‘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.’

‘You’re quite right – it’s totally beyond me. And I can’t imagine why anyone would trust that dreadful old man,’ Marina said. ‘Until recently Kenyatta was just another terrorist we’d locked up. Now, suddenly, he’s a celebrity, in full fancy dress with his ridiculous fly whisk and beaded hat, and that straggling beard. I hope you’re not placing any great faith in him, my dear.’

‘We might as well place our faith in him, since the British government seems quite willing to sell the farmers down the river, as far as we can see.’ Lottie scraped back the stool in front of the dressing table and rose to her feet, no longer making any attempt to hide her anger.

‘Ma, let’s not go on with this. Not tonight. It’s the beginning of our holiday. In a couple of days we’ll be celebrating a new year, and I’m sure it will bring us all good fortune if we wish for it enough.’ Hannah felt close to tears. She had never before been surrounded by currents like these, hostile and disruptive, carrying her parents and friends in uncharted directions.

‘Let’s go and join the men.’ Betty opened the door on to the verandah and stood aside to let Marina Broughton-Smith past. The woman was insufferable. One came across people like that in books and films, but it was unbelievable that they actually existed. Betty wondered what could have happened to make her that way. It was impossible to imagine anyone being born with so much prejudice.