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A is for – “Anyone want to go on safari?”

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“You are asking for trouble,” Jennifer, my sister, said with the usual condescending tone.

She hated the fact I was footloose and fancy free, unlike her, shackled to a bad husband and three demanding and bratty children.

It had been an idyllic marriage until she decided she wanted children, and Mike, her husband, didn’t.  Not until they had secured their future.  She went off the script, and everything had gone downhill since then.

She looked tired and, as a result, sounded irritable.

“It’s been cleared by the government, and it’s not the first one.  They’ve run it successfully for two years now without incident.”

We were talking about my latest holiday destination, a safari that ventured across three African nations, one of which had recently been in the news after an unsuccessful coup.

The last safari had been cancelled as a precaution, but the particular nation had said everything was now settled, and the safaris could restart.

It was no surprise that the revenue from the tours was much-needed income for the government.

“I thought you were going ice fishing in Alaska and camping out in an igloo. That would be safer.”

I had thought about it, but that I could do anything.  A safari sounded a lot more interesting, especially when a lot of the animals they had in the wild could basically only be seen in Zoos.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing, Jen.  My mind is made up.”

“When do you go?”

“Next Tuesday.  It takes about a month, give or take, depending on the weather.”

“I can’t talk you out of it?”

“It’s booked, and I’ve cleared my calendar.  Don’t worry, I’ll report in every day.”

I took the train to Heathrow to avoid the hassle of driving.  I was travelling light and following the tour guide documentation.

Arriving with a few hours to spare, I found a cafe and had a late breakfast and coffee, and whiled away the time researching the countries and animals likely to be seen.

There was an obscure news article filed the day before by a neighbouring country’s national newspaper on a matter of civil unrest in one of the provinces, but it was nowhere near where the tour would be passing through

I also looked at the tour company’s Web page for an update on the tour conditions, where they advised whether there were any problems, and all there was was a nod to the weather, which might turn bad for a day or two.

There was nothing about civil unrest.

About a half hour before boarding commenced, I went to the gate and spent the time evaluating who of the two hundred or so passengers would be my fellow safari travellers.

Until my cell phone vibrated, signalling an incoming message.  I was expecting one from work, but the number it was from was not familiar.

“Jennifer has got it into her head she needs a break from us.  She was muttering something about a safari you were going on.  If this is so, please talk her out of this silliness and tell her to come home.”

What the hell?  Jennifer had never shown any inclination for adventure, so it was difficult to believe she would join me on a safari or anywhere else.  And I was not surprised that Brian had messaged me.  Their home would not survive without her.

I sent back, “If she does come here, you have my word. I will do my utmost to convince her to go home.”

I hope she was not trying to make a point at my expense.  Brian disliked me enough as it was.

A few minutes later, the message I was waiting on arrived.  These two words had great significance, and after going through the presentation, I got the feeling the answer would be no.

I opened the message.  “Operation approved.  Settling wheels in motion.”

I took a deep breath.  It was going to make the time away just a little more interesting if anything happened, although my assessment at the time had been it could take weeks, even months.

Perhaps I should just enjoy the safari and the time away while I could.

Boarding commenced forty minutes before the scheduled departure time.  In my experience, there was no plane I’d ever been on from any airport in the world left on time.

Having opted to pay more for a better seat in business class, I was allowed to board with the first class and frequent fliers with those cards I’d never attain.

It was a refined group for first class, with one exception: a family who looked like they’d stumbled upon the billion ff miles needed for the upgrade, and a more motley group in business class.  I had dressed for the occasion, but some hadn’t.

I think they were university types because they both looked like the lecturers I had, and they had no dress sense either.

The seat next to me was empty, though I expected someone would eventually fill it because I was told the plane was full.  It took the full forty minutes to get everyone on, including a late straggler, the occupant of the seat next to me.

And I was not surprised to see my sister Jennifer.

Perhaps she had left her boarding to the last minute and presented a fait-accompli as the door was closed behind her.  That showed a deliberate intent to come with me.

I frowned at her as she sat, as well as shake my head.

“Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, Jeremy.”

I shrugged.  “What are you doing here?”

“Simple.  I needed a break.  I don’t want to go anywhere by myself, so I chose to go on your safari.”

“You don’t do adventure,” I said, remembering the one and only time she was forced to go on such a holiday.  It didn’t end well.

“Perhaps that’s what’s missing in my life.”

“Brian sent me a message to tell you to go home.”

“To be his and those wretched children’s slave.  No, I’m done with that for a month.  They can either choose to go in without me or perish.”

The steward came past to hand out a drink, orange juice, water, or champagne.  Jennifer picked the champagne.  I had water.

There was a shudder through the plane, and then we started moving back.  For better or worse, we were on our way.

“So, you’re determined to do this?”

“I am.”

The look on her face, of determination tinged with despair, told me all I needed to know.  I was not going to enjoy this holiday.

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©  Charles Heath  2025