The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters)

by Lucinda Riley

  After the camp was set up and everyone had eaten, Bill and Nygasi led the march into the Bush, with the two other Maasai men bringing up the rear. Cecily walked closely beside Katherine and Bobby and listened as they regaled her with stories of previous safaris.

  ‘I once heard that Lord Delamere tracked a bull elephant for a whole seven days,’ Bobby commented. ‘He was absolutely determined to get the bugger. The tusks are still hanging up at Soysambu; I’ve never seen such big ones . . .’

  Behind them, the other two Maasai conversed softly in their own language, and Cecily found their presence reassuring. It was now well past midday and the sun hung high in the sky. As she looked up, she saw the shadows of vultures circling above. A soft breeze rustled through the grasses, bringing with it the humming of insects and the occasional grunts of wildebeest. Katherine pointed to their right, where a dozen zebras were standing together in the shade of some acacia trees. Cecily took out her camera and snapped as many shots as she could, only hoping that the photographs would do this incredible place justice.

  Eventually, when Cecily wondered if she could walk another step in the heavy boots, Bill gestured for the women to squat in the long grass as he indicated a large watering hole a hundred yards or so away. He, Bobby and Nygasi crept forward, Nygasi gripping his spear lightly, while Bill and Bobby carried their heavy rifles over their shoulders.

  The watering hole was densely packed with wildlife, but Cecily watched as Bill pointed out a herd of large striped animals, some sporting majestic twisted horns.

  ‘Kudu,’ Katherine whispered to her.

  Cecily watched Bill cock the gun and look through the sight. A heartbeat later, a loud shot rang out. Startled birds took to the air, and the animals around the watering hole bolted for safety. Cecily could see the slain kudu lying on its side.

  The five men walked towards the kill, Nygasi thumping the ground with his spear to scare off the jackals that were already circling, sniffing at the carcass. Despite herself, Cecily found she couldn’t look away as they methodically skinned the animal, which was the size of a horse, then gutted and quartered it. Eventually, the three Maasai heaved the large parcels of meat over their shoulders, while Bobby and Bill carried the head between them, its horns the length of an adult’s leg.

  ‘Clean brain shot,’ Bobby said with admiration as they arrived beside Cecily and Katherine. ‘Bill’s the best hunter I know. A full-grown kudu; look at these mighty horns!’

  Now faced with the blood-spattered men and the gamey stench of the kill, Cecily turned away and tried not to vomit. Katherine helped her to her feet, and they all began the long trek back to the campsite, Cecily trying to take discreet gulps of fresh air.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Katherine asked her.

  ‘I will be,’ she managed. ‘I’ve never seen an animal killed before.’

  Katherine nodded sympathetically. ‘It’s quite a shock, I know. As abhorrent as I find shooting for trophies, I believe there is a raw honesty to shooting for sustenance. Every part of that kudu will be used, Cecily. And look behind us.’ She gestured to where the remains lay by the water’s edge. Vultures, jackals and hyenas were already fighting over the spoils. ‘The cycle of life continues; we are simply taking our place in the food chain.’

  Cecily was about to disagree, but then she remembered that every bite of meat she had ever taken had begun with the process she had just witnessed. So she shut her mouth, humbled by her naivety.

  The walk back to camp was much slower, and dusk was encroaching when they came upon a herd of elephants about half a mile away in the distance.

  ‘I can’t believe it!’ Cecily gulped as she looked though her binoculars and felt a sudden lump in her throat. ‘They are . . . majestic!’

  ‘We must be cautious, they have young calves with them,’ Katherine advised. ‘They’re very protective and won’t hesitate to charge at you.’

  ‘It’s a cow herd,’ Cecily heard Bill say to Bobby. ‘No shootable bulls – I’m sure we’ll get an ivory trophy sometime, mind.’

  Cecily felt a shaft of fury at the thought of Bill – or anyone – shooting these beautiful creatures. She watched the herd move slowly together, the young calves weaving between their mothers’ legs, and she could almost feel the ground beneath her vibrating with their weight and strength.

  There was a sudden tap on her shoulder and she looked away from the elephants. Nygasi beckoned her over and crouched down, pointing to something on the ground. She looked at it and gasped. In the soft orange earth was the perfect outline of a large paw print.

  ‘Olgatuny,’ he said. ‘Lion,’ he added for Cecily’s benefit.

  ‘Yes, a lion.’ Bill’s voice sounded out from above her. ‘He was here quite recently too, judging by the sharp outlines of the track. Nygasi can distinguish between individual cattle, and he once tracked and killed a leopard that had been prowling around his enkang – that’s his “village” to you, Cecily,’ he said, clapping the taller man on the back. ‘It’s too close to our camp for my liking. We need to be careful.’

  As the two men walked to a spot a few yards away, deep in conversation, Cecily stayed where she was, staring at the paw print in front of her. She reached out to touch it gingerly, her heart thumping at the thought of how huge the lion must be if his paw had left a mark this size.

  Back at camp ten minutes later, Cecily sat down gratefully. Sipping some tea, she watched the sun slip gently below the horizon, the fever trees forming sharp black outlines in the landscape. A large fire had been lit, and Katherine appeared beside her to tuck a blanket around Cecily’s shoulders as the temperature began to plummet. She watched, fascinated, as the Maasai prepared the kudu flesh on spits and the air was soon filled with the enticing aroma of roasting meat. Given the fact she’d witnessed the animal’s grisly demise, Cecily was ashamed to feel her stomach growl with hunger.

  Dusk turned to night, and Cecily looked up to find the heavens filled with more stars than she had ever seen. Bobby and Bill were drinking beer beside the campfire as they discussed the day’s shoot and ate the proceeds of it.

  ‘Here, darling.’ Katherine handed her a hunk of steaming meat folded into flatbread that had been warmed over the fire.

  ‘Thank you.’ Cecily smiled gratefully and took a tentative bite. It was delicious.

  After dinner, she sat back and listened to the soft murmurings of conversation around the campfire. She was glad of it; the flickering flames and the wood smoke curling up into the velvety night sky made the camp feel like a safe haven. However, as occasional cries and barks of unidentified animals came out of the darkness, Cecily was still relieved at the thought of the heavy rifle that lay casually at Bill’s feet.

  After they’d eaten, Bill lit up a pipe, and the comforting scent of tobacco wafted towards her.

  ‘I’m for my bed now,’ Katherine said, giving a wide yawn. ‘Coming, Cecily?’

  Even though she too felt exhausted, the incredible starry skies and the fact she was actually sitting in the middle of the African Bush made Cecily want to hold on to the moment a while longer.

  ‘I’ll join you in a minute.’

  ‘Okay. Night, everyone,’ she said as she stood up and Bobby did too.

  ‘Aye, it’s been a long day,’ Bobby agreed. ‘We’ll see you in the morning, bright and early.’

  Bobby and Katherine retreated to their separate tents, while Nygasi and the other two Maasai left the fire and walked out into the darkness. Cecily could see them stationed around the perimeter of the camp, then suddenly realised she was all alone with Bill.

  ‘How did you find today?’ he asked her as he stirred the fire with a stick.

  ‘I . . . well, it’s been just incredible. I feel privileged, even if it was scary sometimes. My adrenaline level was sky-high all day.’

  ‘Are you an adventurer, Cecily?’ Bill stared at her with that deep gaze of his. ‘Or do you prefer to play it safe?’

  ‘You know, I’m not sure. I mean, coming
to Africa has changed me already. Maybe I’m still finding out who I am.’

  ‘Perhaps none of us ever truly find out who we are.’

  ‘You’re definitely an adventurer, surely?’

  ‘Maybe I wouldn’t have been if life hadn’t made me one. I was training for the law in England, and then, well, war – and love – came and my life was altered irrevocably. So, Miss Huntley-Morgan, what are you really doing here in Africa?’

  ‘Visiting my godmother,’ Cecily shrugged, unable to meet his gaze.

  ‘It’s patently obvious to me that you’re running away from something. You have the look.’

  ‘How do you know that?’

  ‘Because I had the same look when I arrived here originally too. The question is, will you run back?’

  ‘I have absolutely no idea. Now, I must get some sleep.’ Cecily stood up. ‘Thank you for including me in this, Bill. I swear, I will never forget it. Goodnight.’ She nodded at him and crossed the few yards to the tent she shared with Katherine and crawled inside. Katherine was already snoring gently on her pallet, so Cecily removed her boots then wriggled her toes in relief and lay down fully clothed, drawing the rough blanket across her body to ward off the chill of the night. She lay thinking that, despite his brusqueness and his propensity for embarrassing her, there was something about Bill Forsythe that fascinated her. Unable to stay awake a moment longer, she made doubly sure the blanket was tucked firmly round her feet in case anything slithered in during the night, then closed her eyes and slept.

  Cecily woke at dawn, her mouth dry from thirst. She took a sip of water from the canister beside her, then put on her boots, trying not to wake Katherine who was still sound asleep.

  She crawled out of the tent, then stretched and looked upwards. The sky was a mass of soft hues of blues, pinks and purples and she felt rather as if she was standing in an impressionist painting. Turning away from the spectacle, she went quietly to find a private place to relieve herself.

  Having done so in grass that was almost waist-high, she walked back through it slowly, taking in the fresh smells of nature. Then she heard a soft growl, like a running engine. But there weren’t any other cars around for miles . . .

  Cecily stopped in her tracks as she saw a fully grown lion crouching stationary in the grass only a few yards in front of her, its golden eyes fixed upon her. It stood up and began to prowl towards her.

  She stood rooted to the spot, her heart thumping in her chest. The lion charged.

  ‘CECILY! GET DOWN!’

  On instinct, she ducked, and a shot rang out into the dawn. The lion stumbled, but continued undeterred. Another shot was fired, then another, and the lion went still, then collapsed onto its side.

  ‘Good Lord, that was a close call! Cecily! Are you all right?’

  She tried to reply, but her mouth didn’t seem to be working properly, her legs refused to move and the world span . . .

  ‘Cecily, can you hear me?!’

  ‘Ouch!’ Cecily felt a sharp slap across her cheek and opened her eyes to see Bill staring down at her.

  ‘Sorry, it’s the fastest way to bring somebody round after a faint. Here, let’s prop you up and give you a dash of brandy.’

  Cecily felt strong arms lifting her upright, then some liquid was dribbled into her mouth. Despite the fact that she almost choked on its strength, it helped bring her senses back. Seeing Bill standing above her, she almost wished she hadn’t. She immediately blushed in embarrassment.

  ‘I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.’

  ‘Perhaps it was the sight of a lion heading straight for you,’ said Bill. ‘I’ve seen grown men vomit all over their shoes. You’ll be all right. Let’s get you back to the camp.’

  He supported her as they returned to the tents. Cecily saw Nygasi just behind them and could still smell the gunpowder in the air.

  ‘How . . . how did you know?’ she asked, her legs like jelly beneath her.

  ‘That you’d be a silly girl and wander off?’ he said, raising an eyebrow. ‘I didn’t. Nygasi had seen the lion’s tracks and we’d been following them. We’d just spotted him when I saw you. You were lucky I was there.’

  Cecily blushed to the roots of her hair, only hoping he hadn’t seen her squatting in the long grass just before the lion had pounced.

  As they approached the camp, Katherine came running towards them and supported Cecily on her other side.

  ‘What were those shots? What’s happened?’ she asked.

  ‘Just a hungry lion,’ Bill replied. ‘He’s taken care of. Right.’ Bill handed Cecily over to Katherine then spoke to Nygasi, who nodded then walked back in the direction of the lion.

  ‘It’s definitely dead?’ Cecily managed.

  ‘Yes,’ Bill nodded. ‘Trust me, I’ve shot many a lion in my time. Now, let’s get you some tea.’

  Cecily allowed Katherine to fuss over her, wrapping her in a blanket and sitting her down by the fire with a tin cup of fresh tea that she insisted Cecily should drink in small sips.

  ‘Honestly, I’m fine now,’ Cecily said as she hauled herself to standing, her pride winning over her tenuous physical strength. ‘What will happen to the lion?’

  ‘They’ll load it onto the back of Bill’s pick-up and take it back with them. Some rich American is sure to buy the head and the skin as a trophy.’

  ‘That American sure won’t be me,’ she panted. ‘It was all my fault. I wandered off too far.’

  ‘Well, I promise that Bill will be secretly thrilled. He had an excuse to win another trophy. Are you able to walk to the pick-up? I think you’ve had quite enough excitement for today – I’ll fetch Bobby to drive us back. He was just filling up our water canisters.’

  Katherine left her side and, clutching her mug, Cecily walked to the edge of the camp and saw Bill and Nygasi carrying the lion on a canvas sheet. She followed them to Bill’s pick-up, where they and the other two Maasai unceremoniously hauled the animal onto the back and began fastening it in place with ropes.

  Up close, the lion was simply huge, and even in death he had not lost his dignity. His mane shone a rich dark gold in the sun and his mouth hung open, baring his yellow fangs. She could see what looked like scars across his face.

  ‘He’s an old one,’ Bill said. ‘Been through some battles by the looks of him, and he’d been going hungry too – see his ribs? Most likely he was already injured and hadn’t been able to hunt decent prey. Good job he didn’t get you, Cecily.’

  Cecily nodded wordlessly and walked back to the camp where Bobby was dismantling the tents and where Katherine was packing up their hampers.

  ‘Have you ever shot a wild animal, Katherine?’ Cecily asked her.

  ‘Yes. Lord forgive me, I have. If you’re brought up out here, you’re taught to shoot from an early age. As you’ve just seen, it’s a skill that can save your life. I’ve never done it for sport, only for self-preservation, but you have to remember it’s a very different life out here, Cecily. Danger is real.’

  ‘I’m beginning to realise that.’

  ‘Ready to go?’ asked Bobby as he got into the driver’s seat.

  ‘Yes,’ said Katherine firmly, as she helped Cecily into the back and climbed in next to Bobby.

  ‘Goodbye, Cecily. I’m sorry your first safari was so . . . eventful.’ Bill had appeared by the pick-up and was looking down at her.

  ‘Oh no, Bill. I’m sorry to have been such a bother. Thank you for saving my life,’ Cecily said.

  ‘I aim to please. Safe journey home.’

  ‘Are you not coming with us?’

  ‘No. Nygasi and I and the others have work to do out here. Goodbye now.’

  Cecily looked behind her as Bobby hit the accelerator pedal and they drove away from the camp. As she watched Bill – now standing with Nygasi over his trophy – she could see he was in another world and had forgotten all about her.

  Having dropped off Bobby and swapped to the far more comfortable DeSoto at Bill’s
farm, as she and Katherine approached Wanjohi Farm, Cecily could see Kiki’s gleaming white Bugatti parked in the front drive.

  ‘Are you sure you’re up to making the journey back to Naivasha tonight?’ asked Katherine as she switched off the engine and they got out. ‘You’re welcome to stay another night with me here.’

  ‘Thank you, but the car’s here and I feel I must go back. I worry about my godmother.’

  ‘I know you do.’ Katherine put a comforting arm on Cecily’s shoulder. ‘But you have to remember that she is not your responsibility.’

  ‘Yes but . . .’ Cecily shrugged. ‘Thank you for everything,’ she said as they embraced. ‘It’s definitely been an adventure.’

  ‘You did very well to cope, Cecily, and if you need me, I’ll be up here staying at Alice’s until the wedding. I can hardly believe it’s only just over a month away,’ said Katherine as the silent Makena stowed Cecily’s overnight case into the Bugatti’s trunk.

  ‘Well, anything I can do to help, just ask,’ she said as she slid into the rear seat.

  ‘I will. Goodbye now.’

  ‘Goodbye, Katherine, and thank you so very much,’ she called through the window as the Bugatti began to drive along the rutted track.

  Waving goodbye to her friend, Cecily wondered if being threatened by a hungry lion was actually better than returning to the strange atmosphere that hung like a grey cloud over Mundui House . . .

  ‘Sweetheart! Is that really you?’

  ‘Yes, Mama, it is. I . . .’

  The sound of her mother’s voice at the other end of the crackly line brought unbidden tears to Cecily’s eyes.

  ‘How are you? How’s Papa? And Mamie, of course? Has she had the baby?’

  ‘One question at a time, Cecily,’ her mother chuckled. ‘I’ve been trying to get through to you for days to tell you that yes, Mamie has had a sweet little girl whom she’s named Christabel. Papa isn’t happy because he was so hoping for a boy to help “fight his corner”, as he put it, but oh, Cecily, she is the most beautiful little thing.’

  ‘And are they both well?’