Love in the Shadows

1

The older woman, Louise, marched up to the guard. She pushed her face into his. What the hell were you hired for? she shouted. It’s your job to protect this house. How did the creep get in?

I don’t know what happened, madam. I fell asleep. But I never fall asleep on duty – I mean it, I don’t know what happened.

The guard tried his best, but Louise was furious and heard nothing. For Christ’s sake – she could have been killed! He was right inside the house, in her room! You knew the maid was off last night. You knew she was alone in the house. He was free to do whatever the hell he wanted! You should have been more vigilant than ever. But instead you fall asleep?

Louise turned to the boss of the security company, who’d pitched up straightaway after hearing what had happened. Ebony Music was one of his biggest customers and he couldn’t afford to lose them. I want this man fired. I don’t want to see him here again. Or at the office. Or at any of our events or at any gigs. Understand?

The security boss nodded and he and the guard left. Louise sat down opposite Kedi and her sister, Kenamile.

Kedi’s long-time friend and fellow band member, Dintwe Badumele, sat down too. Louise, you did the right thing, he said. How does a security guard fall asleep on duty?

Such incompetence! Kenamile exclaimed. If he’d been awake, he could have caught the guy and we’d be done with this whole thing.

Did you talk to your mother? Louise asked.

Yes, she’s on her way. She’s catching the ten o’clock flight to Joburg. She’s still in Gaborone, opening the new salon, Kenamile said.

Kedi sat wrapped in a blanket, drinking tea, even though outside the temperature was in the mid-twenties and rising. Right then she needed the warm security. She was frightened to her core. It had gone all cold inside her at the thought of someone violating her privacy in such a way. He had been in her bedroom. Watching her as she slept. She couldn’t get past that bit. She felt as if she’d never be able to close her eyes again.

This was the second time this person had got into the house. Kedi was now quite famous, not only in South Africa, but all over the continent. Her music was played on radio stations from Kenya to Senegal, from Egypt to South Africa. She knew fame and she knew it had its downside. She’d accepted all of the crazy letters; it was part of the package. People rushing up to her, grabbing at her, wanting to be her friend.

She had wanted to be the queen of African pop. Now she was, and she had to accept that nothing was all good. But she had never signed up for this. As much as she loved singing, she would give it all up to make this go away. She felt paralysed by the weight of fear.

She hated what it was doing to her. She was not the person this monster was making her be. Someone fearful. Someone who was dependent on others. Kedi had always been happy and carefree and independent. Yes, she knew there was crime in South Africa, but she’d never really been its victim. She’d once had a cellphone stolen, though it had been her own fault for leaving it unattended on a table.

But now she knew what people meant when they spoke of crime and how it made you immobile. It changed you. This had changed Kedi, and she wasn’t sure she could take much more. The thought of him entering her room, standing over her while she slept, was terrifying. If she was not safe in her bedroom in her own house, where could she be safe?

After the last time, Louise, the owner of Ebony Music, the record company Kedi was contracted to, had the security in the house completely redone. New security fence and gate. Alarm system, security cameras. But none of it had stopped this person. Somehow he’d immobilised both the alarm and the cameras just at the exact time the guard went to sleep.

By the time Louise arrived, everything was back online. The stalker had created the perfect window of opportunity to get in and out unseen. Kedi had been told everything was state-of-the-art, impenetrable, but still he’d bypassed it. Now what was she supposed to do?

At least last time he’d only got to the front door, where he’d left a dozen roses and a card. The card this time was similar. He went on about how they were meant to be together. Their lives entwined as one. Their deep and immortal love. One day they would be together. The man was obviously crazy and delusional. She wondered whether that inevitably led to violence.

Well, you need to go and live somewhere else for a while, Louise said matter-of-factly. You can’t stay in this house. We’ve tried to make it secure, but this man seems to know everything. It’s like he’s watching us or something.

Kedi couldn’t stop the shiver that went through her body when Louise said that. Was he always watching her? For some reason she had never thought of it that way. She’d just seen him as someone who visited her in the night. It seemed worse if she was his full-time occupation. Watching wherever she went, whatever she did.

I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Sherell said, coming in from the kitchen with a tray loaded with tea things. Sherell was Kedi’s publicist and best friend since primary school in Zeerust. She cared about Kedi, but she also had a keen sense of what the public would think about any action she took. Sherell knew fans were a fickle lot, and she did her best to keep up Kedi’s public image.

She poured tea as she continued. I know I may sound heartless, but what kind of message will that send out to people? That she’s a victim, a coward. The African Queen of Pop scared of a stalker. Running away. I can see the headlines. It’s not a good idea. Also, it gives this stalker power he shouldn’t have. It may make everything worse. Let’s rather get someone to find this guy before he tries anything again. Moving out of the house is not an option I’d recommend.

You do sound heartless, Kenamile said, her face not hiding her annoyance. But it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve put the business ahead of the welfare of my sister.

What does that mean? Sherell was ready to fight.

Okay, listen, we don’t need that now! Louise said.

Dintwe was angry. I can’t believe this guy thinks he can get away with this! Maybe I should stay here with you.

What about Princess? Kedi said. Dintwe was like a big brother, always ready to jump to her defence. When she first went to Ebony with her demo, it had been she singing and Dintwe on keyboards, and they’d been together ever since. He tried to protect her just like an elder brother would, but in this case she wasn’t going to let him. His five-year-old daughter, Princess, lived with him, an arrangement which had started the year before when his girlfriend died of a drug overdose. The little girl was still settling in, and Kedi didn’t want to upset the applecart. No, Dintwe, we’ll make some other plan. But thanks.

We need to do something. I won’t feel safe with you staying here, Louise said. We were told this system was one hundred per cent effective, and now look. I think you should move in with Clara and me.

Kedi looked over at Louise. Though she’d jumped out of bed and had been here within fifteen minutes after Kedi’s call, she was as calm and collected as always. Perfect hair. Perfect make-up. Camel jacket, navy skirt, heels so high they made Kedi’s feet hurt just looking at them. At fifty-four, Louise looked fantastic. Sexy, successful and gay. Clara, a head teacher at a posh high school in Sandton, had been her partner for the last twenty-five years.

Kedi loved Louise, and though she cared about Clara too, she was pretty sure she couldn’t take living with someone who constantly demanded that she sit up straight and eat her veggies. Louise was stern, but Clara was just plain bossy. She never left her teacher face at work when she came home. No, Kedi knew herself and she knew Clara; the two of them wouldn’t last very long in the same house, and they’d make Louise’s life a nightmare in the meantime.

I think it’ll be better if I move in here, Kenamile offered.

And how’s that going to help? You’re about as brave as me. And then there will be two women this guy can terrorise, Sherell said. We all know what we need to do. Why is everyone afraid of saying it out loud?

Kedi looked up at Sherell and knew immediately what she meant. She shook her head. No, she said firmly before Sherell could say anything more. Kedi was not going to have it. She was letting people take control of various parts of her life, slowly losing her say in things as this stalker continued his nightly visits, but she was not going to allow this.

You’re being crazy, Kedi, Sherell scolded. You need someone to find this guy. He’s the best man for the job, and he comes highly recommended. Don’t be ridiculous.

Kedi shrugged off the blanket and reached forward to pour herself more tea. No, Sherell. Not him.

Not him – who? Louise asked.