14 Rage by Wilbur Smith

Author:Wilbur Smith [Smith, Wilbur]
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

When all his best efforts to interest Sean and Michael in the planetary system of the Courtney companies had resulted in either lukewarm and deviously feigned enthusiasm or in outright uninterest, Shasa had gone through a series of emotions, beginning with puzzlement.

He tried hard to see how anyone, particularly a young man of superior intellect, and even more particularly a son of his, could find the whole complex interlinking of wealth and opportunity, of challenge and reward, less than fascinating. At first he thought that he was to blame, that he had not explained it sufficiently, that he had somehow taken their response for granted and had through his own omissions, failed to quicken their attention.

To Shasa it was the very stuff of life itself. His first waking thought each morning, and his last before sleep each night, was for the welfare and sustenance of the company. So he tried again, more patiently, more exhaustively. It was like trying to explain colour to a blind man, and from puzzlement Shasa found himself becoming angry.

‘Damn it, Mater,’ he exploded, when he and Centaine were alone at her favourite place on the hillside above the Atlantic. ‘They just don’t seem to care.’

‘What about Garry?’ Centaine asked quietly.

‘Oh, Garry!’ Shasa chuckled disparagingly. ‘Every time I turn around I trip over him. He is like a puppy.’

‘I see you have given him his own office on the third floor,’ Centaine observed mildly.

‘The old broom cupboard,’ Shasa said. ‘It was a joke really, but the little blighter took it seriously. I didn’t have the heart—’

‘He takes most things seriously, does young Garrick,’ Centaine observed. ‘He’s the only who does. He’s quite a deep one.’

‘Oh, come on, Mater! Garry?’

‘He and I had a long chat the other day. You should do the same, it might surprise you. Did you know that he’s in the top three in his year?’

‘Yes, of course, I knew – but I mean, it’s only his first year of business administration. One doesn’t take that too seriously.’

‘Doesn’t one?’ Centaine asked innocently, and Shasa was unusually silent for the next few minutes.

The following Friday Shasa looked into the cubbyhole at the end of the passage which served as Garry’s office when he was temporarily employed by Courtney Mining during his college vacations. Garry leapt dutifully to his feet when he recognized his father and he pushed his spectacles up on the bridge of his nose.

‘Hello, champ, what are you up to?’ Shasa asked, glancing down at the forms that covered the desk.

‘It’s a control,’ Garry was caught in a cross-fire – awe at his father’s sudden interest in what he was doing and desperation to retain his attention and to obtain his approval.

‘Did you know that we spent over a hundred pounds on stationery last month alone?’ He was so anxious to impress his father that he stuttered again, something he only did when he was overexcited.

‘Take a deep breath, champ.’ Shasa eased into the tiny room. There was just room for the two of them.

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