LITMIR.BIZ

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longer wants to see us once a year over a Spur burger. He’s suggested taking both of us plus Briggs away for the April holiday. He’s busy arranging everything with Mom right now.”

      “Mom will never say yes,” Gabi had said weakly.

      “She can’t say no. He’s our biological father, and according to the terms of the divorce, he has access to his children. She’s not allowed to refuse.” Alex had announced this with a satisfied smile. “And anyway, he’s dutifully been paying for all our extras all these years.”

      “Extras?”

      “I’m talking about the maintenance he pays Mom every month. Do you really think she’d pay for drama and riding from her own pocket ?”

      4

      Her name was Lola

      Gabi came back to earth with a start.

      “Gabi! Gabs, you’ve got to tell Dad where to stop so you can check on Brigadier.”

      Gabi noticed that “Bio-Daddy” had changed to “Dad”. When Gabi had drifted off into her own world, Alex had been furiously tapping on her cellphone, but now it lay untouched in her lap.

      “Where are we anyway, Dad?” Alex asked, looking around.

      “Still on the N2. We’ve just passed Swellendam. The turn-off to the Buffeljags River is up ahead. There’s a button on the GPS that lets you zoom in and out, if you want to see where we are on the route,” answered Ben.

      “Gabs, Briggs is nodding his head like mad. Looks like he’s hungry. There’s a BP Service Station coming up – maybe we should stop there.” Draped over the back of her seat, Alex was suddenly showing great concern for Briggs.

      Gabi, who’d been keeping her eye on Brigadier all along, hadn’t noticed any change, and she eyed her sister suspiciously. “Briggs is fine, Alex.”

      “Well, let’s stop anyway and stretch our legs. It can’t harm to check on him,” suggested Ben. He changed lanes and turned right off the highway, slowing down and eventually parking the Land Rover under a clump of trees. The petrol station was packed: family sedans, 4x4s and carloads of young people were queuing up to have their tanks filled. It was holiday time in the Cape, and it looked like everyone was heading for the holiday towns along the coast.

      “I’m off to the little boys’ room,” said Ben, stretching his back and arms before getting out of the car and walking off.

      “I’ll just check if Brigadier needs water,” said Gabi, also getting out. She opened the flap at the front of the horsebox and took out the water bucket, which a petrol attendant in the forecourt helped her fill with water.

      The bucket was heavy as she lugged it back to the horsebox, and it was because her eyes were focused on the ground ahead of her that she spotted a familiar pair of black designer tackies with their purple-skull pattern. Alex’s boots with their shiny toecaps were parked tightly between them, and her leggings with their strategically positioned slashes were cosily pressed against a pair of tight black jeans. Gabi didn’t need to look up to identify the wearer.

      Gabi felt her tummy tighten into a knot. Could this day get any more complicated? She glared at Alex and Jinx, who looked like an entangled vine growing up the side of the trailer.

      “Now I see why you were suddenly so worried about Briggs!”

      “Take a chill pill, Gabs.” Her sister untangled herself just enough to look Gabi in the eye.

      “Awê, Gabi. I believe you’re looking for a stablehand for the holiday?” Jinx smiled, resting his cheek on Alex’s head and pulling her closer. Then he held out a fist, clad in a fingerless leather glove, and greeted Gabi with a fist bump, smiling as if she were his partner in crime.

      Despite her irritation with her sister, Gabi liked Jinx. All the girls in school liked him. It was only her mother and a few of the teachers who didn’t.

      “Does Dad know about this?” asked Gabi.

      “Does Dad know about what?” Alex retorted.

      “Ahem.” Ben cleared his throat behind them.

      “Oh, Dad, hi. This is Jinx, my BF,” Alex said in her sweetest voice.

      Ben said nothing.

      “Pleased to meet you,” said Jinx, and Gabi could tell from his voice that he was nervous. “I’m – er – just on my way to Jeffreys Bay.” Jinx gestured in the direction of a red Citi Golf, where four other guys with long hair were hanging out the windows, waving at Jinx and whistling. “My folks have a holiday house there, and I’m hanging out with my brother and his buddies … My folks are coming down next week.” Jinx shuffled his feet uncomfortably, pushing his fingers through his blonde fringe. “But – er – the car is totally packed and Lola kinda has to sit on my lap.” He looked pleadingly at Alex.

      “Hey, Dad,” said Alex suddenly, as if the idea had just occurred to her. “If Gabi gets to bring her horse along, surely I should get to bring Jinx?”

      “Right, Alex. Let me get this straight,” said Ben slowly. “You’re asking me if your boyfriend, um, Jinx, can come on holiday with us?”

      Gabi stopped breathing. If Ben was anything like her mom, she was sure the pawpaw was about to hit the fan …

      “I am asking if Jinx can come on holiday with us for a few days,” Alex clarified, sounding slightly less sure of herself. “His brother won’t mind, and neither will his parents.”

      “And I’m handy to have around,” Jinx said, trying his best to market himself. “I can wash dishes, sort out computers, play guitar, make coffee …”

      “Let’s be clear about one thing,” said Ben.

      Gabi held her breath.

      “No one under the age of eighteen touches my beer or my whiskey.”

      “No, never. I would never … I mean, no, I don’t drink … Not really. Not at all. You know me, I –”

      “No, Jinx – I don’t know you. And what’s your story with smoking?”

      Jinx winced and shot Alex an uncomfortable look. “Well, I’ve been known to enjoy the odd Marlboro –”

      “And you, Alex – do you smoke?” Ben looked at his daughter.

      “I take the odd puff from Jinx’s cigarette.”

      “Actually, she’s my Puff-girl,” said Jinx proudly, his smile breaking through the tension.

      “Well, Val doesn’t allow smoking in the house, so you’ll have to smoke outside.”

      Gabi’s jaw dropped open – Ben seemed more worried about where they smoked than the fact that they smoked at all.

      “Um, who’s Val?” Alex asked quickly.

      “Valeria. My girlfriend.”

      “You have a girlfriend?”

      “Yes. And I’m glad this has come up, actually, because Val’s coming on holiday with us,” answered Ben, unperturbed. “She’s the one who found the guest house with stabling.”

      “Oh, fabulous – a potential stepmother! Valeria!” Alex’s voice had a biting tone. “When exactly were you planning to tell us about our extended family?”

      Ben ignored her. “So, what do you say, Gabi?” he asked, running his fingers through his long curly hair.

      “Er, I don’t smoke,” Gabi blurted out.

      “No, I’m talking about Alex’s BF. He can only join us if you say it’s okay.”

      Gabi stared at Ben. He sounded serious, as if he really would take or leave Jinx depending on her answer. On the one hand, that made her feel important and

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