‘And probably making sure that you’re not white,’ said Malik. He grinned at Shepherd. ‘No offence.’
‘None taken,’ said Shepherd. He looked at Chaudhry. ‘You’re sure, Raj?’
Chaudhry nodded. ‘I haven’t met them but she mentioned them a few times. Asad and Salman. Salman’s pretty fundamentalist but his dad keeps him in check. Asad’s more easy-going but they’re both very protective about Jamila. She said she had a real problem convincing them that she’d be okay in London on her own. In their eyes it’s worse than Sodom and Gomorrah.’ He smiled apologetically. ‘I’m sorry about that,’ he said. ‘Wasting everybody’s time.’
Shepherd put the photographs back in the envelope. ‘Hey, don’t worry about it,’ he said. ‘I’m just glad it had a happy ending. And it shows that the training we did worked just fine. You spotted the tail and we checked it out and no one’s the wiser.’
‘Are you telling me this has all been a waste of time?’ asked Malik.
‘Better safe than sorry,’ said Shepherd. ‘Think of it as another training exercise.’
‘And you’ll pay for my petrol, right?’
Shepherd took his wallet out of his pocket. ‘No problem, Harvey.’
Malik and Chaudhry were sitting on the sofa watching TV when Malik’s mobile rang. He looked at the screen but didn’t recognise the number. He frowned over at Chaudhry. ‘Dunno who it is.’ he said. ‘Do you think it’s Khalid?’
‘Tell you what, brother, why not press the green button and you’ll find out?’
Malik took the call.
‘Harvey?’ It was a girl.
‘Yes?’
‘It’s Nadia.’
‘Nadia?’
‘You’ve forgotten me already? Oh dear.’
Malik grimaced. The girl in the library. ‘Sorry, yes, Nadia, yeah, of course. Hey. How are you?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said. ‘But my laptop’s given up the ghost. I couldn’t ask a huge favour. .?’
‘Sure, you want me to have a look at it?’
‘Would you, Harvey? That would be great. I’ve got an essay here that’s got to be in tomorrow and the thing won’t even boot up. You couldn’t come round here now, could you?’
‘Where are you?’
‘Finsbury Park. Is that close to you?’
‘Just down the road,’ he said. ‘Text me your address and I’ll come right round.’
He ended the call and grinned at Chaudhry.
‘Not Khalid, then?’
‘Some bird I met in the library. Nadia. Fit like you wouldn’t believe me.’
‘What does she want?’
‘Why do you think she wants anything, brother?’
‘Because she’s a fit bird and she’s ringing you. I’m putting two and two together.’
‘She wants help with her laptop.’ Malik picked up a thick pullover and put it on.
‘Who’s going to take care of her dog?’
Malik frowned. ‘What dog?’
‘Her guide dog. She’s blind, right?’
Malik scowled. ‘Screw you, brother.’
Chaudhry laughed. ‘Well, that’ll be the only screwing you’ll get.’
‘I’m fixing her laptop. End of.’
‘You told her to switch it off and on again?’
Malik laughed. ‘That’ll be the first thing I try.’ He headed for the kitchen balcony to get his bike. ‘See you when I see you.’
‘You’ll be back for Isha’a?’
‘I don’t know brother,’ Malik called from the kitchen. ‘Maybe. Depends how it goes.’
‘We need to be seen at the mosque every day, brother. It’s important.’
‘I know. I was there this morning.’ He grinned. ‘But don’t wait up, yeah?’
‘You should take a biscuit for the dog,’ said Chaudhry. He was still laughing as Malik wheeled his bike from the kitchen and out through the front door.
Malik looked up at the building where Nadia lived. She was in apartment 4G, which probably meant she was on the fourth floor, so he didn’t think there was much chance of taking his bike up with him. Outside an office he found a run of black railings with a painted metal notice warning that bikes would be removed but the office was in darkness so he figured he’d be okay. He pulled a plastic-covered chain from his pocket and padlocked the rear wheel and frame to the railings. He went back to the main entrance and pressed her bell on the entryphone. It rang out and she answered.
‘Hello?’
‘It’s Harvey, computer repairs a speciality.’
‘Come on in, Harvey. Take the lift to the fourth floor.’
The lock buzzed and Malik pushed the door open. The lift was small and seemed to take for ever to reach the fourth floor. He walked along to Nadia’s door and knocked. He waited, switching his weight from foot to foot, and was just about to knock again when the door opened.
She smiled up at him. ‘My knight in shining armour,’ she said.