Of Wolves and Oranges

Chapter 28: Elizabeth

It has been two weeks since Ford had left, and I have heard nothing. I could just imagine him schmoozing his way around Europe. Wining and dining all the different companies. But I know Ford is not good at schmoozing. He was always straight with people. If he doesn't like you, he tells you, if he likes you, he tells you, if he loves you, he asks you to marry you.

I smile to myself as I look out of the window and watch the turn-off to Hluhluwe flash past. Good memories. My colleague, Hugh, who is giving me a lift down to Empangeni on his way to Durban, turns to me. "So, the hairy mountain man doesnt know that you are coming? Will you be ok if I just drop you off at the mechanic and run? My concert starts at eight and I don't want to be late."

"Hugh, its the philharmonic, it's not like you need a good view. Anyway, no, he doesn't know I'm coming, its supposed to be a surprise. His brother is fetching him from the airport and should be dropping him at about five, so if I pick up my car now, I'll be there by six." My stomach flutters. Ever since the mechanic called me to say they were finished, I have been planning this weekend. I couldn't last any longer without seeing Ford and here was the perfect opportunity.

Hugh drops me off at the mechanic and I walk into the yard full of old rusted cars and weeds. Suddenly a dog launches out at me and I spring back, but it's chain yanks tight and it stops short, growling and barking as I inch around it towards the work shop. The banging on metal stops and a short ruddy haired man comes to the door dressed in blue overalls, hammer in hand. He lifts his goggles and I raise my hand, "Hi, my name is Elizabeth Burnes and I'm here to pick up the grey Golf?"

He grunts and gestures towards the little office at the back. A light is on and I see a balding man with a large paunch shuffling through papers at the desk.

It takes about half an hour to sign all the forms to release my car, within which time the man might have taken his eyes off my cleavage possibly twice, and one of those times was to find my keys. But at the end of it I am sitting in my shiny, good-as-new Golf with all the windows open to try and get rid of the all-pervasive stench of cigarette smoke. I wave at the man with the hammer as I drive out but he just crosses his arms and leans against the door as he watches me leave.

Phase one of my plan completed, I head back onto the N2 highway, not wanting to drive past the place of the highjacking on the back roads. It takes me longer to get back to Eshowe but I feel that its definitely worth it. I pull off onto the farm road and drive past Getruide's house, wishing I had come earlier so that I could pop in for a visit, but I change gears and head up the rutted dirt road towards Ford's house. As I come over the rise, I find the road obstructed with cars, all parked up on the sides in all kinds of haphazard ways. Luckily my little car has high clearance so I reverse up into the grass and set the hand brake.

After trekking past scores of trucks and cars I reach the house, ablaze with colour and noise. The smell of fires and cooking meat makes me realise how hungry I am, but there is only one thing that I really want in this house. It is crowded, and I squeeze between people as I make my way through the kitchen, past the dining table which is covered in salads and casseroles and bowls of chips and into the lounge where people are chatting and laughing, sitting on our leather couch. I still can't find Ford, so I move outside, to the pool area. It's quieter out here but still there are lots of people, cooking, swimming, lazing on the loungers and then I hear it. Ford's laugh, deep and sensual, I would know it anywhere. I look in the direction of the sound, but I cannot see him. Until I see the platinum-blonde hair, and the string bikini, straddling a pair of fit muscled legs. I follow the body up, I know the tattoos, I know the scars, but I do not know the body, the defined, cut muscles and even a six pack, I know those bright blue laughing eyes, but the smooth jaw, the sexy short style hair. I pray that it is Richart but these shoulders are bigger and the smile; the smile is all Ford. And The Bitch is on his lap.

I step back, feeling nauseous. I look around. All the people are beautiful, tall and fit. This must be a shifter party. I gulp back a cry, this is not my world. Who was I, to think I could fit I here. I stumble back through the crowd, bumping into people, as tears fog my vision.

As I walk out from the kitchen into the cool, night air, a pair of hands grab me and spins me around, slamming me against the wall of the house.

"What are you doing here?" growls Richart standing over me his one arm holding my shoulder in place.

I try to hold back my tears but my heart is broken and they stream down my face.

"Good question, Ric. I have no idea what I am doing here. Don't say anything, I know, Im leaving."

I push past his way and run down the road to my car. Struggling with my keys I start the car and roll down the hill. Options, what options do I have. I am struggling to breathe, let alone think. My life is in pieces, my heart broken and my natural instinct as I pull off the dirt road, is to turn towards Zini. My only hope is Sonja, my best friend. I emerge out of the valley that is Eshowe and head towards the coast.

As I come around the corner at the top of the pass, there are cars across the road, blinding me with their headlights. I slam on my brakes pulling to the side of the road. A man steps out in front of my car holding a flashlight. I shield my eyes as he walks towards the car, the lights glinting off his gold tooth. He yanks open the door and pulls me out with an iron grip. "Dr Elizabeth Burnes, we meet at last."