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‘They are sucking me dry!’
‘Why don’t you keep them away?’
‘Keep them away? Ha! That’s easier said than done. How am I supposed to keep a whole swarm of those blood-thirsty little suckers at a distance?’
‘There is a way.’
Amana’s voice was so quiet and matter-of-fact that it took a moment or two for the meaning of her words to sink in. When it did, I froze in my tracks. The man behind me bumped into me, cursing in the Indian’s native language, and I hurried forward to catch up with Amana.
‘Are you serious? Please tell me you’re not joking!’
She smiled at me shyly. ‘No, no. I’m not joking. Haven’t you wondered why the mosquitos don’t bother me?’
I hadn’t, actually. I was far too busy cursing and aching all over. But now that she mentioned it, I did wonder. I wondered a hell of a lot!
‘What?’ I demanded ‘What is your secret? Please! Please, tell me! I’ll do anything! I’ll pay you a million pounds! I’ll kill somebody for you! I’ll give you my firstborn! Just please, please tell me! How do you do it?’
‘It’s not difficult. You just have to…’
Sidling closer, she whispered into my ear.
My jaw dropped open.
‘You’re serious?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh my holy…! And that works?’
‘Yes.’
My eyes flickered to Mr Ambrose. Slowly, a smile started to spread over my face. This method had…possibilities.
*~*~**~*~*
The next morning, I rose before anybody else and made my way into the jungle until I found a nice bit of ground, moist enough for my purposes, but not swampy enough to sink in. Following Amana’s advice, it only took a couple of minutes to complete my business.
And you know what?
She had been right!
It was an instant relief. Sighing at the pleasurable feeling of peace all around me, I gathered up my things and started back towards the campsite. Karim and a few of the Indians were sitting around a map, their backs to me, talking in low murmurs. My dear employer was nowhere in sight.
‘Where is Mr Ambrose?’ I asked.
Karim jabbed his thumb westwards. ‘Gone to the stream to take a drink.’ He half turned to look at me. ‘Why, what do you want from hi-’
His voice died in his throat. His eyes, almost hidden under his huge eyebrows a moment before, turned as wide as saucers.
‘Is something the matter, Karim?’ I asked, sweetly.
‘Grk. Ng. Err…um…’
The Indians turned to look at me too, to see what all the fuss was about. None of them seemed to be particularly shocked by what they saw. A few nodded at me. One smiled. Amana winked. I winked back, then turned another beaming smile on Karim.
‘Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now, all right? I have a sudden inexplicable desire to see Mr Ambrose.’
‘Ng!’
