7-1
161 Words
7
Nathan and Burke both stood a respectful distance to one side while Vikram Bhaskar examined the faces of the two women, their bodies discreetly covered by sheets. Nathan could see that Bhaskar’s face was twisted with grief and wished he had thought to check whether there was anyone who could come along to provide support to the newly made widower.
It was a couple of minutes before the distraught shopkeeper turned away from the bodies, and when he did there were tears in his eyes, though he refused to let them fall.
“Can you confirm that this is your wife, and your mother?” Nathan asked in his most gentle voice.
Vikram Bhaskar nodded his head slowly, his eyes glistening. After a moment he found his voice. “Yes, that’s my Ama, my Amala, and my mother, Manjula.”
“Thank you, Mr Bhaskar, I know this can’t have been easy for you.” Nathan’s voice remained gentle as he reached out to take the shopkeeper by the arm. “Let’s go and have a cup of tea.”
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- Writer
