‘He read it?’ he heard Jia ask as he approached. She took something from the man and placed it in her bag. Elyas was surprised they were speaking in Pashto not English, but he reminded himself there were Caucasian-looking Pathans.

‘He did,’ came the man’s reply.

‘Thank you. For taking it to him,’ said Jia.

His gaze lowered, the man placed his right hand across his chest and bowed his head before leaving.

Jia turned around to find Elyas behind her.

‘Who was that?’ he said.

‘Someone who knew my father,’ Jia said. ‘He wanted to introduce himself.’

‘Wasn’t he sitting next to us? The man you apologised to in Pashto when you arrived?’

‘Yes, I think so.’

‘How did you know he was Pathan? I couldn’t help assuming he was white.’

‘I don’t know, Elyas, maybe I don’t make assumptions like you.’

‘It was just a question.’ Her dismissiveness was beginning to grate.

‘Shall we go back to our seats?’ she said. Her voice was distant and detached, and it riled Elyas further. He had kept his emotions in check for the sake of his son, but he couldn’t do it any more.

‘What’s going on with you?’ he burst out.

‘Excuse me?’

‘Ahad. He’s really trying, and you’re not. Why are you being cold with him?’ His voice was loud, his face agitated. A few people turned in their seats to see what was happening, but he didn’t care. ‘He’s upset. Our son is upset. You don’t seem to give a damn. What kind of a woman are you?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said, stepping out of the stream of concert-goers making their way back to their seats.

Her empty words angered him further. ‘I’m talking about the fact that you left me!’ he said. ‘I’m talking about the fact that you walked out on me and you never even thought to give me an explanation! I’ve been raising him alone. Yes, it made me stronger, and I’m probably a better man for it, but I don’t want to feel like this any more. And Ahad has no choice but to crave your love, yet you dangle it in front of him and then don’t make any effort!’

‘Are you done?’ she said.

‘No!’ he said. ‘I’m pissed off!’ He inhaled and shook his head. ‘I’m done.’

‘Go back to London, Elyas. You’re a nice guy, but this isn’t the place for nice guys.’

‘Listen to me, Jia. He’s a good kid. But he’s not had it easy and that’s led to him making some bad choices. I’m worried that once he crosses the line he won’t be able to find his way back.’

Standing behind them, Ahad heard every word, and he knew that the line had already been crossed.