Nobody has ever called me that before, he admitted, and then changed the subject. What do you think of my country so far? We only arrived today, Bonny pointed out. But the lake is lovely and the people are so tall, the men so handsome. She made it a personal compliment. The Hita are tall and handsome, Taffari agreed. But the Uhali are small and ugly as monkeys, even their women. The Hita. officers of his staff laughed delightedly and Bonny gulped with shock. Where I come from we don't talk disparagingly of other ethnic groups. It's called racism, and it's unfashionable, she said.
He stared at her for a moment. Clearly he was unaccustomed to being corrected. Then he smiled, a thin, cool little smile. Well, Miss Mahon, in Africa we tell the truth. If people are ugly or stupid we say so.
It's called tribalism, and I assure you it's extremely fashionable.
His staff roared with laughter, and Taffari turned back to Daniel.
Your assistant is a woman of strong views, Doctor, but I believe you were born in Africa. You have a keener understanding. It shows in your work. You have put your finger on the problems that face this continent, and poverty is the most crippling of those. Africa is poor, Doctor, and Africa is passive and supine. I intend to change that. I intend to endow my country with the spirit and confidence to exploit our natural wealth and to develop the strength and native genius of our people. I want you to record our endeavours. His staff officers, all in the same marooncoloured mess jackets, applauded this statement.
I'll do my best, Daniel promised. I'm sure you will, Doctor Armstrong.
He was looking at Bonny again, but he went on speaking to Daniel.
The British ambassador is here tonight. I'm sure you will want to pay your respects. He summoned Kajo to him. Captain, please take Doctor Armstrong to meet Sir Michael. Bonny began to follow Daniel, but Taffari stopped her with a touch on the arm. Don't go yet, Miss Mahon.
There are a few things I would like to explain to you, such as the differences between the Uhali and the tall handsome Hita whom you so admire. Bonny turned back to him, thrust out one hip in a provocative stance and crossed her arms beneath her breasts, pushing them up so that they threatened to pop out of the green dress into his face. You should not judge Africa by the standards of Europe, he told her. We do things differently here. From the corner of her eye Bonny saw that Daniel had left the verandah and followed Kajo down on to the floodlit lawn.
She leaned close to Taffari, her eyes not much below the level of his.
Goody! she said. I'm always looking for new and different ways.
Daniel paused at the bottom of the steps and began to grin as he picked out the familiar figure on the crowded lawn. Then he hurried forward and seized his hand. Sir Michael, forsooth! British ambassador no less, you sly dog. When did all this happen? Michael Hargreave gripped his elbow in a momentary display of un-British and undiplomatic affection. Didn't you get my letter? All very sudden. Hauled me out of Lusaka before you could say "Bob's your uncle". Sword on both shoulders from H. M.
"Arise, Sir Michael", and all that. Shot me down here.
But you did get my letter? Daniel shook his head. Congratulations, Sir Michael. Long overdue. You deserve it.
Hargreave looked embarrassed and dropped Daniel's hand. Where's your drink, dear boy? Don't touch the whisky. Locally made. Convinced it's actually bottled crocodile piss. Try the gin. He summoned a waiter.
Can't think why you didn't get my letter. Tried to ring you at the flat in London. No reply.
Where's Wendy? Sent her back to Lusaka to pack up. New chap there has agreed to look after your Landcruiser and gear. Wendy will be here in a couple of weeks. Sends her love, by the way. Did she know you'd see me here? Daniel was puzzled.
Tug Harrison gave us the word that you'd be in Ubomo. You know Harrison? Everybody in Africa knows Tug. Finger in most pies. Asked me to keep an eye on you. Told me about your assignment here. You're going to film Taffari and make him and BOSS look good; that's what he told me.
Right? A little bit more complicated than that, Mike. Don't I know it!
Complications you haven't dreamed of yet . He drew Daniel away to a deserted corner of the lawn, out of earshot of the other guests. But first of all, what do you think of Taffari? I wouldn't buy a second-hand country from him without checking the tyres. Check the engine as well, while you're about it, Michael smiled. The indications are that he's going to make Idi Amin look like Mother Theresa. I saw him giving you fifty lyrical words on his plan for peace and prosperity in the land.
Rather more than fifty, Daniel corrected him. What it actually amounts to is peace for the Hita, prosperity for Ephrem Taffari, and screw the Uhah. My pals at MI6 tell me that he already has his numbered bank accounts in Switzerland and the Channel Islands all set up, and nice little sums tucked away in them. American foreign aid.
That shouldn't surprise you. Everybody's doing it, aren't they?
Par for the course; got to admit it. But he is being rather naughty to the Uhali. Chopped old Victor Omeru, who was rather a decent sort, and now he's kicking the manure out of the rest of the Uhali tribe.
Some nasty rumours flying about, dark deeds. We don't really approve.
Even the PM is a bit browned off with him already, which reminds me, got some news of a pal of yours. A pal of mine? The Lucky Dragon.
Rings a bell, doesn't it? And you'll never guess who they're sending out to run the operation here. Ning Cheng Gong, Daniel said quietly.
It had to be. That was the reason he was here in Ubomo. He had sensed it all along. This was where he would meet Cheng again. You've been reading my mail, Michael accused. Wing Cheng Gong is right. He arrives next week. Taffari is giving another party to welcome him.
Any excuse for a party with our Ephrem, even you. He broke off and stared at Daniel. You all right, dear boy? Taking your anti-malarial, are you?
Gone as white as a sheet. I'm fine. But Daniel's voice was hoarse and scratchy. He had a terrible mental image of the bedroom of the cottage at Chiwewe, and of the desecrated bodies of Mavis Nzou and her daughters. it left him feeling sick and shaken. He wanted to think of something else, anything but Ning Cheng Gong. Tell me everything about Taffari and Ubomo that I need to know, he demanded of Michael Hargreave.
Tall order, dear boy. Can only give you the headlines now, but if you drop in at the embassy, I'll give you a full briefing, and a peep at some of the files. Your eyes only, of course. Even got a couple of bottles of genuine Chivas tucked away. Daniel shook his head. We're going up the lakesbore tomorrow to start filming. Taffari has put the entire navy at our disposal. One clapped-out World War Two gunboat.
But I could drop in at the embassy tomorrow evening. When it was time to go, Daniel looked around for Bonny Mahon but could not find her. He saw Captain Kajo with a group of other officers at the bar and went across to him.
I'm leaving now, Captain Kajo. That's all right, Doctor. President Taffari has left already.
You are free to go. You could only tell that Kajo was drunk by his eyes.
They had that coffee-coloured haze over the whites. In a white man they would have been bloodshot. We will meet tomorrow morning, Captain? What time?
six O'clock at the guest house, Doctor. I will pick you up.
We must not be late. The navy will be waiting for us. Have you seen Miss Mahon? Daniel asked. One of the other Hita officers sniggered drunkenly and Kajo grinned. No, Doctor.
She was here earlier on. But I haven't seen her in the last hour.
She must have left. Yes, come to think of it now, I did see her leave.