CHAPTER TEN

  SUE awoke to a morning of sunshine. Unable to believe it, she leapt out of bed, going to the window to look. But it was true; The sky was blue and cloudless, the sun rising over the mountains. Cara was gone and ... Her momentary optimism vanished. Now she was on the last lap of her life in Africa, she reminded herself. Once the course was typed and dispatched, things would start moving. Either Rolf would install a manager if Danny decided to go, which Sue was sure he would do, then Rolf would fly off to New York and Cara; or he would give Sue her air ticket back to London and leave the rest to her. She could marry Danny or not, his attitude would be, for he wasn't interested. The ground was sti'U very muddy, but it was surprising how quickly the heat of Ais African sun dried up the wet173 ness. Everyone seemed to be welcoming the sunshine, just as they had all wdcomed the rain, the birds were wheeling and gliding in the air, their wings fluttering. She could see the giraffes nuzzling at the branches of a tall tree, thenlong necks extended. The rhinos seemed to have accepted their new home, though They were still in the wired pen but would soon be released. At breakfast Ailsa said little, but she glanced significantly at Sue, and when Ailsa got up to go. Sue did the same. Rolf put out his hand and stopped her. 'Mother asked us to have a talk with her.' 'Why?' Sue asked, startled. She stood by her chair, in navy jeans and a white blouse, her red hair swinging loosely. Rolf laughed. 'It seems she wants to know how the course is progressing.' Ailsa, from the doorway, turned. 'She wants to see you two safely married,' she laughed. 'See you later, then, Sue.' 'Okay.' She looked worriedly down at Rolf. How amused he seemed - and about what? she asked herself. 'Don't look so scared,' he told her, pushing his chair back. 'We can stall her. She's much happier now Cara's gone.' 'You'll miss her,' said Sue, leading the way, not looking back at him. 'I expect I will,' he agreed, and again she had the feeling that he was laughing at her. Mrs. Landseer beamed when she saw them, holding out a hand to each. 'I know you're both very busy, darlings, so I won't keep you a moment. Before Cara went, she told me the course was finished.' Her eyes darted from Sue's face to Rolf's quickly. 'Is that true? And when the course is finished...?' Rolf bent and kissed her. 'It's partly true. The course 174 is finished, but Sue still has to type it. Then we must send it to London and of course there may have to be some rewriting. Mother, when you get married, you want to be able to relax, not have something hovering over your head all the time. BoA Sue and I feel the same. Once the course is accepted and ready for print, then we'll feel free.' The disappointment showed plainly on her face. 'But you won't be going back just yet ?' 'Of course not.' He hesitated. 'Has Danny told you that...' 'Yes. It was generous of you, Rolf dear, but what will he do?' Rolf kissed her again and stood up. 'Danny will find something. Don't worry. He's still young. He may decide to stay here.' 'I try not to worry, but...' Eva Landseer looked at Sue. 'Wait until you're a mother, Sue dear, and you'll see what I mean. All right!' She smiled at them both. 'Now run and get that horrible course typed, Sue.' She sat up suddenly. 'That reminds me. Sue, where's your engagement ring?' 'Stupid of me,' said Rolf, putting his hand in his pocket. 'Here it is.' He produced the ring with the huge ugly diamond. 'The ring had to be made smaller for Sue's finger. I collected it yesterday. Sue.' He held out his hand and reluctantly she gave him her left one, and stood very still as he slid the ring on her finger. 'There - that looks better, doesn't it?' he said, and bent and kissed Sue lightly. 'I'm sure it does,' his mother agreed, smiling. 'Your hand looked so empty before, Sue dear.' The ring fitted well - almost too well, because it was hard to take off, Sue tought, as she sat before the typewriter, slogging away at the work. She noticed that Rolf had included quite a number of phrases from his earlier 175 compositions, and Ais pleased her, for she had felt his original expressions had been better and less pedantic" than his later and, as he'd tought, more polished words. The next day it rained - hard. But Sue look little notice, imprisoned as she was behind the typewriter. Rolf was constantly looking in, urging her to hurry but to make sure there were no mistakes. How ironical it was, Sue thought unhappily. Every typewriter key she struck took her one step nearer London. She could never many Danny, even if he loved her, which she knew he didn't. The frogs croaking noisily, Sue was sitting before the typewriter, when Ailsa came running into the room, cheeks flushed, hair sparkling with raindrops, as she hadn't bothered to grab a raincoat.'Sue, Bill's just phoned me,' Ailsa said breathlessly. 'Danny's told him he's definitely leaving here and ... and. is going to suggest to Rolf that Bill be trained to replace him.' 'Bill Moore?' Sue sat back, hands idle for a moment, eyes surprised. 'But he works in a bank!' 'And hates it, every single moment of it.' Ailsa's words tumbled out. 'He's terribly interested in the reserve, kept asking me questions all the time. He has a Aing about animals, just like Rolf. Danny never had it. This was just a job to Danny. But ...' Ailsa leaned against the door, still breathless, 'I came rushing down to ask you to talk to Rolf. You see, Danny's going to tell him tonight that he's leaving ... it seems he's got a job in Jo'burg offered to him, someAing to do with Vonny's father, and Danny will suggest Bill. I know Rolf will be just as surprised as you. Sue, so I thought if I asked you first...' 'But, Ailsa, Rolf wouldn't listen to me!' Ailsa laughed. 'Of course he would, Sue. He's been a different man since you came out here with him.' 176 'But I don't know anyAing about Bill.' 'Oh, Sue, please. He's such a darling, and ...' She went bright red. 'I'll do my best, but ...' Sue began, and Ailsa hugged her. 'Bless you!' She glanced at her watch. 'Gosh, I must run. I'm driving into town to meet Bill. We're going dancing.' 'Have fun,' said Sue, and turned back to her typewriter. It was much later that night, after dinner, when Sue and Funa had returned to the rondavel, closing the door on the cool wet night, as she concentrated on the typing, that Rolf arrived. 'Still at work?' he asked, closing the door, lifting a chair, turning it round, so that he could straddle it. 'Don't overdo it.' Sue went on typing furiously. 'The sooner it's done . ..' 'Naturally. Sue ...' his voice changed, 'stop typing. I want to talk to you.' She obeyed, lifting her hands from the keys and folding them demurely in her lap, looking at him, steeling herself to show only resentment at being interrupted. 'Danny phoned just now and told me he'd decided to accept the five thousand pounds and go. He's been offered a good job in Jo'burg. But of course you'd know that?' Sue nodded. 'Good. You'll like life there, I'm sure. Just ideal for city-lovers.' He smiled at her and then looked down at his hands - big, strong hands with long fingers. 'Know any-Aing about Bill Moore, Sue?' Sue was startled. Was Rolf asking her advice? she wondered. It seemed most unlikely. 'Not much,' she said honestly. 'I only know he hates his job at the bank and has always wanted to work with 177 animals.' Rolf looked up, his eyes narrowed. 'Who told you that? Ailsa?' Sue shook her head. 'No, Vonny. Ages ago, when we first met. I gathered later that he has a father who was rather difficult and wanted Bill to go into the family business, but Bill refused. I'm not sure what it was. Anyhow, Bill went into the bank.' 'Why didn't he become a game warden if he was so keen?' 'I asked Vonny that. Apparently he did try.' 'Danny suggested him as a replacement. What d'you think?' Sue hesitated. 'Honestly, Rolf, I don't know. I've met him, of course, and I liked him, but... Look, Ailsa knows him better than I do.' Rolf smiled wryly. 'Aiisa's view would, I'm afraid, be slightly prejudiced. She's gone dancing with him tonight. What I'm getting at, Sue, is this. Has Bill's interest in working here stemmed from knowing Ailsa? Is he only interested because it would give him a chance to know Ailsa better, perhaps marry into the family?' Sue was shocked. 'Oh no! Bill isn't like that. Besides, Vonny told me how he loved animals and envied Danny, long before he met Ailsa.' Rolf scraped the chair as he stood up. 'Thanks, Sue. That's what I wanted to know. I'll see him tomorrow and have a talk. Then he'll have to come out and work with me on probation. I'll soon see if he's the right man.' In the doorway, he paused, looking down at her. 'That's one Aing about you, Sue. I can trust you. You would never lie to me ...' He paused, his eyes narrowed. 'Would you?' Sue's hands dung together tightly, but she made herself look at him unblinkingly. 'Why should I lie?' she 178 asked. His mouA seemed to move, as if he was controlling a smile. 'Exactly. Why should you?' He opened the door and a gust of wet wind blew in. 'Don't work too hard. Sue,' he ordered. "There's not all that hurry,' he added, and dosed the door. She stared at it. She hadn't lied to him. Ever. Except that time when she'd said she loved Danny, and that was... well, a form of self-defence, of protection, she told herself. That made it different, didn't it? After all, she simply had to stop Rolf from knowing that she loved him. Oh, so much! She buried her face in her hands for a moment. When would Ais long-drawn-out misery end? Would it ever end? Did one eventually stop loving? Could this kind of heartache be really cured? she asked herself. Drawing a long deep sigh, she dropped her hands, blinked her eyes and began to type again. It was the only way she could stop thinking. It took some time, but at last the course was finished. She could hardly believe it as she finished the last checking and knew there was no more work to be done. It was one of those perfect sunny days that every now and then came in the middle of a rainy period. A day when she could stand outside, gazing at the blue sky and marvel. Only the day before the sky had been grey and the mountains hidden by the ferocious rain, and now ... This was one of the fascinating facets of Africa. There were so many of them. How could she bear to go back to London and live? she asked herself. Of course, she could always try for a job out here. Perhaps ask Vonny's father? If he could give Danny a job, then surely ...? But did she want to 179 live and work in Jo'burg? she wondered, and knew that she didn't. She walked slowly down towards the dam which was now overflowing with water and where the red and black ducks were swimming, every now and then diving into the water, their little tails sticking out. Face it. Sue, she told herself. It isn't Africa or the game reserve or the climate you love. It's Rolf. And you're not only wasting your time, she told herself severely, but you're deliberately hurting yourself. You're being a ma ... mas ... what was the word? she wondered, and then remembered it. A masochist. The sooner she was far away from here and able to start forgetting Rolf, the better for her. She turned and walked back to the rondavd, picked up the heavy folder and took it to Rolf's office. He was on the phone, looked up and indicated a chair. Reluctantly, she sat down, holding the folder tightly. 'That's fine,' Rolf was saying. 'I appreciate it. Thanks.' He put down the receiver and looked at her. 'Just checking on Bill Moore. Everyone speaks well of him. I liked him, too. No nonsense about him. Anyhow, he's starting here next Monday. I've fixed it with the bank.' 'Good. Then things are straightening out,' Sue said. 'This is finished.' She put it on the desk. He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. 'You must be glad to be rid of it.' 'Yes,' Sue began, then stopped. 'In a way,' she added, 'I guess I'll miss it.' His mouth twisted wryly. 'I guess I will, too. You've done a good job, Sue, and I'm grateful. Well, I'll just look Arough it and we'll post it tomorrow.' He paused. 'Well, that's that, isn't it?' It wasn't a question, but he sat, staring at her, saying no more. She fidgeted. Her hands as usual went to play with her 180 ring - and her fingers stopped, as if paralysed. It wasn't there. Her face must have shown her dismay. 'What's wrong, Sue?' 'The ring!' She looked at her ringless hand. 'I'm sure I put it on this morning.' 'You took itoff?' Rolf's voice was calm. 'I never sleep in it. I always shower, make up and then put the ring on. I'm sure ...' she paused, half dosing her eyes, trying to remember what she had done that morning. 'I always leave it on my hairbrush so I can't forget it.' 'You hate it so much?' Rolf asked, his voice drawling slightly. Sue opened her eyes wide. 'Yes, I do.' 'Why?' 'Because it... it was false. A lie ... one shouldn't...' 'Lie? I quite agree.' Rolf pushed back his chair and stretched his long legs. 'Still, I don't think you would deliberately lose your ring simply because you hated it.' 'Of course I wouldn't!' Sue said angrily. 'They say the subconscious often does what the conscious is afraid to do,' Rolf told her. She saw the half smile on his mouth and knew he was enjoying this. 'They say a lot of nonsense,' she told him. 'And I...' Suddenly the enormity of it hit her. She had lost the ring that Cara had said must have cost a fortune. The Aing she had dreaded most had happened. 'I'm sorry.' She looked at him worriedly. He smiled. 'Don't be. It isn't lost.' He put his hand in his pocket and tossed a ring on the table. 'There it is.' 'But...' Sue stared at it. 'How on earth ...' He laughed. 'The willing TabiAa. Remember how Cara used her to find out about Danny? Wdl, it was also TabiAa whom Cara bribed to destroy, as she thought, the 181 course for us.' 'Cara? I thought she'd ...' Sue was sitting bolt upright now, her hands clutching one another angrily, her eyes beginning to blaze. 'You knew all along?' 'No, not until after Cara had gone. Then I had a talk with TabiAa. It explained to me many things. Why Cara was so bad-tempered after you'd produced carbon copies of everything.' 'You could have told me!' 'What was the point?' 'And that ring.' She could feel her anger growing inside her and she tried hard to hold on to her self-control. It wouldn't help things to lose her temper now. 'I asked TabiAa to take you your morning tea and bring me the ring. I'd already ascertained that you didn't sleep with it on,' he said dryly. 'Why did you do it?' Sue paused, her anger was getting control. She dosed her eyes and counted ten. 'Look, Rolf,' she said, forcing her voice to be calm, 'I don't get it. Why make me think I'd lost the ring?' 'Quite simple. I wanted to talk to you, and for the last few days, you've been an absolute iceberg. Unapproachable.' 'I've been working hard.' 'I appreciate that. In any case, I wanted the chance to tell you that it didn't matter if the ring was lost. You see, it isn't a real diamond at all.' 'It isn't?' Sue drew a deep breaA. 'I don't understand.' 'I'm sure you don't,' Rolf said amicably. 'It was a phoney engagement, so it only merited a phoney ring. I kept the real ring until the right moment.' He put his hand in his pocket and produced a small box. He opened it and passed it to Sue. 'That's our real engagement ring. I bought it in London.' 182 She stared at it. Nervously she lifted it from its velvet bed and turned the ring round slowly. How beautiful it was, she tought, silenced for a moment - an exquisite turquoise, surrounded by diamonds, in the most beautiful gold setting she had ever seen. 'It's lovely...' she said slowly. 'I tought you'd like it,' said Rolf. 'Me?' Sue's head jerked back. 'You bought it for me?' He nodded. 'Of course. After our interview. You see, I decided then to marry you.' She put the ring back carefully in the box and pushed it across the desk. 'Are you ... I mean, Ais may be your idea of a joke, but ...' Her temper began to rise again and she clutched the arms of the chair. 'It isn't a joke. I'm not in the habit of joking about such serious matters,' he said gravely. She looked at him sharply, but he returned her gaze. Was it her imagination or was he hiding a smile? Was Ais another sign of his strange sense of humour? 'Then I don't understand. You say you're not joking, one moment, and the next ... the next telling me you bought Ais ring for me in London.' 'Exactly. Extremely well put, Sue. The fact was that as soon as I began interviewing you, I knew I'd marry you.' She caught her breath. 'That's ridiculous! You-didn't even know me!' 'I did. I knew you at once. You were different. You see, Sue, without being unduly conceited, I'd always been chased by girls - not necessarily for my good looks but for my money. I'd become rather cynical. I was used to yesgirls, as well as yes-men who agreed with all my views, never daring to contradict me. You were like a breath of fresh air. You honestly said you wanted to escape from your aunt - that was the reason you needed the job. The 183 other girls talked a lot of tripe about being interested in wild life preservation. Then you argued with me. You even lost your temper. That was when I decided to marry you. So I bought the ring.' 'It doesn't make sense!' Sue stared at him. 'On the contrary, it makes excellent sense. I'd always wanted a wife who wouldn't be afraid of me, who'd have the courage of her convictions.' He smiled slightly. 'In other words, a wife with an Irish grandmother!' 'But ...' Sue tried to speak. It was like some fantastic T.V. play that one couldn't understand, but felt vaguely guilty about because the critics had said how good it was. Rolf lifted his hand. 'Please, let me finish. You see, Sue, I knew there and then that I would marry you. You might ask - as I imagine you were about to do - why I didn't say so to you. Now, let me ask you a question. If I'd said to you: "Miss Burford, I've decided that you are the woman I intend to make my wife," what would you have said?' 'I'd have told you I didn't like that kind of joke and wasn't amused,' Sue told him. 'Precisely,' Rolf smiled. 'If I'd told you when we came here, you'd have said the same. You might even have slapped my cheek and walked out on me. No, I had to be more subtle. I had to convince you, too, that I was the husband you wanted. I knew we'd fight. I knew I had to break down certain inhibitions of yours. When I interviewed you, I sensed your hostility. This in itself constituted not only a challenge but a rather amusing situation, like playing a game of chess.' He leant back in his chair, folding his arms, half smiling. 'I must confess I've rather enjoyed it, being engaged to you.' 'Well, I haven't!' retorted Sue, suddenly angry. 'You surely don't mean you pretended you had to get engaged 184 just...' 'Exactly. Just to give me an excuse to kiss you, to hold you, even momentarily, in my arms. I had to find a way to make you like me, to break through your reserve. Yes, I admit I pretended it was to help my mother. In a way, it was true. It did make her happy, but I can assure you that under normal conditions I could have coped alone quite well.' 'I wish you'd stop talking in that maddeningly pedantic way,' Sue said angrily. 'Is this a joke, or...' 'It is not a joke. Sue. I intend to marry you. Your feelings for me today are very different from what They were in ... shall we say? ... London. Aren't they?' Sue closed her mouA tightly, but she could feel the colour burning in her cheeks. She shook her head violently, her hair swinging. He smiled. 'You're lying, Sue. I always know. You hated me, didn't you? I also knew that hate walks with love. You love me now, don't you, Sue?' He leaned forward across the desk, his voice soft. She stared at him, her eyes unhappy. What was this? she wondered. Was he enjoying making her admit the truth? Would he then just laugh it off? 'How did ...' 'How did I know? I didn't know until I asked you if you loved Danny. You lied. Sue. I knew at once. You're a bad liar, you know.' He stood up, came to her side, took her hands in his and pulled her to her feet, still holding her hands. 'You will marry me, won't you. Sue?' he said softly. She stared up at him. 'You're in love with Cara. I saw you kiss her.' 'I didn't kiss her. Sue. She kissed me. There is a difference, you know.' He smiled, put his hand under her chin and bent and kissed her. It was a long, slow, utterly won185 derful kiss. Sue dosed her eyes. 'You see, I just kissed you. Sue, you didn't kiss me. That's what happened. Cara " kissed me out of gratitude.' Sue's eyes opened. He was standing very dose to her, his hands now on her arms. 'Gratitude?' she echoed. 'Yes. Cara's been looking for a wealAy husband for years. Her father's been toppling on the brink of bankruptcy and for some unknown reason Cara has never been trained to do any work. I knew she wanted to marry me, but I didn't flatter myself it was me she wanted.' He gave a funny little smile. 'Just my money! Anyhow, I gave her a talking-to, and as I'm one of the directors of Gerippa I managed to get her the job as a model. She was merdy thanking me.' 'Oh, I thought...' Sue began. She looked at him. 'Cara was lovely, and...' He smiled. 'If that kind of beauty is your cup of tea. It isn't mine. Odd, Sue, for I've never liked red-heads before.' His eyes were twinkling now. 'I never realized quite how fascinating the combination of red hair, green eyes and masses of freckles could be.' His voice changed, became more serious. 'Well, that's settled, then. The point is. Sue, I intend to marry you.' Sue shook her head; she felt dazed. 'I can't believe you made up your mind that day in London. You didn't know me. I'm not even-pretty!' 'I beg to differ,' he said with a smile. 'I find you most attractive.' Sue stared at him. This must be some kind of dream, and any moment, she'd wake up to the truth, she tought unhappily. Or else it was, alAough he denied it, his idea of a joke. 'And you're telling me that Ais was all a sort of a plan to ... to ...' She spoke slowly as if she was thinking out 186 each word carefully, 'to make me fall in love with you? You saw me and ... and just made up your mind?' 'I pride myself on quick decisions.' 'But you couldn't have ...' She hesitated to say the important words that he had not said. He'd merely told her he intended to marry her! 'I just can't believe it, Rolf. After all, you told me you were a happy bachelor and ...' 'I also told you that I had to be very sure before I gave up my precious freedom.' She looked at him, her face anxious. 'And you are ... very sure?' She tried to read his thoughts, her whole body tensed with anxiety. Surely he couldn't mean what he said? What would a man like Rolf see in her? she wondered miserably. If only she dared to believe him! If only it could be true, how wonderful it would be. 'I am very sure,' he told her. 'There's just one problem, Sue, only it isn't really a problem. D'you want to live in London?' He paused. 'If you do, we will. I'd rather live here, of course, but...' 'Rolf,' her voice was a shocked whisper, 'you mean you'll live in London if I want to?' 'Yes.' She stared at him. A warmth began to fill her. She began to believe that he was telling her the truth. 'I can't believe it!' He smiled. 'Well, it's true. I only want you to be happy.' 'Oh, Rolf!' Unexpectedly and inexplicably, her eyes filled with tears. 'Rolf, I love it here. I was absolutely hating the thought of going back to London. This is a wonderful way of living, and...' His face changed, it seemed to light up. 'You really like it here?' She nodded, her red hair swinging gently. 'Oh, I do, I do! We'll find a way to make money, Rolf. Perhaps you 187 could get a publisher to let you do a series on management and...' He bent and kissed her nose gently. 'Don't worry about money, Sue. I have plenty invested. I really went away to give Danny a chance to prove himself without Big Brother hovering around.'He moved to the desk and picked up the ring. Turning to her, he said, 'I hope it fits you. I had to guess the size.' She held out her hand, Ais time proudly, excitedly. The ring slid on. It was a perfect fit. She looked at it. 'How lovely it is,' she murmured. 'You like it?' He paused and then said softly: 'Darling.' She lifted her head and smiled at him. How wonderful that word sounded when he said it like that! 'I love it, Rolf. It's absolutely gorgeous!' She tilted her head to one side and looked at him thoughtfully. 'There's just one Aing. You haven't said...' He smiled. 'Nor have you.' He put his arms round her, linking his hands behind her back. 'Is the feud still on?' He smiled. 'Is your Irish grandmother determined to make you show that you're dominating me, that I'm your humble slave? Must I be the first to tell you?' 'Idiot!' she said. Suddenly she was laughing gaily, so happy she wanted to sing and dance. Instead she put her hands behind his head and pulled it down and kissed him. 'There is, as you said, Rolf, a difference. This time I kissed you. Now, let's say it together? One - two - three I love you.''I love you,' he said at the same time, tightening his hold, finishing his words with a long wonderful kiss. 'Sue,' he asked, his face young again and laughing, 'just one more Aing. What was it you wished for on your shining star?' 'You'll laugh at me,' she said, but now it no longer 188 mattered for she knew he loved her. 'I wished for a wonderful husband.' 'Well, I wouldn't say wonderful.' 'Well, I would!' Sue looked at him. 'Did you wish, too?' He nodded. 'And mine's come true. I wished that I might find a way to make you love me.' 'And you did,' she said gaily. 'Oh, Rolf darling, never in my life did I think one could be so happy.' She still found it hard to believe - that Ais wonderful, exciting man really loved her. 'Would next month be too soon for the wedding?' he asked. 'Tomorrow wouldn't be soon enough,' she told him gaily. 'Mrs. Rolf Landseer ... doesn't that sound wonderful?' 'My wife ... Sue ...' he said. 'I think that sounds even more wonderful.' 'Shall we tell the others the truth?' Sue asked. 'If you like.' Sue laughed happily. 'I think so. After all, you won, didn't you, Rolf? As you always do.'

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10