Bontie is standing in my bedroom with her hands on her hips. “Pheromones? What nonsense are you talking now? You are just making excuses, Leah.”

Yes, Bontie and I are arguing. But it’s not like our usual arguments that end up with us both laughing. This time, it feels serious. Like this could be the finish of our friendship.

I try to explain. “Whatever, Bontie. It doesn’t matter. I still can’t double date with you and the twins Friday night. I have to be up early on Saturday because I’m on weekend duty. And I can’t go to the mountains on Saturday afternoon with you guys either. My shift only ends at 6 p.m.”

Bontie yells at me that I am lying, that I am the worst friend ever, that I am putting my stupid, boring job ahead of our friendship.

“Have you ever heard the word loyalty, Leah? No, it seems like you haven’t! You don’t know how to be loyal. All you know about is carrying dirty bedpans and pushing wheelchairs!”

But I’m not lying. I do have to be on duty this Saturday at Oak Ridge. Sister Thembeka is on leave for a family wedding. And I am the only carer available.

And I am nervous about this, let me tell you. I’d much rather be going out with Bontie and the twins, even if Tebogo doesn’t blow me away much. Even if the mountain trip is only so Theo and Tebogo can do marathon training.

Most especially, I’m nervous about Miss Kuswane. Because it seems this guy Isaac will come and visit her on Saturday. This guy, Isaac, who hates her. Whom she has harmed more than anyone else.

She has managed to contact him. Don’t ask me how. But he has agreed to visit. And I will be there alone, without Sister Thembeka, when he comes. How will I manage? How will I cope if this Isaac decides he cannot forgive her?

“I’m not lying, Bontie,” I tell her now. It is awful to see my friend so upset and angry. But what can I do?

“Well, it’s your loss!” Bontie yells at me. “Who needs you anyway? You go and take care of your old folks since they are more important than me. I’ll ask my cousin Rhea to come along. Yes! I bet she’ll fancy Tebogo. I bet she will see what a great guy he is. I bet she won’t talk nonsense about pheromones and stuff. And we’ll have a great double date. And a brilliant day up in the mountains with all that fresh air and the birds and the flowers. I bet Rhea will be much more fun than you!”

Bontie storms out of my bedroom and out of our house, slamming the front door. I don’t run after her. No! Let her go. Why should I have to choose between her and my job? How is that fair? What kind of friend would force me to do that?

Friday night, I go to bed early and try not to think of the four of them together: Bontie and Theo and Rhea and Tebogo. But ugly thoughts creep into my head. Like I hope they are having an awful time! I hope Rhea and Tebogo dislike each other on sight. I hope Bontie and Theo have their first fight.

And so Saturday comes. And Visiting Hour arrives at Oak Ridge.

I stand at the window of the staff tea-room, looking down on the car park. There are a few cars parked there. Just a handful. Even over weekends, not many of our clients have family or friends coming to visit. That is the sad reality.

But does one of those cars belong to Isaac? I hope so.

Or maybe not.

I am torn. I don’t know what I’m hoping for. I don’t know which will be worse!

If Isaac doesn’t appear, Miss Kuswane will be devastated. I left her sitting up in bed wearing her favourite nightie and her favourite perfume. And with her hair neatly done. Smiling with hope.

But what if he does come and then he refuses to forgive her? What if he tells her that he hates her still? What then? How will she bear that? It is a frightening thought.