The Fire of Life Page 2

  Again nothing happened. The batteries must have run out, for there was only darkness still.

  CHAPTER II

  In the morning, Rayanne looked at her reflection anxiously. It had been a terribly frightening night in which she had hardly slept, hugging the useless torch, listening to the strange night cries. She was sure she had heard a lion roaring—and an elephant trumpeting anger. A flash of light had shone through her windows several times, frightening her until she heard a dog bark and knew it was the night watchman. Not that he was much comfort, for he was only walking by and soon gone. Never in all her life had she been so frightened.

  And it showed in her pale face, her red tired eyes with the dark shadows below them. Somehow she must hide that. Cary Jefferson must not be allowed to win, or even know how near winning he had been! In the night, she had sworn she would leave in the morning. But now the sun was bright and warm, making the brown river sparkle as she looked out of the window and saw the huge red flowers on the flamboyants, and could smell the delicious scent from the white gardenias behind the rondavel, and she knew that somehow or other, she must stick it out. She could just imagine her brothers' teasing if she went home the day after she arrived at the Reserve.

  ' We knew you'd never make it,' they'd say triumphantly.

  And her father would shake his head sadly. I told you this was no life for a girl. It's work for a man with his strength and brains.'

  And perhaps her mother would say very quietly: I don't blame you, Rayanne, I'd have been scared stiff, too.'

  No, she had to stay, Rayanne knew that. Maybe Mike was right and in a little while she would adjust. She had to. She had no choice.

  Half an hour later, she made her way to the house where breakfast was waiting. Samantha smiled, her eyes amused.

  Well, what sort of a night did you have? Manage to sleep?'

  Rayanne forced a bright smile. It took a while to get to sleep, but then I slept like a log.'

  Heard the hyenas howling? They were really bad last night,' Mike said, helping himself to toast.

  Rayanne mentally made a note of that hopeful, helpful news. So the hyenas didn't howl every night. One blessing.

  It was at ten o'clock that Cary Jefferson called for her. He was wearing what she had learned was known as a safari suit. He looked incredibly handsome, even more so when he smiled, yet she was on her guard. He had deliberately put her in the hateful rondavel to try to frighten her. No doubt he was waiting to enjoy his victory. Well, he could wait, she told herself, as she smiled sweetly at him and said she had slept well.

  A most comfortable rondavel and Samantha looked after me,' Rayanne said brightly.

  Cary smiled. ' I'm glad. Samantha is a wonderful hostess.'

  He led the way to the Land Rover and helped her in. Before he started the engine, he turned to her.

  ` You'll be given a Rover and can go wherever you like for the research you plan to do—but there's one thing, Miss Briscoe, and on this I must insist.' He looked down at her gravely. ' You are not to go out in the Land Rover alone. Is that clearly understood? I'll let you have one of the Rangers and he must always go with you.'

  But why?' she asked quickly, sensing patronage in his words. I mean, I'd never get out of the Rover, of course. Does everyone have to take a Ranger with him?'

  A slight movement of Cary's mouth made her think he was amused. ' No, not everyone,' he said gently. Only girls.'

  But why girls? I don't need protection. I promise you I'd do nothing stupid.'

  He turned his body round on the seat so that he could look down on her more comfortably.

  Look, Miss Briscoe, suppose the Rover broke down. Would you enjoy getting out in the midst of a crowd of lions to cope with the problem? That's why you're to take a trained mechanic who is also a Ranger with you. Is that understood?'

  Rayanne frowned as she looked at him. Yet he was right.

  I understand,' she said reluctantly.

  It seemed to be his turn to frown as he looked at her. She was wearing white jeans and a vividly striped black and white blouse.

  ' Very attractive outfit,' he said thoughtfully, ' but hardly suitable for this. I suggest you run along to your rondavel and change into something else—brown, black, navy blue, or khaki.'

  Instantly she was on the defensive. `What's wrong with what I'm wearing?'

  He smiled. Nothing, but it's not for now. I

  quite sympathise with you, Miss Briscoe. A small person has to wear something strikingly startling or else she—or he—will never be noticed, but I would prefer a little less publicity this time. The monkeys are attracted by bright colours and can be a darned nuisance. Do you mind?'

  She hesitated. He had no right to criticise .. . yet he had, in a way. After all, he knew more about the Reserve than she did.

  ' I'll be as quick as I can,' she promised.

  She almost tripped up as she ran fast to her rondavel, hastily changing into a pair of dull dark blue jeans and a matching blouse. She looked in the mirror and saw that some of her whiteness had gone. Anger, obviously, was doing her good.

  As she hurried back to the Land Rover she wondered if she had a right to be angry. After all, Cary Jefferson was right about the danger of a Land Rover breaking down. She shivered at the thought of it happening and a great crowd of enormous elephants coming along the road towards her! This would be a time in which she would need a man, not only able to make the engine go, or change the tyre but to protect her as well. As for the clothes—! She hadn't been sure what sort of appointment she would have with Mr Jefferson and, thinking he might be going to introduce her to the rest of the staff, some of whom sounded ghastly, according to Samantha, she had thought she should dress up.

  As she reached the Land Rover, Cary smiled,

  ' You were quick!'

  ' Well trained,' she said. ' Five brothers.' Help! ' he laughed as he started the engine. No sisters?'

  None. Dad wanted six sons. I was a disappointment.' Without realising it, her voice was wistful. It had always hurt her, the knowledge that she had disappointed her parents. They made no secret of it. She had disappointed them in so many ways, for she had only just scraped through her exams while her brothers had got Honours. All five were lawyers. Only she was drifting, not knowing what she wanted to do. It had been Uncle Joe's suggestion that she write a thesis on wild life conservation that had seemed the answer.

  Glancing quickly at the man by her side, she was no longer sure that it was. The Land Rover bumped over the earth road and went through the gate of the wire fence to the main road.

  ' I'll introduce you to the staff first,' Cary Jefferson said cheerfully, and Rayanne knew dismay. It was just as she had thought! He had made her change into these drab clothes and look a fright and then let her meet the staff members that Mrs Crisp disliked so much! What would they think of her? Had he done it on purpose? To cut her down to size? she wondered.

  Again she quickly glanced at him. His profile was almost more handsome than his full face, with that square chin, the rather large nose and the arrogant lift to his head. He was whistling softly. She seemed to know the tune, but could not name it.

  Was he resenting her? she wondered. Was she

  wasting his precious time? Yet why had he to show her round? Surely Mike Crisp could have done it? Or was Uncle Joe's influence on Cary Jefferson so strong?

  Later she was to realise that she had been so wrapped up in self-pity and resentment that she hardly noticed the beauty of the house they reached, a long L-shaped white house with the usual wide stoep. She could see the river below, much closer than at the rondavel where she had slept, or rather tried to sleep! There was a sloping lawn down to the water, shaded by tall red-flowered flamboyant trees, and she could see sandbanks on the side of the still dark brown water. Something on one of them moved!

  ' Are there crocodiles there?' she asked as Cary Jefferson stopped the car before the house.

  He turned and looked at her, his eyes amused. Of co
urse there are. Scared?'

  Of course not,' she said indignantly.

  Well, I am. Scared of people taking foolish risks.' He opened the door of the Land Rover. ' I've got to fetch some keys. Won't be a moment,' he said, and left her.

  She looked round curiously. This was obviously his home, where he lived, apparently, with his mother. Now she could see it was a beautifully-designed house with large windows shaded against the hot glare of the sun by venetian blinds. Several Africans were working in the garden, and glanced at her without interest.

  Cary Jefferson joined her and started the engine, driving round the tall weeping willow that grew in

  the centre of the circular parking space.

  Know what the croc does to his victim?' Cary said cheerfully as they left the garden and were back on the main road, trees and bushes growing closely on either side. He did not wait for her answer. They drag him under water to a shelf at the side of the river they've prepared, then leave the body there until it, rots before they eat it.'

  Before she could control it, a shiver passed through Rayanne.

  ' Oh no ! ' she said.

  Cary Jefferson chuckled. Oh yes. I'm surprised you didn't know that ! ' His voice changed suddenly. Just what interest have you in nature conservation?' he asked sternly.

  Rayanne was startled. Well, I . . . I was

  always interested in wild life, biology, conservation . . . and when Uncle Joe told me of the wonderful job you were doing out here, he suggested . .

  It was his suggestion, not yours?' Cary Jefferson asked curtly.

  Oh yes. You see . . . you see I didn't know what I . . . well . . Rayanne stumbled over the words, trying not to sound too stupid, wishing she had never left the shores of England.

  Again he startled her, for he smiled. ' I see. You were just at that stage we all go through when we've gone so far and can't be sure whereto go on. I went through it. Can you imagine it? I was a stockbroker originally.'

  You weren't?' Rayanne turned to stare at him, at his dark suntanned skin, his safari suit with open collar and short sleeves. I can't see you in an

  office ! '

  He laughed. You're so right. That's how I felt. Then as a kid, I'd always been interested in the fast diminishing wild life of this country and used to spend all my money going to the game reserves. At one time, I wanted to be a game warden, but my father was ill and I didn't want to leave home. Then he died,. so I told my mother I wanted to start my own wild life reserve and finally persuaded her I had to do it or be a crazy, mixed-up kid for the whole of my life: So we came up here, built the house, and slowly everything else.'

  Ahead of them was a tall narrow building. That's Jefferson Hall,' Cary Jefferson told her. ' That's where we lecture.'

  He drove past it and she saw three square two-storied houses in a row, joined by glassed-in corridors. He stopped the Land Rover and she slid out so that she was ready when he came to her side.

  This middle house is where they eat, have games and study. On the left is the hostel for boys, on the far right the hostel for girls. Actually we get a surprising number of girls interested in conservation. I've often wondered why.'

  And why shouldn't they be interested?' Rayanne asked quickly.

  She saw the smile playing round his mouth as he stared down at her. And why should they?'

  ' Oh! She tried to control her quick anger, but the Irish blood in her was coming out. Why must you men always differentiate between men and women? Why shouldn't a woman be interested in wild life?'

  ' Two simple reasons, my dear child.' Rayanne's hand ached as she kept it from smacking his smug face.

  Name them,' she challenged.

  Well, first men and women are physically different. Man is much stronger . .

  That's absolute tripe! We're as strong as you. How many men could have six children and run a house without breaking down? I wonder how many men would have the second child. Once would be enough!'

  He was obviously trying not to laugh. It might be the answer to the problem of the world's fast-growing population. My second reason is that it's a lonely life, hard work, and not very well rewarded financially.'

  You think women work only for money?' Rayanne was having a hard fight with her temper, but she tried to steady her voice.

  Cary threw back his head and laughed. My, my, Ray, you do bite the bait! I was only teasing you. In any case, let's be honest, don't you think women require financial security more than men?'

  She wasn't sure whether to be angry with him or share in his laughter. Why hadn't she recognised the signs? He had only been teasing her—just as her brothers did. And just as she did with them, she had risen to the bait!

  ' I don't know. I've never been very poor,' she said thoughtfully. I think if I had children, I would want financial security.'

  You want children?'

  Startled, Rayanne looked at him. Of course I

  do. I'd like four, but I'll be content with two. One of each.'

  ' Are you engaged—or in love?'

  She stiffened, because it was none of his business. She glared at him. No, I'm not engaged . . .' she began angrily, and then hesitated. Staring at him, his face seemed to blur for a moment and then came back, each item on his face brilliantly outlined. Her hand ached again, but this time to touch his face gently, to trace those thick dark eyebrows, the prominent nose, the square chin, his ears with their slightly big lobes but that lay flat against his head. No,' she said unsteadily, ' I'm not in love . . . at least . .

  Good, so you won't be getting long phone calls from your beloved,' Cary said, taking her arm. ' We'll go to the Clinic first.'

  Stumbling a little, for though it was absurd, Rayanne knew, her legs felt weak and she longed for a cup of tea or even something stronger. Perhaps it was the altitude, the different climate. It was so humid, so still the air!

  The Clinic consisted of a small room with a couch, a waiting room that was much bigger, and the Sister's office and locked cupboard of drugs, etc.

  A tall slim girl with dark hair came to meet them. ' Cary, how nice to see you,' she said eagerly. ' I've got a quiet morning for a change.' Then she stopped, staring at Rayanne, her eyes narrowing. This is...?'

  Yes, I want to introduce Rayanne Briscoe. I told you Mother's close friend, Sir Joe Letherington, wrote and asked if Miss Briscoe might come here to

  study our work for her thesis,' Cary Jefferson's voice was friendly yet impersonal. Mind if I show her round?'

  Of course not. Glad to meet you, Miss Briscoe,' Sister Daphne Macintyre said in her husky attractive voice, but Rayanne knew that the Sister was not in the least bit glad to see her! She could see Sister Macintyre's eyes noting the drab jeans and dark shirt, and for a moment Rayanne knew hatred of Cary Jefferson. The Sister was beautiful, elegantly dressed in a pale pink nylon overall, and Rayanne felt horribly plain.

  She followed Cary Jefferson round the Clinic, listening to his description of the sort of casualties they had.

  More often it's the boys who come to study. They're so keen to prove their strength, they'll do the craziest things and turn up with broken legs or arms.'

  Do you get many injuries from . . . from the animals?' Rayanne asked.

  Cary Jefferson looked amused. ' Very few, and those we do are the patients' own fault. Occasionally we get a snake bite, of course.'

  Next he took her to what he called the Lab '.

  ' I think you'll like Christine Horlock,' he said as he led the way. She's beautiful, but plenty of brains She isn't suffering from the inferiority complex that Sister Daphne is.'

  Startled, Rayanne almost gasped. Why should she have an inferiority complex? She's beautiful, and . .

  And uneducated. Oh, I'm not saying she isn't

  educated, but she's the only one of the staff who didn't go to a university, and this smarts. She hates us all.'

  ' That's absurd! I thought she was very nice,' Rayanne said quickly, as usual leaping to the defence of anyone attacked.r />
  Cary Jefferson chuckled. ' You're a bad liar, Ray,' he said, and pushed open two swinging doors. ' Here we are. Christine!' he called. ' We've come to see you!'

  It was a very modern, efficient-looking laboratory, Rayanne saw instantly, and the girl who came to meet them was the same—tall and blonde, with blue eyes and a friendly smile as she held out her hand.

  Welcome, Miss . . . Miss Briscoe. Is that right?' she said, and turned to Cary. Not often we see you at this hour, Cary.'

  ' I'm just showing Ray Briscoe round,' he told her with a smile.

  Rayanne stood silently. They seemed to have forgotten her as they stared at one another, both smiling. It was almost as if they were talking, as if through their eyes a message could pass.

  Then Cary Jefferson turned to Rayanne. ' Well, we mustn't waste any of our precious time or that of Christine's . . . I won't be a moment, Ray.'

  It was odd—and yet strangely nice—that he called her Ray. It was a name no one had ever called her before, Rayanne was thinking as she waited while Cary Jefferson and Christine Horlock looked through a microscope and earnestly discussed something.

  What a mixture of different people he was, Rayanne thought. A real Jekyll and Hyde, only instead

  of being two people he was about a dozen. She was never sure which one he was going to be; one moment, so relaxed and friendly, then accusing, then understanding, and the next almost condemning her. She felt horribly drab and plain in her clothes. Miss Horlock was wearing a sleeveless white overall and still managed to make it look as if it came from Paris.