war. They misunderstood the Brig's reference to sacrifice, and one of
them began to applaud.
Immediately it was taken up, a smattering here and there amongst the
tables, but quickly the sound rose became thunder.
People were staring at David and Debra as they clapped, other heads
turned towards them.
Chairs began to scrape as they were pushed back and men and women came
to their feet, their faces smiling and their applause pounding, until it
filled the hall with sound and they were all standing.
Debra was not sure what it was all about, until she felt David's
desperate hand in hers and heard his voice.
Let's get out of here, quickly. They are all staring.
They are staring at us She could feel his hand shaking and the strength
of his distress at being the subject of their ghoulish curiosity.
Come, let's get away. And she rose at his urging with her heart crying
out in pain for him, and followed him while the thunder of applause
burst upon his defenceless head like the blows of an enemy and their
eyes wantonly raked his ravaged flesh.
Even when they reached the sanctuary of their own suite, he was still
shaking like a man in fever.
The bastard, he whispered, as he poured whisky in a glass and the neck
of the bottle clattered against the crystal rim. The cruel bastard, why
did he do that to us? David. She came to him groping for his hand. He
didn't mean it to hurt. I know he meant it well, I think he was trying
to say he was proud of you. David felt the urge to flee, to find relief
from it all within the sanctuary of Jabulani. The temptation to say to
her Come and lead her there, knowing that she would do so instantly, was
so strong that he had to wrestle with it, as though it were a physical
adversary.
The whisky tasted rank and smoky. It offered no avenue of escape and he
left the glass standing upon the counter of the private bar and turned
instead to Debra.
Yes, she whispered into his mouth. Yes, my darling, and there was a
woman's pride, a woman's joy in being the vessel of his ease. As always
she was able to fly with him above the storm, using the wild winds of
love to drive them both aloft, until they broke through together into
the brightness and peace and safety.
David woke in the night while she lay sleeping. There was a silver moon
reflecting from the french windows and he could study her sleeping face,
but after a while it was not sufficient for his need and he reached
across gently and switched on the bedside lamp.
She stirred in her sleep, coming softly awake with small sighs and and
tumbling black hair brushed from her eyes with a sleep-clumsy hand, and
David felt the first chill of impending loss. He knew he had not moved
the bed when he lit the lamp, what had disturbed her he knew beyond
doubt was the light itself, and this time not even their loving could
distract him.
Reuben Friedman's dwelling proclaimed his station in the world. It was
built above the sea with lawns that ran down to the beach and big dark
green melkhout trees surrounding the swimming-pool, with an elaborate
Cabana and barbecue area. Marion Friedman's horde of kids were
especially thinned out for the occasion, probably farmed out with
friends, but she retained her two youngest. These came to peer in awe
at David for a few minutes, but at a sharp word from their mother they
went off to the pool and became immersed in water and their own games.
The Brig had another speaking engagement, so the four adults were left
alone, and after a while they relaxed. Somehow the fact that Reuben was
a doctor seemed to set both David and Debra at their ease. Debra
remarked on it, when the conversation turned to their injuries and
Reuben asked solicitously, You don't mind talking about it?
No, not with you. Somehow it's all right to bare yourself in front of a
doctor.
Don't do it, my dear, Marion cautioned her. Not in front of Ruby
anyway, look at me, six kids, already! And they laughed.
Ruby had been out early that morning and taken half a dozen big crayfish
out of the crystal water, from a kelp-filled pool in the rocks which he
boasted was his private fishing-ground.
He wrapped them in fresh kelp leaves and steamed them over the coals
until they turned bright scarlet and the flesh was milk white and
succulent as he broke open the carapaces.
Now, if that isn't the finest spring chicken you have ever seen he
crowed as he held up the dismembered shellfish, you all bear witness
that it's got two legs and feathers.
David admitted that he had never tasted poultry like it and as he washed
it down with a dry Cape Riesling;
he found it was no terrible hardship to reach for another.
Both he and Debra were enjoying themselves, so that it came as a jolt
when Reuben at last began on the real purpose of their meeting.
He was leaning across Debra to refill her wine glass, when he paused and
asked her.
How long is it since your eyes were last checked out, my dear? and
gently he placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face to look
into her eyes. David's nerves snapped taut, and he moved quickly in his
chair, watching intently.
Not since I left Israel, though they took some Xrays when I was in
hospital. Any headaches? Ruby asked, and she nodded. Ruby grunted and
released her chin.
I suppose they could strike me off, drumming up business, but I do think
that you should have periodic checks. Two years is a long time, and you
have foreign matter lodged inside your skull. I hadn't even thought
about it.
Debra frowned slightly and reached up to touch the scar on her temple.
David felt his conscience twinge as he joined actively in the
conspiracy.
It can't do any harm, darling. Why not let Ruby give you a going over
while we are here? Heaven knows when we will have another opportunity.
Oh, David, Debra disparaged the idea. I know you are itching to head
for home, and so am V Another day or two won't matter, and now that we
have thought about it, it's going to worry us. Debra turned her head in
Ruby's direction. How long will it take? A day. I'll give you an
examination in the morning, and then we'll shoot some X-ray plates in
the afternoon. 'How soon could you see her? David asked, his vice
unnatural for he knew that the appointment had been arranged five weeks
previously.
Oh, I'm sure we could fit her in right away, tomorrow, even if we have
to do a little juggling. Yours is rather a special case. David reached
across and took Debra's hand.
Okay, darling? he asked.
Okay, David, she agreed readily.
Ruby's consulting-rooms were in the Medical Centre that towered above
the harbour and looked out across Table Bay to where the black
southeaster was hacking the tops from the waves in bursts of white, and
shrouding the far shores of the bay in banks of cloud as grey as wood
smoke.
The rooms were decorated with care and taste: two original landscapes by
Pierneef and some good carpets, Samarkand and a gold-washed Abedah, even
Ruby's receptionist looked like a hostess from a Playboy Club, without
the bunny ears and tail. It was clear that Dr. Friedman enjoyed the
good things of life.
The receptionist was expecting them, but still could not control the
widening of her eyes and the shocked flight of colour from her cheeks as
she looked at David's face.
Dr. Friedman is waiting for you, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan.