Black Mischief by Carl Hancock Read Free Book Online Page B

of. I remember Freddie. We got on really well. He was missing Nyeri. That was his problem. Like I was missing this place when I was over there. New York was too noisy for him. “This crazy place is driving me nuts.”’
    â€˜I do not think that there are any shrunks in Naivasha.’
    â€˜Wrong!’
    â€˜Thomas, you are laughing at me. This is serious. You know how it was with Julius and now …’
    â€˜I’m not laughing. I’m telling you the truth. Lots of shrinks around this lake. Matter of fact we are going to see one this afternoon. Going on the Harley. Bertie’s getting her ready. Sometime after three.’
    â€˜You say “shrinks”. When am I going to learn to speak proper English? Perhaps you will teach me.’
    â€Becca, There is not a single thing in the world that I could teach you.’
    * * *
    The washing on the lines was ballooning, puffed out by the warm breeze. Tom arrived early.
    â€˜I have to gather in the clothes before we go and I want to change my …’
    â€˜Rebecca, I’ve always wanted to help out here. Your mother would never let me. “No, Bwana, if the mehmsahib saw such a thing.” This is my chance.’
    â€˜But I will be quicker on my own.’
    He compromised. She took the washing down, but he slowed her progress by following along the lines and, every few yards, grasping her around the waist.
    â€˜Just checking you haven’t strained a muscle or something. All this stretching can be dangerous. And just one more kiss, to keep your spirits up.’
    They walked the couple of hundred metres over to Rusinga. On the way, they paused on a piece of raised ground where they watched builders pouring concrete into the foundations of what would be a large bungalow.
    â€˜Won’t be long now. Mister Sawyer says in three months we can move in.’
    â€˜Then we will start our garden, Thomas.’
    â€˜No flowers, please.’
    â€˜But we will have a vegetable area, an orchard and I would like a very large English lawn. Can we have jacaranda and a cei-apple hedge like Londiani …?’
    â€˜Don’t forget the date palms, the small coffee plantation, the paddling pool!’
    â€˜Thomas McCall, if you are not careful …’
    â€˜And if you are not careful, Madam, we will be late for our appointment.’
    â€˜You mean there really is a mind doctor …’
    â€˜Would I lie to you? Look over there. I hope you’ve brought sunglasses. Solomon’s been polishing the Harley. Come on.’
    * * *
    Bertie Briggs was the McCalls’ nearest neighbour. He was waiting for them near the gate to his farmhouse. Ewan was almost three and he was perched in front of his father and reaching out for the handlebars of the Harley. The fair-haired boy’s birthday was not far away, the anniversary of the day when Bertie had gained a son and lost his soul mate on the same bloodstained bed in Nairobi Hospital. Ewan was Bertie’s most precious treasure and his greatest worry.
    â€˜Tom, can I come with you? I know how to hang on. Dad and Solomon have been teaching me.’
    â€˜Next week. I promise you. Today I have to give Rebecca a lesson. Big ladies have to learn how to hang on, too, you know.’
    â€˜But Rebecca is not a big lady. She’s my teacher in Hippo House. She knows everything!’
    Bertie slid from the saddle and lifted Ewan off with him.
    â€˜And we have to go over to Londiani to see another big lady who knows everything as well. We’re having tea with Rafaella. Remember? Pizza and chocolate cake. She told me it’s your favourite.’
    â€˜Yes, but Tom could take me on the bike and you could follow us.’
    â€˜Talkative boys don’t get chocolate cake for tea. Tom, Solomon filled her up in town this morning.’
    Bertie moved in on Tom and hugged him. ‘Bless you, boy.’
    â€˜That’s a new one, Mister Briggs! Why for?’
    A