On the way home, it felt as though his head would explode with worry. Gone was the comfort he had felt when he first heard Ibrahim’s solution, about how Salama would receive the revenge he deserved, yet no blame would fall on him or his father. Ibrahim had unwittingly destroyed this sense of reassurance when he guessed - and it seemed he must be right - that Zakiya had not left the village. Which of the Qassimi homes could she be hiding at? He couldn’t exactly go and inspect the houses of the Qassimi one by one in search of her. He didn’t want to do that, and in any case he didn’t want to find her. Finding her would be a huge disaster. What could he do with her, or for her? It would be better if she left and disappeared forever, without a trace. Salama could go to hell, but Zakiya? If she
