Chapter 14
LaylaTehran
January 2001
I arrived at the gate, lungs heaving, barbari
clasped under my arm. I rang the bell and leaned against the wall to catch
my breath.
Roxana’s voice broke through the crackle and hiss of
the intercom. “Layla? Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me,” I called.
She said something but I couldn’t make it out over the
buzzing of the gate. As I pushed it open, there was a snatch of sound from
the speaker – excited voices, I thought.
Roxana met me at the door. “Where on earth have you
been?” she asked, taking the bread from me. “We thought we’d lost you
too.”
I heard the voices again, only louder, and then there
was one I’d wondered when I’d hear again. Was it possible?
“Sara’s here,” Roxana said.
I stared at her. How long had I been gone for?
She laughed
