The End of the Line
Meanwhile back in South Africa, Chilli wrapped her arms tightly around the rucksack on her lap. Squashed at the bottom of the bag was the first thing she had stuffed into it before packing her clothes. It was something she’d never admit to owning. Not even her parents knew about it. And she’d never, ever admit to carrying it with her wherever she went. It just didn’t fit in with her ‘tough girl’ image.
It was a teddy bear. But not the mass-produced cutesy, fuzzy teddy bear from a department store. It had all the signs of a handmade bear. He had mismatched buttons for eyes, and his wonky nose was made of thick black wool stitched into a lump. The teddy’s tubby body was covered in pink conduroy, with pink floral paws. Chilli fiercely adored him. She loved every uneven stitch and ears that had been sewn onto his head at odd angles. She even loved the addition of a pair of satin wings and a red, plastic heart sewn onto his chest. Chilli secretly thought of him as her guardian angel. Her friends would have thought she was overdosing on doughnuts if they knew.
Her grandmother had given him to her a few months before she had died. It had made Chilli feel better, but somehow also sadder, when she had cried into his stuffed tummy after her gran’s death.
On a gorgeous summer’s afternoon her grandmother had invited her to tea. Chilli had been puzzled by the invitation, seeing as how her grandmother knew that Chilli was definitely not your tea and scones kind of girl. But Chilli decided it was something she would do for her nan’s sake. She had tamed her wild red hair with a ribbon (the only time she swore she would ever wear one). Her grandmother had secretly smiled at her headstrong granddaughter’s attempt to please her.
“Come Rachel” (Chilli allowed only her grandmother to call her that), “I’ve laid the table under my favourite oak tree at the bottom of the garden.” Chilli had felt a shiver run down her spine as she looked at a birthday cake complete with candles standing in the centre of the table. There was something strangely sinister going on.
“It’s not my birthday nan, or yours. What’s the cake for?” Chilli asked, puzzled. She felt goosebumps rise up on her arms in spite of the hot weather.
The elderly lady had solemnly lit the candles without answering her. She had closed her eyes as if making a wish, and then blew out the candles. Only then did she speak. Her words remained as clear to Chilli as the day she had said them.
“You’re my only grandchild, and if I had another million lifetimes I would share every one with you. I’m an old lady now and who knows how long I’ll be around, so I wanted to give you something that would remind you of me.” Her grandmother had reached into a basket and taken out the teddy bear that had been made with little money but lots of love.
“The birthday cake’s for him and I’ve made a special wish over him, so that a part of me will always be with you.”
Then she had poked the teddy’s plastic red heart and said: “There, I’ve brought him to life and I hereby christen him ‘Huggermugger’”. Little lights started blinking in the heart, like an electronic heartbeat.
“One day you’ll understand the teddy’s strange name, but it’s enough for now to remember that this little heart carries my love for you.” She had kissed Huggermugger and handed him to Chilli.
It was a very odd ceremony and Chilli was sure her grandmother had known she didn’t have long to live. It always brought comfort to Chilli when she remembered that summer’s afternoon. She could still hear the bees on their busy errands and the brilliant sunshine spinning her grandmother’s hair into dazzling silver.
But that was a lifetime ago.
Skrrreeeek!
The screeching of the train’s brakes brought Chilli back to her unpleasant reality. She had finally reached her destination.
She took a deep breath, scraped together what little courage she had left, grabbed her backpack and stepped onto the platform and into the fresh sea air.
Chilli was shocked to see how dark it was. She had been so deep in thought she hadn’t noticed the sun sinking below the horizon beyond the small bay. A few flickering lights buzzed above the darkening platform, squeaking as they swayed in the cold breeze.
She gazed up and down the deserted platform searching for the person who was supposed to collect her. It was deserted. Chilli felt panic rising in her throat. Where’s the Warthog? What if something’s gone wrong? She didn’t know anyone in South Africa, let alone Simons Town. She was feeling very alone and still rattled by her encounter with Nuisance.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she saw something move, a shadow perhaps. No, it was more like the puff of smoke from a dying candle. It drew Chilli’s attention towards the ticket office. She thought she saw a honey-coloured dog’s tale disappear into the station building. Nuisance!
She slung her backpack over one shoulder and ran into the small building. She was determined to find the dog, even if it was just to prove she wasn’t going nuts! Head down, she raced after the dog through the gloomy station building.
“Oof!” she crashed into a tall figure.
“Eeeek!” Chilli screamed and fell backwards against the wall.