Of Wolves and Oranges

Chapter One: Elizabeth

Boy did I need this weekend away. As a doctor working in a rural hospital I had been working flat out for the past ten days and I stifle a yawn as I wait to pull out onto the highway. Living out in the sticks I could forget how far I was from civilisation but with already one hour behind me I still faced another two before I arrive in our closest town of Empangeni. But driving the rural roads in the early hours of the morning was magical, the golden, morning light catching the dew-drenched grass on the side of the road and lighting it up like a thousand tiny diamonds. The kamikaze goats and lethargic cows had kept me alert to avoid crashing into them.

My colleague had agreed to relieve me at 5am, which meant I had had an early start. But it did mean I had only slept an hour after being awake all night delivering babies.

I was happy to be out of the hospital compound. Although I did enjoy the company of the five doctors and the other hospital staff. But sharing work spaces, houses and even evening meals with people I had only known a few months meant I was really looking forward to spending the weekend with my old friends. Sonja and I had met in first year at medical college and the seven years of friendship made her more like family than just my best friend. I was going to crash at another friend's house for the day. Owen was an orthopaedic surgeon at the local hospital and we were going to meet up with Sonja later in the evening at a doctor's party. Sonja had been buzzing with excitement on the phone the day before and I grinned to myself wondering what the big surprise was that she had been promising me.

As I waited at the junction onto the highway South, a large, blue Ford truck sped by. It was a big truck with chrome details, huge, mud-covered wheels and a bull bar. I caught a glimpse of the driver, wearing aviators, staring at me as he flashed by. Hmm, defined nose, chiselled jaw covered by a big blonde beard, strong arms. Sexy beast, I smiled to myself, as I gunned my little grey Volkswagen Golf's accelerator and pulled out behind him. Come on little car, lets see if we can catch us a truck. But even heading downhill, my old car and I didn't stand a chance against a truck already going 120km an hour which soon disappeared into the distance. So, I settled on enjoying the view of the Lebombo mountains, towering over the wide expanse of the Jozini dam and the gently rustling fields of sugar cane on the sides of the road, whilst cranking up the radio to listen to some Taylor Swift.

As the road headed up a pass I finally caught up to the Ford which was stuck behind a large coal truck. This was the problem with the highway, serving as the main road to the port at Richards Bay, there were always trucks transporting timber, sugar cane and coal from the north.

Gotcha mountain man, I thought as I passed both his truck and the coal truck as the road widened. He pulled out behind me and followed closely as we headed up the hill. I flattened my foot to the floor, but my little Golf was too weak and started to shudder. I sighed and pulled onto the shoulder to allowed the Ford to pass. Once he had passed, he flashed his hazards in appreciation and I responded by flashing my brights. He raised his hand in thanks and I could see his grin in his rear-view mirror. I smiled at the whole ritual, how could such a small interaction with someone make such a big difference?