Later that day Andisiwe received a call from Jacob. His voice was very polite and very gentle when he asked her to go out with him that evening. Andisiwe did not hesitate. She accepted his invitation straight away.

When Jacob arrived, he was driving the exact same car that Thabo had driven. As she slid into the leather car seat Andisiwe mentioned it. “It’s my car,” said Jacob with a sigh, as he put the car into gear and pulled away. “Thabo always loved it, and I let him borrow it from time to time.”

He looked over to Andisiwe and shook his head. “Naturally he must have acted as if it was his own. The guy really has issues and I’m sorry you got caught up in them.” Jacob reached over and briefly touched Andisiwe’s cheek with one finger.

Andisiwe smiled. “I remember he didn’t know how to open the boot – said it was jammed. He said he had left his wallet in it, which meant, of course, that I had to pay for the petrol.” Thabo really had a nerve borrowing Jacob’s car and making out it was his.

Jacob pulled into an Engen garage and ordered the petrol attendant to fill up the car. When he returned from paying, he slipped a small box of special chocolates onto Andisiwe’s lap.

“Wow, thanks,” said Andisiwe laughing. “All these chocolates are going to make me fat.”

“Never mind,” said Jacob, turning to look deeply into Andisiwe’s eyes. “You’ll always be perfect in my eyes.”

Andisiwe held his gaze for a moment and then slipped the small box into her bag. She could feel her heart doing cartwheels in her chest. Just before he pulled away Jacob’s phone rang.

“Hello,” he said, turning the key in the ignition. Then, “I told you to leave me alone.”

Andisiwe noticed that his tone was impatient, almost angry. “I told you everything is on track. Listen to me, because I am really warning you now. These things take time. OK. Bye.”

Jacob slid his phone into his pocket and accelerated. “Estate agents!” he said, frowning slightly. “They always want to fight over properties.”

Andisiwe sat in silence.

“I’m sorry my sweet Andy,” he said after a moment. “In the present economic climate it is very difficult out there in the market place. Dog eat dog you know – we’re all fighting over the same scraps.”

Andisiwe nodded in understanding, and they drove on in silence. She was surprised when Jacob turned and pulled up outside the very same restaurant that Thabo had taken her to.

“Oh,” she said quietly. “This is the –”

“Don’t tell me Thabo brought you here?” Jacob interrupted her. Andisiwe nodded, and Jacob hit the steering wheel lightly with his fist. “That guy!” he said. “He just copied everything I did. This is my favourite restaurant! I often bring clients here. It’s a winner. Seals the deal every time.”

It was a wonderful meal, and Jacob was charming in every way. Andisiwe felt happier with every mouthful. The waiter brought the bill, and when Jacob pulled out a hefty wad of money she felt happier still.

“I just have to make a phone call,” said Jacob, standing up. “Please give that to the waiter when he comes back. It includes a generous tip.”

Jacob bent down to kiss Andisiwe lightly on the cheek before he moved off. She watched him go. He stood outside and from where she sat Andisiwe watched him talking on his cellphone. Even from a distance Andisiwe had no trouble reading Jacob’s body language. He was upset, and judging by his arm gestures, aggressive even.

Andisiwe didn’t like seeing him like that. She hoped he wasn’t speaking to Thabo again. She was beginning to find the whole thing very upsetting. She smiled up at the waiter when he returned to their table. She had recognised him earlier as being the same waiter who had served her and Thabo. She picked up the crisp hundred rand notes and handed them over to him with a sigh of relief.

“Nice to see you again,” said the waiter. “Those two guys you’ve come with lately are always here you know. And they’re always with beautiful women. Like you.”

“They bring business clients here,” said Andisiwe quickly, frowning. “They like to give quality service.”

The waiter laughed out loud. “I’m sure they do Ma’am. I’m sure they give really good quality service.”

“Well, it’s really none of your business!” Andisiwe found herself snapping, before she could stop herself. She did not want to be reminded of Thabo, and anyway, Jacob had already explained the situation to her.

Andisiwe looked up with relief to see Jacob returning. He smiled at her, and Andisiwe relaxed.

“Just had to seal a deal,” he said with a laugh, “and I have another satisfied customer.”

Andisiwe noted that the waiter had overheard Jacob and he was sniggering to himself as he walked away.

Jacob pulled out her chair, and Andisiwe rose and clung to his arm, allowing herself to drown in his gaze, as he led her out of the restaurant.

* * *

Tell us what you think: Life is full of coincidences – but is Siwe just refusing to see the clues about Jacob? Is there anything to worry about, or is it just normal city wheeling and dealing between men?