"Lucia, I don't want you associating with that girl." Her mother had been arguing with her over Jo's sexuality since she had found out that she was gay. Lucia had been born here but her mother had been brought up in Saudi Arabia, she was a practicing Muslim and any kind of gay relationship was a serious taboo.

"Mum, she's not turning us all gay! She's just a normal person who happens to like girls!" Lucia pleaded.

"It is against Sharia law, it is banned in the Koran! I know your father lets you get away without worshiping but I will not have this, not in my house and not with my family. You are not to see her and that is it." Her mother walked out of the room, her words final.

"Arrg, dammit! How am I meant to avoid one friend when we all hang out together! Stupid woman." She ranted to herself.

She went to speak to her father, "I'm sorry Lucy, it's something your mother feels very strongly about. Once you are at university you can do as you like but I would suggest not pushing your mother on this." Was all he would say.

Her sisters understood her frustration but were unable to help, in the end she decided the only way around it was to lie. Her mother rarely saw her friends or their parents, surely she would never know.