Page 335 - James Caan - The Real Deal

32 · Kashmir

had four kids to look after: she got a house. We chose the people
in the greatest need with the fewest number of able-bodied
relations.
Eventually, the factory told us that the manufacturing was
complete and the houses were ready for delivery. Seema arranged
transportation, and it was absolutely fantastic to know that within
a couple of weeks people would be able to see out the rest of
winter in their own homes.

Back in London, I got into the swing of things again: now that
something was happening and I felt we had made progress, I could
concentrate on work, the deals we were considering. I was giving
a presentation to a bank when my phone rang. Thank God for
caller ID, because 90 per cent of the time when my phone rings I
don’t answer it, but it was Seema and I knew it had to be
something to do with the houses.
The lorry driver had called: the roads hadn’t been built yet and
he couldn’t go any further.
‘I don’t know what to do, James.’
Neither did I, but I knew a man who would. I called the
brigadier I had dealt with about the allocations.
‘Where are your trucks at the moment?’
I wasn’t sure, so I gave him the mobile number of one of the
drivers.
‘I’ll call him and get some guys in 4 4s to him and deliver the
houses piece by piece.’
I couldn’t have asked for more, but then we got word that the
4 4s couldn’t go any further either. The only vehicle that could
make it to the villages was in fact a mule. I called the brigadier
again.
‘I’ll send some mules.’
I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: in Pakistan it really
is about who you know, and being able to get the right person on

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