‘I seem to recall Sarah tucking into a leg of impala recently,’ Camilla said with relish. ‘She was full of admiration for the person who shot the poor innocent beast and brought it to the table.’

Sarah’s face began inevitably to redden.

‘Your halo is slipping it seems.’ Anthony raised his eyebrows. ‘We have a population that’s expanding too fast, Sarah, and there’s a huge increase in the demand for land needed to grow food. Blind preservation of all game can’t work.’

‘I know all that. We have friends who farm, and they sometimes have to shoot a leopard that has killed livestock, or get rid of a buffalo that has trampled the labourers’ shambas. I do understand the need for balance. But that’s not the same as killing for fun.’

‘It’s a thin line to tread, I suppose. But the money for hunting permits pays for rangers to patrol the reserves and the parks. In theory, anyway.’

‘Goes to buy another Mercedes or a new wife for some politician, more like,’ Camilla said brightly.

‘You can’t afford to be completely cynical around here,’ Anthony said. ‘Some of the money reaches its intended target, and that’s better than none. And the professional hunters are pretty good game rangers themselves. They’re the first to report illegal activity to the Game Department and they often prevent poaching of rhino and elephant.’

‘So you’re saying that the means – like taking pot shots at magnificent old tuskers, for example – justifies the end.’ Sarah was unconvinced.

‘Once again, in theory, yes.’ Anthony pushed his leather hat back from his face and drained his glass. His eyes were no longer laughing. ‘There’s plenty of political jiggery pokery going on, it’s true. After Independence it will probably get worse if corruption becomes a serious issue, and that is more than likely. God knows what will happen then.’

‘What a gloomy scenario,’ Sarah said. ‘I hope there’ll still be people like you around, to go on making the case for wildlife survival.’

‘You seem extremely interested in the whole question.’

‘She is,’ Camilla said. ‘She’s the crusader sort, like you. She’s planning to study zoology, and when she has her degree she’s going to come back here and work in conservation. Do her bit towards saving the country.’

‘Good girl. Maybe we’ll find ourselves working together one day. I have a friend who plans to start up a private game reserve on his farm. He’s going to build a small lodge, where people can see game in a place that’s not overrun by noisy tourists in groups. I’d like to put some money into the scheme myself, when I have a few bob available.’

‘Where would that be?’ Sarah leaned forward, disbelieving.