White Mischief

In the sultry heat of 1940 Kenya, a tight‑knit circle of British expatriates has turned the rolling savanna of the Happy Valley into a playground of excess. Against the backdrop of an empire on the brink of war, their lives are a perpetual blur of horse racing, lavish parties, whispered liaisons, and a steady drip of foreign spirits and drugs. The atmosphere is both intoxicating and uneasy, as the looming conflict casts a shadow over every indulgence, turning simple revelry into something edged with anticipation.

At the centre of this world is Diana Delves Broughton, a strikingly beautiful young wife whose marriage to the older, fading millionaire Sir John Henry Delves Broughton exists under a surprisingly permissive pre‑nuptial agreement. Their relationship, built on a fragile balance of convenience and lingering affection, is constantly tested by the decadent freedoms the expatriate set embraces. While Sir John clings to his dwindling wealth and social standing, Diana finds herself drawn to the magnetic allure of a charismatic bon vivant, whose presence promises the thrill missing from her routine.

The couple’s dynamic reflects the larger contradictions of their environment: the outward veneer of aristocratic poise masks a simmering restlessness. As Diana’s intrigue deepens, Sir John confronts the budding affair, leading the pair to an uneasy decision to live apart. This separation, set against the ever‑present rumble of war, leaves both spouses navigating a landscape where loyalty, desire, and reputation intertwine in dangerous ways.

Within this glittering yet precarious enclave, each character carries secrets that ripple through the community, and the lingering sense of impending change hangs heavy in the air. The stage is set for a story where indulgence meets tension, and the line between freedom and consequence grows ever thinner.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:53