The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters)

by Lucinda Riley

  The next day (with still no sign of Kiki) she accompanied Aleeki into Gilgil, posted a further letter to her parents and took her camera roll to be developed by a German man Aleeki knew, who had a darkroom tucked away at the back of his car repair shop. Cecily wandered around the town, stopping at the stalls along the street, which sold a vast array of both strange and familiar fruit and vegetables.

  ‘Are they bananas?’ Cecily pointed to large green facsimiles as Aleeki joined her after completing his errands.

  ‘No, memsahib, they are plantain. They are similar, yes. They go very good in a stew. Out here, it is called “matoki”. Maybe I can ask Cook to make you some?’

  ‘Why not? I would certainly like to try some of the local cuisine before I leave.’

  ‘We have plenty time for you to do that, memsahib,’ he said as he negotiated a good price with the stallholder for the vegetables. ‘Indian food is popular here too, very spicy. I like it very much.’

  ‘I’ve never eaten anything with spice in it,’ Cecily admitted as they walked back to the car along the hot dusty street.

  ‘Then you must try a curry, and also some stew and yugali – very popular with the Kikuyu.’

  ‘Are you Kikuyu?’ Cecily asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

  ‘No, memsahib, I am from Somaliland,’ he replied. ‘Just across the border from this country.’

  Before she could question Aleeki further, she was startled by a voice from behind her.

  ‘Cecily?’

  She turned round and saw Katherine hurrying towards her.

  ‘Gosh, I thought it was you! How are you settling in?’

  ‘Very well, I think, thank you, Katherine.’

  ‘It does take some time to adjust, but once you do, I promise it’s awfully hard to leave.’

  ‘Aleeki, this is Katherine Stewart. I met her at Alice’s tea party.’

  ‘Very pleased to make your acquaintance, memsahib,’ Aleeki said with a bow.

  ‘How is Alice?’ Cecily enquired.

  ‘She’s still in hospital in Nairobi – and it looks as if she may be there for a while longer. Bobby’s driving me from here to visit her this afternoon.’

  Cecily could sense that whatever Alice’s problem was, it certainly hadn’t been caused by food poisoning from her dirty kitchen.

  ‘Do send her my best, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course I will. And please, come over as soon as you can to visit me at Wanjohi Farm. Bobby’s busy sorting out our own farm and that wreck of a house that will become our marital home in a month’s time,’ Katherine smiled. ‘I’m lonely. How about this Friday?’

  Cecily automatically looked at Aleeki for confirmation.

  ‘Certainly, memsahib. What time would be convenient for the visit?’

  ‘How about Miss Cecily arrives for lunch and leaves after breakfast on Saturday?’ Katherine suggested.

  ‘Then I will arrange everything,’ Aleeki replied.

  ‘I must be off to find Bobby; he’s at the bank sorting out a loan to buy more cattle for the farm’ – Katherine raised her eyebrows – ‘but I’ll see you at the end of the week. Bye, Cecily.’

  ‘Goodbye, Katherine. And thank you.’

  ‘Has Katherine ever visited Mundui House?’ Cecily asked as Aleeki helped her inside the car, which was the usual veritable furnace.

  ‘No, I do not believe she has,’ Aleeki replied before shutting the back door firmly then climbing into the front seat next to Makena.

  Cecily rolled down the window, took out her fan and flapped it as fast as she could, feeling the dreaded dizziness again and wondering why Aleeki had made it perfectly clear, despite his outwardly polite words, that her new friend was not welcome at Mundui House.

  By the time the planned overnight stay dawned, Cecily was desperate for some company. Five more days had passed and her godmother had still not ventured out of her room. Even though she had begged Aleeki to be allowed in to see Kiki, the answer was always that ‘Memsahib is sleeping’. At various points during the week, Cecily had actually wondered if her godmother was lying dead up there, and Aleeki was just too frightened to tell her.

  At breakfast that morning, Cecily was just about to insist that she visited Kiki before she left for Wanjohi Farm when Aleeki handed her an envelope. Opening it and pulling out a sheet of Kiki’s expensive embossed notepaper, she saw her godmother’s familiar elegant script.

  Darling girl,

  Forgive me for not attending to your needs – I find myself indisposed. Rest will remedy my ailment, I am sure, and then I will be at your service for the rest of your stay.

  For now, I do hope Aleeki is seeing to your every whim. He tells me you are to visit Katherine at Wanjohi Farm. Enjoy it!

  A big kiss,

  Kiki

  At least, she thought as Aleeki waved her off in the Bugatti after breakfast, her godmother was alive and she could now speed away from Mundui House and its strange muted atmosphere with a clear conscience.

  ‘Cecily! You made it. I’m so very happy to have you here,’ Katherine said as Cecily climbed out of the car in the drive of Wanjohi Farm.

  ‘And I’m real happy to be here,’ she replied as Makena unloaded not only her small overnight bag, but more wicker baskets full of champagne and food – courtesy of Kiki.

  ‘Goodness! Does your godmother think we’re having a party tonight?’ Katherine took Cecily’s arm in hers as they walked towards the house.

  ‘Maybe any visit can’t be complete unless there’s champagne flowing.’

  ‘I see you’ve already learnt the ropes around here,’ said Katherine as she led Cecily into what was now – in the space of a week – a radically reformed interior. The piles of books and papers had disappeared and the stench of dog and other unknown adopted wildlife was camouflaged by the sweet scent of polish and the lilies and roses placed atop a shiny mahogany table.

  ‘Jeez! You’ve worked miracles here,’ Cecily said as Katherine showed her to her bedroom.

  ‘Thank you, I’m afraid it’s more for me than Alice – I just can’t bear to live in chaos,’ she said. ‘I’ve even erected a temporary chicken-wire pound for Alice’s dogs. Although I’m afraid the monkeys who see this as their second home are not so easily contained. Do you think I’m cruel?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Cecily replied as one of the female servants hurried to transfer her overnight bag to her room. ‘Please tell her not to unpack it – there’s nothing in there but my nightgown, toothbrush, a change of clothes and clean undergarments.’

  ‘I’m afraid she jolly well will,’ Katherine said, then barked orders to the girl who looked half terrified. ‘They’ve all forgotten that they’re paid a good wage and are well looked after by Alice. In return, they actually need to do some work. Now, I’m sure you must be parched. There’s some homemade lemonade ready on the terrace.’

  ‘But no champagne?’ Cecily feigned horror as Katherine chuckled.

  They settled down in chairs on the terrace and Cecily took in the view of the green pastures spread out before her and the glint of the river running through them. Antelope, horses and goats were roaming freely and the gentle fresh breeze caressed her face.

  ‘How is Alice?’ Cecily asked as she took a sip of the delicious lemonade.

  ‘Not terribly well, I’m afraid. She’s had to have a drain inserted in her stomach. William – that is, Dr Boyle – thinks the pains may be the result of the shooting injuries she sustained in Paris all those years ago.’

  ‘Will she be okay?’

  ‘I hope so, though she really doesn’t take care of herself.’

  ‘Jeez. What a complicated life Alice has had. She must have loved the man very much to want to shoot him and then herself.’

  ‘I’ve heard many versions of the tale, but apparently Raymund told her he couldn’t marry her because his family had threatened to disinherit him if he did. Golly, the things people do for love, eh?’ Katherine sighed. ‘Though I think I might shoot Bobby if
he suddenly announced he couldn’t marry me. I simply can’t imagine life without him.’

  ‘So when – and where – will you marry?’ Cecily asked.

  ‘In terms of when: in just under a month, as I might have mentioned. But as far as where is concerned, it’s all been rather complicated.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Well, my father works in a mission in Tumutumu, just on the other side of the Aberdare Mountains, and he’s been there for years. He speaks the local language fluently and, as you’ve heard, so do I. He’d like me to be married there, but the church is a hut, and I’m not sure I can see the likes of Idina and the others round here arriving in their smart wedding frocks, especially if the rains have begun,’ Katherine chuckled.

  ‘Surely it’s your wedding and must be your decision?’

  ‘Mine and Bobby’s, yes, though he doesn’t care as long as we get wed. But you have to understand that when my parents first arrived in Kenya, they lived on the mission. Then when I came along, and given that my father was so often travelling into the Bush to preach the gospel, my mother insisted that he build us a small house up in the Valley, so at least I could make some friends.’

  ‘That makes sense,’ Cecily agreed. ‘So you grew up between two worlds?’

  ‘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 she literally had 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.

  ‘As I said, Cecily, do try not to be offended by Bill. He’s rather gone native over the years and forgotten how to behave in company,’ Katherine whispered as the two men walked towards them.

  From a distance, she was surprised at how youthful and slim Bill looked, but as he came closer, despite his plentiful head of sandy hair, she saw there were deep lines etched onto his tanned face. She revised her estimate upwards, guessing he was around forty. He also looked vaguely familiar.

  ‘Hello, darling,’ Katherine said as she reached up to receive a kiss from Bobby. ‘Bill, how are you?’

  ‘I’m quite well, thank you.’ His voice was low and rather hoarse, with a clipped British accent.

  ‘This is Cecily Huntley-Morgan, who has recently arrived from New York,’ Katherine informed him as they all walked towar
ds the terrace.

  Cecily felt Bill’s blue eyes assessing her, before he looked off into the distance.

  ‘Poor you,’ he said after a few seconds. ‘Living there.’

  ‘I like living in Manhattan. It’s a wonderful place, and it’s my home,’ Cecily responded, suddenly feeling defensive.

  ‘All those ridiculously high buildings, not to mention the number of people crammed tightly together on that tiny island.’

  ‘Don’t mind Bill, Cecily. He’s been out in the Bush for too long, haven’t you?’ Katherine said as they all sat down and she offered champagne or beer to the men.

  ‘And thank God that’s the case,’ said Bill, taking a bottle of beer. ‘As you know, Katherine, I’m not a particular fan of humans.’

  Once again, Bill’s strange, almost hypnotic gaze turned upon Cecily. ‘How long are you here for, before you scuttle back to the claustrophobia of what you would call “civilisation”?’

  ‘She doesn’t know, Bill, do you, Cecily?’ intervened Katherine.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Cecily replied, reaching for her glass of champagne. This man’s abrupt manner was unnerving her.

  ‘Have you been out into the Bush yet?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then you have yet to truly experience Africa.’

  ‘I’m sure we’ll find an opportunity to take her, won’t we, Bill?’ said Bobby.

  Cecily noticed Bill was looking under the table at something.

  ‘Well,’ he said, eventually raising his eyes and his glass to her. ‘At least you’re not wearing those ridiculous high-heeled shoes that other Americans – such as that ghastly Preston woman – insist on.’

  Cecily nearly choked on her champagne. She looked at Katherine, silently begging for guidance.

  ‘Kiki happens to be Cecily’s godmother, Bill,’ said Katherine calmly. ‘Now, for goodness’ sake, stop terrifying the poor girl. She’s nothing like her godmother. And just because she’s American, you shouldn’t pigeon-hole her. Never judge a book by its cover, remember? So, how did you two get on today?’