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I let the water run, tipping in some fragranced oils to wash away the smell of the street from him. Dominic gingerly strips off his red robe and his beads, which definitely look more tattered than they did when he left. The sight of his dark muscled body still thrills me to the core, but no more so than the fact that he is just here at all. I’ll take him whatever he looks like, whatever state he’s in. Dominic is back and safe with me and that’s all that matters.
When the bath is drawn, I help Dominic to lower himself into it and he sighs with relief as the water embraces his body. ‘It is good to be home, Janie,’ he says, a catch in his voice. ‘So good.’
He leans back and lets himself sink into the water while I soap the sponge and then gently wash his body all over. I want to wash away all the pain, the hurt. Dominic closes his eyes and lets me minister to him.
‘Was it very awful on the streets?’ I ask.
He shakes his head. ‘Not so bad for me,’ he says honestly. ‘I only had a short time to become used to the comforts here. But I think it is very bad for others who are used to more.’ He opens his eyes and then he holds my gaze. ‘I did not think that there were people in your country who live like that. I thought that everyone had all that they need.’
‘Not everyone,’ I admit.
‘I know that now. Sometimes I had to eat the food that other people threw away.’ He looks sick at the thought of it and my stomach heaves in sympathy too. ‘They were very kind to me, all of the people sleeping rough like myself. They helped me. I think that I helped them.’
‘There was no need to go. You should have stayed and talked it through with me, Dominic. We could have sorted it out. You’re always going to get one or two people who can’t accept our love. It would be the same if I was in your country.’
‘Worse,’ he admits.
‘There you are,’ I say softly. ‘Running away isn’t the answer.’
‘I did not want you to live with the shame.’
‘It might be the Maasai way to cut yourself off from your loved ones, but we can’t do that. We have to stay strong together.’
‘I have learned that.’ And I see in his eyes that he’s sincere.
‘The shame isn’t yours. It isn’t mine either. We’ve done nothing wrong. It’s the people who have been mean to you, to us. Promise me that in the future we’ll just sit down and work things through together. No rash moves.’
‘I promise.’
‘You mustn’t think of it again.’ I take his hand and wash his fingers, one by one. ‘It’s all behind us. Now it’s just you and me.’ Then I smile. ‘Well,’ I say, ‘that might not be quite right.’
He looks at me, puzzled.
I take a deep breath before I say, ‘I might be having a baby, Dominic.’
His eyes light up and he squeezes my hand tightly.
‘I’m not sure yet,’ I admit hastily. ‘But I might be. All the signs are there.’
‘I hope so, Just Janie. I do hope so.’
‘Me too.’ Perhaps I should have waited to tell Dominic until I was certain, but I can’t hold my happiness inside. How badly I want his child. That would be all of my dreams come true. ‘I’ll find out just as soon as I can.’
Dominic wraps his arms around me and kisses me fiercely. ‘A child,’ he whispers. ‘The mummy is the most important person in Maasai culture. When you are a mummy, Janie Johnson, I will revere you. I will worship you. I will always respect you.’
‘That sounds nice.’ I toy with his fingers. ‘But to be honest, I’ll just settle for you sticking around.’
‘We must be married.’
‘Oh, yes,’ I agree. ‘Straight away.’
Then, while I’m still fully dressed, he pulls me into the bath, into the foamy water, on top of him. Laughing and blowing the suds from my face, I lie along the full length of him, loving the feel of his body. He holds me tightly.
‘I love you, Janie Johnson.’
‘And you, Dominic Ole Nangon, are never going anywhere without me ever again.’
‘Lovely jubbly,’ he says and kisses me once more.
Chapter Eighty-Eight
A steady knocking at the door rouses me from at deep sleep. I glance over at the clock and see that it’s nearly noon. Dominic and I are still in bed, arms wrapped around each other. This is the first time that he has slept the whole night through. Normally, he’d be up well before dawn and would be doing his rounds of the village, checking that everything is as it should be. I’m sure after living rough on the streets he deserves a lie-in.
