Everyone in Hatfield is always bragging about Nancy’s good deeds. I always hated her and suspected that she had some bad motives.

Nancy came to stay in Hatfield three years ago. She was always attending funerals when there was one. Nancy stayed with her cousin, Tafi who didn’t like people; he was always rude towards the community. Tafi was ugly and his face showed what type of a man he is. He looked like a gangster. People adored Nancy more than Tafi. Nancy was friendly, caring, supportive and a good listener. Whenever I saw her, I felt unusual. My feelings were always right.

I am Nicky, I failed my school and I dropped out. I didn’t bother to continue with school but I was currently working on a farm. That’s where I’m good at!

“Did you see how Nancy was being supportive for the Ngwena’s family?” my mother, Mercy said sipping her tea.

“She consoled the poor family and gave them 300 dollars,” Emma, our neighbour said.
“No one is like her. She has sympathy and care,” Mercy said and then stared in a daze.

I shook my head and walked away. These stories of Nancy were boring me. They always spoke about her being good but didn’t know where she got her money from. They just accepted it. How can they have a lot sitting at home?

Nancy and Tafi bought a house in Hatfield and had all sorts of furniture; different from our neighbours. They ate all sorts of good meals because they had money. Maybe there was a story behind the walls. Nancy was always throwing money to the poor, she was always helping with money no matter how big the situation was.

I walked past the tuckshop then I saw Nancy standing with a gentleman dressed in a suit. The man whispered as a thief steals sugar; they were talking in low voices and I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. When I walked close, they whispered even lower. I knew she is dealing with some things but I didn’t know what. She was nasty with secrecy and only wanted to be seen by her good deeds.

“Hey sis,” she said and waved.

I just looked annoyed and walked away. She just looked puzzled. Nancy was a crook; she pretended to be good. I continued to walk with confidence. I saw my two friends standing by the corner giggling.

“Hi Brenda,” I said looking at Thelma who was busy fiddling with her phone.

“Hey Nicky,” Brenda answered.

“Hey friend,” Thelma said, quickly dropping her phone in her pocket.

“Why didn’t you pretend as if you are stranded with life? Nancy would help you?” Brenda asked.
“Did you see her?” Thelma asked.

“I am getting annoyed and bored. Why is it supposed to be Nancy, I need to breathe.” I didn’t come to meet you for this.”

“Nancy is loaded, we can trick her to get money,” she said.

“Do you even know where the money is coming from?” I asked concerned.

“Eish! That’s a tight question we can’t answer,” Thelma answered sincerely.

“Let’s plan our day,” Brenda suddenly changed the subject.

“Yeah, let’s go for movies,” I spoke sincerely.

Brenda and Thelma worked at the farm with me. During weekends, we went for movies or hung in town with other friends. Sometimes we went to parties. Thelma had passed her ordinary level and Brenda was a drop out like me. Thelma couldn’t find work because of the job cuts in our country.

We climbed a bus at the station to go to town because it was cheaper than taxis. We went for our movie and to buy popcorns and juice. We watched but Brenda slept throughout the whole movie. When it was finished I woke her up. She yawned, then stood up.

“Today you are sleeping,” I chuckled.

Thelma laughed at her. I was worried about Brenda.

“It’s the work at the farm, plus my dad asked me to help him with accounts,” she said yawning.

“Sorry get some rest for today,” Thelma touched her shoulder.

We walked to the bus and found people pushing to get inside the bus. It was 7:45 p.m. This was the last bus to Hatfield which meant we would go squashed like ants. I sighed.

***