Page 97 of Never

An hour later Tab said: ‘How would you like to meet my father?’

‘I’d love to,’ Tamara said immediately.

They were in a quiet Arab restaurant called al-Quds, which meant Jerusalem. The place had become their favourite haunt. They were not worried about being spotted: it did not serve alcohol, so Europeans and Americans did not go there.

‘My father comes to Chad on business occasionally. The Total oil company is Chad’s biggest customer.’

‘When will he be here?’

‘In a couple of weeks.’

She glanced at a reflective window and touched her head. ‘I need to get my hair cut.’

Tab laughed. ‘Papa’s going to love you, don’t worry.’

She wondered whether his parents met all his girlfriends. Before she could stop herself she blurted out: ‘Did your father meet Léonie?’

Tab winced.

‘I’m sorry, what a rude question,’ Tamara said, embarrassed.

‘I don’t really mind. That’s you, you’re direct. No, Papa never met Léonie.’

Tamara moved on hastily. ‘What’s he like?’ She was genuinely curious. Tab’s father was Algerian French, the child of a shopkeeper, now a high-powered executive.

‘I adore him, and I think you will too,’ Tab said. ‘He’s smart and interesting and kind.’

‘Just like you.’

‘Not quite. But you’ll see.’

‘Will he stay in your apartment?’

‘Oh, no. A hotel is more convenient for him. He’ll be at the Lamy.’

‘I hope he likes me.’

‘How could he not? You make a stunning first impression: you’re absolutely gorgeous, plus you have the kind of simple chic style that French people prize.’ He made a gesture towards her outfit: she was wearing a mid-grey shift dress with a red belt, and she knew it looked great. ‘And then he’ll love you for speaking French. Of course he speaks English, but French people hate having to do so all the time.’

‘Politics?’

‘Middle of the road. Socially liberal, financially conservative. He would never vote for the French Parti Socialiste, but if he was American, he’d be a Democrat.’

Tamara understood: in Europe the political centre was somewhat to the left of its American equivalent.

There was nothing about Tab’s father to bother her. All the same, she said: ‘I’m nervous.’

‘Don’t worry. You’ll charm his socks off.’

‘How can you be sure?’

He gave a very French shrug. ‘It’s what you did to me.’

***

The General’s plan was revealed the next afternoon in a press release that went to all embassies as well as the media. He was going to make a major speech at a refugee camp.

There were a dozen such camps in the east of Chad. The refugees came across the border from Sudan. Some were opponents of the government there; others were simply collateral damage, families escaping from violence. These camps enraged the government of Sudan in Khartoum, which angrily accused Chad of sheltering insurgents, and used that as an excuse to send its army over the border in hot pursuit of fugitives.