Zinhle helped Jabu off the chair and together they walked slowly up the hill to the supermarket. Zinhle felt nervous. Simphiwe would be on duty there, probably. But she couldn’t just leave Jabu.

The supermarket hummed with activity. People waited patiently in long queues with their supermarket trolleys full of grocery items like rice, tinned pilchards, chakalaka and tomatoes, freezer bags full of chicken and vegetables, and fresh produce: bags of potatoes, spinach and butternuts. People chatted freely, as it was a good time to hear each other’s news.

As Simphiwe came out of his office, he was very surprised to see Jabu and Zinhle together, frowning when his eyes caught Zinhle’s. After speaking to some customers, he came over to speak to the women.

When Zinhle introduced Jabu to Simphiwe he looked her up and down, knowingly.

“Isn’t this Busiso’s girlfriend?” Simphiwe asked.

Zinhle nodded. All of Simphiwe’s attention was focused on Jabu. He had not even greeted Zinhle properly. He was cold and distant.

“Yes,” said Jabu, emphatically. “I’m Busiso’s girlfriend!

“She had her cellphone and purse stolen – right here in the supermarket when she was doing her shopping,” explained Zinhle, steering the conversation in a different direction.

“I heard about that,” said Simphiwe, more warmly. “Two colleagues caught the boys and they’re at the back of the shop. I’ll go and investigate,” he said. “Don’t worry, you’ll soon have an update.”

Zinhle noticed that he now wore smart pants and a company shirt with the name of the supermarket embroidered on his shirt pocket. Instead of walking with stooped shoulders and being timid, Simphiwe walked briskly and upright towards the back of the supermarket.

“That’s a kind man,” observed Jabu. Zinhle detected a hint of jealousy in Jabu.

“He’s mine,” said Zinhle. Even though he might not officially be hers, she claimed him for herself. Even though Simphiwe was not well off, Zinhle knew that he had been loyal to her. He had not cheated on her and she realised how important that was in a relationship.

Jabu went to the door to see if Busiso had arrived yet. He was known to keep her waiting, even though she’d texted him, with Zinhle’s phone, to fetch her at the supermarket.

When Simphiwe returned with Jabu’s black purse, he said: “The zip’s broken.”

“I knew that,” Jabu said, checking to see if her purse contained her cards. Fortunately they had been stacked away in tight pouches and were still there.

“I’m really pleased to have my purse, back,” she said, thanking Simphiwe. “Don’t worry about the zip. And thank you employees for their trouble.”

Zinhle looked at Simphiwe proudly. He was a good man. He was rising up the ranks.

“And this … is it yours?” asked Simphiwe. “Oh yes! Thanks,” said Jabu, giving him a relieved smile. He smiled warmly back at her. Jabu took her cellphone from him and checked that the sim card was still in place.

Then, “Sorry, I can’t wait. My lift is here. I have to go now,” said Jabu, hurrying towards the door in response to Busiso’s hooter. In the distance, Zinhle could see Busiso’s fancy car parked at the kerb, with the hazard lights on. But at that moment, she realised that Simphiwe’s worth was not tied up in a fancy car. It didn’t matter to her that he didn’t even have a car.

“What about a coffee after work, at KFC?” said Zinhle.

“I’m very busy,” said Simphiwe.

Oh dear, thought Zinhle. Simphiwe must be wondering about why she was talking to Jabu, and about where Busiso was? This was not going to help him to trust her again.

“Well, maybe tomorrow?” Zinhle suggested.

“If I’m not busy.”

Zinhle remembered Nokwanda’s advice, that he should do the chasing. But she knew that she had been in the wrong, and it was up to her to try and make amends.

“Thanks for helping Jabu, Simphiwe.”

“It’s good to help someone in trouble. I have to get back to work, now Zinhle.”

Simphiwe watched as Zinhle walked calmly out of the supermarket.

***

Tell us: What do you think Simphiwe is thinking right now?