by Rivka Spicer
“Ma’am, are you okay?” An air stewardess was at her side instantly, her voice filled with concern and Jen managed a queasy grin.
“Yes, thanks.” Straightening up she staggered down the stairs in a daze and shuffled along with the other passengers into the airport terminal. If she’d ever had any doubt that they were memories it was blown away by what she’d just experienced. She knew she’d been here before. She could have wept when Kim appeared out of nowhere brandishing one of the little stamps that passed for a visa and waved her through to collect her luggage.
“Are you ok?” Kim asked as they waited for the suitcase after they’d dispensed with the hugs and greetings.
“Not really.” Jen looked pale beneath her make-up. “Being here…the smell…Kim it’s so…” She searched in vain for an appropriate word. “It’s so familiar.” She finished lamely. Kim squeezed her arm reassuringly.
“It might just be tiredness and nerves.” She offered gently. “Perhaps you’ll feel better in the morning when you can make a better judgement.” Jen nodded but in her heart she knew she was right. The dust and heat were so alien to anywhere she’d ever been before that the fact it was familiar told her all she needed to know.
It didn’t take too long for her luggage to be unloaded but everything at the airport was so disorganised that by the time they had located her suitcase and hauled it out to the front of the airport they had to wait several minutes for a taxi.
Thankfully they’d landed at night and on the drive to the hotel they couldn’t really see much in the darkness. The driver parked them right outside the door and porters were instantly on hand to whisk Jen’s luggage away while she checked in. The hotel was beautiful and, thankfully, fully air conditioned. The heat outside was blistering even in the breeze so the cool air on her skin was such a relief. The lobby had the most magnificent chandelier Jen had ever seen, almost fifty feet long, and she’d never seen so much marble in her life. That was impressive given the fact that she’d grown up in a wealthy family surrounded by other wealthy families, most of whom lived in sprawling estates with large manor houses. The staff behind the counter were exceedingly polite and had no idea who she was other than what was printed on her booking slip which Jen found strangely relaxing. There were no paparazzi here constantly stalking people so that they could fill the celebrity pages of the tabloids.
Jen had been given a luxury suite on the top floor and once they had checked her in and given her the keys the hotel staff directed her towards the far end of the lobby for the lifts.
“Where are you staying?” She asked Kim quietly as they waited in the lift and her friend grinned.
“In the old quarter across the river. I thought we’d get you settled and then go to a tea house.”
“At this time of night?” Jen was astonished. It was almost 10pm local time.
“Egypt doesn’t quite dance to the same beat as the western world.” Kim pointed out whimsically. “You’ll love it.” Smiling at her enthusiasm Jen followed her into the hotel room. It was neat, clean and spacious and had everything she needed including a safe. Jen popped quickly into the bathroom to wash her face and hands after spending so long cooped up in the aeroplane and had to laugh at the display that awaited her. She didn’t know if it was the maids that had a sense of humour or whether they hired somebody specifically for the purpose but her towels had all been folded origami style to hang from the rail in the shape of a monkey. She called Kim in to look at it and Kim grinned, explaining that it was quite common in hotels in Egypt. Towel folding was almost a national pastime and she’d probably find a different creation every day. The first time Kim had ever been to Egypt she had gone to her hotel room the first night to find the head of Tutankhamun made almost entirely of rolled flannels sitting in her bathroom. It had greatly amused her. She also warned Jen that if she left her nightdress out they would sculpt that too. Her tone said she was deadly serious and Jen found the whole thing quite bizarre.
Laughing, Jen locked away her phone and her exchanged money, took out all the things ready that she needed for that night and then followed Kim back down to the lobby, deciding to leave the rest until morning. To her surprise Kim didn’t go to the front of the hotel, she headed for the back past the shops selling coloured glass perfume bottles and reproduction papyri, past the restaurants and the bureau de change and out of the glass doors onto the plaza surrounding the swimming pool. The hotel grounds went right up to the bank of the Nile and a path went right out onto a pontoon where several guests were watching a film on a cinema screen that had been set up at one end. Jen stopped again as the heavily fragranced air slammed into her senses and made her dizzy. The scent of jasmine was much stronger here and the sweetness of it made her feel like she was drowning.
“Jen?” Kim looked concerned and Jen swallowed her unease.
“I’m fine – it was just the smell.” Kim nodded.
“It’s jasmine. It flowers all along the banks of the river – sometimes it is a bit overpowering.” Taking her arm Kim led her down onto the pontoon and down some steps that were cleverly concealed on the side. “We’ve hired a boat for the dig.” She explained as they descended. “The crossing is quite a way further up the river so it’s the easiest way to get back and forth. Jim’s supposed to be meeting us here-“
“At ten-thirty on the dot.” Finished an unfamiliar but decidedly cheerful male voice. “Can’t say I ever keep you waiting.” As they reached the bottom and walked under the pontoon a small boat became clear bobbing about on the still water as the man in it moved around.
“Punctuality is one of your finer points.” Kim conceded wryly, jumping into the boat. “Jim, this is Jen. Jen, meet Jim – the dig joker.”
“Nice to meet you, Jim the dig joker.” Jen greeted and Jim chuckled.
“You too. Hop in. It’s time for tea before bed!”
As she settled into the boat, Jen really noticed the Nile for the first time. Up until then she’d been busy concentrating on other things like keeping her footing and trying to ignore the scent that dragged at her senses. It was really quite spectacularly beautiful and awoke in her a deep sense of profound awe. She trailed her hand in the water marvelling at the coolness against her fingers and looking at the lights of the hotels all along the bank. If she closed her eyes she could remember this place a long time ago with very different lights then, but the Jasmine was the same. It pulled at her heart, this river, with a feeling of mysticism and magic. It was the life-giver, the artery that flowed through the land and gave the earth its greenness. Back then they had thought it divine, particularly in the flood season when it had run red with the blood of the gods. Jen smiled at the memory.
“Look at her – five minutes in the country and she’s already behaving like an Egyptian.” Jim said to Kim who smiled amiably at him.
“Shut up and steer the boat.” She replied sweetly and Jim sighed.
“Yes, oh great and glorious mistress…”
They went for a little sail up and down the river admiring the lights before mooring up on the opposite side where several boats were already tied to the bank and men with their heads swathed in white cloth were sipping from small glasses. Jim climbed out and reappeared a few moments later with a small tray on which three glasses and a bowl of sugar teetered precariously as he side-stepped into the boat.
“Here we are!” He handed them out and grinned as Kim began stirring spoons full of sugar into hers.
“They like to drink it black and sweet.” He started to explain to Jen but she nodded and smiled.
“I know.” Taking the sugar from Kim she put four heaped spoons into her small glass and passed it to Jim. “So how goes the dig?” She asked as Jim accepted the bowl.
“It’s going well.” Kim’s eyes lit up as she became enthusiastic. “We’re bringing up finds every day. Because of all the rubble and dust that has collapsed into it the graves haven’t been robbed. Except for some damage everything is exactly as it was when it was buried
thousands of years ago.” She described some of the artefacts that they had pulled out of the rubble and described with joyous abandon the wall paintings and carvings that had survived the damage. She finished by saying “Jen, you wouldn’t believe some of the stuff we’ve found!”
“I’m sure I would.” Jen said quietly and a little mysteriously, but Kim ignored her.
“You’ll have to come over tomorrow and we can show you what we’ve been doing.” She enthused. “Don’t wear anything nice – it’s hot and sweaty and dusty down there. We’ll fetch you after breakfast.”
“In the meantime don’t go anywhere on your own, especially not out in the street.” Jim warned. “Don’t get into any taxis alone either, even if the hotel has ordered them for you. They have a very different view of women over here and it’s not safe.” A bit taken aback by the warning, Jen simply nodded and wondered how bad it could be. It would certainly curtail her excursions unless Kim was free to come with her. Seeing her thoughtful look Jim smiled.
“Don’t worry.” He assured her. “I’m technically not working this week so if you want to go and see things I’ll be happy to act as a tour guide. Just let Kim know when you want to go out and I’ll come fetch you. The museum is excellent and the temples are really quite something to see. I could even take you further up-river one day if you like.”
“Thanks.” Jen smiled at him. She took several swallows of hot thick tea and stifled a yawn as Kim peered at her in the darkness.
“Time to get you back to the hotel I think.” She announced firmly, shaking out her curls and putting her empty glass back on the tray. “You look dead on your feet.”
“Yes mother.” Jen grinned and Kim pointed an admonishing finger at her.
“Don’t you ‘yes mother’ me, young lady!” She said as snottily as she could manage, trying to hide her own smile. “You have to be very careful in this heat – dehydration and heat stroke can sneak up on you very easily disguised as fatigue. If you’re tired you’re going to go to your room and drink a large bottle of water.” Jen couldn’t help it.
“Yes mother.”
“And don’t drink water from the taps either.” Jim warned, collecting up their glasses and putting them on the tray. “Buy a large bottle in the hotel now and we’ll take you out to buy some at the local prices tomorrow.”
“Yes father.” Jen replied cheekily and Jim grinned, smiling at Kim.
“Didn’t we have a beautiful daughter?” He chuckled expansively and Kim glowered.
“Must have been a pretty forgettable night.” She said crushingly, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her away and Jim pretended to be wounded, nearly dropping the tray in the process.
“Kim! How could you say that? You told me I rocked your world!” Kim grinned.
“Was I drunk?”
“I’m not standing here any longer to take your abuse!” He declared and climbed off the boat in a mock huff to return the glasses to the tea house, leaving the girls giggling in the boat.
“So what’s he really like in bed?” Jen asked and to her astonishment she could see Kim flush in the moonlight. “Kim! You dark horse you! You didn’t tell me you had a man!”
“Sshhh! We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Kim whispered hastily as Jim reappeared. “It’s not like that at all.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Jim asked as he climbed into the boat, setting it gently rocking on the water.
“Not a lot.” Jen replied, feigning a yawn. “Time for bed I think.” Jim grinned.
“Your wish, oh beautiful lady, is my command.” He replied grandiosely and started the little engine. “Onwards to the land of Nod!”
Kim and Jim didn’t come back up to the hotel with her after Jen assured them she could find her own way around. They said their goodbyes from the boat and Jen stood watching them float off into the darkness, the sound of Kim’s laughter floating back across the water as Jim said something funny. With an ache in her heart Jen wearily climbed back up into the hotel grounds and was so engrossed in her thoughts she almost walked into someone as she passed through the hotel door.
“Oh my god, sorry!” She murmured automatically as strong hands caught her and then she froze, afraid to look up.
“Jen?” It was impossible! How could he be here? Nkara or Kim must have told him. He was looking at her with concern. “Jen? Are you alright? Answer me?”
“Mark?” his smile was like the day-break. “How did you find me here?” She knew she was starting to sound hysterical and passers-by were giving them odd looks, so she tried to moderate her voice.
“Quite easy really.” He said quietly. “I called the office and they said you were on holiday. I remembered you mentioning Egypt and Kim so I called every hotel in Luxor until I found where you were staying. I caught the next flight out.”
“But why? Why would you do that?” Jen fought the tears welling up in her throat and pulled herself out of his grasp, but Mark just shrugged.
“Look around you Jen. Do I really need to answer that question? Can you honestly tell me you don’t feel it?” Jen wanted to lie but the words just wouldn’t come out. In the end she just started crying and didn’t resist when Mark pulled her into an embrace.
“Come on.” He said softly. “You’re too tired to deal with this right now. Let’s get you into bed.” He steered her up into the lift and took her card from her. “What room number?” She answered in a small voice and remained quiet all the way up to her room where Mark opened the door and let them both in. “Take a seat.” Gently he pushed her onto the bed and then went to run a bath. When he returned she was flat on her back, silent tears streaming down her cheeks onto the pillow.
“Jen! Don’t cry!” Gathering her up in his arms he held her as she sobbed, rocking her gently like a child. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have surprised you like that.” He kissed the top of her head by way of an apology and continued to rock her. “It’s just…” His voice broke. “Not seeing you was killing me Jen. It was like I was a crazy man and you were the only sane island in my life. I needed you so much that I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t think – I knew you were here and I’d have torn the earth apart with my bare hands to get here if I had to. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” He kissed her again. “I’m so sorry.” Slowly her arms crept around him and she gulped in great shuddering breaths of air, trying to calm down.
“I missed you so much.” She admitted eventually as he brushed the hair from her face. “Crazy huh?” Mark smiled softly.
“Well let’s be crazy together, you and me versus the world.” He suggested and despite herself Jen laughed, wiping away the last of her tears.
“Sounds like a plan.” He began to move so she could get up but she held him close a moment longer. “Mark I’m sorry.” She said seriously, shushing him with a finger as he began to protest. “I’ve treated you shamefully. After what happened you deserved better and I truly am sorry. Can we start again? Make things right?”
“On one condition…” his eyes were twinkling too merrily for it to be something serious and Jen nodded.
“What is it?”
“That you hurry up and get in the bath before you’re dead on your feet!” He growled and Jen laughed.
“Yes sir!” He kissed her again, this time on the lips and then released her to get ready for bed.
The following morning Jen awoke to find Mark still fast asleep, strong arms curled protectively around her. Smiling, she tried to slide out but he tightened his grip reflexively and shifted in his sleep. Sighing Jen settled back. It was nice to lie like this. Perhaps she’d wake him for breakfast… Just then her phone shrilled on the nightstand and Mark instantly came awake as she scrambled to answer it. It was Kim on the other end and Jen smiled apologetically at Mark as she picked it up.
“Hey Kim….no we haven’t had breakfast yet……huh? Did I say we? I meant I….” She was blushing and before she could react Mark took the phone from her.
“Hey Kim.” He said in his d
eep kiwi voice. “Is it ok if I tag along too?” He winked at Jen as he laughed at something Kim said. “Sure, we’ll get up and go down now. See you in an hour.” He replaced the phone in its cradle and pulled Jen back down.
“I can’t believe you did that!” She glared at him mutinously and he chuckled.
“What difference does it make?” He asked. “We’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”
“You haven’t but I have!!” She protested. “I’ve promised to marry another man!!”
“Well give me a chance, I’m still trying to fix that…” His grin was so cheeky Jen found herself laughing despite her protestations.
“You’re terrible! Now let me get up – we’ve still got to eat before they get here.”
“Yes Cinderella…” He murmured, kissing her one last time before releasing her.
They were waiting in the lobby when Kim finally arrived, ignoring all the curious stares from other residents of the hotel. Even Mark had to admit they made an odd-looking couple with him being nearly twice her size. He’d been asked several times for his autograph and each time it happened Jen tried to blend in with the furniture desperately hoping no-one noticed her. It wasn’t likely – there were few die-hard rugby fans into high fashion – but she couldn’t take the risk that Tom would read about her holiday with another man in the society pages. When Kim did turn up Jen could have cried with relief and she bundled straight into the car away from all the prying eyes. Already the guilt was starting to eat away at her and they hadn’t even done anything yet.
Jim was in the driver’s seat and he turned to grin at them.
“Better hold on.” He advised. “Arab drivers are even worse than the French. Just keep your eyes closed and concentrate on keeping down your breakfast…” They swerved off into the traffic with a screech, narrowly missing a horse-drawn taxi.