She pulled the lid of the holder up, removing it completely. Inside the holder was a rolled up canvas, lovingly tied with a red ribbon. Tucked inside the ribbon was an envelope, which Bette slid from her surprise gift. As she looked, she couldn't help but notice the delicate artistic writing on the front. "Read this before opening"
Bette opened up the sealed envelope, and removed an A5 piece of paper.
My Darling Bette,
I have never been good with words. I have always relied on my work to speak for me.
Please forgive me for not having the strength to say goodbye to you.
You already have my heart, and in a month the rest of me will follow.
Until then I will miss you more than I can say.
Tina
Bette took the one end of the red ribbon between her thumb and forefinger, and carefully pulled, slowly untying the bow. She took the ribbon and put it carefully into her top pocket before slowly unfurling the canvas.
As Bette slowly began to roll out the canvas on her lap, a picture started to form, each partial turn of it revealing more and more of the vision. She saw the waters edge of the watering hole before her, realising that the picture was painted as if Tina was standing thigh deep in the clear water. Ahead of her was the first of the pride of lions they had watched relocate. She could see two lionesses sat upright, scouring the savannah intently watching out for any unexpected meal opportunities, beside the second lioness was a cub, jumping up at his mother, trying unsuccessfully to nip her ear to attract her attention. As she unrolled further she saw a mother standing side on, cleaning one of the two magnificent lions, by licking in long strokes down the length of his golden mane.
Bette couldn't contain the giggle at the sight of the second male, lying on the ground, his mouth open mid roar, and his paw swiping half heartedly at the two cubs playing by his side, their boisterous fighting disturbing him from his sleep.
Her eyes roved the painting lovingly as she unfurled the picture further piece by piece as if putting together a jigsaw. Suddenly there sat a Land Rover in the background. Tina's Land Rover.
Bette paused holding her breath, already knowing what the next roll of the canvas would uncover. She rolled fraction by fraction to reveal herself in the middle of this scene, her face full of joyous wonder, reminding her of the photograph she had seen the previous evening. Oh my god she thought. That's why Tina had taken all of those pictures, she thought. The tears escaped her then, rolling unnoticed down her face. She knew the beautiful blonde who had captured her heart would be sat right next to her, and as she rolled the canvas one more time there she was, but not watching the scene before them as Bette expected. She was watching Bette, her body leaning toward her, the honey gold glints in her hair emphasised in the bright sun. Suddenly Bette had the answeer she had so desperately searched for, there it was staring her straight in the face. Tina's expression of loving tenderness told Bette everything she needed to know about the blondes feelings for her.
"Vual?" Bette whispered
"You want we should turn round" Vual stated. "Good. You do the right thing."
Vual turned full circle taking the Land Rover back toward the compound swiftly. "You know you will not have long with her, if I am to get you to the airport for your flight?" Vual enquired.
"I don't need much time" Bette responded. "I just have to see her. Please hurry."
"It would be better for you to use the seatbelt" Vual said matter of factly. "It's about to get bumpy!"
The Land Rover flew across the rough terrain, each pothole, jarring the passengers as they jumped and slid around in their seats.
Bette stared unseeingly out of the passenger window, her mind deep in thought. How could I have been so stupid she thought desperately. I cannot leave without seeing her one more time, without apologising for being such an asshole. She watched the scenery blur around them by as they flew toward their destination.
Suddenly a blinding flash of reflected sunlight forced her to shut her eyes abruptly. She squinted painfully, trying to figure out what she had just seen. As the truck sped along she looked behind her just making out something a box like shape through the heat haze. For some reason she couldn't understand she felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. "what was that?" She asked
"What?" Vual replied looking around him, but seeing nothing.
"I saw something" Bette replied. "Back there, past the bushes. Just by the rocks."
"An animal?" Vual asked. "This time of year it could be anything. What colour was it, did you see?"
"No" Bette replied impatiently. "It wasn't an animal. The sun was glinting off it, it looked more like a lookout hide or something."
"It couldn't have been a hide." Vual said. "It is in the wrong place."
Bette couldn't contain the feeling of foreboding she was feeling. Torn between her race to reach Tina's side, and the increasing feeling that something was wrong behind them she grabbed Vuals arm. "Turn around" She commanded forcefully.
"We do not have time." Vual replied. You can see Tina, or we can turn around. We do not have time for both."
Bette bit her lip, hoping against hope that she was doing the right thing. "Vual, I can't explain it but I have a bad feeling about what ever it was I saw. Please? I need for us to go back."
Vual bought the Land Rover to a halt, and checking to make sure that Bette had made her decision, sighed and turned the vehicle around to find the glinting object Bette had spotted. Vual drove much slower looking all around him, trying to see anything out of the usual.
As they rounded the small outcrop of bushes ahead of them, they saw it. A vehicle ahead of them in the distance, it's far back wheel seemingly higher up than the rest of the vehicle. Bette felt the sick feeling in her stomach intensify as the vehicle slowly came into focus through the heat haze. Her face registering the shock and fear she felt as she realised that it was the same vehicle as the one depicted in the painting she had viewed just a few short minutes ago.
"Oh my god!" she exclaimed "It's Tina. Vual, It's Tina." Panic in her voice now, Bette screamed for Vual to go faster, praying that she was ok. It's my fault she thought disconsolately. If anything has happened to her it's my fault.
She looked over at Vual, noticing the hard lines on his face as he frowned worriedly.
He bought the car to a screeching halt, alongside the disabled vehicle, and even before they had reached a full stop, Bette had flung open the passenger door, and was running toward the side window to peer inside. What she saw made her panic even more. Or rather what she didn't see. Where was Tina? She couldn't see her. Turning round and round, Looking for any sign of life, Bette frantically screamed out Tina's name.
Bette ran round the Land Rover to the other side, and looked out across the rocks, hoping against hope to find her love out there.somewhere. A sob escaped her throat as she contemplated the unthinkable. That she had lost her, truly lost her.
