and looked back, nervously waiting as Melissa went to them.
“I thought we talked earlier about not spying,” Melissa said in her sternest voice.
“We wanted to see you tonight,” Alaya said.
“Do you know where my room is?”
Alaya nodded.
“In the future, wait there if you need to see me. Or leave me a note. But no more spying; it’s wrong.”
Alaya nodded. Hamid looked at his sister, then nodded solemnly as well.
“Now, what’s up?” Melissa asked, smiling at the children.
“We wanted to see if you would read us a story,” Hamid said. “Annis only reads in French and we don’t understand.”
“Or she speaks Arabic and we only know a few words that Mummy and Daddy taught us,” Alaya said.
“You will feed to learn the language if you’re staying here,”
Melissa said. She started walking to the stairs leading to the third floor. “Maybe we’ll ask Annis to start Arabic lessons in the morning. Tonight, I’m happy to read you a story. Is Nadia already in bed?”
“Yes. She was sleeping when we came down,” Alaya said. “I wish we didn’t have to stay here. Everything’s so different from home.”
“You’ll get used to things in time, then it will be like having two homes. The one you had in England, and your new one here. Do you have friends back at home?” Melissa asked.
Alaya nodded.
“Have you written to them about your new place?”
The little girl shook her head.
“That would be fun for them to receive a letter from you telling them all about this house, your uncle and Annis. I bet none of them have ever been to Qu’ Arim. Maybe you could get some photos to include in the letter.” Melissa smiled as the enthusiasm started to show on Alaya’s face. “This house is fantastic. Just a photo of the front would look like a museum or something.”
“I’d like to write to Sally and Marta. You think they’d write back to me?” she asked wistfully.
“I’m sure of it. First thing tomorrow, I’ll have Annis make sure you have paper and pencil. You write as much as you wish and then we’ll get your uncle to post it,” Melissa said.
“I should be delighted,” Surim said behind them.
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