‘No. I could see it for myself. So what do you think about him? If anything.’

‘I do wonder sometimes what it might be like with him.’ She looked across at Camilla with some embarrassment. ‘Sarah said I was scared, and she’s right. Stupid, heh? A big, strong farm girl like me, full of common sense. That’s how it is though.’

‘Being strong doesn’t help when it comes to love,’ Camilla said. ‘The heart makes a fool of the head, time after time. Trust me. I know.’

‘Maybe I like him just because there’s no one else around,’ Hannah said. ‘I’ve been working so hard, and I haven’t got money to go and splurge in Nanyuki or Nairobi, so I’ve become a bit of a hermit. Anyway, there are always girls ringing up, looking for him.’

‘I’ll bet they’re no competition.’

‘I’m not sure. And there’s another thing.’ Hannah paused to gather her thoughts. ‘I’ve come to value my independence. I spent more than two years down south, always thinking about Pa and his problems, always worrying about Ma. Now I make my own rules, and I’m not responsible for anyone else’s emotions or happiness. I don’t want that to change again, and I’m afraid Lars would swallow me up. He reminds me of Piet. They’re so alike.’

‘I think you’re making that up to protect yourself,’ Camilla said, smiling. ‘But you’re not fooling me. Now give me that drawing and let me try and work out where this table is supposed to be placed, before the others arrive.’

The jewel of the evening star appeared, and the dusk swiftly surrendered all semblance of heat to the oncoming darkness. They were squinting in the dying light, trying to decipher Viktor Szustak’s plans, when they saw the headlights bouncing up into the sky and across the rutted track.

Lars came out to the viewing platform with Piet but Sarah hung back, strangely reluctant to join them. It was Camilla who drew her into the circle on the balcony.

‘So what do you think, on second viewing, Lady Camilla?’ Piet asked, surveying his domain with unabashed pride.

‘No one who comes here will ever forget it,’ Camilla said. ‘It’s an extraordinary, powerful place that grabs at your emotions and draws you in. I think you should be hugely proud of the way you’ve constructed the buildings so they blend with the rocks and trees, and the rise of the land. It’s beautiful.’

They sat watching the stars light up the bowl of the sky and listening to the sounds of the wind and the high drone of night insects. Only Sarah was silent, gazing down at the waterhole, her face troubled. Piet turned to her, questioning.

‘Not like you to be so quiet.’

‘I like to listen sometimes. You should be grateful.’