Free I SHALL FIND YOU by Ony Bond Page B

“Dad’s afraid I might like Free.”
    “I never meant to hurt Charlie. Loved him.”
    She burst into explanations about how she had made a terrible mistake. Rose’s face was stony as she watched her cry.
    “Hard to think you did.”
    “I was just so ashamed, Rose, and didn’t want you to know. Betsy blew the whistle.”
    “Where’s Charlie now? Are you in touch with him?”
    Loyce had found out where he was. He had made his way to Botswana where he worked at a service station. She had asked for forgiveness. Her letters were returned unopened. Charlie had not even bothered to open them.
    “Do you expect him to forgive you after what you did? You didn’t love him enough to face your family and stand with him.”
    Loyce cried again. “I don’t know what to do. It’s tearing me apart. I want his forgiveness. I got his number and called him. He told me he never wants me to call him again, said I was a prostitute. What shall I do? I cheated. You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to tell you. Never wanted my sister to turn against me.”
    “What you did was callous, Loyce.”
    “Don’t walk away from me, Rose.” She held her sister's arm. “You like Godfree?”
    “Yes, we’re going to the seaside together tomorrow.”
    “He asked you out?”
    “Yeah. Don’t go telling Mom and Dad now.”
    “Ok, will leave that to you. Hey sis.”
    “Yes.”
    “Don’t make the mistake I did. I liked a guy, betrayed him, didn’t realize what I had until it was too late.”
    “I don’t intend to.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER 12
     
    Time to leave for the allotment. As he headed for the door the bell rang. A pregnant black woman stood in the yard. He recognized her.
    “Good morning. May I help you?”
    “May I see you? I’m looking for someone. May I come inside?”
    He let her enter, offered her a seat. She thanked him.
    “I’m Mrs Mago. I believe you knew my husband as Moto, and he visited you on Thursday night.”
    “Yes. Did he send you?”
    No, she understood her spouse wanted forgiveness for his past, wasn’t happy about things he did. Yesterday he left for the night shift but hadn’t returned home. Her calls to his mobile went unanswered. She wondered whether Godfree knew where he was.
    He shook his head, a frown on his face. “No. He hasn’t been back here since Thursday. Does he drink, stay away sometimes?”
     She said he was faithful, always came straight home from work. His absence didn’t make sense.
    “Mrs Mago, did he tell you what happened here?”
    “All he said was you were angry and told him to leave. That was understandable as he had treated you badly. What did my husband do?”
    “He never told you?”
    “Not in depth. Only that he was employed by the government to deal with opposition political party members.”
    He told her husband was the best to explain but since she had asked he would enlighten her. She urged him on. Briefly he narrated the rally, his torture and Aaron’s murder. Moto wasn’t popular, did horrible things. Enough for Godfree to consider knifing or making him sit on a red-hot stove when he came here. Couldn’t, because of her and that unborn child she carried. In addition, facing his demons and coming to apologize played a role. Forgiving Moto wasn’t easy. It would take time. Her husband never returned to this place after Thursday.
    Mrs Moto wept, shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry for how he hurt you.”
    “Let me show you my house. That way you’ll be sure before you leave he isn’t locked in my basement.”
    “It’s alright. I don’t believe he is here. You didn’t hurt him when he was here alone with you. Where is he? That’s why the disappearance doesn’t make sense.”
    “I’m sure you will see him soon.”
    “But why isn’t he answering his phone then? Something’s wrong.”
    “Would you mind a drink or tea?”
    “If it’s not a bother.”
    “Not at all.”
    “Tea will be fine, thank