Chapter 6: Is That Why They Sent You There?

Single White Female

"What for chop today?"

Roast beef, pink in the middle, horseradish sauce, crispy roast potatoes, lashings of gravy, mange tout peas and perhaps a smooth dark chocolate mousse for afters.

"Plassas please, Pa George," I sighed. A full week and I was still here! The trouble was I couldn't bring myself to abandon Philippe before his break. And then there was Klaus, and Lindsey's granny. What would they think if I wimped out within a week?

"Cassava leaf, eight leones, rice, ten leones, onion ten leones." I cringed at the thought of more mashed green leaves spiked with bonga, smothered in bright orange oil. If God would deliver me some chocolate, then my soul was his forever. "Palm oil ten leones, bonga twenty leones. What's your name?"

"Er, Emily. Emily Joy," I replied, trying to keep a straight-face. "And yours?"

"George Williams."

Pa George was called George Williams?! "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Williams." We shook hands solemnly. Conversation! This was progress. "Do you have family?"

"I get one wife an one girl-pickin."

"How old is your little girl?"

"Two rainy seasons."

"And what's her name?"

"Dr-Pat."

"Doctor Pat?"

"Dr. Pat fine doctor," he stated.

"Yes. Yes. Of course."

"Do you get pickins?" he asked.

"Er no. I have no children."

"Do you get man?"

"No. I have no husband."

"Is that why they sent you here?"

 

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