The morning sun rose slowly over the African savannah, yawning its warming rays lazily across the plains and lighting up a pristine new day. As Bushman rabbits scampered for cover outside the Wrens’ home, and jacanas and snipes warbled in the distance, everything appeared entirely normal to the unsuspecting eye. Just another day.
Inside the house, Phoebe stretched and yawned as the light from the bright new day outside shone in through the little crack where her curtains had not quite been pulled closed. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, and for a confused moment she could not decipher exactly where she was. Surely she must be in Ireland, in the Quills’ spare bedroom, and at any minute Ella would knock her door and call gently, “Phoebe, are you awake?” But the familiar call never came, and it slowly dawned on Phoebe that she was in fact back in Africa – this was real, she hadn’t dreamed the last twenty four hours. Phoebe realised too that this day, Thursday 15th July, had been the day that had changed her life forever in the worst possible way, and the realisation made her shudder. As her train of thoughts advanced, Phoebe remembered that there would be no aeroplanes or flights involved in this day, therefore no crash could be evoked and – for now at least – she and her parents were alive and well. She smiled a broad smile of thankful contentment, and breathed a heartfelt ‘thank you’ as she threw back the bedspread and prepared to face the day that never was.
Phoebe clambered out of bed, stretched her arms up over her head, then grabbed her pink fluffy robe and pulled it on over her nightdress. She stepped out into the hallway, tying the robe’s belt around her as she descended the stairs. From below, she could hear the happy chatter of her parents as they prepared breakfast, and the simple wonder of family breakfast struck her anew and made her smile.
“Good morning Dad, good morning Mum,” Phoebe said as she entered the kitchen. “Something smells good!”
“Morning Honey,” smiled Eva. “Did you sleep well? We thought we’d treat ourselves to a nice big breakfast this morning. Are you hungry?”
Phoebe nodded that she was, and sat down at the big wooden table where the Wrens had enjoyed many family meals together.
“Anything you want to do today, Phoebe?” asked Jack, as he set a huge plate full of eggs and bacon on the table in front of her.
“Thanks Dad,” said Phoebe, “Looks great!”
“It is!” grinned Eva, who was already tucking in to her own breakfast.
“There’s nothing in particular I want to do today, I’ve said all my goodbyes and packed all my stuff, so I’m not fussy.” Phoebe set her knife and fork down just long enough to swallow a gulp of hot tea before getting back to her bacon and eggs. “What do you reckon? Is there anything you still need to do?”
“Well,” said Jack, taking his place at the table beside his wife and daughter. “Your Mum and I thought we might just go back to the hospital, see if we can help any more with the tidy up operation. We got on well with it yesterday, but there will be a lot more to do, and since we have this unexpected free day, we thought we might as well pitch in. You can join us if you want, or just hang out with Dem, it’s entirely up to you.”
Jack didn’t wait for Phoebe’s response, and wasted no time in starting his breakfast. Phoebe looked at her parents, happily enjoying their breakfast, and realised that they couldn’t possibly be aware of the implications of the next forty eight hours. She toyed with the idea of telling them the whole story – right here and now, over breakfast. They were alone and she would have their complete attention; this could be the perfect opportunity for Phoebe to let Jack and Eva in on her incredible secret. But as Phoebe played the potential conversation silently through in her head, she realised just how absurd and implausible it sounded, and she decided that it would be much simpler to keep it just between her and Demetrius.
“I’ll probably just call with Demetrius,” she said at last. “Maybe help him with his packing, he’s bound to have a lot to do! I can’t believe you made arrangements for him to come home with us, it’s gonna be so great!” Phoebe was genuinely delighted by the prospect of Demetrius joining her in Ireland, and her face reflected her joy.
“We reckon a new start back in Ireland will be so good for Demetrius,” said Eva, her kind eyes smiling at the thought of the young boy who had become like a son to her. “I know he has Esau and Martha here, but with Julius and Teddy gone, he has no real ties in Africa, and your Dad and I feel that Ireland opens up so may opportunities for him. He’s such a smart kid – like you, Phoebs!”
“Mum, we are not ‘kids’,” Phoebe started to protest, but she caught the twinkle in her mother’s eye and realised that she was being teased. “Oh ha ha ha, Mother,” she quipped, and rolled her eyes as Jack and Eva laughed together at how easily Phoebe had taken the bait.
The family finished their breakfast, chatting animatedly about Ireland and how good it would be to get back there and catch up with family and friends. Phoebe helped Eva to tidy up and wash the dishes, then she went back upstairs to get washed and dressed. It was already 10:00am, and Phoebe was excited to get round to Dem’s house.
Jack and Eva shouted up the stairs to Phoebe before they left the house, and she came downstairs dressed casually in cut off jeans and a faded grey tee shirt to hug them before they set off.
“Now, you can come over to the hospital any time you like, and we both have our cell phones so just call if you need anything, okay?” said Jack as he tousled Phoebe’s wavy hair. “Do you want a ride over to Demetrius’s? It’s on our way.”
“No, thanks,” replied Phoebe. “It’s such a lovely morning, and I fancy a walk. It’ll give me a chance to think for a while.”
“No problem Honey,” said Eva. “See you later.” She hugged her daughter and tousled her mousy hair then she and Jack walked across the back yard, climbed into their Jeep, and headed off in the direction of the hospital leaving Phoebe with the whole day in front of her. ‘At least today can’t be any worse than it was first time round!’ Phoebe mused as she searched for her cell phone and got ready to leave the house.