Zambezi by Tony Park Read Free Book Online Page A

‘Have a nice flight, sir.’
    Jed nodded and walked past the desk. When he turned and looked over his shoulder the immigration official was ignoring the next person in the queue and talking into a telephone.
    *
    ‘Would you like a drink from the bar, sir?’ the flight attendant asked as the aircraft levelled out.
    ‘Scotch on the rocks, and a beer, please,’ Jed said.
    He’d slept for three hours on the flight from Boston to Amsterdam, Holland, where he’d picked up his connection to Johannesburg, on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He covered a yawn with his hand. It would be three flights over three continents before he made Zimbabwe.
    The immaculately groomed young Dutchman gave a large smile as he handed over the drinks and opened the can of beer. ‘My pleasure, sir. Just holler when you need another.’
    ‘I think he likes you,’ the woman seated next to Jed whispered as the flight attendant moved past them to the next row.
    Jed smiled. ‘Not my type.’
    ‘Mine either, he’s too young for me. I’m Eveline, by the way.’
    ‘Jed.’ The woman was well off, judging by the gold earrings and necklace. In her late fifties, or early sixties. Still attractive, and a real looker in her day, Jed imagined. He didn’t really want to get into conversation, but felt it would be rude to cut her off straightaway. ‘You’re South African?’
    ‘I live there, but I was born in Rhodesia – Zimbabwe to you. Just been visiting some friends in the States. We Zimbos are scattered all over the world these days.’
    ‘I’m heading for Zimbabwe.’
    ‘Do you hunt, or are you going on a photographic safari?’
    ‘Neither. Family business to attend to.’
    ‘It’s just that most of the Americans I’ve met who have the gumption to travel to our part of the world seem to be hunters.’
    ‘I thought that was pretty much out of vogue these days.’
    Eveline shook her head. ‘No, no, Jed. Hunting’s alive and well in southern Africa. In Zim, it’s one of the few activities that still brings in hard currency The local people get a cut of the proceeds as well. You’ll find we’re not as politically correct as other parts of the globe, although we’re very conscious of conserving our wildlife. If we can make some money out of it on the side, well, all the better.’
    Jed nodded. ‘What about the Zambezi Valley, around Mana Pools National Park. Do you know the area?’
    ‘Know it? I practically grew up there. You hear a lot of people talk about God’s own country, but let me tell you, Mana Pools is it . Garden of Eden. One of the last truly wild places left on this earth.
    Are you going there?’
    ‘Yes. For a few days. You say it’s a wild place. Is it dangerous?’
    ‘Many people are a danger to themselves in the African bush, Jed. If you don’t know what you’re doing you become a risk to yourself and the wildlife.’
    ‘Are many people killed by wild animals?’
    ‘Probably more than you read about.’
    ‘What species?’
    ‘Not counting the mosquito, hippos top the list, you may be surprised to learn. Yes, they look like big friendly creatures, but they’ll chomp you in half as soon as look at you. They’re incredibly territorial. If you stray into their part of the river you can be in real trouble. Tourists on canoe safaris on the Zambezi are forever bumping into submerged hippos and getting tipped out of their boats when the animal, quite rightly, shows its annoyance. Crocs also nab quite a few people in the valley – a lot more than you ever hear about.’
    Jed tried to sound casual. ‘What about lions? Do they take many humans?’
    Eveline took a sip of her gin and tonic. ‘Well, Jed, your lion, he’s a different prospect. In fact, I should say she, as the females do most of the hunting. Had a couple sniffing around my tent at Mana years back. They’ll leave you alone if you stay quiet and don’t bother them.’
    ‘Are there really man-eaters – lions that develop a taste for humans?’
    ‘I