I must say I was proud of our young lion President as he met their plane at Mara airstrip. He looked elegant and handsome and did all the right things. The red carpet was rolled to the Queen’s jet, the British National Anthem was played along with ours as the party stood at attention before leaving in Shane’s helicopter for the mansion. Another proud moment was when our former President, Ralph Lyon, looking magnificent in a Bill Blass suit, greeted the Queen. You could see the pleasure in her face at seeing her legendary lion friend. Mildred Lyon and Alexandra Simba joined in the greetings after their husbands.

Former President, (left) Ralph Lyon, Queen Elizabeth and (right) President Shane Simba heading for the helicopter to the State House...

First Lady, Alexandra Simba with Prince Phillip....

    The main ballroom of The Lewis Lyon Four Seasons Hotel was glowing as the invitees passed by a receiving line consisting of President Shane Simba, his wife, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Vice President Daniel Lyon, his wife and the former First Couple. Betty Chimpo and Jack Tarzan had gone through the line. Jack looked elegant in the first tuxedo that I know of him wearing. Betty absolutely glowed in spite of passing by her former husband.

Jack Tarzan and Betty Chimpo make their entrance...

    After dinner, one heck of a good band struck up in the ballroom of the mansion. Everyone proceeded to the floor to take advantage of the snazzy tunes. And I must tell you readers - we had a blast. At least some of us did. Staci Simba, who was there with her boyfriend, Stanley Morrison, looked around and saw her recently divorced ex-husband with her first cousin. She freaked! Grabbing her dad by the arm and taking him to the dance floor, she began to complain to him.

                                                                     Alexandra, the Queen and Shane line up to greet the guest.....

The Queen of  England toasts her dear friend, our former leader, Ralph Lyon......

President Shane Simba toast the Queen of England...

 "Daddy, Juma is here with Leah. Damn, she’s my first cousin, Daddy, and she’s with my ex-husband. They’re looking really lovey-dovey," she almost wailed to Shane.

"Pumpkin, when you divorce someone, you will see them with others. The Mara is a small place and that was bound to happen," he attempted to soothe. "My ex-wife is here with her new live-in lover and my former mistress is here with her husband. Don’t you love Stanley?"

"Yes, Daddy, but it’s just a shock, that’s all."

"Turn it around, Staci. Juma sees you here with your human boyfriend."

"Yes, but he doesn’t seem to give a shit!"

    And he really didn’t. Juma, after making the agreement with Leah that they would test the waters and not get serious, was beginning to become inordinately fond of the adorable and innovative Leah. She had taken him to dinner at Roy Lee and Janice’s house. He had gotten along well with her amiable dad and mother. Juma had liked Roy Lee and Janice Simba very much. Since he was a Kenyan lion and born in Samburu, he didn’t have the chips on his shoulder that affected his colleague and Leah’s former lover, Trevor Tau. Juma and Leah were having a marvelous time exploring each other and their relationship was taking off with rocket speed.

Juma Mnyama and Leah Simba at the reception....... 

    Another couple that seemed oblivious to all but having a great time was Ashley and Lucy (Cougar) Lyon. Both imbibed heavily but no trouble erupted from this condition. They danced the whole evening and seemed to be having a blast - with each other. Now that Lucy was no longer pregnant, she was back to her bouncy self and enjoying her life with the handsome and dashing Ashley.

Ashley and his wife, Lucy, dressed for the Royal reception....

    I finally got around to having that belated lunch with Bertram Baboon that he had requested a while back. Things had been really popping at the State House with one event after another. Our chosen venue, was unusually enough, the Simba’s new restaurant. It was very full but Bertram had requested a back area with a deep booth hidden from the major influx of traffic. A lioness I had never seen before was the hostess. She escorted me to where Bertram sat munching on crudités and sipping his second martini. He looked stressed to the max.

"Oh do sit down, Maury. I thought I would never get a chance to speak with you privately," said Bertram.

"What is going on with you? You can always come down any evening when I’m home and see me there - just one house away," I reminded him, after ordering a double martini.

"Gloria insists on tagging along if I do that, Maurice."

"And that’s a problem?"

"Yes, it is. I....well.... it’s that I HATE being married," he groaned, snapping an olive in his mouth.

"Good heavens! When did that happen, Bertram? I thought you had found your little piece of Paradise."

"I thought so too, but Gloria has become a bit intrusive. When I meet someone at Montecore’s and bring them home, she gets her nose all out of joint."

"Well, I have to say that I didn’t think that would sit well with a wife for too very long."

"She promised we would have our freedom, Maurice. I am a wreck over this."

"Freedom and marriage make uneasy bedfellows I would imagine, Bertram. You just cannot have your cake and eat it too - that’s something of a given. What are you going to do about it?"

"See if we can come to terms but if not, it’s out the door for her, I’m afraid."

"Is she leasing her house up the street or did she sell?"

"She leased it to someone. It’s not been sold."

"Good, at least she has a home to return to. Maybe you two can rewrite your agreement and continue life together," I suggested.

"I don’t know that we can. She seems to want me sexually."

He popped a carrot stick in his mouth and crunched loudly.

"Well, can’t you manage to bonk her on occasion, Bertram?"

"Yuk!"

"I am growing to look like a giant balloon," giggled Alexandra Simba..

She and Shane were stretched out in chaise lounges on their deck surrounding the pool in their bush house. The Royal party had left after a full five days of festivities followed by a huge reception for the bankers who had come to Kenya to check on the major branches just established in our country.

"No you don’t, darling. You look more gorgeous than ever," he told her.

"I am very weary. I feel like going to the coffee plantation and kicking back."

"You’ve worked very hard pulling the affairs of the Queen’s visit together. You deserve a break and a reward. Why don’t I take you to the place I bought on Bora Bora. It is very relaxing and if you like it, I won’t sell it as I planned."

"That would be lovely, Luv. Do you have the time?"

"Yes, I will make time for you, Alex. I do love you so."

"Ditto."

    Two days later, Shane came to the office in the morning and told his staff to take a full week off.

"Alex and I are going to Bora Bora and Daniel’s office can handle everything. You all need a break. Things have been very hectic around here for a long time. Have fun starting this afternoon at closing time."

We were all very glad to get a rest. Shane had said that this was not to be a working vacation unless some national crisis evolved.

Lachlan, though not given a vacation, took a long weekend. He had a new shrink on his staff and could relax for a few days. We decided to spend the weekend in Mombasa where Jack and Betty would be staying at Jack’s new place just next door to ours - Lachlan’s former beach home. Lachlan and Jack had become great fishing buddies. Betty’s youngest three would be joining them since Shane and Alexandra would be in Bora Bora.

    The house in the Serengeti had once been a camp site for those ogling wild animals. Chris Simba, trailed by Caitlin Cougar Leo, strolled through it, taking in its weak and strong points. There would be a new house constructed in the Serengeti for the new Director of AID-Tanzania as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Caitlin and Chris had to make do with this rather rustic and, in some places charming, lodge. They were weary from the journey but had brought liquor to enjoy. Caitlin took a couple of chairs to the porch and made drinks. There they drank and watched the sun sink below the plains of the Serengeti.

"Here’s to our new adventure, Cate," said Chris, raising his glass to hers.

"I feel tremendous sadness mixed with elation.....wonder what that’s about?" she asked.

"I guess we’ll both find out pretty soon," he laughed.

Neither Chris nor Caitlin was in love with the other. But then, sometimes things of this nature don’t matter. Strange things happen on the way to an adventure. They sat holding hands in the gathering darkness of the bush.

Chris and Caitlin discuss their new lodgings.....

    Sloane Simba was neither sad nor elated. He simply wanted to boil his ex-wife in oil. She had made all these noises about taking their obstreperous daughter back under her roof, a decision Sloane applauded. Now the bitch had run off to Tanzania with his half-brother, Chris Simba, allowing Georgy to take an apartment with that crazy daughter of Leah and Ashley. When he had called his oldest daughter on her cell phone, this conversation had transpired.

"Daddykins, I can’t talk right now. Imani and I just ordered waterbeds for our new digs and they have come. Catch you later, Daddykins," Georgy said gaily, hanging up.

"Your new what?" roared Sloane on an immediate callback.

"Imani and I are sharing an apartment. Mommy told me I could before she left for the Serengeti. Catch you later, Pops."

Click.

"Got problems with your little angel?" asked his razor-tongued wife, Caroline.

"Yes, Caroline, I have problems with ‘my little angel’. That fucking Caitlin has gone to Tanzania and left her with permission to move in with crazy Imani Lyon whose hobby is cutting her clothes to shred with scissors."

"Here, take your real little angel while I make drinks," she said, handing him their cub Cindy. "I think this is good for Georgy. Now she will have other love objects aside from this incestuous shit with you."

"Incestuous? What are you alluding to Caroline?"

"Oh chill out, Sloane. Your Georgy is growing up and you can’t take the heat."

Little Cindy, realizing the tension between her parents began to cry.

"Now look, Caroline, you’ve screwed her up too," he said taking her to the den and out of the kitchen.

Caroline carried their drinks to the den where a crackling fire took the chill from the deepening night.

"I think this is a good thing for Georgy, Sloane....I really do. Do you like my manicure on my new hands?" she asked, patting his knee.

"Yeah. It looks great."

New best friends and cousins, Imani Lyon and Georgy Simba, at a ballgame.....