‘Yes. Well, these things are not always for long, Mwangi. So we will go on as we have always gone on, and then we will see.’

Her mouth went dry as she heard Piet’s footsteps on the verandah.

‘We’ll talk in the office.’ His expression was tense.

‘I didn’t know he would leave,’ she said defensively, as soon as he shut the door behind them.

‘Have you any idea how serious this is?’ he asked her, his voice low and cold with rage. ‘Lars has stayed on here as a friend, at a salary that would be laughable for anyone else. He’s my friend and my adviser and the best manager we could ever have.’

‘And I’m not responsible for his jealous tantrums,’ she said, her resolutions evaporating in the face of Piet’s fury.

‘You knew he loved you. OK, so you don’t love him. Those things happen every day. But you wiped his nose in the affair you’re having with Viktor. You flirted and fawned over him, with Lars sitting right next to you. No consideration. No discretion. No thinking, Hannah. About anyone except yourself. You’ve done a really stupid thing.’

‘Piet, I’m sorry. Could we get him back?’

‘He phoned from Nanyuki half an hour ago. He’s going to stay with his uncle in Kiambu. Then he’s thinking of going back to Norway.’

She began to cry, and after a few moments he came and put his hand on her shoulder.

‘We’ll work it out somehow,’ he said. ‘Lars has recommended Mike Stead as a replacement, so I’d better arrrange to see him as soon as I get back from Nairobi. He’s looking for a job and he’s a good bloke. We may be able to make an arrangement with him. Something that will tide us over until we see how this works out. Will you be all right here on your own tonight, by the way? I’d planned to leave this afternoon, but I can put it off.’

Hannah stared at him. She had forgotten that he was going away.

‘It’s all right,’ she said quickly, anxious to make peace. ‘You must keep your appointments in Nairobi, and I don’t mind being here for a couple of days. Honestly.’

When he had gone she went to her bedroom, not wanting the servants to see that she was on the verge of tears. There was a letter on her dressing table and she opened it unwillingly, with her hand up to her mouth as she realised the full implication of what had happened.

Dear Hannah,

You were right. Your personal life and your private needs are nothing to do with me. It is unfortunate that I have allowed my feelings for you to cross over the line between employer and manager, and between friendship and love.