The man and his wife welcomed them nervously and offered them cold water. They brought out kolanut too, in a blue plastic bowl. And then the wife disappeared to the backyard to eavesdrop on the ensuing conversation. ‘To what do I owe this visit?’ Lela’s father asked, after his visitors had taken some water and politely declined the kolanut. He kept looking nervously at Taduno’s guitar. He sensed that the guitar meant trouble, and he wished he hadn’t come with it. ‘Oh, we just came to visit you as neighbours,’ Taduno said. ‘I am aware that I haven’t paid you a proper visit since I returned.’ He hesitated. ‘I mean, since I moved to this neighbourhood.’ ‘It is very thoughtful of you to come,’ Lela’s father said, beginning to sweat profusely. ‘I see Aroli around a lot. He is always riding through our street on okada.’ Aroli nodded eagerly. ‘Oh yes, that is right.’ ‘By the way, where is Judah?’ Taduno asked. ‘I think he must be in his room sleeping.’ ‘I see.’ Taduno nodded, then hesitated.
