That evening, Rose felt drained and empty as she entered the dining room at Aureus Lodge. She looked across at the painting of the jackals, which had helped her solve Nina Scott Watson’s murder.
Marina, Thabiti, Pearl, Chris and Heather all stood behind their allocated dining chairs and waited. At the top end of the table, Thabiti picked up a pint glass of Tusker, looked nervously around the room and then down at the table as he said, “I would like to propose a toast to Craig.” The others waited in silence. “I didn’t know him for long, but I can’t thank him enough for being there and supporting me after Ma’s death. Our regular crossword puzzle get-togethers became friendly sparring matches, but he always had the upper hand.”
He raised his glass and everyone around the dining table followed his example, as they all chorused, “To Craig.”
The lodge staff carried in starters of mushroom and parmesan tartlets.
Marina turned to Rose, and asked, “Will you stay at your house in Nanyuki?”
Rose spread pâté over a piece of toast and replied, “Yes, I think so, as long as I can keep paying the rent. I enjoyed living in the bush but at my age Nanyuki’s far more convenient. Besides, I still have plenty of space for my animals.”
Chris asked across the table. “What about the bills and the staff payroll? I remember Dad was always so meticulous with his paperwork.”
“He was, but I’ve been taking a more active role. I’ve dealt with the staff wages for over a year, although I get irritated with the long queues at the NSSF office each month.”
Thabiti finished his mouthful and added, “Craig showed me his files and talked me through the bills. I hope to be able set up some regular online payments which can be paid directly from Craig’s pension.”
Rose produced a lopsided smile and said, “In a way it was a relief Craig was not in hospital for long. Besides not extending his suffering, it also kept his hospital fees at a manageable level. There had been talk about him moving into the Louise Decker Centre, but I’m not sure how we could have paid for that.”
“Mum,” instructed Heather, “I don’t want you to be short of money, and I know what you’re like, you’ll make sure your animals and staff are fed before you. So if you are ever in trouble, call me and either Chris or I will help you out. Won’t we?” She turned to her brother.
“Of course,” Chris nodded as he chewed a mouthful of toast and pâté. He swallowed and remarked, “In fact, I’ve been looking into setting up a regular payment plan so that there is a financial cushion should any of us need it.”
Marina asked, “How long are you both staying in Nanyuki?”
Chris sipped his wine and answered, “I’ll have to leave on Sunday, as I’m flying from Heathrow to Oman on Monday evening for a work contract. And I’ll be away for a month.”
Heather reached across the table and said, “I’ll stay as along as you need, Mum, although I should try to get back next week if I can, for the girls, and work.”
Marina looked across the table at Thabiti and proposed, “We can help next week, can’t we?”
Thabiti nodded.
Marina continued in a regretful tone, “And since we’ve been asked to leave tomorrow, we can also help with the memorial service.”
“Why so sudden?” asked Pearl. “All of my yoga group were really impressed with the lodge and how well you hosted us. In fact, I thought you’d be given the manager’s position on a permanent basis. You’ve done such a great job here.”
Marina tapped the table. “Apart from one of my guests being murdered, and two more being arrested for the crime. The owners are understandably upset, although they were the ones who offered the lodge to the Scott Watsons in the first place. Apparently, a new couple are arriving on Saturday for a management trial period, and they want Thabiti and I packed up and away tomorrow.”
Thabiti raised his pint glass of Tusker towards Marina and stated, “So this is our last night. We’d better make the most of it.”
He toasted Marina, who responded by raising her own glass of passion fruit juice.
Heather enquired, “So what are you both going to do next?”
Marina placed her knife and fork on her empty plate and replied, “I’m fed up of dealing with tourists and guests, especially ones who kill each other. I want to do something more meaningful, so I’ve arranged a meeting tomorrow morning with Stella MacDonald. You might know that she has a senior role with the charity Global Vista, and I might volunteer to work at one of their outreach camps.”
Chris scratched his head. “That’s not work for the faint-hearted. They have a base at Kakuma Refugee camp in Turkana County. We sometimes recruit from the camp or its neighbouring Kalobeyei settlement. I’ve visited, and it’s pretty harrowing.”
Marina leant forward. “But those are people who need help, and it’s where I might be able to make a difference.” She sat up. “Anyway, I’ll see what Stella says tomorrow.”
“And what about you, Thabiti?” asked Chris. “Will you go with Marina?”
Thabiti hesitated and looked at Pearl, “No, I don’t think so.”
Pearl remarked brightly, “Don’t hold back on my account.”
He turned to her and asked, “Why? What are you doing?”
“I’m going to India for a yoga and martial arts retreat.”
Thabiti opened his eyes wide and exclaimed, “On your own?”
She laughed, “Yes, Thabiti, on my own. I am capable, you know. I’ve discussed it all with Dr Emma. Food and accommodation are provided at the retreat. And they’ve even arranged transport to collect me from the airport. And if I get really stuck, Dr Emma has some veterinary contacts in India who she’s sure will help me.”
Rose said in a confused tone, “Why is Dr Emma helping you?”
“Because she’s taken over the management of our trust.” Pearl bit into a piece of toast and pâté.
Thabiti turned to Rose, and explained, “I helped Craig sort it all out after we returned from the Rhino Charge. I guess he knew then that his time was limited.”
“Good on you,” Heather said to Pearl. “That sounds like a fascinating trip.”
Chris laughed at Thabiti, who was rubbing his chin and looking perplexed. “So, you’re going to be on your own.”
“It seems that way,” admitted Thabiti. “But it might give me a chance to explore hydroponics and permaculture. I’ve been really impressed with the permaculture system Borana has set up, but there has to be a way to combine it with hydroponics so food can be grown in harsher, drier environments, but without unsightly greenhouses.”
Marina turned back to Rose. “And what are your plans for Craig’s memorial service? I expect there will be quite a crowd.”
“We’re holding the service at St Georges Church in Nanyuki and the wake at Cape Chestnut. You’ll both do a reading, won’t you?” She looked towards Heather and Chris who nodded. “And Craig’s old polo chum Dickie Chambers is giving the eulogy. I’m trying to find out if the Moipei Sisters are in the country and if they’d be willing to come and sing. Craig and I so love their song, ‘My Land is Kenya’.”
Marina reached out and touched Rose’s arm, and with tears in her eyes said, “So do I. And let me know if I can help.”