‘I’ve discovered quite enough for tonight, thank you, Viktor. You’d better go.’ She pushed him hard and he staggered backwards in surprise as she slammed the door of her little hut, so that the lizards rushed across the walls, making tsk-tsk-tsk noises of agitation. Outside, she could hear him scratching on the wooden shutters, whispering in theatrical tones.

‘Little girl, little girl, let me come in, or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!’

She stood inside the door, infuriated by his antics. Minutes later she heard him walk away, whistling cheerfully. She sat down at her desk, thinking of Hannah. Discarded, just as Piet had feared. Did she know that Viktor wasn’t coming back? How could Sarah tell her? She wondered if she should call Piet on the radio, explain what had happened. She longed for the sound of his voice, even for one moment. But it would be better to write, she thought. And the talking could be done at Christmas.

In the morning, when she reached the breakfast table, Viktor was already gone. Allie said he had set out early for an appointment in Nyeri. She looked at Sarah with amusement as they prepared for their morning expedition. Dan was staying behind today, to write reports for their sponsors. Sarah thought they both looked much the worse for wear after Viktor’s bottle of whisky. Today they had arranged to visit a Samburu manyatta to discuss traditional hunting practices with the elders. Sarah was going to be permitted to take photographs. They drove off more slowly than usual, and Sarah reached into her canvas sack and produced a couple of aspirin. She proffered her water bottle.

‘Thanks.’ Allie downed them in one swallow, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. ‘I always promise myself I won’t drink that man’s whisky, and I always end up with a pile-driver in my head the next day.’ She squinted into the sun from behind her dark glasses. ‘So, you sent him off with a flea in his ear,’ she added. ‘It’s not often he gets a refusal. Good for you, girl.’

‘I wouldn’t want to offend a friend of yours,’ Sarah said, ‘but you know Viktor’s been having an affair with Hannah, and yet he was flirting with me all day yesterday. I may be a prude, but I don’t like that.’

‘Viktor is your quintessential wolf,’ Allie said. ‘Always on the prowl. The fact that you didn’t fall for his advances will probably fuel his interest. He mostly gets his way with women. It’s the way he is, and he makes no secret of it. I’m sorry for your poor friend Hannah. That she fell for him.’

‘She’s besotted with him. I can’t understand how she doesn’t see him for what he is.’