Page 80 of Where Broken Wings Fly

She strokes a hand over her daughter’s head. “This is Amie, my youngest. She cries too much, too much.”

I hold her to my chest and begin to rock back and forth. She’s so beautiful, already sporting a headful of dark hair and stunning eyes that perfectly match her brother.

“Hey, pretty girl. You causing trouble for your mama?”

Cooing and rocking the baby, it takes a few minutes for her to drop off. Aalia lets out an exhausted sigh, heading into the kitchen to brew a pot of tea. I perch against the dining table, keeping Amie safe in my arms.

“Did you have any more damage from the storm?” I watch as she adds a mixture of fresh herbs to boiling water. “I saw your garden and swing set.”

“That was all. Nothing else.”

“Good. I’ll tell Killian to get them fixed up for you.”

“You are too kind.” She sets two teacups down on the table, adding saucers and spoons. “In my country, we drink this tea with friends. It is a custom.”

“Where are you from? I hope that’s not rude to ask.”

“Not at all.” She returns with the tea pot and gestures for me to sit. “We’re from Egypt, but we have been everywhere. Many different countries, looking for a home.”

Aalia pours the clear, steaming tea into my cup. I breathe in the floral scent and take a sip. Exotic flavours burst across my tongue, exploding with hints of cardamon and rich spices. I can’t help but groan.

“This is amazing. Thank you.”

She smiles at me. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Your English is great. How long have you been here?”

“We’ve been in temporary accommodation for a few months. I learned this language in my country, but Johan speaks more than me.”

Right on cue, the star of the show returns, his shyness now completely forgotten. He demands my attention and recites the whole alphabet, grinning from ear to ear when I clap. He gives me a little bow, earning a kiss on the cheek from his mother.

“The people here saved my life, my children.” Aalia watches Johan disappear into the bedroom again. “Lola is a good woman. I do not know how to thank her.”

“How did you learn about this place?”

“She took us from a friend of hers. No questions.”

“That’s really good.” I take another sip of the delicious tea. “Lola helped us too. I’m here with my daughter, Arianna. We arrived a month or so ago.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Aalia compliments.

“I’ll have to introduce her to Johan. She could use another friend to play with. Rachel’s and Miranda’s kids are a bit older.”

“Yes, he needs someone.”

“Even a yucky girl?” I laugh.

She shakes her head in amusement. “Even a girl. I am too tired to play with him. Two children is… how do you say, uh… hard. Lots of work.”

“I bet. Does your husband help?”

The light that seems to emanate from her extinguishes, and her face shuts down. It’s like looking into an awful mirror, seeing the slight tremble of her hands, and the way she studies the circle of light skin around her ring finger.

“He is not a good man.”

“I’m sorry,” I rush to apologise. “We don’t have to talk about him.”

“No, it’s fine. When he was not happy, he liked to hit. I took my children, and I ran.”

---