It was a nursery school not far from Sadhbela; and the return journey only took twenty minutes. She pulled her car into the compound of the building, manoeuvring it into her parking place with difficulty. A taxi was wedged inside the gates, and the driver stood talking to the watchman. As Jyoti got out of her car, Dr Subramaniam emerged from his surgery and peered into the taxi. Lakshmi was slumped inside; she was limp and her eyes were closed. ‘What’s happened?’ Jyoti exclaimed, hurrying up. ‘We know only that she appears ill,’ Dr Subramaniam said. ‘Just now this taxi has arrived with her.’ ‘Call her mother,’ Jyoti ordered the watchman, who went immediately to instruct Gopal. Jyoti was shocked at Lakshmi’s appearance. She had not seen her since the wedding, which she had briefly attended with Lokumal. ‘Nobody home,’ Gopal said, coming up with the watchman. ‘One hour ago they left to visit relatives in Colaba.
