Basically, they were saying that you were a civil servant working at the Ministry of Agriculture, and your job regularly takes you to the north. You are just a struggling young man, they say, and Abena was much better off with this guy called Ampadu, whose family is quite wealthy.

According to them, your car is quite ordinary compared to Ampadu’s BMW, and he takes her to places you just can­not afford’.

‘Amen’, Ebo said. ‘Bernard, I think we have to celebrate the fact that you have found this out early in the day. I’m so glad that you have also started hitting the right buttons in business. I know Abena will be in for a big surprise quite soon.

This Ampadu guy and his two brothers are very loud. They hold parties quite regularly, at which a lot of wines and good food are served. But if the super­markets are their source of funds, then they have to be careful’.

‘I’ve heard that their dad took a chieftaincy title a couple of years ago’ George said, ‘and he has ac­quired some lands which his kids are selling. I hope they are using part of those resources wisely’. ‘How can you use resources wisely when you are organising flashy parties?’ Ebo said. ‘Hey, let’s order our food’.

It was a Friday evening, so I got into some light evening wear and drove out to meet the boys, but I decided to stop by Abena’s place. Her mother and sister and another young lady were relaxing in the yard, together with her cousin, so I sat beside them and joined their chat. ‘Abena is getting ready’, Mama said. ‘Are you guys going out’? ‘Actually, I haven’t made any such arrangements with her. I got back into town just this morning, so I just stopped by to greet you all and see how you are doing. And by the way, who is this gorgeous young lady?’. ‘Ah, Bernard’, Esaaba said. ‘Kwakye­waa is our cousin.

She’s a postgraduate student in France. She’s here for a holiday. Abena is dressing up, so I assumed she was going out with you’. Abena came out, looking nice.

‘Good evening’, she asked. ‘You are back in town’. I nodded. ‘Abena, I thought you were going out with Bernard’, Esaaba said. ‘No. I didn’t know he was in town.

Jennifer and I are going out with some friends. They are picking me up anytime from now. ‘Actually it’s quite fine’, I said. ‘I’m meeting my friends at the new seaside joint to catch up on what’s happening’.

Just then, the horn of a car sounded, and she walked majestically to the gate. ‘So Bernard’ Esaaba said, ‘when will you fulfil your promise of tak­ing me out? I haven’t enjoyed an evening out for some time’. ‘Actually, we can do that now. Kwakyewaa and Mom can join us. In fact, you will enjoy the view of the sea and the live band, and they serve some wicked food. So why don’t you go and get ready?’ ‘No way!’ the elderly lady said’. I will fall asleep in your car. Go with the girls. Next time give me enough no­tice’. ‘What do you think, Kwakyewaa”? ‘Try stopping me! Let’s go and find something to wear’.

There was quite a decent crowd at the Beach Club.

The boys were already seat­ed, and two waiters were standing by them, taking their orders. We also placed ours, and joined the conversation after introductions. ‘So madam’, I said as I turned towards Kwakyewaa, ‘What are you studying in France?’ ‘Actually,

I just completed my Diploma in Building Decoration. I studied Land Economy at KNUST, and whilst on a visit to France I met a school mate who was studying in a De­sign School, and after some discus­sions I also enrolled on the course’. ‘That is very interesting. So what aspects of building design did you cover?’ ‘Well, naturally I studied some general aspects of buildings, then I concentrat­ed on the fittings and other things that make them look nice’.

‘Very interesting. I will cer­tainly need to talk with you. When are you going back?’ ‘In two weeks. I need to go and find a jo b’.

‘I will need to talk with you at some length, before you leave’. ‘I didn’t know you were into build­ings. First I learned that you were into agriculture, but yesterday Es­aaba said you were rather into development work in the north’. ‘Esaaba is very correct. I have been in development work in the north for three years. But I need to discuss a building project in Accra’. ‘Anytime. I will be very ready to help’.

After quite a bit of dancing, we decided to call it a night, and I took the two ladies for the ride home. ‘Bernard’, Esaaba said, ‘thanks for a wonderful eve­ning. What a lovely place’. ‘Yes indeed’, Kwakyewaa said. ‘Nice place, nice band, and beautiful environment. Many thanks, Bernard’.

‘If you have really enjoyed it as you say, then let’s do it again’. ‘We promise!’ the two ladies said as if on cue, and broke into laughter. ‘Bernard, when do you want to have the discussion you mentioned?’