Chapters (22)
Mma Ramotswe suggested that the rumour might not have been started deliberately. ‘These stories can start in all sorts of ways,’ she said. ‘Somebody may think they’ve heard something, or may hear half a story and then decide it ends in such and such a way. They may not know that they’re spreading a rumour; they may think it is true, Mma.’
Mma Soleti gave a snort. It was only too clear to her. ‘It is the same person, Mma. It is that person who sent me the feather. I am very sure of it.’
Mma Ramotswe had to admit that it was a possibility, but when pressed to come up with a suggestion as to how to identify the author of Mma Soleti’s misfortunes, she could only think of a list of enemies. It was not a very novel idea, she had to admit, but it could throw up something useful.
Mma Soleti received the suggestion thoughtfully. ‘I am not a lady with many enemies, Mma,’ she said. ‘But I shall try to think.’
‘It is not always easy to know our enemies,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘I think that is because enemies are often enemies for no real reason, and so we do not think they exist.’
‘But all the time they are there?’
‘Perhaps,’ said Mma Ramotswe.
Mma Soleti had already reached for a pad of paper. ‘I had an enemy at school,’ she said. ‘It was when we were very young – maybe seven or eight. There was a girl who hated me for some reason. She used to creep up behind me and pinch me. I was very upset by it.’
‘That is quite understandable,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘Has she continued to be your enemy?’
Mma Soleti shook her head. ‘I haven’t seen her for many years. But she might still be —’
Mma Ramotswe cut her short. ‘No, Mma. We are not looking for an enemy from back then. Usually people forget the enemies they had as children. Sometimes they become good friends.’
Mma Soleti had thought of somebody. ‘There is a neighbour,’ she said. ‘She says that my children stole her paw-paws. That is not true, but I can see that she still thinks it.’
Mma Ramotswe was doubtful. ‘Those little arguments between neighbours are usually not enough to make somebody do something like this. Can you not think of somebody who has a really good reason to dislike you enough to want to harm you?’
Mma Soleti looked up at the ceiling. ‘Maybe,’ she said, rather distantly.
Mma Ramotswe waited.
‘There is that woman,’ she said eventually.
‘Which woman?’ asked Mma Ramotswe.
Mma Soleti assumed an expression of disgust. ‘The one who says that I stole her husband.’
‘Ah,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘And where did she get that idea from, Mma?’
‘It was what happened,’ said Mma Soleti. ‘But he was ready to be stolen, Mma.’