‘Quite so,’ my father said, looking around. ‘Can you see if they’ve run out of the port?’

‘What if they’re angry?’ I asked Maud.

‘Animals don’t get angry. Only people do.’

I shrugged, looking away. Several of the other boys staying at the hotel had been given airguns, and were running around the garden with them. I watched them out of the corner of my eye, trying not to give away how much I wanted to join them. My mother must have noticed however, because she took my chin in her hand, digging her fingers into my jaw.

‘I hope you’re not going to leave us,’ she said. ‘Christmas is family time.’

‘Oh good,’ my father said, holding up his empty glass. ‘They’re bringing it round now.’

The next few days were hot and humid, with no sun in sight behind a wall of clouds. The flowers were already wilting at the breakfast table when Freddie appeared beside us. He smelled of pomade and oil, and I guessed he’d just driven into town. He shook hands with my father and me, and kissed my mother’s and Maud’s hands.

‘I hope you’re still in the market for a guide,’ he said. ‘I hear the first race today is a good one.’

‘Actually,’ my mother said, folding her napkin on the table. ‘I’m not sure we can attend. We’ve been invited to lunch by the Griggs. I’m very sorry to put you out.’

‘Ah – our illustrious Governor,’ Freddie said. ‘Well that’ll certainly be a more dignified afternoon.’

There was a silence, and in that moment I hated my parents, and the dull way they lived their lives, even in Africa. If they’d driven him away, I’d never forgive them, I told myself. I wanted to tug the tablecloth off and break everything on the table.

‘I’ll leave you to your breakfast then,’ Freddie said after a while. ‘But you’ll come and visit when you’re settled in Naivasha, won’t you?’

‘Of course,’ my mother said.

‘Well that’s something.’ He winked at me, and I realised with relief that he wasn’t angry. He said goodbye and we went back to our breakfast, although I’d lost my appetite and I pushed my porridge away.

‘Can I go into town?’ I asked my mother. ‘I want to see if the market’s open.’

‘Don’t you want to go swimming?’ she asked.

‘No.’

She narrowed her eyes at me.

‘I won’t be long.’

‘Why not?’ my father said. He leaned closer to me. ‘Maybe you can go to the bank, too? Look into some investment opportunities?’

‘I’ll do that,’ I said.

‘If you’re only going that far you should be back in two hours,’ my mother said. ‘I don’t want a repeat of last time.’