Page 137 of The Sun Sister

‘They’ll load it onto the back of Bill’s pick-up and take it back with them. Some rich American is sure to buy the head and the skin as a trophy.’

‘That American sure won’t be me,’ she panted. ‘It was all my fault. I wandered off too far.’

‘Well, I promise that Bill will be secretly thrilled. He had an excuse to win another trophy. Are you able to walk to the pick-up? I think you’ve had quite enough excitement for today – I’ll fetch Bobby to drive us back. He was just filling up our water canisters.’

Katherine left her side and, clutching her mug, Cecily walked to the edge of the camp and saw Bill and Nygasi carrying the lion on a canvas sheet. She followed them to Bill’s pick-up, where they and the other two Maasai unceremoniously hauled the animal onto the back and began fastening it in place with ropes.

Up close, the lion was simply huge, and even in death he had not lost his dignity. His mane shone a rich dark gold in the sun and his mouth hung open, baring his yellow fangs. She could see what looked like scars across his face.

‘He’s an old one,’ Bill said. ‘Been through some battles by the looks of him, and he’d been going hungry too – see his ribs? Most likely he was already injured and hadn’t been able to hunt decent prey. Good job he didn’t get you, Cecily.’

Cecily nodded wordlessly and walked back to the camp where Bobby was dismantling the tents and where Katherine was packing up their hampers.

‘Have you ever shot a wild animal, Katherine?’ Cecily asked her.

‘Yes. Lord forgive me, I have. If you’re brought up out here, you’re taught to shoot from an early age. As you’ve just seen, it’s a skill that can save your life. I’ve never done it for sport, only for self-preservation, but you have to remember it’s a very different life out here, Cecily. Danger is real.’

‘I’m beginning to realise that.’

‘Ready to go?’ asked Bobby as he got into the driver’s seat.

‘Yes,’ said Katherine firmly, as she helped Cecily into the back and climbed in next to Bobby.

‘Goodbye, Cecily. I’m sorry your first safari was so...eventful.’ Bill had appeared by the pick-up and was looking down at her.

‘Oh no, Bill. I’m sorry to have been such a bother. Thank you for saving my life,’ Cecily said.

‘I aim to please. Safe journey home.’

‘Are you not coming with us?’

‘No. Nygasi and I and the others have work to do out here. Goodbye now.’

Cecily looked behind her as Bobby hit the accelerator pedal and they drove away from the camp. As she watched Bill – now standing with Nygasi over his trophy – she could see he was in another world and had forgotten all about her.

Having dropped off Bobby and swapped to the far more comfortable DeSoto at Bill’s farm, as she and Katherine approached Wanjohi Farm, Cecily could see Kiki’s gleaming white Bugatti parked in the front drive.

‘Are you sure you’re up to making the journey back to Naivasha tonight?’ asked Katherine as she switched off the engine and they got out. ‘You’re welcome to stay another night with me here.’

‘Thank you, but the car’s here and I feel I must go back. I worry about my godmother.’

‘I know you do.’ Katherine put a comforting arm on Cecily’s shoulder. ‘But you have to remember that she is not your responsibility.’

‘Yes but...’ Cecily shrugged. ‘Thank you for everything,’ she said as they embraced. ‘It’s definitely been an adventure.’

‘You did very well to cope, Cecily, and if you need me, I’ll be up here staying at Alice’s until the wedding. I can hardly believe it’s only just over a month away,’ said Katherine as the silent Makena stowed Cecily’s overnight case into the Bugatti’s trunk.

‘Well, anything I can do to help, just ask,’ she said as she slid into the rear seat.

‘I will. Goodbye now.’

‘Goodbye, Katherine, and thank you so very much,’ she called through the window as the Bugatti began to drive along the rutted track.

Waving goodbye to her friend, Cecily wondered if being threatened by a hungry lion was actually better than returning to the strange atmosphere that hung like a grey cloud over Mundui House...

‘Sweetheart! Is that really you?’

‘Yes, Mama, it is. I...’