32

Today Mrs. Bibi positively glittered. She wore a black dress embroidered with tiny semi-precious stones that she’d bought some time ago but had never worn. In truth, Mrs. Bibi was always beautifully dressed and perfectly groomed, but on this occasion her elegance had risen by a notch. Why? She had won her wager and was intent on displaying the fact to everyone, beginning with Emma, the prime subject. Her intention was to proclaim the good news herself — Emma was now officially hired as a computer expert in Mr. Ezz Bibi’s firm. What had begun as a caprice was a reality, and what a reality it was!

She was proud of herself and proud of her handiwork, born of her compassion for Emma. For the first time in her life she had contrived to bring happiness to someone else at the same time as herself. It was a new kind of happiness, not the self-centred pleasure of buying fine things and dressing in the latest, most expensive fashions. She awaited Emma’s arrival impatiently.

That day Emma decided to leave Sara to play at Jeanne’s house while she went to Mrs. Bibi’s for her tutoring session.

Lynne and Mona were making good progress. Their marks had steadily improved. At first they didn’t really trust Emma; in fact, they had underestimated her. Behind her back they made fun of the way she dressed, of the slightly lost expression on her face. But as time passed the two girls had to admit that they understood math better, that certain concepts were clearer, and that they could actually solve mathematical problems. So gradually Lynne and Mona had changed their attitude, stopped their childish behaviour, and begun to look on their tutor with respect, even with admiration. The idea that Emma might not be there next year to help them with their math worried them.

Emma paused in front of the Bibi house. The signs of spring were visible everywhere. The grass was still yellow but it was slowly recovering after the recent disappearance of the snow. The bare-branched trees were displaying their first buds, which stood upright in defiance of the cold and ice. An air of renewal permeated the atmosphere, driving away the smell of winter’s accumulation of rot and refuse.

Emma rang the doorbell and Mrs. Bibi opened, a broad smile on her face. In comparison with Samia’s elegant dress, Emma’s clothes make her look like a cleaning lady, but she let nothing show. She looked around for her two pupils.

Mrs. Bibi announced, “You can begin a bit later today. The girls can wait.”

Her hostess led her towards the small reception room. Emma thought back to her first visit and how badly she had wanted the tutoring job. Today things were different. The job she wanted was not tutoring the girls but the one Mrs. Bibi had promised her, in Dubai. Emma was concerned. Why did Mrs. Bibi want to talk to her?

She didn’t say a word. Her stomach was churning, but she breathed deeply to conceal her apprehension. She repeated silently, as if to reassure herself, Well, if I’m not accepted over there, I’ll still have a roof over my head and food to put on my table. It’s not the end of the world.

The tiny Swarovski crystals on Mrs. Bibi’s dress all but dazzled Emma. They drew her eyes to them as they reflected glints of light back onto the walls, the pattern of reflections shifting with Samia’s every movement. Octagons replaced hexagons and then vanished in a wild whirl, lending force to the festive look in her eyes. Radiant, she gestured to Emma to take a seat.

“I’ve got good news for you. My husband tells me that in a few days you’ll be getting an official answer to your application for a job in his company.”

Emma pinched herself. She wanted to shout for joy, but no sound came from her mouth. She sat there on the velvet loveseat, transfixed, asphyxiated with delight. Finally, after a brief silence she managed to say, “Is it really true?”

Mrs. Bibi burst into laughter. “You know very well I’m not joking. Ezz confirmed it yesterday on the telephone. In a few weeks you’ll be in Dubai.”

Emma had a long list of questions, but she had the feeling that the moment was not right. She stood up and, not knowing exactly what she was doing, kissed Mrs. Bibi on the cheek.

Taken by surprise, the older woman didn’t know quite how to respond. Then, without any great display of emotion, she responded in kind. “A thousand mabruk, Emma. I’m so happy for you.”

Emma, overcome with a happiness that suffused every inch of her body, thanked Mrs. Bibi and her husband. Still laughing, Mrs. Bibi summoned her two daughters, who were quick to appear.

Stunned by the announcement, Emma followed the two girls into the adjacent room, which they used as a study. Her mind was far away and she hardly knew what she was saying. How she wished for the hours to fly by. She wanted only to hurry home and savour the wonderful news.