Abdul Wahab, an Afghan science teacher, is eagerly anticipating the arrival of his British fiance, Laura Johnstone, in the capital of his home country. After meeting while Abdul was a student at Manchester University, the couple are eager to settle down in Isban. However, Abdul is not the only one interested in Miss Johnstone's arrival. Prince Naim, one of the sons of the king, sees the marriage as symbolic of a successful union between East and West, and in his hurry to cement this union, promotes Abdul into a position of power he is far from ready for.

Author Biography

Robin Jenkins was born in 1912. He studied at Glasgow University and travelled and worked in Spain, Afghanistan and Borneo. He is the author of over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Fergus Lamont and The Cone Gatherers. In 2003 he was awarded a Saltire Award for Life-time Achievement. He died in 2005. David Pratt is Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the Sunday Herald.