Page 47 of A Festive Surprise

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Farid’s eyes opened but his brain hadn’t caught up. From the bed, nothing through the small square of window was visible, but it seemed to be getting brighter. Had the aurora returned? His phone was still in the living room with his clothes, exactly where they’d discarded them the night before.

‘What time is it?’ mumbled Holly.

‘Yina’an!’ Farid untangled himself from the blankets, and Holly, and jumped up. ‘I have work. I see light. It’s morning.’

Holly sat up, taking some of the blankets with her. She switched on the lamp. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Ay.’ Farid bolted into the living room and spied the clock. Eight fifteen. Nooooo. He started work at eight thirty or soon after when the sun rose fully. He pulled on his jeans, not bothering with his shirt, boxer shorts or socks; they were about to be slung in the wash anyway. His shoes were in the hall and he scrambled through to get them, colliding with Holly in the doorway.

‘Whoa.’ She staggered back, securing the ties on a fluffy robe.

‘Sorry, jamilati.’ He dipped in and kissed her cheek. ‘I had a beautiful time with you. You wore me out and I sleep too long. I must wash and get ready for work. I don’t like to be late.’

‘Will you come back later? Or have I scared you off again?’

He smiled. ‘I come as soon as I can. Bahebek,jamilati,’

‘Merry Christmas to you too.’ She grinned.

I love you. He smirked as he pulled on his shoes and jacket and ran next door, ignoring the wind’s sting.

The sun was up when he left the house and he raced the pickup along the track towards the forestry area. Per and Mike were already busy marking out a felling section.

‘So sorry.’ Farid approached, panting; his feet crunched through the undergrowth and dead wood. ‘I didn’t mean to be so late.’

‘It’s not a problem,’ said Per. ‘This is the Hebrides, nothing happens quickly.’

Farid smiled and rubbed his cheeks. ‘I slept late. These mornings are so dark.’

‘Yeah,’ said Mike. ‘I hate getting out of bed when it’s dark and cold. It’s the worst thing about winter.’

‘Did you see the northern lights last night?’ asked Farid.

‘No,’ said Mike and Per shook his head.

‘I watched them with Holly from the garden. They lasted about twenty minutes, maybe more. It was awesome.’

‘Amazing,’ said Per. ‘I’ve seen them a couple of times here and once in Norway. When my grandmother was alive, she lived there. They’re different every time.’

‘I’ve never seen them,’ said Mike. ‘You’re a lucky guy.’

‘Yeah, I guess.’

‘Holly seems nice.’ Per switched on his laser measure. ‘I hadn’t met her before the carol singing. Is she from the island?’

‘No. She’s just here for a short time.’ The truth of the words stabbed Farid. Per’s expression was neutral. He had a kind face that always looked happy, but was there a hint of something else? Perhaps he wondered why Farid was dating someone who wouldn’t be around for long, or perhaps judged him for it. Did Per think him shallow and inconstant? ‘She works from home so she can have her work anywhere. She likes to travel.’ Did that make it sound even worse?

‘Robyn does that,’ said Per. ‘She has a business she runs remotely from here. She’s an island girl but used to be based in Manchester and she was away for years doing that.’

‘And she came back to run her business here?’

‘First, she came back to help her mother save her hotel business, then she and Carl got together and she decided to stay.’

‘Very romantic.’

Per smiled. ‘Maybe Holly will do the same.’ He patted Farid on the shoulder.

‘Let’s hope, huh?’ But his heart was full of doubt. Holly liked him; he was certain of that, but was it enough? She was strong, stubborn and driven. Hanging around in one place for a man wasn’t her style, and was he worth it anyway? When he boiled it down, he only had his body to offer her and once she grew bored of that, there was nothing else.

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