we can’t waste a second of the precious time that we have left on earth.’
Bill drained his glass and topped it up with more claret. Cecily listened to the rain thumping down on the roof as Bill took a sip and looked at her across the table.
‘I do understand completely that you wish to see them, but I absolutely cannot leave the farm just now. However, I don’t wish to stop you. So go, by all means.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
She felt tears pricking the back of her eyes and stood up to give him a kiss.
‘Thank you, darling. And given I don’t wish to travel unaccompanied, I hope it would be okay if I take Lankenua and Stella with me?’
‘Is that necessary? Surely there must be someone else returning home who you could travel with?’
‘I’ve asked around and there isn’t. Kiki is already in New York and there are few Americans left round here these days.’
‘Well then, you must take Lankenua, of course.’
‘I’m sure Nygasi could take care of the house while we’re gone. And you have Kwinet for the garden and grounds . . .’
‘Oh, don’t worry about me, Cecily. Before you came along, I was perfectly capable of looking after myself.’
‘Bill.’ Cecily took his hands in hers. ‘Please, you’ve always talked about Christmas and how much you love it. In Manhattan there’d be snow, lights . . . a turkey even. Won’t you come, even for a couple of weeks?’
‘Perhaps another time, Cecily. You must also remember that I haven’t been out of Africa, socially at least, for many years. I’m not sure I’d be any good in polite company. You go, my dear, and leave your sad, tired husband behind.’
Cecily was regretting the fact that she’d opened the claret; it was making Bill even more maudlin than usual.
‘Bill, I love you, please don’t say that. I’m desperate for my parents to meet their son-in-law.’
‘I’m sorry, Cecily. Please, go, with my blessing. Now’ – Bill stood up – ‘I need some sleep.’
Cecily watched him walk away from her and her eyes filled with tears.
‘Are we nearly in America, Kuyia?’ Stella asked as she peered excitedly out of the cabin window.
‘Yes, we really are, darling,’ Cecily replied as Lankenua packed the last of their bits and pieces inside the trunk. Cecily pressed the bell for the steward. ‘In a moment, we’ll go up on deck and you can see the Statue of Liberty. It’s very famous, and it’s there to welcome travellers from all over the world.’
The steward duly arrived to take their luggage and Cecily tipped him, then made sure that their papers were safely stowed in her purse.
It had been a rush to get everything organised; Lankenua and Stella had needed all sorts of paperwork for their entry into the port in New York. Birth certificates, passports and statements of sponsorships by British officials had had to be issued, and Cecily was only glad of Bill’s connections at Government House. After consultation with Nygasi, a suitable surname had been chosen for them both to pass through immigration without a problem.
‘We’ve entered the Hudson River, ma’am, and the Statue of Liberty will be visible in about ten minutes,’ said the steward.
‘Come on,’ Cecily said to Stella and Lankenua, ‘let’s go up on deck and see her!’
‘I stay here.’ Lankenua shook her head, physically shivering at the thought, even though she was wearing Cecily’s thick tweed coat.
‘Okay.’ Cecily held out a hand to Stella. ‘We’ll go.’
Up on the first-class deck, there were few who had dared to venture out in the freezing temperatures, though when Cecily looked down, she could see arms stretched out and hear cheers from the lower decks.
‘There she is!’ she said, pointing to her left as the heavy fog swirled round the bay.
‘Where? I can’t see her,’ said Stella.
‘There . . .’ Cecily pointed at the statue. The sight brought tears to her eyes, which she wiped away quickly before they could freeze to her skin in the frigid air. Lady Liberty’s benevolent face welcomed the weary travellers, holding her beacon aloft amidst the fog. Cecily had never felt so pleased to see her.
Stella looked up at her. ‘But she’s so small! You told me everything in America was much bigger.’
‘Well, she’s very special, more of a symbol than anything else,’ Cecily sighed. ‘Once the fog clears, you’ll see the skyscrapers.’
‘What is this?’ Stella put out her small hand as white flakes fell onto her palm.
‘Why, it’s snow! Remember the pictures I showed you? It’s what falls when