No Place Like Home

Their South African safari was the holiday of a lifetime, but Cora began to worry that Toby wanted more…

It’s too early!” Cora groaned, rolling over and hugging into her pillow. “We’re supposed to be on holiday.” “Exactly why we need to get up.” Toby laughed, pushing his hands through his tangle of Poldark- esque hair. “Come on, I’ve already showered.”

“You’re a masochist.” She smiled.

“No, just keen. It’s not every day we get to go on safari.”

Cora yawned. “No, I suppose not.” As she sat up, she took in her surroundings. Through the floor-to-ceiling window the sunrise was beginning to lighten the grey skies. Had they really slept in a tree house, with the soundtrack of laughing baboons swinging through the baobab trees and the glug-glug of the coucal bird? Toby was right. It was magical – but at five in the morning it was hard to be enthusiastic.

“Let’s go to South Africa,” he’d said all those months ago when they’d been planning a holiday.

“South Africa?”

“I’ve always wanted to see the country. It sounds fantastic. Beautiful scenery, all those animals in their natural habitat, eating food at a braai.”

As they’d pored over websites, she too had fallen in love with the magical coastline, stunning landscape and the promise of photographing so many native animals on the excitement of a safari.

Booking flights and accommodation had turned the dream into a reality. Over the months leading to their departure, Toby had spent hours researching the country. He’d studied the areas they hoped to visit and devised an itinerary.

Initially she was thrilled he was so keen but as time went on and he cancelled several dates to concentrate on planning their trip, an alarm bell tinkled that perhaps he was becoming a little obsessed.

Had he put this much effort into their last holidays to Spain and Italy? No, all he’d done then was to check out a few bars and restaurants on TripAdvisor.

Yet once they stepped off the plane in Cape Town, she could see why he’d become so enthralled. The place was simply stunning. After travelling along the famous Garden route, they’d stayed at this wonderful reserve where they could experience a safari. She stepped into the wood-clad shower as Toby made coffee.

“Better wear layers. It will be a cold start but when the sun comes up…” he said when she emerged.

“It’ll be sweltering, I know.” She laughed, towelling her long blonde hair as Toby packed a rucksack with binoculars, camera, water bottles and sunblock.

After dressing in a neutral beige T-shirt and a pair of trousers that zipped off at the knees to convert into shorts, they made their way to reception. Waiting with the other guests for the Jeeps to arrive, they ate a small breakfast as they couldn’t take food with them on the safari.

Toby jumped up, handing her sun hat to her. “Come on, the Jeeps are here!” “This is amazing. Can you just imagine living here with all this on your doorstep?”

When Cora realised they’d be travelling in an open Jeep, she was filled with apprehension.

“It’s so we can take better photos,” Toby explained, reaching for her hand.

“I think I’d prefer a few misty pictures and feeling safe,” she whispered, squeezing his fingers.

“We’ll be fine,” he smiled, pulling her to him. “It’s part of the adventure.”

But when the guides warned them not to make loud or sudden noises, she felt even more alarmed.

The convoy of Jeeps began to drive through the magical African landscape, and it wasn’t long before they saw their first giraffe nibbling at the leaves of an acacia tree. With the mesmerising sight, her fear disappeared.

As Toby took numerous shots with his camera, Cora reached for her mobile. Mum, Dad and her brother Joe would love to see this, she thought.

Suddenly the guide asked the group, “Do you smell that?”

Cora took a deep sniff and said, puzzled, “It’s like… popcorn.”

“That is right,” the guide whispered. “It is the smell that tells us a leopard is near.”

Wide-eyed, Cora whispered to Toby, “I don’t think eating popcorn at the flicks will ever be the same again now.”

They waited until the most beautiful sleek leopard wandered from the bush. “I can’t believe it,” Cora breathed.

As the Jeeps wound through the scrubland, they saw so many animals including the Big Five.

“This is amazing. Imagine living here with all this on your doorstep,” Toby said, focusing his lens on an elephant shading under an umbrella thorn tree.

Cora frowned. There was something in his tone that worried her. Surely, he only meant that as an observation, the way everyone does when they enjoy a holiday?

Wow! That was amazing,” Toby enthused as they arrived back at their treetop lodge.

“I can’t believe we were so close to a lion. Wait ’til I tell Mum,” Cora said, selecting the best shots to send over WhatsApp.

“It was the best experience and all the more special sharing it with you,” Toby said, pulling her in for a kiss. “Tonight, we’ll eat under the stars by candlelight and then tomorrow we’ll drive further along the Garden Route.”

“I love the views!” Cora said, snuggling into him. “The coast here is to die for. Where are we headed?”

“Frankschoek. I want to stop at a vineyard along the way.”

Cora smiled. Toby worked for a wine merchant and was looking forward to visiting a South African vineyard. He really rated their wines, especially Pinotage.

“Great – I can’t wait to share more photos with the family back home.”

“Photos are great, but being here is something else. Imagine living here. Wouldn’t it be fantastic?”

“Um… yes, it would,” she said, again feeling that tingle of apprehension.

It was a gorgeous country, but the idea of emigrating – either here or to any other country – filled Cora with dread. She loved her family, and their flat in Brighton was