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?"