Chapter 6
LaylaTehran
January 2001
My uncle’s house had changed. The air felt as empty as
his chair by the unlit fire. His spectacles were still on the coffee
table.
“Oh dear, I’d better put those away. It might upset
Aunty Afrouz to see them,” Aunty Nelly said.
“Nelly joon, I’ll do it – you sit down,”
Maman said.
But my aunt did not seem to hear. She picked the glasses
up, polished them and folded them carefully into their case. “I’ll fetch
Roxana. She’s sleeping, but I should wake her. I’m sure she’s longing
to see everyone.”
“Poor Aunty Nelly, she looks exhausted,” Nasrin
said.
Maman shook her head. “She won’t rest.”
“Is there anything we can do? I can make tea,”
Nasrin said.
“Roshan will do that – I sent her here this morning.
We must help Nelly when people come. It
