The Full Cupboard of Life (2004)
Mma Ramotswe and Mr J L B Matekoni have been engaged for some time. And apparently it's the responsibility of the male to propose the wedding date in Botswana. But Mr J L B Matekoni isn't doing it. Neither he nor Mma Ramotswe understand why. Mma Ramotswe confides her concerns to Mma Potokwane.
Interestingly, Sandy doesn't link this with Mr J L B Matekoni's bout of depression in the last book. Neither of the parties regret their decision to marry. Money is no object. Mr J L B Matekoni isn't a poor man, and Mma Ramotswe still has a swag of cattle left over from her inheritance from her father. But, it just ain't happening.
While thinking of marriage, Mma Ramotswe is engaged by a lovely rich woman who has spent so much time and effort building up her business that she's left no space for a husband and children. Now forty, she has advertised for a husband, and has whittled down the prospectives to four men. Her task for Mma Ramotswe is to check these blokes out to see which of them is just after her money, and which might be a good marriage choice.
And what of Mma Makutsi? Well, she's still mourning her brother, of course, a victim of the terrible disease. But she's making money from her typing school, which, in addition to her salaries for being an assistant detective and an assistant manager of Mr J L B Matekoni's garage, enables her to move to better accommodation. And, oh bliss of blisses, she will have her own water supply, instead of having to share a tap with her neighbours.
Aah, and we nearly forgot Mma Potokwane. Yes, she's up to her old tricks again, but all in the best of all possible causes, her orphans. When Mr J L B Matekoni next visits he knows he's in trouble. Not only is he treated to the most gorgeous big slice of moist fruit cake, but the raisin count is extremely high. He knows from experience that the greater the raisin count, the greater the favour to be asked. And this time it's a real ripper.
Mma Potokwane wants Mr J L B Matekoni to jump out of an aeroplane to raise money for the orphans. He'll be allowed to wear a parachute, of course. The idea is that people with money know and respect Mr J L B Matekoni, and will pay good cash to see him falling through the air.
Before he knows what's happening, he's agreed, and is driving back to the garage. It's no surprise he's too distracted to think about a marriage date. To describe him as needing a very large poo, very soon, would be a significant understatement. But he can't admit to being scared. That's just not a manly thing to do, in any country, least of all Botswana. Eventually, however, he confides in Mma Ramotswe, and she finds a solution. Although it's not explained what the monied classes of Gabarone think when they discover the solution.
Oh, and the marriage date? Well, remember, the wonderful Mma Potokwane and her sneaky fruit cake are on this case.
Interestingly, Sandy doesn't link this with Mr J L B Matekoni's bout of depression in the last book. Neither of the parties regret their decision to marry. Money is no object. Mr J L B Matekoni isn't a poor man, and Mma Ramotswe still has a swag of cattle left over from her inheritance from her father. But, it just ain't happening.
While thinking of marriage, Mma Ramotswe is engaged by a lovely rich woman who has spent so much time and effort building up her business that she's left no space for a husband and children. Now forty, she has advertised for a husband, and has whittled down the prospectives to four men. Her task for Mma Ramotswe is to check these blokes out to see which of them is just after her money, and which might be a good marriage choice.
And what of Mma Makutsi? Well, she's still mourning her brother, of course, a victim of the terrible disease. But she's making money from her typing school, which, in addition to her salaries for being an assistant detective and an assistant manager of Mr J L B Matekoni's garage, enables her to move to better accommodation. And, oh bliss of blisses, she will have her own water supply, instead of having to share a tap with her neighbours.
Aah, and we nearly forgot Mma Potokwane. Yes, she's up to her old tricks again, but all in the best of all possible causes, her orphans. When Mr J L B Matekoni next visits he knows he's in trouble. Not only is he treated to the most gorgeous big slice of moist fruit cake, but the raisin count is extremely high. He knows from experience that the greater the raisin count, the greater the favour to be asked. And this time it's a real ripper.
Mma Potokwane wants Mr J L B Matekoni to jump out of an aeroplane to raise money for the orphans. He'll be allowed to wear a parachute, of course. The idea is that people with money know and respect Mr J L B Matekoni, and will pay good cash to see him falling through the air.
Before he knows what's happening, he's agreed, and is driving back to the garage. It's no surprise he's too distracted to think about a marriage date. To describe him as needing a very large poo, very soon, would be a significant understatement. But he can't admit to being scared. That's just not a manly thing to do, in any country, least of all Botswana. Eventually, however, he confides in Mma Ramotswe, and she finds a solution. Although it's not explained what the monied classes of Gabarone think when they discover the solution.
Oh, and the marriage date? Well, remember, the wonderful Mma Potokwane and her sneaky fruit cake are on this case.
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