Villoo aunty mutters every foul word and curse she knows, going back to Jesse’s great-grandfather. I fight back with what I think is scientific detachment. ‘Look, I know Jesse’s patterns of speech, okay? She’d never say something stupid and crude like that. If she wanted to insult Shinaz, she’d think of something better than a silly, personal insult.’ My words land without even creating a ripple in their rage. Things get so out of hand that I finally confront Dinshaw. ‘Why don’t you tell Persis the truth that you made this shit up?’ I say. ‘Here they are hating Jesse’s guts because of you and your damn lies.’ But Dinshaw only winks. He is enjoying himself. Mummy finally takes it upon herself to tell Jesse what Dinshaw’s whole family thinks of her. She accuses her of playing with her nephew, of insulting family friends. She returns to our apartment smug and full of herself. ‘Told her off, got it off my chest,’ she brags. ‘My family—we are honest, direct people, unlike some I could mention,’ and here she throws a glance at Mehroo.
