Lerato ate her breakfast slowly and thoughtfully the next morning.

“A penny for them,” said Busi, looking at her sister over the rim of her coffee cup.

Lerato jolted out of her day dreams, almost choking on her piece of toast.

“Sorry,” said Busi, smiling, “I didn’t mean to give you such a fright! You were miles away.”

“No, I mean, I know.” Lerato pushed her plate away, and stood up. “Sorry, Busi. It’s just work stuff. Deadlines. You know?”

Busi stood up and picked up her sister’s plate for her.

She laughed.

“Yeah, sissie, of course. Some things never change. And you,” she paused and reached over to give Lerato a hug, “have always been the worst liar in the world.”

Lerato sighed and smiled.

“You know it, Busi. Sorry. It’s just that I don’t want to talk about it right now. You know. It’s confusing.”

“Maybe talking about it would help,” said Busi, beginning to fill the sink with warm water and bubbles.

“It probably would,” said Lerato, looking at her watch and gathering up her handbag quickly, from where it lay on the table.

“I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to be late again.”

Lerato rushed towards the front door, calling back over her shoulder.

“Love you. See you later.”

Lerato drummed on the steering wheel. She was late, and now she was caught in traffic. She frowned to herself.

‘A few weeks ago my life was much, much simpler,’ she thought to herself.

Glancing out the window she moaned inwardly at the rows of cars stuck, one behind the other. She closed her eyes for a moment.

‘I wonder what it’s like in England right now?’ she thought.

Lerato was deep in daydreams when the irritated sound of the car behind her hooting jolted her out of her revery.

Thoughts of rolling green hills, and old mansions, set in beautifully manicured formal gardens, would just have to wait. For now there was a traffic grid lock to negotiate.

Gugu was waiting for her in her office.

“I’m sorry,” said Lerato as she rushed in. “The traffic was unbelievable this morning. Talk about feeling trapped in the city. Some days this place just makes me feel like I need to escape.”

Lerato shut her office door, took out her lipstick and briefly touched up her lips, before turning to smile at Gugu, who was still perching, silently, on the edge of Lerato’s desk.

Lerato frowned.

“Hey Gugu,” she said softly, moving closer to her friend, “what’s up?”

Gugu looked up at her, and Lerato was alarmed to see that her eyes were beginning to brim with tears. Gugu blinked, and sniffed deeply.

“Damn it,” said Gugu, shaking back her long hair extensions, “the last thing I need now is to start blubbering. My mascara will run all over the place!”

Gugu sniffed again. Lerato moved around her desk and opened a drawer. She pulled out a handful of tissues and presented them to Gugu, like a large bouquet.

“Thanks,” said Gugu, burying her face in the tissues and blowing her nose hard.

Lerato waited for a moment.

“Gugu,” she said softly, gently putting her arm around Gugu’s shoulder, “what’s wrong? I hope you haven’t had any, you know, bad news?”

Gugu, still with her face hidden behind the tissues, shook her head.

“No news,” said Gugu’s muffled voice, “No news.”

Gugu lifted her face and patted her cheeks.

“How do I look Lerato?” she asked, “Very bad?”

“No,” said Lerato, reassuringly. “No, you look great. Wonderful. Beautiful. Like always.”

Gugu gave her a weak smile.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are a terrible liar?”

Lerato shrugged her shoulders, and said nothing.

“It’s Andile,” said Gugu, sighing deeply. “He still has not contacted me, Lerato.”

“I’m sure he will,” said Lerato quickly. “Soon.”

“I don’t think so,” said Gugu, shaking her head, “I really don’t think so.”

“Why?” said Lerato lightly, moving around her desk to sit in her chair, “Maybe he’s just very busy. Shopping up a storm somewhere. Or buying a whole new wardrobe of clothes for himself.”

Lerato laughed.

“You know how he is, Gugu. But what’s the urgency anyway? And why the tears?”

“Oh, Lerato,” said Gugu with an even deeper sigh, “All I can say is, if Andile is shopping up a storm, then he’s probably doing it with my money!”

She pulled out a chair, and slumped down into it.

“You don’t know the half of it.”

Just then Lerato heard a light knock on her door. She paused before answering, looking towards Gugu, as if for her permission.

“Go ahead,” said Gugu softly.

“Come in,” said Lerato.

The door opened, and Philane popped his head cheerily around her door.

“Hello,” he said, pausing, his expression changing when he saw Gugu.

“Oh, sorry,” he said, retreating. “I didn’t know you had company. So sorry to disturb you ladies.”

“It’s okay,” said Gugu, standing up. “I was just going.”

“Hold on, Gugu,” said Lerato, looking quickly from Gugu to Philane, “we haven’t quite finished discussing that … eh … transfer … the troublesome one.”

Gugu pushed past Philane.

“We can talk about it later,” she said, as she left the office.

“What’s wrong with Gugu?” asked Philane, looking after Gugu with some concern.

“Oh, nothing,” said Lerato, brightly, “You know, just work. Pressure. Deadlines. You know.”

Lerato ended lamely, half shrugging.

“I was wondering if you were free for lunch,” said Philane, smiling at Lerato.

“Oh,” said Lerato, “that would be …” then she paused, “oh sorry … Gugu … a meeting …”

Lerato’s voice trailed off.

Philane nodded.

“Never mind. Actually, I’d prefer dinner with you, iIf you’re free. I’ve been invited out to a function with some friends. Quite formal. If you don’t mind that?”

Lerato’s eyes widened.

“Formal?” she asked, softly.

“Afraid so,” said Philane, “Is that a problem?”

“No,” said Lerato quickly, “No problem. No, not at all.”

“Right, then,” said Philane, smiling broadly now. “Then I’ll pick you up at eight?”

Philane turned away, and a moment later he was gone.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think Philane is the man for Lerato? Why? What kind of date do you think he has planned?