Memories pounded her brain and with them came the suppressed fear, surging back into her body as she relived the night of the raid, the bursting in of the men with their knives, the warm sensation of blood running down her forehead. She thought of Hannah, grieving for her brother, unaware that his death was probably an act of revenge for something her father had been involved in years ago. George had been right. What use to disclose Jan’s past now? Piet was dead and it was enough of an effort for Hannah to learn how to live without him, to go on surviving in the shadow of his horrible death. She should not have to accept the additional burden of her father’s sins. And there was Sarah, whose love and future husband had been torn from her, at the very moment when their happiness had blazed out for all the world to rejoice in. She lifted the telephone. There was a long wait and then disappointment.

‘The number in Kenya is busy, I’m afraid, miss. Would you like to ring back later?’

Camilla decided to wait for half an hour before trying again. She sat down in an armchair and lit another cigarette. The jangle of the telephone made her jump and she lifted it quickly, wanting to dispel the ominous atmosphere that had enveloped the morning.

‘I saw the piece in the paper,’ Edward said. ‘You must be terribly upset.’

‘I’m fine.’ She knew that she sounded shaky. ‘No, actually I’m not fine. It’s a shock, and I can’t imagine what they must be going through. How this has brought it all back again.’

‘Do you want to meet me at my rooms this evening? We’ll go somewhere quiet for dinner.’

‘Yes. I’d like that. I’ll be there about six. I’ll see Marina earlier.’

She was wholly unprepared for the flash of bulbs and the shouts of reporters, all pushing forward as she stepped out of the taxi in front of her parents’ flat.

‘Do you have anything to say about Piet van der Beer’s murder?’

‘Was Simon Githiri a servant in the house when you were there?’

‘Is it true that Piet van der Beer’s eyes were gouged out?’

‘Can you give us any details about the killing? Was this Githiri involved in the robbery where you were injured?’

‘Is the Mau Mau movement still active in Kenya? Was Simon Githiri a member of the organisation?’

‘Is it true that Piet van der Beer was your lover?’

Camilla fled into the building and the sanctuary of Marina’s bedroom.

‘What on earth is all that noise?’ Marina said. ‘I can’t make out what they’re doing down there, but I wish they’d go away.’

Camilla tried to blink away tears of anger and frustration as she explained the grisly development to her mother.