Piet sighed. She was right. When Pa had gone south it was Hannah who had drawn the short straw. How could he deny her a little playtime now? But he was increasingly worried about her. Several friends had given him the nudge, remarking on his sister’s enthusiasm for the wild parties thrown by the local rugby team. One part of him wanted her to enjoy a period where she had no responsibilities, while the protective side of him tried to keep her out of harm’s way.

‘Stop nagging,’ Hannah had said this morning. ‘I’m not a child. I’m old enough to think, and to look after myself. Lars goes to the club – I’ve seen him there, with girls swarming over him like locusts. How come you don’t ask him what he’s doing? Or is he spying on me?’

‘Of course he’s not spying on you, Han. That’s ridiculous. He’s a grown man and he can spend his wages and his spare time however he likes. But you’re my little sister, and I want you to be safe. That’s all.’

‘You know everyone at the club,’ Hannah pointed out, glaring at him. ‘You’ve played tennis and rugby with them all for years. So what’s the fuss, heh?’

And that was the problem, of course. Piet was only too familiar with the hungry bachelors of the area, released from their farms and from the nearby army barracks every weekend, out on the prowl for fresh young meat. Like his sister. If Lottie had been at Langani there would have been strict rules, and Hannah would have had the stern eye of her father to contend with. As things stood, she paid no heed to anyone. She had been home for almost two months, and was becoming more of a handful with every passing day. Piet had not explained to her the crisis that had hung over Langani since Jan’s sudden departure. He was unwilling to seem critical of their father, and he had guessed that there had been a serious quarrel between Hannah and Jan. There was no point in widening the cracks in the crumbling edifice of the family. But Langani was still teetering on the brink of financial disaster, and he needed her help. There were frequent negotiations with the bank, and nothing left to fall back on if there were unforeseen problems with the next harvest. Lars had come up with ways of saving money, and his careful stewardship in Piet’s absence had saved them from bankruptcy. He had trimmed down the labour, sold off surplus livestock and old equipment, and managed the land with imagination and dedication. He was careful and efficient, and more importantly he had become a good friend. Piet did not want to let him go. He would be even more essential when the lodge was operational.