Rhino Charge

by Victoria Tait

  “They shouldn’t let lorries down it in the wet season as they get stuck. Just look at the deep ruts that have baked hard in the sun.”

  Rose peered out of the windscreen and jerked the steering wheel to the right. “It’s made worse when other vehicles attempt to pass the stationary lorries. This track has become wider and wider, it’s a real mess. I keep hearing rumours it’s going to be tarmacked, but nothing ever happens.”

  She turned off the road, and after completing the formalities at the Ol Pejeta entrance gate, they drove into the conservancy. The area along the track was wooded, with gaps between trees giving glimpses of the large plains beyond.

  Rose spotted groups of animals grazing in the distance. As the bushes on the left thinned out, they spotted three rhino. She stopped the car so they could watch them.

  “Oh look, they have a baby with them,” cried Dr Emma. “I’m no good at telling the difference, are they black or white rhino? And don’t tell me it’s the colour, I know both species are steely grey.” Dr Emma chuckled.

  “My eyesight isn’t great, but I think they’re black, as they look smaller and more compact. Oh yes, look, that one’s nibbling a bush. Black rhino have pitted lips, enabling them to bite leaves and twigs. They like browsing for their food. The flatter, broader lips of the white rhino makes it difficult for them to get hold of branches. Their mouths work more like a lawnmower along the grassy savannah.”

  They drove on and Rose parked once again by the caretakers’ wooden hut. Zachariah met them, but his face was glum and he wrung his hands. “Little Ringo is no better. He spends most of the day lying down. He won’t even talk to his big Uncle Sudan through the stall partition.”

  Dr Emma turned to Rose. “Can you take some blood? I’ve discussed the matter with the management team, and they’ve agreed that we can send blood to a lab in South Africa for testing.”

  Rose reached into the back of her Defender and removed her green veterinary bag. Once inside Ringo’s stall, she unpacked needles, tubing, and vials in which to collect the blood. Ringo lifted his head as Rose ripped open the needle packet.

  “Steady,” said Zachariah. “He may not see very well, but his hearing is good and he didn’t like that noise.”

  “Can you fetch a bucket of warm water, and a cloth or sponge?” she asked Zachariah. He left the enclosure as she continued her preparations. She handed the tube and vials to Dr Emma, as Zachariah returned with the bucket.

  “OK, we need to be steady so as not to frighten him, but we must be decisive, as I suspect we only have one chance at this. Zachariah, as he knows you best, can you wet the inside of his front leg with your damp cloth? It’ll help me to see the vein.”

  Zachariah did as instructed. Rose knelt beside him.

  “It’s OK, my friend.” Zachariah spoke gently to the little Rhino.

  Rose quickly stuck the needle up into the prominent leg vein, gave it a twist, and blood began to drip out.

  “The tube, please,” she requested from Dr Emma. Once the tube was attached to the needle, she attached a vial which began to fill with the young rhino’s blood.

  Zachariah stroked him and said, “My friend, be brave. These ladies are trying to help you.”

  She collected six samples in case any were damaged on their journey to South Africa. She removed the needle and watched Zachariah continue to stroke Ringo. She was worried. He’d hardly reacted when she inserted the needle.

  “What is he eating?” she asked.

  “Mostly milk formula,” Zachariah replied. “We still prepare a small amount of his food, but he only nibbles at it.”

  Ringo laid his head back on the straw and closed his eyes.

  Back at the car, Dr Emma addressed Zachariah. “We will let you know as soon as we have the results, but I’m afraid it doesn’t look good.” She reached out and touched Zachariah’s arm. “I’m sorry. I know how fond of him you are, and all the hard work you and your team have put in, caring for him.”

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  The next week passed uneventfully, for which Rose was grateful. She made a point of spending quality time with Craig each day. She invited three of his friends around for lunch on their patio on Wednesday and they visited another friend at his ranch in Laikipia on Friday.

  On Sunday morning, Kipto was preparing Sunday lunch while Rose and Craig relaxed on the patio. Izzy, Rose’s black and white cat, was curled up beside her.

  Rose put her phone down, looked at Craig, and said, “Chloe’s just sent me a message. She says Dan wants to go to Cape Chestnut for curry lunch with a group from the British Army. So she won’t be joining us.”

  Craig was reading the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, from the UK, on Rose’s tablet. She had persuaded him to subscribe so that he didn’t spend all his time trying to complete crosswords, and asking her to help to fill in the squares. The Telegraph had a daily crossword and whilst he couldn’t write the answers on the screen, he could still work out the solutions.

  He looked up, “That doesn’t sound like Chloe’s cup of tea. I thought she’d rather come here with Thabiti and Marina.”

  Rose stretched her arms. “I’m sure she would, but I think she’s trying to accommodate Dan a little more, and do the things he wants to when he’s home. You know how worried I’ve been about her relationship. Hopefully this is a move in the right direction.”

  Potto, Rose’s terrier, wandered out of the house and leapt onto Craig’s lap.

  Craig stroked Potto and asked, “Did you tell me Pearl is coming? Does that mean she’s getting better?”

  Rose tilted her head and answered, “I’m not sure, but I know Thabiti wants her to become more independent, so they can both move forward with their lives.”

  Rose, Craig, Marina, Thabiti, and Pearl were all seated around the outdoor dining table. Thabiti’s fluffy white dog, Pixel, was attempting to jump onto Craig’s vacated patio chair, but Potto, who was already curled up on the cushions, was giving it no room. After several futile attempts, Pixel padded into the house.

  “Shoo,” called Kipto as she emerged from the house. She removed a hand from the wooden board she carried and waved it at Pixel.

  “Do you not feed this dog?” She looked at Thabiti with wide, accusing eyes.

  Thabiti glanced at her and quickly looked down, grinning.

  She placed the board, on which were two roast chickens, in front of Craig.

  Craig leaned across to Thabiti. “Can you help me carve?”

  Thabiti leaned back and placed his hands on the table. “But I’ve no idea how to.”

  “That’s OK, I’ll tell you what to do. It’s just that I can’t keep the birds still with my left hand whilst I carve with my right.”

  Thabiti reluctantly pushed back his chair and stood on Craig’s left side.

  Rose turned to Pearl and placed a hand on her arm. “You’re looking well. There’s a glint in your eyes I haven’t seen before, and you’ve had your hair done.”

  Marina exclaimed. “I love the burgundy colour. And you’re really brave having it cut so short. Is it a pixie style?”

  Pearl glanced at Marina and then Rose. She gulped, held her head up, and said, “Thank you for inviting me to lunch. It’s the first time I’ve been out, apart from my visits to the hospital and of course, this week, to the salon.” She patted her hair with a manicured hand. Her nails were short and painted the same colour as her hair.

  She continued, “It’s time for me to rejoin the real world, and getting my hair done is the first step. Do you like it? I wanted something easy to care for but different, and not the long braids I used to wear.”

  Marina looked at Pearl in admiration and said, “I wish I was brave enough to try something new. My hair has always been long and straight and I’ve never really thought about changing it.”

  Pearl placed her hands on the table. “If you’d like, I could go with you to the salon next week. You could treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure and we could look at hair designs toge
ther.”

  Marina’s eyes shone. “Wow, I’ve never had anyone to do that with before. Yes, please,” she nodded enthusiastically.

  Rose watched Craig instructing Thabiti at the far end of the table. His hand was placed over Thabiti’s as he guided the knife. “There, cut down steadily, but with enough force to slice through the breast meat. Well done. Now move the knife across one slice width and cut. It’s just a matter of repeating the slicing until you reach the breast bone.”

  Kipto placed bowls of boiled carrots and cabbage on the table.

  Rose turned to Marina. “How is your family? I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon.”

  Marina tapped the table. “I think they’re trying to put the Rhino Charge events behind them. There was a big meeting this week with Gautam and Kumar Chauhan about merging the businesses, but I’m not sure of the outcome.”

  Marina and Rose looked across at Thabiti as Craig explained, “Now we cut here to remove the leg.”

  Marina twiddled her fingers and said, “Thabiti gave me an open invite to stay at Guinea Fowl Cottage.” She looked across at Pearl. “I hope that’s all right with you.”

  Pearl shrugged. “No problem. It’s nice to have some female company.”

  Marina extended her arm. “I’ll spend next week here, sorting out deliveries and finding somewhere to store items, particularly chilled and frozen foods, before we can collect them for the lodge. Companies deliver on different days, and I can’t come into Nanyuki, or send a vehicle every day. It’s just not economical.”

  Kipto placed delicious-smelling roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings on the table.

  “And then I’m going to the lodge so I can work out if we need any more staff. And also get to know the area, and the best places for bush walks and game drives.” Marina turned to Rose and cocked her head to one side. “Someone told me there are canopy walks and blue pools in the Ngare Ndare forest. Do you know them?”

  Rose nodded. “They’re lovely and you can swim in the pools. Watch out for elephants, though. Sometimes they walk right under the rope bridges.”

  Pearl opened her mouth, hesitated, and then asked, “That sounds fun. Could I come with you?”

  “Of course, and we can take a picnic. What do you think, Mama Rose? Do you want to come as well?”

  Rose placed her hand over Marina’s. “Thank you, but I think you young people should go together. And if Dan’s gone back to work, why not ask Chloe to join you? Make it a girl’s trip.”

  Thabiti looked up and smiled proudly, “All done. Shall I serve out?”

  He divided the carved meat onto plates and they helped each other to potatoes, vegetables, and Yorkshire puddings. Kipto placed a jug of gravy on the table.

  Rose bent her head, murmured a short prayer, and said, “Please start.”

  Thabiti tucked in with gusto while Pearl took small, dainty bites.

  Craig looked around the table and smiled, a look of satisfaction on his face. “So you three are going to a brand new lodge in Borana for a month?”

  Marina and Thabiti locked eyes.

  Thabiti said, “Yes. It should be fun. I’ve been learning all about the cutting edge solar system they’ve installed for lighting, and they’re also considering growing food for the lodge with a hydroponic system, as it needs less water.”

  Rose asked, “When do the family arrive?”

  Marina answered. “The first week of June. They’re coming over to run in the Lewa Marathon.”

  Thabiti swallowed a mouthful and said, “Like Chloe. I bumped into her when she was out on a run this week. She said the break over the Rhino Charge has helped and she feels fresher now. I might go with her on my bike next week and find some tracks to run and ride on up Mount Kenya. She said she needs a bit more hill work.”

  Craig addressed Rose. “You need to decide if you’re helping with the water stop this year. Bruce wants to know so he can organise tickets.”

  She answered, “I’m not sure I want to, not without you. I thought that perhaps, after the marathon, we could find somewhere to stay for a night or two and rediscover Lewa and Borana.”

  Marina bobbed up and down excitedly. “Why don’t I see if you can stay in one of the guest cottages? The family are leaving soon after the marathon, and there are no more guests scheduled whilst we’re there.”

  Rose turned to Marina. “That’s very kind, but I don’t think your family will want just anyone staying.”

  “You’re not anyone. I’ll ask Ollie, and he can always say no. How exciting if we’re all in Borana.”

  Craig looked across at Pearl. “Are you going as well?”

  Her head bowed, she looked over at Craig and replied, “Yes, I’m doing a yoga course while I’m there.” She raised her head. “I started classes at the Cottage Hospital, and to my surprise I enjoyed them. Also, it’ll keep me out of Marina and Thabiti’s way when the family are staying. It’s the same weekend as the Lewa marathon.”

  Rose sat back. “I have a good feeling about this. It would be great if we could all spend some time in Borana.” She looked directly at Craig. “And maybe you and I could drive over and watch the marathon and support Chloe. It would mean an early start, but what do you think?”

  “If you don’t mind driving, that would be splendid.”

  Thabiti pushed his empty plate to one side. “I think it would be a great idea. Especially as Craig can make sure you keep out of trouble. Not that I can see anyone being murdered at the marathon.”

  Rose answered, “Let’s hope not. But you never know, human nature being what it is.”

  Dear Reader

  I do hope you’ve enjoyed Rhino Charge. If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review on the platform you bought from, and any others you are willing and able to post on. Reviews will help bring Rhino Charge to the attention of other readers. A couple of lines highlighting what you like most, such as characters, setting, plot etc. are sufficient.

  I wrote an epilogue about Lavanya, and what happens to her, as soon as I finished the main book. If you would like a copy please Click Here.

  When you request the epilogue you will sign up to my book club, where you will hear from me about my books, author life, new releases and special offers. I don’t send spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.

  I wrote the book in 2020 and often found it hard to concentrate, or settle down to write, with the difficulties and issues we all faced. But transporting myself to Kenya, and transferring words from head onto paper, were a huge release from the real world.

  I didn’t have the opportunity to visit or take part in the Rhino Charge, but I knew many competitors, officials and organisers. It continues to be an exciting event which raises huge amounts of money to protect and preserve wildlife and forest habitats.

  It was fascinating learning more about the history of the Indian population in Kenya. I knew many when I lived there and their culture has had a lasting impact, particularly on the Kenyan cuisine. On the 22nd July 2017 President Uhuru Kenyatta officially recognised the Indian community as the forty-fourth tribe in Kenya.

  I did meet Ringo, the orphan southern white rhino calf, and was saddened by his death in July 2016. Ol Pejeta Conservancy said that “during his short life, Ringo inspired hundreds of people worldwide with his playful antics and irresistible charm. In simply being himself, he helped raise awareness about the plight of rhino in Africa.”

  I particularly enjoyed writing the multiple character scenes and watching Marina, Thabiti, and Chloe grow as they interacted with each other and with ‘Mama Rose’. I hope you’ll join them in the next book, Jackal and Hide, where Marina and Thabiti begin to find their calling in life. But there is trouble for Chloe, heartache for Rose, and of course, another murder to be solved.

  Best wishes

  * * *

  Victoria

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  Click Here to Download the Epilogue

  About the Author

  Victoria Tait is the author of the enchanting
Kenya Kanga Mystery series. She’s drawn on her 8 years experience living in rural Kenya, with her family, to write vivid and evocative descriptions. Her readers feel the heat, taste the dryness and smell the dust of Africa. Her elderly amateur sleuth, “Mama Rose” Hardie is Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple reincarnated and living in Kenya.

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  Like all good military wives, Victoria follows the beat of the drum and has recently moved to war scarred Sarajevo in Bosnia. She has two fast growing teenage boys. She enjoys horse riding and mountain biking. Victoria is looking forward to the sun, sand and seafood of neighbouring Croatia when the world returns to normal.

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  You can find Victoria at her website, or on Facebook, and at Goodreads and BookBub.

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  If you would like to email Victoria her address is victoria@victoriatait.com

  Dedication

  For Andrew, William & Archie

  Who supported me during these difficult times

  KISWAHILI WORD GLOSSARY

  Amref Kenyan medics and flying doctor service

  Asante Thank you

  Boda Boda Motorbike used as a taxi

  Bonnet English word for the metal hood covering the car’s engine

  Bwana Sir, a term of respect used for an older man

  Habari Greeting used like hello but meaning ‘What news?’

  Hapana No

  Jumper Sweater/pullover

  Kahawa Coffee

  Kanga Colourful cotton fabric (also Swahili for guinea fowl)

  Kikoi Brightly coloured cotton garment or sarong

  Kikuyu Kenyan ethnic group or tribe

  KWS Kenyan Wildlife Service

  Memsahib A white foreign woman of higher status