Glittering Gallows

Chapter 23

157 C Chapter 23 lone on a shiny ball-and-claw dining table in her allocated quarters, Heidi Gaynor breakfasted on oats, omelette, baked beans, smoked sausages, ham and bacon a resident chef brought her. She was in a reserved two-piece suit for good impression. Refreshed and having rested a little, she appeared ready to be interviewed for a formal position. At five minutes to ten o’clock, about two hours after her arrival at Randlord Mansion, a light tap came on the door and the butler, Divine Kakudji, walked in as she was washing her hands. He was in a black tuxedo complimented with a white shirt and trousers and black shoes. The chef, who brought her the breakfast, carried an empty tray. He walked behind the dwarf and made for the table to clear it. “The lord of the house will meet you now,” the dwarf said, standing stiffly at a distance and nodding his head cordially. “You can follow me. No one wants to keep Hon. Makgunda waiting.” If the butler hadn’t smiled good-humouredly when he made the final statement, she might’ve taken it as a stern warning. The man led her out of the room. She followed him through passages but kept a safe distance from him, a prejudicial precaution. After growing up sceptical and fearful of dwarfs and having watched them swallowing flames of fire and swords in Russian and gypsy circuses on television, she thought them wicked. Medieval gilded artworks, some French and familiar and some unknown to her, decorated the passages. Divine Kakudji, for that was what the Ghanaian had said was the butler’s name, led her into a rear sunbathed drawing room where the premier was sitting in a chair. In dark sunglasses, a funereal Italian suit, shirt and necktie, the man was deathly. Heidi was pleasantly surprised when the man rose to shake her hand. A 158 “Miss Heidi Gaynor, I presume. My name is Moagi–Moagi Makgunda, the lord of the house and the premier of Gauteng Province.” “Heidi Gaynor, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She found his hand warm and feminine-soft. “The pleasure is thoroughly mine, Heidi. You’re in good hands. How was your flight?” He gestured to a chair adjacent to his. Both sat. “It challenged me to some extent, but I coped, sir.” “How was your breakfast?” “English and scrumptious, I must say. Thank you.” She glanced warily at Divine Kakudji standing two paces from her. “The butler appears to frighten you, Miss Heidi. It might sound odd because already the man served you from the time you arrived at the threshold, but formalities are proper.” He turned to the dwarf. “Divine Kakudji, meet Miss Heidi Gaynor, a new staff member from London. Miss Heidi... Divine Kakudji.” The dwarf crossed to her and shook her hand. Even though she was seated, she remained taller than the man. His grip was firm, vicelike . “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr Divine Kakudji.” “I’m pleased to meet you too, Miss Heidi. I wish you a long stay.” “He’s a goodhearted man. He comes from a family of dwarfs in the Congo,” the premier added. “I assure you he’s harmless. Once you make yourself see him with the eyes of a tourist he’ll fascinate you. I find him very fascinating myself, one of Randlord’s riveting attractions.” “It’s a matter of time, sir, I’ll get used to him.” “There’s always a false air of savage raillery about dwarfs. Divine Kakudji bears everything with good humour.” He cleared his throat pleasantly. “You’ll serve as one of my PAs and also as governess over my three children. Of course, someone is employed as their governess and they’re well-behaved children. Nothing is delinquent about them. But their mother travels a lot to Dubai and other places.” 159 “I haven’t got governess experience. I don’t have the required skills to—” He laughed. “This is Africa, Miss Heidi. You’ll learn on the job. You’ll insinuate English manners and etiquettes in the children and teach them proper pronunciation. I don’t want them to grow into educated barbarians or xenophobic thugs. You know what I mean.” “Yes sir, but I want you to know from the outset that I’m seventeen.” Moagi showed sharp resentment of the disclosure. “How much...