The Man Who Wasn't There by Michael Hjorth & Hans Rosenfeldt

Author:Michael Hjorth & Hans Rosenfeldt [Hjorth, Michael & Rosenfeldt, Hans]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2016-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

They were sitting in the living room. Melika had been surprised to see them standing at her door so late in the evening, but she had immediately asked them in. She had invited them to sit down on the big black leather sofa that Said had been so proud of once upon a time. She made a pot of red tea and brought it on a tray with cups and a plate of baklava.

‘I haven’t got much in, I’m afraid.’

‘It’s lovely,’ Shibeka said warmly.

Melika still looked a little puzzled as she set out the cups and poured the steaming tea from the pretty pot. Shibeka was just about to explain why they were there when Mehran broke the silence.

‘My mother has something to tell you.’

Shibeka gave him a grateful nod and tried to appear as relaxed as possible. She was mentally prepared for the fact that this conversation wasn’t going to be easy.

‘I need your help.’

‘In what way?’ Melika said, sitting down opposite them. She hadn’t poured herself a cup of tea. It was a clear sign.

‘I’ve spoken to a TV journalist. About Said and Hamid.’

They both saw Melika’s face stiffen, as if the faint sense of unease she had felt from the start had suddenly crystallised into pure distaste. However, Shibeka chose to continue.

‘He agrees with me; he thinks that what happened is very peculiar.’

She didn’t get any further. Melika leapt to her feet. Her voice was shrill and she practically spat her words at Shibeka.

‘Stop right there, Shibeka! I don’t need some strange man telling me what is and isn’t peculiar!’

‘That’s not what I mean.’

‘Yes it is! You think you’re the only person in the whole world who is grieving, and now you’ve gone running off to some man who’s telling you you’re right. I’m not interested!’

‘I haven’t gone running off to anyone,’ Shibeka replied calmly. ‘I’ve written letters, I’ve made phone calls, and he is the only one who has listened to me.’

‘A man? A Swedish man? A stranger?’

Shibeka gave a faint nod. Melika was swaying back and forth, and seemed unlikely to sit down again while they were there.

‘Can you hear what this sounds like, Shibeka?’ She was gabbling. ‘How many times have you met? Have you been alone with him?’

Shibeka lowered her eyes for a second; the conversation had turned into a nightmare, and there was no escape from disaster. She suddenly realised how stupid she had been; she should have known that Melika would react like this. The other woman’s voice grew even louder.

‘Have you been alone with him? Maybe that’s why he’s so interested!’

Her tone was nasty now, and she glared at Shibeka, who was on the point of losing her temper, even though she knew it was vital to remain calm. To resist provocation. If she fought back it would only make matters worse.

‘Of course not, I was there. My mother knows how to behave.’ Mehran’s tone was authoritative and composed. Shibeka couldn’t quite work out how to react. She had definitely not expected this; in fact she had almost forgotten he was sitting beside her.

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