Sometime after Fatema's big family reunion and her cousin's marriage, things in her home settled back into their normal routine. Which meant Fatema once again had the use of her father's Indian driver to run her around shopping and take her to the beauty salon. She was very kind to this young driver, giving him small gifts, hand-me-down clothes to send home to his family and, as with many trusted servants, he soon began to ask her for small loans. Not a lot, just a few durhams to tie him over until his next pay day. Fatema lent him the money and he always paid her back. Then one day she, she later recounted to Kip, she pretended to get a little angry, scaring the poor man into believing she might just tell her father he'd been asking her for money and he'd lose his job. After that the lad was like putty in her hands which is why one weekend morning, a Thursday, Kip receive a call from Fatema asking if he would be at home all day.
'Yes. Why?'
'I'm coming to visit you. Open your villa gates and my driver will come in. Once I get out and go inside, he will leave and you can close the gates behind him.'
She had it all worked out, had been planning the visit for weeks. Her dad would be in Dubai all day, the driver was hers to use and her mum and the other females had all gone to the salon a few days before. Fatema had feigned a headache and hadn't gone with them. She'd go at the weekend, she said, then meet up with her college friend Aysha for lunch and do some shopping with her.
'I'll be there in 15 minutes. Is that OK?'
'Fine, I'll go out now and open my gates.'
Kip's mind raced. Had he invited anyone round for lunch? Would David turn up? No, he always phoned. Gracie, his Filipino girlfriend would be working, her free day was Friday and the a half day mid-week. He walked outside into the hot humid day and opened his villa gates. He started his car and moved it forward to allow Fatema's driver plenty of room to drive up. Peeking through the cracks in the partition wall between him and his neighbour he saw with mild relief that Maria's car wasn't there. Then returning to the villa he checked the bathroom was clean, took a quick shower and brushed his teeth. He thought about being naked when Fatema arrived, but remembering he'd need to close the gates he quickly threw on some baggy pants and a clean t-shirt. He's phone beeped a message, 'Here now!'
As he opened his front door a black covered figure flashed passed and vanished into his house, he walked over to close the gates. The driver had arrived, deposited his passenger and left again with all the speed of a Formula One pit stop, only a cloud of dust hung in the air. Locking the gate Kip returned to the house and the waiting Fatema.
She was there, her abaya and shayla already dropped to the floor next to her trainers. She stared at him nervously, biting her bottom lip. She was wearing jeans and a white top that showed her black lace bra underneath.
She started to speak, an apology for not giving him more warning. Did he mind, was he angry? Kip took her in his arms and kissed her quiet. Then he took her hand and lead her to the bedroom. She looked at the large bed and smiled. Standing on tip-toes she put her arms around Kips neck and they kissed again.