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‘Christ on a bike,’ I mutter to myself as I lie there frozen with fear.
Then something lands on the roof of my tent and I can hear its footsteps pattering about. It sounds like it’s the size of an elephant and could crash through the canvas at any moment. Do lions climb trees? I’m sure they must. Haven’t I seen that on one of those David Attenborough stylee programmes? I sit up and grip the blankets around me, resisting the urge to turn on the light once more.
The lions roar again. It isn’t the theatrical roar of the MGM lion, but a low feral growl designed to strike terror into the heart of all who hear it. And it works for me. Terror, in my heart, struck! It’s a roar that says, ‘Don’t mess with me, I’m the King of the Beasts.’ This time they sound close, right outside the tiny perimeter of scrubby brush that does little to separate us from the vast fearsome plains. That’s when I crack and switch my light back on.
A moment later, I hear a familiar voice outside, but it still makes me jump out of my skin. ‘Just Janie?’ Dominic says. ‘Are you happy?’
I think about saying, ‘I’m fine,’ but I can’t actually speak, so instead I leap out of bed and unzip my tent. As I do so, I see Dominic emerging from the darkness. Simply seeing his calm presence standing there, wrapped in his cheery blanket with his sturdy stick to hand, makes me feel better instantly and my sick terror subsides. My protector looks at me with concern.
‘I’m not used to the noises, to camping,’ I babble. ‘I’m frightened.’
‘Do not be.’
‘There’s something on the roof of my tent.’
‘It is a gennet,’ he explains. ‘They are very pretty. Like your domestic pussy cats at home.’
If it’s anything like my domestic pussy cat at home, then I know that I should be afraid, very afraid. It could come and rip my head off.
‘It will not harm you.’
‘But it sounded so big.’ And fierce. With sharp pointy teeth. I lower my voice. ‘And there’s something chomping outside my tent. I can hear it breathing and its stomach rumbling.’
‘Ah,’ he says with a smile. ‘This is a hippo.’
‘A hippo!’ I shriek. ‘Aren’t they massively dangerous?’
‘He is gone now,’ Dominic laughs. ‘You are not yet used to the wild animals, Just Janie. If you leave them alone, they will not hurt you. Enjoy their presence.’
‘OK.’ Even to my ears, I sound doubtful.
At that moment, the bushes rustle and I grab Dominic’s arm. He puts his fingers to his lips, asking me to keep quiet. Seconds later and two tiny deer tiptoe into the camp and trot across by the dying embers of the campfire before disappearing into the bush at the other side.
‘Dik-Dik,’ Dominic tells me. ‘Very pretty?’
‘Beautiful.’
‘And you were not frightened?’
‘No.’ I laugh at myself. ‘I feel silly now.’
‘Do not feel silly. This is very different for you.’
‘Thank you,’ I say. ‘Thank you for being understanding.’
‘Hakuna matata. No worries. I will stay here,’ Dominic assures me. ‘On your veranda. I will be right outside your door all night.’
‘You’ll sleep here?’
‘Maasai warriors do not sleep. The day does not start with the heat of sun or end with the twinkling stars – it flows like a river for us. Our job is to guard the village, our women and our cattle. In the darkness, like the animals, we are awake and watchful.’
‘So you’ll sit here all night? Right here?’
He sits in one of my director’s chairs. ‘Right here.’
‘All night?’ Doesn’t hurt to double-check, just in case there’s a misunderstanding in translation.
Dominic nods. ‘All night.’ He sets his stick down and puts his hands on his knees. ‘Good night, Janie.’
‘Good night, Dominic.’
I retreat to my tent and zip it up tightly. Then I slip into bed and settle down under the covers. Lying still, I let the sounds of the night envelop me again. Something whoop, whoops and my stomach tightens.
‘That is a hyena.’ Dominic’s soft voice comes through the fabric. His head is right next to mine. If it wasn’t for the canvas of the tent, I could reach out and touch him. ‘It is a fluffy dog.’
Fluffy dog, I think. Fluffy dog.
Then it all goes quiet again. The gennet patters about on the roof of my tent and now it makes me think of Archie. My body is so tired and this bed is very comfortable. Heaviness settles on my eyelids.
‘Dominic?’ I say sleepily.
