We discussed the ins and outs and even though I would be taking a pay cut, the idea of working with her, in my field, made my salary irrelevant.
Glenna was of average height with brown eyes, black hair and dressed in a combination of chic and hippie style. On most people it would look horribly wrong but on her it looked just right. She was married with two teenage boys who were both avid surfers.
When I resigned, Mr Drake threw my resignation letter at me in his disgusting manner and told me to rethink it. When I calmly handed it back to him he told me to leave immediately and not to waste his time for two weeks. Even though I knew he would react in this manner it still hurt. I had never done him any harm nor been on the wrong side of him. But, at least I was leaving and for that I thanked God.
Glenna and I agreed that I would take the two weeks’ leave and start with her at the beginning of the new month as originally planned.
Now what to do with two weeks of nothing?
I woke up late, sat on the beach, walked around shopping malls, visited Josie and went out to coffee shops with her, and filled the two weeks in no time.
My last day of leave and the Sunday before I was to start, was a cool autumn day, slightly overcast. We were having a braai at Marco and Josie’s house after church, with the usual crowd of friends and were all sitting around under the lapa relaxing.
Egan and Nathan were strumming gently on their guitars as we listened, chatted or sat quietly absorbing the good company. Liam stood up and indicated to Egan and Nathan to stop playing. We fell silent wondering what he was on about.
‘Marco and Josie, please may I have your permission to ask Patty to marry me?’
Well who would’ve thought?
We were stunned. Patty’s face went white then coloured quickly and then she glowed as we all held our breaths waiting for Marco’s reply.
‘You don’t waste time, do you?’ he laughed as Josie gave him a light slap on his arm teasingly.
‘Yes, of course you may.’
We held our breaths a bit longer, sporting huge grins. Patty was bright red again. Liam went down on one knee and pulled a ring from his jeans’ pocket and presented it to Patty. Josie was already crying.
‘Will you marry me, Patty?’
Through her tears of joy she managed to blurt out a, ‘Yes.’
They stood up, embraced each other, elated, while we all finally let out an array of hoorays and shrieks. I hugged Patty so hard she squealed. I was so happy that my best friend, my sister, had finally found such a wonderful man who loved her so much. Patty held her hand out for us ladies to see the beautiful white gold single stone ring, sparkling as it rested on her finger. It fitted perfectly.
‘Did you have any idea?’ I asked when I got a few minutes alone with her in the bathroom.
‘No, I was so confused for a minute; he’d been acting so weird the whole day. Oh Vanda, I’m so happy!’
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke with pure joy.
‘So, have you even discussed marriage?’
‘We’ve spoken about being together forever obviously, and about how much we love each other. I never thought he’d propose so soon though, it’s only been a few months but it just feels so right.’
‘It is right; it’s perfect, I’m so happy for you.’
We hugged each other, inspected the shiny ring again, and giggled with happiness as I embraced her again.
As we sat under the lapa with the night air getting chilly, wrapped up in blankets, I reflected on how in just a few months Patty and I had made these wonderful new friends, met the lads of our dreams and found God.
Where would the next few months lead us?
17.
Excited, nervous, anxious, and my stomach full of butterflies, I made my way to my new job in a bright, friendly and welcoming office.
Glenna was as friendly and welcoming when I arrived as she had been on the day of my interview. Not wasting any time, we went through the various projects in progress and ones that still needed to be quoted on. I was pleasantly surprised at how in demand Glenna was. I knew this would be everything I could ever ask for in my career.
We worked together for the day; Glenna was patient with me as I found my way around her programmes and filing systems. To add to the comfortable environment, at lunch we were served sandwiches, and though there was a filter coffee machine in the office we were served coffee as well. While we were having our lunch I looked around the office. The converted double garage was very airy because of the skylight which had been installed and the large sliding doors. It was one big open-plan office, my desk in the left corner and Glenna’s desk towards the centre. There were large tables to the far right full of swabs, papers and other décor items. Along the back wall, the length of the office, there were shelves and filing cabinets. Just outside the office was a small lawn with a few wrought-iron chairs and a table, and on sunny days like today we would sit there and have our lunch as soft music played from inside the office.
Glenna asked about my life and as I told her about Dena she frowned – I was not sure whether it was from disapproval or pity. When I told her about Josie, Marco, and Patty and gushed about Egan, her frown lifted. She told me a little about her life too. She was divorced and when she’d met Joe, her current husband, he had helped her start her own business. Although they were both business owners they had a good family life and always put family first before making any major decisions. Joe had a printing company nearby.
The office was even brighter a few hours later when Glenna’s sons arrived home from school and came to introduce themselves. They looked like true surfers with their sun-dyed hair and good tans. Sven and Slade were well-mannered and pleasant, but according to Glenna that disposition did not last very long on any given day.
The rest of the afternoon we spent driving to all her suppliers and to the people she usually worked with so she could introduce me. After two hours of getting in and out of the car and so many different faces, I was quite giddy. I made a point of diarising everyone I met alongside the name of the company they worked for. It would take time to get to know everyone at the drop of a hat, but I was over the moon.
‘And so, you think you’ll cope here?’ Glenna asked as we were packing up for the day.
‘I love it! I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get out of my previous job, thanks again for choosing me.’
I went straight to Josie’s before going home, to tell her all about my first day.
‘This is exactly what I need, I don’t mind not owning my own company if I can work there. It just seems too good to be true.’
‘It’s going to be just perfect for you and you will get exactly the right experience for your studies; your boss might even help you with your final practical exam.’
We discussed the possibilities the job could offer until Marco and Patty came home and I repeated it all to them before eventually leaving for my cottage.
Egan tapped on the door and walked in stealing his hello with a kiss that I could never stop getting used to.
‘Want to go to the beach for a bit?’
‘Just let me grab a jacket.’
I chattered about my wonderful first day at work all the way to the beach, until we were sitting on the wall by our usual spot under the tower clock watching the sun set.
‘You are going to be fantastic at this job, I just know it. It sounds really exciting and adventurous.’
‘Uhm, adventurous no, please no. Exciting I don’t mind, but definitely not adventurous.’
We laughed as the sun sank behind the earth, which in my world revolved in perfect peace.
18.
The trees stood bare in preparation for winter’s arrival. Then winter turned its savage revenge on all who inhabited earth until spring sauntered out the door, leaving it open for the blazing summer heat. A summer so intense, so swelteringly hot, that it felt as though some days the earth was ready to explode.
I shed many layers of itchy skin thanks to wonderful days spent with wonderful friends outdoors, both on the beach and at the racetrack.
Liam and Patty were married by Minister Wade at a small ceremony under the lapa at Marco and Josie’s house in the presence of our usual group of friends, Dena, and Liam’s parents and his brother. The simplicity of the ceremony enhanced the love and happiness between Liam and Patty – so deeply in love with each other as they stood before God asking His blessings on their union.
Josie cried.
Liam’s mother cried.
I cried and so did poor Marco.
Even Dena was touched.
Patty looked overwhelmingly beautiful in an elegant white satin and lace vintage-styled wedding dress. Her hair was loosely curled and with her makeup applied very naturally she looked like a radiant princess. Liam stood so handsome in dark casual pants, a white shirt and a pale blue tie, a smile on his face that kissed the heavens.
Egan had written an Irish love song for them and sang it to them just before they said their vows. He sat on a stool in black chino pants and a white shirt, strumming his guitar and singing his Irish love song from the heart. We were all pretty sure this was the reason for the tears; the song was so beautiful. I listened to every chord, every string that was stroked and every note that was sung as he captured me in his web of song.
Life was the same and yet it was different. Liam and Patty still lived nearby, we still enjoyed one another’s company on any other day, and Egan and I were more in love, if that were even possible.
I had learnt so much working with Glenna and every day was exactly what I had wished for in a career. We had many successful events and with each one I grew more and more confident about my final practical looming in a few months. Fear had not reared its ugly head yet.
Each day posed some very manageable problems, none of which caused even so much as a stir. I was gliding through this life on a cloud suspended by my faith and it was inconceivable that there was any form of calamity looming.
When Egan came walking through my doorway one evening, I knew. I could feel it and I could see it written all over his face. Something was not right in paradise.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked him before he could sit down, reaching for his arm as if to steady him.
He sat down slowly on the couch and I eased my way down next to him holding his hand gently, staring at him, trying to force a response out of him.
‘What’s wrong?’ I repeated urgently.
He let out a huge sigh as he stammered, ‘Do you remember a while back I said I had asked for my work visa to be extended?’
‘Yes,’ I replied slowly, recalling our conversation, and preparing myself for the worst.
‘Well, it was rejected. They want me back in Ireland by the end of next month.’
He couldn’t look at me and instead kept his eyes focused on the floor in front of him. He swallowed several times trying to hold back the lump that I could see was swelling in his throat. I felt the floor open and my life melt into it.
This is not happening. How can it be happening? Maybe he’s just teasing me?
‘Are you serious?’
I knew it was a stupid question but I hoped he would burst out laughing and confirm that he was in fact pulling my leg. He looked at me, no longer able to hold back his tears, and I knew this was no joke.
This can’t be happening. How can this be happening?
‘No, no, no, this can’t be true!’
My tears began to overflow; the one thing on this earth that made me truly happy would be taken away from me.
Why?
‘Why won’t they extend your work permit?’
‘I can’t remember exactly what the man said, I was so shocked. They said something about needing me in Ireland to train other people. I’m not too sure.’
He stared at the floor again, numb.
‘What are we going to do?’
He shrugged his shoulders, held my hands and bent his head. I heard a tiny sob escape from his throat, and all I could do was hold him as we cried together.
This cannot be true.
We remained joined together, holding onto each other not wanting to let go. He eventually pulled himself away.
‘I have another meeting tomorrow and hopefully I can convince them to change their minds. I can’t live in Ireland without you.’
He kissed me gently, his lips salty, and he held me tightly again. We sat stunned for a long time on the couch, not able to make conversation but wrapped up in our own panicked thoughts. I had to pee, of all the wrong moments I had to go before I burst.
In the bathroom I stood over the basin washing my hands, splashing water on my face to wipe away the tearstains. I took a few deep breaths to try and compose myself as I held onto the sides on the basin looking down into it as if a solution would pop up through the plughole.
This cannot be true. This cannot be happening.
When I finally returned to the lounge, Egan was in the kitchen making coffee. I went and stood next to him and held him around his waist. His arms around me felt better than home. The kettle clicked informing us that the water had boiled and our attention was required. Egan finished making the coffee and carried our cups back to the couch where we sat with them in our hands and stared at the floor.
Dena walked in, without knocking or a greeting, as usual.
‘What’s with the long faces?’
‘Egan has to go back to Ireland at the end of next month,’ I replied, forcing the lump from my throat.
Egan held my hand, still staring at the floor without a word.
‘On my word, that’s a classic.’
And that was it, that was her extent of compassion or interest in what was to us an emotional turning point in our lives. She turned around and walked out of the cottage.
I burst into tears, this time more from anger than anything else. Eventually calming myself, with a lot of encouragement from Egan, we once more sat silently on the couch as we finished our coffee.
We tried talking about other subjects like my work, the young adults’ group, our Bible study, but it was no use. We kept coming back to how he was leaving and would no longer be able to be a part of everything and a part of me.
‘Let’s just wait until after the meeting tomorrow before we make any decisions,’ Egan said to me as he left much later than usual.
Sleep avoided me like the plague. My mind kept asking the same questions. Why can’t he stay? Why does he have to go? What am I going to do? Why would God bring us together just to tear us apart?
But when my mind asked these questions I was even more restless and confused. My tears were uncontrollable as I lay in bed holding fast to the pillow and the light linen sheet covering me. The bedroom light was off but the ceiling fan was going round and round on the slowest speed, murmuring in motion offering no reply to any of my questions.
My phone made a noise to indicate someone wanted to chat with me. I knew it would be Egan and when I looked at it, the message was just an emoticon crying and a red heart. I replied with several red hearts and cried and cried until I fell asleep just as it was time to wake up.
Glenna was horrified when I told her what was happening. I could not keep it from her as my exhausted face and puffy red eyes gave away any hope of keeping it a secret.
‘Vanda, as much as I want you to work with me forever, follow your heart. If that means following it all the way Ireland then you must. I have only ever seen two couples so genuinely and purely in love. The two of you, and my husband and me. You can’t give it up.’
As much as I tried not to make my personal problems Glenna’s problems, I couldn’t help myself. She so openly wanted to help and be a shoulder to cry on. I appreciated her and my job with her so very much.
Will I really have to leave this now that I am finally happy doing what I’ve always wanted to do? It just isn’t fair.
It was so difficult to concentrate for the rest of the day. At least having told Glenna meant that I did not have to try and hide what I was feeling, and fortunately we were working in the office all day so I could spare any clients having to look at my mess of a face.
Patty’s reaction to my news when I phoned was a replica of Glenna’s and it wasn’t an hour later when she arrived at my office with flowers to brighten my day. Glenna arranged for sandwiches and tea and we sat outside around the wrought-iron table discussing my predicament without coming to any conclusions.
19.
I waited impatiently for Egan to arrive at my cottage. I had specifically asked him not to send me a message or phone me to tell me the outcome of the meeting. I wanted to hear it in person. However I was regretting my decision as it did not bode well with my anxiety. The messages from Josie, Marco, Patty and Liam did not help either. I played out several different scenarios in my head, with several different outcomes. But there was only one scenario I wanted and that was for Egan to stay here with me forever.
I had a shower, dried my wet hair and changed into a comfortable pair of pants and a T-shirt. We would be going to our regular Bible study after Egan came round, and I took out a light cardigan to take along as the evening air was sometimes a little chilly. But that was only sometimes.
I must’ve walked the entire cottage about six times before Egan arrived. I was so anxious that just sitting on the couch in front of the TV caused me even more stress.
I went to the kitchen, boiled water in the kettle, put out the cups ready with coffee and milk.
I went to the bathroom and cleaned it after my shower.
I cleaned my bedroom.
I watered my plants.
I changed the channels on the TV at least a hundred times.
I cleaned the kitchen.
Up and down around the interior of my cottage I roamed, waiting nervously for Egan.
When I heard his car pull up my heart stood still after skipping a beat and sending the butterflies racing through me. It wasn’t the exciting flutters like when we’d had our first date, these were nauseating flutters. Not able to wait in the cottage any longer, I ran out to meet him at his little Jeep. His face said it all. I needn’t have asked him what had happened; I read it all in that expression once again.
‘This isn’t fair!’ I cried as I held him, tears streaming from both our faces in absolute disappointment.
I wanted so badly for it not to be this scenario. He held me and hugged me closer to him, his one arm around my waist, the other holding the back of my head securing me into his arms.
‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I tried everything, I even begged. I’m so sorry,’ he cried.
Once we were in the cottage, I sent Josie, Marco, Patty and Liam the news. Their replies were so sympathetic I f