Augusta looked at the boy’s bruises. He had a pretty bottom, tight and round, and the bruises were dead across the centre. It was true she had declined to beat him, but she had thought about it since. Something about the incident disturbed her in a way that was unfamiliar.
The food was good, chicken in a spicy sauce. There was also more of the excellent palm wine. Over the meal Saffron explained to Poppy the circumstances of Augusta’s rescue. She also told Poppy about Lawrence.
“I know how things are in the old country, or I’ve been told,” Poppy said. “Each woman is supposed to take a male and mate with him for life. She is supposed to love, honour and obey him. But we have rejected all that and found a better way. I don’t obey Saffron but I honour her and love her. Whether it will be f
