Girl Without a Face by Nasser Hashmi

Author:Nasser Hashmi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

She phoned Tom after breakfast but his line was engaged for about fifteen minutes. She was about to give up but he called back saying he was delighted to hear from her because he didn’t actually think she’d respond to this ‘lovers tiff’ because she had plenty of other things to think about. Laura replied that this was true but that she couldn’t believe how short the relationship with Sophie had been and that’s why she was willing to at least listen to ‘the other side’ having already listened to her best friend’s reasons for why the liaison had been cut short.

‘I’ll get onto that in a minute,’ said Tom, who was eating a chocolate croissant and supping a coffee as his late breakfast. ‘But I wanted to ask you about Bon Visage. I heard it went well. I know you were sceptical about it but Francesca does have a habit of charming people into her circle.’

‘Charming? I wouldn’t quite call it that. Chiming like a clock, maybe. No, it was good – and you were right about her. I shouldn’t have been so fearful. It was a wonderful experience. I’m still thinking about it now.’

‘So you’ll go again?’

‘Maybe…’

‘She wants you to. I speak to her almost every day.’

‘Sounds like you work for her.’

‘Well, you know where my passions lie: campaigns, activism, petitions, protests – but I also need to have the bread and butter of some earnings – and that comes when I recommend certain people to certain agencies, charities or groups so they can get the help they need.’

‘So you got paid when you recommended me to Bon Visage?’

‘No, because I knew you – but I do get a few pennies when I recommend other people to the group. Same with other charities or groups. There’s so many other people out there who need help. People who get arrested for no reason. Sick people who rely on cannabis. Victims of muggings or burglaries. I’m just there if they need me so I can point them in the right direction.’

Laura coughed and cleared her throat. ‘And there’s Sophie thinking you’re a left-wing nutcase! You’re actually a capitalist at heart.’

‘I’m just helping people, Laura, and that’s the bottom line. Some are so desperate for help they’ll do anything. The simple fact is if these charities don’t have the footfall or numbers then their funding is cut or they won’t exist. If what I’m doing keeps them afloat then I’m proud of that.’ He paused and took a sip of coffee. ‘Aren’t you glad that Bon Visage exists?’

‘Yes…’

‘And didn’t it give you some hope? Maybe you wouldn’t have met those other victims otherwise.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘Well, there you go then. That makes me feel happy.’ He lowered his voice slightly. ‘Talking of happy, I bet Sophie’s exactly that after finishing with me. It was a huge shock, I’ve got to say. We barely got going.’

‘I don’t know if she’s happy – but she’s made her decision now and, knowing her, she’s not one to have many regrets.

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