They reached Chike's mansion by noon and found it populated with domestic workers running to and fro. Hannah didn't know what to think. She could not imagine that Chike had abandoned her, but the alternatives, if any, were few.

Her father, having confirmed from her that they were in the right place, walked up to the gate and flogged rather than knock it. Instantly, a pleasant-looking gateman opened the gate and asked him his business.

"We're looking for Chike, your oga," Hannah's father replied with impatient anger.

"Sorry," the gateman said, shaking his head slowly. "There's no Chike here. My Oga and Madam are White people... they just bought this...