Wale came back. He smiled at me, gave me my drink and with the other hand, led me to the dance floor. He was looking at me so deeply. Like he could see into my future. My past. As if he could see everything I’d ever denied myself and longed for and lost, all in one moment. He pulled me in closer. We were dancing now. Chest to chest.

I hadn’t been touched by a man like that. Not since University. Not since . . .

I think he was about to . . .

Then we heard the shouting. We all heard it, before we saw. The police came in. So many of them. They were screaming so loud. Shouting words, I won’t repeat. It was Biblical. Beating us – three men to one: battered on the floor. I tried to run. One of the men from the sofa, he was bleeding on the ground. From his head, I think. It didn’t look like he was moving.

And I couldn’t find Wale. As I ran, I searched for him. But I couldn’t find him. He let go my hand, as soon as we heard the voices. Before I knew what was happening. The music kept playing. I can still hear the song. It was ‘High-life’. So sweet. In all the screaming, the running, the beating; the music kept playing. I couldn’t find him anywhere. Then I felt the blow. Hard. To the back of my head.

When I woke, I was in jail. They put me in for the night. I had to call Wunmi to come and collect me. The police told her why I’d been arrested. And . . . well, after she came to get me, she dropped me off here, didn’t say a word and left. I haven’t seen her since.

Beat.

The sound of static.

Scene Nine

The North Star.

Yetunde Did you hear all that?

Babatunde Every word.

Adebisi So he’s from the present?

Babatunde That isn’t possible.

Yetunde Teju? Do you understand us?

Adebisi He must be. He must have only just died.

Yetunde I’m so glad you’ve come. I’m so very glad you’re here.

Babatunde That doesn’t make any sense.

Yetunde We have an opportunity here. You’ve ascended to the afterlife. Do you understand me?

Adebisi Why wasn’t he sent to Orun re-re?

Yetunde You’ve bypassed your resting place to come and make this vote.

Babatunde This must be a mistake.

Yetunde The gods do not make mistakes. Omotara is getting married. Your niece. Much beloved. She’s getting married to the woman she loves and we’re here to decide whether to bless the wedding.

Adebisi Babatunde and I are voting no.

Yetunde But with your vote, and Tara’s will, it doesn’t matter. We can go ahead and bless it.

Adebisi This is unfair!

Yetunde How?

Adebisi He’s not supposed to be here! The gods wouldn’t send him here straight from death.

Babatunde Plus, he’s biased.

Yetunde No he’s not!