The Fourth Finger Ebook – Excerpts
My boss called me this evening and he was like, ‘Sally, have you finished your book?’
I laughed. And said to him, ‘I’m never done until I hit the publish button.’
Good evening, guys. Panic not. The book drops tomorrow by midnight. Just like it had been with Fish Brain Madhouse. But before it does, here are excerpts from the chapters you haven’t read – just to make your mouths water.
The book cover was designed byΒ Ogbonnaya Williams Chukwudi, whom we call Signor Chuksy. I wanted something mysterious that left first time readers wondering what the book was all about, ad Chuks gave me this which I absolutely love.
Read excerpts…
He didnβt expect her to answer the call. The note she left had pretty much revealed her state of mind. Dejection had set in. She wasnβt one to easily let his mother bully her but in the light of all that had happened, he knew she had been too miserable to fight back or stay around to take in more ridicule. She was in someplace to bear the weight of her shame alone; and if he knew her well, she was in her family home.
He drove there and the housekeeper let him in. Folarin climbed up the stairs to Christieβs childhood bedroom, slowing down when he noticed a trail of blood that got more distinct as he neared her door.
βChris?β he called, pushing theΒ door in.
There was no answer. He entered the room and found it empty. The trail of blood had led him to a puddle on the floor in the center of the room.
βChris!β His eyes darted in the direction of the bathroom and from there she emerged, hands dripping with water. Her legs were also wet and there were bloodstains on her skirt.
βBaby, what happened?β
Christie gave no answer. She rushed into his arms and found solace in his hug.
***
Salma lifted the chandelier necklace that sat in the middle of the other pieces and held it to the light, watching it gleam. When she turned it around, she saw an engraving of her name.
βRaji, youβre a bastard,β she said fondly. This was the part of her no one saw. The part that still loved and missed Raji. If he were with her at the moment, they would be having an argument over her way of breaking the fast. She would usually eat some dates and take a drink of water before the evening mahgrib prayers but Raji preferred to wait until after the prayers to have a full meal. Their differing methods sometimes brought arguments but only playfully.
She stared at a bowl of dates before her which had been sitting on the table for almost five days. The children had helped themselves with some but she hadnβt touched any. This year, she was fasting Rajiβs style. His absence made the Ramadan a rather gloomy affair.
Without notice, the children let out screams of excitement. Salma jumped to her feet and began out but slowed when she heard them calling out to Raji and his subsequent laughter.
Annoyance came to her instantly but the thought of her emotions being controlled by him put her in check. She kept a plain face and strode out to the sitting room.
βAs-salaam-alaikum,β he greeted, arrestingΒ her eyes. She didnβt respond, solely for the fact that he hadnβt greeted her in that manner in a long time. It was always the basic βhiβ, βbabe, whatβs upβ, βhey sweetheartβ. Now, he was trying to ride on the spirituality wagon and she was not having it.
***
A cricket was chirping in some corner in her room when she woke up. It was still dark outside but the full moon made it look like it was nearing daylight.
Omolade entered the bathroom for a quick shower and dressed in warm clothes. The weather was wet and cold. She walked out to the sitting room and found Tayo where she had left him the night before. He had his phone in his hand, tucked under his armpit.
She sat on the center table and stared at him, not wanting to disturb his sleep. The man before her was a changed man. Her attempted suicide had changed them all in different ways. To her, transformation came after a walk round the hospital wards while in recovery, to see people whose fates had not been determined by them, fighting for their chance to live. For some of the patients, they just wanted an extended period to put their lives in order.Β From that moment she decided to live.
Forgiving Manny came naturally. She found it made the recovery process easier, although she was left with permanent scarsβ a voice that was coarse and discolored lips.
βTayo,β she squawked, laying a gentle hand on his arm. He stirred up and took some seconds to blink away the sleep off his eyes.
βWhy are you all dressed, baby?β
βIβm going out.β
βWhere to?β
βI have to be on set. Shooting starts today.β
Tayo rubbed his eyes while yawning. He put down his hands and stared at her with concern.
βYouβre still going to do the movie, to work with Manny?β
βThis is one opportunity Iβve been praying for that I donβt want to miss, Tayo.β
Tayo took both of her hands. βYou really want to do this? To be around him after what he did to you?β
βItβs all in the past, Tayo.β
βIt was just yesterday or so. Iβm worried about you.β
βYouβve worried enough, coming here every day, crashing on the couchβ¦ Iβm fine, Tayo. I need you to know that.β
He went up on his feet and pulled her up and closer. After a snuggle, he brought his lips to hers but she stepped back. He grabbed her again for another hug. The feel of his body evoked unwanted memories.
He let go and took her hand, grabbing his car key off the table.
βLet me drive you there. Itβs too dark for you to be out alone.β
They journeyed to the other side of town, usingΒ the Third Mainland Bridge. The sun came up over them, calm and hidden behind rain clouds.
***
βDid you see my calls?β he asked, moving towards Toni.
βPlease, donβt come further,β she said to him as she went behind her desk.
βOkay, Iβll stay here, maβam.β
βPlease, sit.β
Observing no oddity in Toniβs behavior Andre took the visitorβs chair. βSo why didnβt you answer my calls?β
Toni crossed her arms. βAndre, we need to talk.β
βYou didnβt answer my question.β
βAndre, not now.β
βOkay. So, whatβs up? Whatβs this talk about? I was hoping that maybe we could do peppersoup and palm wine. I know this place, off Lagos Business School. Cool jointβ¦β
βAndreβ¦ Iβmβ¦β Toni took in a straighter posture and breathed out. βI canβt go on with this relationship. It was fun. You were fun but I canβt do it again. Iβm breaking up with you. Iβm sorry.β
Andre looked at her, showing no form of expression on his face, although his brows came together slightly.
βI donβt understand.β
βI canβt be your girlfriend anymore, Andre. Weβre over.β
βOkay.β He gave what looked like a shrug. A plain face accompanied it.
βDid you understand what I just said, Andre? Weβre breaking up.β
It took some time for Andre to finally assimilate what he had just heard. And this he did while staring steadily at the floor.
βWhat did I do wrong?β
Toni turned her face away.
βIs this a joke, Arinolaβ¦?β
βDonβt call me that!β
Andreβs mouth slightly parted in disbelief. βAntonia, this is really happening? Youβre dumping me?β
βPlease, donβt make me talk too much. Letβs just end it as adults.β
βWhat did I do wrong?β
βNothing, Andre! I just donβt want to be with you anymore! Is that so hard to understand?β
βNo, it is not. But Iβd prefer if you looked at me while talking to me. You owe that much respect.β
Toni couldnβt look at him because he could easily read her. She didnβt want him to look at her and find her pain and shame. She didnβt want him to know how weak she was, how used and abused she felt. She just wanted him out of her life. He was going to be her last chapter with men.
LOL and that is how you will now be publishing by 730am ?????? we cannot wait. #excited
Last chapter with men ke? With all those curves of urs arinola! Laye! Andre is the man.
I’m not sure omolade can be around Manny without ish o, I think Tayo is right on that. Well, time will tell.
Thanks Ms Sally, I hope things work out BTW Folarin & Christie, n Raji & Salma.
Anxiously awaiting tomorrow God’s willing.
Hmmmm Sally u are killing me, am sure I will be holding my phone ? till I see the upload. Thanks my mouth ? is dripping already in anticipation.
Oh Sally! My mouth is not only watery, but also dripping water. I can’t wait for this to be out.
yay,,!!! finally, cant wait sal,juicy juicy,, one quick question please,when are we gonna get updates for boys with toys
Can’t wait!
Always waiting by.
Can’t wait! Thanks Sally
Yay!!!!!Am soo excited looking forward to the book God bless you ma’am
Oya oya oya naa. We’re waiting ohh, aunty Sally. What is doing Toni now? I honestly hope my faves, Christie and Raji, get back together
Finally it’s here, I’m so glad… can’t wait for it to drop… well done sally
Yaaaay!
ok Sally..bring it on!
I’m sha happy that Christie killed Solomon or whatever she did to him sha…..he deserves it.
Patiently waiting
Sally oo..pls hurry and release but u 4 tell us how u get it on this episode..
And suspence begins…………The wait just began…You rock Sally
Yes Lord!! Finally!!! Please hit publish already. Thank you.
Finally, oshee!
I can hardly wait!
Shebi ees sha today, I will wait nah
I’m waiting patiently, thank you.
sally ooooooo….. I m waiting patiently, tnks
sally I was sha right oo dat Christy ll do sometin bad to solomon, bt I didn’t c andre and Toni’s brk up coming. kudos
Waitinggggg pon the drop
Sally o, anxiously waiting o. And ehm, aren’t we getting a dose of It’s another Novocaine Saturday.????
I’m patiently waiting for this β€οΈ
Still waiting….*grin*
hi sally, i stayed up till 1am france time, guess i have to check back tomorrow. wanted to be among the first people to download. please dont keep us waiting
sally I can’t log in to okada books. So sad though, that I can’t easily access your stories like I used to.