‘In a few months time,’ Safet answered with a cringing smile. ‘Bahra, leave us,’ Dido said. Mum tiptoed into the hallway. ‘Bahra isn’t like other women,’ Dido continued. ‘She needs someone who understands her special needs.’ ‘Of course, I understand her condition,’ Safet said. ‘Having children is stressful for any woman her age, but with her illness—’ ‘Bahra and I have finished with that phase of our lives.’ ‘Well, if you can take care of Bahra’s daughter, Safet, I say any man would be happy to have you as a son-in-law.’ As they reached for each other’s hands, I slammed the door and slumped to the floor of my bedroom in disgust. They’d only known each other for two months and now this creep was going to be my stepfather. I was stuffed. After Safet left, Dido called Mum and me to the living room. ‘Your schoolwork has been appalling,’ Dido said. It could have been the refrain to a really bad song Mum and he had written. I wanted to explode. ‘How the hell am I supposed to do my homework when I have to fetch and carry for you?’ My jaw was clenched as I tried not to scream at him.
