‘I’m glad you spoke like that. I must confess I was hoping to provoke you into putting me in my place, Boss. Or should I say, into trying?’

‘I’m not trying to put you into any place. We came here simply for Mrs Cartwell to draw the money due to her.’

‘When I was little, I went to the Mission school. One thing they taught me was that you don’t have to expect justice in this world. Justice comes later on, in Heaven. I’m not so sure about Heaven now, but they were certainly right about justice on earth. It may be that you will find being white a disadvantage here in Africa. That’s not the way things ought to happen. But I hope you’re going to be philosophical about it, Boss. What can’t be cured must be endured. They taught me that slogan in the Mission school, too. That’s a really good motto to have, Boss. Very consoling when you hit hard times.’

Madeleine said: ‘If you’ll forgive me – the heat, after London … Could we … ?’

There was an electric fan on his desk. He stretched a hand out and switched it on. It moved round and round like a blindly questing face, whining at a low pitch.

‘Anything to keep you happy, Ma’am. I guess you’re more sensitive than we black folks.’