Clouds are rolling over when, at last, they reach the village, and they are greeted with green coconut milk to drink. Jericho goes onto the platform of his house, opens the door to his sleeping room, changes his clothes, looks at his sleeping bag and camping mat as he might his own bed after a long flight, and is pleased.

Obi’s sons come walking towards him carrying the parcel. Inside is a packet of the tea he likes from Bili, and a volume of Langston Hughes from Milton. ‘You might need reminding that there’s a world here waiting!’ Milton writes. There’s a box of medicines from Meg and instructions for his and Nelly’s patients. ‘No,’ she says, ‘nothing can be done for Josphine’s foot. It has been that way a long time now.’ He sighs. Yes, he needs reminding of the unequal world. Bili’s letter is in a thick envelope with just his name.

Hey mountain man,

You okay there? Long time you been gone. Ah. Yes, I notice.

I’m in town, two days here, working for the small block-owners against the oil-palm factory. They bring in their palm fruit, it’s months now and still the processing plant hasn’t paid. Every excuse, usual story, and powerful men are shareholders, usual story, so when the block-owners protest, the police are sent in. Smashed windows. It gets called a riot and a bunch of block-owners land in the lock-up. Dealing with that too. The case against the factory won’t come to court. I’m rattling sabres. Leonard taught me to say that. He rang Laedi last month, glad to hear you’re on the mountain. He’s thinking of coming out. As it’s thirty years since Aaron died, if you’re going to be here for a while yet, he says maybe he will come, we could go to the fjords, all of us together – remember Aaron. A Leonard idea. He must know your plans. Melanesia man!

I’ve written out a letter for the chiefs. A structure is easy enough. And business registration. You should bring Obi and Hector over to Moresby while Leonard is here. We can do the paperwork. Maybe I’ll have to come up there with you, talk to them myself. They’re right to be concerned. There are a lot of cowboys in this town. Then I can meet this woman you say looks like me. Not everyone is hapkas, you know, and just because you’re getting the hang of it, doesn’t mean you should see them everywhere.

I’m at the hospital with Meg, writing this. She drove me out to the school yesterday evening. I stayed there – a relief to be away from the block-owners. Milton says you’re okay, doing well up there. Some boys have been down with peanuts. Your notes to Meg, medicine man. Milton says yes, the fjords, okay, he’ll come, see Leonard again. Very Milton.

I’m sending this tea up with a message from Meg. They’re waiting for someone to come through to collect it. Some men are at the market with their peanuts. Hope it arrives, this letter. You come back, eh. Mi laik lukim yu. See you soon, I hope.