Page 12 of My Turkish Fling
Aria got up. “Everyone! This is Janie! She’s my boss and a wonderful friend who’s letting us use her house for the engagement party.”
Janie went around the table, shaking hands with Lyn and Greg. When she moved onto my mother, she leaned in and kissed her hand, bringing it to her forehead like she’d done it a thousand times. Mom didn’t even blink, smiling her usual smile. Dad eyed her with suspicion but accepted the traditional greeting in his turn.
How did she know?
I edged closer to the table and snuck a handful of almonds,glancing at Janie. “I bet we didn’t need to bring these all the way from Turkey, right?”
She laughed like I’d cracked a particularly funny joke. “No, but these are definitely worth braving the biosecurity.” She pointed at the tray oflokum,chose a piece of a pomegranate-coated one and bit into it, closing her eyes. “Ah! This brings back memories.”
“Memories?”
I waited for her answer, staring at her so intently I didn’t notice Mom talking to me until she yanked at my sleeve. “I said, are you really going to stay at another house?”
I glanced at the crowded kitchen showing through the open doorway. “This place is too small for all of us. I know Aria’s parents are very generous to offer, but two weeks is a long time.”
“But we’re leaving for South Island in a couple of days. We won’t be here long.”
I took a deep breath. I’d been biding my time, waiting for the right moment to tell them I wasn’t coming. I’d never even booked a seat for myself. I couldn’t stomach the idea of third-wheeling them around the country, and I knew, once they got over their fear of traveling without me, they’d appreciate the privacy.
“You go! It’s all arranged, and I’ve emailed you both the itinerary and all the details. I managed to cancel my seat and got a full refund.”
“Full refund?” Mom narrowed her eyes, playing with the bangles on her wrist.
“Yes. We had flexi tickets. It’s fine. Meanwhile, I’ll help on Janie’s farm to get it ready for the party.”
Mom gave me a slow nod, her eyes lighting with understanding. “Tamam! You do that. Work hard. If she won’t let us pay for the party, we make sure we leave the place in a better shape. How is it looking?”
I took the camera off my shoulder and showed her some of the pictures.
“Those flowering trees are so beautiful!” She tried to take the camera off me, but I grabbed it back and switched it off. She didn’t need to see pictures of Janie walking out of her house.
“There’s a verandah with more flowering trees around it. It needs some work, but it’ll look great in the pictures. I’ll plan the photos when I’m there.”
Dad tuned into our conversation, frowning. “You’re not coming to South Island with us? What if we get lost? I don’t understand these people. Every word sounds the same. Are they talking through their noses?”
Mom patted my arm. “We’ll be fine. I have a translator app. It’ll be an adventure! Like when we were young.” She winked at him, and I saw a flash of interest behind Dad’s eyes.
Looking after Janie’s horse was sounding better and better by the minute. I didn’t even care how much she teased me about it. I wanted to get back to the farm, with no people in sight.
After an appropriate duration of snacking and chitchatting, I fetched my suitcase from the house and farewelled the Dunnes, as well as my parents. Mom slipped a wad of cash into my pocket. “Don’t be a burden. I don’t want that woman to cook for you all day long. Buy some yogurt. It’ll keep you healthy.”
I nodded, feeling heavy. It was Cem’s money that we passed around, not mine. I wasn’t his manager anymore, and I hated these handouts. But what could I do? Mom was right. I couldn’t let Janie cook for me. Letting me stay in her house was more than enough. I’d find a way to be useful. Not just with the horse, but with everything. Whatever she needed.
Chapter 6
Janie
“Are you sure? I have a lot of food. I buy bulk. I grow food.”
“Yes,” Emir insisted. “I will buy some groceries for us. Anything you need.”
I sighed, turning into the grocery store carpark. “I told you I don’t need anything.”
Emir didn’t budge. “Can we take turns cooking?”
“Do you enjoy cooking?”
“I know some recipes.”
