Page 192 of The Sun Sister

‘He’s probably given up asking you, because you always say no.’

‘Why don’t you stop nagging me and eat some of the casserole I’ve made?’

‘Because...in truth, I’m feeling rather sick. Oh Cecily, I’ve put off telling you now for a month, but you’re my best friend, and you should hear it from me. Bobby and I are going to have a baby. It’s due next May. I’m so terribly sorry, but I had to tell you.’

There were tears in Katherine’s eyes as she reached her hand out across the table.

‘I...That is the most wonderful news! I’m thrilled for you both,’ Cecily managed.

‘Are you sure? I’ve been so worried about saying anything; I didn’t want the news to upset you.’

‘Upset me? Why, I’m happy for both of you, really.’

‘Are you absolutely positive?’

‘Completely. Actually, we should break out the champagne that’s still left over from Kiki’s hampers.’

‘Oh, don’t waste it on me. I feel ill at the very thought of alcohol just now. The other thing I wanted to ask you is whether you would be prepared to be godmother to the little one? I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather ask.’

‘That is so sweet of you! Of course I’d be honoured, Katherine, honest I would.’

‘That’s wonderful! And as you’re my nearest neighbour, I’m sure I’ll be begging to dump the baby on you quite often.’

‘That will be just fine by me,’ Cecily smiled.

Later, she waved goodbye to Katherine from the veranda. As the tail lights of the pick-up disappeared along the drive, Cecily sat down at the table, put her head in her hands and sobbed as if her heart were breaking all over again.

Cecily was in the middle of scrubbing the kitchen floor when Bill arrived home three days later. Even though he kept insisting she should have help, Cecily refused. She enjoyed her solitude, and besides, keeping house gave her something to do.

‘Good evening,’ he said as he surveyed his wife on her hands and knees.

‘Hi,’ she said, dropping the scrubbing brush into the bucket and standing up. ‘How were the cattle?’

‘Dwindling by the day.’

‘Oh. I’ll put the supper on. I wasn’t sure what time you’d be back.’

‘No. Sorry. Cecily, can we have a chat?’

‘Why, yes, of course. There’s nothing wrong, is there?’

‘No, not with me anyway. Any gin going? I could certainly do with one.’

‘There’s some in the cabinet in the sitting room.’

‘Then let’s go and talk in there, shall we?’

Cecily followed him through the hall and into the sitting room, then watched him pour two fingers of gin into each glass and hand one to her.

‘Tchin tchin,’ he toasted her.

‘Cheers.’ Cecily took a sip. ‘What is it, Bill?’

‘Do you remember my friend, the Maasai chief, Leshan, who I once brought here to visit?’

‘Of course I do. Why?’

‘He heard I was out on the plains and came to find me. He’s run into a bit of a problem, you see, and wondered if we could help him out...As you might have gathered by now, the Maasai have a complex tribal hierarchy. Leshan is the leader of the Ilmolean clan, one of the most powerful in the area. Nygasi belongs to it too.’ Bill paused and took a sip of his gin. ‘Leshan’s eldest daughter has long been promised in marriage to the son of the chief of the Ilmakesen clan. They are of the Right pillar, which means they can intermarry with Leshan’s Left pillar.’