It was true, thought Faye, thinking about the route map she’d briefly perused at home. The second day of the hike included a long descent down a steep ravine and a major river crossing just before they reached the overnight stop at Grootkloof Cabin. She remembered Derek’s comment the previous night about the weather, and looked up. The clouds were lower and stonier than when she’d left the cabin. Or did they seem that way because she was looking at them from a different angle? But what if, as the ranger suggested it might, it had rained heavily inland and the river was already swollen? Should she risk the wrath of her husband and warn her friends? When she turned to Diane, Faye spotted him approaching with Helen and Bev. They were laughing at something Derek had said. As if the mirth was too much to bear, Helen leaned forward to briefly rest her forehead on her wife’s shoulder. Bev put her arm around Helen as, still giggling, they climbed the stairs into the lapa. Derek beamed. He was proud of his wit, as was Faye when it wasn’t laced with sarcasm or ridicule.

“We should get a move on,” he said, patting Diane’s shoulder in matey kind of way—or as one might chivvy on an animal.

“Hills to climb, rivers to ford and,” he turned and winked at Faye, “trees to hug.”

She smiled without meaning to. Pavlovian conditioning, she thought, her neck and cheeks growing warm.

“Just as I was saying,” said Bruce. “Let’s eat, pack and go. Anyone else for coffee?”

Faye was placing her bag near the cabin door when Geoffrey and Clare appeared. Head lowered and shielding her eyes with one hand while clutching her father’s elbow with the other, the young woman shuffled in and lowered herself onto a bed. Geoffrey unrolled the sleeping bag and helped her into it. Clare’s eyes were closed and her movements laboured.

“I’ll put your bag under the bed, shall I?” said Geoffrey quietly.

“Thanks. And a bucket.” She barely moved her mouth as if the effort and the sound of her words were unbearable.

Faye tiptoed closer. “Shall I close the curtains? Get some water?”

“Yes. Thanks.” Geoffrey took a flask from Clare’s pack and handed it over.

When she returned, she met him at the door where he placed his bag alongside hers. He took the flask to where Clare lay, sleeping bag pulled over her head, put the water down and patted her shoulder lightly.

“Hope it passes soon, sweetie. See you this evening.”

“Bye, Dad.” Her words were scarcely audible.

Faye took her daypack and followed Geoffrey from the cabin. He waved at the others who were waiting at the edge of the yard.

“Geoffrey,” she called.

He stopped and turned to her with a smile.

“Should I close the door?” She gestured towards the cabin.