and he hoarded each minute of it, doling out time like a miser paying
coins from a diminishing hoard. Yet Debra's ebullient mood was
infectious, and he could not help but laugh with her and share the warm
excitement as she anticipated her release from the hospital and their
return together to the sanctuary of Jabulani.
There were no doubts in her mind, no shadows across her happiness, and
gradually David began to believe that it would last. That their
happiness was immortal and that their love could survive any pressure
placed upon it. It was so strong and fine when they were together now,
carried along by Debra's bubbling enthusiasm, that surely she could
regain her sight and weather the first shock of seeing him.
Yet he was not sure enough to tell her yet, there was plenty of time.
Two weeks, Ruby Friedman had told him, two weeks before she would be
able to see him and it was vitally important to David that he should
extract every grain of happiness that was left to him in that time.
In the lonely nights he lay with the frantic scurryings of his brain
keeping him from sleep. He remembered that the plastic surgeon had told
him there was more they could do to make him less hideous. He could'go
back and submit to the knife once more, although his body cringed at the
thought. Perhaps they could give Debra something less horrifying to
look at.
The following day he braved the massed stares of hundreds of shoppers to
visit Stuttafords Departmental Store in Adderley Street. The girl in
the wig department, once she had recovered her poise, took him into a
curtainedoff cubicle and entered into the spirit of finding a Wig to
cover the domed cicatrice of his scalp.
David regarded the fine curly head of hair over the frozen ruins of his
face, and for the first time ever he found himself laughing at it,
although the effect of laughter was even more horrifying as the tight
lipless mouth writhed like an animal in a trap.
God! he laughed. Frankenstein in drag! 'and for the sales girl who
had been fighting to control her emotions this was too much. She broke
into hysterical giggles of embarrassment.
He wanted to tell Debra about it, making a joke of it and at the same
time prepare her for her first sight Of his face, but somehow he could
not find the words.
Another day passed with nothing accomplished, except a few last hours of
warmth and happiness shared.
The following day Debra began to show the first signs of restlessness.
When are they going to let me out, darling? I feel absolutely
wonderful. It's ridiculous to lie in bed here. I want to get back to
labulani, there is so much to do. Then she giggled. And they've had me
locked up here ten days now. I'm not used to convent Ille, and to be
completely honest with you, my big lusty lover, I am climbing the wall
We could lock the door, David suggested.
God, I married a genius, Debra cried out delightedly, and then later.
That's the first time it ever happened for me in Technicolor. I think I
could get hooked on that That evening Ruby Friedman and the Brig were
waiting for him when he returned to his suite, and they came swiftly to
the reason for their visit.
You have already left it too long. Debra should have been told days
ago, the Brig told him sternly.
He is right, David. You are being unfair to her. She must have time to
come to terms, latitude for adjustment.
I'll tell her when I get the opportunity, David muttered doggedly.
When will that be? the Brig demanded, the gold tooth glowing angrily in
its hirry nest.
Soon.
David, Ruby was placatory, it could happen at any time now. She has
made strong and vigorous progress, it could happen much sooner than I
expected. I'll do it, said David.
Can't you stop pushing me? I said I'll do it, and I will. just get off
my back, won't you.
Right. The Brig was brisk now. You've got until noon tomorrow. If you
haven't told her by then, I'm going to do it.
You're a hard old bastard, aren't you. David said bitterly, and anger
paled the Brig's lips and they could see the effort he made to force it
down.
I understand your reluctance, he spoke carefully. I sympathize.
However, my first and only concern is for Debra. You are indulging
yourself, David. You are wallowing in self-pity, but I am not going to
allow that to hurt her more. She has had enough. No more delay. Tell
her, and have done.
Yes, David nodded, all the fight gone out of him. I will tell her.
When? the Brig persisted.
Tomorrow, said David. I will tell her tomorrow morning.
It was a bright warm morning, and the garden below his room was gay with
colour. David lingered over breakfast in his suite, and he read all of
the morning papers from end to end, drawing out the moment to its
utmost. He dressed with care afterwards, in a dark suit and a soft
lilac shirt, then, when he was ready to leave, he surveyed his image in
the full-length mirror of the dressing-room.
It's been a long time, and I'm still not at ease with you, he told the
figure in the mirror. Let's pray that somebody loves you more than I
do.
The doorman had a cab ready for him under the portico, and he settled in
the back seat with the leaden feeling in his stomach. The drive seemed
much shorter this morning, and when he paid off the cab and climbed the
steps to the main entrance of Groote Schuur, he glanced at his
wrist-watch. It was a few minutes after eleven o'clock. He was hardly
aware of the curious glances as he crossed the lobby to the elevators.
The Brig was waiting for him in the visitors room on Debra's floor. He
came out into the corridor, tall and grim, and unfamiliar in his
civilian clothes.
What are you doing here? David demanded, it was the ultimate intrusion
and he resented it fiercely. I thought I might be of help.
Good on you! said David sardonically, making no effort to hide his
anger.
The Brig let the anger slide past him, not acknowledging it with either
word or expression as he asked mildly, Would you like me to be with you?
No. David turned away from him as he spoke. I can manage, thank you,
and he set off along the corridor.
David! the Brig called softly, and David hesitated and then turned
back.
What is it? he asked.
For a long moment they stared at each other, then abruptly the Brig
shook his head. No, he said. It's nothin&'and watched the tall young
man with the monstrous head turn and walk swiftly towards Debra's room.
His footsteps echoed hollowly along the empty corridor, like the tread
of a man upon the gallows steps.
The morning was warm with a light breeze off the sea. Debra sat in her
chair by the open window, and the warm air wafted the scent of the pine
forests to her.
Resinous and clean-smelling, it mingled with the faint whiff of the sea
and the kelp beds. She felt quiet and deeply contented, even though
David was late this morning. She had spoken to Ruby Friedman when he
made his rounds earlier, and he had teased her and hinted that she would
be able to leave in a week or so, and the knowledge rounded out her
happiness.
The warmth of the morning was drowsy, and she closed her eyes subduing
the strong rich flow of colour into a lulling cocoon of soft shades