Page 24 of A Festive Surprise

‘Well, like many of my friends, we disagreed with what was happening in the country. I used my computer knowledge against the government but I got caught. Many of us were. We were held and tortured.’

‘Oh, Farid.’ Her chest caved like a weight had hit it. An overwhelming urge to hold him and protect him rose in her. Like a human shield, she’d repel his enemies. No one would ever hurt him again. ‘What did they do to you?’

‘They beat us. I had ribs broken and my arm. Then there was bombing and, in the chaos, I escape. I couldn’t go home, not to live. Only to get money, a phone, basic supplies. Then I run. I was with others doing the same. We hitched rides and hid in trucks. It was crazy. When we got to the port, the boats were overflowing and dangerous. They were charging terrible amounts for passage. I paid it and left.’

‘Farid, this is terrifying.’

‘Yes. I had one month in Turkey, then crossed Europe through many countries. I at last get in touch with my father and he tells me he has connections in the UK and I should make for there. After four months, I arrive in the UK, then for a year, I live in a hostel as an asylum seeker. This house is a palace when I think how I lived then. Many are not so lucky. Because I had been tortured, I was granted refugee status and allowed to stay but because I was no longer an asylum seeker, I had to leave the hostel. There was nowhere to go. I lived rough for weeks and could not get work. Thanks to my father, I finally got in touch with Archie and he agreed to this arrangement.’

‘Sheesh.’ Holly sighed. Thank god her father wasn’t here to hear this. He’d worked in the defence industry for years and was deep in the pockets of politicians, some with bees in their bonnets about asylum seekers, misterming them ‘illegal immigrants’ and determinately refusing to acknowledge the difference. ‘That was lucky your father knew him.’

‘Very lucky.’

‘I can’t imagine how it must feel.’

‘Sometimes, when I’m alone, it’s agony. I spent nights on the street, wishing I could just die.’

‘No.’ She bit her lip, stoppering a lump rising from her throat and shifting closer to him.

‘Ay, na’am. But I didn’t go all that way to give up. What hurts is I might never see my family again.’ He bumped his ribs with a fist.

‘And are they safe? Or will the government go after them?’ she asked, blinking to clear her vision as tears welled.

‘They’re in a safe house in Turkey and I think they will stay.’

‘You’ve been through so much.’ She rubbed her hand down his thigh in a soothing motion.

‘Ya’ni. But, look, we have chestnuts. So, don’t worry.’ He released her and leaned forward for the fire irons. Carefully, he lifted out the foil container. ‘We should let them cool. Why don’t you cheer us up and tell me something Christmassy while we wait?’

‘Seriously, do you still want to learn about Christmas after what you just told me? It’s so pointless.’

‘Come on, tell me another song, a tradition, anything. It will make me happy.’

‘Will it? I don’t get how learning the bizarre rituals of Christmas can do that.’

‘Having your company makes me happy.’ He decanted the chestnuts into the original bowl.

‘Then you could just ask me out.’ The words spilled out before she could stop them.

He froze and stared at her, suspending the foil container over the bowl. Her heart pounded faster than normal. Why the hell did she say that? Always the loose cannon, firing off left, right and centre.

Then his lip curled up. ‘What’s to stop you asking me? Don’t you British girls like to make the first move? Isn’t that the modern way?’

‘Yeah.’ She rubbed her forehead. Gavin’s face swam in her mind. ‘Not sure that’s my greatest strength.’

‘Ok, then.’ Farid laid down the bowl of chestnuts and took both her hands. She furrowed her brow but warmth spread through her veins. ‘Holly, would you like to date me?’

She swallowed. This was like a proposal. Please no. Not another one of them. Especially at Christmas. ‘I would, but you know I’m only staying here a month or so. So, this is just a short-term thing.’

‘I understand.’

‘Good, because I want that to be crystal clear so there’s no chance of you misunderstanding my intentions, ok?’

‘For sure, yes. So, will you date me for one month and no longer?’

‘Yes. Yes, I will.’

He raised both her hands, then pressed his lips to her fingertips. Her nails grazed his neatly trimmed facial hair. Her transformation to liquid concluded. She dropped her eyelids, letting out a deep sigh.

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