I’ve even learnt to speak some Maa.’
‘Good for you.’ Bill studied his wife. ‘Who would have thought it?’
‘Thought what?’
‘That you and a Maasai girl would strike up a friendship?’
‘I don’t know why you’re looking so surprised, given that you spend half your time with them.’
‘Sadly, no longer, but I hear what you’re saying.’
‘Bill . . .?’
‘Yes?’
‘Do you . . . would you know how Njala ended up pregnant?’
‘Well, I would assume in the usual way.’
‘I mean, was she, umm, willing?’ Cecily blushed.
‘You mean, was this some kind of a mutual relationship or was she taken by force?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can’t answer that, but in my experience, the daughter of a chief, especially if she’s beautiful, is a precious and well-guarded commodity. So I would imagine that Njala herself must have had something to do with making the necessary . . . arrangements for a tryst.’
‘She loved someone else who was not her intended?’
‘Maybe, but who knows?’ Bill sighed. ‘Sadly, a Maasai woman’s path is rarely one she chooses for herself.’
‘I understand. She makes me feel real blessed,’ Cecily agreed.
‘Exactly. One can always find another whose suffering is far greater. Now then, given that you seem to be in a more social mood these days, I was wondering if you’d mind if I brought Joss up here for the weekend? He’s closed up the Djinn Palace on the lake since his wife Molly died. He can’t afford to run the damned place and is stuck in his bungalow in town, heavily involved with the war effort like we all are. He’s gagging for some fresh air, as you can imagine.’
‘Okay, why not?’ Cecily agreed. ‘We haven’t had guests since . . . well, since we moved in.’
‘No, and even given my hermit tendencies, it really is time we did. There’s also a new couple in town – Jock Delves Broughton and his young wife, Diana. They’ve moved here from England to escape the war. Not that you can fully escape it at the moment, but at least the weather here is better, I suppose,’ said Bill with a shrug. ‘Joss has suggested we could invite them to stay too. Diana isn’t much older than you and it might be good for you to meet someone of your own age.’
‘All right, though you’ll have to find us some meat because there’s scarcely any in the butcher’s in town.’
‘Surely you could slaughter one of your chickens?’
‘I couldn’t do that!’ Cecily looked horrified. ‘They all have names. And besides, they’re providing us with eggs every day.’
‘I knew it.’ Bill rolled his eyes. ‘All right then, I’ll ask Nygasi to see what he can arrange and invite Joss and the Broughtons up to Paradise Farm next weekend.’
Despite waking up the following morning in a cold sweat, wondering how she could have possibly agreed to having weekend guests, Cecily found she actually enjoyed preparing for them. No one other than Katherine and Bobby had been to the house since they’d moved in – the housewarming party they’d tentatively planned had been put on hold because of Cecily’s tragedy. She scrubbed the house until everything gleamed, adding blooms from the burgeoning garden to stand in vases on the polished surfaces. She’d invited Katherine too – Bobby was unable to get leave, which was convenient as it meant there were even numbers of men and women, something her mother had always deemed important for a dinner party.
On the Friday the guests were due to arrive, Cecily dug out the remaining bottles of champagne from Kiki’s hampers, which she hoped would make the party go with a swing, and put them in the refrigerator to cool. Having not seen Njala for the past couple of days, she then set off with Wolfie for the woods. As she approached the clearing and saw the girl appear immediately from her shelter, Cecily thought how full Njala’s stomach had grown. No longer was she covering it up, but instead, she wore a piece of fabric fashioned into a skirt beneath the bump. Cecily had the distinct feeling that Njala’s time was not far off.
‘Supai, Nygasi,’ she said as she approached. ‘How is she?’
‘Baby near,’ he said as they walked together towards Njala.
‘But she is well?’
Nygasi nodded.
‘When will you send for her mother?’
‘Mother come soon,’ Nygasi said.
‘Hello, Cecily,’ Njala smiled as they arrived by her side. Then she turned to Nygasi, and like a queen dismissing her serf, flicked him away with her hand. Nygasi nodded and wandered off beyond the clearing.
‘How are you?’
Njala held