Page 96 of Never

‘Oh, it will, you’ll see.’

Tamara was desperate to see a draft, but she could not ask, after Dexter had caused offence by making the same request. Could she pick up a hint? She said: ‘What has delayed the speech, I wonder?’

‘We are still making final preparations.’

‘Preparations?’

‘Yes.’

Tamara was genuinely mystified. ‘What preparations?’

‘Ah,’ said Karim with an enigmatic smile.

Tamara said ruefully: ‘I’m trying to imagine what preparations you could need that would be so elaborate they would delay a speech for more than two weeks.’

‘I can’t say,’ said Karim. ‘I mustn’t reveal state secrets.’

‘Oh, no,’ said Tamara. ‘Heaven forbid.’

***

That evening, before going to meet Tab for dinner, Tamara phoned her ex-husband Jonathan. He was wise and loving, and he was still her best friend. It was time she told him about Tab.

San Francisco was nine hours behind N’Djamena, so he would probably be having breakfast. He picked up right away. ‘Tamara, sweetheart, how nice to hear your voice! Where are you? Still in Africa?’

‘Still in Chad. How about you? Is this a good time to talk?’

‘I have to go to work in a few minutes, but I have time for you, always. What’s happening? Are you in love?’

His intuition was good. ‘Yes, I am.’

‘Congratulations! Tell me all about him. Or her, but if I know you, it’s a boy.’

‘You know me.’ Tamara described Tab in glowing terms and recounted their trip to Marrakech.

‘You lucky girl,’ was Jonathan’s comment. ‘You’re crazy about him, I can tell.’

‘But it’s been less than a month. And you have to admit that in the past I’ve fallen for men who weren’t right for me.’

‘So have I, darling, so have I, but you have to keep trying.’

‘I’m not sure what to do next.’

‘I know what you should do, if he’s anything like your description,’ said Jonathan. ‘Lock him in the cellar and keep him there as a sex slave. I would.’

She laughed. ‘Seriously, though.’

‘Seriously?’

‘Yes.’

‘All right, I’ll tell you, and I’m as serious as a heart attack.’

‘Go on.’

‘Marry him, you fool,’ said Jonathan.

***