by Ann Massey
“Well you hit the jackpot with the Galaxy,” I said. “You couldn’t have found a better hotel if it had been designed for the job.”
“Actually, it was purposely built to government requirements.”
“Really! It must have cost a bomb.”
“It sure did.” He lowered his voice. “The investors agreed to install anti-terrorism security measures on the understanding that the summit would be held here.”
“But the delegates are only here for two days. After that the G20 moves to Sydney.”
“The hotel board is well aware of that ... but the chairman told me that as far as he and his fellow directors are concerned you can’t put a price on publicity.”
“Sounds like they’ve got more money than sense.”
“I thought the same as you at first ... but their plan is to market the Galaxy as a bombproof hotel. And with terror attacks on tourists on the rise, I think they could be onto a winner. Besides, the State Government sees the G20 as an opportunity to promote Perth as a world class destination.” He dropped his voice. “Word is they chipped in a million dollars.”
“You’re well informed.”
“I was on the committee that developed the security measures. In fact, it was my idea to install a security door between the lobby outside the bank of elevators and the rooms on the secure floors.” He smiled smugly, before going on to explain that a skilled hacker could bypass the elevator access control system by setting it to fire-service mode.”
“You can’t beat experience,” he said as he led me up to the security door on the twenty-third floor and swiped his card.
Hasn’t he heard about tailgating, I thought as I followed him through the door? Buttoning my lip wasn’t an option even though I was about to damage a relationship that had already got off to a shaky start. “Sorry to rain on your parade, Chief Superintendent ... but haven’t you ever followed an authorised user through a security door?”
From his slumped shoulders it was clear this common practice hadn’t occurred to him. “Holy Fuck,” he said with the dazed expression of a boxer who’d taken a hit below the belt.
“It’ll be all right...”
He groaned. “Jesus, how can it be? The first of the delegates arrive this evening. I’ll have to let the Commissioner know.”
“But not before you inform him you’ve come up with a solution.”
“Such as?”
“Well, we could deploy some of the existing air force personnel staffing the security floors as elevator operators on the secure floors. All servicemen are trained to perform gate-duty.”
His brow furrowed. “To man three elevators twenty-four seven we’ll have to deploy nine at the very least.”
“No way. In the air force the rule is that you work as long as is needed to accomplish the mission.”
“But even if we cut back to six, that’s still going to leave us short-staffed, and the guests and more importantly, the hotel directors, expect us to provide five-star services.”
“And the RAAF will ... everyone will have to work double shifts. I’ll get whoever’s in charge of job allocation and scheduling to come up with a new roster.”
The dazed look faded from the chief superintendent’s face. “I owe you,” he said
“No probs. I’ll brief Peters.”
Twenty-three
Annie was uncharacteristically subdued. The visit to the pediatric ward had clearly troubled her. But it wasn’t until we were waiting for Karim in the car outside the liquor store that she blurted out, “Why do countries keep fighting wars?” It was one of life’s biggest questions. One I’d asked myself many times. But not when I was ten years of age.
I said, “It’s a bit like two angry boys fighting in the schoolyard. Nations go to war to settle disputes that they are unable to resolve peacefully.”
My sister was silent for a moment. “That sucks,” she said fighting tears. “War is cruel. If you don’t believe me, ask poor Amobo.”
“Is that the little girl who lost a leg?”
Her tears were flowing now. “Yes ... b-but that wasn’t all she lost. Her house was blown up and her m-m-mother was buried under a pile of bricks. By the time her father got them off her ... s-she wasn’t breathing.”
I didn’t know what to say. “That’s awful,” I said finally, “but she’s getting the best of care from the doctors and nurses over here.”
Annie exploded. “It’s not going to bring her mummy back, is it? I wish something could be done to stop wars.”
“Well, if you are serious you should become an anti-war activist.”
“What’s that?”
“An activist is a person who campaigns for some kind of social change such as ending homelessness or stopping wars.”
“Nobody’s going to take notice of me ... I’m just a kid.”
“So is Greta Thunberg. She’s a teenage climate change activist from Sweden and she’s unified millions of activists, young and old all over the world.”
I’ve seen her on the telly,” said Annie. But she still looked doubtful.
“I’m not saying it will be easy, Annie ... nothing worthwhile ever is. But if you’re serious, talk to your friends and try to persuade them to think as you do. For instance, you could set up a community page on Facebook to connect with young people with similar beliefs. I’d have to set it up in my name because I think you have to be thirteen to have a Facebook account.”
She nodded. “Then what?”
“Well ... you’ll need to come up with a name for the page.”
“What about STOP WARS?”
“Perfect.”
Excitement glowed in her eyes. “When can we get started?”
“How about tomorrow?”
She was bombarding me with questions when Karim opened the passenger door. He dumped a carton containing a bottle of Merlot, a litre bottle of coke and Annie’s favourite snack, Cool Ranch Doritos, on the seat beside her. “What’s that about stopping wars,” he asked as he fastened his seat belt.
“I’m starting a Facebook page for kids who want to end wars,” Annie said excitedly. “Beth is going to help me get started."
“That’s fantastic.”
“And I’m going to be an aid worker when I grow up, like you and Beth used to be.”
“Terrific! You’ll be brilliant.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Absolutely!” His gaze flickered from Annie’s face to mine and back to hers. “After all, you’re very much like your sister.”
She made a horrified oh-no face at me. “May I come to the hospital again, Dr. Farouk? I could bring some toys for the littlies and read them stories.”
“I’ll have a word with Dr. Randall. He’s taking over from me,” he said, as he started the engine and shifted to reverse.
Annie looked surprised. She glanced at me and then with an astuteness that belied her age she began talking about how much money she could raise selling Macdonald’s Happy Meal collectibles.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, I was perched on an all-weather sofa on the full-length balcony on the sunny side of Karim’s smart penthouse in leafy Shenton Park, absent-mindedly twirling a lock of hair round my finger and gazing at the fiery red sunset. The magnificent eucalyptus trees that graced the park cast dark shadows on the surface of the lake below. To my surprise, Karim had slipped his hand in mine as we’d walked from the car to the apartment block. Now as I attempted to separate individual hairs from the tangled strands twisted around my fingers, I felt more confused than ever about our relationship. The sound of the kitchen door opening made me jump. I wrenched the knot apart, grimaced at the hank of hair in my hand and went inside.
From the open plan living room I could see Karim laughing with Annie in the viewing pit. I couldn’t hear what he said to her over the roar of the television, but she reached up and took a glass from the tray he was holding. I hadn’t shaken my melancholy mood when Karim came over to me. He put the tray dow
n on the coffee table and took a seat next to me on the sofa. His solid thigh rested next to mine. Everything I’d meant to say to him went out of my head.
He handed me a large glass of wine and then poured himself a glass of water from a jug on the tray. I rolled my eyes. “I hope you don’t expect me to drink this whole bottle on my own. Why not join me?”
His smile faded. “Drinking alcohol is forbidden by Islamic law?”
“That never stopped you before. I remember when you used to say ... give me a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou beside me singing in the wilderness. Back then you thought the African wilderness was paradise on earth.
“When I rekindled my faith I put all that behind me.”
I sighed. “I wish I could!”
His stern expression softened — there was a look of longing in his face. “We’ve got tonight, Beth. Let’s not think about tomorrow.” He took the glass from my hand, set it down on the table and reached for me. As his lips met mine, excitement welled up inside me. But as I felt his fingers start fiddling with my bra’s fastener, I came to my senses.
“We can’t, I said, “I don’t want Annie to catch us snogging.”
He stiffened. “Snogging?” he said through clenched teeth. “Is that all this is to you?”
I’d chosen the pejorative term for love-making deliberately, to hurt him. “What else?” I said casually as if what we’d been doing was of no importance. “I’m just you’re little bit on the side. That’s all I ever was.” I couldn’t keep up my nonchalant facade and a sob burst from my throat.
Sadness clouded his features. “You know that’s not true.” He put his arms around me and held me as I wept against his jacket.
Finally, I lifted my head. “Karim, I can’t keep on seeing you ... it’s not fair to your fiancé.
“Beth,” he said gazing deeply into my eyes, “I was about to tell you ... the engagement’s off.”
I gaped at him. “When did that happen?
“On Thursday.”
He’d broken his engagement the day after I’d had him over for dinner. That had to be significant. With my heart in my mouth, I said, “Have you told your father.”
“Yes.” He paused to top up my wine glass, “and he’s totally fine with it, now that my younger brother has agreed to take Panya off my hands.”
My jaw dropped. Take her off his hands! What was wrong with these people? I was horrified at the idea of the young girl being tossed back and forth like — words failed me. “Was Panya consulted?”
“Of course not. She wouldn’t expect to be. In my culture it’s the norm for fathers to arrange their children’s marriages ... I understand that you might think it’s slightly odd.”
“Slightly odd! I think it’s criminal.”
His smile faded. “Hardly, Beth. Arranged marriages are as successful as free choice ones. Take my parents ... you couldn’t find a happier couple and they met for the first time on their wedding day.”
“In that case, why did you break off your engagement?”
“I intended to go through with it,” he said tightly, “and I would have. I’m not the kind of man who breaks a vow.”
“What changed your mind?”
He cleared his throat and loosened his collar. “You came back into my life. I couldn’t possibly marry Panya when I’m still in love with you.”
I got so emotional I couldn’t speak. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. When I had control of myself I said, “Why did you ask her to marry you in the first place?”
“My parents rushed me into it.”
“You could have said no.”
His mouth twisted. “I was an emotional wreck after what happened to me in Suruç. Their love put me back together.”
I reached for his hand. “You don’t have to talk about it”
“Y-yes I do.”
The break in his voice pierced my heart. I squeezed his hand. “Go on,” I said, my own throaty voice betraying my emotions.
After a moment’s consideration he said, “When I came to my senses,” I vowed I’d make up for all I’d put them through.”
All he’d put them through! I was furious. What sort of parents ramrod a shell-shocked son into an arranged marriage? “What did your parents have to say about your change of heart?” I asked, speaking softly in an attempt to keep the rage out of my voice.
“They were shocked at first, but when I told them my brother had agreed to take my place, they came around.”
I lifted an eyebrow. It was hard for me to believe his family could be so hard-nosed and Karim so matter-of-fact. “But what about Panya’s parents ... you can’t tell me they didn’t have something to say?”
Karim shook his head. “Beth you’re not getting it ... the marriage was just a way to consolidate both families’ economic interests. As far as Panya’s father was concerned, one son was as good as another.”
“I can’t believe Panya felt like that.”
“Beth, she’s never met me. We haven’t even spoken on the phone. She wouldn’t recognise me if she passed me on the street. Believe me, our betrothal wasn’t a Mills and Boon romance.”
I was shocked by what he’d revealed about himself. For years, I’d dreamt about a future together. Now when it looked as though it might happen ... for why else had he broken his engagement ... I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share my life with a man whose views on marriage were nothing like mine.
I got to my feet. “I should be getting Annie home.”
Karim followed me to the entertainment pit. Annie was curled up on a beanbag sound asleep. I glanced at my watch. “Goodness it’s only six-thirty. It’s not like Annie to fall asleep this early.”
He clicked off on the TV remote control. “Not a good recommendation for the program she was watching,” he said, and draped a throw rug over her.
I said, “We should get going.”
“Don’t go ... there’s a steak sitting in the fridge with your name on it. How would you like it cooked?
I weakened. I was always going to. “Medium rare, smothered in onions.”
* * *
I woke next morning in a strange bed with a splitting headache, a mouth that felt like the bottom of a birdcage, and a tongue as parched as the Sahara. Annie was lying next to me, curled on her side, with her knees tucked up, snoring louder than a lawnmower on a Sunday morning. Karim came breezing into the room. “Welcome back to the world.” He handed me a tumbler filled with an effervescent liquid. “Drink this.”
I gulped it down. Did I pass out?” I had no recollection of anything that occurred last night after I’d downed a third glass of wine.
He nodded. “I put you to bed,” he said, checking my pulse.
“Serves me right for slamming down three drinks in a row,” I said shamefaced.
He shook his head. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think you’ll find a virus is to blame. There’s one doing the rounds of the hospital. A number of my patients have come down with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Annie is showing similar symptoms.”
“Oh dear! She’ll be devastated if she’s too sick to attend the opening ceremony”.
“The symptoms only last for twenty-four hours ... she’ll be better tomorrow.”
“You don’t look convinced.” My scepticism must have shown on my face.
“I don’t know.” I lifted up my hands and let them fall. “I hope you’re right.
“Well,” he said, after a moment’s hesitation, “it won’t hurt to dose her up on echinacea and zinc. Both are helpful in treating viral infections. I’ll write out a prescription. You can pick some up from the hospital’s pharmacy on your way home.”
Twenty-four
The following evening, I was pressing a skirt when my cell rang. When I heard Miss Clare’s voice I immediately thought Annie’s symptoms were back, though she’d been bright as a button when I’d taken her back to school.
“Is Annie all right?” I asked, fearing the worst.
“As far as
I know, my dear.”
I smiled at the endearment. Away from St. Agnes’s I transformed from a novice teacher to an old girl.
“Although Anne is the reason for my call.”
Instantly I envisioned trouble. Misdemeanours were seen to by Bonnie Stevens, the discipline mistress. For the head mistress to call it must be serious. My voice shook as I enquired what Annie had been up to.
“I am not always the bearer of bad news, Elizabeth. Quite the opposite, in fact. As it happens, I received an invitation to the official opening of the Refugee Trauma Unit at the children’s hospital, but as the quarterly meeting of the Independent School’s Association has been moved to Tuesday, I can’t go. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to give it to than you.”
I was speechless.
“There’s no need to thank me,” she said tartly.
“I’m so grateful,” I said hastily. Having me there will mean so much to Annie.”
“Quite. I’ll leave the invitation in your pigeon-hole. You can collect it in the morning. Now as you are deputising for me, a substitute teacher will take your classes tomorrow. Naturally, I shall expect a full report.” She wished me good evening and terminated the call. I was still in a bemused state when my PA, as I think of Siri, announced another call.
“Karim, I’m so glad you called. In point of fact, I was about to call you. You’ll never believe what’s happened,” I said, thrilled as a lottery ticket holder with six winning numbers. “The Headmistress can’t go to the function at the children’s hospital and she’s given me her invitation. I’ll get to see Annie present the bouquet to Kate. Isn’t that wonderful?”
After a ten second silence I said, “Are you still there?”
“Sorry ... your news took me a moment to process.” He sounded agitated. The reason soon became apparent. “I’ve been working on my speech all afternoon. As my resignation is effective as of 5:00 PM tomorrow, I’d hoped to get out of making one, but the CEO insisted.”
