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surprise. “Tom is so pleasant. I can’t imagine him not being glad to see anyone.”
    â€œWe were sort of friends,” I said, feeling my face grow red.
    â€œLovers,” snickered Diamond-Rose from the back of her horse.
    â€œWell, if you prefer, you don’t have to stay in camp. You can always pick up a transfer back to Victoria Falls later on tonight,” Charlotte said, kicking her horse on. She added reassuringly, “I know how it is with ex-lovers.”
    â€œI’m staying,” I said, gritting my teeth. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
    There was another series of trumpeting from behind us. Tusker and the young bull had picked up speed, apparently annoyed that they had exhausted their supply of fruit.
    â€œLet’s go,” Charlotte yelled. We moved our horses into a canter while Grisha gunned the engine.
    Tusker started to amble after us.
    â€œLet’s finish the job!” Charlotte yelled. “Another hour and we’re going to have ourselves a flying elephant—or two!”

Chapter 9
    TOM NEVER MADE IT.
    Grisha dumped the pile of fruit in a large, open clearing. A clearing that was perfect to land a plane in. A clearing that was large enough to save an elephant, even two, with good flat ground and low-lying trees on the periphery, but there was no plane waiting for us there.
    Diamond and I watched from horseback for a few minutes, then Charlotte ordered the other horses back to camp while we remained a little longer. “We’d better go,” she finally said to us. “The horses have had a long day. They need water and a rubdown and to rest a little before we can give them dinner.”
    â€œPlease wait another few minutes,” I begged.
    Tusker and the young bull came into the clearing and played with the oranges. The setup was perfect. A few tranquilizer darts, chains to pull them into the plane, and we would be finished.
    But there was no plane.
    The sun was beginning to soften into rose-orange. Charlotte checked her phone for the third time, but it was still dead. “We can’t stay all night,” she said to me. “Let’s get back to camp and see what’s going on.”
    â€œNo!” I protested. “We can’t leave them here. They won’t just hang around.”
    â€œWhat do you suggest we do with them?” Charlotte asked in an exasperated tone. “We can’t tie them up.”
    â€œBut what was the whole point of this?” I said, my voice rising. “They’ll wander back! They’ll get shot!”
    â€œWe don’t have the plane,” Charlotte said sharply. “Let’s get back to camp before it gets dark. Maybe Tom’s been able to call Billy.”
    We walked the horses back, while Grisha followed us in the Rover. I could barely look at him as he nervously lit cigarette after cigarette. All I could think was that Tom just had to come, that Tusker’s life depended on him.
    Â 
    ThulaThula Safaris was a set of tidy huts and barns, stone barbecues, and a small private residence, which also served as Charlotte’s office. We all rode in, with Grisha close behind. There was a man sitting at a table outside the office, sipping a Zambezi Lager. I hopped off my horse. A worker came with his hand outstretched to take the reins.
    â€œI can take care of him,” I protested.
    â€œIt’s my job, shamwari ,” he said, bowing his head. “I give him good dinner.”
    I handed him the horse just as Grisha pulled me by the arm to take it upon himself to complete my introduction. “This is Plain-Neelie,” he said to the man at the table. “She has produced heavy assistance.”
    â€œAh yes, you must be Diamond’s friend. Good to meet you, Plain-Neelie.” The man stood up and extended his hand. “Billy Pope, here. You’ve met Charlotte—I’m her husband.” He was barely taller than his wife, also