‘Viktor’s method of pushing things along is the last thing we need,’ Lars said sharply. ‘He’s just lost a commission for a new government building. What kinds of contacts are those?’

‘That was rigged.’ Hannah was clearly angry. ‘The project was given to an architect who paid a big bribe.’

‘Piet will find a way.’ Sarah tried to sound encouraging. ‘Just when you’re boiling with frustration, Langani Wildlife Reserve will be recognised by some big foundation, and you’ll never look back.’

‘I thought we had an ally in London trying to promote that idea,’ Hannah said. ‘But I haven’t seen any evidence of that. You haven’t heard from her, have you, Anthony?’

‘Out in the bundu I don’t hear from anybody,’ he said. ‘Looks like Mwangi is calling us. Good idea to have lunch outside on a day like this. How’s the progress at the lodge, Lars?’

‘They’ve put in the water pump and all the bathrooms are now working. We hope!’ Lars said. ‘We should take a run up there after lunch.’

‘You should have a siesta, Sarah,’ Anthony said. ‘Otherwise you’ll be falling asleep when the master of the house gets back. And that would never do.’

Sarah turned bright red, and Hannah was laughing as they went out on to the verandah and stood arm in arm, breathing in the afternoon air, revelling in the jagged beauty of Mount Kenya on the horizon.

‘Kyrinyaga,’ Sarah savoured the name. ‘Now I feel I’m really home! But Anthony’s right. I need my bed for an hour or so.’

At seven, Mwangi was padding round in his starched white kanzu, beaming and serving drinks as usual, but Sarah noticed a loaded rifle by the door. They were all seated around the fire, with the three dogs lounging on the rug beside them, when Lars appeared. Sarah glanced across the room. Hannah had stiffened in her chair, and now she leaned forward to engage Anthony in conversation, deliberately ignoring Lars. There was something going on here, Sarah thought. She would have to grill Hannah about it later.

Lars folded his big frame on to the sofa beside Sarah. ‘So tell me, when do you start your research work?’

She turned to answer his question and the moment of tension passed. Dinner was nearly over when Piet appeared. Sarah noticed that he was thinner, that there were lines of strain around his eyes, a tightness that gave his mouth a little twist. But his smile and the timbre of his sing-song Afrikaans voice were unchanged. He walked around the table, and put his hands on her shoulders, kissing her briefly on the top of her head.

‘Sarah. It’s so good that you’re back. Sorry I couldn’t meet you. Did Anthony look after you all right?’