The Aladdin Trial by Abi Silver

Author:Abi Silver
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eye Books
Published: 2018-03-26T13:20:12+00:00

PART THREE

42

Judith had bought a new suit for Ahmad’s trial. It had set her back almost £400 but she was not prepared to wear the old ones any more. Not only was she slimmer now, but she associated them with her previous life and with Martin, her deceased husband. She had bought two shirts also and had surprised herself by asking Greg which he preferred her to wear on the first day.

Constance noticed that Judith was exceptionally smart but said nothing. She, herself, had bought one new white shirt for the occasion, although she felt the guilt of its price tag weighing heavily upon her when she collected Ahmad’s aged suit from his house the previous night. Then, quick-thinking as ever, she made a short diversion. She had a friend, who was a sharp dresser and of very similar build to Ahmad, and he owed her a favour; she had written him a glowing reference for his accountancy job two years ago and her senior partner had agreed to sign it. She told Ahmad that his own suit had been eaten by moths during its time in the wardrobe, and glowed when she saw his transformation. But no clothes could cover the deep rings around his eyes.

‘Constance.’ Now, after much cajoling, he had finally begun to call her by her first name. ‘I have a bad feeling about this. I have read the newspapers. Already they think I am guilty, all of them, like Miss Burton was saying.’

‘They’re just trying to sell a story. Once they hear what we’ve got to say they’ll change their tune.’

‘I’m not sure,’ he had replied. ‘They don’t like to admit they are wrong. You know that. Maybe it’s not so different here from Syria?’

‘You mustn’t give up just because of the newspapers. In a few days’ time they’ll be onto the next story. I need you to be strong in there. I have asked them to give you a pen and paper. Anything you think of while the judge is speaking, or the other lawyer, or any of the witnesses, you make a note. Anything, however small. And don’t react to things they say, even if you think they aren’t true. Just calm and cool and relaxed.’

‘My wife?’

‘I saw her last night and she was fine. And a police officer went over this morning to check on things. I spoke to her a few minutes ago and your wife was having a cup of tea. Your daughter is at school, as normal.’ Constance hesitated. She hadn’t told Ahmad about the broken window. She had arranged for it to be repaired and had asked Dawson for some extra patrols on the street. He wouldn’t promise her anything, she understood that Aisha was not a police priority, but he had reluctantly agreed to send someone today for an hour, to provide support for his wife, as the trial opened.

Ahmad thought that his wife didn’t drink tea – not the English kind – and she didn’t like strangers in the house, however well-meaning.

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