‘I hate to disillusion you, but I’m afraid Rhodesia is not as different as you might think. You’ll find the same preoccupations, albeit under a slightly different guise.’

As Jill talked on, her gaze skittered to the snake tattoo. Clearly, she didn’t want to stare, but couldn’t help herself. Ginie’s lips curved into the ghost of a smile. Jill’s legs were sturdy and swollen, with fishnets of broken red veins running beneath the suntan. Her knobby, cracked feet were encased in soft brown sandals.

‘It’s just as hard to find good staff here,’ Jill was saying. ‘Are you happy with your boys?’

‘Why, yes.’

‘You must keep an eye on them. Mine won’t lift a finger unless they have to. I suggest you watch your larder too. Things have a tendency to wander, if you know what I mean.’

This was said within earshot of Dixon, though he gave no sign of having heard. Ginie felt a flare of indignation.

‘Really?’ she replied, coolly. Jill raised her eyebrows, sensing the lack of complicity.

‘I’m telling you as a friend. You haven’t been here as long as I have.’

Ginie could feel her anger building, but worked to contain it.

‘They just don’t have the same values that we do,’ Jill concluded, rattling a teaspoon around in her cup. Ginie stared at her, wordlessly, until two scarlet spots flamed on Jill’s cheeks.

‘Well,’ Ginie said, her voice shaking slightly with the effort of her restraint. ‘They’re human beings just like us, and heaven knows there are enough untrustworthy white people. But if you feel like that, perhaps you shouldn’t employ them to look after you.’

Their eyes met combatively, until Jill looked away with measured disdain.

‘You can’t choose your neighbours,’ Stephen said to Ginie at dinner that evening. ‘And you can’t afford to dislike one another; there has to be a bit of give and take.’

‘Really, Stephen. The fact is, she is just an odious woman. You should have seen her sitting there like she owns the whole country, spouting her poisonous views.’

‘Like it or not, she’s part of our life now. I’m afraid you’re going to have to try to get along.’

Ginie sighed. ‘Oh, Lord. Next time, let’s have her round with other people. Diluted, she might be bearable.’