The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters. Nadiya Hussain

must he have thought of me?

      ‘No, thanks, Amma. I’m just having this.’

      She looked at my plate of fruit and frowned.

      ‘You can’t just eat that,’ she exclaimed and was already making me a cheese-and-prawn sandwich when Bubblee came down.

      ‘Morning,’ Malik said to her.

      I took the sandwich Mum handed to me as I watched them and munched on the huge bite I’d taken. Bubblee simply gave him a nod as she made a cup of coffee for herself.

      ‘Amma, I really think you should call Jay,’ she said to Mum.

      Malik glanced at her as she said this. ‘Bubblee is right, Kala,’ he added. ‘Wouldn’t he want to know?’

      Mum looked annoyed but turned around and got the flour out for the chapattis.

      ‘I know Farah’d want to talk to him,’ added Bubblee. ‘And she’s in no state to call him herself, or tell him what’s happened.’

      Mum shot her a look before turning to Malik. ‘There’s no need to worry him,’ she said.

      I saw Bubblee shaking her head in disbelief. I probably wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t for the fact that Malik was staring at her. I took another bite of my sandwich and wished I hadn’t as Malik looked at me – my mouth full – while Bubblee’s delicate mouth sipped at her coffee. He smiled at me though, so kindly that I didn’t know whether to swallow what was in my mouth, or cry.