It was lust and greed, all that lies frozen and dormant, that remains harmless until we warm it up and activate it, until we accidently bring it back to life.

The Hoopoe told her another story. ‘Three fishes were swimming in a stream. They were content with their life, eating as much as they wanted, unthreatened by bigger fishes or other predators. One day, they sensed the approach of fishermen, men whose intention was to draw their nets. The first fish said, “To save my life I will escape from here. I will make the difficult journey to the sea. And I must do it alone and in secret. My friends will surely weaken my resolve. Their love of their home waters will persuade them to stay.” Without saying goodbye, the first fish set out and was saved.

‘The second fish said, “I am by nature crafty. I will play a trick on the fishermen. I will float belly up in the water and they will think I am long dead and discard me.” This is exactly what happened. One fisherman caught it in his net but believing it dead, tossed it back in the water. The fish swam off and was saved.

‘The third fish made no preparations. When the fishermen arrived, it panicked. Darting here and there in the water, it leapt high and fell with a splash. With greater agitation, it jumped again even higher and flopped down in the fisherman’s net.’

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

On the morning that marked a week since their arrival, the rain kept them indoors, in each other’s company. From the window, the sky was a low uniform grey. To Moni it felt like being in an airplane that was passing through dense clouds. She was the one least put out. To her, the outdoor life was still not entirely comfortable. If it wasn’t for the boy, Adam, she would not have gone out at all. She spoke about him now to the others, how well behaved he was, how adorable and agile. If only he would talk to her.

Iman was wearing a warrior costume that none of them could recognise. It made her look bulky. ‘Aren’t you too warm?’ asked Salma. She was the one most restless. With weather like this, she would not be able to run. The ground would be muddy. Besides, her phone had been confiscated from her, or at least that’s how it felt. Moni insisted that it still stank and was not fit to have inside the cottage. The phone was now perched on the sill outside the kitchen window. Safe from the rain, but still exposed to dampness and out of earshot. Already since dunking it in the water, the screen was becoming blurred. In messages, certain letters needed to be guessed at. Salma wished she had her old one with her, but she had left it in the car.