The wagon drew up in front of them. Marta Reijnhardt stepped down in a cloud of skirts and petticoats, onto the back of a young slave kneeling on his hands and knees. Her figure was ample, with huge breasts decorated by a rainbow of hankies tucked in the front of her dress; her eyes were flinty, inquisitive, and there was a prominent fuzz on her lip. The bonnet matched her outfit, and her hair, heavily pomaded, had two flattened crescents of curl on her forehead.

‘Neeltje!’ She tapped the slave with her cane to indicate he could get up. ‘It’s wonderful to see you. Otto’s right, you have grown up. He’s my doctor, too, you know. When I heard you had come looking for me and went to see Otto Lieberband, I went immediately to see him. He told me about your father.’

‘How are you, Tante Marta? This is Roeloff Kloot.’

Roeloff came forward and extended his hand.

Marta Reijnhardt looked at him, and for a moment Neeltje thought she was going to tap Roeloff with the cane.

‘Otto’s told me about you. I believe you have family in the Cape. Not married yet? Neeltje?’

Neeltje blushed.

‘He’s the bijwoner, Tante Marta. He looks after things for Pa. You’ve had a safe journey?’

‘Yes. I have a new driver, Agt. He understands Dutch and was able to follow instructions.’

‘Agt?’

‘Agt tenen. He has eight toes. The two big ones were cut off when he ran away from a previous owner.’

Neeltje tried not to look at the slave’s feet. She had seen black people before, but not one with as polished a sheen as this young boy. And he was handsome. She’d thought slaves had thick features and woolly hair. Agt was as fine-featured as any white person, only his skin was black. She wondered how Marta Reijnhardt could come on such a long and perilous journey with only a child to protect her.

‘I’ll tell Pa you’re here. Roeloff will help you with your things.’

‘How’s he now?’

‘Almost recovered. I’ll see you inside, Tante Marta.’

Inside the house she took Harman from her father and wrapped him in a blanket, handing him to Twa.

‘Keep him in Roeloff’s quarters. He’s fed and changed, so he’ll be all right.’

Twa took the infant and left.

‘Marta Reijnhardt’s here, Pa. She’s come to visit.’

‘What?’

‘Otto told her about the accident. We also stopped at her farm at Jan Dissels Vlei when we were there, but she wasn’t home.’

‘The news of my illness will reach all the way to Graaff-Reinet, just you wait. Of all times to have to be civil! Why are you sending Harman with Twa?’

‘She’ll ask too many questions, and I don’t want to answer them now.’

‘Why not?’

‘There’s something I have to tell you.’

‘What?’

‘Later. In the meantime, it’s better if she knows nothing.’

‘What do you want to tell me?’

‘Here she comes. Try to look a little friendlier, Pa.’

Marta Reijnhardt stepped inside and filled the kitchen with her scent.

‘Wynand!’ She came gushing towards him. ‘I heard of your illness. How are you? Can you talk?’

‘I can talk, Marta, well enough, and it’s not my hearing that’s affected. What’s that smell of death and flowers you’re wearing?’

Neeltje blanched at her father’s unkindness.

‘You haven’t changed,’ the widow laughed heartily, leaning over to embrace him. ‘I can see it won’t be necessary for my remedy, a man with your spirit. But I’ve brought you dried peaches and beskuit. You enjoyed them last time.’

‘I’m going out to talk to Twa,’ Neeltje said, heading for the door. ‘I need a chicken for tonight’s supper. Make yourself comfortable, Tante Marta. I’ll be in soon to make coffee.’

‘How many times are you going out there to ask him about that chicken?’ Wynand asked.

Neeltje smiled. She knew that although her father complained about the widow, he enjoyed their verbal sparring. Marta Reijnhardt was not to his liking physically, but she was funny and good-natured, and the only woman who stood up to him. Her father needed a little company.

‘It’s Sunday, Pa. We have chicken on Sundays. And Tante Marta’s here.’

She returned to where Roeloff was helping Agt unload the wagon and wondered how long the widow was going to stay and what there was in all those bundles lined up at her feet. She didn’t mind Tante Marta. The widow never came visiting without having something for her. She still had the brush and comb from the last visit.

‘I’ve sent Harman to your quarters with Twa, Roff. You’ll have to look after him yourself for a few days. It’s time you two met, anyway. I’ll still feed him and change him, but until I’ve told Pa, and while the widow’s here—do you understand?’

‘Yes. When will you tell him?’

‘When she’s gone. Before you leave for Roodezand. He’ll want things, and so will I. I’ve made some clothes for Harman out of some of my old dresses, but I will need cloth and pins and extra things for him.’

‘Do you think he’ll agree?’

She looked at him in surprise.

‘Pa looks on you as a son. You’ve done a lot on his farm.’

‘There’s Harman. His mother’s Sonqua. People will know what he is.’

‘You haven’t seen Pa with him. Pa was upset that I sent him to the back with Twa. You would think it was his grandson.’

Roeloff put his hand on hers.

‘You’ll not regret your decision to take me, Neeltje. I have no earthly possessions, but my hands and heart will be yours.’

Chapter Fourteen