Web of Lies by Beverley Naidoo

settled back in front of the television. He must have a lucky angel looking after him! He had been very worried that Sade was going to tell tales. Instead, he had managed to charm Mami Cynthie—and Papa! If he had made up a story about going out, Papa might have believed that, too! But it wasn’t worth the risk. He wondered if Errol’s house was already sorted. Papa and Mami Cynthie were writing about children being captured. Sometimes he felt captured. It wasn’t the same, of course. James said he should challenge Papa more. But maybe it was easier to charm him.
     
    Mami Cynthie waved to Femi from the front door before leaving.
    “Say good-bye to Sade for me, please.”
    Looking up from his cards laid out on the carpet, he lifted his hand and smiled. He wasn’t going to tell her that it would be a crazy thing to do. Papa followed her out of the front door. If Sade was right that she was now Papa’s girlfriend, he was probably kissing her good-bye. Femi couldn’t imagine it. He wondered about creeping up to the window. But if Papa saw him behind the net curtain, it would be asking for trouble.
    Papa wasn’t long. As soon as he came back in, Femi saw him enter Sade’s room. Femi levered himself up and tiptoed down the corridor. The door wasn’t completely shut.
    “This is not like you, Sade. Why were you so rude to Mami Cynthie?”
    There was no reply. Femi bit his thumb.
    “Have you nothing to say?”
    Silence again.
    “I’m used to silence from your brother but not from you, Sade.”
    Femi thought he heard Papa sigh.
    “Mami Cynthie was too polite to say so, but I could see that you hurt her,” Papa continued in a firm, clear voice. “She was already hurt by the interviews we saw yesterday. She doesn’t tell most people, but I think you should know. She has a son—about Femi’s age—the same age as those boy soldiers. That’s why she was so upset. Her son, Edward, is in boarding school in Sierra Leone. She hasn’t seen him for over six months, and she doesn’t know when she’ll see him next. Try to imagine what that feels like, if you can.”
    “He’s in boarding school, so at least she knows he’s safe,” Sade blurted. She sounded very offhand.
    Femi pinched his folded arms. His sister didn’t usually talk to Papa like this.
    “I am surprised at you, Sade, and deeply disappointed. I thought you were more mature.”
    The handle on Sade’s door wobbled and Femi scuttled into the bathroom.
     
    S UNDAY 5 TH O CTOBER
    8:30 P.M .
    Papa says he’s disappointed in me! Just because I didn’t want to talk to Mrs. Wallace. It was so obvious that Femi was putting on his charm. He even called Mrs. Wallace “Mami Cynthie.” Mama would have seen through him right away. If Papa is too wrapped up in Mrs. Wallace to see anything, why should I bother?
    To tell the truth, Iyawo, it’s me who should be disappointed in Papa. Sunday is meant to be our family day. Papa doesn’t know how lucky he is to have a daughter who wants to spend time with her father! Most girls my age in London don’t even want to be seen with a parent. Most of them go out with their friends, raving and whatever, every weekend. Some of them are out every night! But me, I stay at home, like Little Miss Perfect, cuddled up with myhomework so I can get all those As that my teachers and Papa expect. I only go out with Mariam or my family. So, I’m still a good Nigerian daughter! I even get called “Miss Daddy’s Girl.” Papa doesn’t appreciate what I go through.
    M ONDAY 6 TH O CTOBER
    8 P.M .
    I told Mariam about Papa and Mrs. Wallace. I said, “How would you feel if your mother married another man?” I thought she’d understand. But she laughed. She said that if the man was rich enough for her mum not to have to work in her uncle’s shop, it would be good. I told her it wasn’t a joke. She said, “I’m just being practical. Your dad probably likes this lady because he can talk with her about things. Don’t be so jealous,