Free Ursula's Secret by Mairi Wilson

should …”
    “I don’t understand why you went out there in the first place, Lexy, but you clearly felt you had to, so stay. Do whatever it is. I’ll take care of things here. It’s okay.”
    “But what about Fizz? Won’t she—”
    “No, she won’t.”
    “But I thought you said—”
    “Do you want my help or don’t you?” Lexy was silent. “Right. So. I’ll keep you posted if anything develops.”
    Lexy tried to thank him, but the line was already dead. She hugged her knees into her chest, protecting herself against a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature in the room.

    The hotel was tranquil and cool after the frenetic activity of the street outside. In a burst of enthusiasm, Lexy had ventured out on a brief excursion in an attempt to get her bearings. It had been fascinating, challenging and exhausting in equal measure. She’d seen enough to be sure already that she was going to like it here. There was a lightness, a light, that was special. But Malawi’s exuberance would take a bit of getting used to, she realised. After only an hour, hot and flushed and a little unnerved by the persistent attentions of street hawkers and shopkeepers alike, she’d returned to the hotel to regroup, the retinue of small children she’d acquired only hesitating for a moment before following her up the Residence’s driveway, giggling and gambolling towards the facade.
    “You need to go now,” she said, turning to them. “I don’t think you should come in …” But the children were laughing and pushing each other and paying her no attention at all. Just like her class at home.
    Barney appeared beside her, clapped his hands and rattled off something she couldn’t understand and they ran, laughing and shouting as they raced each other back out to the street.
    “Thanks, Barney. I tried ignoring them, but they just kept coming.”
    “They don’t mean harm, Miss Shaw, just nosey.”
    “Oh, I’m sure. My fault really. Probably should just have gone for a walk in the hotel grounds.”
    “Yes ma’am, but not so much fun, eh?”
    “No,” she admitted, “not so much. Right, tea, I think.” Lexy stepped into the shade of the portico, but Barney quickly moved in front of her.
    “On the verandah perhaps, Miss Shaw? You can come this way.” He indicated that she should step back outside and led her to a path that ran round the hotel. “The lobby’s very busy this afternoon. Lots of people, waiting for certain guests to come back.”
    “Ah.” Lexy thought she understood. “Some of our consular officials possibly?”
    “I think so, ma’am.” Barney, it seemed, was a useful ally.
    Settled comfortably as before at a corner table out of sight of any casual glance from the hotel dining room, Lexy ordered her tea. She would have liked to have showered or at least splashed water on her face first, but the thought of running into the Pendleton man again, who, if she was to understand Barney correctly, was lying in wait for her in the lobby, was more than ample reason to put up with feeling a little limp and grimy.
    Her walk had been more arduous than she’d expected, true, but it had been dazzling. She’d loved it. She’d seen documentaries and news features about Africa and had an idea of what it might be like, but nothing had prepared her for the full-frontal assault on her senses that hour walking through the town had been. Africa in 3D. The smells of spices and fruits as she’d walked through the market a welcome relief after the rank aftermath of the fish market being hosed down by a man wearing nothing but a loincloth and a pair of mismatched wellingtons, a pack of thin cats watching and prowling in and out of each other, as if dancing a feline cotillion. The noise too. From all directions, an untuned orchestra of instruments jamming together to create a soundscape that lifted her spirits and reminded her of what it was to be alive, to be searching, to be of the world rather than spectating.