“What are our plans for the weekend?” asked Alexandra Simba’s husband.

Alexandra had their twins on either side of her and was helping them with their nursery school coloring books in front of a comfy fire in the mansion’s great room.  The nanny came to gather the children after nighty-night hugs and kisses for their mum and dad.  Alexandra lit a cigarette before tackling Shane’s query. 

“I have been invited, along with Stanley Morrison, to go with Gina Lyon on her buying trip to London.  We plan to enjoy ourselves and take in some West End theater.  I assumed you’d be in the company of that feline slut of yours.”

“I thought we’d go to Mombasa for Sloane’s wedding.”

“I prefer going with Gina and Stanley.  Have fun at the wedding.”

“I shall.”

            Although things were certainly – to put it mildly – tense in that marriage, they made love that night.  Shane, but instead of cradling Alexandra in his arms, rolled to the other side and slept soundly. 

            Betty Chimpo felt a bit down.  She was undergoing therapy with Rory Lion who seemed distinctly unsympathetic with her problems.  Dickey Simba, with his erratic, quixotic lifestyle, hadn’t called for a while.  She was smoking a cigarette and trying to write an editorial for the Masai Mara Daily on the subject of creative writing when the phone rang. 

“I need a date for Sloane’s wedding in Mombasa,” said Shane Simba.  “Want to go with me?  We can spend the weekend at my place in Lamu.”

“Shane, you lead the most incredibly weird existence I’ve ever seen,” she giggled.  “Of course I’ll go.  What happened to all your current females?”

“Alex is going to be in London for the occasion.  I’ll pick you up on Friday, Fifi.  Okay?”

“Can’t wait.”

            This invitation called for a bit of cosmetic buzz.  She phoned Beau Visage and asked Paulette Poodle to put her on the front burner for a massage, steam room session, facial and styling. 

Betty in the sauna at Beau Visage.....

            The troops were gathering for the Simba-Cougar nuptials.  The weather report was excellent for the weekend.  Ashley Lyon and Luke Leoparde were flying guests free of charge for the occasion of his ex-wife and employee, Sloane Simba’s wedding.  Although Sloane was the former son-in-law of Cynthia and Dorian Cheetah, they felt no qualms about joining in the nuptial festivities, being neighbors and best friends with Bernard and Sylvia Cougar, the bride’s parents.  Cynthia and Dorian had a request from his niece, Claire Cheetah, to stay at their beach place for a bit of surfing.  She would drive there with the Cheetah’s granddaughter, model, Tara Simba.  The Cheetahs thought nothing of Claire wanting to kick back and relax after a week of lecturing at Kenya University.

            On the drive to Mombasa, Tara Simba and Claire Cheetah exchanged ‘female chit chat’. 

“How’s your love life?” inquired Claire, lighting a cigarette, causing Tara to roll down the car’s windows to escape the noxious smoke. 

“I’m putting it on hold until I get this modeling thing nailed down,” answered Tara. “How about you?”

“Between teaching classes and pottery crafting, I have no time for romance,” Claire lied most glibly. 

“What about my uncle, Shane?” boldly asked Tara, having heard the rampant rumors around the Mara.

“What about him?” asked Claire, tossing the cigarette butt from the window. 

“That’s against the law, Claire,” admonished Tara. 

“What is, seeing your uncle?” asked Claire, a sparkle in her dark eyes.

“No, throwing your cigarette butt out of the car.  It might spark a fire.”

            If Betty thought that she might be alone with her ex-husband, she was in for a surprise.  On the flight to Lamu Island were Shane’s mother, Sarah Lee Simba and the groom’s mom, Leander Simba.  Another surprise was that the lioness sisters were sharing Shane’s mansion on Lamu Island as well. 

            Upon arrival, they had drinks while observing the amazing coral streaked sky as the sun descended over the Indian Ocean.  Then there was the sumptuous meal of seafood that Sarah Lee managed to grumble about.  An additional bummer was the fact that the staff placed Betty’s things in one of the guest rooms but she decided that was because of the mother and aunt being present.  Things of a sexual nature would most probably transpire later. 

            After the dinner, Sarah Lee and Leander retired to their rooms in order to be fresh and perky for Sloane’s big day on Saturday.  A fire was roaring in the main living room when Shane began to stretch and yawn and speak of sleep.  He rose and gave Betty a kiss to the top of her head.

“Sleep well, Fifi, see you in the morning,” he told her and walked the hall in the direction of the master bedroom. 

She asked the houseboy for another drink and pulled her sweater around her shoulders.  That was when she heard the drone of the helicopter engine on the landing pad outside the villa.  She took the drink from the servant and ran for the porch to get a better look.  She got there in time to see the helicopter lift from the pad and head over the ocean. 

            Claire Cheetah was in the main stateroom when Shane landed on his yacht.  She stood in a dim light, completely nude with her sleek fur shining.  She held a silk scarf which she looped around his neck, pulling him into an invasive kiss.  The bed silken sheets had one corner turned down awaiting the twosome.  A decanter of Remy Martin cognac stood near with two crystal glasses.  The stage had been set for just what transpired – a scorching night of lovemaking where the couple ranged in bouts of aggressive sex mingled with softness. 

In the state room on his yacht.....and with Claire below:

            When Betty tiptoed down the hall at a very early hour hoping to find a staff member who could offer a cup of coffee, she found Shane looking refreshed and dapper as he lounged on the front terrace with his own.  He rose and pulled out a chair. 

“Sleep well, Fifi?” he asked. 

This was all too off kilter and déjà vu, thought Betty as she was handed a welcome cup of Kenyan coffee, still piping hot. 

“I heard the helicopter take off last night just as you took your leave of me.”

“Probably a routine sort of thing – night maneuvers,” he commented, opening the New York Times. 

“Shane, you forget that I once was wed to you while in this office.  I sort of know the score,” she corrected, determined not to let him get by with the bullshit.  “You’re not a very good liar at any rate, no matter how often you’re pressed into doing it.”

“You know who it is, Fifi, you sat at our table during the luncheon at the university.  You couldn’t take your eyes off our interaction.”

He lit two cigarettes and handed one to her - one of the memories of him that still stung when evoked. 

“Claire Cheetah?”

“Yes.”

“And she reminds you of Catherine, I am sure.”

“Yes, again.”

They were interrupted by a peevish voice bitching about the servants.  It was Sarah Lee Simba who sat down and joined them, putting a hasty end to their conversation.

Shane and Betty sharing coffee in his house on Lamu Island...

            Betty gave a quick comb to her hair.  So much for the beauty treatments….lots of good they did, she sighed. 

            The official limousine was pulled up to the entrance to transport the President and his party to the wedding at Sylvia and Bernard Cougar’s equally palatial villa. 

            The Cougar’s ocean front, ambling estate was festooned with small lights lining the trees and shrubs of the driveway.  You could hear the party already taking place inside.  Shane escorted Betty, his aunt and his mother through the entrance.  An easy, very fluid jazz band played somewhere, the melodic strains filling the air. 

            Lachlan and I arrived early at the request of the bride’s mother, Sylvia.  It seems that with the opening of his restaurant, Lachlan has become known as the gourmet gent around town.  He walked about the gigantic kitchen and pronounced everything to be going smoothly.   The guests began arriving very soon after and we mingled with them.  The bride looked ecstatic, the groom a bit nervous.  This was possibly due to the fact that his very acid ex-wife, Caroline Cheetah, had arrived with her parents and small Cindy, her daughter with Sloane.  Ashley Lyon, who had been Sylvia and Bernard Cougar’s son-in-law, was now the grandson-in-law of neighbors, Cynthia and Dorian Cheetah.  Nothing fazes Ashley or those who had been or were currently associated with him.  He seems to have finally achieved the same lovable, affable aspects of his dad, Ralph.  Everyone simply dotes on Ashley Lyon.  He was working heartily to help Sylvia with last minute chores.  His cubs with Lucy were following him about as he helped the bride’s mother.  Georgy Simba, the groom’s oldest daughter, sat awaiting her cousin, Sean Simba, who was due to arrive any time now. 

            At three o’clock, we all gathered on the beach where Sloane and Lucy said their vows under an arbor set up for the occasion.  The Reverend Saul Serval assisted the Reverend Calvin Cheetah in performing the marriage ceremony.  Then we followed the newly weds into the grounds and gardens of the Cougar’s villa for a party that lasted into the very wee hours of the following morning. 

            It wasn’t until after the ceremony that I noticed Dickey Simba.  He was in the company of Chloe Cougar and ignoring Betty as well as Caroline Cheetah.  Chloe got quite smashed and held more tightly to her coveted date.  Caroline Cheetah decided to target Shane Simba who Betty was following around.  So much for that; through the gate that joins the Cougar and Cheetah properties, came a vision in loveliness – Claire Cheetah.  She was followed by cousin, Tara Simba whose parent’s Sefu and Cassandra Simba were staying with Dorian and Cynthia for the weekend of the wedding. 

            The area was jam packed as guest who had been invited to the reception only began to pile in.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shane Simba talking to Claire in a group of others.  Betty slipped away.  I saw Dickey Simba walk toward her. 

“Betty, let’s get out of here,” pled Dickey.  “I’m suffocating.”

“No, Dickey, I’ve taken being ignored far too long.  It’s only a matter of manners for you to cease being so erratic.  What you’re doing to me is beyond rude,” she snapped, lighting a Kool with trembling fingers. 

“Do you think I don’t know and regret this, Betty?” he asked, with raised voice.

She put her fingers to his lips and quieted him. 

“Where shall we go, Dickey?  I’m Shane’s guest so we can’t go there.”

“I have a room at the Simba Resort.  We can go there.”

“Let me tell Shane.”

Dickey placed a hand on her arm. 

“Shane doesn’t know you’re alive.  Do you see who he’s talking to?”

“I know….Claire Cheetah.”

“Right you are…..let’s slip out now.”

“Okay, we’ll go to my beach house.  I’ll get my things later.”

             Chloe Cougar looked everywhere for the absent Dickey Simba.  He was nowhere to be seen.  Caroline Cheetah had lost sight of Shane Simba.  Come to think of it Cousin Claire had taken a powder as well.  Caroline suppressed a snarl and looked for other attractive males.   She found kinsman, Sean Simba, but he was firmly glued to another relative for the night. 

scene of beach wedding.....                    cousins, Imani Lyon and Georgy Simba........

Lucy Cougar feeds Sloane wedding cake as Cindy looks on.....

Dickey Simba with date, Chloe Cougar....                                       Old pals, Bernard Cougar and Ralph Lyon at the wedding....

former first Lioness, Mildred Lyon......................me with good friend, Betty Chimpo at the wedding....

some of the reception food.. 

 
mother of the bride, Sylvia Leoparde Cougar....

             Unlocking the back door of her Mombasa home, Betty Chimpo led the way inside.  Dickey Simba placed a bag of groceries on the that had been bought hastily from a small greengrocer on the Mombasa Road.  Betty poured two glasses of wine and they took them to her beautiful terrace which sat in such close proximity to the ocean that every lap of the surf was clearly heard.  Dickey sat on a chaise lounge pulling Betty on top of him. 

“Are you busy Monday?” he asked her, nibbling gently at her ear. 

“I can call some one to take my classes that day, why?”

“I took the week off; let’s stay here, shall we?”

“What a heavenly idea, Dickey….I didn’t know you were such a genius,” she laughed softly. 

“Give me a long, lingering and very sensual kiss,” he commanded.

She was glad to comply.