In Dependence

The boys from the bakery had arrived, and she had lost Yusuf’s attention to Samir, who wanted to know what they were celebrating.

else.
“Ex-colonies you mean! Madame Pagnole, this is delicieux. Fantastique!” Vanessa smiled.

Moreover, his politics embarrassed Father, especially in front of people like the Murdochs, who shared his conservative views. Uncle Tony was not a Communist Party member (his taste in clothes, art, and wine precluded this), but he sympathised with the Left and considered himself a late Fabian. Father also begrudged his brother-in-law for having had the opportunities that he would have liked; namely, being born into the upper class and achieving a place at Cambridge University. To make matters worse in Father’s eyes, Uncle Tony had had the effrontery to squander his opportunities, dropping out of Cambridge and associating with people Father deemed socially and politically unsavoury.

Tayo wondered, as they spoke, how he would perceive Nigeria once he returned. Would he see things more clearly? And what, as a foreigner, were his thoughts on England? What pearls of wisdom might he have to offer? They stayed up late discussing these questions, but still got up early the next morning. They were to visit Versailles on their last full day in France and were packing a picnic. They were almost ready to leave when the telegram arrived. Christine was dead. Suicide.

She would get him a print of Louis Armstrong or Sonny Rollins or, failing that, she could always look for a first edition of The House at Pooh Corner. Tayo had introduced her to some of his favourite writers so it might be nice to do the same, provided he didn’t think Pooh was too childish.

He opened the door wider, wondering if he ought to ask her to wait while he changed but what would he change into? He had no decent pyjamas, not even a dressing gown, which made him realise why he ought to have heeded the British Council’s advice on clothes to buy for England. Vanessa still wore her lovely dress that was now discreetly covered at the neck by a mohair stole.