Page 52 of Unknown Royal Baby

‘On that we’re agreed. No doubt when I announce my initiative he’ll try to undermine it.’

‘But whatisit?’

‘It was inspired by my sister, Nur. You know she died young?’

Avril nodded, watching his expression cloud. Clearly his grief was still profound, both for his father and his sister. She thought of losing Cilla and what a relief it had been to talk about her aunt with friends rather than bottle up her loss.

‘Was it a long illness?’

Isam’s expression sharpened and she feared she’d said the wrong thing. Would he see this as prurient curiosity? For a long time he didn’t speak. But eventually the words came.

‘I was at home the night Nur became ill. She’d complained of a headache so I got her pain relief and sat with her while she rested. But when she opened her eyes a little later she winced at the light and she had a temperature, so I called the doctor.’ He paused, swallowing, and Avril felt his pain. ‘By the time he arrived she was complaining of a stiff neck and her temperature had spiked. It was meningitis, swift and fatal.’

Avril heard the desperation in his voice, saw him turn rigid, felt his hand tense around hers.

Not just with grief, she realised, but with guilt. Her heart ached for him. He had such drive, he was used to solving problems and making things better for people. How it must have hit him to be helpless to save his sister. No wonder he was distressed.

‘I’m sure the medical staff did all they could.’

Isam inclined his head but his features remained strained.

‘Youdid all you could, Isam. You were there for her,withher. You got help as soon as you realised there was a problem.’

‘If I’d realised earlier—’

‘How could you, when it just seemed like a headache? I’m sure the doctors told you that.’

He nodded but said nothing and she wondered if there was anything she could say to ease the burden. ‘What was she like? Do you want to tell me about her?’

She saw his shoulders ease down. ‘From the time she could walk she was always on the move. Most of the time she ran rather than walked. She was happy and curious, always busy, often laughing, and she had a kind heart.’

Isam’s mouth formed a crooked smile that tugged at Avril’s heart. ‘She sounds lovely.’

‘She was.’ He paused and rolled his shoulders back. ‘Nur was enthusiastic and energetic but sometimes found school difficult. She passed all her subjects but teachers expected much more and some of her peers were eager to see her fail.’

Avril must have voiced her dismay because he squeezed her hand. ‘Sometimes being royal isn’t easy. My father could have had her taught privately but he thought it important that she learn to mix with others and hold her own.’

Avril’s respect for his family grew. ‘That sounds tough.’ Like most people, she’d thought of royalty mainly in terms of wealth and privilege, not its difficulties.

‘Nur was athletic and sport became an outlet for her. She found her niche in team sports. She was a born leader, encouraging other players, building bonds between them. It was marvellous to see and all the girls gained confidence and abilities from what they learned together.’

‘She was lucky to have such a proud big brother.’

Isam looked startled, then shrugged as if it was nothing. But Avril knew many children didn’t have such loving support, and how much difference it could make, having someone who cared.

‘You have to understand we don’t have a strong history of female sport here. Sport isn’t included in our school curriculum for either sex. That’s what I want to change, to give them all the chance to participate no matter where they live or what their gender. Health experts and educators talk about the benefits of physical activity, and from watching Nur and her friends I saw so many positives. Not just fitness but self-confidence, teamwork, discipline and, for some, a chance to excel.’

He spoke so eloquently, it was easy to read the strength of his feelings as well as the work he’d put into exploring this. She felt caught up in his enthusiasm.

‘I want to establish facilities across the country so all our young people have the chance to engage in sport, in school and outside it. I want to tie it into programmes on healthy living and give every child and adolescent chances simply to enjoy themselves. Life can be short and for some it’s very difficult. This is another way to bring people together, building bonds and individual benefits.

‘Sorry, I’m on my soapbox. It’s something I want to do in Nur’s memory. My father was fully behind it, if I could raise the funds.’

Avril sank back, moved by his passion. For his beloved sister and his people. How many political leaders used their own money to achieve something for the public good?

‘I think it’s a terrific idea, giving chances to people who don’t already have them.’

She imagined there were plenty of remote locations in Zahdar. She wondered if Hafiz’s objection were solely because of the cost or because the project would specifically include females.

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