1928248012 (N) by Elanie Kruger

Author:Elanie Kruger
Language: afr
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781928248026
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Published: 2015-08-01T21:00:00+00:00

Twelve

That Friday afternoon the routine starts as usual. They shower, do their make-up and Nadia does Engela’s hair. Engela has sensed how the other two are becoming more motherly towards her; they have tried all week to make her laugh and relax. She wonders if they know that tonight will be her last night. At seven o’clock – an hour before the doors open – George brings them double whiskies on ice. Just a little appetiser, he jokes. Engela downs her drink the way she has done every night over the last week.

‘No, sister, slow down,’ Nadia scolds her playfully.

Engela giggles. ‘I have to, man, I have to. It’s the only way I’ll survive tonight.’

Nadia knows, because later in the evening she smuggles half a bottle of whisky into Engela’s room. There are three men in the room doing their thing and leaving their mark between Engela’s legs; in between she pours one drink after the other. Only until tonight, she repeats over and over in her mind. Only tonight … tomorrow I go home … home … then I’ll be free.

This Friday is quieter than usual: Engela has had three clients, but Jacky and Nadia only one each. It isn’t even eleven and yet the club is empty. Disappointed and tipsy, Nadia and Jacky sit themselves down at the bar counter for a nightcap before Engela joins them. She wonders if she should say goodbye to them. She won’t be seeing them ever again. But one thing she’s learnt systematically over the past two weeks is to speak as little as possible. And George behind the bar is already looking at her suspiciously. She’s still wondering why when he pours her a drink as well.

‘You Joburg girls have to get ready, the taxi will be here soon,’ Jacques calls from the reception hall.

‘Shit, yes!’ Nadia says and nips her half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray before going to the toilet and then the room to collect her and Jacky’s baggage. They have to be at the bus terminal behind the Free State Stadium before half past twelve to catch the Greyhound back to Johannesburg. Engela takes the half-smoked cigarette from the ashtray and lights it. Outside she can hear the taxi hooting and Jacques opening the security gate. George is sitting opposite her on a bar-stool, but he’s completely plastered.

‘Bye, you!’ the girls shout in unison as they walk briskly through the bar towards the front door. For a moment Engela considers rushing out the door with them. She’ll be gone before Jacques can stop her, and in any case George is too drunk to react. But is she herself sober enough to rush into the dark night? No, she’s not. She also can’t leave behind her suitcase with all her stuff and the money she’s been handed every morning. It’s only a few more hours; when the sun rises she’ll be free. Jacques locks the front door and the gate and says goodnight. He disappears into the kitchen to go out by the back door to the parking area.

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