Glittering Gallows

Prologue

iv Prologue “Your life is about to change, sweetheart.” “Are you trying to be coy, Regis?” “Today I’ll take you to my uncle, the premier.” “Stop kidding me.” He shook his head. “I must keep my word and take the affair to the next level.” “Which is?” “You’re Pedi, Agnes; you know I must introduce you to Uncle Moagi.” It was Saturday. They were lunching on what a menu termed Grigliata Mista di Carne; mixed grill with chicken pieces, beef sausages, short ribs and minute steak. The venue was an Italian restaurant in a shopping mall on the eastern outskirts of Central Pretoria. Minutes later they emerged holding hands, a gorgeous woman barely twenty-one years old and a handsome man two and a half years her senior. He waved at a taxi and dramatically opened the door for her, smiling and bowing. She climbed into the backseat, her eyes teary and on him, not believing that indeed he was taking her to the residence of the premier of Gauteng Province. If all went well within the hour, she would be introduced to the politician and self-made billionaire, the man who held the governorship reins in Pretoria, Johannesburg and beyond. “Where to, boss?” “Randlord Mansion–the residence of the premier, please,” he answered the taxi driver. “You want me to take you to Bryntirion, sir?” Bryntirion was a decorous ministerial suburb on the eastern grounds of the Union Buildings, the country’s national governmental offices. The State President, the premier of Gauteng, the Provincial Administrator, among other top echelon leaders, had their official residents in the idyllic area. v Regis shook his head and smiled. “The premier lives at his private residence in Wonderboom.” The taxi left the kerb and took the direction of the city centre. “You should’ve told me yesterday, Reggie. Do I meet your uncle like this?” She pointed at her skirt. The hem of the garment was about mid-thigh, and because her wide hips and bulbous fundament were typically African, scandalous. “Agee, I’ve seen you in shorter skirts and shorts than this.” He held her hand in his and squeezed it. “You don’t have to be pretentious, do you?” “Doesn’t the skirt categorise me as a whore? Be honest, Regis.” “Are you a whore, my darling?” “Does Hon. Makgunda know we’re coming?” “Yes and no, babe.” “What do you mean?” “Yes–because I called him yesterday and told him I wanted to see him this afternoon. No–because he has no idea I coming with you.” He pulled her and kissed her on the lips, a light dash. “Perhaps you should’ve hinted him.” “What for, Agee? You worry about petty things.” “Do you want to surprise him?” “He’s too rich and powerful to be surprised by anything. He sits in the Presidential Council.” “Does he know about me?” “I once told him about you some five or so months ago. Maybe he’ll remember.” “What’s going to happen after the visit?” “He’ll find time and inform my father in person. If my father is agreeable he’ll ask to meet you too for appreciation and one or two questions to verify we aren’t related. Incest is taboo in Pedi.” She giggled. “We resemble each other to some extent. Suppose he discovers we’re related, will you ditch me?” “I’ll tell my father to hang himself. I’ll marry you before a magistrate.” Again she laughed. “What’ll happen after I meet your father?” vi “My two uncles and my father will either contribute money towards the bride-price or at least lend weight to our traditional wedding ceremony by attending.” When the taxi was turning north from Pretorius into Hamilton St, Agnes carefully wiped her eyes with tissue paper. “Regis, are you really serious about marrying me?” “Of course, my Agnes; I’m helpless without you.” “Where’ll we live... your parents’ house?” “We’re Catholics. By faith Moses marched the Israelites towards the Red Sea. I’ll find a job as a paramedic or a Non-Destructive Testing technician. There’re many hospitals and engineering firms in Gauteng.” “But that doesn’t say where we’ll live.” “Trust me, babe. I can talk the premier into giving me money to buy a decent cottage or rent a flat until we’re able to stand on our feet. He...