Babatunde Yes, but it’s not a direct line. When they used to pray, it would hit our ears clear as a bell. Now it’s harder. We’re having to eavesdrop on them, like children hiding under the stairs.

Yetunde We can still divine what they need, from under the stairs! We’re still their ancestors. We have our judgement, our discerning ears.

Adebisi What kind of thing do you hear?

Babatunde Hmm! Well – you didn’t hear it from me but . . . you know Fola?

Adebisi Yes. What has she done?

Babatunde She wants to marry . . . an Igbo man.

Adebisi Hey gods!

Babatunde I know.

Yetunde Ah-ah! I think she should now! She should marry who she wants –

Adebisi An Igbo man?

Babatunde Impossible!

Yetunde Look at you people. Me, I died before you both. Before those yeye borders were drawn, when our tribes actually meant something!

Adebisi They still mean something!

Yetunde I should be the one, of all of us, to be against Fola’s marriage. He’s a good man. They’re in love. What’s the sense in keeping them apart just for the sake of tradition?

Adebisi Because traditions are important! They’re who we are –

Yetunde Says Mrs Convert!

Adebisi Eh?

Yetunde You! When you were on earth you abandoned our traditions to go and serve the white man’s god.

Adebisi That was different. We had to. They would beat us for worshipping the old gods.

Babatunde Shh! Did you hear something?

Adebisi No.

Babatunde Hmm! I wish I could summon up a drink while we wait.

Yetunde Baba!

Babatunde Being so close to Aiye is making me itch for my senses again. For the taste of palm wine. The scent in a lover’s hair.

Adebisi What happened with the council for that one, Yetunde?

Yetunde For Fola?

Babatunde Yes. Did they bless the wedding?

Yetunde Of course now! We blessed it sharp sharp. We weren’t going to stand in their way. Just because of their tribes. That council was very quick.

Babatunde Where is this fourth Ancestor? We always arrive at the same time.

Adebisi Why do we need four?

Babatunde There’s always an Ancestor of the North, East, South and West.

Adebisi Which one’s which?

Yetunde I’m the North. I’ve been dead the longest.

Babatunde Not if the ancestor we’re waiting for is your elder.

Yetunde Well then, I am the North until further notice.

Adebisi Where are they? When will they come?

Yetunde Na wa for this one! I don’t know how you can be long dead and still be doing African time –

They are interrupted. They all breathe in.

Babatunde Are you getting this?

Yetunde Yes.

Adebisi I can hear them.

They are silent.

Scene Two

London, Present. The Akindeji dining room.

Tara She should marry whoever she wants! The rest of the family will come around.

Segun Not this family.