‘Well, I’m going to move him to the lodge for the next week or so. We only have the nightwatchman there at present. He’s not a Kikuyu, so there shouldn’t be any tension. Simon foolishly got himself into trouble with Kamau and David, and a week out there will give them all a cooling-off period.’

‘But it was David who started this shauri, egged on by his father. It can’t be much fun to be on the wrong side of them,’ Sarah said.

‘He’s not here for fun. He’s here to do the job that he came here begging for. And he’s a good choice for the lodge, because he has no family, so he won’t be complaining that he’s away from his wife and totos when he’s out there.’

‘He draws the short straw, just because he’s unlucky enough to have no family?’ Sarah was frowning.

‘He’s lucky enough to have a job with good prospects. He drew the right straw for that. He’s doing well for himself, as I’m sure he would admit. And now he also has your book.’

He grinned at her, and her slight irritation dissolved instantly. She would have to reassess her opinions, and to guard her tongue as she learned to deal with all the staff who lived with their own traditions and expectations, and a different hierarchical system.

‘I didn’t mean to interfere,’ she said and he reached out and squeezed her fingers.

‘I love it when you get fired up about something,’ he said. ‘Like a lioness, all tawny anger and flashing claws and teeth!’

‘Ah, stop. You’re teasing me now,’ she protested. ‘I haven’t bitten or scratched anyone that I can recall. Not in the last week or two anyway.’

‘But the threat of it, heh? That’s what makes it exciting.’ He growled at her.

‘Oh, go on, Piet. You’re just winding me up.’ She watched him from over the rim of her coffee cup, her eyes filled with happiness. ‘You made some pointed remarks at Anthony last night, by the way.’

‘Anthony is a permanent Boy Scout, living a life of daring deeds and adventures. He’s had an endless series of girlfriends, but he’s never been able to settle down and make a lasting connection with any of them.’

‘Maybe he’s not ready for that. Maybe he’ll get there when the time is right, but it’s not yet.’