Chapter 38 - Chapter 37

"This is long overdue," Charmaine says, setting the large charcuterie board down on her dining room table. "I can't believe how long it's been since we got together."

"What's wrong with us, bitches?" Hlengiwe asks, picking up a spear of olives, brie and salami. "Oooh. I love a good charcoochie board."

"Charcuterie," Charmaine corrects.

"You stay cute with yours," Hlengiwe says and winks. "But it's the coochie that brings the boys out."

"Well, it's a girls' night," I remind her. "So no coochie. I mean, unless we want to talk about coochie, but no boys."

"I'm just glad we finally got some time," Charmaine says. "The year started off so hectic."

"Yeah, spending the last two weeks in Cape Town with my client was exhausting." Hlengiwe pops a grape into her mouth. "But commission off that multimillion-rand deal makes it worth it."

"Okay. Black luxury," I say, high-fiving her. "I see you."

We all laugh while Charmaine fills our glasses with cold Chenin Blanc.

"I needed this." I take a long sip, letting it cool my throat and relax my nerves. "Sphe is playing cricket, and that is eating a chunk of my free time. Getting him to practice early and late, being there for matches, but that was the compromise we reached. Since I wouldn't budge on rugby, he negotiated cricket."

"My girls are in everything." Charmaine takes a healthy sip of her wine. "Nadia's actually taking acting classes."

"She chose that over modelling?" Hlengiwe asks.

"She chose it for herself," Charmaine emphasises. "I'm not encouraging her to trade on her looks. I'm teaching her to use every gift in her arsenal."