by Liz Mistry
12:30 Birmingham
Imti had spent a futile half-hour looking for Shahid. His uncle had been asking where Shahid was and Imti was getting fed up lying and making excuses for him. Why the hell couldn’t he just be there for their uncle? After all, it was their cousin’s wedding. He could at least make an effort, even if family stuff wasn’t his top priority. For God’s sake it was only for a few more hours. Wasn’t too much to ask was it?
Imti walked round the back of the mosque to the small meditative garden that the community tended. Plants and shrubs were beginning to die back with the onset of the colder autumnal weather and the slight drizzle meant that the guests were mainly indoors; the women in their gold embroidered Lengha with ornate Mehndi decorating their hands and feet were in the main hall with the bride, and the men in less ornate, but none the less exotic-looking kurta pajama chatted in the smaller hall. Imti knew this sort of segregation irritated Shahid. He often told Imti it was backward, but as far as Imti was concerned that was just the way it was. It was their culture and although he himself wasn’t fully supportive of it, it didn’t rile him in the same way it did Shahid. Imti saw it as just part and parcel of being a community, a community that, at the moment, seemed to be constantly under attack in the media and, sometimes, even in the streets. It wasn’t as if he had such a huge family anyway: he’d no intention of alienating the relatives he did have by being arsy about things he knew he’d never change.
He walked down the crazy-paved path to the Moghul-style gazebo. Shahid was sitting inside it, huddled over his phone. He and Imti wore matching suits. Shahid had railed against wearing traditional dress but Imti had ignored him. He’d gone along to Bombay Stores in Bradford and spent ages choosing the matching kurta in cream with traditional hand-sewn gold threading and midnight blue skinny pajama cuffs, collar and scarf. Shahid had moaned at the expense but Imti knew deep down he liked them… besides they looked smart, as smart as any of the Birmingham lot, anyway.
Another wave of annoyance hit him as he strode towards his brother. He knew fine and well he was chasing around after that girl of Bazza Green’s. Idiot! Didn’t he get that this was all going to end in tears? He’d heard on the rumour mill that not only was she Bazza’s pet but she was also Jess’ friend. This was not going to end well for anyone. He suspected. Bazza would be pissed off that Shahid was diddling his girl and Jess would be absolutely furious. It’s not as if she and Shahid were even on speaking terms. Jess hated him and this would do nothing to pour oil on troubled waters.
As Imti climbed the two shallow stairs that led into the gazebo, he saw the look on Shahid’s face and his earlier anger died away. Shahid looked bereft as he stared at his phone. So lost in his own thoughts was he that he didn’t even hear Imti’s approach.
‘You okay, bro?’ asked Imti, wiping a hand over the marble seating before sitting beside Shahid.
Shahid looked startled and then, seeing it was Imti he smiled. ‘I’m fine Imti. You should be up at the wedding, not looking for me.’
Imti nudged his brother on the arm. ‘Missed your scintillating convo. Everyone was asking where “the light of the party” was.’ He made bunny ears with his fingers and laughed at Shahid’s incredulous expression. ‘Okay, okay, I’m exaggerating. The only person that missed you was Uncle Majid. Auntie Nusrat was quite glad that you weren’t around, I suspect. She doesn’t really like you much, does she?’
Shahid grinned. ‘No, miserable old cow. Had a go at me this morning. Just want to get this fucking wedding over so I can get back to Bradford.’
Shahid jumped to his feet and started to walk towards the steps. ‘Come on, Imti, let’s get this charade over with.’
Imti stood and put out arm to make his brother stop. ‘What’s wrong Shahid? Your face looks like a slapped arse.’
Shahid raised an eyebrow, his lips twitched into a near smile and then settled into a sigh. ‘It’s nowt. Just can’t get a hold of Trixie, that’s all. She was supposed to phone me last night but, she didn’t and I’ve been texting and phoning her all morning. Nothing.’
‘She’s probably just busy or lost her phone or summat, Shahid. Don’t get why you’re so worried. She’s bad news, you know?’
‘Fuck’s sake, Imti!’ said Shahid pulling his arm away, ‘This is serious, right? Not just a silly fling – she’s pregnant, okay?’
Imti watched open-mouthed as Shahid strode up the path back towards the mosque, then he ran down the steps and ran towards his brother. This was bad news, but he’d have his brother’s back, same as Shahid had his. Guilt for upsetting Shahid when he was already so distraught flooded through him. Catching up with him, he grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into an embrace. ‘Shit, I’m sorry, Shahid. Really sorry, okay? If she’s your girl, then that’s fine. We’ll deal with Bazza together, you and me.’
Shahid allowed Imti to hold him, then pulled himself away, ‘And Jess?’
Imti exhaled and then grinned ‘Hell yeah, and Jess. She’ll just have to get used to it, won’t she? Maybe this baby will make her forget all her silly accusations.’
Shahid looked uncertain. ‘Not sure it’ll be as easy as that. It’s not like she thinks I stole her sweets, for fuck’s sake. She thinks I killed her mum.’
‘Yeah, yeah I know, but she’ll come round. Now, come on, let’s get this wedding over with and we’ll head back to Bradford in a bit and look for your Trixie.’
Arms linked, the two brothers walked into the mosque.
12:30 Oak Lane, Bradford
After leaving Jessica sleeping in her flat, Gus and Sadia emerged onto Oak Lane. Something niggled in Sadia’s mind but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Maybe she was just still pissed off with Gus. For God’s sake, did he have to be such a bloody man about things. All she wanted was a bit of commitment. Maybe some compromise. It’s not like she could just cut herself off from her own father. His faith was important to him. More important even than the damn job and she knew just how important that was to him.
All those weeks, when her mother was so ill and he’d still worked all the hours he could. Maybe he just wanted to escape the claustrophobic atmosphere at home. Sadia’s lips tightened… maybe he should have considered that she might have wanted a break from it all too. Funny how, now she’s gone, he seems to have eased back a bit at work. All of a sudden he’s got more time for the mosque. She could’ve done with him being there with her when her mother was upstairs dying, instead of leaving her with a series of ‘aunties’ who swanned in, cooked, gossiped, cleaned and tended her mum but, through no fault of their own, couldn’t provide what a teenage Sadia needed. How could they give the things her mother had? Not that her mum had ever been overly demonstrative but at least she was always there and Sadia knew deep down that, although distant, she loved her.
What she’d missed most during that time was her father’s hugs and kisses. He’d always been more loving, more affectionate than her mother. He’d always been the one to provide relief from her mother’s more serious nature. He’d been the light and laughter in the house. Not any more, though. Gradually, she’d become aware, since her mother’s death, of a tightening of his emotions. A more controlled way with him, a stricter, more judgemental attitude. She’d first noticed it when she’d told him, expecting him to be over the moon, that she wanted to follow in his footsteps, that she wanted to join the police force. He’d almost exploded before her eyes. You’d think she’d told him she wanted to pose nude for Playboy the way he went on, quoting the Quran and saying it was no job for a young Muslim girl.
She shrugged off her thoughts and brought her mind back to the present. She wasn’t quite ready to forgive Gus. For fuck’s sake, being a Muslim wasn’t so bloody bad after all and, if he loved her, surely he could revert, just to placate her father. She jumped when Gus spoke, interrupting her thoughts.
‘We’re going to have to re-interview her later, Sad.’
Pulling her coat up against the persistent drizzle, Sadia took a step back
to allow a group of girls in Grammar School uniforms to walk past, before replying, ‘Yeah I know. Clearly there’s a link between Shahid Khan and Trixie which could’ve complicated Jess’ relationship with her friend. You’d think she’d have mentioned it if she knew though, wouldn’t you?’
Gus looked thoughtful. ‘Maybe Trixie kept it secret, knowing how much Jess hated Shahid.’ He pursed his lips. ‘What’s the betting he’s the father of the baby?’
‘Hmm, he seems the most likely candidate so far, doesn’t he? Wonder if he knows about it.’
Gus’ phone rang. Retrieving it from his pocket, he nodded. ‘Yeah, well, it’s time to bring him in again, I reckon.’ Then, looking at his phone, he cursed. ‘It’s my mum. You take the car back. I’m going to nip home to let Bingo out. I need to clear my head a bit and my leg’s stiffening up. See you at the briefing.’ He smiled in what Sadia took to be a half-hearted apology and answered his phone.
Sadia watched him, standing with his habitual hunch, his short mucky brown dreads speckled with droplets of rain, his coat unfastened and his blue eyes sparking with affection as he spoke to the woman he loved more than any other; his mum. She had noticed the way the Grammar School girls had eyed him up as they passed earlier. Not surprising really. He was one handsome bugger. From his side of the conversation, she deduced that his mum had dropped off some of her inedible cookies to the station and that Compo, who’d been testifying at court for the past week in a fraud case, looked very handsome in his suit. A fact Sadia found difficult to imagine, as Compo was, in her experience, not only incapable of looking smart but actively opposed to it. Some reference to hell dog Bingo told Sadia that Gus’ mum, Corrine, planned to take the mutt for a long walk at some point. Hopefully she’ll lose the bloody thing, thought Sadia and then, immediately, felt guilty, for she knew Gus would be devastated if the dog was cut from his life. He’d had more than enough losses to contend with recently.
She took her keys from her pocket and unlocked her car. Slipping behind the wheel, she watched Gus stride down Oak Lane to the ornate gates that marked the entrance to Lister Park, phone still held to his ear. An unexpected wave of emotion flooded her and turning the key in the ignition she came to a decision and, instead of heading up Oak Lane to The Fort, she headed towards the traffic lights at the bottom and took a left, heading along Keighley Road.
13:30 Marriners Drive
When he arrived home, Gus was surprised to see Sadia’s car sitting in the drive and assumed there’d been a breakthrough on the case. He sped up and burst through the front door to find Sadia standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for him. He knew at once, from the look on her face, that she had something other than work on her mind and, after the debacle on the way back from Halifax in the morning, he was only too willing to comply. Without uttering a word, she held out her hand to him and when he clasped it, she led him upstairs, her arse swaying as she moved, making him feel like one of Pavlov’s dogs as he all but salivated in anticipation.
‘This is so naughty,’ murmured Sadia heading over to the bedroom window. As she stretched to pull the curtains closed, Gus came up behind her and, nuzzling her neck, he slipped her jacket off her shoulders and propelled her over to the bed. As soon as the back of her knees hit the side of his king size bed, he pushed her so she landed at an angle, smiling up at him. There earlier disagreement thrust aside, Gus returned her smile. He didn’t want the hassle with her father to get in the way of their relationship. He knew it was going to be a very fine balancing act, but she was worth it. He knew they’d find a way forward that kept everyone happy, but for now he was going to live for the moment. He slid on top of her and began placing small kisses along her jawline. ‘You started this, Sadia, besides, we’ve worked all morning and we’ve been at that damn PM. We deserve a half-hour’s break before we head back.’
He continued to kiss her until the sound of paws half scampering, half skidding on the laminate flooring had him groaning in frustration. He pushed himself up, ignoring her grin and loped over to kick the bedroom door shut, narrowly avoiding Bingo’s snout. Bingo scraped loudly at the woodwork and, from the depths of his belly, emitted a woebegone whimper. Gus cast a disgruntled look at the door and ambled back to the bed kicking off his shoes as he went.
Sadia lay, eyes smouldering behind dark lashes. God, she was beautiful, thought Gus as he pulled her to him again. But Sadia pulled away and looked him straight in the eye, her eyes pleading. ‘Gus, I’m sorry about earlier. I don’t expect you to revert. How could I? I’m hardly an advert for a good Muslim myself, am I? I just hate all this deceit. It wears me down and I suppose I was looking for an easy option.’
‘Look, Sad, it doesn’t matter. Let’s just take this one step at a time, yeah? Let’s just enjoy being with each other. We’ll deal with the shit when it hits the fan, okay?’
He rolled on top of her, moulding her body to his and with an exaggerated wink said, ‘I know you’re not keen on this but, I’m the boss and, well, the boss gets what the boss wants, right?’ As she giggled, he kissed her gently on each eyelid and pulling her hair from its band, he smoothed it over the pillow.
Sadia, already unbuckling his belt, laughed. ‘That, sir, smacks just a little bit of sexual harassment. I might just have to do something about it.’
‘It’s your own fault Sadia, all morning that perfume of yours has been egging me on. It’s been driving me crazy.’
‘Has it now?’ she asked, pulling up her skirt to reveal that she’d already removed her underwear.
‘Oh, I’m in heaven,’ he whispered, as he slipped inside her. ‘I think you’re doing something about it right now.’
‘Yes, but be quick, darling’ she arched backwards, wound her legs round his waist and thrust upwards, ‘I don’t want to miss the samosas.’
Gus threw his head back and laughed. Then, very slowly he pulled himself out from her. ‘Oh, you know, I never rush a good thing.’
With a growl, she tensed her legs and pulled him back into her before suddenly flipping him over onto his back so that she was straddling him.
Gus closed his eyes and giving himself over to the sensations flooding his body, thought I’ve died and gone to heaven. Without warning, he sensed her body tense and she stilled. His eyes flew open and he too became aware of the thud of footsteps ascending the stairs accompanied by his mother shouting, ‘Bingo, Bingo walkies!’
He looked at Sadia. ‘Shit!’
Sadia scrambled off him cursing under her breath and Gus, still half-dressed, shot up and to the door, zipping up his trousers as he went. He stepped onto the upstairs landing, closing the bedroom door behind him. ‘Oh, hi, Mum. What’re you doing here?’
‘What do you think I’m doing here, Gus? I’m collecting Bingo for a walk. More to the point what are you doing here? And who does that car in the drive belong to?’
Gus hated lying to his mum but he was damned if he was going to tell her the truth. Knowing her she’d be delighted to know he had a woman in his life but he wasn’t sure Sadia was ready for his mother’s inimitable presence. Feeling as if his face gave him away he tried to avoid eye contact with her as he replied. ‘I do live here, you know?’ Then as his mum put her hands on her hips he shrugged, ‘I just nipped back to let Bingo out. I borrowed DS Hussain’s car.’
Corrine nodded and clicked her fingers for Bingo, who was gazing up at Gus, his tail wagging nineteen-to-the-dozen, to follow. She turned to retrace her steps downstairs and then, foot poised to step off the bottom step, she looked up at Gus. ‘You do realise L’Eau d’Issey is a woman’s fragrance, don’t you Angus?’
Momentarily flustered, Gus raked his fingers through his dreads, ‘Eh?’
His mum sniffed in an exaggerated manner. ‘I smelled it as soon as I came in. It just happens to be one of my favourite scents, too.’ She stepped onto the hallway carpet, before adding, ‘And, of course, you are, and always have been, a dreadful liar. Say hi to DS Hussain for me, won’t you?’ and with a wink, s
he headed along the hallway to the door. Bingo, tail wagging in anticipation of a walk, followed, leaving Gus staring after them, feeling like he’d been exposed as a fraud of mammoth proportions. He mentally kicked himself. He should have known better than to try to get one over on his mum. Hearing the front door bang closed, he re-entered the bedroom to find Sadia still lying on the bed, grinning. ‘Your mum’s bloody awesome, isn’t she?’
Gus sunk to the bed and pulled Sadia to him, feeling that ‘awesome’ was the last word he’d use to describe his mum at that precise moment. ‘Katie and I could never get away with owt when we were kids, but you’d think I could pull off a minor deceit as an adult. Seems I was mistaken.’
Sadia laughed and ruffled his hair. ‘Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?’ she said, nibbling his lip before he could reply.
Later, sweaty and satisfied Gus lay panting on the bed, ‘Bloody hell Sadia! Where in heaven’s name did you learn to do that?’
Sadia grinned at him and wiggled her eyebrows. ‘That’s for me to know and you to worry about.’
She jumped from the bed winding her hair into a bun so it wouldn’t get wet in the shower. Gus laughed and threw a pillow at her naked bottom as she wandered at a leisurely pace to his en suite. As the shower ran, Gus contemplated joining her but knowing they were cutting things tight for the briefing, he got dressed instead.
When she’d done, Sadia brushed her hair back into its ponytail, whilst Gus opened the curtains and looked out the window. ‘Wonder if that’s the neighbour’s new car,’ he said, watching a red Vectra idling part way down the hill. Sadia circled her arms round his waist and looked over his shoulder at the car.
