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“Gentlemen—and I use that term lightly,” she began, her sarcasm sharp enough to cut steel. “First, it’s bad manners to interrupt. And second, it’s even less polite to ask such personal questions to a stranger. I’m happily married to the chief of police. Interested in a tour of the jail cells? I hear they’re quite cozy this time of year.”
Scum and Turd exchanged a glance, their earlier bravado deflating like a punctured balloon.
“Uh, no, well … we didn’t mean any harm,” Scum stammered. “In fact, I confused you with someone else.”
“We were just on our way out, actually,” Turd added with a wince.
“Good evening, then,” Abena said crisply, then watched them scurry out before turning to glance at me. “Now, where were we?”
I couldn’t help but smile at Abena. “Remind me never to get on your bad side. I was even scared.”
Abena chuckled, settling back into her chair. “Don’t worry, Veronica. I save that side for special occasions.”
“I’m confused, though…” I tilted my head to the side. “I thought you said your husband is an orange farmer.”
She smirked. “He is.”
We shared a laugh and continued to chat as we drank our chai, feeling as though we’d known each other for years rather than hours. Then her phone rang. She apologized and stepped away to take the call. A minute later, she returned with a frown.
“Bad news?” I asked.
“Not earth shattering, but yes, it’s an unfortunate issue we cannot solve at the moment,” she admitted. “I’m tempted to ask for your help, but we just met, and you’re also on vacation …”
“What’s the problem?” I asked. “I would love to help, if I can.”
Abena hesitated, then explained. “There’s a major exhibition coming at the end of the week, and we’re in a bit of a bind. It’s the Cairo AG Expo, and it is one of the largest agricultural events in the world, with normally a hundred-thousand attendees over the weekend.”
I nodded. “I’ve never attended, but I have definitely heard of it.”
“It’s an amazing event, with seminars, panels, demonstrations, and hundreds of exhibitors with every type of product imaginable for farmers,” she said. “One of our well-known speakers on the showcase panel just fell ill, and we’re scrambling to find a replacement.”
I felt a spark of enthusiasm I hadn’t expected as Abena detailed the conference’s focus and how much of it was very similar to my expertise, and even my upcoming project with the International Grain Coalition. I couldn’t help thinking it was fate that brought us together in Zanzibar.
“That’s definitely something I’m passionate about,” I said as Daphne and Caleb entered the lounge, followed by August, Sabrina, and Simon.
“I can see your friends have just arrived and are waiting for you,” Abena noted as they all took their seats on the other side of the lounge and waited for me to finish. “Do you need to go? I would love to tell you more about the expo.”
“They’ll wait for me,” I said with a smile. “What’s required of the panelists?”
“Not much at all—we would just need your expertise during the two-hour program in the main pavilion,” Abena answered. “You would be required to answer questions from the audience with the other three speakers. That’s it.”
“That’s not a big-time commitment at all,” I mused aloud. “Perhaps I could just fly to Cairo to attend the expo and then plan for a quick return before my friends miss me.”
Abena brightened at the suggestion. “That would be absolutely fantastic. Do you think your friends would mind?”
I shrugged. “I guess there’s only one way to find out. Excuse me for just a moment.”
As I approached the group, Daphne immediately asked, “Are you ready for the walking tour?”
I hesitated, the buzz of my conversation with Abena dominating my thoughts. “Actually, I have been presented with a unique proposition, and I’m thinking of saying yes. But it would mean that I would have to leave Zanzibar in the morning and be gone for a couple of days.”
August’s gaze was intense, yet he remained silent.
“Relax—it’s not what you think,” I told him. “I’m not trying to run off again. It’s a great opportunity to speak at an agriculture expo in Cairo. The speaker they had lined up just canceled on Abena, and she asked if I’d be willing to fill in. Would you all be terribly upset if I left to fill in for that speaker? I promise to be back as soon as possible.”
Daphne perked up. “Cairo? There is no way you’re going without me! I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids and take a boat down the Nile River.”
“And I’ve been dying to walk like an Egyptian,” Caleb added with a grin. “Besides, someone needs to watch over my sister while August is fighting off sharks with his bare hands.”
