‘Oh. Yes. But briefly, I still want to celebrate our birthdays in Kenya, as we promised.’ There was some nuance in the words that Sarah could not recognise, a pleading perhaps and a sense of urgency. ‘I’d like to go back this summer, if it’s still all right with you. And Piet.’

Sarah felt anger begin to rise. This was the real reason Camilla had phoned – to make sure her holiday plans were still on.

‘What Piet says or wants is nothing to do with me,’ she said. ‘In any case, I don’t think I can go to—’

‘Then, after the coast, we could all take a week and camp up north. Perhaps in Samburu,’ Camilla interrupted. Her usual soft drawl had deserted her, and her voice was breathless with excitement. ‘We could go on safari, with our own tented camp. We’d need a Land Rover and all kinds of stuff, but Piet and—’

‘You’ve been in touch with Piet?’ Sarah felt a roaring resentment threatening to choke her.

‘No. Of course I haven’t. But there’s something I must tell you.’

‘It will have to wait,’ Sarah snapped. ‘Right now I have more important issues to deal with. Dad has been very ill with malaria. He’s still in hospital, and when he gets out they’ll have to come over here to let him recover properly. So there won’t be anywhere for us to stay at the coast.’

‘Oh Sarah, that’s terrible. What about your mother? How is she managing? God, is there anything I can do?’

‘It looks like my trip is off, Camilla. I couldn’t afford to go out on my own, if Dad and Mum aren’t going to be there. So you’re talking to the wrong person. Better get on to Piet and Hannah direct, and count me out.’

‘But that’s what I’m trying to tell you! Anthony Chapman has just been in London, and he’s offered to set up a camp for us, at the end of August. I’ve worked out a good deal with him that I can easily afford, and that will be my contribution to our birthday celebration. I’m doing a shoot for Vogue this week, and I’ve been offered a big contract to advertise a new perfume. So I’m rather flush right now, and this is what I want to do. And I’d like to pay your airfare, Sarah. Please – I want to do this for you. For all of us. Please think about it. There is something else I have to tell you about too. It’ll keep, though. I’d better get off the line, but I’ll ring again in a day or two.’