Unobtainium 1: Kate on a Hot Tin Roof (22 page)

‘Kenya is primarily grassland,’ Antonia told her. ‘As you can see, there are many stands of trees, but the jungle I have no doubt you were expecting is to the west. We have arrived outside the truly wet seasons, and the temperature will be moderate, but the weather is rarely
good
at this time of year which reduces the opportunity for good views. On a good day we should be seeing Mount Kilimanjaro to the south-east. Today you can only make out Mount Kenya.’

She walked towards the bow of the ship, peering out at the ground below. ‘We must proceed to the gondola soon. Nairobi is becoming visible and I believe I heard the engine note change. Charles is reducing speed for a landing.’

Kate looked out in the same direction and frowned. She thought she could make out a few buildings, but she had been under the impression that Nairobi was a city, the capital of the British Protectorate. From here it appeared more like a railway marshalling yard and a collection of tin huts.

Antonia appeared to read her mind. ‘Truly this is not a city like London. There is law and order, and some quite fine hotels, and there is the railway which operates trains as often as every other day. It will seem far different from what you are used to, however.’

‘I’m sure I will adapt.’ Kate looked down at her dress. She had been surprised to discover that getting back into a corset and gown had been quite pleasing after days in her leathers. ‘Should we change?’

‘Not yet, dear. The other thing about Nairobi is that it tries
so
hard to be England. Formal attire will do quite well enough for the journey to the hotel. We will require our lighter clothing soon enough.’

Nairobi Grand Hotel, Nairobi.

The hotel was both very grand indeed and strangely shabby. The room Charles had secured for Kate was white: white oak furniture and white-painted walls. The decoration had, largely, been kept up well, but there were some signs of woodworm in the furniture and there was no electricity here so the gas lamps had left soot stains on the white paint.

Downstairs there was a large and well-appointed lounge which they had passed through on their way to their rooms. Much of it was dark wood and tall, wing-backed chairs, but a lot of the wooden panelling was obscured by the mounted heads of various animals, each with a small plaque beneath it saying who had shot it and when. The sight had left Kate feeling a little nauseous.

Now she stood on the balcony looking out at the town. She could not quite bring herself to describe it as a city. The only well-built buildings were the hotels and the structures assigned to colonial and Protectorate administration. Antonia had told them that the director of the railway lived in a very well-appointed, three-bedroom house… made of corrugated iron. There were no tarmacked roads anywhere in the town.

There was a knock on the door and then Antonia was entering. ‘Settled in without trouble? What do you think of glorious Nairobi?’ Continuing across the thick carpet, Antonia joined Kate on the balcony.

‘It’s… Well, I’d like to say “rather squalid,” but I feel that this is my experience and expectations speaking. I should not expect the luxury of London.’

‘One could say that part of the charm of a place like this is the roughness. One does not come to the plains of Africa to enjoy the luxuries of home. Indeed, a certain freedom is allowed those who come here which they might not enjoy elsewhere.’

‘Freedom to blow holes in the wildlife, it seems. Is your name on any of the heads downstairs?’

‘I have never viewed the indiscriminate slaughter of animals as a worthwhile pursuit. I have killed three lions and one elephant, all of them because I or one of my party was in danger. I’ve shot a man for the same reason and, in truth, his head I would have on my wall, but none of the beasts.’

‘I’m glad. To kill for sport seems wrong. Of course, some of my ancestry is of those beasts, so perhaps I am prejudiced.’

‘Perhaps, or sensible. I believe there will come a time when the old fools downstairs have killed everything worth killing. The bison in America have succumbed to such depredation. It’s only a matter of time here.’

‘That’s horrible.’

‘Natural selection, my dear, though I do not believe that Mister Darwin had this in mind when he coined that phrase. Mankind has “evolved” such methods of destruction that nothing can stand against him.’

‘And the Count wishes to make something even more destructive.’

‘Apparently he does. Let us hope that this will not be the weapon which makes
us
extinct.’

~~~

The night was not warm. Kate thought it might even be a little warmer in London at this time of year. However, she sat with Antonia wearing a light, off-the-shoulder gown, and Charles was in a lightweight suit, and they appreciatively ate their first vaguely decent meal in four days.

‘Have you any idea what we’re eating?’ Charles asked as he cut into the meat on his plate.

‘Beef,’ Antonia replied. ‘Probably. It’s usually best not to ask if you don’t know.’

‘Then I retract my question and divert the conversation. You are looking most fetching tonight, Mrs Wooster. Your gown is most becoming.’

‘Why thank you, Doctor Barstow-Hall, but I feel that Miss Felix is the greater beauty at the table.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Wooster,’ Kate said in return, ‘but I feel I must disagree. Your complexion is fresher and your hair looks stunning.’

‘Oh but, Miss Felix, I find your dusky skin exotic, your amber eyes alluring.’

‘Ah, Mrs Wooster, but–’

‘How long do you think you can keep this up for?’ Charles asked.

‘Oh, several hours at least,’ Antonia told him. ‘We have yet to progress to the details of lace and embroidery, or the delicacy of make-up application.’

‘Ah. What plan do we have for determining the location of our quarry’s lair?’

Antonia gave him a smile. ‘In the morning we shall talk to some of my contacts in the city. If there is anything unusual happening one of them will know. Some may be outside the city and then we will be required to await their return, but I feel sure the bright lights of Nairobi can keep us entertained for a few days.’

‘Indeed. I brought a number of books.’

‘That’s the spirit!’

28
^th
August.

‘The primary local people are the Kikuyu,’ Antonia told them as they walked through the town. ‘That is the official name anyway. They call themselves the Agikuyu. In truth, they were poorly treated for two decades when the British moved in and it has only been since the Belgian scandal in the Congo that changes have been made here. There is still a degree of animosity and I cannot say I blame them.’

‘I recall reading something on the matter,’ Charles commented.

Antonia nodded. ‘It was in all the newspapers. We rounded on the Belgians and they accused us of hypocrisy. Their actions in the Congo were more genocidal, but we
were
acting in a high-handed manner for the benefit of settlers who were often making a poor show of things. New administration was put in, and that was around the time I first came to the region. Three months in the hottest part of the year mapping regions of the Rift Valley.’

‘It sounds… both exciting and boring,’ Kate said.

‘I suppose it was. I remember the excitement. We were newly married and this was my first expedition. I could shoot and draw maps. David had been given lead of the party because he could bring along a skilled cartographer. I was using my abilities for something real and it was like a second honeymoon.’ Her voice cracked a little on the last word.

‘My apologies, Mrs Wooster,’ Charles said. ‘This city must hold too many memories for you.’

‘No, they are good memories and we are here in a good cause. We will seek out Meja. Meja Saitoti. He is a guide we used frequently and he knows many people in the region. If there is something happening near here, Meja will know, or know where to find out.’

‘You said the Kikuyu were the primary local people,’ Kate said. ‘Does that mean there are others?’

‘A number, mostly in the region of Mount Kenya. There are also the Maasai who come from the south. There is some friction there since the two tribes are hereditary enemies and the British used to use Maasai warriors as enforcers. The Maasai are nomadic herdsmen. They believe that cattle are a gift given to them by their gods and therefore see nothing wrong in stealing animals from other races. So long as you are not herding cattle, however, they are generally non-violent. You’ll recognise the men in particular for their spears and red robes.’

‘What do the Kikuyu wear?’

Antonia’s lips twitched. ‘Well, the women frequently go bare-breasted.’ Charles gave a small cough. ‘I would not worry too much about telling the difference. If you are concerned that you may offend, ask and apologise for not knowing. I believe most of those you have to do that to will be so surprised at your politeness they will overlook your lack of knowledge.’

They had arrived in what Kate would have described as a slum were it not for her time in Whitechapel. The buildings were put together from bits of wood and corrugated iron. She doubted the roofs were entirely watertight, but they would keep the worst of the weather off. The smell was not
much
better than the London district, but it was better, likely the product of freer air flow than better sanitation.

They were getting some puzzled looks from the locals, apparently unused to white people entering their part of town. Everyone here seemed to have black skin. Kate knew that there were other races about; the British had brought Indian labourers in and there were Arab traders, but this area appeared to belong to the Kikuyu.

Antonia stopped beside a woman sitting in front of a hut and said something entirely indecipherable. The reply came with a pointed hand and they were off again. ‘Meja is still here. I was a little worried he might be out with game hunters.’

‘You speak the language?’ Kate asked.

‘It seemed polite to learn. I believe one should attempt to converse with others in their native tongue where one can. Many of the Kikuyu speak English, however. They embraced education quite enthusiastically. Indeed, their own language had no written form until missionaries began to write it down. I have hopes that the future will see novels written in Gikuyu, but only time will tell.’

Meja’s hut looked a little better appointed than some of the neighbouring ones. The roof seemed in good repair and the door had a pair of solid-looking hinges. Knocking produced a shout from within and then the opening of the door to reveal a tall man with close-cropped hair and quite a handsome face. Kate was a little disappointed that he was wearing Western clothing, jeans and a light shirt, but the body beneath looked strong.

Meja smiled. ‘Mrs David. I had not heard you were coming.’ He had a deep, resonant voice, pleasant on the ear to Kate’s mind.

‘Our trip was unannounced and on very short notice, Meja. May we come in? We have need of your counsel.’

‘Of course, if you do not mind sitting on blankets. I am never here long enough to buy chairs.’

‘I’m sure we can manage,’ Charles said. ‘We are the ones calling upon you.’

Meja gave him a glance and then stepped back to allow them into the little room. It was just the one room taking up all of the hut, but there were blankets laid out in the suggestion of a triangle, though the one against the back wall seemed to be a bed and Meja sat down upon it allowing the others to seat themselves.

‘Meja Saitoti, may I introduce Doctor Charles Barstow-Hall and his ward, Miss Katherine Felix, my travelling companions.’

‘A pleasure to meet you, but is Mister David not with you?’

Kate saw Antonia’s face shift a little; she had known the question was coming and been ready for it, but it still stung a little. ‘David went missing on an ocean voyage, Meja. He is, I am afraid, presumed dead.’

Meja’s eyes dipped away. ‘I am sorry to hear that, Mrs David. He was a good man.’

‘He was and I miss him. However, we are here on a matter of some importance. We need information, Meja, and I knew that you were the man to come to for help.’

‘Anything I can do, Mrs David. In honour of your husband as well as our friendship.’

‘Thank you, Meja. You know that the Germans have been conducting business of various kinds in the Congo, of course.’ He gave a nod. ‘We would like to hear of anything strange or unusual which has been heard of this, specifically concerning a colonel in their Army, Count von Auttenberg.’

‘This name I know. I have heard things about him which are not to his credit. He was sent to put down the Luba after the Belgians were kicked out. I do not know this region, but there are a few who are willing to take parties there or who trade copper from the mines. I will ask about and see whether anyone has heard anything.’

‘You are, as always, the most worthwhile of men to know, Meja,’ Antonia said, smiling.

Now he smiled back. ‘There will be a dance tonight, Mrs David. They say it will be a warm night and there will be music. Join us. Your friends are welcome too.’

‘I shall decline,’ Charles said quickly. ‘My dancing is, at best, awful.’

Both women knew that his dancing was, at worst, acceptable, but they were not going to force him into it. Antonia looked at Kate. ‘I… Well, I’ve no idea what to wear or what the local dances might be, but…’

‘Excellent!’ Meja said, beaming. ‘You will pick up the dance quickly. Do not worry.’

~~~

‘Charles is just worried he’ll be confronted by bare-breasted native women, is he not?’ Kate said as she walked beside Antonia back towards the slum that evening.

‘I should imagine so. Perhaps I laid it on a little too thick. In truth they wear the shuka, a robe-like garment tied at the shoulder, and beaded necklaces. Of course, tied cloth slips, but semi-nudity is generally reserved for children.’

‘And there was I thinking I might strip to the waist later.’

‘I am sure it would be appreciated, but unnecessary.’ They were both dressed in skirt and blouse. The day had been sultry and cloud had rolled in in the evening to keep in the heat; as Meja had said, it would be a warm night and retiring early a fruitless exercise. The dance had seemed an even better option than before.