‘He asks that you read this,’ he said. ‘He is waiting.’

She took the note from his outstretched hand and read it quickly. It was written in a spidery, scholarly hand.

Kagumo School

Kiganjo

Central Province

To Whom It May Concern

Simon Githiri came to us as an orphan when he was a small child. Since then he has been raised and educated at Kagumo Mission School. We believe him to be about twenty years of age. He is now looking for work. We have found him to be diligent, intelligent and honest, and keen to learn. He speaks English well, can read and write, and has passed his School Certificate and completed a basic bookkeeping course. He would be suitable for training in office work or some other clerical capacity. He would also be willing to do domestic or agricultural work should that be what is offered to him. He is a good filing clerk, and he has done some storekeeping work. During his school years he has spent time in our agricultural school, clearing and planting to pay his way.

I believe he would be a steady and useful worker if given the opportunity.

Father Carlo Caverde

Principal

Kagumo Mission was near the township of Nyeri, at the foot of the Aberdare mountain range. It was a sprawling complex run by Italian priests, and Hannah recalled with a smile that it had long been known as ‘the Holy Roman Empire’ by the Europeans in the area. The Consolata Fathers had a hospital, schools, an orphanage and an agricultural training facility. They had a reputation for turning out well-prepared students and workers. She made up her mind.

‘Send him in, Juma, and I’ll decide if he should wait for Bwana Piet or not.’

The young man was wiry and slender, of medium height, and with very black skin. He was dressed in clean, faded trousers and a checked cotton shirt and wore open sandals made from old car tyres. He stood respectfully at the door of the office, his eyes downcast after a quick appraisal of the person who was interviewing him. Hannah indicated his letter of reference from the Mission.

‘Simon Githiri,’ she said. ‘I see from your chit that you were educated by the fathers at Kagumo?’

‘Yes, madam. They have given me good schooling.’ His voice was low-pitched, his English well pronounced.

‘They think you could do an office job. I should have thought you would look for work in Nyeri. It’s a busy town and there must be places there, needing staff. It’s much closer to your home.’

‘It is not my home, madam.’ He looked up directly at her.

‘You’ve travelled a long way,’ Hannah said. ‘Why come so far, to a farm? We don’t have office work here. I’m not sure that we have any work, come to that.’