it.
‘It was truly the most incredible experience of my life,’ Cecily smiled as Katherine ushered her into a chair on the veranda.
‘Oh, I’m so glad,’ Katherine smiled, sitting down next to her. ‘Bill asked me whether I thought you’d be up for it, and of course I said yes. It’s the only way to see just how magical Kenya is,’ she said as Bill brought Cecily’s suitcase from the pick-up. ‘He took me up once and decided to show off with his new tricks. I admit, I vomited all over the cockpit,’ she chuckled.
‘Shall I put this in the spare room, Katherine?’
‘Do, yes, Bill.’
‘Aleeki said he’d send Kiki’s chauffeur over with the rest of my things tomorrow,’ Cecily said as she watched Bill walk inside the cottage.
‘Well, it’s a shame that you don’t have your own home to go to, but we’ll do our best to make you comfortable here.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that; I’m just so grateful I don’t have to stay down at Mundui House any longer. The atmosphere is awful strange. And besides, this is quite lovely, Katherine.’ Cecily swept her hand around the veranda, on which stood a table that Bobby himself had made out of discarded timber and had polished to a high shine. Katherine had planted bushes of hibiscus along the borders, along with bright orange and blue Bird of Paradise flowers. The cottage was cosy and inviting, with pretty flowered curtains Katherine had sewn for the windows, and clean white shutters. ‘It feels very homely.’
‘Well, Inverness Cottage is certainly not grand, but it’s all ours and that’s what matters. Now,’ Katherine said as Bill came out of the front door, ‘can I get you both a drink of some sort?’
‘Not for me, Katherine. I’m afraid I must be off back to the farm.’
‘Yes, Bobby left this morning.’
‘Then I’m sure I’ll see him up there. Real life begins again and I need to get those cattle safely down onto the plains.’
Cecily did her best to hide her disappointment. ‘When will you be back?’
‘Not sure, to be honest. Sometime next week, I should think.’
‘Oh.’ Cecily swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Well, I’ll be just fine here with Katherine.’
‘She will indeed,’ Katherine agreed, seeing Cecily’s distress and coming to her rescue. ‘And . . .’ – Katherine looked up at Bill expectantly – ‘you have another gift for your new wife, don’t you? How about I go and get it while you two say your goodbyes?’
Bill nodded, so Katherine walked off the veranda and disappeared around the side of the cottage as Cecily stood up.
‘Thank you again for everything, Bill. I’m very grateful.’
‘As I said originally, I’m sure we’ll rub along together well. I’d appreciate it if you would keep an eye on our house-building project while I’m gone. While the cat’s away and all that.’
‘Of course I will, I’ll enjoy it.’
‘And here’s your transport!’ Katherine reappeared, leading a glossy chestnut mare towards them. ‘Come and meet her.’
‘The horse is for me?’
‘She is, yes,’ said Bill. ‘The easiest way of visiting your neighbours, that’s for sure.’
‘Why, she’s beautiful, aren’t you?’ Cecily stroked the mare’s nose, which looked as though someone had dropped a large splodge of white paint all over it.
‘She should be the perfect size for you and seems very even-tempered,’ added Bill.
‘I love her! Is she really mine?’
‘She is, yes, although you’ll have to take care of yourself for the next few months,’ Bill indicated her stomach. ‘We wouldn’t want any accidents, would we?’
‘No,’ Cecily blushed, ‘we wouldn’t.’
Even though Katherine knew about the baby, it was the first time Bill had mentioned it openly in front of her.
‘The horse doesn’t have a name yet.’ Katherine stepped into the breach once more. ‘You’ll have to think of one for her, Cecily.’
‘Yes, she must. Right, I’ll be off then.’
‘I’ll walk you to your pick-up,’ said Cecily.
‘No, stay here with Katherine – you’ve had a tiring couple of days. Bye, Cecily,’ he said, and with a short wave and a nod, strode off towards the ever-patient Nygasi waiting for him in the pick-up.
He didn’t even kiss me goodbye, Cecily thought as she followed Katherine disconsolately back onto the veranda. She’d been so encouraged by Bill’s perfect wedding gift, and the wonderful smile he’d given her before taking off in the plane, but now . . .
‘Are you all right, darling?’ Katherine asked.
‘Yes, I’m just a little tired is all.’
‘Of course you are. It’s a shame that Bill has to go away so soon, but I’m sure