Page 154 of The Sun Sister
‘Did you give some thought to my proposal?’
‘I did. And...the answer is yes. I accept your kind proposal.’
‘Good Lord. Right then,’ he smiled. ‘Perhaps I should kiss you or something? I’m sure we’re being watched by prying eyes from the windows behind us.’
‘Of course,’ Cecily agreed.
Bill leant in and kissed her tentatively on the lips. To her surprise, Cecily did not mind it at all; in fact, she almost wished it had gone on longer when he pulled away.
‘Thank you,’ she said shyly.
‘There’s nothing to thank me for, my dear. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I’m sure it will work out very well indeed.’
‘Hello there!’
They both turned to see Kiki waving at them from the terrace with a bottle of champagne.
‘Are congratulations in order?’
‘I think they are, Kiki, yes.’
Bill rolled his eyes and gave Cecily a grimace.
‘So,’ he said as he offered her his elbow and Cecily tucked her arm into his, ‘the charade begins.’
‘You’re getting...what?’
‘Married, Mama,’ Cecily shouted into the receiver. The crackling was worse than ever and they could hardly hear each other. ‘I’m getting married.’
‘Oh my! Did I hear you right? You’re getting married?’ Dorothea repeated.
‘Yes!’ Cecily giggled at the absurdity of the moment. ‘I am.’
‘But who to?’
‘I’ll write you with all the details, but he’s called Bill and he’s English! His family knows Audrey’s very well. I met his brother, who’s a major, at dinner at Woodhead Hall.’ The crackling on the line reached fever pitch. ‘Can you hear me, Mama?’
There was no reply, so with a sigh, Cecily hung up. She decided the best thing to do was to go to Gilgil and send a telegram to her parents with the details. Earlier, over the champagne that Kiki had popped, the three of them had discussed when and where the wedding should be held.
‘Of course, it must be here, surely? And as soon as possible, don’t you think?’ Kiki had insisted.
‘Whatever Cecily would like,’ Bill had said, looking at her askance.
Cecily could hardly believe how very patient he was being with Kiki. She’d felt a sudden wave of tenderness because he was trying to make it easy for her, despite his own misgivings about her godmother.
‘I...In truth, I haven’t had time to think about. Whatever you think is best.’
‘To be frank, I don’t think either of us want any kind of grand bash, do we, Cecily?’
‘Not at all, Bill. Something low-key would suit me just fine.’
‘I’m not sure “low-key” is in the Valley’s dictionary,’ Kiki had smiled. ‘We all love to celebrate here, don’t we, Bill?’
‘Some of us, yes,’ Bill had replied before standing up. ‘Well, I must get back to my cattle. I’ll leave you girls to work out the details of the nuptials, but it would certainly be best to hold it before the rains arrive.’
‘Wait a moment!’ Kiki had said, staring down at Cecily’s hand. ‘Why, Bill, Cecily has no engagement ring on her finger?’
‘Ah, yes, of course,’ Bill had nodded. ‘I’ve been staying at Muthaiga Club for the past few days and haven’t had a chance to sort that one out, but rest assured I will.’ Bill had kissed Cecily’s hand, nodded to Kiki and left.
