Page 55 of The New Girl

‘Well, Safa has been an amazing friend to me too. She got my brother Robbie into this amazing school and it’s going to change all our lives.’

‘Well, she got him in part-time, but still, it’s great,’ Orla said. ‘Like, seriously brilliant.’

Robbie had been offered a place in Grangepark, five half-days a week, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then after a year of half-days, he would be offered a full-time place. When Mrs Peabody called Mum to tell her, Ruby had never, ever seen anyone cry so much. Ruby thought her granny had died because Mum was so upset, but they were tears of pure happiness and relief.

Mr Karim nodded. ‘Yes, your father told me what Safa did, and I am so proud of her. I cannot wait to see my little girl and hold her in my arms.’ His voice shook.

Dad came back into the room and handed Mr Karim a glass of water, which he drank deeply from.

‘So, like, what happened?’ Orla jumped straight in. ‘We heard you were attacked and lost your memory. It’s like that old Sandra Bullock movie where the guy she fancies bangs his head and she’s in love with him and then he thinks she’s his girlfriend and –’

‘Orla,’ Ruby snapped, ‘Mr Karim has no idea what you’re talking about.’ Ruby wanted to shove her sister out of the room. She was being so annoying. Mr Karim did not want to hear about some stupid movie.

‘Jeez, I was only saying,’ Orla huffed.

‘It’s all right.’ Mr Karim held up his hand. ‘Yes, I was attacked in Greece by a gang. I was asleep in a plastic tent when they tried to rob me. I woke up and tried to fight them off, which was not such a good idea when there were four of them against me. I should have let them take my papers and money. I woke up in hospital with severe concussion not knowing where I was, or who I was.’

‘That must have been really scary,’ Ruby said.

‘It was, but no more frightening than having to leave your country in the dead of night and being separated from your family.’ He reached over and held his wife’s hand.

‘I dunno, there are days when I wish I could be separated from my family,’ Orla said.

‘Don’t you have to go and help Mum with Robbie?’ Ruby glared at her sister.

‘No.’ Orla was not going to miss a minute of the excitement.

Thankfully Dad muttered something about helping out and dragged Orla out of the room.

‘Sorry about my sister. She can be very annoying.’ Ruby blushed. She wanted Safa’s dad to think they were a nice normal family, not a bunch of nutters.

Mr Karim smiled. ‘I like Orla. She is spirited.’

If spirited meant mad then Ruby agreed, but she had a feeling it was a compliment.

‘What time will Safa be here?’ Mr Karim asked.

Ruby looked at the clock on the mantlepiece. ‘She’ll be here in about twenty minutes. Everyone is so excited. We can’t wait for Safa to see you. She misses you so much. She talks about you all the time and tells me all the wise things that you used to tell her.’

Mr Karim smiled. ‘The wisest thing I have learned over these last difficult months is that the only thing that really matters is family. In the end, they are everything.’ He kissed his wife’s hand, and she gazed lovingly at him.

Rima’s face was glowing; she looked so happy. It was really romantic. Ruby had never seen her dad kiss her mum’s hand. Then again, her mum and dad saw each other every day, while this was a big reunion.

Mr Karim stifled a yawn and then rested his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. ‘You will have to excuse me, Ruby. I wasn’t able to sleep last night because I was so excited about flying here this morning. I just need to rest for a few minutes. I want Safa to see me standing up and strong.’

Rima murmured to him in Arabic and stroked his forehead. He looked wiped out. Ruby worried he wouldn’t be able for all the excitement. Maybe they shouldn’t have organised a party. Maybe they should have let Safa meet him somewhere quiet, alone. Her stomach flipped. Oh God, had she messed this whole reunion up?

She went out into the kitchen where Robbie, who was wide awake, was banging a wooden spoon on the table.

‘Mum!’ Ruby groaned.

Fiona shrugged. ‘I’m sorry, love, I tried. I think he can sense the excitement and he wants to be part of it. It’s either have him here happy or upstairs roaring his head off.’

Ruby stood in front of her brother, her hands on her hips. ‘Robbie, this is a very important day. It’s a party for Safa, OK?’

‘Es.’

‘So, you have to be very good and no shouting. Right?’

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