The Perfect Happiness(104)
“And not a drop was spilled,” he replied.
“Thank God! I imagine it’s very bad luck if it does!”
“I can’t wait to see it.” Angelica felt inspired by the story that showed how with love anything was possible.
“Shame your husband isn’t here with you.”
Anna laughed lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll lend her mine.”
They all laughed with her, except for Angelica, who didn’t know how to respond. She sipped her grenadilla and tried to hide her blushes behind her hair.
“And don’t forget to toast good old Professor Black!” Dan added merrily.
26
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
In Search of the Perfect Happiness
That afternoon Jack and Angelica drove to Stellenbosch. Jack parked the car, and they wandered up the harmonious streets of Cape Dutch houses, beneath avenues of leafy plane trees. The white buildings gleamed in the dazzling sunshine, beneath an uninterrupted cerulean sky. They stopped at a café, sitting at a small round table on the pavement in the shade of a green-and-white umbrella.
Their mood was buoyant after their morning in the fields. They chatted about their book, and Angelica bought a few more presents for Joe and Isabel. It hadn’t occurred to her to buy anything for Olivier. At four they drove to Warwick Wine Estate for tea. Nestled beneath the shadow of Simonsberg Mountain, Warwick was a charming old vineyard in the Cape Dutch tradition.
They were met by James Dare, a laid-back Englishman with a hearty laugh and irrepressible sense of humor. They drank the famous Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc on the veranda as Jack and James discussed the quality of the grape. The sun threw a vibrant palette of reds and golds across Table Mountain, and fish eagles circled the dam in search of supper.
Before they departed, Angelica requested a drink out of the famous marriage cup.
“So you know the story?” said James.
“Kat Scott told me at lunch. It’s a lovely tale.”
“I’ll ask Belle to go and get it.” He called to his wife.
“Is it bad luck to drink with a man who is not my husband?”
“Not at all. It’s not just a symbol of love and faithfulness, but of good luck, too.”
“Wonderful! We all need good luck,” she said.
“How long are you staying?”
“I leave tomorrow evening.” She pulled a face. “Don’t! I can’t bear it. I’ve had such a magical time. South Africa is the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to. The countryside is spectacular. I’ve never seen such magnificent sunsets. If it wasn’t for my children, I think I’d stay forever.” She avoided Jack’s eye, although she felt his gaze as surely as if it were sunshine.
Belle brought out the marriage cup, a shiny chalice just as Kat had described.
“How very clever!” Angelica exclaimed, taking it so she could get a closer look.
The metal was intricately engraved and highly polished. She gave it to James, who turned the skirt upwards. “Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2008 vintage,” he said, pouring. “Right, Jack, you hold it towards you at an angle. Angelica, this is for you.” He poured a little into the movable cup. Angelica, dizzy from the wine she had already consumed, began to giggle nervously. She looked into Jack’s brown eyes and put her lips to the cup. Without taking their eyes off each other, they both drank. She didn’t know whether it was nerves or the alcohol, or the silent words she read behind his glasses, but she began to laugh, snorting through her nostrils so that her cup tipped and wine dribbled down her chin. This made her laugh all the more. Infected by her amusement, Jack and James joined in as Belle put her hands on her hips and shook her head.
“I hope you’re not superstitious,” she said with a grin.
“What will be, will be,” said Jack when he managed to control his mirth. “Spilled wine won’t make the slightest bit of difference.”
“Oh dear! I’m so sorry,” Angelica apologized, wiping her chin. “Has that ever happened before?”
“No,” James replied, chuckling. “Most people take it very seriously.”
“Luckily, you’re not married,” said Belle. That made Angelica laugh all the more. If only they knew, she thought. If I wasn’t laughing so much, I’d cry.
Jack and Angelica were still laughing in the car on the road back to Rosenbosch. It was now dark. The sky was almost purple, the valley lit by a round, pregnant moon. Stars shone bright as cut glass. They held hands, aware that this was their last night together.
“Anna won’t be back until late.”
“What are you suggesting?”