‘And how do you think we came by them, heh? They gave those first Afrikaners their British passports and their land because they were collaborators during the Boer War, boy. Against our own Boer people. Did you know that? No, I can see that you didn’t. The men that brought their families up here sixty years ago were mostly escaping. Because they had been informers. The British passports were the pay-off for betraying their countrymen. If they’d stayed down south they would have been hung up in the trees.’

‘That’s not true.’ Piet was incredulous.

‘It is true, although no one in the Afrikaans community ever cares to admit it. And the Britishers will never consider us as their own, no matter what they agreed to, or why. They won’t give us the time of day when Uhuru comes.’ Jan made no attempt to hide his scepticism.

‘I’m sure that’s not right.’ Camilla’s face was very pale. ‘My father is working on this question of land settlement and citizenship. He’ll make sure that everyone is treated fairly.’

‘We’re Boers, my dear. The British have no love for us, and they don’t care if we stay or go, no matter what’s written in our passports. And where would they repatriate us to? Holland, or the UK? We could never go there. South Africa? They won’t pay for us to resettle in an apartheid country. They’ll turn their backs on us, and good riddance they’ll say!’

‘I’ve never heard you talk like this before, Pa.’ Hannah’s voice was edged with fear.

‘And this is not the time to begin.’ Lottie was furious. ‘I’m going to ring the bell and we’ll get Mwangi to bring the next course.’

‘I’m sure these things will never happen to you.’ Camilla’s distress had heightened her colour and she half rose from her seat. ‘My father works directly for the Minister of State in charge of the colonies. I’m sure his office is aware of all these problems. They’d never treat anyone the way you’re suggesting.’

‘It looks like you’ll follow your father into some diplomatic post, young lady,’ Jan said with heavy sarcasm.

‘Don’t get upset.’ Piet was leaning towards Camilla, his hand stretched out to urge her back into her chair. ‘I’ve grown up with all the young Kikuyu and Maasai and Nandis in this area. They even made me their blood brother a couple of years ago. Just like – well, I’m a brother to them. I’ve fished with them, hunted with them, eaten with them since I was a toto myself. I tell you, it’s not like Pa’s generation. We younger people have a different relationship with—’