Page 81 of The Sun Sister

‘Yes, I did, I suppose. And to be honest, I loved both of them. I was sent away to school when I was ten, but during the holidays, I’d spend most of my time with Mother and annoying Bobby up here, but then at least two weeks down at the mission with Father. Which brings me back to the tricky subject of where Bobby and I should tie the knot. I think we’ve finally reached a compromise; Bobby and I will officially be married at the mission in Tumutumu, which will keep Father happy, then the reception will be held at Muthaiga Club the following day. Darling Alice has insisted on paying for it as our wedding gift, even though I suggested that a cheque to help put some sticks of furniture in our new home might be more useful. She’s such an old romantic, even after the disasters of her own marriages. And of course, it’s a good excuse for a party too,’ she added wryly. ‘I just hope she’ll be well enough to attend. So, what do you think?’

‘I think it sounds like the perfect solution. Where are you going on honeymoon?’

‘Goodness, absolutely nowhere,’ Katherine smiled. ‘I’ll be moving into Bobby’s parents’ old farmhouse, which, as I told you, the poor dear is doing his best to renovate before the big day. That will be honeymoon enough, and besides, restocking a cattle farm is a risky business. I’ll be helping Bobby with the animals – at least I’ll be able to put those years I spent at Dick’s to some use.’

‘Excuse me?’

‘The Dick Vet college in Edinburgh – I’m a qualified vet, Cecily, which will certainly be helpful as far as keeping the cattle healthy is concerned. Bill Forsythe, Bobby’s – and soon to be my – nearest neighbour, is educating both of us about modern cattle-rearing methods and the intricacies of vaccinations, pesticide baths and so on. There are so many diseases to worry about when you have animals in large numbers together – anthrax, rinderpest, BPP. Not to mention the lions who will try to get a free meal,’ Katherine added. ‘Actually, I’ve invited Bill round to join us for supper tonight – I must warn you, though, he’s quite a character.’

‘That’s okay, I’m slowly getting used to the locals. There sure are some interesting personalities round here,’ said Cecily.

‘Bill has a special relationship with the Maasai tribe – who have plenty to teach us as well, with their natural remedies developed over centuries.’

‘Are the staff here Maasai?’ Cecily enquired as a woman appeared from the kitchen block with a broom and started sweeping the dust from the covered veranda that edged the inner courtyard.

‘No, Kikuyu. The Maasai are nomadic – they spend their lives with their cattle out on the plains. Domestic staff tend to be Kikuyu, and Ada – as she’s known here – was recommended by my mother from the mission when Alice was looking for more help.’

‘Do you find they make good servants?’

‘They certainly do, as long as they have firm leadership. They are very loyal people, on the whole. Now, enough of all that; tell me what you do back in Manhattan?’

‘I...nothing much. I was engaged, you see, and then, well, I wasn’t.’

‘Ah, so you’re here to mend a broken heart? May I ask how old you are?’

‘I’ll be twenty-three this year. An old maid.’

‘Hardly!’ Katherine chuckled. ‘I’m twenty-seven this year. Did you love him?’

‘I thought I did, yes, but truly, I’m done with men.’

‘We’ll see.’ Katherine smiled, then stood up. ‘Right, I think it’s time for lunch.’

They ate a delicious spiced fish, which Katherine told her had been plucked from the river only this morning.

‘Have you ever visited Mundui House?’ Cecily probed, remembering Aleeki’s discreet coldness towards her new friend.

‘No, my mother and father disapproved heavily of the whole Happy Valley set. Apart from Alice, of course, because of the animals. I hear it’s beautiful, though, and obviously Kiki is so very generous.’

‘Yes, she is, although...well, I’m worried about her,’ Cecily confided. ‘She hasn’t been out of her room in days. I only know she’s alive because she wrote me a letter this morning before I left. You don’t happen to know if she suffers from any recurring illness, do you?’

‘Gosh, I...no, I don’t think so, Cecily. Now, why don’t I take you to the stables, and we can go for a ride? I’ll show you some of the beauty spots in the area.’

Pushing down both her feeling that Katherine knew more than she was telling, plus the thought of riding again – she knew sheliterallyhad to get back on the horse if she was going to be in Kenya for some time – Cecily nodded.

‘Thank you, I’d love to.’

Luckily, the terrain was challenging and rather than thinking about the last time she’d been out riding with Julius, Cecily concentrated on guiding the mare along the riverbank. She took in the cool, fresh air, the sounds of the birds and the sunlight glinting off the peaceful run of the river to her side. When the horses stopped to drink, Cecily stared across the wide expanse of flat, verdant valley spread out below her.

‘You know, it almost feels as though England up here has been glued to Kenya down there,’ she said.

‘You’re right, it does rather. Now, Bobby and Bill will be arriving shortly, so we should head back.’

Having washed herself as best she could in the bowl of warm water set on top of the chest of drawers, Cecily put on a clean cotton dress, tidied her hair, then went back outside to join Katherine and watch the sun set over the valley. As it disappeared below the horizon, Cecily shivered in the fresh breeze that whipped across the terrace. She pulled her wrap closer around her shoulders, relishing the feeling of being cool.

They both heard the growl of engines approaching.

‘The boys are here,’ said Katherine and Cecily followed her out to the driveway, where two ancient-looking open-topped pick-ups had just pulled to a halt. Bobby climbed out of one, followed by another man who Cecily assumed must be Bill.