‘Not your fault.’ He looked at me. ‘Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you a favour. Dr Gregory’s moved to the Muthaiga area. I know you travel between here and Naivasha regularly. Would you be able to run the medicine back for us?’ He pushed through the door to the changing room and I followed him inside. ‘I don’t really know where I’ll be most of the time. And I don’t trust the servants with it. Maybe Waweru, but he’s got his hands full at the house.’

‘Of course I’ll help.’

‘Thanks.’ He busied himself removing clothes from his locker; I got the sense he wanted to change the subject.

‘Good to hear you trust me.’ I took one of the towels and patted down my face. ‘The secretaries haven’t blabbed about all the paperwork I keep forgetting to do, then?’

‘Naturally I trust you.’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, how’s your lady friend?’

I realised guiltily that I hadn’t seen Lucy for several weeks. ‘She’s well.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Just well? At your age she should be in a constant state of trembling gratification. Stop neglecting her for sports, that’s my advice. You might find yourself usurped.’

‘That’s not going to happen.’

He laughed, and tapped my backside with his racquet. ‘Do you think you can recognise when it’s real?’

‘It’s always real. For her and for Sylvie.’

‘O-ho.’ Freddie cocked his head at me. ‘So that’s how it is? Good for you.’ He rummaged around in the pocket of his suit jacket. ‘Here – Gregory’s address in the city. There should be a prescription ready next Friday if you’re free.’

I took the note from him. I half-wished he’d asked more about Sylvie, but at least he hadn’t seemed too surprised.

‘I’ll make time,’ I said.

Dr Gregory’s Nairobi bungalow was slightly larger than his one in Naivasha, although it was in a less salubrious part of town. I was invited in this time, and stood around the spartan living room for a few moments before he appeared in the doorway, half of his chin covered in foam and a towel slung over one shoulder.

‘Sorry – just shaving. No time in the mornings usually. Take a seat. Or do you need to get off?’

‘I was hoping to drive back before it gets dark.’

‘My boy can fetch the stuff for you then.’ He wiped his hands on the towel. ‘But maybe next time we can go for a drink? I don’t know many people in the city yet.’

‘Sounds good.’

‘Grand.’

We shook hands, and the toto who had let me in brought me a small box filled with the same brown bottles as last time. As I pulled away from the kerb I saw Gregory through a window on the right-hand side of the building. He was whistling as he shaved.