Over the next few months I took whatever chance I could to get back to Kiboko. Being with Maud and Solly made everything else fade into the background, even thoughts of Freddie and that night. It got harder to visit as the threat of war loomed, however, and I was caught up in work, planning the transportation of munitions and inspecting the stations and trains for blackout potential.

‘Now the Italians are occupying Abyssinia they keep arming the Mandera and Moyale to raid our side of the border,’ Boy told me at the Muthaiga one evening. ‘We’ll have Abyssinian refugees coming out of our ears soon.’

‘I heard.’

‘They’re threatening to close the wells to our tribes in revenge for us harbouring anyone who manages to make it away. But what are we supposed to do with the poor buggers? Leave ’em to be slaughtered?’

‘I can’t imagine Legco are happy about all the extra mouths. Food’s scarce enough.’

Boy pulled a face. ‘That’s Legco – they think of everyone in terms of what they consume, or the space they take up in the hospitals and schools. They can’t just exist as a human being.’

I grinned at him. ‘Have you always been this compassionate?’

‘It’s the bloody children,’ he said. ‘You find them wandering around, half-mad from what they’ve seen. There’s something wrong with you if it doesn’t break your heart. And they’ve got nowhere to go. At least we get to leave.’

‘What are you thinking?’

‘Getting out, staying put. Can’t make up my mind. Another drink?’

He came back from the bar with a man I hadn’t met before; the newcomer was short and fat, with ginger hair and moustache and a big smile.

‘Mr Miller,’ he said, shaking my hand enthusiastically. ‘My name’s Sullivan. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your sister.’

‘Are you in politics?’

‘Nothing so exciting.’ He looked deprecating. ‘I work for a little export company. She’s been stepping on quite a few toes, you know. But it’s hard to be angry with someone so charming.’ He beamed at me.

I remembered the piece of paper hidden in her wardrobe, and a cold feeling took hold of my insides. ‘You say you met her in person?’

‘I do a lot of work in the Naivasha area.’ He inspected his fingernails. ‘I just wanted to put a face to the name. I like to do that.’

‘What’s the name of your company?’

‘The Imperial Africa Trading Company.’

‘Your company stamp wouldn’t be a crown, would it?’

He made a half-bow. ‘Not very original, I suppose.’

Boy grinned. ‘Word is Sullivan’s a spy.’

‘Not a very good spy if my cover was so easily blown.’ He chuckled, looking at us as if expecting us to join in.

‘Are you drinking with us?’ I asked.