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mechanics modules he’d taken to prepare him for, one day, taking over the ranch. That day had come sooner than anyone had expected.
    There was also Melanie to deal with. Seth and Melanie had had a steady relationship for over a year. But somehow Seth had suddenly gained a far broader perspective, and romance was no longer a priority. Seth knew with quiet certainty that living and working alongside him on a ranch had never been part of Melanie’s plan. With little regret, he told her that their affair was over. He hardened his heart to her tears and pleas. Everything was different now; Impunzi was his life, and his future could no longer include her.
    Seth crammed for exams, living off strong coffee and take-aways, and leaving his flat only to visit the library. Sleep was elusive but stealthy: often he awoke in the early hours, slumped over his desk. It was often difficult to concentrate on his studies, but at other times Seth felt his newfound determination not to waste his life drive him – and, at still others, his work was all the distraction he had from his grief. He phoned Naomi every day; they spoke for long stretches of time or, sometimes, he just held on and listened to her crying. Seth wasn’t used to feeling powerless.
    The morning of his final exam arrived. Months earlier, Seth had looked forward to this as a time of celebration. Seth’s friends and classmates, whom Seth had been avoiding during these last short weeks, were spending the rest of their final day in the bar. Seth, however, booked his flight home for that same afternoon. Without a backward glance, he handed over the keys of his flat and caught a taxi to the airport. With the slam of a car door, another phase of Seth’s life was over. He wondered what the future held in store for him. With quiet certainty he knew that everything revolved around Impunzi, and making a success of it. Even though his parents were not there anymore, he could not wait to get back into the bush again.
    Seth heard Claire turn slightly and snuffle quietly in her sleep. His gaze had been fixed on the road – he hadn’t allowed himself to think through things like this before, as far as he could remember. It had left him feeling exorcised, almost renewed. He looked at the Zimbabwean autumn sun, beginning to descend towards the skyline again. Seth ejected the cassette, which had stopped over an hour ago, and made to turn it over.
    The noise woke up Claire. At some point in the journey, she realised, Seth had draped a travel rug over her. There was now a decided chill in the air. Claire looked up and a soft gasp escaped her as she took in the beauty of her first African sunset. The sun, a huge orange ball, hung low in the twilit sky, tinting the heavens with shades of orange, yellow and purple. Lying low in her seat, the trees seemed to Claire to be silhouetted against the skyline. The scene was postcard perfect. Zimbabwe was magnificent.
    Claire jumped as Seth’s voice came to her, deep and low. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I’ve lived here all my life and still the beauty gets to me.” Seth grinned down at her. “Feel better after your sleep?”
    Pushing herself upright, Claire smiled back sleepily and answered, “Yes.” She peered wide-eyed back at the sky. “It’s absolutely lovely – this land has a raw, rugged beauty like I’ve never seen before. No wonder so many foreigners come here and never return home.”
    “You’re right there,” Seth replied. “I’ve done my fair share of travelling, and I’ve never seen anywhere I’d rather come back to.” A contented pause filled the car. Seth broke it first. “Are you hungry?” he asked.
    Taking in their surroundings, Claire saw that they were parking outside a roadside restaurant. Unfastening his seatbelt, Seth slid from the car. “We’ll stop here for dinner and then carry on to Bulawayo. That okay by you?” Nodding eagerly, suddenly dying for a cup of tea, Claire grabbed her handbag and left the