Those People Next Door
Part 1
Chapter 1
Salma 34, Son Zain 18, husband Bilal (Bil), dog Molly. Viewed house in Blenheim 6 months ago, 4 bedroom, on Central Line, neat street, quiet neighbours. Invited to May Bank holiday barbeque about 30 people. Linda Turner – Host. Tom Hutton – mid 40s, works in advertising at Sartre and Sartre, has Dog Lola “she was a showgirl”. Salma – Geography teacher in secondary school at Ilford Academy in Seven Kings. Bil – restauranteur in Jackoni’s (shut down in January). Tom thought house was social housing and didn’t think they’d meet criteria. Willa – Tom’s wife, paints, housewife, confused as model by Salma, pretended she was saved by Tom who was a firefighter when she was 21 him 27, she comes from rich family. Son Jamie 16 which she had at 22 and so she is 38 and Tom is 44.
Get home later Salma picks up BLM sign, Tom and Willa heard through wall. Salma and Bil used to live in Seven Kings estate, now they have a garden and balcony.
Bilal calls into see Zain, caught smoking, Salma’s dad died of lung cancer, Jamie next door smells smoking and coughs, partially deaf, has an app idea – sign to speech.
Salma leaving for work, Bil makes her breakfast every morning. Tom asks her to not overhang his side in the car and that the fence is broken, he fixed it the last time when it was empty and the time before that. Salma in school helps in citizens advice type role for kids. Success isn’t always about grades etc but helping them. BLM poster.
Willa takes Jamie to audiologist, gets expensive hearing aids paid for by her dad – rich family – Tom always refused money. Willa is pregnant this time things will be different.
Salma’s favourite time is between school and home. Goes to Tesco and knee grinds so gets Uber home, drops tin getting out and sees Tom while getting it from under taxi. Tom looks around and then throws ball at BLM sign.
Total Number - 6