Page 12 of A Festive Surprise

Farid downed a large slug of wine, grabbed a dishcloth and pulled out the tray of steaming pies.

Holly topped up her glass, shaking the dregs from the bottle. ‘Just as well I got two.’ She flapped away a yawn. ‘All the travelling. It’s tired me out. Let’s be even more naughty and eat on the sofa. I need a comfy seat.’ Lifting her glass and a fresh bottle, she ported them across the room and laid them on the coffee table. Farid dished the pies onto plates and slid them over the worktop. Holly took them to the table, then flopped onto the sofa.

‘Now we see if you stay or go.’ Farid sipped his wine, then sat beside her.

‘Ok.’ She picked up a plate, balancing it close to her mouth as she bit into the pie. Her head rocked from side to side as she chewed.

‘Well?’

‘Good, really nice actually.’

‘You like?’

‘I do.’

‘That means you stay.’

She took another bite and nodded. ‘Ok.’

‘Tell me how you know Georgia.’ Farid lifted his own plate.

‘We shared a flat at uni. We were on different courses but we got thrown together as housemates and hit it off.’

Farid leaned his elbow on the back of the sofa, facing her as she spoke. Watching her eyes dance as she talked warmed his heart.

When she finished her pie, she topped up her glass again and knocked it back. ‘This is good stuff.’ She admired her glass. ‘Here. Let’s have a toast. To new neighbours.’

Farid raised an eyebrow as she clinked her glass on the side of his. ‘Why do you want to give me toast?’

She lowered her glass and covered her mouth. ‘Oh god, that’s hilarious. Not that kind of toast. Oh, jeez. This country makes no sense, does it?’

‘Not often.’

‘I’ll explain.’

The sound of her voice brought a smile to his lips. He leaned his chin on his hand. She finished her wine and slapped the glass on the table, yawning again.

‘Sorry, I’m so…’ She flapped her hand in front of her face. ‘Tired.’ Her head dropped back and she stared at the ceiling. ‘It’s so warm in here.’

‘Let me clear up.’ Farid took the plates and glasses into the kitchen area and loaded them into the compact dishwasher. When he got back to the living area, Holly’s head drooped to the side. For a second, Farid eyed the gentle movement of her chest rising and falling, then he picked up a blanket from a wire basket in the corner and threw it over her.

‘Goodnight.’ One last glance and he let himself out into the cold evening air. He wasn’t alone on this little outpost anymore. Through the wall was a woman who’d rocked his mind in a few short hours.

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