“Yes, I left a message for them when we arrived at the bus station. The journey was smooth and the other passenger said it lasted the usual time.”
That was ten hours across rough and sometimes desolate roads. “The bus company lived up to their name; there were movies on board and an armed security officer. Thank God, the latter was not needed.”
That did not mean she caught more than a few winks of sleep; she‘d been among the few who actually watched the movies.
“That‘s good to know. One often hears of overnight coaches that are ambushed and passengers robbed of their valuables at gunpoint. I don‘t do much road travel myself these days and can‘t remember the last time I boarded a night bus.”
Gladys thought that sounded condescending, but let it go and only nodded. In the next moment, her lips stretched in an unexpected yawn.
Her aunt stood up right away. “Sorry my dear, I shouldn‘t keep you. You‘ve just come off a very long journey and must be very tired. Come, I‘ll show you to the guest room.”
Gladys took in more of the house as she followed her aunt to the steps. There was a large dining room off to her left behind an alcove with molded detailing and two sentry potted palms. These complemented the other plants dotted around and the center pieces on the tables. When they got to the upper level, her aunt called out to a girl in one of the bedrooms making the bed.
“Bunmi, come over here. Leave the beds for a minute.”
“Yes madam,” the girl replied as she joined them.
“Go and prepare some toast and tea for my niece. Please be fast, OK?”
They entered through into an airy, well furnished blue and white room which already held Gladys‘s bags. The heavy curtains were drawn and bright light poured onto the twin beds. Aunt Isioma crossed to the far one to tuck in and smooth a stray sheet. Her gaze swept over her niece for a quick minute. Gladys pretended to be absorbed in the small table pressed to the wall nearest the door. It was cluttered with small ceramic knick-knacks.
“This will be your room for as long as you wish to remain with me.” Her aunt turned around the room. “I hope you like it.”
“Aunt Isioma, this is great. Thank you very much.”
The room was the size of the whole of the parlor area in their flat in Enugu. Gladys couldn‘t believe it was all hers. There was a built-in wardrobe paired with a dark wood dresser and the table near the door. The other objects were a mixture of lighter wood and stainless steel and appeared to be new additions. The cotton sheets on the bed looked very fresh.