Page 6 of The Impossible Fortune

What a glow Connie feels. She has to hand it to Ibrahim. When he’s right, he’s right.

4

Ibrahim is dancing with Joanna. He feels a fluidity, a grace, that is missing from his everyday life. He aches when he walks up stairs; he aches even more when he walks down. And yet here, on the wooden floor, the music loud and the lights sparkling, he feels no pain.

There are others dancing, Chris and Patrice, Chris dancing as awkwardly as you’d imagine. Donna is attempting to manhandle Bogdan around the floor but with little success. Bogdan is many things – a lover, a fighter, a painter and decorator – but he is not a dancer.

Ibrahim is aware, however, that a circle has opened up around Joanna and him. That people are watching them dance – a rhythmic clap starts to accompany their moves.

‘Do you think it’s too soon?’ Joanna asks in his ear.

‘Too soon?’

‘I only met Paul six months ago,’ says Joanna.

Ah, this is why they are dancing. Joanna needs advice. That’s fine by Ibrahim: he loves to dance, and he loves to give advice.

‘Well, when did you fall in love?’ Ibrahim asks.

‘Six months ago,’ says Joanna. ‘It was immediate. Did that ever happen to you?’

‘It did,’ says Ibrahim.

Madonna keeps singing, Ibrahim feels the beat coursingthrough him. Joanna says something, and Ibrahim indicates that he doesn’t quite catch it.

‘Are you lonely?’ Joanna repeats. This takes Ibrahim by surprise.

‘People mean different things by lonely,’ he says. Which is true.

‘That’s true,’ says Joanna. ‘But it doesn’t answer the question.’

‘I have Ron,’ says Ibrahim. ‘I have your mother. Even Elizabeth at times.’

Joanna nods. The circle around them has grown wider, the clapping louder. Of course he’s lonely.

‘So,’ says Joanna, ‘am I making a mistake?’

Ibrahim smiles. This is an easy one.

‘Have you asked Joyce if you’re marrying too soon?’

Joanna shakes her head.

‘Then there’s your answer,’ says Ibrahim.

‘But I haven’t asked her?’

‘Exactly,’ says Ibrahim. ‘The answer to every dilemma is in whom you ask for advice.’

Joanna twirls, lights spinning around her as she goes. She returns to face him.

‘Go on, Professor.’

‘You have a dilemma,’ says Ibrahim. ‘Is it too soon? Has love really struck like lightning? Woe is me, I must know the answer. I demand truth! Who can I ask? Who can aid me in this troubled hour?’

Joanna looks over Ibrahim’s shoulder. ‘Your policeman friend Chris has just tripped over a wheelchair.’

Ibrahim turns to look. Chris, who, it turns out, iscurrently on firearms training, is apologizing profusely. Ibrahim turns back to Joanna. ‘So you need sage advice. Your mother would be a good start, and yet you didn’t ask her? Why would that be?’