René resolves to shelter Laura

Rene wished that he could have spoken to Ike face to face. However, he was isolated from the band, with him being in Johannesburg, mainly so that they could get the chance of a decent rest. The way Ike was carrying on in London was just not acceptable, though.

Rene had earlier left messages at the house where Ike was being accommodated, because that was the only way that he could eventually locate him. 

Ike had reportedly attended a few really boisterous parties and he had twice ended up in a fist fight. Once with a guest and on another occasion, with his party host. 

Then he had also been charged with drunken driving. The charges had eventually been dropped and only Ike himself would know how he contrived that, but Rene was not charmed at all.

"All I can tell you is to get your butt over here and get a grip on things," Rene told Ike very clearly when he eventually spoke to him. 

Ike knew on the other end that there would be no further words of admonition coming from Rene, who was usually a very easy going person, but one who should not be crossed without an incredibly good explanation.

After the phone call Rene again felt the full impact of the pressure upon him. He actually was responsible for the actions of each member of his group and he could not afford to lose a single one of them. He simply could not function without the people he had spent so many laborious hours with, for so many years. 

They had worked hard, always meticulously trying to get one aspect of work together at a time. Working together has never been easy, but as time passed, it did become easier to work as a union. 

So he did possess some sense of responsibility after all, Rene told himself. This after he had shied away from the responsibility of having a family of his own. 

What made this scenario interesting, was the fact that these encumbrances were adults and not children. It was quite ridiculous!

There were times when he had sleepless nights, worrying about a specific member of his band, who was either facing personal trials or simply behaving in a childish manner; as Ike Roberts was doing now. 

They did have their good times though, which made up for everything else.

Rene poured himself another glass of orange juice, slumped down onto his leather recliner chair and put his feet up. He was still deep in the process of composing a piece of music and he could simply not go to sleep, without being thoroughly satisfied with it first. 

It was already two o' clock in the morning and it seemed as if he would not be going to bed until five o' clock. Three more hours of work for him.

Rene had hardly settled down into his chair when the phone rang. It could be Ike coming up with a suggestion concerning their conversation earlier, or it could be another member of the band who knows about the situation. This was unlikely though, because Rene usually goes to great lengths not to let other members of the group know about an admonition from him to a fellow band member. 

It could only therefore mean that Ike had shared his situation with the rest of the band. Otherwise, who else knew his private home number? Rene wondered. 

He was totally surprised when he heard Laura's voice. They were friends now, but four years ago they were dating. 

He still called her his darling, though only in a light tone. She was, after all, a married woman now. 

While they exchanged formalities he briefly wondered why she would be calling him after two o' clock in the morning. 

"What a surprise, Laura!" he exclaimed. "And what can I do for you at this amazing hour of the day?" he asked, while trying to keep his mood as casual as possible. 

There was absolutely no need for panic if there was a possibility of reasoning out a situation. That is what he had learned from experience. This was clearly not a courtesy phone call, but Rene felt that one should never overreact. 

So he resolved to remain calm, regardless of the reason for Laura's call.

After Laura had explained her situation of confusion and her feelings of insecurity to Rene, he realized that this could be a godsend. 

Here was somebody who could completely take his mind off his troubles and he was always happy to oblige her. 

In a way it fulfilled his need of taking care of a family of his own. He loved Blake and Laura's little daughter, Monique. 

Blake of course, did not know that Laura planned to come over sometime and visit with the baby. 

Blake did also not know that rather frequently; Laura had to ask Rene for financial assistance, which he had never denied her. 

Rene understood her precarious situation and did it mainly to help her. 

According to Rene, Blake could have studied part time for a law degree and worked part time, to support his family at the same time.

Rene helped out for Laura and Monique's combined benefit, because he felt that they did not deserve being deprived of material necessities. Right now he was going over there to pick them up and bring them over to his place in Randburg, for at least two days. That should suffice to make Blake decide what it was that he really wanted out of life.

***

The stranger ordered Blake and Jared each an exotic drink of strawberries and cream in liquor and told them in a smoldering, husky voice, that those would be on her charge. 

They each nodded their thanks as they were both still dumbstruck with amazement. She then gave them a dazzling smile and left. 

Blake winked at Jared with amusement as they commenced to sip their drinks.