One problem at a time, Nikki thought, shoving the phone back into her pocket. In Kulwinder’s living room, the television flashed like a siren against the windows, which had curtains only partly drawn. Nikki rang the doorbell and waited but nobody came. She tried again and then peered into the window. She could see into the whole bottom storey from here. She squinted at the kitchen – lights on, a steel teapot and matching cup on the table, but no one in sight. Nikki shivered from the cold. The rain was getting heavier now. She tugged the hood of her jacket around her head. Opposite Kulwinder’s lit house, Tarampal’s home was completely dark.
Nikki crossed the road and hesitated on the edge of Tarampal’s driveway. She was hoping for a better view of Kulwinder’s house but she would have to go closer to Tarampal’s porch. It was clear that nobody was home but this was only a small comfort. The house still loomed menacingly, its gaping windows like blackened eyes. She forced herself forward. At least the awning on the porch provided some shelter from the rain. On the second level of Kulwinder’s house Nikki could see that the dim bedroom lights were on. She squinted, searching for more. At one point, she thought she saw a shadow crossing the window but it could easily have been a sheet of rain being carried by a strong gust.
What am I doing here? The question struck Nikki as the awning rattled with the thrum of rainfall. Even if she knocked on the door and Kulwinder answered it, what were her chances that Kulwinder would calmly return the stories? The pages didn’t really matter. The women could retell them. There were recordings. What Nikki wanted to do was talk to Kulwinder. Explain how the stories came about. Compel her to see that these women who had started one quiet rebellion could come together to fight a bigger injustice. Her heart and mind were still racing from her discovery about Jaggi’s handwriting. She just needed to convince Kulwinder that the case was worth pursuing.
Nikki ducked out from under the awning and made her way back to the main road. She would not confront Kulwinder today. It was too soon. Let her cool off; this was probably what she was doing now. On the main road, Nikki made a left towards the station. Her satchel swung against her hip without the usual weight of the stories. The windows of houses shone with a warm and familiar light. Nikki felt an ache for home. As the rain pelted down, she recalled the long walks through the city after quitting university, her face wet with rain and tears. She had entered O’Reilly’s on a particularly wet afternoon, so grateful to belong somewhere, to be hidden.
Nikki stopped in her tracks. The pub! The widows could continue their meetings in the back room. She strode quickly through the rain and pulled out her phone.
‘Sheena, I’ve found us a place to move the story classes. O’Reilly’s, where I work. It’s quite empty on weekday evenings.’
‘You want those old Punjabi widows to meet in a pub?’
‘I know it’s a bit unorthodox, but—’
‘I’m picturing it now.’
‘I am as well,’ Nikki said. Her vision switched between a scandalized Preetam refusing to enter and a drunk Arvinder swinging from the chandeliers. ‘But listen, Sheena, once we get the stories started, they won’t notice where they are. The important thing is to keep meeting. It can be a temporary place until we find a better solution.’
‘I could drive a few of the older women,’ Sheena said. ‘I could find a friend to take some others and give them directions. You tell me where it is and I’ll sort it out.’
‘You’re sure you don’t mind?’
‘No problem,’ Sheena said.
‘Another thing,’ Nikki said. She paused. Sheena was not going to like this. ‘There might be way to incriminate Jaggi.’
‘Hai, Nikki!’
‘Just listen.’ Nikki rushed to explain the smudged registration form before Sheena could protest.
‘What did Kulwinder say?’ Sheena asked when Nikki was finished.
‘She didn’t want to hear it,’ Nikki said. ‘I think she was too caught up in her shock and anger about the classes. I’m still in Southall at the moment. I thought of going to her house but I’ve decided to give her some distance.’
‘If you’re near Kulwinder’s house, you’re not far from mine. Do you want to come over? It’s really pouring out there.’
‘That would be nice,’ Nikki said. ‘I’m on Queen Mary Road. There’s a bus stop here and a little park across the road.’
‘Okaaay … oh! I can see you now.’
‘Where are you?’ Nikki squinted. Through the rain, she could see the outlines of people in their homes but no specific view of Sheena.
‘I’m across the road. I live near the park – but Nikki, don’t stop. Keep walking quickly.’
‘What’s going on?’
‘Just go straight and make a left at the next junction.’
Nikki felt a dreadful prickling sensation, and from the corner of her eye, she noticed a shadow. ‘I’m being followed?’ she whispered.
‘Yes,’ Sheena confirmed.
‘Who is it? Can you tell?’
‘It might be one of the Brothers,’ Sheena said.
‘I’m going to turn around and say something.’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ Sheena hissed. Her tone startled Nikki. ‘Keep walking. Stay calm. There’s a 24-hour supermarket. Go to the car park and wait for me. I’ll come get you.’
‘No, Sheena. I’ll be fine.’
‘Nikki—’
Nikki hung up. Her stalker would recognize Sheena’s little red car. Being on foot was an advantage. She picked up her pace. Her breath caught in her throat. She could hear the person behind her, not slowing down, not turning. He was waiting to see where she would go. She dropped back to a casual pace, her eyes darting left and right to keep track of the shadow. She crossed the road to the supermarket and took refuge in the white, open expanse of the car park. Only then did she dare to glance over her shoulder. A young Punjabi man was staring intently at her. Nikki matched his stare with all the calmness she could muster while her heartbeat thrashed in her ears. Eventually, he walked away, but not without casting a menacing look at Nikki over his shoulder.
Chapter Thirteen
Kulwinder woke. She sat upright. The duvet fell away from her, revealing her naked body. She gasped and pulled the sheet up, tightening it across her chest and tucking it beneath her armpits. Sinking back into bed she noticed the coolness of it against her bottom, her calves. She recalled the events of last night as she spotted her clothes tossed around the room carelessly. Her salwaar hanging from the corner of the ironing board, her top crumpled in the corner, her pants – her pants! – scrunched into a ball on the dresser and slowly unfurling.
She closed her eyes in embarrassment. Oh what have we done? she thought. Behaving like goreh, getting carried away in their excitement. They had wrapped themselves around each other last night like giddy lovers, moving up and down, left and right, twisting even. Where had it come from? The stories had provided no instructions, but they had known anyway how to bring each other to such heat. The thought of it sent shocks through Kulwinder’s body and then she was overcome by a wave of shame.
But why?