The government offices were in the capital city, ten miles away, and Natalie arrived early. This was not yet on a par with Nairobi, even if it ever would be, but there were some fine old buildings—a left-over from colonial days— and the ministry of culture was housed in one of these. She was shown into the minister's office at once, glad that he was not yet there as she took a few moments to compose herself and look around at the quite splendid room.
It had every appearance of being the workplace of a man who liked a civilised way of life. There were good pictures on the walls, expensive easy chairs and a very impressive desk that held photographs of two small children and a very pretty woman whom Natalie took to be the minister's wife.
He came in as she was leaning across to get a better look at the photographs and Natalie almost sighed aloud with relief as she looked up into a smiling African face. He must be in his late thirties, handsome, easygoing, educated and very well dressed. This was a kind man. She took to him on sight, the humour at the back of his eyes making her relax.
'At last, Miss West!' He walked across and shook hands as she stood. 'I trust you are now recovered from your virus? A most unfortunate introduction to my country.'
He motioned her to a seat and settled behind his desk, looking hard at her for a minute as she straightened her
skirt and rested back against the dark leather. This morning she had decided to wear the one suit she had brought with her, a silk, slim-fitting creation in a rich deep mulberry. It showed off her black hair even more and her eyes looked startlingly green. The minister noticed.
'You must forgive my staring,' he said apologetically. 'Your colouring amazes me. To me, black hair has dark eyes. Your eyes are such an astonishing green that I expect any moment to find that I am dreaming.'"
'My mother had green eyes,' Natalie explained with a smile. 'She had red hair.'
'Extraordinary!' His glance rested lovingly on his own two children and his wife and Natalie thought what a wonderful father he must be. She settled down to really liking Gabriel Basoni.
By lunchtime he had approved all her plans, explained to her the ceremony that would take place for the official opening of the Kabala Dam and talked enthusiastically about the future of Madembi. Her little tape recorder was on the desk in front of him but after a second they both forgot all about it. He was a pleasure to talk to.
They were still discussing Natalie's idea of a series of freelance articles on Madembi as they went to lunch in a chauffeur-driven car with the Madembi coat of arms on the door. It had been a most pleasant morning, culminating in their being bowed regally to their table in the very best hotel that the capital offered.
'I will tell your other guest you have arrived, Minister,' the head waiter offered and Natalie stiffened with apprehension, pleasure going swiftly away as a few seconds later Kip walked into the dining-room to be greeted as an old friend by Gabriel Basoni.
'Natalie.' Kip gave her a polite nod as he took his seat, his eyes flaring over her, and she found her face flushing uncomfortably as the memory of the previous evening came rushing back. She only had to look into his eyes and she could feel herself pressed against him. The chemistry was so strong that she wanted to jump up and rush out like a flustered schoolgirl. He was in a lightweight suit, darkly sophisticated against his pale shirt and dark tie. The thick, fair hair looked almost unreal and she had to tear her eyes away from him.
'It is fortunate that you know each other so well,' the minister said with satisfaction. 'It will be easier to work together. So you see, my dear Kip, getting you to bring Miss West from Nairobi was a very good idea.' 'Though a trifle devious,' Kip murmured wryly. 'I'm a diplomat! What do you expect?' The very way they talked to each other told Natalie that these two were close friends and that getting out of dealing with Kip on this production would be almost impossible, in spite of her threats of the previous night.