She got another cup from the cupboard just as Sindiswa entered the kitchen.
"How is Joy doing?" She asked turning slightly to look at Sindiswa. Sindiswa didn't immediately answer but looked around the room as if searching for something. "Sindi?" Mandisa asked in the process of putting a teabag in the cup. Sindiswa looked at her.
""What? Oh, Joy is fine. He is with Khanyi." Sindiswa answered distracted. She sat down by the table, her focus on her hands. Mandisa turned back to the act of making tea. Khanyisile was very good with children, so good actually that Mandisa had organized a license for her and Sindiswa to run a crèche. Sindiswa had an instinct for money management and with a small business management course, done with her inheritance from her adopted mother - Mandisa had sued the adoptive relatives and got them to return Sindiswa's trust fund and give her the house her adoptive mother had left for her. The money Sindiswa had gotten hadn't been much but it had been enough for her and Khanyi to study and get certificates so they could manage the crèche. Mandisa was proud of them. They were both hard workers and passionate about the work they did, Khanyi more than Sindi as she related better with children than adults.
Mandisa poured water in the cup and brought it to Sindiswa. No sooner had she placed the cup in front of her than a knock came at the front door and the door opened.
"Sindi, are you here? I need the…" Two figures emerged from the kitchen and Bonisile's sentence trailed off. She stared at Mandisa. "What are you doing here?" She asked closing the door.
"I live here. What is your excuse?" Mandisa asked pleasantly.
Bonisile looked at Sindiswa who immediately looked guiltily and dropped her eyes to the floor.
"I didn't expect you back so soon. Why didn't you call us and let us know you were back?" The words were directed at Mandisa but Bonisile's eyes remained on Sindiswa. Mandisa looked from one sister to the other.
"Same script different cast." She said frowning. "Does anyone care to tell me what is going on?"
Bonisile shook her head. "What are you talking about? When did you get back?"
"About an hour ago." Mandisa answered not missing the fact that Bonisile was trying to change the subject. "What are you doing here?" She asked Bonisile while feeling that Sindiswa was the one she should be asking.
"I misplaced my flats keys so I came here to ask Sindi if I can borrow her set." Bonisile said dropping her hand bag on a couch. Mandisa turned to Sindiswa.