‘You said you’d look into the question of Langani Farm, though, Daddy. You promised you’d see what could be done to help Jan and Lottie to stay on there.’

‘I can’t arrange special favours, Camilla.’

‘But you promised,’ she persisted, ignoring George’s discomfort. ‘So what have you managed to do, Daddy darling?’

Dr Hayford was leaning forward with a smile on the corner of his wide lips, intrigued by the predicament of the British diplomat.

‘I think I’ll discuss that with Jan and Lottie at some later date, if you don’t mind, my dear.’ George turned to address Jan directly. ‘I gather you’ll be down here for a few more days?’

‘We will, yes. And if you have the time, I’d be glad to have a talk.’

Jan was more than willing to shelve the matter for the present. The atmosphere had become tense. He wondered where the Ghanaian doctor fitted into all this. It was difficult to understand why Raphael had invited a kaffir to dinner – even a well-educated one. The man was charming, but they were all the same, no matter where they’d been to school or what they were wearing. He could not envisage ever having a black man at his own dinner table.

They rose after the meal and the women made their way to Betty’s dressing room beside the main bedroom. She could hear the men in the study, their voices cheerful and companionable.

‘I think we’ve had enough talk about our uncharted future for one evening.’ Betty stood at the open window and took several deep breaths to compose herself, but the air seemed heavy and dull and she felt no better when she turned back into the room. ‘It seems that the old rule of no politics, sex, or religion at the dinner table is good advice.’

‘Sex and religion might have been a better choice on this occasion. But it was a delicious dinner and one we won’t forget.’ Lottie put an arm around her hostess.

‘Very original of you to have that extraordinary man from Nigeria.’ Marina touched her already immaculate coiffure.

‘Ghana, Mother. He was from Ghana.’

‘Well, it’s the same thing, darling, no matter what the outside trappings seem to be. I’ve never sat next to a black person at a dinner table before, not even in Nairobi. I had a perfectly lovely time. He’s so open-minded and intelligent. It’s quite astonishing to think he’s a Fellow of the Royal College, and now he’s been offered a consultant appointment in London.’ Marina’s face was animated. ‘I hope he didn’t find our ideas too much removed from his own. He seems quite concerned about the development of this unfortunate place, when we leave.’

‘Most of us support the idea of partnership, although that may be hard for you to understand.’ Lottie could not disguise her antagonism. ‘Harambee, as the Mzee calls it.’