Page 153 of The Sun Sister

‘Good, you’re being a brave girl, and I like bravery. Now, we absolutely must call your mother and let her know you’re not going home. And then make plans to leave for Switzerland as soon as possible. Tarquin says that war is now inevitable; it’s just a question of when it becomes official. But please don’t worry, honey, you’ll be tucked up safe and sound in Switzerland, which really is the most beautiful place.’

‘As a matter of fact, Kiki, it won’t be necessary for me to travel to Switzerland.’

‘Whyever not? We agreed that it’s the only solution.’

‘Yes, but another solution has appeared since we talked yesterday.’

‘Has it? How can that be?’

‘Bill Forsythe has asked me to marry him.’

Cecily couldn’t help but enjoy the look of total incomprehension on her godmother’s face.

‘Why, I...Bill Forsythe wants to marry you?’ Kiki repeated, parrot-like.

‘Yes, he does. I’m to give him my answer tomorrow morning.’

‘Well, I’ll be damned!’ Kiki threw back her head and laughed. ‘You dark horse, you. How long has this been going on?’

‘I...’

Cecily realised suddenly that she would have to play the game from here on in and hide the true nature of the arrangement. Even if she knew the truth about the pregnancy, at least it was still possible to pretend that she and Bill had feelings for each other. Kiki was very much part of this community and she couldn’t risk her gossiping after a few cocktails.

‘Oh, since I went on the game drive with him a few weeks ago.’

‘Then why didn’t you tell me about this, honey?’

‘Because I thought that Bill wouldn’t want anything more to do with me once I told him about the baby. What man would, knowing their...girlfriend was pregnant with another man’s baby?’

‘A very special one, obviously. Bill must love you very much to be prepared to do this. I thought only yesterday how odd it was that he’d driven over to see how you were. Presumably the two of you will tell the world it’s his?’

‘Yes.’

‘And Bill is comfortable with that?’ Kiki eyed her.

‘Yes. I mean, if he wasn’t, I’m sure he would never have asked me to marry him.’

‘No. Well now, I can’t say I’ve ever been his biggest fan, and nor has he been mine. But I take my hat off to him for being so...open-minded. I hope you realise what a lucky girl you are, Cecily. You have a knight in shining armour who has come to your rescue.’

‘I know. So you think I should accept his proposal? I said I had to discuss it with you first.’

‘I think that if I was you, I’d be biting his hand off. Seriously, honey, I am thrilled for you! And what’s more, it means I get to keep you here in Kenya. Shall we telephone your mother right now? She’ll be over the moon that you’ve gotten yourself an English husband, and an aristocratic one too. Bill’s mother is an “Hon”, you know.’

‘What’s an “Hon”?’

‘It means she was a Lady before her marriage. Now, shall we call?’

‘If you don’t mind, Kiki, I’d prefer to speak to Bill tomorrow and say yes first.’

‘Of course, and let’s just hope he hasn’t changed his mind by then. Now, this calls for champagne!’

An hour later, when Cecily had managed to extricate herself by feigning exhaustion, she walked upstairs, pausing on the landing to look out of the big picture window at the descending dusk.

‘Hello there, Africa,’ she whispered. ‘Looks like I’m here to stay.’

‘Well, Cecily?’

She and Bill stood by the lake. She was touched that he had made an effort to look smart; in a freshly ironed white shirt and spotless khaki pants, Cecily thought how attractive – and nervous– he looked, standing in front her.