First Response

WANDSWORTH (3.53 p.m.)

The pack around Malik’s waist vibrated and he jumped. ‘What’s wrong?’ asked Zoe, as he groped for the zip.

‘It’s okay, it’s the phone.’ He took it out and pressed the red button to accept the call. ‘Brother, what the fuck did I tell you?’ It was Shahid.

‘What?’

‘You were talking to the police. I told you, you talk to no one.’

‘I didn’t talk to him. He walked up to the shop. I couldn’t shut him up.’

‘He sent in food?’

‘There are two kids here and they were playing up. And one of the shopgirls needed to go to the toilet.’

‘What?’

‘She was close to pissing herself. So they sent in a bucket.’

‘A bucket?’

‘To piss in. And a couple of pizzas.’

‘For fuck’s sake, Sami, what part of “don’t talk to anyone” didn’t you understand? Do you want me to detonate that vest now? Because I fucking will. Do you want to fuck off and lie with the seventy-two virgins, is that it? You’re not getting laid on earth so you’re in a rush to do it in Heaven?’

‘Bruv, no, I wasn’t—’

‘I told you, no talking to anyone. I do the fucking talking.’

‘I know, bruv—’

‘You know what’s sitting on the table in front of me? It’s a phone, mate. And there’s a number on speed dial. I call that number and five seconds later — bang! It’s so long and good night for Mohammed Sami Malik and anyone within fifty feet of him.’

‘Bruv, I was doing what you said—’

‘I said no talking to anyone. To anyone, Sami. You want me to press this button, Sami? Do you? You want it to end now? Just say the word, Sami, and I’ll do it. It means fuck all to me. I press a button and it’s over for you.’

‘No, bruv, please! Please, bruv! It was a mistake, okay? I know it, and I won’t do it again, I swear! I swear on my mother’s life! Please!’

Shahid stayed quiet for several seconds.

‘You still there, bruv?’ asked Malik, eventually.

‘Yeah. I’m here. Okay, look, let the woman with the kids go. But you don’t talk to anyone, do you hear? Just tell her to take the kids and get the fuck out of there. But you remember what I said, Sami. You so much as open your mouth to the cops one more time and you and everyone there will be blown to bits.’

‘I won’t talk to anyone, I swear.’

‘Just do as you’re told, and this will soon be over and everyone can go home,’ said Shahid. ‘Inshallah.’

‘Inshallah,’ repeated Malik. If Allah wills.

The line went dead. ‘What’s happening?’ asked Zoe, fearfully.

‘He’s mad at me for the bucket and the pizzas,’ said Malik. ‘But he says we can let the kids go.’

‘Who is he? Who were you talking to?’

‘The man who’s organising all this. His name’s Shahid.’

‘But who is he?’

Malik shook his head. ‘You ask too many questions,’ he said.