Syed stirs in sugar and milk. He takes a sip and then warms his hands on the cup. His teeth begin to chatter. He arranges the blanket around his shoulders and back. The man takes the pan off the hob and scrapes the soup into a bowl.

The bowl is chipped. Syed looks up. ‘My parents will pay you back the money as soon as they come.’

The tenant waves a hand. He watches Syed eat. ‘I can get more food if you want it. I have the key to the shop.’

Syed shakes his head. ‘Why’s the shop shut?’

‘It’s Friday, man.’ He laughs. ‘I’m not a very good Muslim.’ He smiles at Syed. ‘Do your parents know you’re coming? They never said.’

‘I didn’t know myself until last night. I tried to call them from the airport.’

The tenant picks up his mobile and dials. He shakes his head. ‘Phone’s switched off. Still in the mosque, or visiting someone.’ He turns on the lamp and goes for the curtains.

‘Could you leave them?’ says Syed. ‘I’d like to see outside.’

‘Of course. Yes. Of course.’

Syed finishes his soup. The tenant clears it away and sits back down opposite him.

He leans forward. ‘I’ve followed your case,’ he says. ‘In the papers. Al Jazeera. Sometimes the BBC.’

Syed nods.

The tenant nods. ‘Eight years,’ he says.

Syed passes a hand over his eyes.

‘Would you like to sleep?’

‘I am very tired.’

The tenant drags out a small couch. ‘Here.’ He puts two cushions at the head.

Syed rises from his chair and moves heavily to the couch. Now that the lamp is on, the darkness seems to fall faster around it, this pool of yellow light the only lit space in the world. He lies down and the tenant draws the blanket over him.

‘Shall I leave the curtains open? The light on?’

‘Yes. Please.’

‘Should I try your parents again?’

Syed shakes his head and closes his eyes. ‘It’s OK,’ he says. ‘I can wait.’

‌Oh Whistle and

God has very particular political opinions.

John le Carré

M is whizzing round the Cheltenham Waitrose, throwing sugar snap peas, prawns, rice noodles, ready-sliced peppers and pumpkin soup into her half-sized trolley. Oh, and milk.

L is setting out the exercise books and children’s drawings ready for parents’ information evening.

Z swaps his Oyster cards in his wallet before leaving the house, switching to his other, pre-reg card for the journey from home to the party meeting. It means he misses out on the daily cap but hey.