The Blue Mountains of Kabuta Page 11

  He led the way back to the lounge and Ursula Hampton said quickly: ' Why, Alex, you're as wet as poor Tim was ! How about a quick bath and we'll dry your clothes . .

  He smiled. No, thanks all the same. I just wanted to tell you the road to Somahaha is under water.' He glanced at Tim Dean. How did you get through ? '

  I didn't have to. I've been staying with the Oswalds.'

  Jon saw the quick frown on Alex's face. She had

  only met the Oswalds once and liked them, but they were the talk of the dorp. Everyone called them hippies ' because they wore brightly coloured clothes and his hair was long. The wife was a brilliant artist and the husband taught at a local school.

  ' You were lucky,' Alex said grimly. ' Your car'd never have got through.'

  ' What happened, sir ? ' Tim asked.

  Alex frowned. The small dam overflowed.'

  ' Aren't they going to build . . .' Tim began, but Alex had turned to Jon.

  Don't forget, little Jon, that if you need me or any food, just give me a ring.'

  But you'll come and see us ? ' Ursula sounded dismayed. And can't I go out at all ? I mean ..

  Alex laughed. ' You can come and see me, the Coxes and down to the Oswalds.' His mouth twisted wryly. Take your choice, Ursula.'

  Tim Dean stepped forward. I understood from . . . from Miss Hampton that you've been helping her with the farm, sir. I would appreciate it if you'd advise me, too, for the first few days.'

  ' I thought you were an experienced farmer,' Alex said curtly.

  Tim smiled. ' I hope I am, sir, but you must admit that every farm has its own methods and I'd hate to unwittingly undo the good you've done.'

  Alex went on frowning for a moment and then smiled. I see your point. I'll be here at four-thirty tomorrow.' Jon saw the dismay on Tim's face which he promptly

  hid with a quick smile That's very good of you, sir.' Alex's mouth was a thin line as Jon went outside on

  the stoep with him, closing the housedoor behind her. I'm sorry, Alex,' she said quietly.

  He turned and looked down at her, his eyes narrowed. Just what are you apologizing for ? ' he asked coldly. Well, I . . . I think perhaps I should have asked

  your advice first and . .

  He shrugged. It's too late now. We must just

  wait and see how it works out. He may be all right.' He shrugged his shoulders again and then frowned. Just one thing, little Jon. Tell him to cut out the sir business, will you ? '

  He's only being polite.'

  Polite my . . .' Again Alex's mouth was a thin hard line. Look, anyone would think I was his grandfather. How old is he, anyhow ? '

  Twenty-seven.' Suddenly Jon wanted to laugh—so even hard, arrogant Alex was human where age was concerned !

  That makes me eight years his senior, so let's cut out the sir business. Will you tell him or shall I ? '

  ' I will,' she said quickly, and then looked up at the man by her side. I don't want you to misunderstand me, Alex,' she said earnestly. I just didn't like being a nuisance to you.'

  He was not smiling as he replied: I think you're more likely to be a nuisance now than you were before,' he said curtly, then ran down through the rain to his car.

  She watched him reverse and drive away. Then she still stood on the stoep, her hands on the wet rail, herself unconscious of the rain that fell on her hair and shoulders, for all she could think of was how she had hurt Alex by her behaviour. Why hadn't she realized that Alex would help her find a good manager ? But then again, wasn't Alex rather jumping to conclusions ? How did he know Tim might not prove to be the perfect farm manager ? Was it Tim's longish hair and his gay clothes ?

  Jon ! ' her mother called impatiently. You'll get wet through '

  The door opened and Tim stood there, an odd smile on his face. I'm afraid I didn't make a very good impression,' he said wistfully.

  She knew a moment of deep sympathy for him. Had Alex the same effect on others as he had on her ? You don't need to worry. Alex's bark is worse than his bite.

  Only drop the sir business, Tim. It made him feel like an old man.'

  ' Well, he must be nearly forty. I thought he'd like me to be respectful,' Tim began.

  Jon had to laugh. Forty isn't old, you know, not really. My mother's forty-one,' she added softly. ' So don't ever dare to say that or you'll break her heart.'

  He smiled, ' Don't worry, I won't. I'm not that sort of a fool.'

  Jon slept badly that night. She had been a long time falling asleep, for she went over and over again the scene when Alex had arrived. To her, it had become enormously important that Tim Dean should make a good impression on Alex, but would he ? This was what was worrying her.

  She could not forget the dismayed look on Tim's face when Alex had said he'd be there at four-thirty next day ! At the same time, Tim was not a child and surely he could be trusted not to let her down on this, his first day ?

  Yet there were some people who just could not get up early. Some who openly admitted that they were only half awake until midday. Alex now was obviously the reverse. He seemed to thrive on early rising.

  Now as she woke up, she stroked Rex's ears, trying to reassure as well as comfort herself. What did it really matter if Tim was asleep when Alex came round ? It was no business of Alex's if Tim overslept. Of course it was no business, but, she thought with a shiver despite the heat that was already coming, what a weapon Alex would have !

  She lay still, looking out of the window at the magical colour of the sky as the sun began to rise. How lovely everything was here ! Dear Uncle Ned, how right he'd been, guessing that she would love it just as much as he did.

  Reluctantly, for she was trying not to start worrying again, she glanced at her watch. Four-fifteen. She

  sat up and Rex followed suit, looking at her expectantly and then, with an almost human sigh, he lay down again as he saw she .had no intention of getting out of bed. Instead she propped herself up with pillows and watched the slow but relentless movement of the second hand of her watch.

  How long would it take to dress ? Was he one of those men who bath every morning ? If he kept Alex waiting . . . would Alex wait ? The impatient shrilling of an alarm clock reassured her. She relaxed, but the whirring angry noise went on and on and she sat up again. Tim must be a heavy sleeper not to hear that noise.

  She was half out of bed before she stopped herself, shocked by her impulsive movement, for she had been about to rush along the passage and bang on Tim's door. How could she do that ? What on earth would he think ? Probably be furious with her. Making her appear like a nagging wife . . . I

  Suddenly the shrill cry of the alarm stopped and Jon sighed with relief. In a short time she heard the cranky sound of the shower in the bathroom and she lay down under the thin sheet that was all the cover she needed these hot nights. All would be well, she told herself, and drifted off into a deep sleep.

  She awoke at her usual time and hastily pulled on jeans and a shirt and took the dogs for their morning walk before the heat of the sun was too great. Later on, the humidity would make it almost impossible, for they were going through a spell of storms with cold rain followed by days of intense heat.

  How quiet the house was, she thought, as they went out of the kitchen door. No sign of Alex's car or horse, no sound of voices. So obviously everything was all right.

  Despite the thick mud of the track, her spirits lifted. No longer need she worry about Alex's reactions. Tim would take over, cope with everything. He would teach her about farming so that one day she could

  manage alone. That was her ambition—or her determination, perhaps, was the better word. She had to prove to Alex that she was not a naive helpless child but a woman, able to cope with any problems that could arise.

  And not only must she convince Alex but all the people of the neighbourhood who were laughing at her behind her back and waiting with such cruel maliciousness for her to fail.

  She skipped a little with joy. She would show them
! Yess .. .

  She tripped over a big stone and fell headlong in the mud. For a moment she lay still, then scrambled to her feet, looking at her mud-covered jeans and hands.

  ' Well, well ! ' an amused and all too familiar voice said, ' I'm not accustomed to such worship, my little Jon. It really wasn't necessary to grovel in the mud at my feet. What's wrong this time ? '

  She glared at Alex. I wish you wouldn't always creep up on me as you do '

  Are you out of your mind ? ' Alex sounded even more amused. I was following you up, but you were dancing along like a young impala. Why are you so happy ? Your new manager ? '

  Jon had forgotten Tim, but now she wondered how that first meeting had gone. She tried to look calm and at ease as she studied Alex's rugged face. ' You came this morning ? '

  I said I would, didn't I ? '

  It was not a question, more of a reminder that he always kept his word.

  Well ? ' she asked.

  ' Well ? ' he asked in turn with a smile.

  They stared at one another, each silent as if completely oblivious to the beauty of the mountains and not noticing the dogs as they chased one another. Jon felt breathless, but she clung to her self-control, digging her long nails into the palms of her hands, welcoming the pain as her composure slipped away. If only he would

  stop looking at her like that !

  ' Well, what did you think of Tim ? ' she managed to say.

  ' It's difficult to judge after such a brief meeting, but I'd say he knows his job.'

  A wave of relief swept through her. She had expected a sarcastic answer. You think he'll be all right ? '

  Alex shrugged. Who can tell ? Only time. Anyhow, Jon, you know you can phone me if any problem arises that Dean can't cope with. I'm not far away. Be seeing you ' He turned and walked rapidly away.

  Jon still stood where she was, unable to move. So that was that Alex had washed his hands of her for good.

  That was what he obviously meant. Of course, she could phone him. How very nice! Very thoughtful ! What would Uncle Ned say ? she wondered. Alex was supposed to help her, not just walk out at the first opportunity. Madeleine was right, then. Alex had found Jabula and its inhabitants nothing but a nuisance, a burden he had now gladly shrugged off.

  She stopped her thoughts abruptly, shocked by her bitterness and injustice. It was her own fault, entirely. This was what she wanted and she had made it plain enough, surely ? Alex had quietly and with dignity accepted the situation.

  And yet she was blaming him for doing just what she had wanted him to do ! How unutterably stupid can you be ? she asked herself.

  Now as dark grey clouds had suddenly appeared, massing up so that they hid the mountains, Jon walked back slowly to the house. She heard her mother's voice as the dogs raced ahead. Was Alex still there ?

  Jon went to the back door and the bathroom for a quick shower and then put on a clean pink frock. She went slowly to the stoep. But it wasn't Alex there, it was Tim, looking clean and spruce in a pale fawn safari suit and making her mother's eyes shine with interest.

  Breakfast was a gay meal on the surface, but deep

  inside her, Jon could not forget the look in Alex's eyes and then the casualness of his voice as he said curtly: Be seeing you ! ' and walked off.

  She loved that man, she thought miserably. How she loved him ! Why was she behaving like Madeleine ? Staying and suffering. Wouldn't it be better to sell the farm and go far, far away ? Canada, or even Australia—anywhere that she could live without the risk of meeting him. Just suppose he learned the truth—that she loved him so ? How he would laugh at her ! She could imagine him saying: Is our little Jon growing up at last ? ' and her cheeks would burn and her temper boil over and she would say something terrible and .. .

  Excuse me,' she mumbled, and stood up, hurrying to the safety of the bathroom where she could stand for a moment, pressing her hands against her eyes, fighting the tears that were so near.

  She bathed her eyes in cold water, scolding herself, for if her mother noticed the tears, she might mention them to Alex and .. .

  But would her mother notice ? Jon asked herself. These days her mother seemed to be living in another world of her own. Jon was glad for her mother's sake as well as her own, but sometimes she missed the loving fussiness her mother had practised in the days when they lived in Bexhill. Today, she felt, her mother rarely saw her at all.

  When Jon went back to the breakfast table, she saw that she hadn't even been missed ! Her mother was saying: Yes, I'd love to go to the Drive-In, Tim. We must get a local paper and see what's on.'

  ' I know,' Tim said with a grin. I've seen the film, but it's worth seeing a dozen times.'

  What's it called ? ' Jon asked, not because she was really interested but because she wanted to appear as if she was behaving normally.

  Tim grinned. A good title. What Is This Thing Called Love ? '

  Jon caught her breath and with another unnoticed

  murmur slipped from the room again. She heard her mother say: Is it an A or an X film ? '

  Tim was laughing. It's very subtle. You'd enjoy it.'

  Jon closed the bathroom door and leant against it. What is this thing called love ? ' she repeated slowly. She had always thought love would mean happiness. Maybe it did if you fell in love with the right man. A man who could love you, could see you as a woman and not as a child, the niece of his best friend.

  If only .. .

  What was it Alex was always saying ? ' You'll get used to it.' Would she ? Would she ever get over this desolate heartache, the feeling of hopelessness, the pain ?

  Jon . . . Jon darling ! ' her mother called.

  Jon hurriedly returned, hoping her mother would not ask her why she'd left the room, but Ursula was laughing:

  Jon, Tim's taking me to the Drive-In tonight. Like to come ? '

  I don't . . .' Jon began, but Tim was on his feet.

  ' Of course she'll come. The more she learns about love the better. We're at the dangerous age, aren't we, Jon ? '

  Are we ? ' She managed to smile.

  Next day when Jon drove down to the store to shop, she was alone, as her mother had decided not to come, as though they had heard the water was down, it was far too high for her liking.

  There was a sudden hush as Jon walked into the large building and she wondered if they had been talking about her. Then as she got the basket and walked round the closely-packed shelves, looking at her shopping list and pretending not to notice the way the people were looking at her, the voices and laughter began again.

  No one spoke to her until she went to pay and then a group of women who had been talking greeted her.

  Hullo, Jon, how are things ? Is it true that you've got a manager ? ' asked one.

  I thought Alex managed everything for you,' said another.

  We all thought you'd sell the farm,' a third butted in.

  Jon faced them all. There was nothing malicious, she knew, in their gossip. In a small group of people where nothing much happens the smallest bit of gossip becomes fascinating.

  Alex has been helping me,' Jon said calmly, but I can't expect him to do it all the time, because he has his own work.'

  A burly man in grey shorts and a thin white shirt climbed down from a truck and came in, grinning at Jon. I hear you've got a hippie running your farm,' he teased.

  She flushed. How people liked to use that word as an insult ! What was wrong with being a hippie, after all ?

  Is his hair really down to his waist ? ' old Cliff went on. Jon knew him well; he often came to buy pineapples. Now he grinned at her, his blue eyes innocent of malice as he enjoyed a chance to bait her.

  The laughing-stock of the neighbourhood, Madeleine had said, Jon remembered. Keeping her face solemn, she said : Actually, you know, his hair reaches to the ground.'

  She heard the quick gasp of shock from someone near her, but old Cliff roared with laughter. ' I bet that makes Alex mad, because he'll be bald in a few years.' He
calmed down and spoke more seriously. Look, Jon, is it going to work out ? '

  ' I see no reason why it shouldn't,' Jon said rather stiffly, then regretted her tone, so she smiled : We always have Alex to give us advice.'

  Alex knows him ? ' Cliff sounded surprised. If Alex says he's okay then okay he is. I heard he'd been living with the Oswalds.'

  ' Staying with them,' Jon corrected him gently, then she felt her quick temper rising. And just what is wrong with the Oswalds ? ' she asked.

  Old Cliff chuckled. You ask 'em, m'dear, not me. Anyway I'll be along your way later on, so I'll look in and have a peep. Hair down to the ground, bless me soul . . . ' he was muttering, still chuckling as he went back to the truck. He had done no shopping at all, Jon noticed, so that meant he had recognized her car and come in simply to find out about the new manager !

  As Jon paid her bill, the pretty young woman behind the desk smiled : I expect your ma will be glad to have a man about the house. You're a bit isolated there.'

  Jon smiled. We are compared with where we lived before—right on the front at Bexhill in England.' But you're happy here ? '

  Jon drew a long deep breath., I'm very happy here' she said, and as she drove home, she wondered if it was the truth. Yes, she was happy, she decided, except where Alex came into the picture. She liked the local people's friendliness. And nowhere could there have been nicer people than those who had opened their doors to her mother. Their friendliness had made her mother happy.

  Driving along the avenue of jacarandas, she wished they might bloom for ever for all too soon, the bluebell-blue blossoms fell to the ground, leaving a carpet of colour.

  Back home she was surprised to find her mother had gone out after all. Mrs Sellars came and said there was nothing to worry about the dam. I'm having a bridge lesson this afternoon, but will be back tonight as Tim is taking us out,' said the note.

  Jon sighed. Tim and her mother seemed to have boundless energy. The night before they had gone to the Drive-In, getting home late. It was odd, but she got more tired doing nothing than when she worked so hard. Sometimes it worried her to think she was not using her qualities as a pharmacist. Was she right, trained as she was, in a world where so many people were ill, in leading this lazy life of leisure ? One thing, when the winter came and the cooler days she was