Read Online The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo - Free Book Online Page B

certainly be asked the same questions again. At the moment she and Femi were like two parcels with no address. They could end up anywhere.
    The car pulled up at a low building squashed between two gloomy blocks of flats. Most of the building was in darkness but there were lights in the entrance and inside a couple of windows. The children trailed behind Robert with the hair-tail along empty corridors to an office. Inside was a desk scattered with papers next to a computer, some comfortable chairs and a box of toys in one corner. He pointed to the chairs and asked if they would like a hot drink. Sade and Femi each gave a small nod and he didn’t press them to speak.
    Left on their own, they could hear bits of his conversation on the telephone next door. Sade picked out the opening phrase “We’re looking for a temporary foster home…” She lost track after the first few calls. Femi was half-asleep already, curled up over the rucksack on his knees. After sipping her hot chocolate, Sade closed her eyes.
    The next she knew was that she was being gently shaken. Robert Hair-tail was telling them something about a lady who was willing to take them in for a night or two.
    “It’s only temporary. Mrs. Graham has a boy of her own and takes care of twins. I’m afraid you’ll have to share their bedrooms. Not ideal. But I know you’ll be safe and warm with Mrs. Graham while we explore how best to help you. OK? Are you ready to come?”
    Sade had to make a real effort to pull herself out of the chair. If only they could have been just left to sleep where they were in this office with hot chocolate, toys and scattered papers. It was going to be much more scary to be taken into some strange person’s home. Worse still to share some unknown person’s bedroom. She was sure Femi was thinking the same thing. His head was completely bowed as he hauled himself up. Getting up looked even more painful for him than old Baba Akin at Family House shifting his ancient bones.
    “I know it’s difficult but you’ll be fine with Mrs. Graham.”
    Robert Hair-tail seemed concerned to reassure them. Mutely they followed him back out of the building.
     
    Once again the car became a capsule traveling to some unknown destination. It turned out to be a massive block of flats along an almost deserted road. The dull glow from streetlamps and the ceiling lights above narrow open passageways cast eerie shadows. The lift was out of order and they had to walk up some poorly lit stairs. An awful smell of stale urine slunk in the corners.
    “Be careful where you step. Sometimes there’s glass,” Robert warned them.
    Sade felt Femi pitch a little closer to her. In Lagos there were flats that looked stained and dirty like this but they had never been inside them. All their relatives and friends lived in houses. Mostly houses and spacious compounds with yards and lawns, trees, flowers and fruits. She did not remember ever discussing who lived in the crowded stained-looking flats with Papa or Mama. She just assumed that they must bevery poor people. What kind of place was this where Robert Hair-tail was bringing them?
    On the fifth floor he branched off down the passage and knocked softly at number 59. A short, plump white woman opened the door. Her mouse-colored hair was drawn back from her face by a pink band.
    “This is Mrs. Graham,” said Robert.
    “Come in quick. It’s freezing out there!” said Mrs. Graham, greeting them.
    As Sade stepped into a small room with a table on one side and sofa and chairs on the other, her first thought was that it looked clean and not at all dirty like the stairs. At least that was a relief.
    “Robert says they don’t know your names,” continued Mrs. Graham. “What am I going to call you then?”
    Sade and Femi remained silent.
    “Aahh, well there’s always tomorrow. You can tell us then. When you’ve had a bit of a rest, eh?”
    “They’re tired all right,” said Robert. “We’ll leave all the talking