Chapters (39)
- Cover
- Title
- Author’s Note
- Glossary
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Acknowledgments
It was Diane, returning to round up the straggler. Faye watched as her friend drew near. Robust in hiking leggings and a pale blue, sleeveless puffer jacket, Diane sported an aluminium walking pole in each hand. Her cheeks were rosy and the damp strands of hair escaping her wide-brimmed hat were the colour of harvest-ready wheat. Diane had switched between being a fun-loving blonde and spirited redhead for as long as Faye had known her. Recently though, she’d settled on blonde, insisting that the milder colouring drew less attention to the lines on her face.
“Are you okay? Come on.”
Faye shook her head. “I’m going back,” she said.
“Is something wrong?” Diane came closer. “I know we’re hurtling at a ridiculous pace. Derek says a Getaway article recommended arriving at the Grootkloof Cabin early because it’s so gorgeous. But I could walk slower with you if you prefer?”
“Hmm? Really . . . Getaway? I see.”
Her friend shrugged.
“No. I’m fine, but I don’t like the idea of Clare being on her own. I’ll go back and wait for the rangers with her.” She tied her sweatshirt around her waist.
“But . . .” Diane glanced over her shoulder towards the others. “She insisted. So did Geoffrey.”
“I know, but what if it was Zach? Or Alice? Wouldn’t you want one of us to be with her?”
“I guess so. Sure. But in that case, Geoffrey should go. I’ll run and call him.”
“No. Leave him,” said Faye. “I’ll go back.”
“But—”
“Really. I want to. Let’s leave it at that.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” asked Diane, not bothering to disguise a sigh.
Faye recognised the reaction. It was classic Diane. Even as she extended an offer of help, it was clear she hoped it would be declined. Faye had seen it many times, including when Diane “offered” to babysit Zach, fetch Derek from the airport when Faye’s mother was in hospital and take on an additional school run when Faye was feeling unwell. It wasn’t that she was a terrible friend; Diane simply hated being inconvenienced.
“No, seriously. It’s fine. Thank you but you go ahead and tell the others. I’ll see you this evening. Go! Before they leave you behind, too.”
As she watched Diane walk-trot away, Faye took a few steps off the path and rested against a large, mossy trunk. It was damp and would probably stain her shorts but she liked the soft, cold feel of it against her body. It cooled her down and made her feel connected to the world, to the forest.
When the sound of Diane’s footsteps had faded, the forest was quiet, save for the gentle rustling of the leaves in the upper boughs. Faye looked up, wondering if the loeries would return if she remained still. Their re-appearance was more likely than Derek returning for her.
Four
Four