‘I won’t ask any questions,’ he said. ‘I know they’re too painful to answer. But I want you to understand that there’s nothing Allie and I wouldn’t do to help you through. You only have to say the word.’

Sarah nodded, her mouth clamped shut to prevent the sob that rose in her throat as she got into the Land Rover beside him. Allie was waiting for them in camp, and there were tears in her eyes as she hugged Sarah without a word. Dan placed an arm around her shoulders and led her to an armchair before making her a stiff drink. Neither one of them spoke, allowing Sarah to compose herself and to signal the direction that their conversation might take. She was grateful for their silence and glad to be in their company.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ Allie asked her. ‘Or shall we leave that for another time?’

‘Another time. Can’t manage it today. But thanks. Tell me what’s been happening here,’ Sarah said, when she could trust her voice again.

They kept the conversation focused on the next phase of their work, and the discussions Dan had had recently with their sponsors in Nairobi. Sarah took out her portfolio and they studied the recent photographs of their elephants, suggesting pictures to submit with the annual report that was near to completion. Dan was about to make a formal presentation to the board of the African Wildlife Federation who had been their sponsors for the past three years. Funding for the following year would largely depend on the impact of this next presentation.

‘We’ve had a nibble from National Geographic.’ Allie’s pride shone in her eyes. ‘They’re going to send someone up to have a look at our project later in the year. That would be great for all of us. We’d benefit from the extra money of course, and a feature in the magazine would bring Dan the wider recognition he deserves. Maybe they’d want to use your photographs, Sarah. That would be something.’