Stella couldn’t stop thinking about the nine who’d spoken up. It seemed likely they would be held for years this time, not months. She ought to feel pity or guilt, but instead she resented them for putting her in this position. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t go inside again, she knew that. There was so little left of herself, she couldn’t afford to lose any more. When her turn came, she felt Siew Li’s disapproving eyes on her, but still—not knowing how she would atone for any of this, trying not to think what she was doing—she picked up the pen.

6

Henry

“My father died last night,” says Henry on the phone to Revathi. “Also, Ralph is gone. For good this time, I think.”

“Ralph is an arsehole. I’m sorry about your dad.”

“I should have gone back sooner. I didn’t think he’d…”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I think. We weren’t close or anything. Still…”

“How’s your sister doing?”

“Janet? You know, indestructible.”

“Can I do anything?”

Henry lies back on the sofa. “No. I don’t know. Talking helps.”

“When are you going back?”

“Day after. Saunders can take over my classes. I might be gone a while.”

“The funeral?”

“Friday. There’s the whole flat to be cleared out, and probably all sorts of paperwork. I should give myself a bit of time.”

“Sensible.”

“I don’t feel sad enough. It comes and goes in waves, but even at my saddest, it doesn’t seem sufficient. I don’t really feel much of anything. Is that normal?”

“Your boyfriend dumped you and your father died. You’re allowed to be discombobulated.”

“He left yesterday, before I got the news, for the record. He’s not that much of an arsehole.”

“Why do you care how much of an arsehole I think Ralph is?”

“Rev, what’s happening with my life?”

He hears crunching, and she says indistinctly, “If I could give you the answer to that, I’d be a lot wiser. You’ll be all right.”

“You don’t know that.”

“You’re right, I was just trying to make you feel better.”

“Will you feed my cat while I’m gone?”

“I’ve got a better idea. I’ll come with you.”

“What, to Singapore?”

“I’m due a trip anyway. Haven’t been for a couple of years, and you know I need to stay in touch with what’s going on.” Revathi’s books and articles very much depend on her being ahead of the curve on Southeast Asia, packaging trends and developments into neatly understood gobbets for consumption in airport lounges and board rooms. “Hey, I have air miles and an expense account, I’m happy to come. You sound like you could use the company.”

“I really could. But are you sure?”

“What else would I be doing?”