Tara He’s gay?

Mosun Was. Yes, he was gay.

Tara Did you know?

Mosun We didn’t know for sure. Your dad always had his suspicions but he married! We thought he’d put it all behind him. Sounds like he shot himself on the road side. Miles away from the village. From Lagos! What a mess. I feel sorry for the person who found him like that. And the talk! That’s the worst thing. Your grandmother is having to fend off so many questions. The whole neighbourhood is spreading rumours about him. About their family. It must be awful.

Tara Why didn’t you tell me?

Mosun It was none of our business. It only would have encouraged you.

Tara What do you mean? It’s not infectious! He couldn’t make me more gay.

Mosun You had a choice.

Tara What?

Mosun You could have chosen something else.

Tara This isn’t about me.

Mosun You said you were bisexual! You didn’t need to do this thing.

Tara That’s not true.

Mosun You’re my only one! You’re all I have. I sacrificed everything for you. To come here and look how you repay me.

Tara I can’t live my life indebted to you!

Mosun And why not?

Tara Because it’s ridiculous!

Mosun I’m your mother. You owe me everything.

Tara Not this. Not who or how I love.

Mosun You shouldn’t live like this! See what happened to your uncle. This thing, it never ends well.

Tara I think you should go.

Mosun No Omo, we need to talk about the funeral. The travel.

Tara I’m not going. I’m not going anywhere with you.

Mosun You mean you’re going to miss your uncle’s funeral? This is important. This is family.

Tara I can’t go there with you. If that’s how he died. I don’t want to.

Mosun Well, your father will be very disappointed.

Tara I don’t care.

Mosun Eh?

Tara About either of you. About what either of you think.

Mosun What do you mean?

Tara I’d like you to leave, Mum.

Mosun You’re being very rude.

Tara I’d really like you to go.

Mosun Alright.

Tara Hope you have a safe flight.

Mosun It means we’ll miss it.

Tara What?

Mosun The wedding. We thought you could come back early. But your father and I, we’ll need to stay on. We weren’t going to come to the wedding anyway but . . . I just wanted to say . . .

Tara OK. That’s fine. It doesn’t matter now.

Mosun Yes.

Beat.

Don’t let Gloria charge you extra for doing nothing!

Tara OK.

Mosun That woman is a viper.

Tara Yes Mum.

Mosun And make sure to take lots of pictures.

Tara I will. We will.

Mosun Good.

Tara Bye Mum.

Mosun Bye darling. I love you.

Tara Yeah.

Scene Fifteen

London, outside Mischa’s home.

Tara Lee?

Leah Fucking hell.

Tara Sorry!

Leah You scared the shit out of me!

Tara I’m sorry –