“This is not going to be easy for me to tell you,” Grace said. “Papa and I wanted to tell you everything together.”

She poured the tea and added some extra sugar. “I think we need the extra energy today of all days.”

Clarah nodded her head. She knew there was no point in trying to rush her mother. She would say what needed to be said, in her own time. But the word ‘Aids’ was screaming inside her head.

She knew HIV no longer meant a death sentence but she needed to know, and then maybe she could deal with it.

“When Geoffrey phoned me that Sunday evening I was desperate and terribly afraid.”

Clarah nodded her head. She was fully aware of what her mother had been going through.

“Papa and I spoke for a long time. We knew I would have to go for a test to find out my status.”

Clarah put her hand over her mother’s.

“If you become infected with HIV it takes a while for a true positive to show up.”

Clarah nodded her head and squeezed her mama’s hand harder.

Grace took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I still can’t believe how people can be so deceitful, and hide their true identies. I suppose in a way you think they would have a mark on their foreheads to show you how cunning and evil they are.”

“What are you talking about, Mama?” Clarah was really beginning to worry. Was her mother going mad after her experience? The pain in her stomach was growing more and more intense.

“I’m sorry darling, but I’m just getting a little sidetracked here. You hear of these incredible things happening to other people but never imagine they will happen to your own family.”

“Mama! Please tell me what you are talking about.”

Grace took another deep breath and looked closely into her daughter’s face. “It was Geoffrey and his family who carried out all the robberies in the White Rock area.”

Clarah opened her mouth to say something but no words came out.

“It was Leah who had been driving the Colt. They had just robbed a petrol station nearby. She and Geoffrey were in separate vehicles. When they came to that dangerous bend in the road she took the turn too quickly and crashed into the back of him.”

“And Tom?” Clarah said, in a small, quiet voice.

“He was in the passenger seat beside his father. He helped them with all the robberies.”

Bile rose up into Clarah’s stomach. She just made it to the bathroom before she started vomiting. She vomited until there was nothing but bile left in her stomach.

Her mother took her by the hand, undressed her and made her lie down on her bed. Clarah began to shiver, so Grace covered her with a blanket.

When she had regained some colour her mother said, “I’m so sorry, Clarah. I know you liked him.”

“I stopped chatting to him ages ago so it doesn’t really matter now. But I can’t believe how he could pretend to be my friend.”

“After the accident happened, Leah, who was not really hurt, climbed out of the Colt and got into her husband’s car. I suppose they concocted that story then to get them off the hook. But they didn’t know that the police had a tip-off about them.”

Clarah took a deep breath and then slowly let it out.

“Of course the police had to do a great deal of investigation and not let them know what was going on.”

“What about him and Leah being … HIV-positive?” Finally Clarah could say the words out loud.

“I’m not sure what their status is, and frankly I don’t care either,” Grace said, with venom in her voice.

“But what about you, Mama. Are you HIV-positive?”

“The results were negative. I had two tests done just to make sure. But Papa and I think Geoffrey made up that story to stop us thinking too much about the accident. Remember, for example, your Papa said there were bundles of cash left in the Colt? We think these people wanted to divert us into worrying about my health. Anyway, I don’t know too much about forensics but the police knew what they were doing.”

“What a cruel thing to do, Mama,” Clarah said and hugged her hard. “And Tom seemed so nice. He even wanted to come for a visit but after I overheard your conversation with his dad I just couldn’t face him.”

“He’s only a teenager and already his parents have set him on the road to crime,” Grace said. “I hope the Social Welfare Department will be able to help him. Geoffrey and Leah are going to prison. When their trial comes up Papa and I will have to testify.”

“When do you think that will be?”

“Not for a while yet, darling. There is so much to investigate about other crimes they have committed, and are so many other criminals involved in their syndicate.”

“I hope they rot in prison,” Clarah said. “What an evil thing to do.”

“Papa will be home soon, darling,” Grace said. “He’s going to pick up Prince on his way home. I have to thank you for handling him so well lately,” Grace said.

“I was a bit hard on him,” Clarah said, “but I felt you and Papa had enough to worry about. But to be honest I feel he is far too spoilt. And all that screaming and yelling just gets to you. He’s four now, Mama.”

“Is my daughter criticising my parenting skills?” Grace teased.

“No …well … maybe just a little,” Clarah said. “Please tell me I never yelled like that all the time when I was toddler?”

“No, you didn’t,” Mama said and tickled her. “You were just the perfect baby. You never cried or made a sound.”

Clarah giggled. “Now I know you’re kidding with me. All babies are noisy and demanding.”

Then Grace paused and looked serious again. “There is another thing. Papa and I wanted to tell you this together,” she said. “We’ve both had a bit of a shock.”

“What – another one?” Clarah said, worried all over again. “What is it, Mama?”

“I’m pregnant darling. When I got the results I nearly fell over in shock. I never even suspected!”

“I think that’s the best news ever,” Clarah exclaimed.

Just then Thulani came into the room with Prince, and he found his wife and daughter laughing and crying together in each other’s arms.

“Hugs too,” Prince said in a normal voice.

“Family hug,” Papa said with a huge grin as the whole family embraced on Clarah’s bed.

***

Tell us: Is it likely Geoffrey phoned Grace to tell her about his HIV status out of genuine concern?