Lerato was in bed by eight that night.

Busi came to her room, and sat on her bed to talk to her before she slept.

Lerato loved it when the two of them sat together like that, both sipping their cups of tea. Busi had pulled her legs up under Lerato’s quilt. She was also in her pyjamas, and her gown was buttoned up under her chin.

“Are you really all right?” Lerato asked, putting her hand out, and patting Busi’s knee. “You know, I still worry about you, little sister.”

Busi smiled sweetly at Lerato.

“You worry about me too much, Lerato. The counsellor has helped me so much.”

Busi patted Lerato’s hand, adding, “And anyway, it’s me who worries about you. You work too hard, Lerato. Just look at you. You’re exhausted.”

“I’m just fine,” said Lerato, putting her tea cup down on the bedside table. “I am just tired tonight. Anyway, tomorrow is the weekend. Nothing much to do, except go to Andile’s party.”

Lerato sighed. Right now going to one of Andile’s weekend parties was the last thing she felt like, but she knew she would enjoy it in the end. Andile was always an impeccable host.

Lerato snuggled into her pillows, and Busi stood up. Busi touched Lerato’s head gently.

“Sleep well, Lerato. And don’t worry about me. I am nobody’s victim. I know who I am. I am a survivor. I made some mistakes, and stuff happened to me. But that’s all over now.”

Busi paused, and bent down to kiss Lerato lightly on the forehead.

“Good night,” said Busi.

Lerato sleepily replied, “Good Night,” before she fell asleep.

*****

“I hope you haven’t forgotten about my party today,” said Andile cheerfully over the phone.

His call had woken Lerato. She looked with alarm towards her bedside clock. It was already ten o’clock.

“Busi,” called Lerato, jumping out of bed, “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the sleep,” said Busi cheerily, from where she was unloading the washing machine.

“It’s true,” said Lerato, moving into the kitchen, and popping two slices of bread into the toaster, “I did.”

Lerato stretched and yawned.

“I must say,” she said, switching on the kettle, “I feel great after all that sleep. I also feel famished!”

“Eggs it is then,” said Busi, hauling a heavy frying pan out from the cupboard and setting it onto the stove.

“Mmmm,” said Lerato, “you spoil me.”

Lerato quickly had a shower and washed her hair, while Busi prepared breakfast. The sun was shining and Lerato was looking forward to the day.

Andile’s parties were always fun. She had promised to help Gugu set things up for him. Gugu was, no doubt, already at Andile’s house, wondering where she was. Lerato smiled to herself.

Gugu should have been an events organiser. She could just imagine her, setting up the tables, and dangling all sorts of interesting things from the trees, in Andile’s back garden. The end result would be wonderful. It always was.

“Thanks for that great breakfast,” Lerato called back to Busi, as she left the house. She paused to give her father a quick hug where he was sitting, enjoying the sun on the front verandah.

*****

Gugu was knee deep in colourful balloons when Lerato arrived.

“Where have you been?” said a flustered Gugu, her fingers tangled in multi coloured streamers.

“Gugu,” said Lerato, laughing, “you’re big on ideas, but not so good on executing them. Here, let me help you.”

Lerato was standing on the top rung of the ladder, reaching in amongst the branches and leaves of a tall tree, when she heard Andile’s voice below.

“Wow!” he said. “I can’t see her head, but that stunning pair of legs can only belong to one person. Hello in there, Lerato.”

Lerato finished tying a particularly large bunch of streamers to a branch and began to clamber down the ladder.

She smiled at Andile as he stood, waiting for her at the foot of the ladder.

“Andile, this is some party you’re throwing. I had no idea it was going to be such a big deal.”

Lerato slipped her feet back into her high heels that she had kicked off. Andile came to her and put his arm around her shoulder.

“I appreciate the help, gorgeous,” said Andile, smiling into Lerato’s eyes, “it’s just a celebration, for all the people I love, and for all the beautiful people who love me.”

Andile moved to a nearby table, and poured Lerato a long slim glass of champagne. It bubbled up and overflowed slightly over his fingers. Andile passed it to Lerato and lifted another to his lips.

“It’s actually to celebrate the success of my new development, and to say thank you to all the wonderful people who invested in me, and believed in me.”

Andile took a sip, and encouraged Lerato to do the same.

“It’s a pity you were so strapped for cash, sweetheart,” said Andile, “because all the investors are going to make themselves a small fortune. That’s Gugu, for one.”

Gugu approached Lerato and Andile.

“Champagne?” said Andile, offering her a glass.

“I was just telling Lerato how much lovely money you are going to make out of your investment in my development. Shame Lerato had no cash to spare.”

Andile squeezed Lerato’s shoulder hard.

“But then again, gorgeous,” said Andile softly into her ear, “you will just have to share in the millions I’m about to make. With you by my side I will only enjoy them more.”

Lerato smiled, and moved out from under Andile’s arm.

“Gosh,” said Lerato, “your guests are about to arrive, and look at the state of me. I bet I have leaves in my hair.”

Lerato moved off towards Andile’s house, and the bathroom. Once there she touched up her make-up and pulled her clothes straight. Deep in her handbag she found a bottle of perfume which she sprayed onto her neck.

Lerato surveyed herself in the mirror once more, and then moved back towards the garden.

People had begun to arrive. Gugu was still rushing between tables, adding last touches to the table settings that she had created.

The caterers would be arriving shortly and the crockery and cutlery had already been laid in place. The sun was streaming down through the many large trees in Andile’s beautiful garden, making the glasses being set in place sparkle, and causing the white crockery to glow and gleam.

“Everything looks stunning,” said Lerato, admiringly.

“Doesn’t it?” said Andile, suddenly appearing at her side again. He slid his arm around her waist.

“Lerato,” said Andile, “please do me the honour of being by my side whilst I greet my guests.”

Lerato tried to move away, indicating Gugu, who was still flitting like a butterfly between the tables.

“Gugu,” said Lerato, “I think she may still need my help.”

“Not at all,” said Andile, holding Lerato tighter, “Gugu is just fine.”

Andile turned towards where a group of people were just stepping onto his immaculately mown lawn, and said, “Oh look. How wonderful. Our first guests.”

Lerato was still tucked firmly under Andile’s arm, when Philane wandered in. Lerato could not help but notice how particularly good he looked.

‘Well,’ thought Lerato to herself, ‘anyone six foot and broad shouldered, like he is, always looks good in a suit.’

Lerato frowned to herself, ‘And anyway, Philane is just so vain about it all. He probably spent hours in front of the mirror.’

Lerato managed to release herself from Andile’s grasp just before Philane reached them.

“Got to go to the bathroom,” she suddenly muttered, and stumbled off, her high stiletto heels sinking into the grass in her haste.

Lerato wandered in through a side door of the house. She did not need the bathroom, as she had used it barely a half hour before.

Once in the house, she wandered around, passing time before she could go out again. Andile’s home was exquisite. Lerato dropped down onto one of his large leather couches in the lounge, and looked at the huge television screen mounted on the wall. The other walls were covered by large original works of art.

Lerato sank further back into the couch, and looked around herself.

‘Imagine living here.’

Lerato allowed herself to think about it all for a moment, making a few descriptive notes in her mind, that she thought she just might use in a story some time in the future.

Warm air was moving into the house from the garden. Soft jazz was playing from somewhere out there. Voices and laughter drifted to her, as the curtains lifted slightly in the breeze.

Lerato breathed deeply. From somewhere in the house the smell of delicious food being prepared was beginning to fill the air. Lerato closed her eyes, and kicked her feet out of her shoes. She wriggled her toes against the plush softness of the deep pile carpet.

‘Oh yes,’ thought Lerato, ‘I could imagine a life like this.’

Lerato was deep in her thoughts, when she was jolted out of them by someone, standing quite near her, clearing his throat.

Lerato’s eyes flew open, and, startled, she jumped up.

“It’s only me,” said Philane. “Aren’t you missing the party?”

***

Tell us what you think: Who do you think Lerato should go for, Andile or Philane? Why?