Season 1, Episode 8: OVERSTAYING YOUR WELCOME.

The tea room buzzed with idle office gist the next day. John the litigation clerk recounted how long the librarian and the youth corper chatted for.

A guy came to pick her up yesterday, I doubt if she and Bolaji have something going added Blessing the receptionist.

These millennials, they can have ten boy friends at the same time said Precious the office assistant.

Haba ten boyfriends, one sugar daddy is enough to settle her bills! What does she need ten boyfriends for? I’m surprised Veronica didn’t inform her about closing time for corpers said Nathaniel.

The other corper stays at the lobby until her driver comes to pick her added John.

Tolani’s stealth appearance was unexpected as the room fell silent. Good morning she cooed, like she didn’t hear them. She was too use to gossips. When she was younger, she was called oyinbo pepper until SS1 when one of her friends said she had become very sugary. That was the first time she heard that expression “sugary” which meant that she was attractive to older men. Before then she was ibotic (looks like an Igbo girl), her long thick hair which she bonded in a clip during social gatherings didn’t help matters. The boys in school and neighbourhood liked her and she knew too well that she couldn’t date till she was eighteen.

La Modella was her next nickname when she was in SS3, her waist had become too tiny for her behind. She became more conscious and careful too. She would sit at socials pretending to read a novel while her mates swayed in groups seeking attention. Then when she mimed “What a Man” she and Aisha role playing Salt and Pepper they became the stars of the Music Club and that was how they became a pair even through the university.

The support staff began leaving one after the other as she settled on the cafe stool mindlessly.

The beverage and tea are free, you’re only allowed to take two mugs of beverage per day, Precious hinted as she cleaned the twelve seater table.

She only came in to see what the tea room looked like. She busied herself chatting on her whatsapp phone while nibbling on her sandwich, pretending she didn’t hear.

Precious placed the mug and tea spoon in front of her.

Oh thank you she said. I’m going to court this morning.

There’s still time, it’s only 7:40 Precious added.

She wondered how someone who claimed she had ten boyfriends could act so nice. Stay away from poison she thought.

Thank you, she insisted, holding out her flask.

Your colleague didn’t tell you that the tea is free?

I’m aware. I forgot she said with her tongue in cheek.

Naomi’s heels announced her presence. She looked surprised to find Tolani in the tea room. She had never been here before she thought to herself.

Precious served her a mug of creamy chocolate drink, like she always did without saying good morning. She must have seen her earlier she figured and wondered what time she logged in.

She settled to her breakfast of Walkers and hot chocolate drink without saying a single hello to Tolani.

Tolani was chatting away almost done with her sandwich when Veronica and Victor walked in.

Good morning ladies said Victor as he sat next to Naomi.

Good morning Tolani said

Hello Naomi chimed back

Her mood is back, Tolani said out loud.

Veronica smiled rather sheepishly at Tolani and she could guess what was running through her mind, she probably saw her drive off with Dozie a day before.

I saw the Rhapsody legal opinion in the dropbox and the file endorsement she began. I like brevity she remarked. Well done

Thank you.

Are you ready for court today.

Not exactly

How is the Access — Diamond Merger going?

I was able to come up with a draft yesterday.

Also add a workplan to it, Veronica added.

Hello People announced Bolaji!

Hey my guy said Victor.

These two are spies, I hope they don’t add Naomi to their league, Veronica whispered.

When is AO coming back? Victor asked.

Who is AO ? Naomi enquired.

Adebayo Olaoluwa, he’s the Head of Chambers.

I stopped by at Frank’s house yesterday, Victor announced. I doubt if he’s coming back.

Mr. Johnson walks in.

Good morning everybody choroused

Morning he said how are you all doing today?

Fine Veronica chimed

We’re all fine said Victor

How do you know that? Bolaji quizzed

Everyone chuckled.

Precious served Veronica creamy coffee, Victor tea and Bolaji black coffee.

What would you like to have sir?

Tea and cream, no sugar please Mr. Johnson said.

I met one of Frank’s neighbours Victor continued, surprisingly he said Junior fell into a puddle so Frank took him to the hospital on Sunday morning.

I also thought that his message was too coordinated for someone under distress Veronica added

He’s not coming back Bolaji said. He left puzzles. He didn’t pick up his loan. Come to think about it, he didn’t even update his health insurance after he got married.

………..

Frank arrived at his brother’s in Umahia at about 2pm on Sunday afternoon. When his brother and his wife arrived from church they arranged the frontage. As Frank alighted from the car, he was surprised to see cane chairs in front of the house with a sign hanging:

DO NOT OVERSTAY YOUR WELCOME