I told the chauffeur to find out for me when my father was going to return. He told me he’d be back in four days. Even if he was here now it would be too late, but I try to while away the following four days with the least fuss possible. I don’t want to meet Amir and I don’t call Ibrahim either. I tell the maids not to let the Thai girl enter my palace again, especially not my bedroom. I don’t want to chuck her out, so I provide lodging for her until I find someone to take her as a gift. I promised her to Amir but I might let my brother Hakim have her. We don’t usually bed each other’s concubines, but Hakim is not choosy.
* * *
I’m busy playing with my lions when Hadi walks up to the fence.
“There is a message for you from your father’s palace: They have arrived.”
I leave the lions and
