We embrace warmly, strongly, and the emotion ripples around the tent. Enguia s eyes grow more intense as she thanks all her friends all over the world who are fighting for the liberation of her son. She ceaselessly blesses those who keep alive solidarity with Daddach from afar. Then, briefly, tears well up as she grips my hands with a force I would not have expected in so frail a body. You must do your utmost with all your far away friends so that I can see my son again before I die.
Someone has the good idea to pass round the glasses of tea.
The atmosphere unwinds and other members of the family are presented to me. A dance of multi-coloured melahfas. I meet Batul, Daddach s sister, and the wives of Mustapha and Brahim Salem who are brothers of Daddach who work together. They are lorry-drivers. Children of all ages and neighbours come and go to greet their guest from afar.