The clock on the wall was silent, battery-powered, but Hanif imagined ticking as its cheap red plastic hand counted the seconds towards noon. He felt his pulse quicken.
Then it was time. He cast his eyes around the room: strangers, unaware of the terror in their midst. There was no going back, not now. This was the path he had chosen, honour was at stake.
Courage. He leant his head back to speak, but got no further than 'Ah...' – then it was all over.
"That's fine, Mr Mohammed, your teeth are fine," said the dentist. "See you in six months?"
Then it was time. He cast his eyes around the room: strangers, unaware of the terror in their midst. There was no going back, not now. This was the path he had chosen, honour was at stake.
Courage. He leant his head back to speak, but got no further than 'Ah...' – then it was all over.
"That's fine, Mr Mohammed, your teeth are fine," said the dentist. "See you in six months?"
