The Fall and Rise of the Amir Sisters. Nadiya Hussain

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СКАЧАТЬ Bubs looked older than usual. Older than Farah did, she was sure, and they were twins.

      ‘The poor baby,’ said Fatti, who pushed herself off the sofa. ‘You should offer some help to them, you know. I mean, I know you’re busy, but if you’re tired imagine how the parents must feel.’

      Farah observed her oldest sister, Fatti, who was looking rather well. Marriage agreed with her. It looked as though her husband, Ash, was thinking along the same lines. Every time Fatti spoke, he seemed to think it was the most important thing being said. That’s how Mustafa used to look at Farah when they got married. She felt a pang of loss in the face of Fatti’s gain. Must not compare lives. MUST. NOT. COMPARE. LIVES. If only the heart could do what the head told it to.

      ‘Fats,’ said Mae. ‘I’m sure the parents of the newborn have got enough troubles without you springing Bubblee onto them.’

      Bubblee smacked Mae around the head as their mum said: ‘Fatti, you must think of having your own babies and stop worrying about someone else’s.’

      Fatti just looked at her hands.

      ‘Salam, mate,’ said Ash, shaking Mustafa’s hand.

      Farah had to take a minute and appreciate the moment. After everything they’d gone through in the past few years, they were all here together. Apart from Jay.

      ‘Your brother is out making a delivery,’ explained her mum. ‘He is working very hard now.’

      Farah had to admit that it was better than him sitting around, waiting for someone to fix his life. Even if she wanted to she couldn’t give him money. And she wouldn’t want to – not after he’d turned their lives upside down.

      ‘We should find him a nice wife now,’ her mum added.

      ‘Who’d wanna marry him?’ exclaimed Mae. ‘He’s a proper loser.’

      ‘Mae.’ Their mum narrowed her eyes at her.

      ‘But it’s true though, isn’t it? I mean, he probably needs another five years before he can even support himself, let alone some poor woman who’s got to stay married to him for the rest of her life.’

      ‘Five years? A man has needs,’ said their mum, pausing meaningfully, looking around the room before her eyes rested on her husband. ‘Everyone does.’

      The room paused as her family looked at her.

      ‘Eww,’ mouthed Mae to her sisters. ‘Gross.’

      Bubblee and Farah exchanged looks and Fatti never could hide her blushes. Their dad laughed nervously as he said: ‘Yes, yes, Jay’s amma. Very good. You must be hungry, Mustafa? Hmm? Ashraf? My daughter is feeding you well?’

      Farah expected Bubblee to have something to say about a woman having to feed a man – as if they were incapable of doing it themselves – but she stayed quiet.

      ‘Can’t you tell?’ said Ash, patting his stomach.

      ‘Oh, please,’ replied Fatti. ‘There’s nothing there.’

      Mae laughed. ‘Yeah, that’s because it’s all there.’ She gestured at Fatti’s robust frame, which hadn’t diminished with marriage.

      ‘Mae, you could probably do with some of this yourself. Look at how skinny you are. It’s not healthy,’ replied Fatti, unmoved at the attention brought to her wide hips and thick thighs. She didn’t seem to care whether her stomach protruded any more, and she looked the better for it. She no longer slouched or fidgeted with her hands. Farah noticed that Fatti never looked sideways any more before answering a question, as if she wanted to run away from the pressure of giving an answer. Today she was wearing a long burgundy chiffon top over a pair of tapered black trousers. She no longer wore things that were either too tight or too loose. Somewhere along the way she had managed to balance her wardrobe as well as her life. Her hair was loose and curled and she wore the golden bangles that Mum had given her when she got married, rings scattered on her fingers. Farah noticed she was even wearing earrings.

      ‘Fatti’s looking well, isn’t she?’ commented Farah to Bubblee as they went into the kitchen while the others tucked into the buffet already laid out on the table.

      ‘Yeah. Though not sure about the contents of Mum’s jewellery box being tipped over her.’

      Farah simply sighed. Wearing a pair of dangly earrings might make Bubblee look a little more approachable. She watched her sister’s movements as Bubblee put some samosas in the microwave. Farah uncovered the sandwiches.

      ‘Are you okay?’ Farah asked.

      ‘Hmm? Yeah, fine.’

      ‘I mean, marriage has completely transformed her,’ added Farah.

      ‘Not marriage, Faar. Love. Apparently there’s a distinction.’

      Farah felt uneasy. She began opening the cupboards but forgot what she was looking for.

      ‘Stupid, anyway,’ said Bubblee. ‘As if you should need another person to make you feel better about yourself.’

      Farah wondered whether having another person was exactly what Bubblee needed. Not that she could tell her that without an argument breaking out.

      ‘What about you?’ asked Farah. She lowered her voice, to make sure their parents couldn’t hear, although there was enough chatter coming from the living room. ‘Are you… you know… seeing anyone?’

      Bubblee flashed her a look.

      ‘I’m your sister,’ said Farah. ‘Aren’t I allowed to ask?’

      ‘As my twin, you should know that such things are low on my list of priorities.’

      Bubblee took out some glasses and seemed to avoid Farah’s gaze.

      ‘Okay then.’ Farah leaned against the kitchen top and folded her arms. ‘What is important to you?’

      Bubblee’s eyes flickered. She placed the glasses down carefully, each one next to the other.

      ‘I’m serious. I’m asking you,’ added Farah.

      ‘Being…’ Bubblee itched her head. ‘Being, you know… For God’s sake, just being.’

      Farah paused. ‘You know, your life in London as an artist has made you…’

      ‘What?’

      ‘Nothing. Is Jay behaving himself here?’

      Bubblee shrugged. ‘Mae’s the one to ask about that. I haven’t even seen him yet. Mum and Dad say he’s working hard and Mae hasn’t contradicted them, so maybe he is.’

      ‘That boy used to tell me everything,’ said Farah, staring into space.

      ‘But now you don’t want to know. I mean, he never did deserve being your favourite, and now he definitely doesn’t.’

      ‘No,’ replied Farah.

      ‘It’s СКАЧАТЬ