‘There’s nothing that means more to me in the whole world than what we are looking at right now,’ Camilla said, turning to Piet. ‘Thank you for bringing us back to this. Thank you so very much.’

Dinner on that first night was subdued. The joy of homecoming was tempered by the absence of Jan and Lottie. So much had changed since they had last dined here together. They sat around the fireside late into the night, reluctant to retire with their memories and their loss, eager to recapture the simple, uncomplicated pleasure of the days at the coast.

‘Bedtime. We’re going out early in the morning,’ Piet said at last. ‘Lars and I are taking you to the lodge. It’s almost finished, and Hannah is doing a fantastic job, making bedspreads and cushions and curtains for all the rooms. We’re going to serve dinner up there for the first time. Sarah, I can’t wait for you to see this.’

She was not sure if he had mentioned her deliberately, if his words had any special significance. But Sarah hugged them to herself.

‘In fact,’ he went on, ‘I was going to ask you if you’d like to ride there with me – it’s a full morning’s trek, but we might see some game on the way. I’ve been considering horseback safaris up there, for people who’d be interested. Either of you other ladies like to make up the expedition?’

‘I’ve been away for more than two weeks and I need to check the storeroom and a pile of paperwork,’ Hannah said, a shade too quickly. ‘Camilla’s going to help me. It will take us the whole morning.’

‘Then Lars can bring you out in the afternoon, when he’s finished his other work. I’ll take Simon. He’s still not that good on horseback, and it will be good practice for him. Kipchoge will come too, for tracking any game and looking after the horses when we get there. That all right with you, Sarah?’

‘I’ll bring my camera,’ she said. They would spend the whole day together. There was nothing she could possibly want more.