up the steps.
“Sjoe! Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s okay. You’re here now.” Lullu grinned, “ Come. Cook has made us a special first lunch. I hope you like gammon and rye bread?” Lullu motioned for her father to follow.
Ray paused and glanced at Mina, “It’s alright. Vestra will join you this first time and I’ll leave the two of you alone.” She gave him her broadest smile.
“Okay.” He nodded, turned and trotted after his daughter toward the house.
Lullu had nagged every day after the storm for permission to see her dad. Eventually, Mina had relented and between her and Vestra, they’d come up with a suitable plan – not that Ben had liked it one bit.
“Mina!” Ben’s voice echoed up from the camp below. She turned and waved as he hurried up the stairs.
“Hi Ben.” She forced a smile.
“Hi yourself. Are you really going ahead with this?” he waved toward the house.
“Yes.”
“What about the rules?” he placed his balled hand on his hips.
“There are no rules against this Ben.”
“look here…” her wagged a finger in front of her face.
Mina’s chest tightened and her temper snapped, “No you look Ben Meintjies, this matter has nothing to do with you. Vestra and I have it under control. Now, if you would please return to your duties in the camp.” Mina spun around and walked away. Shit that was not how she’d wanted any of this to go down, but Ben had a way of forcing her into corners she did not like.
Mina stood just outside the kitchen door. Inside Ray and Lullu sat, sandwich in hand, talking. Vestra sat at the far side on a stool pretending to scroll through her phone. None could see Mina where she stood.
“Are you done with being a bad man?” Lullu’s direct question had Mina gasping and Ray chocking on his mouthful.
He gripped the glass and downed half his soda. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
“You have a serviette for that. Ma always calls me a philistine when I do it.” Lullu handed Ray a white napkin.
“Thanks. And yes, I’m done with all of that.” He replied then sat back in his chair.
“Will you stay here when you’re done with the program?”
Ray chuckled and nodded his head.
“It’s not meant to be funny.” Lullu’s retort had him looking her right in the eye.
“If you’ll have me.”
“Do you still love my mom?” she didn’t give the man a chance to think as she peppered him with questions. Questions Mina knew she had a right to ask, but she did feel a little sorry for Ray who answered them as best he could.
“Always.” His tone was warm and Mina loved how his answer made her heart flutter and her daughters face light up.
But then Lullu’s face creased in a deep frown, “An-and me?”
In a split second, her teenager had morphed into a small girl. Naïve, vulnerable and completely innocent. Mina braced herself.
“You, Lullu Marie, are my everything. I love your mother, but I live for you!”
Her daughter wiped her eyes, “And you are mine daddy.”
Mina had to walk away as a sob fell from her lips. God almighty!
Mina crouched against the retaining wall which formed a courtyard at her back door. She dug into her back pocket for her tissue and wiped her eyes when a hand touched her shoulder.
“Vestra! Good God, you gave me a fright.”
“Spying, are you? I thought it was decided you’d not get involved in this.” her friend and stand-in counsellor chided jokingly.
Mina shrugged. “Well …”
“I understand. They’re getting along like a house on fire. She’s quite something,” Vestra complimented.
“I think I’ll go for a walk. I have much to think about.” Mina smiled and left.
She inhaled deeply, her chest drawing in the oxygen without any fuss, for the first time in days. Shutting her eyes she stretched her arms to the sides of her body. She was blessed!
Rounding the side of the house, she made her way back to her study to finish off the last of the Progress reports.
Boesman was lazily grazing in his paddock at the far end of the stables. Nationals were creeping closer, and her daughter had to focus. Mina had feared that the recent development would cause a distraction, but her daughter was taking life in her stride, proving otherwise.
Mina made her way through the side sliding door of her home and came to stand in the large open living area. Closing her eyes, she could almost picture him in it. His rustic scent. The sound of