Page 200 of The Sun Sister

Yet still, Diana and Joss continued to sway languidly together to ‘Lester Leaps In’, as Cecily and Katherine held hands and hopped around the veranda together, giggling as they did so. Bill was now in conversation with Jock at the table, Jock seemingly oblivious to his wife’s behaviour.

‘Bobby says there’s already gossip at Muthaiga Club about the two of them,’ Katherine whispered as, perspiring from their exertions, they sat down on the veranda steps.

‘Put on another one, will you, girls?’ called Joss. ‘Do you have “Blue Orchids”?’

‘I’ll go and look,’ said Katherine, getting up. ‘You stay there, Cecily, you’ve been on all your feet all night.’

‘Yes, you have,’ said Bill, walking over to her with Jock.

‘Wonderful party, but I’m rather bushed, what? Think I’ll head off to bed. Bill has said he’ll take us out with his Maasai chaps on a game drive tomorrow. Goodnight, m’dear.’

Cecily and Bill watched Jock amble rather unsteadily into the house as Glenn Miller’s orchestra blared out on the gramophone.

Bill held out his hand to Cecily. ‘Dance with me?’

‘I...okay,’ she agreed, taking Bill’s hand and letting him pull her to standing from the steps. She felt a small tingle of desire as Bill’s arms went around her, but she pushed it down hastily. She knew Bill would never be interested in her on that level, so she amused herself instead by watching two people who were so obviouslyveryinterested in each other. One could just tell from the way their bodies moved together and how Diana was looking up into Joss’s eyes.

‘They make a handsome couple, don’t they?’ Bill said, lowering his voice.

‘They sure do. It’s a pity Diana is married.’

‘That’s never stopped Joss before. Even though I love him dearly, his behaviour with women...’ Bill sighed. ‘Anyway, enough of him. I have to say, you look very lovely tonight, Cecily.’

‘Why, thank you.’

‘And now...’ Bill released her as the record came to an end. ‘I must give Katherine a ride home as I promised. I’d go to bed if I were you, leave them to it,’ Bill whispered, nodding in the direction of Diana and Joss. He kissed her on the forehead. ‘See you tomorrow.’

Cecily was woken by Bill the following morning. He was already dressed in his khaki shirt and pants.

‘What time is it?’

‘Just after six. Time to rise and shine, we’re off on that game drive.’

‘Do I have to come? You know it’s not my thing. I hate watching those beautiful animals die.’

‘I’d be very grateful if you did. You saw last night what’s going on with Joss and Diana and I need you there to divert attention.’

‘Whose? Diana’s or Jock’s? Or, in fact, Joss’s?’ she pondered out loud as she got out of bed.

‘All three of them if possible. Diana and Jock were only married less than a month ago. Even for Joss, this is untenable behaviour.’

‘Diana doesn’t seem to mind the attention one bit, so you can’t put all the blame on Joss. She’s rather beautiful, don’t you think?’

‘She has a certain allure, I suppose, but her eyes are cold and that red lipstick she insists on wearing all the time is rather vulgar.’

‘Oh, really?’ Cecily was secretly pleased.

‘It couldn’t be more obvious what’s going on, could it?’ Bill continued. ‘A young woman like that marrying a man like Jock – it all smacks of a gold digger. Jock might be a bore, but he doesn’t deserve to be treated that way by his wife. No wonder Joss was so eager to bring his “new friends” – or should I say “friend” – to stay! Right, I’ve had Nygasi stock up the pick-ups with the usual supplies. As soon as you and Diana are ready, we’ll leave. I’ll see you outside.’

‘Okay.’ Cecily went to the closet to retrieve her safari boots, wondering at the fact that her husband didn’t seem to have fallen under Diana’s spell. Or did he protest too much...?

Whilst Nygasi and his fellow Maasai took the pick-up stocked with rifles and supplies, Cecily found herself squeezed in the back of the other pick-up with Joss and Diana, whilst Jock sat next to Bill in the front. Cecily turned to look out at the view of the landscape, tactfully attempting to avoid the view to her right which encompassed Joss’s hand snaking up the inside of Diana’s thigh. As Joss began openly nuzzling Diana’s neck, Cecily sat in an agony of suspense that Jock would turn round at any moment and catch them.

When they arrived at the chosen spot for the day, Nygasi and the Maasai began to set up camp.

‘Is Njala okay alone?’ Cecily made a beeline for him.

‘Njala mother come last night. She okay. Woman’s work now,’ Nygasi said as he unloaded the folding chairs, table and hampers.