'Where's Father?
'In his study, as usual. Oh, darling, you don't know how I've missed
you. Tell me you love me, Michael.
'I love You, ' he repeated automatically and the sensation of
suffocating was on him again. 'I must see Dad. It's very urgent.
'You've just arrived. Let me fix something to eat-let me se to your
poor face.
'I have to see Dad now. I'm sorry.' And he went past her towards the
house.
Garry was sitting at his desk when Michael walked into the study.
Michael hated this room. He hated the high smoke-stained ceiling, the
oppressive darkness of the panelled walls, the massive hunting
trophies, he hated even the carpets and the smell of old paper and
dust. From this room had issued the decrees and the pronouncements
which had restricted and predetermined his life. This room was the
symbol of everything from which he wished to escape. Now he glared
around it defiantly, as though it were a living thing-Ive come back to
extract from you what you owe me, he thought, you've had value from me,
now pay me back!
'Michael!' Garrick's boot scraped on the wooden floor as he stood to
greet him, and Michael winced at the sound.
'Hello, Dad.'
'Your mother and I we have been so worried. Why didn't you send word
to us?' The hurt was there in Garrick's voice Michael opened his mouth
to apologize in mitomatic guilt, but the words came out differently
from the way he had intended.
'I was busy. I didn't have a chance.'
'Sit down, my boy.' Garrick gestured to one of the polished leather
arm-chairs. He removed the metal-framed spectacles from his nose, but
he did not look at Michael's injured face again. He would not think
about Sean and Michael.
'I'm glad you've come back. I was just working on the Opening chapters
of my new book. It's a history of our family from the time of your
great-great-grandfather's arrival at the Cape. I'd very much like your
opinion. I'd value it immensely. The side red opinion of a graduate
from the South African College. ' The trap was closing. It was so
obvious that Michael squirmed.
He could almost feel the panelled walls moving in on him. He started
to protest: 'Dad, I have to speak to you.' But already Garrick was
adjusting his spectacles and shuffling through the papers on his desk,
talking quickly.
'I think you'll like it. It should interest you. ' Garrick glanced up
and smiled at Michael with the eagerness of a child that brings a gift.
'Here we are. I'll. start at the beginning. You must allow for it
being the first rough draft. It's not polished yet.
And he began to read. At the end of each paragraph he searched for
Michael's approval, smiling in anticipation of it. Until Michael could
bear it no longer, until he shouted suddenly in the middle of a
sentence.
'I want you to pay me out my share of Theuniskraal.
