Page 92 of Lessons in Life

‘Khadija’s son,’ Kamran said, but didn’t expand further. ‘Right, glass of champagne?’ he asked. ‘I’m afraid I can’t join you.’

‘Religious reasons?’ Lisa murmured, immediately wondering if it was a polite question to ask someone she’d only just met.

He smiled. ‘No, not at all. I’ve a big bird to get back over the Channel in a few hours. You?’

‘Me what?’ Lisa wasn’t quite sure what he was asking. ‘Would I like champagne?’

‘Well, yes, but I didn’t know if your religion might frown on alcohol. I think maybe you and I have a similar heritage?’

‘I’ve no religious beliefs,’ Lisa said. ‘I had the Bible thrust down my throat at every opportunity when I was a child. It kind of puts you off any religion.’ She hesitated and then bowled straight in, unable not to. ‘The thing is, I’ve just found out my mum – my birth mother – was English. I don’t know any more than that. My father, I believe, was from India.’

‘Similar, then. My mum’s born and bred Yorkshire; her family go back generations in the north, but my father’s family originated from the Mirpur area of Pakistan.’ Kamran paused. ‘What do you mean you’ve only just found out about your mum? And you seem uncertain about your father?’

‘Long story and tonight, I don’t think, is the time for discussion.’ Lisa found tears welling.

‘I’m sorry, I’ve upset you.’ Kamran paused, indicating to the hovering waiter the glass of bubbly was for Lisa, which she sipped at gratefully, concentrating on the menu that had been placed in front of her. She hadn’t realised all this churning up of her history, of her background, was making her feel so emotionally drained.

‘The thing is, Kamran, I don’t know who I am. It’s probably why I insisted on staying with my ex for so long. At least with him, I had an identity – I was Jayden’s partner.’

‘Jayden Allen, the reggae artist?’

‘You know?’

‘Yes, someone told me.’

‘Right.’

‘Sorry, I just wanted to find out more about you.’

‘And you?’ Lisa asked, finding herself grow pink at the compliment. ‘Are you married?’

‘Not any more. Clare and I split up a few years ago. We have a very amicable relationship now.’

‘Children?’

‘Georgia has just finished at Newcastle; Sophie is in her first year at uni in Warwick and Sammy – Samar – is still away at school.’

‘And the pink leotard?’

‘Sorry?’

‘The personal trainer at the gym.’

‘Just that – a personal trainer.’ Kamran smiled. ‘I’m old enough to be her father.’

Lisa grinned at that. ‘And?’

‘And what?’ Kamran laughed, hesitated and then said, ‘Lisa, I’m not in the market for running after young women in pink leotards. I’ve been single now for several years and, although I found it very difficult at first to admit that I’d messed up my own marriage…’

‘You had an affair?’

‘No, not at all.’ Kamran frowned. ‘You seem determined to portray me as some sort of womanising Lothario, Lisa.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Maybe, Lisa thought, she assumed all men were tarred with the same brush as Jayden? ‘But you just said you messed up your marriage?’

‘I was too much in love with my work, constantly missing social occasions my wife had arranged, often working until the early hours; flying back early from family holidays. Determined that Frozen should be up there with Iceland and the other competitors.’

‘In love with your fish fingers?’ Lisa smiled.

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