Page 54 of The New Girl

‘Yes, I do.’

‘I don’t think I’ve ever met a more courageous or compassionate person than you. What you are doing for your friend and her family is really exceptional. They are very lucky to have you as a friend, fighting their corner. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I will look at Robert’s application and see if I can do something to help the family. I can’t offer him a full-time place, but I promise to do everything I can to figure out a way to help the family.’

Safa leant forward. ‘Do you promise?’

‘Yes, Safa, I promise.’

‘Well, then, I know you will fix this. I know you won’t let this family break.’

Mrs Peabody smiled. ‘You’ll go far in life, Safa. With the passion and compassion you have, you will reach the stars. Your family should be very proud of you.’

‘Thank you. I won’t take up any more of your time.’ Safa stood up and politely held out her hand.

Mrs Peabody shook it. ‘You are a very special girl. Don’t ever change.’

Safa left the school feeling lighter. Maybe, just maybe, she’d been able to help.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ruby

Ruby had been standing at the kitchen window for nearly an hour. Dad had called to say the flight was delayed, but they should be back by two o’clock. She’d been afraid to move in case she missed them arriving. She wanted to be there to greet them.

Ruby could hear her mum upstairs trying to get Robbie down for a nap. They all wanted Robbie to be asleep and not cause a fuss, but by the sounds of things, he was having none of it. Ruby could hear a muffled ‘No no no no!’ from his bedroom.

Then she saw it. Her dad’s red taxi.Oh my God, they’re here. Ruby’s heart leapt as she saw the car pull up outside the house. Her dad jumped out and rushed around to open the passenger door.

Slowly, so very slowly, a man climbed out. Ruby’s dad held him up on one side and helped him steady himself. Safa’s mum was on the other side, holding his hand. Ruby gasped. Mr Karim, Baba, was here, in Ireland, outside her house. Safa was going to get the best surprise ever. It was all very real now. Ruby stared and stared. He was not like she’d imagined at all. He was very skinny, his hair was white and he had black shadows under his eyes.

‘Crikey, he looks wrecked.’ Orla came up behind her. ‘There’s no way he’s going to be able to eat all this mad food. I’d say he’ll be full after three olives.’

Behind them, on the kitchen table, was a feast of spicy food. Fiona had gone into overdrive, googling Syrian food and cooking non-stop for days.

‘I wouldn’t mind if it was nice, but it’s manky food. The only good part is the chocolate cake,’ Orla grumbled.

Ruby ignored her sister. She was holding her breath as Mr Karim made his way slowly up the path.

Ruby rushed to the door. She flung it open and there in front of her was Mr Karim, in the flesh. He looked exhausted, but his eyes – his eyes were Safa’s eyes, all bright and shiny, and they twinkled at her.

Dad helped Mr Karim up the step and into the hall. Rima gently helped her husband take his coat off.

Ruby tried really hard not to cry. He was here. He was really here. ‘Hello,’ was all she could croak.

‘Welcome home,’ Orla said, sticking her hand out over Ruby’s shoulder. ‘Well, I suppose it’s not really home, I mean, Syria is home, right? So it’s kind of more of a welcome back to your family, I guess. You’ll probably never actually go home with the war and all.’

Ruby glared at her sister. She was such an idiot. Why was she banging on about the war in Syria?

‘OK, girls, give Mr Karim some space. We’ll settle him in the lounge.’ Dad and Rima moved forward and gently lowered Mr Karim onto the couch. Rima fussed over him, plumping cushions behind his back and making sure he was comfortable.

Mr Karim exhaled deeply and then looked up. ‘You must be Ruby.’ He smiled at her. His voice was strong even though he looked frail.

Ruby was frozen to the spot. Orla shoved her forward. Ruby wasn’t sure if she should hug Safa’s dad or shake his hand.

While she was hovering, Mr Karim reached up and took her hand between his two hands. They were warm and comforting. ‘Ruby, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done for me and my family.’ He spoke English like an English person. He even had a posh accent and all. His eyes held Ruby’s. She stared into them; they were so full of warmth and kindness.

‘Uhm, sure. I mean, you’re welcome.’

‘I am so grateful that Safa has a friend like you here in Ireland.’

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