The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters

by Nadiya Hussain

  ‘The whole thing is incredible, to be quite honest,’ said Bubblee. ‘But with the bad rep that banks have for repossessing homes of families, maybe it’s struck a chord with people. Plus, they’ve all been invited to come to the fete.’

  Farah came up with all the objections we’d already gone through. When I told her what Jay was doing she became very still.

  ‘Where is he?’

  ‘Gone to meet with the person who owes him the favour,’ I said.

  ‘Oh,’ she replied. ‘Well, we’ll see if they’re just like his other promises. Empty.’

  ‘Far,’ said Bubblee. ‘I’ve decided that pessimism doesn’t suit you. Leave that to me, please.’

  Farah looked at her and nodded. ‘It’s catching.’

  ‘Ugh,’ said Mae. ‘Keep away from Fats, then. Or we’ll all be doomed.’

  I checked my phone again. He wouldn’t message this early anyway. He wouldn’t message at all. But I wasn’t going to despair, or compare how one of my sisters would’ve dealt with it, or how it would’ve turned out for them, because this was my life; I had to live it. I got up.

  ‘There’s a lot to do,’ I said as they all looked up at me. ‘Don’t you think we better get started?’

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Mae

  ‘Sorry – Mae, is it? Yes, could we have you with your phone in a natural pose? Yes, just by the sign with your road name.’

  ‘Natural?’ I said to the reporter. ‘There’s no such thing as natural when it comes to phones and photos.’

  ‘Mae …’ warned Fatti, rushing past and into the house with a three-tiered cake. ‘Bubs,’ she called out. ‘We need more icing.’

  Bubblee, who was already getting into her car with Malik, shouted out: ‘On it.’

  ‘Like a car bonnet,’ I added to journo lady, who obvs didn’t have an appreciation for rhyme.

  ‘How do you feel about your role in the way this small town has come together to save two of its treasured inhabitants?’

  Treasured was taking it a bit far. Since when were Mustafa and Farah treasured? But this lady meant well and I was on a verbal ban – as in, I wasn’t allowed to say anything that might be taken the wrong way and used in the media against us.

  ‘Well, it’s great, isn’t it? I mean, are baked goods really the best way to raise money when you think about how it’s going to raise everyone’s cholesterol? I think not, Miss Reporter. But you have to give everyone credit, don’t you? Plus, no-one wants to spend three quid on a kale smoothie.’

  She laughed. ‘Yes, wise words.’

  So wise, she was taking notes, even though the camera was rolling.

  ‘And do you believe it’s going to work? Will this save your sister and brother-in-law from losing their home?’

  I mean, if someone had told me about it I’d be, like, are you kidding? How can cupcakes save a house from being repossessed? But then, this was more than that – this had become a bigger team effort than anyone could’ve thought possible. Before I could answer Paulo and Marnie came bursting through their front door – fully clothed – with more trays, rushed past us smiling and into the house.

  ‘See those people, right there?’ I said. ‘Those, Miss Reporter, are a few of our saviours. Nudists,’ I whispered to her, leaning forward. ‘Not that I care, but I don’t know how Health and Safety would feel about them baking starkers.’

  ‘Terry,’ said the reporter to the cameraman, ‘make sure we get an interview with them.’

  You couldn’t make it up, really. When we went into the house it was buzzing with people – I saw Mum watching Dad as he spoke to Marnie and took the trays she was carrying. Jay and Fatti were stacking up bunting, ready for the fete tomorrow. They always had a functional sort of relationship so I don’t know what happened over the past week or so, but something changed. Maybe they discovered they had more in common than they realised. What’s even funnier is that Bubblee and Malik were actually speaking to each other without Bubblee giving him evil looks. I swear, baking makes people go soft.

  ‘Mae,’ Fatti called out.

  ‘Yes m’lady,’ I said, leaving the reporter to speak to Paulo and Marnie.

  ‘Do you have the video vignette prepared to show on the big screen?’

  I sighed. ‘Oh ye of little faith.’

  My school had allowed us to borrow their big-screen television so that we could show the video I’d put together at the fete. Fatti looked at her phone and put it down again.

  ‘Who are you waiting to hear from?’ I asked. ‘Everyone you know is within about three metres of here.’

  She shook her head as Jay raised his eyebrows at me. ‘Everyone says you ask too many questions, Squirt. I think maybe you don’t ask enough.’ Then he gave me a wry smile, picked up a box and went to put it in the boot of the van that Farah’s neighbour had lent us.

  ‘Something you’re not telling me, Fatti Batty?’ I said.

  ‘Go and do something useful, Mae.’

  I jumped up on the kitchen counter. ‘My uses are indefinable.’

  She carried on taping up boxes and stacking them.

  ‘Have you told your driving instructor friend about tomorrow?’ I asked.

  The good thing about having experience in videoing people and watching them while editing is that you can read every kind of movement they make.

  ‘Can you make sure we have enough napkins?’ she said.

  I had to smile at her, working away, pretending as if nothing was up, when everything was up.

  ‘Yes, ma’am,’ I replied and hopped off the table, swiping her phone while I was at it.

  People say they’re not proud when they interfere with other people’s personal stuff, but I’m not that type, because sometimes you need a mediator to get things going. So, I messaged Ash, told him about the fete tomorrow and asked him to come, pretending the message was from Fatti. The only problem, of course, was if he messaged back and Fatti saw, but as with most important things in life, it was a risk I was willing to take. After all, I couldn’t be told off any more than I had been this past month.

  *

  Paulo and Marnie really did come through for us about being able to use the park – I mean, we were contributing to the community, if you think about it – but it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for them, and obvs Paulo’s mate at the council. The place was teeming with people: couples, children, dogs. Jay even got some Union Jack bunting that we put on all of the stalls. It also turned out that the old town-folk could be quite inventive when needed, with tables full of home-made cakes and biscuits, trifles and pastries. There were some camera crews and reporters interviewing people; I swear it was the event of a lifetime for Wyvernage. And miracle of all miracles, it was sunny. Mum said that’s because God was on our side. It’s good that she didn’t hear Bubblee say that the coma and repossession of the house must’ve been someone else’s plan, then. Just when I think she can’t get any more cynical.

  ‘All right, Abbauuu?’ I asked Dad, smacking him on the back.

  He was looking at all the stalls manned by neighbours and friends, I guess keeping an eye out for any potential disasters.

  ‘Where’s your wife?’ I said.

  ‘Helping Marnie,’ he replied.

  I laughed out loud.

  ‘Careful, or your wife might start sharing Marnie’s – let’s say, life philosophy.’

  ‘Mae …’ he said in warning.

  I sighed, and looked around the park with him as he patted my hand.

  ‘Oh no,’ he said. ‘Who’s that person parking in the children’s play area?’ with which he rushed off.

  It gave me the chance to get my camera out and record. There were Bubblee and Jay with Sasha who’d driven up from London, being haggled by Nora the Borer; Fatti and Malik seemed to be talking about something important. I zoomed into their faces as he smiled at her and gave her a hug. I know he’s a Bangladeshi boatie, but I kind of hope he’ll stay for longer. I looked around to see if there was an
y sign of the driving instructor. I wondered if it was him Fatti was looking for every time she glanced around the place, even when in deep conversation with someone. There was Mum, eyeing Bubblee and then looking over at Malik. I mean, the woman never gives up, even after all that’s happened. Good luck getting those two to tie the knot. She came over to me and told me to stop recording and get the two of them to man a stall together.

  ‘Mum, it’s not going to happen. I mean, she doesn’t hate him as much as she used to, but she sure isn’t going to marry him,’ I said.

  ‘You don’t know,’ she replied. ‘When you’re older then you will realise things.’

  I wanted to go into detail about what these mysterious ‘things’ might be, but Mum had rushed off as quickly as she’d rushed towards me because she’d caught sight of Dad chatting to Marnie. There came a round of applause and I turned around to see Farah get out of her car, with Mustafa. He looked embarrassed. I’d have been too: Congratulations! You lost all your money, and now have a cake! But it was the thought that counted, I guess. Plus, it was good to see Farah actually smiling, especially when Bubblee and Malik walked up to them.

  ‘Oh em geeee!’ cried someone in my ear.

  I turned around and it was Anne, Sarah and Sanjay.

  ‘Don’t ask,’ said Sanjay. ‘My mum made me come.’

  He pointed over at Pooja who had a stall of traditional Indian sweetmeats.

  ‘Whatever, liar,’ replied Sarah, hitting him. ‘You were counting down the days.’

  He laughed as he rubbed the back of his head.

  ‘This is, like, phenomenal,’ said Anne, looking around her. ‘So many cakes and so many people.’

  ‘Yeah, well,’ I said. ‘I just hope it works.’

  Sarah put her arm around me and squeezed my shoulder. ‘Of course it’ll work.’

  But who knew? It was so much money.

  ‘Everyone handed in their coursework?’ I asked.

  They all nodded.

  ‘And now for the exams,’ I added. ‘That’s going to be fun.’

  ‘Yeah, but then think of the summer holiday,’ said Sanjay.

  I thought of the long stretch of time ahead of us and what we’d do. Because let’s face it, one thing Mustafa’s coma’s taught me is you have to make the most of your time.

  ‘Oh my God,’ exclaimed Anne. ‘I know! We should make a film.’

  ‘A film?’ I said.

  ‘Yes! You could write a script and film it and we could act in it,’ she replied, indicating to herself, Sanjay and Sarah. Sanjay was nodding as if he wasn’t completely bored by the idea and Sarah looked at Anne, eyes widening.

  ‘That is the best idea I’ve ever heard.’

  Anne squealed and jumped up and down.

  ‘Really? You think we should give that a go?’ I said, looking at the three of them.

  ‘What else are we going to do?’ said Sanjay. ‘Something better get me out of the house or my mum will start giving me cooking lessons.’

  Pooja waved at all of us as we looked at her. She is what Farah likes to call a progressive. I reckon we need more of those. I put my arm around Anne and walked up to a stall that Mum and Dad were guarding for Marnie, to buy Anne a cupcake. Why didn’t I think of it? Anne was right – it was a genius idea! And already I was thinking of what I could write about – what the story could be. That Anne, she’s really not so bad at all.

  ‘Are you keeping out of trouble?’ asked Dad as we approached.

  I sighed. ‘Yes, Dad.’

  He bent under the table and handed me a bottle that had some kind of green liquid in it.

  ‘Apple, mint and cucumber,’ he said to me, looking rather proud.

  I eyed it with suspicion. ‘Are you sure that’s not code for our hedge?’

  ‘You’re just like your amma. Never forget a mistake.’

  Mum looked at me and the bottle, making a face as if she’d smelt a fart as she asked Anne to help her with some biscuits. Well, I guess I knew where this bottle would end up going, but you had to give Dad points for trying. Speaking of trying, I watched Jay as he was on his own at a stall, counting cash.

  ‘Thief!’ I cried out from behind him as the notes in his hands went flying in the air.

  ‘You little squirt,’ he said, whacking me on the leg and bending down to pick up the notes that had fallen.

  ‘Hope you’re not planning on taking all the profits,’ I said, going to help him. ‘Doesn’t matter, anyway. We’ve got police at all the borders, just in case.’

  ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence,’ he replied.

  ‘Oh, I kid, I kid, big bro,’ I said. ‘Anyway, where would you go? Messed everything up royally, didn’t you? So now you’re stuck here.’

  He sighed and looked around at the masses of people, the gingham tables and colourful banners as people laughed and chatted.

  ‘So, this is my life then,’ he said, gripping the notes. I did wonder whether there was any chance of him running off with as much money as he could get his hands on.

  ‘Yep, and you might as well get used to it. I snatched the money from him and put it in the cash box.

  He looked over at Farah. ‘Well, I guess I should be happy she’s at least saying hello to me.’

  Jay’s not exactly easy to like. Obviously I like him because I can’t be bothered to waste energy not liking people. Plus, he’s my brother, and that means something. But it was kind of a relief to know that it mattered to him whether Farah did or didn’t say hello to him. Maybe he wasn’t a complete lost cause like Bubblee said he was. He locked eyes with Mustafa from across the crowd. Mustafa gave him a nod, then looked away.

  ‘Maybe she’d have forgiven you quicker if you’d gone into a coma too,’ I said.

  It hardly seemed fair that Farah still wasn’t saying more than five words at a time to Jay when she was walking around, hand in hand, with Mustafa as if nothing had happened. He gave a wry laugh.

  ‘That’s love for you,’ he replied.

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ I asked.

  He laughed as he got me into a headlock.

  ‘Get off me!’ I exclaimed.

  He eventually gave up messing up my hair and we both stood, observing the expanse of the park, his arm still around me.

  ‘Everything, Squirt. It’s got everything to do with it.’ He took a deep breath and said: ‘Man the stall for me, will you?’

  I watched him walk towards Farah and Mustafa. He stood in front of both of them and extended his hand to Mustafa. Mustafa looked at it, then at Farah, whose face was unreadable. Then he took it, put his hand over Jay’s and pulled him into a hug. Jay didn’t see Farah breathe a sigh of relief – but it’s okay, because I caught it on camera.

  As the day wore on and the crowds began to thin I wondered how much money we could’ve made. The figure on the fund-raising page had hit five figures a few days ago and it was still growing.

  ‘Listen, Mae, I know you created that Facebook page and made that video, but have you actually lifted a box today?’ said Bubblee, putting some cake in her mouth as she walked up to me with Fatti.

  ‘Leave her alone,’ said Fatti.

  ‘Yeah, Bubs, I focus my talents for optimum outcome,’ I said.

  ‘Exactly,’ said Fatti. ‘That page might just mean we’ll actually succeed.’

  She might feel less gracious towards me if Ash appeared – though it didn’t seem likely since it was nearing the end of the evening. I hoped for her sake that he would. Not that I could really see Fatima in a grown-up relationship – seemed completely weird – but anything to stop her from becoming the Fatti who spends most of her time in her room.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said to Bubblee. ‘Careful what you say or I’ll go and make Mum force you to marry Malik.’

  Fatti glanced at Bubblee who went red in the face and started blabbering about how inappropriate that comment was, and that Mum should respect the choices she had made and … the usual, really.

  ‘Still,
’ she added. ‘He’s not awful. I mean, as a human being. Or man.’

  I was making kissing noises at Bubblee when we saw Farah. She began walking towards us, leaving Mustafa to talk to some of their neighbours.

  ‘Looks like you’ve forgiven your husband then,’ I said as she approached. ‘You crazy lovebirds, you.’

  She glanced at him. ‘Yes. I mean, it’s not as simple as it looks.’

  ‘You seem happy,’ said Fatti.

  Farah considered this. ‘I’m happy he’s back and getting healthy again. But it makes you think, doesn’t it?’

  ‘What?’ asked Fatti.

  ‘That you can’t take anything for granted. And I don’t mean accidents and comas. I mean, the life you live, or think you have.’

  ‘Talk about killjoy,’ I said.

  Bubblee nudged me.

  ‘I just get it,’ Farah said, looking at Bubblee. ‘I don’t mean I agree with you – I’d marry Mustafa again if I had to do it all over, but I became complacent and it wasn’t good for me. Especially when I couldn’t have a …’

  ‘I know,’ replied Bubblee.

  ‘He needs to earn my trust again,’ said Farah. ‘And I need to figure out what I’ll do with my life. What’ll happen to our home – because even if we save it, he’s still lost so much money, I don’t even know if we’ll be able to afford to keep it.’

  I guess we’d all forgotten that it was a long road ahead. I told her to have some cake. I mean, she actually deserved it.

  ‘We don’t have to worry about you flying off to Bangladesh though, do we?’ Farah asked, looking at Fatti.

  I switched my camera off and put my phone away. ‘Not if I hide her passport, she won’t.’

  ‘It’s not that we can make you do anything,’ said Bubblee. ‘But, you know, this is where you belong. With us.’

  Fatti’s eyes filled with tears, which was hardly a surprise – but even my own eyes filled. She nodded and looked around the park again, her eyes darting from corner to corner.

  ‘I know,’ she said.

  ‘Because, Fatti, all this,’ began Farah, opening out her arms around the green, ‘it wouldn’t have been possible without you.’ She looked at Bubblee and Me. ‘All of you. You know that, right?’