“Who’s in the helicopter?” Bernard asks Rudd.

“Three went. Katania, Simi and the young doctor.”

“Simi?”

“Ja Fred. The doctors are worried about her hand. Got a cut on it that’s infected. They want her in Harare to check it out properly.”

“Wish I’d said goodbye. I liked her.”

“And she can sing,” says Bernard, closing his eyes and starting to hum Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

“That’s the one!” Fred smiles.

“She can sing,” Rudd agrees, as Marybelle arrives. He helps Marybelle set her tray of coffee mugs down in the middle of the table. As she starts to hand around the mugs he notices the sweatshirt tied around her waist, and tilts his head to try to read the lettering. “Marybelle, what does your sweatshirt say?” he asks, straightening up.

She looks down. “Oh this? Came out of the school lost property. Old stuff that’s been there a couple of years. Says Mutorashanga Triathlon. And, before you ask, I did not take part.”

“What?” winks Fred.

“Fred!” Marybelle cautions, waving a finger at him.

As they drink their coffee they discuss the clear up – some of it done while others were cooking, much of it still to be done.

 “Weird thing is that looking this way, over the golf course, almost looks normal. Most of the trees down there are fine. Must have been sheltered in the valley. The rest is a mess though,” says Rudd.

 Father Norman’s gaze lands on Rudd like a magnet. “What are you going to do Rudd? Gave me the impression you might not be staying.”

Rudd looks at the priest. “No. Not staying. I’ve had enough. Taken a while to figure it out, but watching that helicopter take off, I wanted to leave. Spent way too much time hoping it’s going to get better. I need to try something else.”

“Oh Rudd …”

“Marybelle, please don’t give me a hard time. I need a break.”

 Fred coughs and clears his throat. “Good for you, young man. Go and have some fun. Find a place that works, and learn how it’s done.”

Bernard shakes his head. “Eish. Harsh, but true. Zimbabwe needs a new engine, for sure.”

“And the lodge?” asks Father Norman.

“The tea estate perhaps? They might be interested. Tonderai could run it for them I suppose. Don’t know. Have never asked.”

“But what will you do?” asks Marybelle.

“Might go to the Med – to work on the boats,” Rudd says, knowing it’s only a sticking plaster idea. He takes a sip of his coffee, and then places the mug down carefully. He smiles at Marybelle. “Time to start again, while I’m still young enough.”

 “Oh! Makes me so sad, Rudd. But maybe Fred’s right. Let us old bones stay here. I don’t even want to think about you going though.”

Fred coughs again. “Yes. I think it’s a good move young man. Go and take a look. Get out before you get corrupted, that’s what I say. Then come back. Come back when there’s more sense at the wheel.”

“For sure,” says Bernard, nodding his head. “Too much easy easy one side … too much nothing other side.”

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023