Chapter 12Iris awoke to a sensation of being poked with a sharp twig. “Yow!” She squirmed to a sitting position, pulling her T-shirt down over her midriff, and turned to see Laila squatting, one bony forefinger lifted, aiming for her uncovered belly. There was the noise of clanging aluminium milk cans outside the window. Iris groaned into the pillow. “Not again!”
Not again!Laila was dressed to go out and her hair was neatly combed into two severe ponytails held up by two giant lemon-coloured fasteners. “Jaldi karo!” Laila’s voice held a note of exasperation. She grabbed Iris’s wrist to jab at her watch. Iris felt tension grab her chest and tighten it, hard. The orphanage! She was supposed to go to the orphanage today with Laila. She jumped out of bed swiftly and dabbed at her teeth quickl
