A Timely Invitation

Jen hoped this trip of a lifetime would put things in perspective for her heartbroken daughter

- Sue McVerry

Jen watched her daughter anxiously as they waited for their luggage to appear on the carousel. They were both weary after the long flight but Sylvie looked as though she’d been crying. Jen desperately hoped this trip was just what Sylvie needed to recover from Richard’s betrayal. Had she done the right thing persuading her to come?

Well, there was no point worrying now. They were here. In spite of her worries, her heart gave a skip of excitement. She was back in Africa. The volunteer project sounded amazing. With luck, Sylvie would become too engrossed to spare a thought for Richard.

‘Here, let me help you with that,’ she said as Sylvie’s rucksack appeared. ‘It’s nearly as big as you are.’

‘Hey there, Jen! Good to have you back.’

‘Kit! It’s great to see you again. Sylvie, this is Kit, our boss for the month. This is my daughter, Sylvie. It’s her first time in Africa.’

‘Welcome to Namibia, Sylvie,’ Kit said, shaking her hand and steering them expertly through the crowds to the jeep.

As they bounced along the bumpy track, Kit gave Sylvie some background information.

‘You’ll discover that every animal makes a hole,’ he grinned at her in the mirror. ‘Every bush has thorns the size of logs. Tomorrow you’ll learn how to change a tyre. We’ve had three punctures today already.’

His cheerfulness was infectious and Sylvie smiled back, trying to look braver than she felt.

‘Don’t worry. Soon you will be an expert like your mama,’ Kit reassured her.