Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the gate drew back and I saw the bungalow itself, sitting in a vast, green garden. Boston
was already waiting underneath the eaves at the front of the house.
'How did you get lost?' he demanded as I hurried to meet him. 'I thought you were sup-
posed to be an explorer.'
'Because you gave me the wrong directions,' I grinned. 'I thought you were supposed
to be a guide?'
Inside, Lily was waiting in a pair of fashionable jeans and a low-cut white blouse -
every inch the beautiful wife Boston had described. I'd only seen her briefly when we rode
into the city, but now that we were in her territory she appeared comfortable and hospit-
able, with a reserved manner. Boston's daughters had no such reservations. On seeing me,
Penny marched up and held out a hand for me to shake. 'Nice to meet you again,' she an-
nounced, before disappearing to the dining table. Meanwhile, Aurore - the frizzy-haired
girl who had been clinging to Lily when we arrived in Kampala - had already used my
entrance as a diversion to sneak out into the garden, where she was excitedly skipping in
circles - both to Boston's delight, and the security guard's evident ire.
'What about your son?' I asked.
'Jezu Adonis is in bed,' answered Lily. 'He's only one year old, so . . .'
Before his wife could finish, Boston burst in. 'I'll fetch him.'
Moments later, Boston was returning with Jezu Adonis walking tentatively at his side.
The boy was obviously bewildered by the attention. He rubbed his eyes and, when he
looked at me, his face creased in what I could only describe as terror. In seconds he was
scrambling to get up into Boston's arms. Boston kept directing him to shake me by the
hand, but Jezu didn't have the courage. He buried his face in Boston's shoulder and started
to weep.
Boston could not control his mirth. 'He's not normally so shy. He just doesn't like you
Muzungus. Come on, Adonis, say hello to the white man! He won't eat you!'
The reassurance, though, only magnified Jezu's doubt. Showing remarkable agility, he
wriggled free from Boston's grasp and hurtled for the safety of his bedroom. With a with-
ering look at her husband, Lily followed.
'Don't be offended, Lev. He is one year old.'
'I'm not offended, Boston.'
'I'm telling you, Lev, it is not his fault.'
'Boston, I'm really not . . .'
In the bedroom, the crying had subsided, and Lily reappeared. As she swept on into
the dining room, summoning Aurore from the garden, Boston poured us two measures of
whisky and handed me a glass. 'I don't like to leave them at home with the nanny,' he con-
fided, as the smells of home-cooked food tempted me on. 'You never know if she'll sell
them to a witch.'
