Zadie Smith: NW

“Let’s talk about something else,” said Leah Hanwell.

Michel came across the lawn with Naomi, a tray of drinks, two sippy cups and a bottle of white with glasses.

“Does she speak?” he asked.

“She speaks,” said Leah.

Michel poured wine for the adults.

“Please,” said Leah, accepting a glass, “I don’t want to do this in front of the kids. Let’s talk about something else.”

“I think I know what happened in Albert Road,” said Natalie Blake.

• • •

First they sent an e-mail. A police website for anonymous tips. But that was anti-climactic, not very satisfying, and once it was done they stared at the screen, and felt disappointed. They decided to make the call to Kilburn Police Station.

“At the very least,” said Leah Hanwell, who seemed infused with a new energy, “Nathan Bogle is a person of interest. From what you’ve said. Added to what we already knew. About his character. At the very least he’s a person of interest.”

Certainly a person of interest.

“You’re right,” said Natalie Blake. “It’s just the right thing to do,” and a few minutes later, as they went over the disparate bits of the tale once again, Leah said the same thing back to Natalie. Through the glass doors they watched the children spinning in the lawn. Leah found the number online. Natalie dialed it. It was Keisha who did the talking. Apart from the fact she drew the phone from her own pocket, the whole process reminded her of nothing so much as those calls the two good friends used to make to boys they liked, back in the day, and always in a slightly hysterical state of mind, two heads pressed together over a handset. “I got something to tell you,” said Keisha Blake, disguising her voice with her voice.

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For creating the time: Mariya Shopova, Sharon Singh, Seeta Oosman, Freedom©, Self Control©.

For creating the author: Yvonne Bailey-Smith.

For reading the book: Simon Prosser, Georgia Garrett, Ann Godoff, Sarah Manguso, Gemma Seiff, Hilton Als, Tamara Barnett-Herrin, Devorah Baum, Sarah Kellas, Darryl Pinckney, Sarah Woolley, Daniel Kehlmann, Anelise Chen, Josh Appignanesi.

For being local: Jim Ford, Len Snow.

For knowing the law: Alison Macdonald, Matthew Ryder.

For inspiration: The Black House , by Colin Jones, a model for “Garvey House.”

For being an ideal friend: Sarah Kellas.

For all of the above, much more, everything: Nick Laird. Thank you.