‘He’s dangerous, Elsie, and getting worse,’ Drieka said. ‘Something’s got to be done. Willem’s sick at this whole business. He can’t control David, and you know his health isn’t good. And he already blames himself.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘For Roeloff. He feels that David is his punishment.’

‘I never did believe that Roeloff killed that stallion.’

‘He didn’t,’ Diena said.

‘How do you know?’ Elsie asked.

‘Sanna said Hennerik saw David and Soela in the barn.’

‘I thought it was Roeloff with Soela in the barn.’

‘That was earlier. Later, while we were in the kitchen and Roeloff was sleeping, David and Soela went out there. He forced her. When Soela cried, he hit her and said it was to remind her of her sin. He was later seen coming back to the barn by himself. Hennerik was too afraid to say anything.’

‘Did you know this, Drieka?’

‘I only found out later.’

‘Did you tell Willem?’

‘What good would that do? Roeloff had already gone. And things are bad enough. The other day David raised his hand to his own father.’

‘It would help Willem, if he knew. That’s what’s eating at him. If he knew for certain it wasn’t Roeloff, he could still do something about making amends. He could send the kommando to look for him, make things right. Willem has to right that wrong. He probably knows in his heart that it wasn’t him. Roeloff was always his favourite, Harman told me. That boy reminded him of Lisbeth.’ The reference to Willem Kloot’s first wife had popped out before she could stop herself.

Drieka coloured a little.

‘Then why was he always at him? Roeloff could do no right in his eyes.’

‘Who knows? People sometimes do things they don’t understand. Why does your brother do what he does?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Never mind.’

‘I want to know what you mean.’

‘I’m sorry, Drieka. That was wrong of me. Forget what I said. All I meant is that everyone has faults. We have no quarrel. Tell Willem what you know, it’s not too late.’

‘I don’t know if he would do anything. You know how he is.’

‘Whether he will or not, you have to calm his mind. He’s racked with guilt. Now, I must go talk to Soela.’

Elsie found Soela in her childhood room, lying next to Bessie on the bed.

‘I’ve not seen you since October, Soela. You sent no word about how things were going.’

‘Things are as you see them, Ma.’

‘I can see from those bruises on your face. What did he do, take his fist to you?’

Soela didn’t answer.

‘There’s too much hate. He can’t forget the past,’ Elsie said.

‘I’ve paid for the past. Over and over. I no longer feel bad about what I did.’

Elsie was not a demonstrative woman. She stood at the foot of the bed and studied her daughter. Soela had changed; her dress had a button missing, and her hair, usually neatly brushed and left loose for special occasions, was a dirty yellow plait tied with an old ribbon. She took the thick braid in her hand, feeling the plaiting with her fingers.

‘I’m sorry I sent you back.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

‘It is. You didn’t want to go. It was your future I considered, yours and Bessie’s, but there is no future. You’ll die early if you stay with him. You have to leave for your own sake.’

Soela looked hopeful for the first time.

‘What are you saying, Ma?’

‘This is your last night with him. You won’t go back to Kloot’s Nek. Tomorrow he goes home by himself.’

‘I don’t have to go back? Ever?’

‘No.’

‘Oh, Ma,’ Soela hugged her.

‘You and Bessie will be all right here. We’re all here to help. There’s just one thing.’ She put her hands on Soela’s shoulders and looked in her eyes. ‘Lourens is going to speak to your father about Diena. I don’t want you upsetting things.’

‘Ma …’

‘Your sister will take a husband. Diena has not yet been married. You’ve already had a chance.’

‘Ma, I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. I’ve always known about Lourens and Diena. I’m happy for them, they’re well suited.’

‘Good. I just wanted you to know. Diena has always let you have things she’s wanted for herself. But not this time, Soela. Lourens is going to be hers. Now, about tonight. There’s no avoiding it; they are staying over. The men will drink themselves to a standstill and fall into bed. You’re all right for the time being. In the morning, your father will talk to him.’

‘What if Pa doesn’t agree?’

‘Your Pa will do as I say. Go to bed early and avoid him.’

The night ended as Elsie predicted, with the men drinking until they had passed out on the stoep. She had no idea of when anyone went to bed, but some time after midnight Elsie surfaced uneasily from her sleep. There was no moon, the air was thick and engulfing, and she lay for a few minutes in the stillness, wondering what had woken her up. Then she heard it, a scuffling. She turned to her husband, but Jan wasn’t there. Was it him arguing with someone on the stoep? She got up and tiptoed to the door. All was quiet. She returned to bed, and tossed restlessly until finally she drifted off.

At dawn she was jerked out of her sleep by screams coming from the next room.

‘… and I’ll tell! …’ she heard Soela’s voice.