CHAPTER ONE

Another day was born, born with the rising of the same sun that sank beneath the horizon of a sad yesterday.  Nelly opened her eyes and stared at the blank ceiling wondering where she might be at the moment, wondering if this was not a continuation of what she had come to know as the last agonizing moments of her recent experiences.  'How long had she been asleep?'  She thought to herself.  'Was it really true that Dom was gone?  Gone forever, bringing her a sad disappointment that now engulfed her whole being and lingered on and on; while unknown to him she was now in a terrible state of health in such pains he may never care to know anything about?  Or was it all a dream?'  she thought as her mind went through so many things.  Then, she struggled to keep her eyes open and her day consciousness, alive and active.  She was really feeling dizzy and helpless.

On moving her head, however, her eyes rested on a staff nurse sitting by, apparently watching over her.  The nurse stared as she discovered Nelly had regained consciousness after two long days of battling to save her life.  The nurse instantly drew closer as she sub-consciously rose from her seat, leaning over the patient.

'How are you this morning?' she involuntarily asked.

Nelly wanted to respond but no word came forth.

'Never mind, Nelly,' the nurse started again.  'Just don't say anything if it's difficult.  At least you are doing very well now.'

'Where, where am I?'  She asked in a very low voice as the wave came through to give her a voice which however faded into silence.

‘In a hospital ward,' the nurse said with a nod, motioning her not to bother about where she might be.

She could not say another word but simply stared at the nurse.  Then, turning around, the nurse picked up a telephone and dialed the doctor to tell him the young girl had regained consciousness.  By the time she was through with the call, however, the patient had fallen asleep.  And as she turned to her, she watched her with love in her heart, concluding that there was at least hope she was safe and so was progressing out of danger.

For although the girl had not been around for too long, her story touched one and all with some kind of sympathy for which everyone wished it was in human power to assist her out of her present predicaments.  Indeed, no one could imagine the agony losing such a pretty young woman would bring her parents and her relatives.

Nelly was the first and only daughter of the Aku family and the third of their five children.  Only twenty-two, she was waiting to get into the university to study Economics and/or International Relations.  Indeed, she had everything needed to get into the university but for the fact that her parents urged her to exercise patience as they struggled to see the first two sons of the family out of the university while the last two were yet in the secondary school.  Nelly's father was one of those senior officials of the Nigeria Railways laid off during one of those rationalization exercises that threw people back into the labour market without in any way aiding them to survive economically.  As his last station was Enugu, Mr. Aku lived in Uwani on one of its small roads called Affa Street.  In order to keep afloat, however, Mr. Aku had managed to set up a small machine tools shop along Zik's Avenue.  And from his workshop here, he also ran around in search of little contracts to make ends meet.  His wife helped him to keep an eye on the lathe machine operators and their customers to make sure the friends of the shop got their jobs at the appropriate time and above all, to minimize such private practice on the parts of the operators that could ruin the shop.

So, it was really a struggling family where both husband and wife were so committed to the welfare of their children that outsiders never knew they had problems financially.  And since Nelly was very conscious of the position of things in the family, she never for one day grumbled about the delay about her university education.  While at home, however, she tried to occupy herself with studying for her GCE Advanced Level to see if she could gain direct entry by the time the most senior of her brothers would have come out of higher institution to make way for her.  Then, she reasoned, if she was able to get through with her A Level successfully, a direct entry would save her one year in the university.  Shortly after taking her advanced level GCE examinations and coming out successful, however, a turn of events brought a new dimension into her life.

Nelly had attended Girls Secondary School, Awkunanaw.  And very close to her school, there was another school, Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, mainly for boys.  While she was still in school four and a half years before, there was a young fellow called Dom who spotted her as Nelly attended school all the way from her home at Uwani.  Dom was in SS three in the boys' school very close by while Nelly was dong JS three.  As a day student, it was not easy for her to hide herself from Dom and his friends who often risked leaving their school compound in the afternoon to ambush Nelly and her fellow students on their way home.  While the girls tried to avoid this group of boys, however, most of them enjoyed the game until a day came when the whole thing grew out of its normal garment.  Dom and his friends had become so daring as to try to stop some of the girls from boarding a bus home.  And since Nelly was one of the victims, she had for the first time found Dom pulling her by the hand in a manner that appeared nasty to her, all in a bid to stop her from leaving on board a bus with other girls.  In a struggle that ensued, Nelly had threatened to slap the young man before he let go.  And out of a sudden feat of anger, she also threatened to come to their school the following morning to report the matter to the authorities of Union Secondary School.

Dom on his part, suddenly felt sorry for such an involuntary behaviour.  Initially, however, he took the threat as a joke but the further feat of anger Nelly showed towards him as the bus left her jolted the young man, causing him to behave in a most apologetic manner.  Nelly, then boarded the next bus with one of her school mates who had to get down from the previous one in solidarity with her, leaving some of the boys laughing at Dom.  After this experience, Dom and his friends returned to their school compound and permanently went into their shells.  For they knew that if Nelly was forced to make good her threats, they might not find it easy with the school authorities.  For they were aware of the fact that some boys had in the past faced all kinds of disciplinary measures from the school authorities for this type of offense such as losing their boarding rights, going on two weeks suspension and having to do some labour for days while others were studying.  So, although Nelly never reported the matter after all, she never met Dom again until recently.  It was a quiet evening along Zik's Avenue.  Nelly had just crossed over into this road from Affa Street nearby.  As she was walking down the road about to veer off towards Christ Church, a car pulled off the road and stopped.  A young fellow instantly sprang out and called her by name.

'Is that not Nelly Aku?' he called out.

Nelly stopped and turned.  It was Dom.

'Have you forgotten my face?' he involuntarily asked as Nelly wanted to walk away.

'Well, who are you?' she asked, half wondering; although the memory of the last incident at the bus stop instantly flowed across her mind.

'I am Dom.  Have you forgotten?  Union Secondary School Awkunanaw.  You attended Awkunanaw Girls, didn't you?' Dom said all these in a flash to avoid a work-out on him.

'Oh yes, you are, I remember.  And how are you?'  Nelly returned, smiling with caution.

Dom drew nearer and stretched his hand for a handshake.  Nelly was reluctant but tried to brave it.

'Am sorry for what happened at the bus stop, years back,' Dom said, looking into her eyes.

'Oh, you still remember all that, don't you?  Never mind,  after all, boys have to be boys.   Its all a part of being a boy,' she returned, equally looking into his face.

'But I am now a man,' Dom said, still holding her hand.

'I know all that,' Nelly returned, pulling her hand as he held it fast, freeing herself.

'So where are you going?’ Dom asked.  'Come on, I'll drop you off, then, I will get around to see a friend over there.'

'Never mind,' she returned, declining the offer.  'Am not going far from here.  In fact, am almost at my destination.

'Can I have your number?'

'Well, well I don't have a handset yet.'

'How about my own number?  You can call me at any time,' Dom returned most persuasively.

'Maybe, some other time.'

'You have not changed, Nelly.'

'Maybe you are right.  A leopard may never change its skin.'

'But having my number won't hurt you.  You may even decide not to call me.'

'If I won't call you, then, it's hypocrisy taking your number.'

'You must be living around here.  Am I correct?'

'Somehow, yes.  Just over there,' pointing towards her street of residence.'

'Oh, Affa Street, what number?'

'When we meet next, I'll tell you the number.'

'See you then,' Nelly said, turning and slowly working away.

'A minute please,' Dom called out, and she turned around and stopped.

He moved closer to her.

'What are you doing at the moment?' he asked without touching her.

'I've just concluded my advanced level GCE exams.  And am successful,' she just said without thinking.

'I can see,' the young man said, nodding his head in a peculiar manner that amused Nelly.

'And how about you?' she quickly asked.

'I will tell you when we meet again.'

'I see,' the young lady returned, 'You don't want to tell me.'

'No, it's not that.'

'Never mind, am getting late.  Goodbye.'

And with these words, Nelly turned once again and walked away.  Dom watched her for a little while, returned to his car and soon pulled out of the sidewalk, waving hands to her as she looked back at him moving away.  Then, her mind went back to some of the personal intrigues of Dom and his friends at the school bus stop years back and she smiled to herself, trying to erase this meeting out of her mind.  But it lingered on.  Why was it difficult for Dom to tell her what he was doing presently?  She thought to herself.  Maybe he was already in the university the way he looked, she mused within as she drew close to her destination.  Then, the sudden appearance of the woman she was going to give a message instantly erased all about Dom from her mind, at least for now.

The following week, however, having made up his mind to find out where Nelly was residing, Dom left his father's compound in Trans-Ekulu area and started on his way to Uwani, a reasonable distance for that matter.  He was driving the same car he had the last time they met.  Affa street, where Nelly said she was living, was a very small street probably not more than thirty or forty houses long on both sides.  And since it had a junction with Agbani Road through which Dom and his friends often strolled on free weekends while they lived in school, he was quite familiar with the whole of those areas.  So, a short while after leaving home, he was speeding through Okpara Avenue.  And soon leaving the Nigerian Prisons and UNTH ahead of him, turned left and soon crossed the rail line, leaving the Catholic Cathedral and Ogbete Market on the right.  Then, he left the library on the right, Ogui Road Junction on the left and soon passing the bridge found himself on Zik Avenue which eventually led him through Ogui Layout and without much ado brought him into Uwani.

Dom had decided to park his car at the Agbani end of Affa Street.  So, he drove straight to the end of Zik Avenue.  And leaving the Mobile police Training grounds on the right, he turned left into Agbani Road and soon stopped at the end of Affa Street, pulling into a slim side walk on the right.  It was a Saturday morning about 10 am.  And he was hoping to spend the whole day to locate this elusive, evasive girl, even if it meant going from house No. 1 to the end.  His mind was made up.  But what he wanted from her, he was not too certain about.  Friendship?  Marriage?  Or ordinary acquaintance?  He thought their meeting would spell out the purpose for both of them.  So, slowly, he started making his way down the street in a most aimless manner, searching for Nelly without a definite address.  'Supposing she had told him a lie about living in Affa street?' he thought to himself.  'No.' something seemed to say to him, 'the girl could not have told him a lie because, she was not in the least suspicious of any ill intent on his part.'  So, Dom strolled down the street, thinking he was being both wise and stupid at the same time.

A short while, however, he was almost getting down to No. 1 without any strong urge to step into any of the houses.  When he reached No. 1, he decided to turn right and soon found himself at the beginning of the next street, Chief Ekwueme.  Without thinking, he turned into the street and continued towards Agbani Road Junction.  At the middle of Chief Ekwueme Street, he knew there was a by-pass that linked it with Affa Street and then to Zik Avenue.  So, he turned right again to link Affa street either to enter into the first house he could find there and begin his enquiries or return to his car by Agbani Road junction.  On the left, however, as he reached Affa street, was No. 15.  So, he stopped there as he saw some young boys playing football at the front of the house.  He beckoned one of them.

'Please,' he said softly to the boy of about ten,' I am looking for Miss Nelly Aku, can you help me?'

The boy stared at him momentarily, and pointing to the next building adjacent he said, 'Try that building.  That is where they live.'

Dom understood his language and instantly his heart jumped.  A few seconds later, someone had shown him precisely where to find Nelly, the second door on the left with a row of rooms occupied by her family.  When the young man knocked, however, it was Mr. Aku that opened the door.

'Good morning Sir,' came from Dom, suspecting it must be Nelly's father.

'Good morning young man; what can I do for you?' was the response.

'Please sir, I am looking for Nelly Aku.'

'O really?' Mr. Aku said.  'I am her father.  What business have you with her?'

'Nothing terribly serious, sir.  But I will like to see her if she is home.'

'Then, come into the parlour and wait for her.  She would soon come in.'

Dom was let into the sitting room where he sat down as Mr. Aku went into the next room.  Soon after, Nelly entered into the compound; unknown to her that someone was waiting for her, opened the next door where she found her father waiting for her to deliver a packet of shaving sticks.  That done, her father said:

'Nelly, you have a visitor waiting in the sitting room.'

'A visitor?' she asked without any picture whatsoever.  'Who could that be?  Which of my friends?'

'I do not know the young man.'

'A young man?  What young man could that be?' she was still asking as she opened the adjoining door and found herself face to face with Dom.

'Good heaven; Dom, how did you locate this place?'

'Just by instinct, by a hunch.'

'But you know this is my father's place of residence.  You are not supposed to come here without my permission, uninvited.'

Dom was only staring at her, carried away by her reactions.

'Sorry, Nelly.  I didn't intend to hurt you or anybody.  You refused to give me your address.  How then would I expect you to invite me to your house?  So, I have invited myself.  Am sorry about that.'

Nelly could not understand what this young fellow wanted to achieve with such a visit.

'Now,' she said, 'you will make my father to think I have started bringing men into the house when I am alone.  Please, leave immediately.'

'You can't ask me to leave, just like that.  It's most unfair and very uncivilized of you.'

'It does not matter how you wish to see it.  I am not civilized.  You are.  But leave the house.'

Then Mr. Aku opened the adjoining door and entered.  Nelly became all the more confused.

'Nelly, what's the matter?' her father asked.

'It's this young fellow.  He was a student of Union Secondary School close to my almamatar.  I met him on the road not long ago and today, he is here.  I don't know who gave him my address.'

'It's okay,' her father said.  'You may sit down lets sort this matter out.  My young man what is your name?'

'My name is Dominic Wuba.  My friends call me Dom.'

'That's alright.  Have you got grown up sisters of about the age of my daughter in your home?'

'Yes sir.'

'How do your parents feel when men come into the home with uncertain missions?'

'Well sir, they shout at the girls when the young men leave the house.'

'That's alright.  Your parents must be very reasonable human beings; but is any of your sisters married?'

'Yes sir, my eldest sister married, not too long ago.'

'Did your parents shout at her husband when he was coming as a suitor?'

'Well, sir, not necessarily.'

'That's what my daughter is talking about.  She is only preparing herself to get a university education which you know is very important to girls today than it was several years back.  She is my only daughter and I will not like her to be diverted from her noble objectives in life.  She can neither marry now nor waste herself in unholy friendships.  I am not driving you away from the house but I will suggest you avoid this type of mistake next time.  Try and get the consent of a distant acquaintance like this one before paying such a visit because, every home is not the same thing with the rest.  Just as individuals vary in their life styles, so do homes and families vary in the ways they do things.'

Then, Don rose on his feet and stretched his hands to Mr. Aku.  The man raised his head and looked at the young man's face.  Getting up from his seat.  Mr. Aku shook hands with the words: 'I think you have the courage of a man.'  Nelly, see him off to the out-door and come back.'

As Nelly rose and opened the door, Dom left the living room while she closed the door and reluctantly followed him towards the central entrance.  Before she could say goodbye, the young man spoke.

'To avoid another embarrassment some time in future, can we agree on something?'  Dom asked.

'Such as what?'

'Such as where we could meet to talk next time?'

'But what are we talking about?'

'About you and I.'

'What do you mean you and I?'

'Well, nothing terribly serious.  But you see, I have not yet answered the question you asked me the other day.'

'What question is that?'

'The question about what I am doing presently, the question about what we have been doing all these years we have not met, especially since after the incident at the school bus stop.'

'Never mind about all that, Nelly said in a very snappy manner.  'They are not important now.'

'But can't you visit me where I live with my parents at Trans-Ekulu.  I'll give you a card bearing my contacts.'

'Never mind.  All that is not necessary.'

'Then, can I come back to see you before traveling abroad?'

Nelly was silent.  For the first time, she managed to raise her eyes to meet his.

'You are traveling out?'

'Yes.  But I do not know how soon but it is certain.'

'Then, goodbye until you return.'

'But you see, the problem is that you don't have a handset.  I have a new one in my car.  It is all yours if you are interested.'

'No, never mind.  It is not my most immediate priority.'

'What's your most immediate priority?'

'To get back to school.'

'Well, that is far above me for now.  But if we agree, I could work it out for you to come to England when I get there, since I am by birth a citizen over there.'

'Promises, promises,' Nelly returned.  'Boys are very good at making promises.  Nevertheless, I will like to do my first degree here.'

It was a very uphill task for Dom who told Nelly to expect him there at No. 17 Affa street the following Saturday morning since she was unwilling to take his own address or a handset to make communication easier for both of them.  But before he left that day, escorted to his car by Nelly out of serious persuasions, he had succeeded in igniting some of Nelly's interests on his person, no matter how minute or insignificant that interest might be.  And that interest became evident in the fact that when the young man left, Nelly decided to buy a GSM handset as soon as she could.

When she returned to the house, however, her father was already dressing up to leave the house to keep an important appointment.

'Daddy,' she called out, 'I think I've got to get my own handset.  Everybody is treating me as if a handset is everything one has to think off.  He also wanted to give me a handset.  But I declined.'

'How much do you have for that?  You have been saving towards that, haven't you'

'I have only four thousand naira.  It is not easy to save money, you know.  There are too many things that need my money.'

'You are telling me?  Of course I know.'  'How much do you need to make up?'

'Well, at least eight or nine thousand naira.'

'Okay.  I will give you ten thousand naira on Monday so that after buying the one of your choice, you will have something left.'

'Thank you dad,' Nelly said, highly elated with her father.

'Your brothers may be coming in any time from now for Christmas holiday.  When you get to the workshop, tell your mum I'll touch the villege to see how the building is going on after my appointment.  I will be back before evening.'

By the time Dom came around the next Saturday, Nelly had bought herself a beautiful handset.  Already, she had started collecting the numbers of her close friends, relations and acquaintances.  And also, by that Saturday, the most senior of her brothers, Chuka, who was being expected to graduate from the university the following year was back.  Co-incidentally, he and Dom had met before, years before.  And with Chuka around, Dom had more than enough reason to frequent the home of Mr. Aku.  And gradually, as the young people stayed together more often than not, Nelly began to pick interests in Dom's overtures.  Then, Dom swore to Nelly he would marry her if only she would accept his hands.  But she was extremely cautious.  For there were still questions the girl needed to be answered.  Dom had told her he was in the university only to be sent home after two years.  Why?  What was his offence?  She wanted to know.  For a lot of funny things go on in the universities for which students were being rusticated across the country  political thugry, armed robbery, devilish cult practices and drugs.  Which of them was he guilty of?

Well, she later came to learn that Dom was a victim of circumstances in his school, two cult groups, one from his school and the other from outside, had clashed in their fight for supremacy amid very dense fear of rivalry.  One of the groups had lost three boys and one girl in the gruesome encounter while the rival group lost five boys bringing the number of dead future leaders to nine.  This particular episode of cult killing had attracted so much attention from the press and the media in general that the 'National Universities Commission' became interested in the matter while every good citizen of the land cried fowl.  The names of those involved in the two universities were listed out and after trials were recommended for dismissal.  Over sixty students were sent home from both schools while the actual killers were identified and dragged to court, in spite the efforts of their highly placed parents to save them.  Some of them were convicted and condemned to capital punishment.  But Dom said his name and those of other two friends of his were deliberately included in the list out of mere malice.  While one of them succeeded in extricating himself, he and the other could not escape because, he said, he was once invited to give a talk by a group in campus he did not know was being sponsored by one of the evil cults.

That was his story and after observing him for quite some time, Nelly believed his story must be true.  'Moreover,' she thought to herself, 'if one who was once evil now repents and tows the paths of probity, rectitude and uprightness, then, such a person should be forgiven.  After all,' she reasoned, 'the issue of cults in our universities is a reflection of the society in which we all live  a society where every hamlet and every kindred within our local communities have their own secret cults, either for men only or for women alone.  And if any meaningful progress must be made in this direction, we must begin to change some of our negative cultural orientations.'  She further thought.  After so many considerations, however, to avoid offending her parents, one quiet evening, she decided to officially tell her father about the desire to marry in the near future.

'My dear daughter,' her father responded, 'I have never contemplated the ideas of ever finding a spouse for any of my children because it is one of the most uncivilized things any parent could do, especially in this modern era.  But I think it would be most unfair if any parent should be so timid as to keep aside his views concerning factors that play around the marriage of his children, especially when he has the opportunity to offer a useful advice in that direction.

'From the first day I saw that young man here in my house, something told me he has very strong intentions towards you.  Yet, something in me revolts against such intentions which however, I may never be able to unravel, especially as he is talking about leaving the country to study abroad.  When two persons meet and wish to marry, there are many things that must keep them apart as individuals until they come to live together as husband and wife on daily basis, seeing each other's face, hearing each other's voice and exchanging the great values they carry within as individuals.  Some of such things are found in the confidence, trust and mutual respect that must develop through personal interactions.

'For such personal interactions slowly build bridges across to the two individuals and their ways of doing things until they would come to appreciate the other person's strong sides as well as his or her weaknesses.  Through such bridges, respect for the other person develops, leading to trust and confidence such as could continue to build up or erode as time goes on, depending on how the couple order their lives as one family.

'But in situations where a perfect marital union has not been consummated and the two start this important aspect of their lives by living apart and so far from each other, then, anything could happen from either end.

'Hence, I have seen and heard of so many disappointments that came out of this type of engagement or distant marriages that commence with such serious gaps at the beginning of a marital union.  So, what answer do you have for that?'

Nelly was silent for some time.  Her mother looked on almost perplexed by the important and logical issue raised by her husband.

'Well,' Mrs. Aku said, 'I have also thought about this problem myself.  But Nelly said they are also discussing about the possibilities of joining him early.'

'Joining him?' Mr. Aku asked, almost amazed.  'Are we going to put that into consideration when I am officially hearing this for the first time?  Assuming all this is going to work out at the end of the day, what do you say about the fact that the two families are yet to be formally introduced both here in town and at the village?'

'Well, dad,' Nelly cut in, 'Dom and I are still discussing about when his parents would start some of the formal moves you have mentioned.  The only problem is that his departure appears to be very close and so he is very busy trying to get all his papers updated.  But I believe the formalities must commence before he leaves the country.  Whatever remains would be completed after his departure by his parents.

'Well,' Mr. Aku said, 'It sounds so easy and I hope everything works out as you believe it would.  Then, the other thing both of you must do is to go for HIV tests together.  As for you, I believe you are still maintaining your moral stand.  But him?  I don't know.  These days, you don't take anything for granted.!

'Well, Dad, we have gone through all that.  For although I told him I am still a virgin, he insisted on getting that report.  And that we have done together.  And both of us are negative.'

'That's alright.  Now that he is going abroad, how do you know he will maintain his HIV status?'

'Well, dad, one has to do what lies in his or her hands while leaving the rest to the Most High.  But I believe Dom understands what it means presently to leave a sexually reckless life here on earth.

'As the only son of his parents, he is aware of the fact that it is his responsibility to keep that family going.'

In less than a forth night after this discussion, however, Dom and his parents came and registered their intentions formally for which both families met at Mr. Aku's home in Oraifite in Anambra State.  Indeed, it was a very happy day which was supposed to mark a new relationship between the two families, one from Oraifite and the other from Obosi.  After the visit, attention was turned to getting all things set for Dom's departure which now depended on getting his traveling documents ready through the British High Commission, Abuja.  And this came as planned.  For on the appointed date, when he attended the last interview, having British citizenship already, his papers were perfectly harmonized.  Then came the date for his departure.  Filled with emotions and laden with feelings of something beyond words, Nelly and one of her brothers, Chuka, in the company of the Wubas, escorted Dom to Enugu Airport on his way to board an international flight to London.

Indeed, Dom's departure to Great Britain left Nelly cold for quite some time until he, on his arrival called her on phone to say he had arrived.  He then left her with a telephone number with which she could always reach him.  This brightened her day and once again, the vacuum left by Dom's departure appeared to be filled, somehow.  Once again, she felt some genuine sense of joy within.  Her pensive moods began to clear while the radiance of her face resumed its normal glow.  For Nelly was a very pretty young lady, beautiful, elegant, intelligent, humble and friendly.  And generally people loved her.

Although she was supposed to be quite happy now Dom was overseas and may soon begin to plan to see her joining him over there, she had a very strange feeling of foreboding.  For although she tried to be happy as she was supposed to, that joy could not come from within.  Instead, it appeared as if it was being forced in from outside, something which was unusual with her.  For the first three weeks, however, Dom called her, having told her not to bother herself burning her credit to call him.  The fourth week, however, for four days after his last call, he did not call.  Nelly would have become worried but simply reasoned that he must be running around to settle down in terms of identifying his school and starting his course, the admission of which he already had before traveling.  But when the silence lingered on for about one week, she decided to give him a call.  And to her greatest surprise, the voice that answered the call was that of a girl, an Igbo girl for that matter.

'Oh,' the voice said to Nelly, 'are you the said second wife of my husband, Dom?  You are Nelly aren't you?  Look, lover girl, Dom is married to me with the consent of both parents.  When he was rusticated from the university there at home, it was my idea that he should come over here and continue his education since they were all banned from getting into any other university there at home.  He is here now living in the same house with me.  Didn't your parents ask questions or do you think you can play the second wife of a thing while I am still alive, living with my man in a country like Britain?  Of course you are dreaming.  Mind you I have my informants there at home and every move you make about  this  relationship, I will always have in my hands you know.. .'

Nelly could scarcely bear more as she trembled within while darkness descended all around her so much that her mind almost switched off into total blankness.  'Was that all a dream?' she seemed to ask herself.