‘Trying to keep the party together out here. Not that it seems to be working. That idiot Mosley’s fallen under Hitler’s spell. He’s calling for their old colonies to be returned to Germany, even after I proposed unity with Tanganyika for ourselves. Makes me realise just how far down we are on his priorities.’

‘What did he say about unity when you mentioned it?’

‘“Very good, very good.” But I’m starting to think he’s been promising me whatever he knows I want to hear, with no real intention of carrying through.’ He stood up, shading his eyes. ‘Hello – we seem to have a greeting party.’

I turned and saw a lone toto at the end of the jetty, hopping from one foot to the other. ‘Who’s that?’

‘Henry – new boy. Kikuyu. He’s fourteen, but he’s strong.’

‘Looks important.’

‘It’ll be some household crisis or other. They’ve lost something, or broken something, no doubt.’ He picked up one end of the mooring line. ‘What I wouldn’t give for a good cudgel, sometimes.’

The boat drifted to a stop; Freddie tied it up, not looking at the toto. ‘What is it this time, Henry?’

‘Bwana Hamilton,’ Henry said, eyes round with worry. ‘Bibi Hamilton keeps asking for more drink.’

‘Give it to her, then.’

Henry bowed, and scampered back up to the house.

‘Didn’t Gregory say it’d kill her?’ I asked.

‘Goddamn it, she’s half gone already.’

I looked away, trying to hide the surprise on my face.

We followed the toto’s path to Mahalbeth. Martha was lying on the ottoman in the indoor sitting room. Her face was waxy, made more so by her hair, which was fanned out around her. When she saw Freddie, tears appeared in the corners of her eyes.

‘My darling,’ Freddie said. He knelt at her side, kissing her left hand. She placed her right hand on his head, gripping a tuft of hair with what looked like a surprising amount of strength.

‘I thought you weren’t coming back,’ she said.

‘Of course I came back,’ Freddie said. He kissed her mouth. ‘Go to sleep, now. We’ll just be outside on the veranda.’

‘No,’ Martha said, raising herself up onto one elbow. She coughed, a dirty, hacking sound. ‘Don’t leave me again.’

‘Alright,’ Freddie said gently. ‘We’ll sit in here, but you have to promise to sleep.’

‘I promise.’

We sat on the furthest sofa. After a few moments Henry came back in with a brandy, which Martha drank in one long gulp.

‘Thirsty, darling?’ Freddie said.

She lay back down and closed her eyes. Soon she was snoring loudly.

‘Henry, bring us some wine,’ Freddie said.