Disclaimers: This work is a work of fiction and is my property.
The story and characters are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or any actual event is coincidental. There are three distinctly different main characters that will appear as the story progresses.
You should be legally allowed to read this type of material before continuing.
As it is based on an actual book, I had published a few years ago – free for your enjoyment – the story will not contain explicit material in all the chapters BUT don't fret, as it is more the exception than the rule.
Note that there will be a violent scenario. If this will trigger any trauma for you, please be aware of it before you start reading.
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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN James
I was an asshole for using Andrew like that, the other night, but I needed to get my frustrations out. Though, I wasn't totally off base, because he obviously enjoyed it. He even messaged me twice since then to ask if he could come around but I simply told him that I was busy.
It's been five days since Johan sent me that video and I haven't messaged Daniel or even tried to call him. The fact that he appears to be into Johan doesn't make any sense though. I know some guys like the Daddy type but haven't pegged Daniel for being one of them.
Maybe my assumptions about him are totally off? Something feels wrong about this picture but what can I do about it? Nothing really. I'm supposed to be on vacation and getting serious or even slightly obsessed with a guy isn't healthy or even productive. And, regardless, I'm leaving for London in a week and must get to see as much of Cape Town in the little time I have left.
I ask the concierge to organise the same tour guide again and get myself ready for a day out.
The last few days I've been working on my presentation for the upcoming conference in Fitzrovia, London, and at least got that out of the way. When I finished last night, I spent a good hour or so, researching online for places I can visit or see. Having come across a few of special interest, I made myself a list for today and promised myself I would make the most of my time left here.
Reception gives me a call twenty-five minutes, after I'm done dressing, and I go downstairs.
We head off.
I tell the guide, who I now know is called Joe, my desired itinerary and he heads straight out of Cape Town towards Muizenburg. I recognise the route and once we pass Kalk Bay, everything is new to me.
We pass Simon's Town, where the naval base is and then arrive at my first destination. It's Boulders Beach. The website said that there's a small colony of Penguins here.
Leaving the car in the main road, we head down a multitude of steps and walk a short distance to the beach itself, before turning left.
I can see where the place gets its name from because we're heading for some huge boulders.
At first, I don't see any penguins but once we make our way around the large rocks and enter a shallow cove, I spot them.
"Now be careful. They're not too keen on humans and can hurt you, if provoked. Don't underestimate their size. They can seriously injure you, if they want to." Joe warns me.
"Sure thing." I only want to watch them up close.
They're comical in the way they walk and I always imagined, mostly from watching documentaries, that they'd be more beautiful, like when I saw my first swans over a decade or so ago. These penguins look clumsy, dirty and uncomfortable. Probably best to see them in water than on land.
We spend a bit of time here before Joe shows me his watch and I realise it's time to move on. Once in the small bus, we make our way to Cape Point.
When we reach the Lower Funicular, I get out and watch the Point itself, where the two ocean currents meet. The waters of each current are actually a different shade of blue.
It's spectacular here and, while an icy wind's blowing like crazy on what's a clear sunny day, I feel as if I'm at the edge of the world. So, majestic really and I'm humbled by the scenery surrounding us.
"The Atlantic and Benguela currents meet here and those hurricanes you guys get in the US, begin their journeys right here. The Sahara dry winds and the tropics add to the mix to produce those massive storms." Joe explains.
I did know about the two oceans but not the hurricane stuff. "Interesting." I reply.
The vegetation's very different from all the places I've visited in the world and I don't see any trees. I don't think they could survive with these winds and it must be a nightmare when a storm does hit.
I see there's a restaurant nearby and so I invite Joe to join me for lunch.
After lunch, we leave Cape Point and travel past Kommetjie, Noordhoek Beach, Hout Bay, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Sea Point, Green Point and through Tamboerskloof up to Table Mountain itself.
We have to park a mile or so from the actual entrance to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. That's how long the queue is.
"Is this normal or is there something happening today?" I ask.
"No. This is perfectly normal. On some days, the queue can be up to four or five kilometres long.
"Wow!"
When we finally reach the station and I buy our tickets, we walk through the small museum and enter the cable car.
We're the last to get in, before they announce over a loudspeaker that the car's full. Slowly the cable car ascends and the view of Cape Town's grows more and more spectacular, as we rise up from the city.
Rising up, further and further, I stare out over the city and the two peaks on either side of us, Signal Hill and Devil's Peak, and when I focus towards the Atlantic Ocean, I spot a flat, barren-looking, island in the distance.
"That must be Robben Island?" I look at Joe for confirmation.
"Yes, it is. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there for over twenty-seven years." He says proudly.
"I know. Maybe I should make some time to pay it a visit, while I'm in town." Mostly mumbling to my myself.
He hears me. "It's not spectacular but has a lot of meaning for us as South Africans."
"I believe you."
When we reach the top of the mountain and step out of the cable car, I follow him through the restaurant and onto the observation deck.
"This is fucking amazing." I can't help myself.
He doesn't say anything, enjoying the view for himself. I would think he would be used to it by now but by his expression appears pensive, as he stares into the distance.
Then again, maybe this is not something he can afford. It's really expensive to come up here.
Cape Point has nothing on this view.
Ah, it would be perfect if Daniel was here with me now. My heart strains at that thought.