Page 69 of The Sun Sister

‘Yes,memsahib.’

A strong arm complete with fingers of steel was placed around her shoulders.

Cecily opened her eyes, expecting to see a great tall Negro, but instead she found herself staring into the quizzical brown eyes of an elderly birdlike man.

‘You lean on me,memsahib.’

And Cecily did so, horribly embarrassed that the man must be at least three times her age. All she noticed as he led her inside and up the staircase was the wonderful coolness after the stifling heat of the car journey.

‘This your room,memsahib.’

Cecily walked straight towards an easy chair placed in the corner and sat down before she fell where she stood. Aleeki proceeded to pull back the white sheet and eiderdown on the bed – why on earth was there an eiderdown when it was so darned hot? – then reached up and pulled the string on the ceiling fan, which whirred into life.

‘You want shutters closed,memsahib?’

‘Yes please.’

Cecily breathed a sigh of relief as the sun that had been streaming in through the large many-paned windows was banished from the room.

‘I bring you tea? Coffee?’

‘No, just water will do, thanks.’

‘Water there,’ he said, pointing to a flask by the bed. ‘More below.’ He indicated the cupboard underneath. ‘You want help with clothes? I can call the maid.’

‘No thanks, I just need to sleep.’

‘Okay,memsahib. Press bell for help, understand?’ He pointed to a button on the wall next to the bed.

‘I will, thank you.’

Finally, the door was shut. Cecily thought she might cry with relief as she walked the few paces to the large bed and sank onto the mattress. She should undress, of course – her clothes were filthy with dust from the journey – but...

Her eyes closed and, with the breeze from the fan gently cooling her hot cheeks, she slept.

‘My darling, it’s time to wake up. You’ll never sleep tonight if you don’t. Besides, I have some friends coming round to meet you in an hour.’

Her godmother’s voice floated through Cecily’s dreams.

‘I’ve had Muratha draw your bath and here’s a glass of champagne to perk you up.’

‘I...What time is it?’ Cecily murmured. Her voice sounded croaky and she swallowed hard, due to a dry and painful throat.

‘It’s five in the evening, sweetie. You’ve slept solid for the past six hours.’

And I could sleep for another six weeks,Cecily thought as she raised her head from the pillow and stared up blearily at her godmother.

Kiki was looking as fresh as a daisy, her dark hair drawn back into a chignon, her make-up perfect. The long green silk robe she was wearing set off her emerald and diamond earrings and matching necklace. In short, she looked utterly beautiful, and not at all like she had just crossed continents by plane, boat and motor car. Whatever it was that her godmother kept in her sparkly purse, Cecily thought she could do with some of it right now.

‘Drink up, darling; I promise you, it’s the perfect pick-me-up.’ Kiki proffered the glass but Cecily shook her head, wondering why her elders continually insisted she should drink liquor.

‘I can’t, really, Kiki.’

‘Well then, I’ll leave it by your bed just in case you change your mind. I’ve chosen something from your trunk to wear tonight and had Muratha iron it. It’s hanging up in your closet just there.’ Kiki pointed to an oriental-style cupboard as she wafted across the room and began to pull open the shutters. ‘You just have to hurry to get ready, my darling, or you’ll miss your first sunset at Mundui. However blue I’m feeling, it never fails to cheer me up.’

Cecily watched her godmother pause for a few seconds as she gazed out of one of the windows. A small sigh escaped her lips before she turned and smiled at her goddaughter.

‘I am so glad you came, honey. We’re going to have such fun together and mend that broken heart of yours. See you downstairs no later than six.’ Kiki left the room, leaving her signature scent – which was as unusual and exotic as she was – lingering in her wake.