Kulwinder gave Nikki a weak smile and a final wince for good measure.
After Nikki left, Kulwinder stood by the window. From up here, life in Southall shrank to miniatures – people and cars and trees she could collect in the palm of her hand. No wonder the men always seemed so high and mighty during meetings. They watched the world from this vantage point and it looked insignificant. Just look at that cluster of widows weaving through the parked cars like ghosts. They could be scrunched-up pieces of paper. Kulwinder cast a weary glance over her office and made a decision. She would do the official paperwork here but she would make it a point to spend most of her time on the ground with the women. She should start now.
As she moved away from the window to pick up her bag, she saw Nikki’s tiny figure crossing the lot. A young man was waiting for her. It had to be Jason Bhamra. Kulwinder had heard from the widows that they were an item now. She saw them meeting, their limbs bumping in playful greeting. Nikki tossed her head back and let out a laugh as Jason whispered into her ear.
Kulwinder turned toward the temple and uttered a quick prayer in gratitude of pleasure. The sensation of contact, the anticipation of a kiss or brush of Sarab’s hand across her bare thigh – such moments were miniuscule but they amounted to a lifetime of happiness.
Acknowledgements
Gratitude, love and admiration for the following:
Anna Power, the first person to read this story and see its potential. From mentor to literary agent and friend, your dedication and enthusiasm keep me going.
The entire HarperCollins team for welcoming me so warmly and with such excitement. Martha Ashby and Rachel Kahan, your feedback and insights made editing a discovery rather than just a process. Kimberley Young, Hannah Gamon and Felicity Denham, I’m very lucky to have such passionate champions for this book.
Jaskiran Badh-Sidhu and her wonderful parents and grandmother, whose love and generosity made England feel like a second home. Without you, this book would not exist.
Prithi Rao, your comments on this manuscript were invaluable and your friendship even more so.
Paul, you are absolutely everything good, inspiring and true in this world. It would be a very unfunny life without you. I love you to bits.
About the Author
Balli Kaur Jaswal was inspired to write Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows after spending time in Southall while writer in residence at the University of East Anglia. Born in Singapore, she has lived all around the world, including Australia, Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Turkey, the US and the UK. She now lives in Singapore.