from Kenya.’
‘Delighted to make your acquaintance,’ said the man, giving Cecily a formal bow.
‘Now, I’ll leave you two young things to chat – I really do need to use the restroom.’
As Tarquin sat down next to her and offered her another cigarette, which she refused, Cecily thought that her godmother must have a seriously weak bladder.
‘So, I hear you are Kiki’s goddaughter?’
‘Yes, I am. And you are her great friend?’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t go as far as that; we’ve met a couple of times at Muthaiga Club in Nairobi. I had some leave and Kiki invited me to stay in Manhattan with her for Christmas. Your godmother is the kind of woman who makes friends very easily. She is quite something, isn’t she?’
‘She sure is.’ Cecily only wished she could close her eyes and listen to his clipped English accent all night. ‘So, do you live in Kenya?’
‘For the moment, yes. I’m a captain in the British army and I was posted there a few months back when this whole thing with Hitler blew up.’
‘And do you like it there?’
‘It is undoubtedly one of the most stupendously beautiful countries I’ve ever seen. Rather different from Blighty.’ His handsome face, with its tanned skin that suited his brown eyes and thick dark hair, crinkled into a smile.
‘Have you seen lions and tigers since you’ve been there?’
‘Well now, I do hate to correct you, Miss . . .?’
‘Please, just call me Cecily.’
‘Cecily, it seems to be a common myth that there are tigers in Africa. However, there are none. But yes, I’ve certainly seen a few lions. Shot one only a few weeks ago out in the Bush.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes.’ Tarquin nodded. ‘The blighter came sniffing round our camp and the damned blacks had all been asleep and were caught on the hop. Good job I heard the commotion, grabbed my gun and killed it before it had us all for supper. There were ladies present too.’
‘There were ladies out camping with you?’
‘Yes, and some of them were far better shots than the men. One has to be clever with a gun if one lives in Africa, whatever sex one may be.’
‘I’ve never even held a gun, let alone fired one.’
‘I’m sure you’d soon learn – most people do. So, Cecily, what do you do here in New York?’
‘I help my mother with her charity work mostly. I’m on a number of committees . . .’
Cecily’s voice trailed off. It sounded so completely feeble telling a man from the British army who had just shot a lion about her charity lunches.
‘I mean, I’d like to do so much more, but . . .’
Come on, Cecily, at least try to make an effort to sound a little less like the sad little wallflower you are . . .
‘As a matter of fact, I’m very interested in economics.’
‘Are you now? Why don’t we take a turn around the dance floor and you can tell me exactly how and where I should invest my paltry army wages.’
‘I . . . okay,’ she agreed, thinking that at least her dancing had to be better than her small talk. With the music of Benny Goodman and his band blaring out, even if she’d thought of something clever and amusing to say, Tarquin wouldn’t have been able to hear it. She noted with pleasure that he was a far better dancer than Jack, and it gave her a kick when they almost collided with him and his silver-clad goddess of a fiancée. Midnight came and a host of balloons were released from their netting prison above the guests.
‘Happy New Year, Cecily.’ Tarquin reached down to kiss her on the cheek. ‘Here’s to old friends and new.’
After ‘Auld Lang Syne’, the band struck up again and Tarquin didn’t seem inclined to leave her side, until Kiki appeared like the beautiful wraith she was and tugged on his arm.
‘Would you be a darling and escort me to my suite? I’ve been dancing the night away and my poor feet are killing me. I simply must get out of these shoes. I’ve invited some people to join me so we can continue the party upstairs. Of course you must come too, darling Cecily.’
‘Thank you, Kiki, but our driver will be waiting outside by now.’
‘Then tell the driver to wait a little longer,’ Kiki laughed.
‘I can’t, I must go home.’ After several sleepless nights, Cecily felt as though she might actually fall asleep in Tarquin’s arms.
‘Well, if you must, but I’ll see you again before