Page 57 of Never

‘No!’ She did not know whether he meant dollars, euros, or something else, but in any currency it was a ridiculously large payment for a kiss, and she felt instinctively that more than that would be demanded of her. And she feared that, even though he seemed nice, he might become insistent and try to force her.

He said: ‘You drive a hard bargain. All right, a hundred for a fuck.’

Kiah ran out of the room.

Fatima was right outside. ‘What happened?’ she said.

‘He wants sex!’

‘Did he offer you money?’

She nodded. ‘A hundred. Bucks, he said.’

‘Dollars.’ Fatima took Kiah by the shoulders, leaning close, and Kiah breathed in her perfume, like scorched honey. ‘Listen to me. Have you ever been offered a hundred dollars before?’

‘No.’

‘And you never will, unless you play the game. This is how you earn tips, though not all our customers are as generous as Albert. Now go back in there and take off your panties.’ She took a small, flat packet from a pocket. ‘And use a condom.’

Kiah did not take the condoms. ‘I’m very sorry, Fatima,’ she said. ‘I don’t like to go against you, and I really want to be a waitress, but I can’t do what you ask, I just can’t.’ Kiah was determined to keep her dignity, but to her dismay tears began to flow. ‘Please don’t try to make me,’ she begged.

Fatima’s face took on a determined look and she said: ‘You can’t work here if you don’t give the customers what they expect!’

Kiah found she was crying too much to reply.

The security guard appeared and said to Fatima: ‘Is everything all right, boss?’

Kiah realized that if they decided to force her, the guard could hold her down with little effort. The realization changed her mood. The worst thing she could do now was look helpless, an ignorant village girl who could be pushed around. She had to stand up for herself.

She took a step back and raised her chin. ‘I will not do this,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, Fatima, but it’s your own fault – you deceived me.’ Speaking slowly and emphatically, she said: ‘So let us not have a fight.’

Fatima looked angry. ‘Are you threatening me?’

Kiah looked at the guard. ‘Of course I can’t fight against him.’ She raised her voice. ‘But I can make a terrible row in front of your customers.’

At that moment a customer looked out of another private room and called out: ‘Hey, we need more drinks in here!’

Fatima said: ‘Coming, sir!’ She seemed to relent. ‘Go to your room and sleep on it,’ she said to Kiah. ‘You will see things differently in the morning. You can try again tomorrow.’

Kiah nodded without speaking.

Fatima said: ‘And for goodness’ sake don’t let the customers see you whimpering.’

Kiah walked away immediately, before Fatima could change her mind.

She found her way to the staff door and crossed the courtyard to the girls’ house. Jadda was sitting in the entrance lobby watching television. ‘You’re back early,’ she said disapprovingly.

‘Yes,’ Kiah said, and hurried upstairs without explanation.

Naji was still fast asleep.

Kiah stripped off the uniform she now thought of as prostitutes’ clothing. She put on her shift underdress and lay down alongside Naji. It was past midnight, but she could hear the band and the roar of conversation from the club. She felt tired but she did not fall asleep.

Zariah came in at about three o’clock, her eyes sparkling, a fistful of money in her hand. ‘I’m rich!’ she said.

Kiah was too tired to tell her she was doing wrong. In fact, she was not even sure it was wrong. ‘How many men?’ she said.

‘One gave me twenty, and the other I did with my hand for ten,’ said Zariah. ‘Think how long it takes my mother to make thirty!’ She took off her clothes and headed for the bathroom.