Chapter 11
MaryamTehran
1980
The Shah had fled clutching a handful of soil, Ayatollah
Khomeini had returned from exile and the Revolution was declared victorious.
The revolutionaries – the mullahs, the nationalists and the Marxists –
celebrated; the wealthy upper classes were, on the whole, shocked and
dismayed. With Khomeini in charge, the mullahs were swiftly taking control,
eliminating enemies and consolidating their power.
Maryam had spent the afternoon having tea with Nelly.
The country was in the throes of upheaval, but tea at her sister-in-law’s
was, as usual, calm and orderly. Nelly served tea in English bone china,
with milk and sugar, and a plate of biscuits.
On her way home, a chadori woman gave her a stern
look and clutched the black tent of cloth around her, as i
