Page 43 of A Festive Surprise

‘That was a good night,’ said Georgia. ‘I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to her. I must visit her soon.’

‘You like to know everything, huh?’

She pulled a face. ‘Eek. I do. I’m too nosey for my own good sometimes. Anyway, here are the lights.’ She handed over a box. ‘They should work outside and I’ve checked the batteries. If you need any more, give me a shout.’

Farid put them on the passenger seat and drove back to the cottage. Utter darkness shrouded in like a thick velvet curtain over the world. He scurried inside and switched on the living room and hall lights. Cool. That lit most of the small garden. Enough to get his bearings anyway. He unpacked the fairy lights inside the doorway and checked they were working before stringing them along the little fence. A lump formed in his throat. All the people he’d spoken to today were filled with thoughts for their families and friends. People they could go and see, check if they were ok, and hug. That was luxury. Not cash or fancy things.

Some of the lights were like little lanterns interspersed with tiny silver bells that tinkled as he looped them over the posts.

Holly’s door clicked open and she leaned on the frame, folding her arms, lit from behind by the warm glow in her hallway. ‘What are you doing?’

‘Putting up my Christmas decorations.’

‘You’re relentless, aren’t you? Are you just trying to annoy me with more Christmas stuff?’

‘No. It’s like lighting candles for my family. I cannot be near them but when I see the lights, I think of them. I send pictures later and show them my Scottish garden.’

Holly jumped off the doorstep and strode down her path like she was on a mission. What was she doing? She swished open the gate and nipped to Farid’s side. ‘Can I help you?’ She touched his arm.

‘Don’t you hate all this?’

‘I don’t like Christmas, but I like you.’ She rubbed her hand up and down his jacket sleeve. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you off yesterday.’

‘You didn’t. I needed time to make sense of things. It moved so fast.’

‘I know. But I missed you so badly all afternoon and today.’

‘Me too, Holly.’ He wrapped his arms around her and she held him in a grip lock. Raising his hands to her hair, he stroked her. She placed a delicate kiss on his cheek and the heat rushed back.

‘Let me help you,’ she said. ‘We can put up these lights as a symbol of peace and hope.’

‘Thank you.’

‘The world is a cruel place.’ Her words fell softly in his ear. ‘You miss your family so much but you can’t go to them. I could go to mine anytime but I don’t want to. Maybe I should. Maybe if I was in your position, I’d miss them as much.’

‘You would.’ Farid caressed her back. She had on thin pyjamas and a loose cardigan; she must be freezing. ‘My relationship with my parents was… tricky. But now I’m so far away, I miss them. I can’t… ya’ni, what’s the word…? Make it good.’

‘They’ll be proud of you now. You’re a survivor. You’re brave, you’re strong. And maybe one day you’ll get to go home.’

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘It’s too dangerous. And my family cannot come here. They’re too…’ He clicked his fingers. ‘They like things to stay the same.’

‘Traditional?’

‘Yes. And Turkey is already a big change for them. For me to go back would be crazy. This is my home now and there are many things I like. I have to keep seeing good.’

‘It’s so hard.’

‘Yes. But not impossible. Ya’ni… this could be your home too, no?’

She pulled back and stared at him. ‘It’s just a place like any other. There’s nothing to keep me here.’

‘Nothing?’ He quirked his eyebrow.

She looked away, her expression uncertain. Probably wise. He mustn’t hang too much on what they had here. She obviously had no intention of altering their deal. One month, that was all.

‘At first, I didn’t think I could find home here. But now… maybe,’ he said.

‘Come on, let’s hang the lights.’ She took the end of the string, and they dotted them around the garden until it was boxed by a perimeter of twinkling stars.

‘Beautiful,’ said Farid. ‘Now, will my phone take a good picture in the dark? Then I send it to my family.’ He held it up and snapped.

‘Do you want to eat with me tonight? Or is it best not to on a school night?’

‘A school night?’

‘It means when you have work the next day. I guess parents always tell their kids they’re not allowed to do fun stuff on a school night.’

‘Ah, yes. I would like that but I must first go to the village and buy food. I have nothing left. I do that now, then I shower and change. I can come around later. That ok?’

‘Anything’s ok with me.’ She reached up and pecked him on the cheek. ‘I can’t imagine ever not being happy to see you.’

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