City Lives by Patricia Scanlan Page B

and had kept in touch. Alma was a sexy bird, Terry thought admiringly, remembering the
curvy, sensual blonde who liked to tease and flirt.
    ‘Terry, how are you? We haven’t heard from you in a while. How about that trip to Dubai that you’re always promising to take? You know we could meet up and have some fun while
you and Maggie have a holiday.’
    ‘One of these days, Sulaiman. One of these days. How about you? You didn’t come home this summer. What’s happening?’
    ‘Aw, nothing much.’ Sulaiman gave his little laugh. ‘Now that Alma’s parents are dead she doesn’t like to go back to Cork. It’s too sad for her. And of course
she was an only child so there is no close family.’
    ‘That’s understandable,’ Terry agreed. ‘How are the kids?’
    ‘Fine, fine. And yours?’
    ‘Thriving. Big and bold.’
    ‘The thing is,’ Sulaiman cleared his throat. ‘Ramadan falls during Christmas this year and we were thinking of going to the States for a month. I’ll be attending a
medical conference there. I’m due some leave, also. As you know, I’ve a brother in Washington, we were hoping to have a holiday with him. The thing is, it’s a very long journey
for the kids and we wondered if we could fly via London and Dublin and have a stopover with you for a day or two? It would be lovely to see you. We’d be travelling about twelve days or there
abouts before Christmas. I haven’t the exact date yet.’
    ‘Day or two, my hat,’ Terry said expansively, ‘spend a week with us. Maggie would be delighted to see you.’
    ‘A week? Are you sure? We’d get a lot of drinking in, old buddy. We could make home-made brew.’ Sulaiman chuckled.
    ‘No drinks for you. It’s Ramadan.’ Terry grinned.
    ‘And we all know how devout I am.’ Sulaiman guffawed. ‘Look, I’ll finalize the details at this end and get back to you. If you’re sure. Do you want to check with
Maggie?’
    ‘No need. Not at all. It will be fine, Sulaiman, we’ll be delighted to have you. Maggie’ll be thrilled. The more the merrier at Christmas time. We’ll paint the town
red.’
    ‘Will we what?’ Sulaiman agreed happily. ‘I’ll get back to you soon.’
    ‘Great stuff, great stuff.’ Terry rubbed his hands. ‘Talk to you soon.’
    A visit from Sulaiman and Alma would be fun. Maggie would really enjoy their company. Terry beamed as he hung up and switched on the answering machine. It would be just like old times.
    ‘You did what?’ shrieked Maggie.
    ‘I asked them to stay for a week.’
    ‘You asked the Al Shariffs to stay for a week at
Christmas
?’ Maggie couldn’t believe her ears.
    ‘It’s no big deal, Maggie. What’s got into you?’ Terry rasped.
    ‘I’ve got a book to finish. That’s what’s got into me. I don’t need two adults and two kids foisted on me at Christmas. I’ll have enough on my hands, for
God’s sake. What made you do it? The least you could have done was to discuss it with me, Terry.’
    ‘You weren’t here for fuck’s sake. He asked me straight out.’
    In view of her mood, Terry omitted to tell Maggie that Sulaiman had asked only to stay for a day or two.
    ‘What could I say? They were always very hospitable to us when we were in Saudi.’
    ‘It’s easy to be hospitable in Saudi when you’ve got two housemen and a chef, Terry,’ Maggie raged. ‘Where are we going to put them all? They’ll have their
maid with them as well.’
    ‘Naw they won’t,’ Terry blustered.
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Terry! Alma Al Shariff is not going to go anywhere without her maid. The maid always travels with the family. Otherwise Alma’d have to mind the kids and
can you see her doing
that
?’ Maggie demanded sarcastically.
    ‘Oh! Oh I suppose not,’ Terry muttered.
    ‘I can’t believe this.’ Maggie put her head in her hands. Five people landed in on top of her. Christmas was mad enough as it was. She’d never get her book finished.
She’d have to bring Alma shopping.