ESCAPE to Africa

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Sarah was up early again, it was Saturday and the house was silent so she had a cold shower, got dressed and sat down in the kitchen with a drink.

“Morning” Rich groaned through a yawn, breaking Sarah from her thoughts. He half walked and half stretched into the kitchen. “I thought I heard someone moving around. You’re up early!” He observed.

“The sun woke me” Sarah explained.

“Yeah, that’s a killer at first” He laughed. “But you soon learn to turn over and pull the covers over your head! How was your first week?” He asked.

“Fantastic!” Sarah exclaimed. “I really enjoyed working with the children; they all seem so enthusiastic and hard working.” Rich laughed as he walked over to the kettle and started to make himself a coffee.

“What have you planned for today?” He asked.

“I’m not sure really, any ideas?” Sarah said hoping for some inspiration. She was not sure what there was to do in the area really. “I thought I might go out and have a look around the local area.” She said.

“Hmmm, I wouldn’t do that on your own just yet, you may have noticed the kind of attention you attract here.” Rich said. Sarah thought back to her arrival in the town. As soon as she had stepped off the bus in the town she was almost chased down the street by men asking her for money, perhaps Rich was right. “I’ll show you around is you like?” He suggested casually.

“OK, thanks.” Sarah agreed, she would feel safer with someone who knew the area. “Great we’ll go in a couple of hours if you like?” Rich said.

“Sounds good. Thanks” Sarah said giving him a half smile. She wasn’t sure spending time on her own with Rich was a good idea but she needed a friend here and he seemed nice enough, a bit arrogant but good company.

Walking out of the complex, Rich led Sarah into town. “I thought we would have a look around the shops first, pick up some water and supplies and then go for a walk in the surrounding area. There’s really not much in the town, but if you want to see where and how the locals live, then the only way is to walk out of the main town and head into the outskirts.” He explained. Sarah was unsure, it was already hot and the locals were gathering in groups behind them calling after them, “You give me money for foto?” one asked, “White man!” another called trying to get their attention.

As they walked out from the shops and heading out of the main town, Sarah looked around, a group of children ran after a taller boy pushing a homemade toy made out of rubbish, it had a plastic tub connected to four plastic discs made into wheels and he held a handle made out of what used to be a broom stick. They laughed as they rushed by them, pushing Sarah into Rich.

“Sorry!” She said, blushing slightly. Rich just laughed and gave her a friendly nudge back. They continued to walk around the ramshackle huts where families lived and past scraps of farmland where goats grazed. The sun beat down on them making Sarah feel tired so they found a shady spot under a tree to rest. Rich wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Phew, It’s hot isn’t it?” he said.

“It sure is!” Sarah agreed as she wafted her hand in front of her face. “It’s a nice change from the UK though!”

Rich laughed at her. “You might not think that in a couple of months after days and weeks of this heat!”

“Perhaps.” Sarah said, slightly dismissing his joke as she closed her eyes and leant back against the tree. Rich stayed up right watching the town’s folk as they passed by.