as Bobby hit the accelerator pedal and they drove away from the camp. As she watched Bill – now standing with Nygasi over his trophy – she could see he was in another world and had forgotten all about her.
Having dropped off Bobby and swapped to the far more comfortable DeSoto at Bill’s farm, as she and Katherine approached Wanjohi Farm, Cecily could see Kiki’s gleaming white Bugatti parked in the front drive.
‘Are you sure you’re up to making the journey back to Naivasha tonight?’ asked Katherine as she switched off the engine and they got out. ‘You’re welcome to stay another night with me here.’
‘Thank you, but the car’s here and I feel I must go back. I worry about my godmother.’
‘I know you do.’ Katherine put a comforting arm on Cecily’s shoulder. ‘But you have to remember that she is not your responsibility.’
‘Yes but . . .’ Cecily shrugged. ‘Thank you for everything,’ she said as they embraced. ‘It’s definitely been an adventure.’
‘You did very well to cope, Cecily, and if you need me, I’ll be up here staying at Alice’s until the wedding. I can hardly believe it’s only just over a month away,’ said Katherine as the silent Makena stowed Cecily’s overnight case into the Bugatti’s trunk.
‘Well, anything I can do to help, just ask,’ she said as she slid into the rear seat.
‘I will. Goodbye now.’
‘Goodbye, Katherine, and thank you so very much,’ she called through the window as the Bugatti began to drive along the rutted track.
Waving goodbye to her friend, Cecily wondered if being threatened by a hungry lion was actually better than returning to the strange atmosphere that hung like a grey cloud over Mundui House . . .
‘Sweetheart! Is that really you?’
‘Yes, Mama, it is. I . . .’
The sound of her mother’s voice at the other end of the crackly line brought unbidden tears to Cecily’s eyes.
‘How are you? How’s Papa? And Mamie, of course? Has she had the baby?’
‘One question at a time, Cecily,’ her mother chuckled. ‘I’ve been trying to get through to you for days to tell you that yes, Mamie has had a sweet little girl whom she’s named Christabel. Papa isn’t happy because he was so hoping for a boy to help “fight his corner”, as he put it, but oh, Cecily, she is the most beautiful little thing.’
‘And are they both well?’
‘Sure they are. The birth was a breeze according to Mamie – she keeps asking why so many women complain about it.’
‘It must be all those calisthenics classes she took,’ said Cecily. ‘Please send her my love and tell her I can’t wait to see my new niece. You will send me a photo of her, Mama, won’t you?’
‘Of course I will. How is Kenya?’
‘I . . . It’s good, Mama.’
And so hot that I can’t breathe sometimes, and it’s so very weird and lonely here at Mundui House and I nearly got eaten by a hungry lion and I’m missing you so much . . .
‘So, when are you coming home? Papa says everyone here is getting concerned about the war. Some are saying that it’s inevitable now.’
‘I know, Mama, I’ve heard that too but—’
‘Well now, I was wondering whether it might be an idea for you to fly to England as soon as you can, honey. Then at least, if anything does happen, you’re only a steamer’s trip across the Atlantic away. Audrey says she’s happy to have you back at Woodhead Hall until . . .’
‘After Jack and Patricia’s wedding is over,’ Cecily finished for her. Her body gave a small shudder, not only at the fact her mother would put the embarrassment of the wedding of her ex-fiancé above her daughter’s safety, but also at the thought of ever setting foot in Woodhead Hall again.
‘Really, Mama, even though I’m desperate to come home as soon as I can, I’m fine right here. If war does break out, my friend Tarquin swears it won’t affect Kenya immediately. So how about you book me a ticket for the middle of April?’
In other words, just after the nuptials have taken place . . .
‘Are you sure you don’t want to go stay with Audrey in England?’
‘Totally,’ Cecily replied firmly.
‘Okay, I’ll tell Papa to look into making the reservation. Oh, I’ve missed you so much, honey, and we all . . .’
Dorothea’s voice disappeared into the ether as the crackling grew louder. Cecily replaced the old-fashioned receiver onto its cradle and, arms folded,