London!

Lerato had always dreamed of London. She had always longed to travel.

The last few years had been so hard. So many difficult things had happened. Her mother dying. Her sister’s rape. Her father’s accident.

‘Of course I won’t go,’ thought Lerato to herself. ‘How could I? I couldn’t leave Busi alone to deal with Dad.’

Lerato opened her office door, and without thinking what she was doing, she moved quickly across the carpet.

She moved out through the front doors, and before she knew how she had got there, Lerato found herself in the lift. A moment later she was standing, watching the lift door opening on the ground floor.

Lerato walked slowly. Her mind was full of thoughts. Her steps took her out onto the street, and towards the line of restaurants filled with people from the nearby offices.

Lerato found herself passing the restaurant Philane had taken her to a couple of days before.

Philane was there. He sat practically at the same table, and he was alone. He was tucking into his plate of steak and chips, whilst at the same time, pressing the buttons on his cellphone, and intently reading something.

Lerato stood quite still and watched him. He looked up suddenly. He must have felt her watching him.

His eyes widened, but then he lifted his hand and waved at her, indicating that she should come to him.

Hesitantly, Lerato entered the restaurant. Philane stood up, and pulled out a chair for her.

“Nice to see you,” said Philane, sitting down as Lerato sat down. “What can I order for you to eat?”

“I’ve already eaten,” said Lerato softly, adding, “I just decided that I needed some fresh air.”

Lerato added awkwardly, “I just needed to get out of the office for a moment.”

Philane nodded vigorously, as he finished up the food on his plate.

“I understand completely.”

Philane swallowed, and wiped his mouth firmly with his serviette.

“Something to drink, then?” asked Philane, calling the waiter at the same time.

“Thank you. Just a coke. That would be nice,” Lerato smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“Aah,” said Philane, stretching slightly, “This is good. Well, maybe you can tell me about your writing? We never seem to get round to it. And I really am interested.”

“Well, actually,” said Lerato, a little shyly, “I just got an email about some of my writing.”

“Oh,” said Philane, leaning towards Lerato, interested.

“It’s not much really. I just had the opportunity to submit some writing. It’s for a competition. You win an opportunity to write for ‘Generations’.”

Lerato shrugged.

“It’s nothing really. I won another writing competition a while back.”

“But that’s wonderful,” said Philane enthusiastically, “well done!”

“Thank you,” said Lerato. “Can I ask you what you think of a comment they made,” adding, “in their email.”

Philane nodded.

“Go on.”

“Well they used the words ‘showed much promise’. Is that good? Do you think?”

“Yes, I do,” said Philane, after considering her words for a moment, “I do think that’s good. Really, Lerato.”

Philane leant closer to Lerato, and looked into her eyes.

“But how did you end up in a conveyancing office, Lerato? When who you really are is a writer?”

“It’s work, Philane,” said Lerato, meeting his eyes, “and it was a wonderful opportunity that came my way, at a time when I needed a good job very badly.”

Philane nodded.

“You really have shouldered a lot of responsibility for your family haven’t you, Lerato?”

“Yes,” said Lerato, looking at Philane seriously.

All of a sudden Lerato felt tears filling her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she said, quickly wiping them away.

Philane reached across the table, and covered her hand with his.

“It’s okay, Lerato,” he said, “I think I understand.”

Lerato sighed deeply.

“I don’t really think you can,” she said softly, “you don’t really know me, Philane. You don’t know how badly I want to escape sometimes. From all the problems. I just want to fly away. Like I do when I write.”

Lerato stood up from the table.

“My lunch hour is nearly up,” she said, “Thanks for the advice. About my writing. I appreciate it.”

Lerato could feel Philane watching her as she walked out of the restaurant. She didn’t look back.

Lerato realised that she had done it again. Told Philane all about herself. She could hardly remember how she had even ended up in the restaurant.

‘What’s wrong with me today?’ Lerato asked herself. ‘I can hardly think straight about anything.’

*****

By the end of the day Lerato had still not replied to Andile’s email.

That evening, after supper, Lerato sat in the privacy of her room and re-read Andile’s email.

Then she began to write.

Dear Andile

Thank you for your email.

I have thought about your words for a long time before replying.

I would be lying if I told you that I was not tempted by your kind and generous offer to me. You are correct in thinking that I have never travelled overseas.

I have not, and I would dearly love to. I will do it one day. I know that. I just cannot do it this way. I do not feel about you the same way that you feel about me. I am sorry.

I will always be your friend, and do my best to help with your property deals, and do the transfers as speedily as I always have.

I hope you enjoy your stay in London, and I look forward to seeing you on your return.

With kind regards

Your friend

Lerato

PS I have not told Gugu where you are – but she is wondering why you have not replied to her messages.

When Lerato had pressed the Send button and the email was on its way to Andile, Lerato climbed into bed. She reached over and switched off her bedside lamp.