Caleb stared at him. ‘Who’s the client here?’

‘Exactly,’ murmured Innocent. ‘You are my clients. It is my job to keep you safe.’

‘It’s also your job to protect this place and the animals in it. If the poachers kill them all, you’ll have no clients to look after. I’m doing you a favour here.’

Innocent screwed the lid back on to his water bottle and carefully slid it into his webbing. ‘Come on now, friends,’ he said. ‘Let’s get back to camp and I can call this in.’ But he didn’t make a move to go.

Caleb put his hands on his hips. ‘Every minute we stand here thinking about it, they’re getting further away.’

‘We’re not thinking about it though,’ said Innocent, adding, ‘It’s impossible!’ Despite these protestations, his eyes were gleaming; I could tell he was tempted.

‘You remember who my father is, yes?’ said Caleb quietly.

Innocent looked away.

‘This summer, according to him, is about me stepping up and taking responsibility. I wouldn’t stand in my way.’

At the mention of Uncle Langdon, Innocent’s resolve visibly weakened. He pursed his lips and shut his eyes.

‘Well, I’m not going back there,’ said Xander, trying in vain to bolster the guide. ‘Amelia?’

I was relieved to see her shake her head, though I noted that what she said didn’t contradict Caleb’s plan: ‘All of us going doesn’t seem logical: the bigger the group, the slower the progress, and the more likely they’ll spot us.’

Deep down, thwarting the poachers mattered deeply to Innocent. He’d dedicated his life to protecting his country’s wildlife, after all. He was torn, so tried for a compromise: ‘OK, OK.’ He smiled at Caleb, willing him to agree. ‘I’ll backtrack on my own, tail the poachers to their camp and inform the rangers. Marcel can take care of you.’

But Caleb was already shaking his head, chest puffed out, the big man. ‘It was my idea,’ he stated flatly. ‘I’m going with you whether you like it or not.’

‘Me too,’ I said. It wasn’t simply that I had to stand up to Caleb. Mum would want me to stay safe, but she’d sent me here to see the threatened wildlife and she would want me to do my bit.

The corners of Caleb’s mouth twitched slyly. ‘I suppose that makes sense. Split the group down the middle. Xander and Amelia head back with Marcel and little Patience, and we’ll have three pairs of eyes on the poachers.’

Innocent’s mouth was set in a grim, stubborn line, but Marcel, who had patiently endured this debate, had now had enough. He handed the rifle to Innocent, and said, ‘I’ll get these ones home. A bientôt.’

‘Huh,’ said Xander, trying not to show his annoyance. ‘Whatever, I suppose.’

Of all of us, only one person was truly happy with this plan: Caleb. And even he was only really pleased because he’d imposed his will on the rest us. Though he was attempting to look businesslike, adjusting the straps on his pack, he wore the smile of someone who’d got his own way.