The Story of Bones by Donna Cousins

Author:Donna Cousins [Cousins, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781532035456
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2018-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

13

IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED, I found many things to record in my journal. I wrote down every snippet of bushcraft I overheard from Teaspoon and the guides, starting with the importance of making noise on the pathways at night. I made lists of the birds I saw for the first time and plants that were new to me. Equally notable were the realities of life in an actual safari camp. My fantasies about Ruby and her amazing safaris had never included spacious quarters with fluffy duvets or excellent meals prepared by a chef. They certainly had not included afternoon tea.

Teatime came as a surprise on my first full day in camp. I had worked steadily since breakfast on the assembly of beds, taking only a brief break for a sandwich with Teaspoon and Jaleen. By midafternoon I had finished the last bed. I returned to the pavilion to find Teaspoon arranging a tray of cups and plates.

“I was about to come and find you,” he said. “Would you like a scone?”

“Uh, sure.”

He placed a triangular pastry on a plate and handed it to me. “Do you like your tea white or with lemon?”

I looked at him. “Tea?”

“We’re rehearsing. Nate is trying out new recipes and a new oven. When guests are present, tea and biscuits or cake are served every day at three thirty.”

“They come in from exploring the bush for tea?”

“No,” he said patiently, as if explaining to a child. “They rise from their beds for tea. Our schedule follows the patterns of the animals. We are active early and late. During the hot midday hours we rest. Teatime gathers everyone for the late-afternoon game drive that lasts into evening. Dinner isn’t served until eight or eight thirty.”

During the day’s swelter I had never stopped working, of course. No one had told me that a rest and a shower after lunch were perfectly acceptable, even for staff.

Jaleen, who was pouring herself a cup of tea, overheard. “Don’t get the idea that we sack out for three or four hours like the guests. There is plenty of work to keep everyone busy until teatime.”

I didn’t doubt this. Jackson had mentioned that Good Sam helped in the kitchen, and I had seen a girl with cleaning supplies following Jaleen. But for a camp that hosted a rotating roster of twelve guests in six tents for weeks at a time, the staff seemed pretty lean.

“The beds are finished,” I told Jaleen, swallowing a delicious bite of scone. “When do you expect Chiddy and the mattresses?”

“Late tomorrow. Jackson asked him to start out today, with a stop at your shop to pay the balance owed. He should be well on the way by now.”

It pleased me that Jackson had approved the final payment to Stash even before he had inspected the finished beds. His trust in me squared my shoulders, made me stand a little taller. I noted the pile of lumber waiting to become a bar, both pleased and nervous about the chance to prove myself again.

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