Chapters 15-18 Summary

Afify admits Umm Hamida to her flat as her dearest friend. Over coffee and cigarettes, Umm Hamida announces her daughter's engagement to Abbas, rather than reporting success in Afify's quest. Afify has been generous while waiting impatiently, and has concluded the delay is intentional. Still, Afify hopes for good news and keeps the conversation going with gossip about the Kirshas' troubles. Finally, Umm Hamida gets around to announcing Afify is to be a bride. Her heart suddenly racing, Afify blushes and feigns bashfulness. Umm Hamida is triumphant and declares God and the Prophet condone marriage.

The groom, Ahmad Effendi Talbat, is a civilian employee in the police department. He wears a suit—and even shoes—to work, sits at a big desk piled high with paperwork, deals with visitors and police officers all day, earns at least £10, plus allowances...