Page 30 of A Festive Surprise

‘Pleased to meet you.’ Fenella put out her hand. ‘Per tells me all about you.’

Farid smiled as he shook her hand. ‘This is Holly, my neighbour.’

Holly gave a stiff little wave. ‘And he’s my date.’

‘Very good.’

Farid shuffled his feet. They’d been caught in a grip of affection. His stomach squirmed.

‘Carl, our son, is leading the singing,’ Per continued, his smile unfaltering and his eyes kind. ‘He’s very talented.’

‘So are you.’ Fenella rubbed his arm.

‘The whole family are amazing singers,’ said Robyn. ‘I’m not musical, so I just listen.’

‘You have a lovely voice,’ said Fenella. ‘You just need confidence. Do you sing?’ she asked Farid.

‘Not really. And I don’t know any of the Christmas ones; I’m just here for the fun.’

‘Quite right,’ said Fenella.

A microphone crackled and they looked towards the clock tower. Farid spotted Georgia. She tapped the microphone and faced the crowd. ‘Hi, everyone. I hope this isn’t too loud. I’d like to welcome you all here and thank you for coming. This event is purely for fun and enjoyment, and the plan is to start here with a few songs, then move along the main street. We won’t knock on any doors.’

‘Thank heavens for that,’ muttered Holly. ‘Can you imagine the poor sods if this lot turned up at their door?’

‘At the end, we’ll make a collection but it’s purely voluntary. All the proceeds will go to the new affordable housing scheme. We’re lucky to have Rebekah Ama Yeboah, the founder of the scheme here tonight, and Blair Robertson and Calum Matheson, who also work with the initiative. If they sing extra loudly, we might muster a few extra pounds to persuade them to stop.’

A murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd.

‘Before we get started,’ Georgia continued, ‘we’re going to have the official Christmas light switch on. This year we’re lucky enough to have our very own island celebrity to do the honours. Please welcome former Scotland striker Troy Copeland.’

Farid joined in the clapping as a young man hopped up beside Georgia.

‘Bloody football,’ muttered Holly. ‘It’s my second favourite thing after Christmas.’

‘Thanks, everyone,’ said Troy. ‘Now, here goes. If you’ll join me in a countdown. Ten, nine…’

Grinning, Farid joined in as Holly rolled her eyes. Five, four, three, two, one, zero. Troy pressed a button, and lights burst along the front. Clapping and cheering echoed around.

‘Thank you, Troy.’ Georgia took the microphone. ‘Now, let’s get singing. I have Carl Hansen here and he’s going to lead us. Hopefully everyone has word sheets and Archie will get the music playing on the block rocker. The first song is “Once in Royal David’s City”. Please remain quiet for the first verse. We have a local schoolgirl to sing it for us. If you could welcome Catelyn Walsh.’

Applause broke out and Fenella whistled. ‘She’s one of my pupils.’

The opening music started up. Holly’s hand brushed against Farid’s. He threaded his fingers through hers and held on. The girl sang out in a clear, haunting voice. David’s City. Bethlehem. A journey of around one hundred and fifty miles from Daraa. Goosebumps prickled up Farid’s arms. The voices reminded him of the adhan and the words of home. A lump swelled in his throat and tears welled close to the surface. Keep it in. He glanced at Holly and she answered the look instantly. Her eyebrows raised in the middle. Words didn’t come, but maybe she guessed what was going through his mind. Her fingers squeezed his, then she let go, slipped her hands under his arms and wrapped him in a tight hug. A broken sigh escaped him and he returned her embrace, holding her fast as the verse ended and the crowd joined in. No more words made their way in but the tune formed in his mind and he gently hummed it, closing his eyes and relaxing his chin on Holly’s shoulder. She rubbed his back. A blissful embrace.

When the song ended, Farid released her. ‘Thank you.’

‘You looked like you needed a hug.’

He took her hand and they hummed their way through the next songs before moving on.

‘Is this what you imagined then?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know. But I like being here with these people. It’s like a big family.’

Holly stroked his hand between both of hers. ‘I don’t remember half these songs and we didn’t get a sheet.’

‘I like listening.’

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