In the last weeks of the school year, Lucy threw herself into preparations for the annual school concert. It was decided that instead of cramming parents and children into the cramped staff room that doubled as an auditorium, the play would be held on the spacious grounds of Mountain Shadows Farm.
The morning of the dress rehearsal, a large marquee was erected, and the de Lange family and the workers of the farm had chipped in to build a makeshift stage. A basic lighting and sound rig had been hired for the evening. Lucy and the other staff members had worked many extra hours to ensure the concert would be a success. Props had been built, scenes were painted, and costumes were designed and sewn.
On Friday evening, pupils started arriving with their parents, some in taxis and others in dusty pickup trucks. Lucy was busy backstage, making last-minute adjustments to costumes and makeup. It wasn’t until the house lights went down that she took her place in the front row next to Josh. The marquee was packed to capacity and when the curtains finally went up, the marquee was rocked by thunderous applause. Never before had Swartberg Primary School attempted a concert on this scale.
For an hour and a half, the children thrilled their parents and the audience with their singing and performing. There were some minor mishaps: when the child playing the Tin Man fell over in his creaky tin outfit and had to be helped up, and when a large prop fell clattering to the ground during a dance number. But nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the actors or the audience. When the play ended, the audience leaped to their feet and demanded four encores.
“Well done, Lucy,” Josh said during the standing ovation, his face was flushed with pride.
“It wasn’t only me, you know. It was a group effort,” she said, but her delight was clearly evident.
Before the audience left, Lena Abrahams took to the stage.
“On behalf of myself and the Lourensville community, I would like to thank everyone who made this magical evening possible.”
Lena thanked the de Langes for their generosity and all who had helped with the preparations. She didn’t mention Lucy by name, as Lucy had asked her not to. With all of the bad publicity swirling around her, she had no desire to be the center of attention, not even for a moment. Nevertheless, Lena managed to catch Lucy’s eye and with eyes full of grateful tears, she blew her a heartfelt kiss. It was all the thanks she needed.
The audience began filing out of the marquee. Outside, there were tables laid with delicious snacks and drinks for everyone. It was a glorious summer evening; the breeze was light and the atmosphere festive. The farmhouse was lit with Christmas lights.
“I just can’t get over having the Christmas season in this climate,” said Lucy.
“It’s just such a pity you won’t be here to celebrate it with us.”
Lucy turned around. It was Annette who grabbed her arm gently. “Lucy, that concert exceeded everyone’s expectations. Congratulations,” she said, giving her a warm hug. As usual, Annette was the epitome of understated elegance. She wore a long-fringed cardigan over black pants and low heels, and her gray hair fell to her shoulders.
“It was such a pleasure to be part of it all, a privilege actually,” said Lucy.
“We are all going to miss you so much,” said Annette. By the sad look in her eyes, it was clear she meant was she said.
“Annette, I wanted to tell you I’m so sorry that I’ve brought more stress into all of your lives. I really didn’t mean to. All I wanted to do was to come here and to make a fresh start.”
“Now you listen to me.” Annette’s voice was firmer than she had ever heard it. “There are two versions of events making the rounds. One is from this Palmer family, who sound like an absolutely horrible bunch and the other is from my son. I don’t need to tell you whose version I trust now, do I?”
Lucy felt close to tears. “Your faith in me means more than you will ever know, Annette, and your generosity, in fact the generosity of everyone here…” Lucy was at a loss for words as she looked around at the children, the staff and parents, the farmers and farmworkers.
“You came here for a reason, Lucy. I don’t believe in accidents. You were meant to be here, and I have a feeling, deep down in my gut, that this place, Mountain Shadows, could be your home.” As she said the words, she laid a hand on Lucy’s cheek just in time to catch a single falling tear.
“I know our paths will cross again. I’m sure of it,” said Annette, and with that, she was off, mingling with the guests, thanking the teachers, and congratulating the children.
“Well, I think we can call this evening a flaming success,” said Josh, a beer in hand. Sure beats the pants off the school plays we had. I’m still traumatized from the time I got stuck in a pumpkin costume. They had to cut me out.”
“Well, I was always the third reindeer from the left,” said Lucy, giggling.
“Miss! Miss!” Mikey came running toward her. He had changed out of his lion costume, but he still wore his lion’s nose and whiskers.
“How was I, Miss Shepherd?”
“You, little man,” Josh said, scooping the boy into his arms, “were completely brilliant! In fact, you were the most badass lion I’ve ever seen.”
Mikey glowed with the praise and Lucy had to swallow hard at the sight of him in Josh’s strong arms on this perfect summer evening. There was such promise here, a life she could step into if only…
“Are you ready to go home, Mikey?” Lucy asked.
“Where’s his mother? Didn’t she come?”
“She watched the dress rehearsal.” Lucy sighed. “She said that she wasn’t keen to leave Mikey’s little sister with friends.”
“She could have brought her,” said Josh. “Should I take a ride with you?”
“No, Josh, don’t worry. Stay here and mingle with the guests. I’ll be fine.”
“All right,” he relented. But keep your phone on.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
“I will,” she said. “Come on, mister, let’s go.” She and Mikey walked toward her pickup truck. There were cars and trucks parked all over the place and Lucy stopped briefly to say goodnight to some of her colleagues.
She drove her truck down the main avenue of the farm and soon the road turned to dust. “Did you have fun tonight, Mikey?” she asked.
“It was brilliant! Can I be in the play next year too? Please, please! Can we do a superhero concert? I wanna be Thor with his hammer.” Mikey threw an imaginary mallet.
“I’m not sure what the school will do next year, but I’m sure it will be something just as special,” she said and she couldn’t resist reaching over to ruffle his head.
“But you’ve got to do it, miss. You’re the best!”
“Mikey,” she said, her voice serious now. “Do you remember that I told you where I come from?”
“Of course, I do. You come from America. That’s why you talk so funny.”
“Yep, and very soon, I have to return to America. I have to go home. I won’t be here for the school next year.” When she looked over at Mikey’s face, it was sullen. “I’m really sorry. I wanted to tell you before you heard about it in the school assembly.”
“Will you come back and visit?” he asked. “Or could I come over there and visit you?” he asked, his eyes pleading.
“Well, perhaps someday,” she answered. “But until then, I know that the de Langes will let you Skype me.”
Lucy concentrated hard on the road ahead and swallowed to keep the tears at bay. It wouldn’t be fair on Mikey for her to cry.
“But you must know that wherever I go, I’ll never forget you and you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
The two of them rode the rest of the way into town with the radio on softly. Mikey wasn’t his usual chatty self as he likely digested the news of her leaving. Finally, she pulled up outside his house. Lights burned behind chintzy curtains and there was the sound of a television coming from inside.
Mikey grabbed his backpack and his mother appeared at the crooked gate.
“You should’ve come, Mom. It was way better than the dress rehearsal.”
“Your son was fantastic tonight, Mrs. Smit.”
Sarie Smit only nodded. “Thank you for bringing him home, I appreciate it,” she said.
“It’s a pleasure.” Lucy hesitated at the gate. “Mrs. Smit, I wonder if I could have a quick word with you?”
“Go on inside, Mikey,” said his mother. “Go and get ready for bed.”
Lucy gave him a hug. “See you tomorrow, pal.”
“I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving the school at the end of the year. I have to go back to America.”
If Sarie was surprised, then she didn’t show it. “Thank you for helping my son,” was all she said. Lucy leaned in to give her a hug but then realized that Sarie was offering only her hand to shake.
“Take care, Lucy,” Sarie said and headed up the stairs to her front door.
Well, you can’t win them all. For months, she had tried to win over Sarie Smit, but the woman had resolutely rejected her offer of friendship.
Lucy got behind the wheel of her pickup and quickly texted Josh. On my way home she wrote. Tossing her phone onto the passenger seat, she didn’t notice the car which had pulled out behind hers. Without headlights, it maintained a discreet distance.