Nomsa was right. Thandeka always lifted Thandi’s spirits. It wasn’t long before Thandi had told Thandeka all about Mark, and how he made her feel. Thandeka giggled as she read the SMSes that Mark had sent.

“Oh girl, this boy has got it bad. He wants you, baby. My oh my. And I think,” said Thandeka, moving closer to Thandi and looking her in the eye, “yes, I think you want him too. Yes, you do!”

Thandi pushed Thandeka away, laughing despite herself. For the time being Thandi allowed herself to forget about the burglary, the mess in the house and the stolen pendant. She allowed her mind to be filled with memories of Mark, looking at her with his green eyes, holding her with his strong arms, her breathing in the scent of him. She even forgot about Avile and Nomsa back home tidying the chaos.

That’s what Thandi thought. Not knowing that at that moment, Nomsa was fighting for her life.

* * * * *

Themba pushed the door shut behind them and pushed Nomsa down on the bed.

“Shut up you whore!” he screamed at her, so close that his spit hit her face. “Did you really think that you could leave me? Avile is mine, you hear, mine!”

Themba began tearing at Nomsa’s clothes. “And your little princess sister thinks she can come showing off around here, now she is at that rich school. She thinks she is too good for us!”

Themba slapped Nomsa hard, and for a moment she stopped screaming. But her one free hand was feeling around on the floor for something, anything. It found what it was looking for – a large beer bottle. Her fingers closed on it tightly.

Nomsa thought quickly. No one was coming to help her.

“I’m sorry Themba baby. I’m sorry,” she whispered, trying to sound like she meant it.

Themba paused for one moment, taken by surprise by what Nomsa had said.

A moment was all Nomsa needed. Screaming loudly, she kicked him in the balls. As he buckled she hit him on the head with the heavy brown beer bottle.

Themba fell back and Nomsa sprang up, and out the door. She paused to pick up the little blue box from where it lay in the mud, and then she noticed that a group of women had entered the courtyard, and were gathering around her, with knives and frying pans raised.

“It’s alright,” said one large, elderly woman, embracing her. “We are here now. You are safe.”

***

What do you think? Has Nomsa dealt with Themba once and for all?