While Hannah was making her afternoon visit to the dairy, Sarah went to the office and sat at the desk. It was littered with papers and bills and lists of tasks, few of which had been crossed out as completed. She found the telephone directory and turned the pages hastily. There was only one Olsen listed in Kiambu, and she closed the door before dialling. When she had spoken to Lars’s uncle she dialled again, this time asking the operator for a number in Norway. The conversation was a struggle. Lars’s mother was not fluent in English, and it took some time before Sarah understood that he had left for Denmark the day after Christmas, in order to visit his sister who lived there. Sarah put down the telephone, fearful now that Hannah would come back to the house and discover her plan. She dialled again, and gritted her teeth as the overseas operator commented that he had never placed calls to any of these countries before. He was inclined to chat. Sarah drummed her fingers. Finally Lars’s voice came on the line.

‘It’s Sarah,’ she said. ‘I have something terrible to tell you.’

He listened and then she heard the tears in his voice as he talked about his friend, asked for Hannah, began to cry openly.

‘How are things with you, Lars?’ Sarah asked finally.

‘This country seems so small now, after being away. And far too cold.’ He attempted a laugh. ‘I’m thinking of Australia.’

‘Would you consider returning to Langani?’ Sarah asked him. ‘Hannah needs someone.’

‘It could not be me,’ he said. ‘She made that clear.’

‘Things have changed.’

‘Does she want to see me?’

‘She’s afraid,’ Sarah paused, closed her eyes and took the plunge. ‘She’s pregnant, Lars.’ She felt his shock, heard the harsh intake of breath and the scrape of a chair as he sat down heavily. ‘Lars?’

‘She is having the child of that man?’

‘Yes.’

‘So where is he?’ he asked.

‘It’s over. It was over before she realised she was pregnant. And she’s not going to tell him.’

‘So. She has thought of me. But you have to tell her no.’

‘She doesn’t even know I’m ringing you.’ Sarah was desperate, dismayed at his bitterness. ‘I can understand your reaction, Lars, I really can. But I’d like you to think about it.’

‘I am not that good a man, Sarah. I hope things will turn out OK for her, but I cannot help her in this. It is asking too much.’

They spoke for a few more minutes, but he was adamant. He could not come back to Langani.

Three days later he called from Nanyuki. ‘Could you drive over here and meet me?’ he said to Sarah, in his slow voice. ‘I don’t want to work at Langani, but maybe we can talk.’