Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows: A hilarious and heartwarming novel. Balli Jaswal Kaur

definitely detected an accent.

      ‘American,’ Jason said. ‘And Punjabi. And Sikh, obviously.’ He gestured at the temple. ‘And yourself?’

      ‘British and Punjabi and Sikh,’ Nikki said. It had been a long time since she identified herself in all of those terms at once. She wondered if this was what the widows thought of her, and in which proportions.

      ‘So what’s your real name?’ she asked Jason.

      ‘Jason Singh Bhamra.’ Jason squinted at her. ‘You look surprised.’

      ‘I was sure it was an anglicized version of something else.’

      ‘My parents gave me a name that Americans could pronounce as well. They were forward-thinkers in that regard. Like yours, I’m assuming.’

      ‘Oh no,’ Nikki said. ‘I just don’t tell people my full name. It’s only on my birth certificate. Nobody uses it.’

      ‘Does it start with an N?’

      ‘You’re not going to guess it.’

      ‘Navinder.’

      ‘No.’ Nikki was already regretting lying about her name. It just seemed more interesting than the truth: “Nikki” meant little and she was a younger sibling so her parents had decided it was apt.

      ‘Najpal.’

      ‘Actually—’

      ‘Naginder, Navdeep, Narinder, Neelam, Naushil, Navjhot.’

      ‘None of the above,’ Nikki said. ‘I was kidding. My real name is Nikki.’

      Jason smiled at her and took another drag of his cigarette. ‘That was a missed opportunity. I was going to say “if I guess it, will you give me your number?”’

      Oh dear, Nikki thought. More cheesiness. ‘Well, I don’t think anyone can pull off trying to pick up girls in dodgy alleyways.’

      Jason tipped his cigarette packet towards Nikki. ‘Another one?’

      ‘No thanks,’ she said.

      ‘Your phone number?’

      Nikki shook her head. It was instinctive. She didn’t know this Jason Bhamra. She snuck another glance at him, noticing the slight cleft in his chin. He was cute.

      ‘It’s the principle of the thing,’ she explained, hoping he would ask again. ‘We’re at the temple.’

      ‘Damn,’ Jason said. ‘You have principles.’

      ‘I’ve got several. I’m thinking of adding “no smoking” to my list but it’s hard.’

      ‘It’s nearly impossible,’ Jason agreed. ‘A few years ago I tried quitting smoking, and then I settled for quitting drinking instead. I thought I’d get points for eliminating one vice.’

      ‘You don’t drink?’

      ‘I lasted a week.’

      This made Nikki laugh. Then she saw her chance.

      ‘Have you ever been to O’Reilly’s pub in Shepherd’s Bush?’

      ‘Nope. I’ve been to the pub on the Southall Broadway though. Did you know you can pay in rupees there?’

      ‘That’s not very useful if your salary is in pounds.’

      ‘True. This O’Reilly’s pub then …’

      ‘No rupees required. I’m there most evenings. For work, not because I’m an alcoholic.’

      Jason’s grin was rewarding. ‘So you’re there this week?’

      ‘Most evenings,’ Nikki said. As she walked away, she felt his gaze on her back.

      ‘Nikki,’ he called. She turned around. ‘Is it short for Nicole?’

      ‘It really is just Nikki,’ she said. She held back her smile until she was out of his view. Their encounter left her skin tingling, as if she was walking through a light mist.

      ‘I’ve got a story by Manjeet,’ Sheena said as soon as Nikki entered the classroom. ‘The one she tells herself before going to bed.’