July 17 - Day 8 Swakopmund (2)-Part1
Today was a “free day” where we were expected to arrange for our own activities … or not and turn it into a day off and stay in camp to relax. Hugh had arranged three activities for the day and quickly got the numbers to include Sadie. Before our early breakfast however I requested a brief audience with “Boba.”
Mr. Dutton, the Secretary to his HRH, tried to play that I could just speak with him and he would relay things and then bring me the answer.
“Sorry Mr. Dutton. But Sadie is his granddaughter. Whether he has done a background on us or not, he should reserve the right to interview me for whatever you want to call this position – let’s make it easy and call it Chaperone – so he can have a level of comfort with his granddaughter’s safety.”
From behind me I hear some light clapping. I turned and saw “The Twins” and Sadie’s grandfather … who was not clapping but had an approving look. “Very good … what do you prefer to be called.”
“To be honest Sir, most people have always just called me Gus but under the circumstances and what might be considered socially acceptable, and because Mrs. Barrymore-Hargis is a mouthful, please feel free to call me August. Your grandsons are free to call me whatever you deem appropriate.”
“And what will my granddaughter call you?”
“My husband calls me Gus. My nephew calls me Aunt Gus. Sadie and I will work out what is comfortable for both of us once we get to know each other.”
He gave a nod, like he was humoring me. “I take it from your presence that you have agreed to … chaperone … my granddaughter for the duration of the safari.”
“She and I spoke last night. We both agreed that it could be a constructive solution for all parties involved.”
“Ah … you wish to speak of the money for your services.”
My face must have shown my opinion on that, and I noticed that he and Sadie had the same tell. Her brothers as well, which told me it was a family trait. “Actually, I hadn’t. But since you brought it up, the money can be put into a separate account that you have oversight of. Tell Mr. Dutton who I presume will also have some access to it to get with Hugh, the man that is Chief of Security for our detail and supervises your man Hendry as well, to arrange so that the funds are available for the cost of tickets and whatever personal items she could need.”
“And your reimbursement?”
“There will be no financial consideration,” I told him in a flat voice letting him know he was being insulting. “I don’t take care of my nephew for that reason. Sadie is going to fit in the same way, if not the exact same position. As for the rest, she is fourteen not four. Any receipts that she makes can be from a stipend you provide.”
“Sadie has her own trust fund,” one of the twins said. Not a strategic move unless he was trying to bait a hook.
“Look, I came over here to make sure I understood the situation in its entirety and to make sure that I had access to Sadie’s medical records since she revealed she has some dietary restrictions and needs as well as some allergies. My husband and nephew also have some dietary restrictions that I help them manage. It is just more efficient if I know everything up front rather than piece it out as an emergency occurs. I also wanted to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.”
Blink.
He looked at The Twins and they stepped forward. I stood my ground and glad I hadn’t been obvious that having two strange males approach me from either side at the same time. The Twins didn’t register my discomfort, but the secretary did who said, “Perhaps it would make it easier to lay things out on this table?” While indicating a folding table just outside the tent flap. I stepped over putting the table between them and me and they still didn’t seem to register it. I looked at the secretary and nodded my thanks.
Belatedly Mr. Wight seemed to register the situation and attempted to mediate it. “Allow my grandsons, Kingston and Kerrigan, to provide you with the documentation you will need. There is also a card that is attached to an account my granddaughter already has access to for her needs. It is one she uses during school term. She is aware of the limitations on funding. In that folder is also a succinct explanation that is similar to what has been provided to her schools over the years. The facts have not changed so the dates do not matter. Anything else you can ask Mr. Dutton after you have had time to read the report thoroughly, if my granddaughter is not forthcoming. I believe that is sufficient for now.”
He was going to just waltz out but I managed to get the old goat to blink again when I asked, “To whom do you wish my reports to be given? Mr. Dutton or you?”
“Excuse me?”
“She’s your granddaughter, not a room being rented out. Since you are allowing us this opportunity, I presume you will wish to be kept abreast of the results. There’s also the issue of receipts from the account to be tied to expenses and activities.”
Blink. Blink, blink. Yep, definitely a family-wide tell.
“Will I be bothered with a daily report?”
“It wouldn’t be a bother, but if you prefer weekly or bi-weekly or some other time period, I would prefer you to state your wishes rather than waste any of our time trying to guess.”
He gave me a look like I’d become unfortunately interesting. “Weekly. To Mr. Dutton who will place it on my desk for review.”
I nodded respectfully then said, “The report you received on me likely revealed that I was in part raised by my grandfather, Capt. Laurie Barrymore of the US Navy. He taught me to respect the Chain of Command and that it isn’t just something you do as a job, but applies to the rest of life as well. You are Sadie’s grandfather. You’ve taken responsibility for raising her regardless of whatever circumstances I am not aware of. I am not going to usurp that position nor belittle it. Where possible I’ll help Sadie understand anything she might not already understand from the perspective of someone that has already shared a similar relationship with her grandfather.” When one of the twins opened there mouth I shook my head. “No. I don’t need you to explain anything to me. Your grandfather does things for his reasons. For the rest of it, he cared enough to check out everyone … crew to guest … before bringing any of you on this safari with him. I understand her age and gender make it more difficult for him to train you two for the family business, and that is also something else that is none of my business. The fact that he is looking for a situation where Sadie’s needs are addressed speaks volumes to me even if other people may not be as … understanding. As for you two, we aren’t that far apart in age. I was raised by my older brother for a while, but he was older than you when it started. He was starting his own family at the time, and had a demanding position in the navy, both of which complicated things. All that just to let you know, I get it. You are both busy young men starting off in life and your careers in the family business, and probably don’t have a clue about girls Sadie’s age. My brother was the same way. Just do me a favor and don’t suddenly find your overprotective big brother gene and make it more difficult for me to help Sadie navigate anything that comes up. Going to be a struggle to get my husband to not turn into Godzilla on occasion. He is protective of Benny and likely to be as much so with Sadie now that we’ve worked the details out.”
I turned back to Mr. Wight. “If the report needs to be more or less detailed, let me know. I tend to follow a military style for reports and as my grandfather used to say, they wanted it down to the color of the lint in each man’s belly button. I’ll try not to be repetitive with the facts.”
This time there was a small, humorous twist to his mouth and at his nod I left to go find Sadie and make sure she was properly kitted out before we got underway.
I was halfway back to the tent when the hamster reminded me I’d had a list of questions to ask including if he had restrictions about souvenirs and tchotchkes and the like. I nearly tripped over my own feet but didn’t because Lev was there to catch me. “Problems?”
“No, or nothing specific,” I said as I flashed the folder. “We’ll just have to see as we go.”
“Benny asked if Sadie wanted to go to breakfast with him so that’s where they are. Sadie seems anxious.”
I could have kicked myself. Forgot another one. Logistics. Dammit. I turned to go back to the tent when I saw Mr. Dutton coming towards us. I introduced the two men. Mr. Dutton said, “Thank you for understanding. And being willing to provide a report before one had to be asked for. And I know you were a little offended by the idea of … remuneration … but it really would make Mr. Wight more comfortable with the situation.”
I looked at Lev and before steam could billow out of my ears he said, “Then tell Mr. Wight it might be better to hold it on account and then disburse it at the end of the safari. Gus and I really aren’t doing this for a paycheck. We already have jobs. And we don’t need for Sadie to think that is all she is, a job. The details can be worked out as soon as the situation gets a good shake out.”
Using that as a cue I said, “And speaking of, Sadie asked about where she was going to sleep. The girl has a good eye to detail. My suggestion, should Mr. Wight agree, is that she could have a tent next to ours, share it with Benny … a big sister position as you will … and then they wouldn’t have to worry about her being in a tent by herself and possibly alone if they leave early for some activity, or on her own if they sleep in late. We would of course supervise as needed.”
“They have family tents or rooms in many of the locations,” Mr. Dutton said, giving it some thought.
I looked at Lev he shrugged and left the details to me. I turned back and said, “As long as we can give her some privacy. And if such arrangements could be made … at Mr. Wight’s approval. I also need to know if she is allowed to appear in Lev’s photos. I would actually prefer to have the same rules as we have for Benny … nothing facially distinct that could be altered, etc.”
“Ah, an excellent consideration. Let me get with Mr. Wight and I’m sure he would approve of that. Also … clothing. Hrmph. Sadie has always been modest, but we will be doing multiple water activities.” He didn’t seem to know quite how to bring the subject up.
“I’ll check what she has. I rarely wear a traditional bathing suit. Normally I am in a neoprene wetsuit when in or on the water, and a cover up when not. I prefer the new tan-thru materials but don’t always have the luxury. Leg- and sleeve-length depends on the kind of water we will be in and what the activity is. Same for Benny. Lev normally wears a dry suit since he is recording and doesn’t really get in the water unless we are snorkeling. Diving? Lev doesn’t so I normally offer to wear a go-pro or similar if film is needed. Benny and I are certified for diving. I’m going to want to check Sadie out before she joins any of that. We have a kayak activity scheduled to head out on shortly. She can swim?”
“Without a doubt. Miss Sadie was taught to swim from birth. Her nursemaid was rather … hmmm … insistent upon it. If that isn’t in the report get back with me and I’ll … hmmm … explain things. And I’ll … hmmm … also forward an inventory of her other belongings. The … hmmm … housekeeper should have made one.”
As the man hurried off Lev asked, “What’s with the hmmm’ing?”
“I think it may be the man’s tell … you know … nervous physical habit he is unaware of. For some reason the subject of Sadie makes him nervous or uncomfortable.”
“Er … do I have one of those things? A tell?”
I looked at him and then grinned. “Not exactly. You do tend to wear your more outrageous socks and t’ s when you are nervous.”
He looked at himself and then winced. “She’s going to think I’m crazy.”
Benny ran up, and hearing Lev he said, “She’s going to think they’re cool. She likes to wear funny socks too. You gotta see the ones she wore today. They’ve got bears on them. Not plain ol’ teddies but real black bears. She said she wore them for me. For real.”
I didn’t have to remind him “indoor voice” because he was using “family secret” voice.
Lev sighed. “Lions are too much you think?”
I heard an involuntary giggle and looked up to see Sadie who said, “Only for people that don’t understand. Um … breakfast?”
“Have you two eaten?” I asked.
“Some. Too many adults needed the tables so …”
I nodded but suggested, “So, let’s go get our share and I’ll ask you if you have kayaking clothing.
“All togged out. I asked Boba’s Entertainment Director at his hotel in Lochinver what I needed. They do sea kayaking there. The housekeeper turned her nose up at it so Boba said I had to bring a regular bathing suit, but I tucked the other one in by giving up my hair dryer. Mrs. Housekeeper is gobby but has Boba’s ear.”
“Smart girl,” I told her ignoring what sounded like a derogatory term for the housekeeper. “And a good compromise. Let’s check it out just in case.”
Lev said, “After breakfast. No skipping meals, remember? It is going to be a long day.”
After we’d eaten, I turned Benny over to Lev to make sure he had everything … a male pride thing I had learned to accept, especially now that Benny is getting older. And as I suspected what Sadie had was high quality and one of the better name brands. Same with her water shoes. What she didn’t have was a quick dry towel.
“I have an extra, you’ll just have to use it for both body and hair. And you’ll want to throw some extra clothes in your bag for a skin-out change afterwards, including shoes. Kayaking this morning, and we need to hustle to get to the meeting spot, then a quick lunch. After lunch we’ll be on a catamaran and then on some 4x4’s before coming back to camp.”
She just looked at me so I asked, “Is there a problem?”
“No. Just … are you serious? I’ll be going with you for all of those?”
I chuckled, “I warned you we tend to be more on the adventurous end of the scale.” Turning serious I said, “You need to let me know if something gets to be too much. Lev and I, and that means Benny, are here on a job. I like my job to the point it rarely feels like a real job, but that’s what it is. However, I know that some people don’t really enjoy the level of activity we are used to.” She went to say something, and I held up my hand in a stop motion. “I’m not saying you will or you won’t, I just want you to know I’ll listen if something comes up. I want to know if you are tired or if you are bored. I expect the same from Benny … and Lev too for that matter. I can’t process if I don’t have the info. Don’t make me guess or expect me to read your mind. And another thing, you’ll notice that occasionally I miss social cues so if you see something or suspect I need to notice something, you aren’t going to hurt my feelings bringing it up … just do it in private. Same if you disagree with something or have a complaint. I tend to be frank, that doesn’t mean I am unfeeling or think other people have a right to stick their noses in our business … or that we need to overshare what should deserve some privacy.”
I made a face without thinking about it and she giggled. “Um, you mean you didn’t need Mrs. Legrand to explain that we might hear noises coming from their tent?”
I made another face, “Definitely not. And let’s just keep it between us. I may be frank … what Lev calls forthright … but I noticed a lot of people doing more than blushing at the TMI during breakfast, including most of the men.”
She nodded as I heard a skid in the gravel. Benny looked at Lev who was a little alarmed and sotto voice asked, “Is this the girl stuff that you and Mr. Hugh were warning me about?”
I looked at him and said, “Definitely.”
“Oh. Ew. Can we go now?” He said in quick succession.
Sadie gave another surprised giggle when Lev said, “Definitely.” Only it was a few notes higher than his normal voice.
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