‘You’d think the old fool would have stopped playing that game by now,’ Jan said. ‘He’s been hanging around here for more than twenty years, and he still thinks we’re a bunch of domkops. He was more likely going to pay for a new wife. What’s in this soup that’s so good?’

‘Fresh peas from my vegetable garden, and sprigs of mint. My contribution to dinner. And Janni caught the trout.’ Lottie regarded her husband with affection. ‘The major share comes from Piet, though. Do you girls like game meat?’

‘I adore venison. And guinea fowl,’ Camilla said. ‘When we’re home on leave my father always goes shooting on a friend’s estate in Scotland.’

‘Well, tonight we have a leg of young impala. Piet bagged it. He’s a good hunter, my boy.’ Jan looked at his son with unguarded pride. ‘And Lottie makes the best gravy. There’s nothing like a home-grown dinner, heh?’ He turned to Camilla. ‘Does your father shoot here?’

‘He hasn’t had any time lately. There always seem to be dozens of politicians and officials and reporters wanting to see him. Mother’s been complaining that they never get a weekend to themselves. There are so many late-night meetings and last-minute changes of plan.’

‘Well, he’s certainly in the news enough, for better or worse.’ Jan’s face was grim. Lottie gave him a warning look, and rang the bell for the first course to be cleared away.

‘So. You girls are going to be well occupied for the next few weeks.’ Jan changed the subject. ‘Lottie tells me we won’t be seeing you again until all your exams are over, and your school days are behind you at last.’

‘No more weekends out.’ Camilla was now picking delicately at her trout. ‘They say your school days are the best days of your life. But perhaps there are some things that will be as good or even better.’

‘Of course there are!’ Lottie was surprised at the girl’s sadness. She was too young to be anything but optimistic, full of enthusiasm for the life ahead. ‘With your background you have so many opportunities, my dear. There’ll be no stopping you, Camilla. I wish I’d had your freedom when I left school.’

‘Just as well you didn’t.’ Jan had risen to carve, and now he handed plates filled with roasted meat and rich gravy to Mwangi for serving. ‘Better that I came along and took you under my wing. You’ve got enough crazy ideas as it is.’