Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound

Copyright © 2018 by Bridgitte Lesley

Published by Bridgitte Lesley

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

Publishers note:

HOMEWARD BOUND is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a creation of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously

First Printing: 2018

Bridgitte Lesley

P O Box 612, Uvongo, 4270, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Republic of South Africa

www.bridgittelesley.com

Table of Contents

Homeward Bound

Acknowledgement

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

About Bridgitte Lesley

Connect with Bridgitte Lesley

Other Titles by Bridgitte Lesley

If you enjoyed Homeward Bound

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my Mom without whose help this book would never have been completed.

Thank you for your patience and guidance, your use of the editor’s red pen…

CHAPTER 1

Jazz drove along with her enormous mobile home hitched behind her van. She made sure to stick to the slower lane. It was cumbersome driving with such a weight behind the van. Jazz watched the signs and slowly turned off of the main road. She was glad she was almost at her destination. It was slow going as she took her time and drove up the mountain on the rocky gravel road. Being on her own there was no one to rely on if something untoward happened. She eventually found the piece of land she had been given for her birthday. Jazz smiled as she looked at the enormous site. Deciding where she wanted to park the mobile home she slowly drove and inched the van forward. She put the brake on and climbed out and checked that she was in the right position. Jazz unhitched the mobile home and made sure every stabilizer of the mobile home was in place. She was ready for anything life threw at her. Jazz locked the van and walked in to the mobile home. There was almost nothing to do. Her fridge and freezer were both stocked. She had enough supplies to last a month. Jazz closed the door and locked it and reached for her bag. She took two painkillers and her medication and swallowed them down with a glass of water. Jazz made her way to her bedroom and took off her boots. She climbed straight in to bed and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes. The long trip had taken its toll on her. It had been a strain concentrating on her heavy load. Making sure she arrived without a hitch.

Bert made his way up the mountain heading for home. He slowed down when he saw the mobile home parked on the empty stand. He looked at the brand new van parked next to it. Bert didn’t like people trespassing on his mountain. Not that it was his mountain, but he lived a short way away. He wrote down the registration number of the van. Bert parked his van and walked over to the mobile home. He banged on the door and waited. He tried the door lever, but it was locked. Being inquisitive he moved to one of the windows and put his hands up to block out the light. Only there were blinds on every window. He couldn’t see inside the mobile home. He walked off and grunted with disgust. Bert would make sure to keep his eye out for any movement. He climbed in to his van and drove home. He was so irritated not knowing who the van and mobile home belonged to. He walked in to the cabin and smiled. Well! You are right on time. I bet you are hungry, Ida said.

Bert grinned and nodded. I am ravenous, he said.

It is Friday. Fish and chips today, she said.

I like fish and chips. All good today? he asked.

All good. The weather forecast doesn’t look too good for the weekend. More rain, she said.

I am glad for the cooler weather. Did Joe bring in more wood? he asked.

He did. He piled up the wood. You don’t even have to step out of the cabin this weekend, she said.

Oh I have no intention of moving. Do you and Joe have plans for the weekend? he asked.

The grandchildren are here for the holidays. We are going to take them down to the beach. If the weather holds off for a while. If it does rain, we will be staying indoors and they will probably be on the computer playing computer games. They love it here. Joe loves it because they are keen to help when he feeds the animals. Which reminds me. Joe slaughtered a few more chickens. I cleaned them and put them in the freezer, she said.

Thank you. Joe normally gets to hear what is going on around here. I noticed a mobile home down the road. On that empty stand. With a brand new van. Have you heard anything? he asked.

Joe didn’t mention anything. I wonder if that couple is going to build? she asked.

That elderly guy? I remember when he bought the place. I forgot about him. He was on his own though, he said.

Definitely married. When we chatted to him he spoke about his wife. Jasmine. I think her name is Jasmine. Raef and Jasmine, she said.

I’ll find out when I drive past. Enjoy your weekend Ida, he said as he sat down and she put his plate on the table. This looks really good, he said, and she smiled as she walked out. Bert sat and thoroughly enjoyed his fish and chips. He sipped at his coffee. He wondered if it was Raef and his wife. He didn’t like intruders. They were high up on the mountain and everyone had to stick together. Not that they ever had problems with people trespassing but there was always a first.

Jazz woke up in the morning and looked out of the window. The wind was howling, and the rain was almost gushing down in buckets. She didn’t even open the door. Jazz sat and had her breakfast and climbed straight back in to bed. She took her book and started reading. There was no rush.

Bert walked out of the cabin. He was so inquisitive about the truck and mobile home. The road was treacherous, but he drove down the mountain and pulled up to the van. He climbed out of his van and walked over to the mobile home. He started banging on the door. There was still no response so he walked around the van. Nothing looked suspicious. The owners had probably parked the mobile home and van and had driven off to return later. He walked back to his van and climbed in and drove home. It was eating at him not knowing what was going on.

Jazz spent the entire weekend in the mobile home. On Monday morning the skies seemed to clear, and the sun came out. It was still a little cool. Jazz put her jeans on and dressed warmly. She slipped in to her boots and walked out of the mobile home. Jazz took the plans of her cabin and walked over to the enormous rock which overlooked the ocean. She sat on the rock and smiled as she looked at the beautiful sight. The ocean was so wild with the weather they had just had. She opened the plans and studied them. Jazz turned and saw the markers Raef had already knocked in to the ground. It meant she could start clearing the area. The soil would be loose and she would be able to clear it easily. She took the plans and walked back to the mobile home and put them inside. She took the spade and slowly started digging the little trench from one marker to the next. Marking the outline of the new cabin. Although the cabin would be on stilts, the ground still had to be cleared for the vehicles to park. There would be no concrete slabs to park on. Jazz preferred the rustic look. It took her the entire day, but that is what she had set out to do. As the sun set she went straight to her mobile home. Jazz sat and watched television. She had to concentrate as she watched. After the news she made herself a meal and sat down to eat. Cleaning up after herself. She was obsessive with cleanliness. Once she finished tidying up, she had her shower and climbed in to her pajamas. She had her painkillers and medication and climbed straight in to bed. She always slept well. The painkillers seemed to have the effect of helping her sleep.

She was up early in the morning. Jazz made a flask of coffee and took a few rusks and walked over to the enormous rock. She sat and had her coffee and her rusks. Admiring the beautiful scenery. She closed her flask and sat for a while.

Bert drove down the mountain and immediately spotted her sitting on the rock. He didn’t know who she was, but she did not look like an elderly woman. Raef was deep in his seventies. He parked the van and walked over to her. Excuse me, he said. He cleared his throat and repeated himself. He stood and waited for her to respond. There was no reaction. After a while he yelled. Excuse me! Jazz still didn’t respond. Bert walked closer and nudged her on her shoulder. Jazz got such a fright. She turned with such speed and fell right off of the rock and plummeted down the hill. Oh God! Bert said and inched himself down the hill. Jazz clutched at every little branch she could and almost crawled back up the hill. She looked up when she saw a pair of boots. Bert put out his hand, and she looked up at him. She got up without his help. I apologize, he said, and she watched his mouth as it moved.

Sure, she said and walked back to the rock and took her flask. Bert followed her as she walked. She suddenly turned and looked at him. Can I help you? she asked.

Who are you? This property belongs to Raef Daniels and his wife, Bert said. She frowned and nodded.

Yes. It does, she said.

Are you his daughter? he asked.

No. I am not Raef’s daughter. Raef passed away a month ago. I am Jasmine, she said, and he saw the tears spring to her eyes.

I am sorry. I didn’t realize, he said, and she nodded and slowly walked away. How did he die? he asked and didn’t get a reaction from her. Bert felt as though there was something wrong. He followed her, and she put the flask down and looked up at him. How did he die? he asked.

We were in an accident. It was a head on collision. Raef died instantly, she said and Bert nodded. Who are you? she asked.

Bert Munroe. I live on the property next door. Are you here to get away from it all after your accident? he asked.

Jazz frowned. Repeat that, she said. I didn’t hear the last bit.

Are you here to recuperate after your accident? he asked.

No. I am here to build, she said.

You? Build? he asked and snorted.

Get off of my property please. You are trespassing, she said and walked off towards the mobile home.

Trespassing! Excuse me! You still haven’t answered me. Who are you? What were you doing in the car with Raef? Are you a relative? Don’t walk off and ignore me! he shouted. He watched as she walked to the mobile home and went inside without responding to him. She came out minutes later with her gloves. I don’t appreciate you not answering me, he said.

Jazz looked up and seemed to ignore every comment he had made. Please leave, she said as she looked at him.

I am going to get to the bottom of this, he said and walked off fuming.

Jazz shook her head and carried on clearing the ground. She had to remove every single root. It was hard going. The month ticked by at a slow pace. There were days Jazz slept the day away. Bert watched the goings on as he travelled by every morning and every evening. He stopped one evening and saw the van was missing. Bert carried on driving. He hadn’t been able to get any information about the woman.

Jazz drove on to her piece of land and climbed out of the van. She carried all her supplies in to the mobile home. She had been for her checkup and the news was not good. Nothing had changed. Physically she was fit and healthy. After packing everything away she took her fish and chips and sat in her camp chair just outside the mobile home. She sat and drank her glass of wine and enjoyed her meal.

Bert got up after eating and drove down the mountain. He spotted her van and pulled over. He walked over to her. Jazz looked up, and he looked at her eyes. He could see she had been crying. May I join you? he asked.

Are you here to fight with me? she asked and watched his mouth as he spoke.

No, he said.

Fetch a camp chair from inside the mobile home. I have wine or beers if you prefer, she said, and he walked inside and smiled. Everything was neat and tidy and well organized. He took a beer from the fridge and the camp chair and walked outside and joined her.

He sat and opened his beer. Not a good day? he asked. She didn’t respond, and he looked at her. She looked at him and smiled. Not a good day? he asked.

Jazz sighed and shook her head. Not really. Checkup today. All they do is renew my script and make a new appointment. My cabin isn’t ready. It should have been ready last week. Everything has been pushed back by a week. So everyone is getting rather agitated with me, she said and looked at her wine glass. Bert got up and took her glass and she smiled as he walked in to the mobile home and filled her glass. He walked back and handed it to her. Thank you, she said and looked at him.

Why is the cabin not ready? he asked and looked at her as she stared at her glass. He moved his hand, and she looked up at him. Why is the cabin not ready? he asked again.

Because they are disorganized. Something about transport and a team. I am not stupid. I can’t phone them every day and nag at them. On top of that I am a female. I went in there today and blew my top. Not that it is going to help. After that I saw the doctor for my checkup. My blood pressure was sky high. Well naturally. No change on your condition the doctor says. I know that! Give me good news. All I want is good news. But here I sit and wait, she said and looked at him.

What company are you dealing with? he asked. Jazz gave him the name, and he nodded. My brother’s company, he said.

Don’t get involved. Raef paid the deposit and I have a deadline. If it isn’t built by then they don’t get the balance. If they are late, there is a penalty. The clock is ticking. I didn’t appreciate the woman at reception. She wasn’t at all helpful, Jazz said and held her head. I need to fetch my painkillers, she said and put her wine glass down and got up. Bert watched as she stood for a little while as if to steady herself and then walked inside to fetch her tablets. She walked outside with a bowl of crisps and another beer. She sat down and had her tablets.

Your order. Who ordered the cabin?