Page 197 of The Sun Sister
That made Cecily look up at him. ‘Does that mean you’ll be fighting?’
‘I’ll be overseeing recruitment and organising troop movements at first, but I’ll be damned if I don’t fight with my men if it comes down to it. Anyway, for now it’s good to be home, it really is.’
‘Want to finish up the last of our gin?’ Cecily asked him, suddenly feeling guilty for her lack of thought towards him.
‘Why not?’ he said as she stood up to get it. ‘Even old Muthaiga Club is running dry, what with the influx of army personnel. I think you’d better rekindle your relationship with your godmother.’ He gave her a wan smile as she handed him a glass. ‘Her cellar never seems to run dry. Tchin tchin.’
‘Cheers,’ Cecily toasted.
‘So, what have you been doing with yourself up here since I saw you last?’
‘Oh, the garden, of course – I never realised how demanding rows of carrots and cabbages could be – but I’ve also been visiting Njala every day.’
Bill looked up at her in astonishment. ‘Have you indeed?! Well now, there’s a thing. How is she?’
‘She’s very well indeed, as a matter of fact. Holy moly, she’s a beauty, isn’t she?’
‘She certainly is, yes.’
‘I’ve been taking her eggs and teaching her a little English. And I’ve even learnt to speak some Maa.’
‘Good for you.’ Bill studied his wife. ‘Who would have thought it?’
‘Thought what?’
‘That you and a Maasai girl would strike up a friendship?’
‘I don’t know why you’re looking so surprised, given that you spend half your time with them.’
‘Sadly, no longer, but I hear what you’re saying.’
‘Bill...?’
‘Yes?’
‘Do you...would you know how Njala ended up pregnant?’
‘Well, I would assume in the usual way.’
‘I mean, was she, umm, willing?’ Cecily blushed.
‘You mean, was this some kind of a mutual relationship or was she taken by force?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can’t answer that, but in my experience, the daughter of a chief, especially if she’s beautiful, is a precious and well-guarded commodity. So I would imagine that Njala herself must have had something to do with making the necessary...arrangements for a tryst.’
‘She loved someone else who was not her intended?’
‘Maybe, but who knows?’ Bill sighed. ‘Sadly, a Maasai woman’s path is rarely one she chooses for herself.’
‘I understand. She makes me feel real blessed,’ Cecily agreed.
‘Exactly. One can always find another whose suffering is far greater. Now then, given that you seem to be in a more social mood these days, I was wondering if you’d mind if I brought Joss up here for the weekend? He’s closed up the Djinn Palace on the lake since his wife Molly died. He can’t afford to run the damned place and is stuck in his bungalow in town, heavily involved with the war effort like we all are. He’s gagging for some fresh air, as you can imagine.’
‘Okay, why not?’ Cecily agreed. ‘We haven’t had guests since...well, since we moved in.’
‘No, and even given my hermit tendencies, it really is time we did. There’s also a new couple in town – Jock Delves Broughton and his young wife, Diana. They’ve moved here from England to escape the war. Not that you can fully escape it at the moment, but at least the weather here is better, I suppose,’ said Bill with a shrug. ‘Joss has suggested we could invite them to stay too. Diana isn’t much older than you and it might be good for you to meet someone of your own age.’
