The Departure

The Priels and their little ones settled in the Quat-Cent-Quat they were let by the flight agency, Everon led the small convoy and Shatz was at its rear guard. A strange feeling of emptiness dawned upon Shatz, from the moment they left Everon's villa; as if it wasn't he himself that was following the Priels' car, on their way to the last ceremony that was forced upon them. Hilla's marble face didn't give up the slightest sign of emotion. A frozen and detached hint of a smile hovered on her lips, while he watched her getting on the car.

Maybe that's the cause to that strange feeling of mine... Everon too must have had some trouble in hiding his feelings although that mask of indifference, which he managed to put on his face. Although his recent declarations, he's tied to them if he would have been left alone, he would have mourned their departure. He can feign exultation in front of all the others, having got rid of the Priels at last, but what is he going to do without them? Whom would he trample and humiliate from now on? Priel is the only one who's in afore departure good spirits, although he lost his chance of an extended term of service, in some other country. He must be rejoicing his deliverance of the head of the delegation, of Da-Silva who exploited him so zealously, of the ambassador who was patronizing his wife, the rumors and humiliation he had to suffer from all the embassy staff. But he remains her husband, Hilla's husband...

Everon started to blow his horn when the embassy was still some fifty meters away. Raya Avisar, Peleg and his wife Tamar popped out of the embassy's entrance, walking a few paces forward hesitantly, and then forming a row, waiting embarrassedly for the rest of the members to join them. Right after them came the ambassador his young wife Rivka and Ehud Avisar. Their smiling faces were the proof that "they didn't sober from last night's wine" yet. The old feuds were forgotten, it seemed. If they were not wiped completely off, they were wiped off for the present moment at least.

Hilla stayed on in her seat holding her daughter on her knees. When the ambassador and his wife were just a few paces away, Priel went over to the car's side and opened its door, urging Hilla to get off. The whole embassy crew with the ambassador and Rivka his wife in the group's middle, crowded around the Priels, putting a siege on them. Raya and Tamar pushed forward to embrace Hilla and greet her, pushing Moshe aside. Everon and Shatz were left behind, at their rear; Everon was exchanging a few words with Moshe while Shatz watched that strange meeting amazed.

The ambassador extending his hand in vain to shake Moshe's hand, while Raya and Tamar were kissing the surprised Hilla on her cheeks. Rivka made a step forward getting nearer to Hilla, the ambassador was about to turn to Hilla himself, when Peleg Pushed forward like a drowning man trying to get hold of a life belt that was thrown to him. He was charging forward pushing everyone aside, the two women, the ambassador; and before Hilla realized what was going to happen he was all over her, holding her shoulders kissing her face, pushing her frightened daughter with his chest. Lee'at who watched with wide-open eyes the womens' first assault and now him; panicked, lost her baby dummy and started to cry, her brother joined in weeping and calling his mother's name - the good will gesture, the taking leave ceremony turned into an awkward riot.

Priel was the first one to brace himself, he pushed Peleg away with one hand, helped his wife back to her seat, mounted the car himself without another word, and off they rode, with screeching tyres.

As soon as the Priels' car disappeared the embarrassed silence was interrupted rudely with Peleg's wife Tamar and Raya scolding Peleg angrily. The ambassador didn't comment, but watched his first secretary with a pale face. Shatz bent down and picked up Lee'at's baby's dummy.
'Shouldn't we try to...' He asked Everon.
'Come on, don't make me laugh!' Retorted Everon, 'who's for having lunch at the Corsican?' He shouted attracting the group's attention and putting an end to the short brawl, which in any case was about to end up.

The only one that expressed her open objection was Tamar Peleg, standing beside her scolded husband with a fallen face. Raya who was still very moved, agreed enthusiastically, she had to discuss the day's exciting events it seemed - and having lunch together would provide the right and best chance to do it; to exchange views, impressions of that rather short but exciting event, that summed up the Priels' stay in the Coast of Hope. When her husband declared loudly his consent, the lot fell and was decided. The only question that seemed to bother almost everyone, was whether the expenses would be covered by the embassy. The Corsican wasn't any cheaper than the hotel's restaurant. Thus Peleg who had to support his wife, and exhibit his solidarity with her, expressed his view on the financial problem.

'There's no need to worry,' declared Everon taking the reigns once more into his hands. 'That event has to be celebrated, that's first of all, and the financial problem would be solved...' He emphasized sending a penetrating look in the ambassador's direction. After all they got rid of the Priels at last, although some of them may have changed their minds since yesterday's party. In any case this event should be celebrated, and the embassy budget (for some much important events) should cover the expenses.

'Well, no comment, is equal to a positive answer.' Declared Everon as if he was deciphering the ambassador's mute gaze. They were all laughing good heartedly even the ambassador, Everon got what he wanted - and now when the last hurdle was surpassed at last, all of them agreed and expressed their wish to set out right away.
The only one, who didn't get over the implications of the Priels' departure, was Shatz.