Page 219 of The Sun Sister
‘Then you must go. Of course you must.’
‘But what if Bill refuses to come too?’
‘Then leave him behind,’ Katherine shrugged. ‘Golly, if I had a chance to get out of Africa for a while and see America, I’d be there like a shot.’
‘And I’d say come with me, but...’ Cecily gave a nod to Katherine’s small but noticeable bump. ‘That isn’t going to happen, is it?’
‘Not this time, no. But ask me after the baby’s born and it will be a definite yes. Cecily, go and have yourself a proper family Christmas in Manhattan. Take your maid with you if you don’t want to go alone.’
‘And Stella, of course.’
Katherine eyed her. ‘Of course.’
When Bill arrived home from the plains a few days later, and knowing a decision had to be made as December was fast approaching, Cecily made him his favourite beef stew with dumplings and uncorked their last bottle of claret.
After he’d eaten and drunk, Cecily plucked up the courage to say the words.
‘Bill, I’d...well, I’d really like to go home and visit my parents for Christmas.’
‘Would you now?’
‘Yes, I would. And I’d like it even better if you would come with me. I’ve been patient for a year, as you asked me to be. I know that the farm needs your attention and that you have to rebuild all that was lost in the war. But...’ She took a deep breath. ‘Ineedto see my family. It’s been too long. And when it comes to the people we love, we can’t waste a second of the precious time that we have left on earth.’
Bill drained his glass and topped it up with more claret. Cecily listened to the rain thumping down on the roof as Bill took a sip and looked at her across the table.
‘I do understand completely that you wish to see them, but I absolutely cannot leave the farm just now. However, I don’t wish to stop you. So go, by all means.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
She felt tears pricking the back of her eyes and stood up to give him a kiss.
‘Thank you, darling. And given I don’t wish to travel unaccompanied, I hope it would be okay if I take Lankenua and Stella with me?’
‘Is that necessary? Surely there must be someone else returning home who you could travel with?’
‘I’ve asked around and there isn’t. Kiki is already in New York and there are few Americans left round here these days.’
‘Well then, you must take Lankenua, of course.’
‘I’m sure Nygasi could take care of the house while we’re gone. And you have Kwinet for the garden and grounds...’
‘Oh, don’t worry about me, Cecily. Before you came along, I was perfectly capable of looking after myself.’
‘Bill.’ Cecily took his hands in hers. ‘Please, you’ve always talked about Christmas and how much you love it. In Manhattan there’d be snow, lights...a turkey even. Won’t you come, even for a couple of weeks?’
‘Perhaps another time, Cecily. You must also remember that I haven’t been out of Africa, socially at least, for many years. I’m not sure I’d be any good in polite company. You go, my dear, and leave your sad, tired husband behind.’
Cecily was regretting the fact that she’d opened the claret; it was making Bill even more maudlin than usual.
‘Bill, I love you, please don’t say that. I’m desperate for my parents to meet their son-in-law.’
‘I’m sorry, Cecily. Please, go, with my blessing. Now’ – Bill stood up – ‘I need some sleep.’
Cecily watched him walk away from her and her eyes filled with tears.
‘Are we nearly in America, Kuyia?’ Stella asked as she peered excitedly out of the cabin window.
