Old Lovers Don't Die (36 page)

“Renata, I just need to say how sorry I am. I know how extremely difficult it must have been for you and while it doesn’t help with much of the hurt, there wasn’t a day that went past that I didn’t think about you. I have missed out on over twenty years of sharing a life with you and Christian, which I would love to hear about, but I’m also realistic and I’m not expecting to walk back into your life. I would love to share certain aspects and at worst, be your friend and father to Christian.”

Christian stopped just beyond the doorway. He needed to know how his mother was going to respond to his father.

“Why didn’t you just let us know that you were alive somewhere?”

“Van der Walt had threatened to kill you and Christian unless I gave him all my research and the documents that I had taken. I knew that if I did that, he might kill us all. As long as he thought I was dead and had the documents, then there was no reason to come after you and Christian.”

“But why didn’t you at least try and contact us, or Mike and Sian?”

“Van der Walt had the ability to monitor everything coming into and going out of South Africa, and had friends in Mossad and the CIA. If he or they had suspected that I was alive, with the documents I had about germ warfare and nuclear research, they might have thought that I had contacted you which would put you in danger again. Believe me, there wasn’t a day when I wished that I could.”

“I have a whole new life now, Jannie. For so long I missed you and couldn’t form a relationship with anyone else because I had loved you so much. For the first time, I have now met someone and I had felt the love that we had.”

“I understand that, Renata. Christian has filled me in on small parts of the twenty years in Australia. As I said, I don’t expect to walk back into your life. I just hope over a period of time you will forgive me for what happened and that would be my greatest expectation fulfilled. I would like to come to Australia and be a father to Christian. He has grown up into a magnificent young man; you have done a wonderful job.”

“Thank you. I wouldn’t be concerned about you coming to Australia. I do understand that you did what you did to protect us, and part of me is very grateful for that. It is so nice to see you alive even though it will take me some time to adjust to you being around. I’m sure Christian was as shocked as I am, but I can see that he has already formed a bond with you. I’m sure in some way we can function again as a family.”

“Thanks, Renata. That is as much as I can realistically expect and to be a father to Christian again as well as perhaps a good friend of yours and Tim. If that works out, it would be wonderful bonus.”

Christian looked back in through the doorway. His mother looked up, wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, then reached out and took his father’s hand. She held it for a few minutes before saying,

“Jannie, you never left my heart and I suspect you never will. Coming back to Australia would be wonderful for Christian. I am prepared to help you get back there and settled and perhaps we could be, as you say, good friends. I have so many questions that I want to ask you but I feel in a state of shock, and perhaps we just need a little space first. I will also need to go and need reassure Tim. Perhaps we can talk about this tomorrow, once everything has settled a little,” Renata said looking at Sian.

“I suppose it depends on how Tim feels; we could all have lunch today at the Mount Nelson and invite Nadine and Isabella if you want.”

“Tim, I’m sure will be fine, and that sounds like a really great idea to have everyone sitting around, talking in a less strained atmosphere, getting to know each other.”

“We might need to extend that invitation to Isabella and Simone,” Christian said looking at Mike.

“The more that we have, the easier it might be. Who is Simone?”

“It’s a short story, Mike. I’ll explain a little bit later.”

Renata stood up as Sian offered her a box of tissues which Renata waved away.

“I’ll take you back to the Mount Nelson.”

“Is it all right if I tag along as far as the hotel?” Christian asked. “I have someone to meet there.”

“Is that the lady from the ICC?”

“Yes. She wants me to sign some papers and indicate how the reward should be used.”

“Well, perhaps the five of us should just have a glass of wine together. It might make it easier tomorrow for Tim. What do you think, Christian?” Mike asked.

Christian looked at his father, who just smiled and nodded.

“Well, we will give you three a twenty minute head start and then I will bring Jannie in the car. That will also give Jannie and me a chance to debrief.”

The fifteen-minute trip to the Mount Nelson Hotel seemed much longer. Christian had no idea as to what he should say to his mother as they drove, other than he was sorry that he had not let her know ahead of time. He also had little idea of what he would talk to Tim about; however he knew that it was important from his mother’s point of view that Tim felt involved.

Sian, in her inimitable way, kept up a monologue that included comments on everything from corruption in local politics, to the beautiful springtime weather. The brightness of her commentary, Christian thought, was a useful distraction, which moderated both the awkwardness and the shock they were all feeling. It also allowed him time to text Petrea as they drove. ‘
Meet you in the foyer, looking forward to seeing you’
was the reply he received within a few seconds.

Sian turned left off Wilkinson Street, beneath the giant Roman columns guarding the entrance to the Mount Nelson Hotel. On either side of the red brick driveway were giant palm trees, each with huge poorly coiffured fronds, irritated incessantly by the southerly Cape Town breeze, sweeping visitors to the grand entrance of the hotel. At the top of the driveway, Sian parked the BMW between the steps and a large pond bordered by bright pink and white petunias. The hotel, Christian thought, was from the early nineteen hundreds, but had been lovingly restored and painted in a non-period pinkish hue. Modern polished white sandstone blocks that had been added extended out in front of the hotel to create an outdoor food and drinks area. Dotted with white corrugated iron tables, each covered by a pink and white umbrella, the presence of numerous couples and families created the atmosphere of twenty-first-century conviviality. Circumscribing the hotel were manicured gardens with a variety of native plants that he had not previously seen in Africa.

Christian got out and opened the front door for his mother. Renata gave him a big hug and said,

“Don’t worry, honey; I’m sure it’s all going to work out.”

Christian hugged her back then held her at arm’s length, smiled, and hugged her again. Renata hooked her arm through his, as Sian gave her keys to the valet, and Christian headed toward the steps.

`”Wait for me,” said Sian as she hurried to join them.

Sian, on catching up with them, took Christian’s free arm and they all ascended the steps in unison. As they arrived at the top of the steps, Christian looked up and saw Tim waiting for them. Renata let go of his arm to embraced Tim.

“Tim, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that was going to happen.”

“Renata, that’s fine. I don’t blame you at all. It would have been a surprise with amazing potential, if we had not met. However, I think there will be many issues that you two should work out, just so that you can be certain about us. I have booked a flight back on Monday and suggest that you, Christian, and Jannie sort out what needs to be sorted out and then come back to Australia and we can go from there.”

“Tim, don’t you think that is something that we should have discussed first?”

“I know how I feel about you, Renata, and I know that you would have tried to persuade me not to, but I think this is seriously the right decision so that we can all then clearly see the way ahead.”

“Tim, after all this time, I’m certain you are the one that I want to be with. I can understand what a shock this has been. However, I think you’re right that there are issues to be worked through so that there is no confusion, particularly for us going forward.”

“Tim, I’m so sorry I had no idea that you and mum were seeing each other, let alone thinking about becoming engaged. It was my idea to arrange it as a surprise. I feel badly now that it has worked out the way it has. I’m sorry that I also spoilt your surprise for me.”

“Christian, you have been through an enormous amount, so don’t worry. Your intentions were all good. We are all mature adults and will all work through this to find a solution for everyone. So why don’t we all sit down and have lunch here in the beautiful sunshine. Maybe a good bottle of Stellenbosch wine or two will ease some of the tensions.”

“That’s a good idea, Tim. I think Christian needed to sign some papers with the woman from the ICC. Maybe, honey, you would like to invite her to lunch as well.”

“If you are sure that you don’t want to be alone, that would be great. I had texted her so assume that she’s waiting inside at reception. I will go and find her and bring her back.”

“Great. We’ll be at the table over there, number twelve,” Tim said pointing to his left.

Christian walked into the reception area. Standing at the far end, he spotted the unforgettable shape of Petrea. She was dressed in the pinstriped trouser suit he had so admired at Adelaide airport, and a crisp white professional shirt, which also emphasised her femininity. Almost at the same time as he saw her, Petrea spotted him and waved, holding the briefcase in one hand and pointing to it.

Christian smiled and looked at her, and the attraction he had felt when he first met her instantly returned. Swinging the briefcase, she strode towards him with an authority that he had not previously noted. It added to her attraction. As she walked, she kept her eyes on him, he tried unsuccessfully to remember her advice about interpreting body language. Within a few seconds she was standing in front of him, holding out her hand.

“Great to see you again, Christian; fantastic that Kariba is now all locked up in The Hague and Brutal Bosco has surrendered to the Ugandans. We have applied to extradite Bosco and they will both then be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

“I have to admit I had a lot of help,” Christian said, shaking her hand.

“Modesty is quite sexy when done genuinely well, and is that all the girl gets after a few months’ absence?” she looked at his hand shaking hers.

Christian laughed, bent forward, and kissed her on the cheek.

“Better?”

“Acceptable for the moment,” she said smiling. “Shall we go and find an espresso coffee and you can tell me all about what happened, then I will get you to sign the necessary papers.”

They walked through to the small dining room but stopped when the lift door opened, and a young African couple walked out. Christian and Petrea paused as they surveyed the reception area, when from the back of the lift, laughing, Simone and Isabella walked out hand-in-hand. In their preoccupation with each other, they almost bumped into Christian and Petrea. There was an awkward silence as they all stood and faced each other.

“Christian, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that you were going to be here,” Isabella said.

“Isabella, don’t worry. It’s great to see you happy, seriously.”

“Would you like to come and join us for lunch?”

“No thanks, Isabella. Mum, Tim, and Sian are at a table outside. Mike and Jannie are joining us in half an hour and we have been invited to join them. Isabella, this is Petrea. She is the lawyer from the ICC who extradited Kariba. She has some papers that I need to sign with regards to Kariba and the reward.”

“Nice to meet you, Isabella. I have heard lots about you.”

“Petrea, this is my partner Simone whom you have possibly heard a little about from Christian.”

Petrea reached her hand out towards Simone who ignored it and instead kissed her on the cheek.

“Delighted to meet you, Petrea. And nice to see you again, Christian. I’m sorry that it was all so rushed at the airport and Isabella and I didn’t have a chance to talk to you.”

“That’s okay. Perhaps in the next few days we can all meet up for coffee,” Christian said.

“We will let you get on with signing the papers then. If you have time, come and have a chat. Otherwise I will phone you to organise a time to talk,” Isabella said as she walked off with Simone hand-in-hand.

“Now that’s something I didn’t see coming,” Petrea said.

“I had no idea that was going to happen either, although Isabella had told me about Simone. I thought it was just a past experiment. Simone was waiting for Isabella at the airport and my guess is that they haven’t been apart since.”

“So are you devastated that you never got to find out whether it was just a first love thing with Isabella, or whether it was her chemistry which was unique to you both and never to be replicated?”

“I was a little bit stunned at the airport. However, there has been so much happening with my mum and dad that I have not really thought about it too much. Other than thinking it was a chapter now definitely closed that I was hoping to reopen and find some answers.”

“Maybe you need a new book to read,” Petrea said, with a mischievous smile.

“Any suggestions? Do-it-yourself chemistry?”

“That is quite funny, Christian, but self-pleasure I have found lacks the intensity that I enjoy. Therefore, it would not be my first choice for you either. I have just realised that I have left one of the documents that I need you to sign in my room. I don’t want to leave that lying up there on the table as it is highly confidential. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll get it and then we can come down to lunch.”

Christian looked at Petrea; he could not imagine her leaving a confidential document on the table in her room. She seemed far too organised for that; however, putting a little distance between him and Isabella for a few minutes was attractive.

The lift took them to the second floor in silence. Petrea stood close enough to him that he could feel her hand against his leg. There was nothing more than the faintest contact but the effect was such that it completely distracted him from his thoughts about the Isabella encounter. He was not certain whether it was his imagination, or whether Petrea was exerting gentle pressure against his leg. Notoriously bad at interpreting any kind of body language, he reassured himself that it was his imagination. Then as her perfume drifted up, he had an overwhelming desire to feel the softness of her skin next to his. He closed his eyes and tried to picture his golden retriever until he felt the lift stop. He opened his eyes to see Petrea standing in front of him smiling, almost as though she knew what he had been thinking.

“Follow me,” she said, walking out of the lift.

The corridor was lined with paintings of African wildflowers. Underneath each one was a small brass plaque detailing the history of the artist. They stopped in front of Petrea’s room, and Christian could see next to her door bright red pistol Aloes set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. It captured the beauty of the Cape and was, he thought, very Freudian given his thoughts in the lift. As Petrea swiped her door card, Christian saw the artist was a Margaret van Zyl and started to read some of her details on the brass plaque, when Petrea unlocked the door. Holding it open, she said,

“Coming in? Or are you going to stand out there reading history?”

Christian walked towards her and as he did so, her perfume reached up again and embraced his desire. As he turned sideways to pass her in the doorway, he glanced down at her beautiful cleavage, delicately framed by her white shirt. He heard Petrea lock the door behind him. Turning around to face her, he watched as she put the hard briefcase down on the floor in front of him. She then took off her jacket and threw it on the nearest chair, before standing on the briefcase in front of him smiling. Slowly Petrea stretched and stood on her toes before reaching up and taking his face in her hands and then gently kissing him. Christian leaned back against the wall, feeling the softness of her breasts, as she pushed her body in against his. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her gently towards him, while her tongue danced along the edge of his lips. He held her tightly against his body, feeling her tongue hesitate before exploring the edges of his mouth. Then she gently forced open his lips, touching the tip of his tongue with hers in small sensual circles.

Christian opened his eyes and looked at Petrea. Her eyes were closed but her sensuality was undiminished. He closed his eyes again, and kissed her with a passion that only the deep desire to make love could generate.

“Wait,” she whispered, opening her eyes and looking up at him before putting one finger on his lips to prevent a question.

“I want this to be the most remarkable first encounter.”

As she proceeded to place delicate soft kisses all over his neck, he did heard her whisper,

“I want you so much, deep inside of me, where you can touch a part of me that tells you how much I want you.”

Taking her head in his hands, he kissed her with a raw passion, before she broke free laughing, kissing the tip of his nose, before pushing him gently back against the wall. Then, unbuttoning his shirt, she began teasing each of his nipples with the tip of her tongue, lightly caressing each nipple until they each became erect with desire. Her passionate need climbed over his body invading every pore, threatening his control. Every fibre within him became more demanding of release; the hardness of his desire begged for an orgasmic tumult. She rubbed her body against his, enjoying his desire and then said,

“Come with me.” She took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

Christian followed, enjoying feeling the all-consuming passion that he had not experienced since Isabella; at the foot of the bed, he could no longer control his desire and pulled her to him, kissing her with an uncontrolled intensity. They both stumbled back landing on the bed laughing, struggling in their passion to remove each other’s clothes. Petrea undid the remaining buttons on his shirt as he lay back on the bed before finally pulling his shirt off and throwing it on the floor. Teasing his nipples with her tongue again, she stroked his abdomen, stopping teasingly at the top of his jeans. Slowly she touched his hardness, stroking it lightly, she gasped and said,

“That feels so hard and beautiful I just want to kiss all of it and then feel you deep inside of me.”

He stood up and slipped off his jeans, watching as she removed her bra - displaying beautiful breasts. He hung his jeans over the chair next to the bed, as Petrea lay back naked on the bed watching him, teasingly stroking the firmness of her nipples. Christian could not believe that everything about her was so beautiful, from her breasts to her dark beautifully trimmed, dark enchanting forest.