‘Look at them,’ Piet gestured with his riding crop. ‘The totos are either strapped to their mothers’ backs, or tucked up in front with their mouths next to the titties and the milk supply. There’s no need to cry. It’s all on draught, whenever they want it.’ He laughed out loud, noticing Sarah’s discomfiture over his choice of words. ‘Is that not a suitable description for you sheltered convent ladies? No offence, but when you live on a farm the feeding of young, whether they’re on two legs or four, is a natural part of the process.’

He spurred his horse forward and they burst out on to the scrubby plain at a wild, uncontained gallop. Red anthills spiralled out of the grass, and a herd of Thompson’s gazelles flicked nervous tails at the sound of the horses and skittered away across the veld, vanishing into the visible tremor of heat. A male ostrich emerged from the tall grass and ran in front of them, his black plumes glistening in the sun. He was so close that Sarah could see the bird’s eyelashes and the stubble on his pale neck before he peeled away into a dense thicket. She rode fast and level with Piet, keeping up with him effortlessly, exhilarated by the sound of the hooves and the smell of the red earth and the wild grasses. They left Hannah and Camilla trailing and raced across the plain, finally coming to a halt in a swirl of dust at the edge of a copse. Piet leaned forward and took the reins of Sarah’s horse. He pushed his hat back and looked at her, breathless and smiling in the afternoon sun. His admiration was evident.

‘Good going, girl. Not like my sister, or Lady Camilla. They’re asleep on those horses of theirs. You’re a fine rider, that’s for sure.’

‘We always ride with Hannah when we’re here at weekends.’ Sarah was unable to disguise the pleasure his remark had given her. ‘It’s more fun with you, though. When the syce comes with us we aren’t supposed to take off in a gallop like that. And your father won’t let us ride out on our own.’

‘Pa’s responsible when you’re out of the nuns’ clutches. He can’t leave you racing around the bundu on your own. Anyway, Kipchoge’s a great man to ride out with.’

‘Yes. But it’s better without him, all the same.’ Sarah glanced sideways at him, hoping to catch his eye and see him smile again.