Page 28 of A Festive Surprise

‘We’re booked,’ said Holly. ‘But we’re early.’

‘No problem,’ said the waitress. ‘We have seats over here.’

Farid hung back. His eyes travelled over Holly as she tossed off her coat, revealing a low-backed grey top in soft, shiny fabric; it tucked neatly into tight black jeans. She sat, crossing her ankles. High-heeled leather boots rode up her shins, ending just below her knees. Close mouth and sit. Farid gave himself an internal shove and moved forward, taking a seat opposite.

Holly ran an immaculate nail down the menu. ‘They don’t serve alcohol. We’ll have to settle for the soft stuff. Probably best if you’re driving anyway. You can have some Irn Bru.’

‘I like that.’ Farid rolled up his shirt sleeves.

‘Yuck. Grossest drink ever. But it is made of girders apparently, so you can drink it and turn into Iron Man if you like.’ She raised an eyebrow, her gaze trailing over his forearms, leaving a wash of goosebumps. With a little cough, she glanced away, then screwed up her nose at the Christmas tree in the corner. Soft music played in the background. ‘Ugh. This song.’

‘What is it?’

‘“I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”’

‘It sounds nice.’ Farid pulled the menu closer. ‘Home in a place filled with love, peace and happiness.’

‘Oh, Farid.’ Holly rested her hand on his. ‘I keep putting my foot in it. It’s just that I’m not that close to my family and the idea of spending Christmas cooped up with them sets me on edge.’

‘Why? What have they done to cause this…’ He put out his hand, searching for the right word.

She sighed. ‘I guess I’m a disappointment to them.’

‘I understand this feeling. My father thinks the same about me. But why with you? You are so successful and bright.’

The waitress interrupted with a slight cough and they ordered.

Holly waited until the waitress had moved away. ‘You’re sweet saying those things about me, but it’s not that. It’s so much more petty and stupid than that. If I tell you, you’ll laugh. I’d laugh too if I didn’t know it was true.’

‘Tell me.’

‘Well, they wanted a boy and they got me.’

‘Ah, that is sad.’

‘But it’s worse than that. They didn’t just want a boy, they thought it was some kind of destiny to have a boy and my coming along ruined that.’

‘Er… ok. How?’

‘I told you it was crazy. My mother has this idea of a perfect family. A girl and a boy. Apparently, it always happens in her family. It worked for her parents, her grandparents, her brother. Even my father has a sister. So, in my mother’s bizarre mind, she decided because she’d already had a girl, she’d have a boy next. Obviously, she didn’t.’

‘But couldn’t she have tried again?’

‘Oh, no. My mother thinks it’s criminal having more than two children. I grew up trying to be a bit boyish, hoping to please her. But that didn’t work. I was just me and I didn’t really fit with what she wanted.’

‘Ya’ni, they’ve missed out.’ He ran his finger down her forearm. ‘You’re intelligent and confident. You have a good job and success.’ Where did that leave him? What could he offer her? Once upon a time, he’d been these things too but now he chopped trees and lived on a hand-to-mouth basis. His future wasn’t guaranteed. He placed his palms flat on the table. He should stop this game. But could he?

‘That’s kind of you but they won’t see it. I know you put a lot of stock into home but I didn’t have much of a home growing up. My father worked in the defence industry and we moved about with his work. I never felt settled anywhere.’

The waitress brought their drinks and they sipped them quietly. Holly’s words danced around Farid’s brain. What was his next move? He’d already lost at Monopoly.

Their window seat looked out over the town and the harbour. Lights began twinkling as the sun set, reflecting on the darkening sea.

‘Cute, isn’t it?’ said Holly.

‘Very.’

‘The thing we’re doing at six. Is it Christmassy by any chance?’ She took a large gulp of pink lemonade.

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