Page 5 of A Festive Surprise

What? The words were there but he couldn’t translate them fast enough. ‘You’ve lost me. I don’t get the ways of this country yet.’

‘Hardly surprising,’ Holly said. ‘People make up traditions left, right and centre, especially at this time of year.’

‘Ah, we’ll have you kilted up like a true Scot come Hogmanay,’ said Georgia.

‘A what?’ Farid clenched his fist around the handles of the bag. What did she mean? Her smile said she was joking. Fine. But cold air echoed in the hollows of his chest. He’d left a rich culture and the warmth of a family behind. Lifting his right shoulder slightly, he looked back at Holly, doing a double take. Her gaze was glued to him. Her teeth grazed her lower lip, suckering him in the gut.

‘It sounds ridiculous to me too,’ she said. ‘Where are you from?’

‘Daraa.’

She gave a brief nod. ‘That must be tough.’

‘It is.’

‘What’s your name?’

‘Farid Al-Karim.’

‘Pleased to meet you.’ She thrust out her hand. ‘I’m Holly.’

Farid blinked before he took it. His grandfather would have frowned and tutted at shaking a woman’s hand, but Farid’s brief hesitation came from the formidable glint in Holly’s eyes. Her grip was firm and she held on. An electric current surged up his arm. He clutched her cold palm, his jaw going rigid, but he couldn’t break from her stare. Was she X-raying him or channelling his brainwaves?

‘You’ll be pleased to hear you’re neighbours,’ Georgia said. ‘Farid’s cottage is the other half of yours.’

‘Is it?’ Holly released his hand. His palm slipped from hers.

Georgia nodded.

Nerves prickled up Farid’s back. She was his new neighbour? The peace and quiet of his cottage had been absolute until now. Questions leapt into his head. Did she have a noisy job? Would she expect to call in for chats? How long was she there for?

‘Ya’ni,’ said Farid. ‘I will see you about then. And I am sorry about the elf. I was mixed up.’

‘I’ll let you off.’ Holly scanned his face again, dropping her gaze from his eyes to his lips, then back.

Was she being facetious? Rude? Flirtatious? All of them? A rude neighbour would be awful. A flirty one could be fun. But not sensible. His parents wouldn’t want him carrying on relationships while he was here. Of course, he must live his own life as best he could, but old ways died hard. Adjusting was tricky enough without more complications.

He glanced at her. A half-smile played on her glossy pink lips. His gut swooped. He’d vowed to keep his head down, be safe and be sensible. Keeping himself to himself and getting by were his only goals… Or had been when he arrived. Was it still possible?

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