Some years later I was invited to the book fair in Harare as a speaker and presented Mugabe with my latest book, Anthills of the Savannah. In it I wrote: ‘May what happens in this book not happen in your fair country.’

“He looked at me puzzled — he had obviously not read the book — then he said: ‘By the sounds of it, me neither!’ We had a good laugh. That was the last I saw him. I used to defend that man, maybe until perhaps a year ago, but now, it’s too difficult.” The mixed feeling is mutual.