Lorna’s.
In a postscript – an afterthought – she added, Fred has a second son – Harold – born in October. Both the baby and Gladys are fine. He thanks Frazer for the birds’ eggs.
Duncan had received something similar, as well as a letter from Tanith. When he found Dallas his need-to-talk expression said it all.
‘I know, son. It’s not easy for any of us.’
‘Mother sounds as if she’s blaming you.’
‘That she does.’ Dallas rubbed a hand over his hair. ‘It’s natural enough, I suppose. After all, I was on the spot, so to speak. I don’t know if Lorna will ever accept that Frazer’s death had nothing to do with my negligence. Who’s the other one from?’ Dallas changed the subject, handing over his mail so they could share.
Duncan held one back. ‘Tat.’
‘I see.’ Dallas grinned. ‘Well, I wouldn’t want to pry or anything like that.’
‘That’s good, because I wouldn’t let you.’
‘Listen to you! Defensive to offensive in so few words.’
‘Sorry.’ Duncan hesitated. ‘Do you think I’m too young to get married?’
‘Thanks to this bloody war, no-one is too young. You’re nearly twenty-three. I was the same age when your mother and I began living together as husband and wife.’
‘Tanith’s only nineteen but her father has given his permission. I spoke to him before we left home.’
‘My, but you are a dark horse. When do you intend asking her? She’s a fine lassie.’
Duncan beamed his pleasure. ‘Fact is, Dad ...sorry, Father ... I already did.’ He held up the letter as if to emphasise his next words. ‘She said yes.’
Dallas grinned as his son did an impromptu little foot-stomping dance. ‘Congratulations, ’he said, holding out a hand.
Fairfax looked up from reading his own mail to watch Duncan’s antics. ‘Good news, I take it?’ he called.
‘She said yes, ’Duncan shouted back, waving the letter and wanting the whole world to see his happiness. ‘It scares me, though.’
The two older men laughed. ‘You don’t sound all that frightened, ’Dallas pointed out. ‘In fact – ’
Duncan seemed to spin backwards and fall before they even heard the shot. It was so unexpected that Dallas sat in stunned disbelief for several seconds before scrabbling to kneel beside his son. Blood welled from Duncan’s upper arm and Dallas sounded a sigh of relief. ‘Flesh wound.’
They heard return fire break out but it was impossible to tell where the single shot had come from. Luckily the bullet had been fairly small, probably a 7mm Mauser. It passed clean through the flesh and muscle of Duncan’s upper arm, missing the bone and leaving a neat exit wound. A few inches further over and Duncan would have been very dead indeed.
‘Bastards!’ Dallas swore under his breath as he cleaned and dressed the wound. ‘It could turn septic, ’ he warned. ‘Only time will tell. Keep an eye on it. Your arm won’t be much good for a bit.’
Fairfax stood looking down at Duncan, who was still pale from shock. ‘Sorry it doesn’t warrant a trip home to be with your fiancée.’
The morphine Dallas had given him was having its effect, and Duncan found it hard to stay awake. ‘That was the furthest thing from my mind, sir, ’ he said drowsily, grinning at the first ever reference to his new status.
Fairfax chuckled. ‘Bullshit! Get some rest.’
They all realised what a near miss it had been. ‘Bit too close for comfort, ’ Fairy commented as he and Dallas moved out of earshot.
Dallas nodded. ‘If he hadn’t been leaping around like a loon it might have been a lot worse.’
They lit up – pipe and cigar – sitting in contemplative silence, each with his own thoughts. Oh, Lorna, Dallas worried. Dare I mention this in a letter to you? Knowing her current state of mind he decided against it, making a mental note to ensure that Duncan did the same.
‘How do they leap?’ Fairfax asked unexpectedly.
‘Huh?’
‘Loons. How do they leap?’
‘Usual way. Up and down. It’s a Scottish expression. Short for lunatic. Haven’t you heard it before?’
‘No. But I’d say we have plenty of them running this war.’
Dallas laughed. ‘Fair enough.’
Silence returned. That was how it was with the two of them. Despite a ten-year gap in their ages, they had developed a firm friendship. Words weren’t needed to keep it alive.
For a few days Meggie had been trying to decide what exactly she should say in another letter to her father. Christmas Day at Morningside had passed almost unnoticed. Lorna’s fluctuating mood and bouts of depression were becoming more apparent by the day. Now Doctor Parry had commented on the situation, suggesting that action was required.
‘I don’t wish to alarm you, my dear, but I’ve known your mother for a long time. In my opinion she needs Dallas to be here, and a rest, in that order.’
‘Last time we heard, Father was somewhere on the other side of Basutoland.’
‘That’s as may be. He’s also a friend who would never forgive me if I failed in my duty to warn him.’
‘Warn him? Warn him of what?’ Meggie felt dread settle in the pit of her stomach.
‘Your mother’s mental state is of considerable concern. You can’t be with her all the time, and left alone she could well do something silly.’
Panic welled in the girl’s eyes.
Parry went on, ‘For that matter, you’re under severe strain as well. Is there anyone you could stay with if we can arrange for Dallas to come back and take Lorna away for a few weeks?’
‘Yes. The Taylors. Their daughter and I grew up together. I know Tanith’s parents almost as well as my own. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.’
‘Would you like me to write a note for your father?’
Meggie nodded, her relief evident.
The doctor scribbled– almost illegibly – on the back of a prescription form. It was short and to the point:
My dear Dallas, both as a physician and your friend, it is my opinion that Lorna would benefit greatly from your presence, the more so if it were possible for you to spend a few weeks with her in relaxed surroundings. Her malady is more mental than physical and whilst I have no wish to alarm you, she needs a rest. See what you can do. Sincerely yours, Roger.
That afternoon Meggie posted the note in Empangeni, along with a letter from herself. She had enclosed both in one of the hospital’s official OHMS envelopes, hoping that it would be given priority. Having no address other than care of the Fairfax Scouts, she wondered how long it would take to reach her father – or if indeed it would.
In a matter of days, Duncan’s flesh wound had turned septic and become cause for serious concern. Infection and disease were an ever-present problem, so when Dallas showed Fairfax the unexpected communication – received via Lord Methuen’s headquarters– his commanding officer wasted no time in coming to a decision. ‘Take your son and go. It looks like we will be sitting here for some time.’
‘Thank you, Fairy.’
Fairfax nodded. ‘Godspeed, Dallas. I’m speaking as a friend. Make sure your wife is all right and get some proper attention for that boy’s arm. I’ll see you both when I see you. Go well.’
They set off at first light the next morning. Duncan was in some discomfort, his left arm in a sling, swollen and of no practical use, though the fact he’d soon be seeingTanith buoyed his spirits to such an extent that he ignored any pain and inconvenience.
The journey took five days, finally striking the coast south of Stangar, near Shaka’s Kraal. As they travelled, Dallas hatched a plan. Years before, he and Lorna had bought a hideaway house north of Durban, near the mouth of the Umdhloti River. Simple in style and set back into the trees, it overlooked a small bay bordered by two rocky outcrops. There were four bedrooms, a large family-are
a-cum-kitchen and a raised verandah along the seaward side where the ground sloped away to the beach below. Behind the timber house were separate servants’ quarters and stables. Lorna had fallen in love with the place at first sight. Of late, what with one thing and another, they hadn’t spent as much time there as either of them would have liked. That would soon be remedied.
Duncan was all in favour of the idea and promised that in his parents’ absence he’d make sure all was well with the farm. Dallas remained reasonably certain that such enthusiasm had more to do with the assistance Duncan would be calling on than his sense of family responsibility. He didn’t blame the lad. Tanith Taylor was a lovely girl and spending time with her could only be a pleasure.
On the fifth day around three o’clock, an oppressively hot afternoon heavy with the promise of rain, they turned inland and were soon climbing towards the house. Morningside looked splendid. Waving stands of green sugar cane gave way to fenced fields dotted with cattle. Smoke rose lazily from the chimney. It had the solid, unshakable appearance of a successful enterprise quietly going about its business.
‘Someone’s there, ’ Duncan observed. ‘They’ve just topped up the kitchen stove.’
It was such a common remark, so familiar and welcoming, something he might have said to Dallas in times before war and uncertainty entered their lives.
‘Mister David probably, ’Dallas agreed. ‘He usually starts cooking around this hour. Come on, lad. Let’s see who’s home.’
It was Mister David who appeared from the house, showing no surprise at their unannounced arrival. Cameron’s dog, Saba, barked in obvious excitement while Suza continued to sleep beside Dallas’s usual chair on the verandah.
‘I see you, nkosi, ’ the Zulu greeted Dallas before giving Duncan’s arm a perfunctory glance. ‘They sent you home for that? Pah.’
Duncan laughed at the derision. ‘I see you too, madala. They wouldn’t have if Father wasn’t coming back too.’
Mister David’s eyes clouded with concern as they turned questioningly to Dallas.
‘I am fine, ’ he assured him. ‘It’s Lorna we’re worried about. Meggie sent me a message from the doctor.’
‘Ah! Then it is good that you are back so soon. All is not as it should be and there is nothing I can do for her sickness.’
Dallas was aware that the Zulus associated an unbalanced state of mind with that person being called by ancestors to become a healer. If Mister David could see the difference in Lorna he probably considered her beyond the reach of his own people’s medicine men. In any event, Dallas didn’t intend to waste time trying an assortment of treatments which would probably be useless. He had to take Lorna away, have her to himself. Being together, without any outside influence, would be a start.
‘Who is at home?’ Duncan asked as their horses were led off for a well-earned rest.
‘Only your mother. She is lying down. Madam Lorna sleeps much these days. It is true that she is tired but it does not come from too much work.’ Mister David thumped his chest. ‘It is in here.’ He indicated his heart. ‘It is full of sadness.’
‘I will be taking her to Umdhloti, ’Dallas said. ‘Can you spare Aminta?’ he asked, referring to Mister David’s daughter who worked with him in the kitchen and was shaping up nicely as a cook.
‘It will be her honour, ’ the Zulu said gravely, pride evident that his eldest child’s assistance had been requested. ‘When is this to be?’
‘I don’t know. As soon as I can persuade Lorna to leave what she is doing here and come with me.’
‘That will not be too hard. I have heard Madam Lorna speaking of it with Miss Meggie. She is sad not to go there more often.’
‘Good. Then we will make my wife happy again.’ Dallas slapped Mister David’s shoulder. ‘It’s good to be home, old friend. Now, I am anxious to see her.’
Dallas was shocked by Lorna’s appearance. Dark circles where her skin had once been fine and pale. Pain in eyes that no longer sparkled. Questioning fear in the suspicious smile that greeted him. He crossed to the bed and took her in his arms.
‘It’s all right, my darling.’ Dallas suddenly realised just how close she was to emotional collapse. ‘Duncan and I are both fine. He’s waiting to see you.’ Dallas felt her tension subside and they sat in silence for several minutes, drawing strength from each other’s presence. ‘Come; Duncan will be wondering what we’re up to and I’m sure the boy would rather be somewhere else.’
Lorna smiled and seemed to regain some enthusiasm. ‘Of course. Tanith. They’re engaged. Such wonderful news and I completely forgot. Where is he?’
‘In the parlour.’
The cry of horror when she saw his arm in a sling drove away all thought of congratulations. ‘Oh God, your father didn’t tell me.’
‘It’s all right, Mother. A flesh wound, that’s all.’
‘You don’t come home for a flesh wound, Duncan, ’she replied sharply. ‘How bad is it?’
‘Well now, ’ he said, slowly peeling off the bandage. ‘Let’s see what the nurse has to say.’
She examined the wound minutely, satisfied only after five minutes of searching for signs of trouble. ‘Mmph!’she grumbled. ‘Looks all right.’
‘Actually, it’s a lot better than it was. Father made up some special muthi – Lord knows what went into it – and has been changing the dressing every day. The swelling has gone down and it’s stiff rather than sore. Anyway, don’t you worry about me, Mother, it’s this old codger you should be concerned about.’
Her eyes flicked anxiously to Dallas. ‘Why? What’s wrong?’
‘You are. He misses his little lass. Poor diddums.’ With that, Duncan turned towards the door, laughing and dodging the cushion Lorna threw at him. ‘I’m going out for a bit. Be good children.’
Lorna laughed too, a genuine smile lighting up her face. ‘Say hello to Tanith. I’m so pleased for you both.’
‘Thanks, Mother. I’ll see you later.’
Dallas took her in his arms. ‘He’s quite right, though. I do miss you terribly. We’re bored out of our minds most of the time. Often it’s so quiet you’d wonder whether there’s a war going on at all. Fairfax has been damned decent letting us come home. We will have to go back but not for a couple of weeks.’
‘Oh darling, how wonderful. What will you do?’
‘What will we do, you mean. We’re going away. Just the two of us.’
‘Can we? Can we really? Where? Oh, do tell me, Dallas. Where?’
‘How about Umdhloti?’
Lorna closed her eyes and snuggled into his chest. ‘Bliss. When?’
‘Tomorrow.’
It was as easy as that.
‘Meggie has been quite worried about you, ’ Dallas said softly, breathing in the familiar fragrance of Lorna’s hair. He deliberately omitted to mention the note she had forwarded from Roger Parry.
Lorna eased herself out of his arms and the moment was gone. ‘And I worry about all of you. Tanith is concerned about Duncan. Cameron and Virginia no doubt worry about each other. Torben fears for Gerda. At least Ellie and Lindsay are together.’
‘Wait a second. Why would Torben be worrying about Gerda?’
‘The police are questioning Afrikaners in Durban. There’s even talk of putting them in prison camps. Husbands, wives, children, servants, the lot. Maybe sending some out of the country.’
‘That rumour has been going round for some time, ’ Dallas said.
‘It’s no rumour, my dear. Some have already been locked up.’
‘I didn’t know that. Why in Natal? Why Durban?’
Lorna lapsed into silence. She had no answer.
‘This is depressing talk, my darling. For the next couple of weeks, you and I will speak only of good things. Pact?’
‘Pact.’
‘Now, what’s this I hear about you being tired?’
She smiled. ‘A ploy, I’m ashamed to admit. It gives me time to myself.’
‘No ploys at Um
dhloti. Promise.’
‘I promise.’
Meggie had failed to arrive home the night before. Lorna said it was not unusual for her to stay over at the hospital if things were busy. Dallas, although keen to be on the road as soon as possible, didn’t want to head south without first seeing his daughter. He and Lorna needed to pick up supplies in Empangeni, so a quick visit to the hospital would be easy. The night’s other absentee, Duncan, arrived back just as they were leaving, his sling no longer in evidence and an embarrassed grin from ear to ear.
The carriage was heavy with occupants, provisions and other essentials. Dallas handled the horses with practised ease. ‘When this war is over we must get away more often.’
Lorna was quiet that morning. ‘Good.’
‘Is that it? Just good? Are you all right?’
‘Of course. What makes you ask?’
‘You’re not exactly talkative.’
‘I’m leaving Frazer.’
‘No sad things, remember?’
‘It’s not sad, ’she contradicted. ‘Simply that I miss him.’
‘He’s with Katie. And Duncan will be at home to keep an eye on both of them.’
‘I know.’ Lorna adjusted her shawl. ‘If he’s not too busy doing other things.’
Dallas reached over and patted her hand, relieved to see that she was smiling.
The house at Umdhloti was maintained by a Zulu the family all knew as Nostril, the older brother of Tobacco. Lorna had saved the younger man’s life when her husband’s business partner, Logan Burton, was killed by elephants. From that day forward, Tobacco considered Lorna to be his sister and accepted a brother’s responsibility to protect her son, Cameron, who could so easily have been killed as well. It was a relationship which had endured until the Zulu War, when Tobacco answered Cetshwayo’s call to arms only to die in the fierce confrontation on Kambula Hill. That had been over twenty years ago but to Dallas, who had been there also, it seemed more like yesterday.
Nostril first appeared at Morningside after the war was over. Despite the loss of an arm, courtesy of a sabre slash by one of the King’s Dragoon Guards at Ulundi, he bore no animosity and sought only to maintain the longstanding relationship his brother had established with Dallas and his family. Now the elderly Zulu looked after their holiday house. He kept the place immaculate, even raking the beach when nobody was in residence – not an easy task for a man with his physical disability. Other servants were brought in as and when required, but Nostril was very much the induna. On this occasion, Aminta would do the cooking and take responsibility for the kitchen; another girl, Fanny, had come along to act as housekeeper. Nostril supervised everything, taking personal responsibility for the horses, carriage and garden. It worked well and no other servants were needed.
Footprints of Lion Page 18
