Captain Willem van der Velde took the offered chair. She was older by a good five or six years he thought, but fair and plump and there was an authority in her manner that he liked. He already knew she was one of the richest women in the colony.

Katrijn Nederpelt indicated the small table between them, glasses and a bottle standing on a silver tray. ‘Help yourself, Captain.’

‘Thank you, Madame Nederpelt.’ He poured them both gin, then toasted her. ‘To your hospitality and health.’

‘God willing.’

A slave girl came onto the verandah, carrying a white silk shirt.

‘Anja will wash and repair your clothes, Captain,’ Katrijn said. ‘In the meantime, you may wear one of my late husband’s shirts.’

‘That is most kind of you.’

‘Give yours to Anja now.’

The captain hesitated but then stood up, and Katrijn Nederpelt watched as he removed his shirt and handed it to the slave girl. He slipped her deceased husband’s luxurious silk over his head. There was a faint aroma of cloves.

Van der Velde sat down again. Katrijn said, ‘Anja, help the captain with his boots.’

The slave girl draped the soiled shirt on the verandah railing, then came over and turned her backside towards the captain and straddled his leg. She reached down to take up his boot (it was how she used to do it for Master Nederpelt), gripped the toes and behind the ankle and began to tug, eventually pulling the boot free. She did the same on the other leg.

Katrijn Nederpelt said, ‘Go and clean them, girl. And don’t forget the shirt.’ She watched Anja go and smiled at Captain van der Velde. She felt there was some possibility they might understand one another. His eyes followed the slave girl. Yes, she thought so.

A young Negro boy came onto the verandah carrying a tray of fruit and smoked meats. He was dressed like a Dutch schoolboy, though barefoot.

‘Captain,’ Katrijn Nederpelt said, ‘this is Mr Hendrik. He is my best man here.’

Mr Hendrik bowed.

‘He will assist you with whatever you may need during your stay.’

Willem van der Velde smiled and nodded. ‘You are spoiling me, Madame Nederpelt. I am not used to such luxuries.’

‘Then you must apply yourself, Captain,’ Katrijn Nederpelt said. ‘And learn quickly.’

That night, she delivered Anja to the captain’s room herself, and then sat down in a chair by the door to watch.

ORDERS