Page 17 of The Secret
I nod, grinning back at her. I’m not sure I’m so positive about the nuances of living in Africa with all the endemic corruption, but I identify with trying to make all the bits of your life fit together.
And escape. I can definitely relate to that.
I really like Liss, but I need to be more measured in my interactions with her.
9
LISS
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
The streaked window of the jeep obscures the view of cattle and low-lying buildings as we bump along the dirt road, heading back to Adebe’s from our day on site. Dan has been away for almost a week, off with one of the aid workers to some of the outlying villages. The new volunteer, Henry, is asleep on the back seat next to me with his mouth open, his head lolling backward. He’s been a welcome relief workwise, but I’ve missed having Dan’s quiet voice and thoughts of an evening, watching his muscles flex in the hot sun.
Dan was perfectly friendly with me before he left, but there was a hesitancy there and I got the impression that I had mis-stepped somehow.Ugh. Dan’s so solid, so grown up, and as he’s shared more about the work he’s doing, I like him more and more. I let out a long sigh and pull at the stitching on the car seat. My usual approach to men doesn’t feel right out here; it’s out of kilter with working on site and sharing a house. That hasn’t stopped Emma, though—she’s been flirting with Dan any opportunity she gets. I study her blonde strands curling around the headrest of the seat in front of me.
As we draw up to the house, Dan is sitting on the veranda, scribbling away in his notebook. He raises his head and squints at the vehicle in the sinking sun as we pull to a halt, and I clench my teeth as Emma squeals, “Dan’s back!”, and shoots out of the jeep repeatedly calling his name.
His grin aimed at her makes something sour curl in my stomach, but when his gaze shifts over her shoulder and his eyes meet mine, something comes over his face, a warmth that causes my insides to twist in a different way. A flock of small birds flutters under my ribcage. Has he missed me, too? As he rises from his chair, Emma flings her arms around him and presses in, and I turn to Henry who’s appeared next to me. He’s been sticking by my side all through the build, eager to learn whatever I can tell him about how to do things right.
When I blink back toward Dan, I find he’s extracted himself from Emma and is heading toward us looking pointedly at Henry and back at me. An introduction. Right. I wave out my hand.
“Henry, this is Dan, our resident academic,” I say, grinning up at Dan’s tight smile, as his eyes flit over Henry’s face.
Henry’s an easy guy, a bit earnest and young, but completely solid. And he’s clearly a little intimidated by Dan’s size and … what is that expression on Dan’s face?
“Good to meet you,” Henry says.
Dan nods at him in that way guys do. “You too—how long have you been here?”
Henry laughs. “A couple of days. I still feel like a total newbie, but Liss has been teaching me everything I need to know.” He turns toward me with a grin, and a frown drops over Dan’s face.
“Not sure I’m adapting to the lack of washing facilities, though,” he adds with a chuckle.
“The showers when you get them become even more valuable, especially if you have company,” Dan smirks, narrowing his eyes at me. I raise my eyebrows.
Henry’s forehead is furrowed. “You have to wash in pairs?”
Dan laughs. “Not really, I was yanking your chain. Why don’t we go and find some beers?”
“Beer o’clock,” I say with a sigh. “My favorite time of the day.”
Later, when we’re all crowded around the makeshift dining table, Dan slides into the seat beside me, cutting Henry on my other side a glance.
“How’s it been, while I’ve been away?” he murmurs as he settles on the stool.
“Okay,” I say, wolfing down a piece of soft bread and chewing. “Having more hands on deck is a relief.” I incline my head toward Henry. “With this extra help, we’ll start the roof next week I think.”
“How long are you here for?” Dan leans over me to address Henry.
“The summer, hopefully. I’m studying plant science. My plan was to understand the strains and stresses on the flora here, the demands of farming, but I’ve discovered the local doctors use indigenous plants for medicine, and that’s much more interesting. Because Liss talks to everyone, she’s managed to arrange for me to meet one.”
Shaking my head at him, I grin. “It was easy enough to do. If you want anything done, you just ask Kiwale.”
Henry leans in and nudges my shoulder. “It’s greatly appreciated. I might even be able to build my final-year dissertation around it.”
Dan’s eyes flick between us before he goes back to his stew.
“What happens when we finish this toilet block?” Henry asks.
