Kenya was warm, but less humid than Costa Rica. He blinked into the sun's glare.
At least he felt better at any rate and the crutch was no longer necessary. A clean bill of health, thank God.
He grabbed the flask out of his pocket and took a sip before turning the ignition and starting the drive back to the warden's station so he could check out and go home.
Home was his old place, a two bedroom bungalow. Quite spacious and empty. Empty of feeling, memory or anything relating to a personal matter. Except Emma's room but she hadn't stepped foot in it since she was twelve.
He stopped the jeep and briskly made his way into the office. He piled all his papers up and placed them in the first drawer in his desk before locking it. He checked his emails, switched off the computer and glanced at his watch.
18:43
Every park visitor would have been rushed out forty minutes ago. They were closed. However, the night watch wardens would remain here. Muldoon only did night watches on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Grateful it was a Thursday he checked out of the office.
He was going to meet Emma, she was staying with him until Saturday evening as Fridays and Saturdays were his days off.
It didn't take long to find her grandparents house and see her in the drive way with her grandfather.
He pulled up and got out of the Ford.
He walked up the driveway nervously. She had grown, her tiny body had grown into a willowy frame. Her dark hair just as wavy as it was before but shorter, and her brown eyes wider. Her mocha skin was the same, her facial features the same. It was his Emma.
He stopped a few feet from her and his attention was directed to her grandfather.
"Good, you're here. I'll pick Emma up Saturday Evening then" the old man said before turning to Emma and kissing her cheek. Emma smiled and responded in kind. Then she approached him.
He was nervous. He felt anxious.
"Hello Emma." He smiled softly. She smiled back.
"Hi Dad" Emma stepped up to him and he watched her as she brought her arms up and he raised his own to wrap around her slight but athletic figure.
She was warm, and comparatively tiny.
They pulled back from each other and made for the jeep, Emma grabbing the duffle bag from the driveway gravel. She placed the bag in the back, it was probably filled with books as well as clothes. Muldoon knew her interests would have changed since she was twelve after all. But he knew she loved to read; she mentioned a new book in every letter or phone call.
And when he'd last seen her, about eight months before, she had brought up a love of films too. Emma climbed into the passenger seat. and fastened the belt tightly around her.
"Have you got stuff for school?" He asked and she pulled a face at him, her nose screwing up.
"Yes, but really? That's what you're gonna' ask me first?"
Her English was perfect but clipped with her tone and accent.
"How are you?" He asked instead and she sighed. He accepted her rebuke, it was a fair point after all.
She smiled victoriously after processing her irritation.
"I'm well, and you?"
"Better."
She nodded as they drove down the quiet road.