I hadn’t heard from Sylvie since I’d tried to kiss her almost six weeks ago, and eventually I couldn’t wait any longer. Even if she was angry with me, I knew I had to see her. When Miss Graham went to lie down one afternoon, I borrowed the car and jolted down the drive, then turned in the direction of The Farm.

My nerves had been building steadily the closer I got to the house, and I was panicky by the time I arrived. It took a while to realise that Freddie and Edie must be there too – their car was pulled up to the house, and from inside I could hear voices and the sound of furniture being moved. For a sickening moment I wondered if Nico had found out what I’d done and was taking Sylvie away.

Freddie appeared at the door, shading his eyes. He waved at me, and strolled over. He wasn’t smiling, and I was suddenly glued to my seat in fear. I could barely lift an arm to wave back.

He poked his head and shoulders inside the car, leaning his forearms on the open passenger window. ‘You must have some sort of sixth sense,’ he said. ‘Come to say goodbye?’

My heart stopped. ‘Goodbye?’

‘I thought you’d heard. Nico came home early – Rupert carried on to Uganda for the gorillas, but Nico was feverish and he’d lost weight. Doctor said it was malaria and gave Sylvie some quinine.’

‘When was this?’

‘Five days ago.’ Freddie scratched his cheek with his right thumbnail. ‘Edie got Sylvie to go for a proper doctor yesterday, and he diagnosed blackwater fever. His urine was turning.’

I swallowed, trying to wet my tongue enough to ask my next question. ‘Is she taking him away to recover?’

‘Back to France. For good. The doctor said he had to live where there was no chance of contracting it again, or the next bout could kill him.’ He withdrew his head from the car and stretched his back. ‘Poor sod. They’re leaving for Mombasa this evening – come and say goodbye.’

I opened the car door and followed him to the house in silence; I felt as if there was no air left in my lungs to speak.

Sylvie was in the living room with Edie. I thought she looked more beautiful than ever, her eyes wider, her skin smoother, her cheekbones sharper. She was wearing a gold necklace that gleamed against her skin, and a simple black dress.

‘Theo,’ she said, trying to smile. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

‘I’ve filled him in,’ Freddie said.