Chapter 2
Alice put down the phone. Her old college friend, Simon Clifford, had been on business in Jo'burg and had decided to extend his stay in South Africa by a couple of weeks. It had been a while since he'd had a proper holiday and it also would give him the opportunity to catch up with Alice, with whom he'd once shared a house, along with four other friends. He'd been very apologetic when he explained that he'd booked a suite at Mara Lodge. Alice smiled to herself. It didn't surprise her one bit. Roughing it at Leopard's Den wasn't really Simon's style.
The yellow taxi stopped directly outside the veranda. Caroline, Dup's wife, observed the man as he got out of the cab. He was about six foot tall and in his mid-thirties. He was handsome in the old fashioned movie star sense: dark hair, slightly greying at the temples; a strong jaw-line and broad muscular shoulders. His dress sense was also impeccable: dark navy Armani pin-striped suit; crisp white linen shirt opened casually at the neck, solid silver cufflinks and a pair of very expensive Italian black leather shoes.
"Simon!" Alice exclaimed, hurrying down the stairs to greet him. They kissed affectionately, European style, on both cheeks.
Although twelve years older than when she'd last seen him, he was still incredibly attractive. She also noted that he'd obviously done very well for himself since graduating from Glasgow University - his shirt alone had probably cost more than she earned in a month!
Dup glanced at Caroline, who gave him a knowing look. Anders instinctively didn't like this man. He was implausibly good looking, nauseatingly charming and his immaculate appearance suggested he spent far too much time looking in the mirror.
"My God, Alice, you look gorgeous!" Simon gushed.
Alice blushed as he looked her up and down. She felt extremely underdressed in her turquoise vest top and tight denim shorts. Instinctively, she turned to Danny for reassurance that the remarks hadn't upset him, but he was completely oblivious, totally immersed in a veterinary guide of some sort.
"Simon, this is my husband, Danny," Alice stated, expecting Danny to welcome her visitor in his usual friendly manner.
Danny looked up fleetingly and acknowledged Simon with an insignificant nod, before returning to the manual. Alice glowered at him. How dare he treat her guest like that!
Thirty minutes later, the tension in the air on the Leopard's Den veranda was so thick it would have needed a chainsaw to cut it. After sitting for the whole time without saying a word, Danny got up and headed for the study. He made no attempt to acknowledge anyone as he left. Alice was furious at his lack of courtesy and stormed after him.
"What the hell are you playing at?" Alice ranted, "Could you have been any ruder to Simon?"
"Well it might have escaped your notice, Alice, but some of us are doing two people's work at the moment", Danny interrupted sarcastically, "And I'm far too busy to be playing host and making small talk with your friends."
"That's your problem, Danny," Alice continued tersely, "It's always about you!"
The heated exchange continued for several more minutes. Every single word was clearly audible to the audience on the veranda. Caroline and Dup sat extremely embarrassed by the outpourings.
"Trouble in paradise!" Simon thought to himself, a cunning smile breaking out on his face.
The early morning sun had just begun to peep through the curtains. The alarm of the bedside clock signalled loudly that it was now 6.30 a.m. Alice turned over and reached to turn it off. Danny's side of the bed was empty. The crease-free sheets and pillows showed that he hadn't slept there last night.