Faye watched Michelle walk to the bank opposite the rope. Although she’d never been there before, there was no doubt Michelle had heard the story often enough to picture the scene. Even so, it must’ve been unsettling for her to stand alongside the Bloukrans River and imagine her husband and friends taking it on in full flood. On the other hand, perhaps it was hard to imagine. There was nothing fierce about the river now. Gurgling and bouncing over the rocks, the water was clear and shallow. It was safe to cross at multiple points both up and downstream.

Geoffrey walked to his wife and placed an arm over her shoulder. She nestled against him.

Bev, Helen, Diane and Bruce ambled through the trees and stood with Faye where the track ended at the edge of the forest. It was exactly two years since the four of them, Geoffrey and Derek had clung to the rope and crossed the river with the rain bucketing down. Diane took Bruce’s hand.

They were surprised when Faye emailed them and asked if they’d like to meet at Grootkloof Cabin and complete the hike as something of a commemoration. She’d been in touch with Simon and he’d confirmed that it would be possible. She’d make all the arrangements, she offered, fly to Port Elizabeth from Johannesburg and meet them at the rangers’ offices.

None of them had expected Faye to move to Johannesburg. They’d imagined she’d want to stay near her friends. However, she wanted to be where Zach was and said she’d found a job in the city and looked forward to the change. They missed her, they said. Sounding surprised by the fact, she said she missed them too and that the hike would be a good opportunity to reconnect.

They gathered at the river with Michelle and Geoffrey. For a while, they were quiet as they watched a flit of Cape reed warblers dip and dive between the reeds surrounding a large pool above the rope. If it had been warmer and, thought Faye, a different occasion, she, Bev and Helen would almost certainly have stripped down for a swim in the clear, dark water. Maybe tomorrow.

The rhythmic crunch of running shoes on gravel made them turn towards the track. Clare smiled and waved as she ran towards them, her long plait bouncing against her back.

Geoffrey and Michelle had glanced at one another in surprise when Clare told them at Sunday lunch with Angus and Linda that she’d be taking leave from work so she could join them on the hike.

“I didn’t know you and Faye were even in touch,” said Michelle.

“Of course we are,” said her daughter, helping herself to another potato.