‘If she wants to stay out here. Unmarried women aren’t allowed in Kenya.’ She blew out a perfect smoke ring. ‘They terrify the government even more than famine does. Why do you think I’m hanging on to Freddie?’

‘I thought you liked him.’

She laughed. ‘Of course I do. But I don’t come second to other women. Freddie can fool around as much as he likes, but he’s not allowed to fall in love with them.’

‘Didn’t he fall in love with Sylvie?’

‘Everyone falls in love with Sylvie.’ She tapped the built-up cigarette ash onto the grass in front of us. ‘But she’s not Freddie’s type – she’s quicksilver. Freddie needs constant adoration.’

I remembered the look on Freddie’s face as he watched Sylvie, and wondered whether Edie had never noticed it.

‘Anyway. I just wanted to check you were alright.’

I nodded.

‘Shall we go make ourselves useful then?’

Freddie and Edie took charge of the bedrooms and bathrooms while Sylvie and I covered the sitting and dining rooms. Roderigo scampered between the sitting room and the veranda. After a while Sylvie went and sat on the sofa, and I joined her. We were silent for a while, listening to the creak of the wood as it expanded in the heat, and Roderigo padding around. Sylvie smelled of cigarettes and her familiar perfume. I breathed her in.

‘When do you think you’ll be able to get back?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know.’ She puckered her eyebrows slightly. ‘It depends how long it takes to settle Nico in, and sort out any other matters.’

I felt a coldness wash through me. ‘Are you going to divorce him?’

She looked away. ‘Yes. Rupert’s going to London next month to tell his family about me.’

‘What if they don’t want him to marry you?’

‘Then I’ll wait until they come round.’ She fingered her necklace. ‘It’s better for everyone. Nico deserves someone better anyway. I hope the girls turn out like him. I’d hate to see anything of me in them.’

I took her hand in mine. ‘Don’t think like that. I wish there were more of you.’

She smiled. ‘We never went out in the boat in the end.’

‘We can go out now if you want.’

Roderigo ran to her and she scooped him up. ‘I don’t think there’s time.’ She looked around the sitting room as if she was about to cry, but she didn’t.

I put my arms around her and she leaned her head on my shoulder. It felt so natural, and I thought again of our kiss, squirming inside that I’d rushed her. I wouldn’t rush her the next time. And if she’s never allowed back? a voice whispered, and I shut it out; if she wasn’t allowed back, I’d find her in Europe.