– the funloving but hardworking single parent

Hi Readers!  A few days after Tayo left for England to go help out with her two grandsons, I got a lucky break in my travel plans.  My elated travel agent rang me up in the middle of the night, to tell me that she had got me a booking at last.  Even though still sleepy, I was delighted enough to shout ‘Yippee!’ which brought poor nanny who normally sleeps in the adjourning room when we’re both alone in the house, coming to knock on my door to ask if all was well with me.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to have woken you up, nanny,” I apologized.  “I had no idea I shouted. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, madam, when I heard you shout I thought perhaps you were having a bad dream,” responded nanny.  “I haven’t been sleeping too well lately, and even when I manage to go to sleep, I have all sorts of horrible dreams.   I must go report this to the priest in the morning, before the mid day mass.  He’s said special prayers for me about them before.”

Oh, bother nanny!  Should she bother me with that at this time of the night?

I didn’t want to be rude, so, I swallowed my frustration and expressed my sympathy.  I offered to give her a lift to the church to consult the priest the next day.

That pacified her and she bade me ‘good night’ again.   My thoughts immediately went back to my good news, and I was mentally packing up my suitcase for my summer holiday when  Malam rang from the gate through to the intercom in my room.  My heart jumped a bit. Intruders at our gate?  Oh dear!  But our fierce dog wasn’t barking.  They couldn’t have thrown him poisoned meat and killed him, could they?
“Yes, malam?”

“Oga, I heard you and the others talking,” he said in a very loud voice.  “I hope all’s well.”

“All’s well, malam. Are you alright?  This is madam talking, not oga. You know oga doesn’t live here.”  There was silence on his part and I heard his guard’s door open.

“I know, madam,” he said in a hushed tone.  “Er, I didn’t mean to disturb you, but I heard a noise outside the gate, like some people were trying our gate,  so, I had to ring you up and pretend that I was talking to my oga.  You know that when people hear me call ‘oga’ like that, they would think it’s a man, and that the man may have a gun.  I’m near the front door to the house now, that’s why I can talk freely like this.  Can you hear me?”

“I can hear you very well, malam.  How sensible you are!”
I commended him for being that smart and he went back to his room.

In the morning I ‘dashed’ him some money for his vigilance.  I was surprised to see the dog alive and well in his kennel. It was a mystery he hadn’t barked that night. I then took nanny to go consult the priest in church, and I felt good within me for being of some service to members of my household.

While nanny conferred with the priest, I sat on a bench outside, making good use of my rosary.

When we left for home, she seemed decidedly calmer and happier.

I thought I was having a bad dream myself when we got home and found Edmund, who was supposed to be in Angola,  lounging in a garden chair at my place and quaffing beer contentedly.  Where did he spring from?  I may not be in love with him, but I’m always glad to see him.

He sprang up to come open the car door for me, even before I stepped out.  Thought of late dear Vic flashed through my mind as I remembered his refined gentlemanly ways.  A little pain tugged at my poor heart.  He was not free with his money and never lavished money and expensive gifts on me throughout all the years we were engaged, but he made up for it by being such a romantic, writing poems specially for me, and sending me fresh flowers every week.

Long time regular readers know this, so, no need to bore you with more details.

Edmund and I air-brushed cheeks and I asked him where he had sprung from.

“I arrived last night, and I’m staying at the Golden Tulip down the road for two nights, until my apartment in Apapa is well-cleaned.”

“I thought you had a steward in the Boys’ Quarters who keeps the place all the time.”

“He’s still there, but I’ve barred him from going into my apartment unless I’m in town and can check his excesses.   I arrived in the country unexpectedly the other year, and there he was giving a party in my sitting-room, and some of his friends were using my bed.  Can you imagine that?  I called the police in immediately, and all twelve of them spent the night in a cell for disturbing the peace.  I couldn’t charge them with unlawful break-in because the silly fellow is a relation of mine who used to work in one of my hotels in Onitsha, and who I’m seeing through some part-time studies at the university.”

“Hm!  I would throw such a fellow out.  What if the police had found them doing drugs in your apartment?  Or if a fight broke out and one of them was seriously wounded or even dead?  You were too lenient with him.  I would send him back.  After all, he came from somewhere.”

“Er, mama (Tayo’s mum), intervened and after threatening him seriously with eviction, pleaded with me to let him stay, and to continue seeing to his welfare.  She actually brought him from the village for me to help raise, many years ago, as he’s an orphan like me.  He’s changed now, I think, but there’s no way I’m going to allow him entry into my apartment unless I’m in town.”

“But why didn’t you pick a hotel near you there in Apapa?  There are nice ones that are moderately priced.  We do lodge some members of our staff there when they come to Lagos for meeting or training.  This place is too far from your house.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know why.  I wanted to stay where I can see as much of you as possible while the apartment is being cleaned. Tell me you’re as glad to see me as I’m glad to see you,” he said, taking my car keys from me, to re-park the car neatly.

“I should replace this heap for you, if only you’ll let me,” he said as he handed the keys back to me.  “There’s a newer model of Honda than this one, which is good for a lady with class like you, Treena darling.  Can I put a car for you on my budget for the second half of the year?  I can afford it.  This one is beneath you.”

“Stop flattering me!” I told him.  “What’s wrong with this one?  It’s less than six years old, and  Seb bought it for me just two years ago.  So, you can’t replace it.”

“Oh no!”he said, rolling his eyes.  “Must everything you have be bought for you by Seb?  I do have a lot of respect for him, but, he bought you this house, he buys you cars, he pays the domestics, he gives you hefty monthly allowances, etc.  How can one compete with that?  He should set you free, my love.  This is disguised slavery.  He’s engaged to another lady, for goodness’ sake!  Pure selfishness on the guy’s part! ”

I looked at Edmund.  He was dead serious.  I began to think, was there some truth in his acidic remark?

“Edmumd, can you say all this to Seb’s face?” I asked him.

“No, I can’t.” he replied promptly.
“Why not?”

“For one, he’s at your gates right now, about to drive in.  Two, he’s my benefactor in a way, because he financed my business once, but unfortunately the whole thing flopped and he lost his money.  He refused a refund when my business picked up years later, but he’s not forgiven the reckless way I invested his money.”

Long before Edmund ended his comment, I had turned in horror to see Seb driving furiously through the gates.  He parked, and there was a smile on his face as I moved towards him, but as soon as he saw Edmund, he narrowed his eyes and then annoyance flooded his face.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kwenta,” said Edmund politely, getting up from his seat.

“Thanks.  Are you the one that battered taxi is waiting for at the gates?”

“Ah yes.  I didn’t know the driver has returned.  I told him to come pick me up at three.”
“I see.  Couldn’t you have chosen a better rented vehicle, instead of coming to deface this street with something clearly marked for the junkyard?  I felt embarrassed to see such a thing at my gates.  What would the neighbours think?  This is a respectable estate, you know.”

Wrong words!  At his gates?  He may have bought the house, but the gates are mine since I live here.  I didn’t voice my thoughts, of course, but I felt slightly embarrassed for Edmund.  He rose up to the occasion, and apologized for the ‘eyesore’, saying he would drink up and leave.

Seb had to spoil things further by asking if my premises is now a beer parlour.  Edmund explained that he had sent malam to get him some beer to take in the garden while waiting for me.

“Treena and nanny have only just got back, and I haven’t even set foot in the house yet,” Edmund explained. I wondered why.  In his shoes, I wouldn’t bother.  I would let Seb stew in his bad temper. But then, Edmund has a very thick skin.  That’s how he’s been able to make it in Angola.  Seb grunted, then ignored him.

“Treena,” he said, “why did you switch off your phones.  I had to come round when I couldn’t get through to you.  What happened?”

“Oh dear,” I said, bringing out my telephone pouch and checking.  “My goodness!  They’re switched off.  Ah!  Nanny and I went to the church and while there, I switched off my phones.  We’ve only just got back to find Edmund and his beer in the garden.  You’re welcome, Seb dear. Thanks for coming.”

He seemed pacified.  “Actually, I came to remind you that your visa for the U.K. expired in January.  You need to renew right away now that the travel agent has got a booking for you.”

“Are you joking? Thanks for reminding me.  I had no idea.  I would have been embarrassed at the airport.”

“I thought so.  The travel agent rang to tell me last night that she had got you a booking at last. Poor lady!  I had been on her neck all these weeks.  Are you satisfied with what she got you? You don’t have to take it, you know.”

I thanked him and told him I was satisfied.  We were facing each other, but I could see Edmund trying to sneak away, a resigned smile on his face.  Seb suddenly turned and asked if he couldn’t have the courtesy of telling us that he was leaving.

“Mr. Kwenta, sorry.  I didn’t want to disturb the cosy little chat. Treena darling, ciao!” and with an audible  giggle he left.  Seb looked at his receding figure and shook his head.  Me?  I was enjoying every moment.  Sometimes, it’s nice to see Seb get the stick.

Tara.