‘Anyway, we discussed a birthday safari,’ Anthony said. ‘I have a gap between bookings towards the end of August. There’d be the five of us, or six with Tim. I’ve suggested a camp in the Samburu or Shaba area where there are no tourists. I’m sure Lars could hold the fort here for a few days.’

‘I have enough practice for that, yes.’ Lars smiled his slow smile.

‘I haven’t heard a thing from Camilla, except for some postcards.’ Hannah’s evening was full of surprises.

‘Well, she seemed sure that you’d all be here. We made an arrangement about the camping. She’ll take care of food and wine and fuel for the cars, and I’ll supply the tents and the staff. Plus the exceptional birthday present of myself, as your very own safari guide. Piet, if you bring a Land Rover and a trailer we won’t need a lorry. I’m amazed you haven’t heard from Camilla. I’d have thought she’d be on the phone to you right away.’

‘It sounds like a dream,’ Hannah said, but she saw her brother shrug and turn away. ‘Is there something wrong, Piet?’

‘Nothing wrong.’ He came back to the small circle around the fire. ‘Look, Han, you’ve all planned this get-together for your twenty-first, and it’s a great idea. Anthony seems to have something organised with Camilla, and I can certainly throw in the Land Rover and trailer. But I don’t think I can join you. There’s too much going on here, and I want to have the construction finished by the end of November so we can open the lodge soon after Christmas.’

‘But you must come with us!’ Hannah was dismayed. ‘Lars has already said he can manage.’

‘Come on, old chap,’ Anthony urged him. ‘You can’t leave me alone in the bush to survive those three sirens. God knows what might become of me.’

‘We don’t get much chance to do anything together, Piet, and it’s my twenty-first.’ Hannah was pleading. ‘You’re my only family here. I want you to be with us.’

‘You should know when you’re beaten, man,’ Lars said. ‘You’ll only be gone a short while.’

Hannah threw him a look of gratitude and then turned back to her brother. He answered with a question of his own. ‘Are you sure Camilla meant for me to come?’

‘Of course she did.’ Anthony looked at him in astonishment. ‘She was hoping Tim Mackay might fly out too, if he can get away from the hospital.’

Piet nodded. ‘So what are your dates again?’

‘End of August and early September. College doesn’t start again for Sarah until October. So, what about it?’

‘I think it’s OK, yes,’ Piet said.

‘It’s settled then!’ Hannah hugged her brother, her eyes shining with gratitude. ‘Thanks, Piet – it’s the best idea I’ve ever heard.’