After ordering a selection of curries along with rice and naan for the table, Hakim grinned at Ruby. “So great to finally meet the Ruby Auntie that my granddaughters can’t stop talking about.”
Ruby frowned. “How much are they talking about me?”
“My dear, the girls areobsessedwith you,” Farida said, laughing. “Since the Santa Claus Parade, all I’ve heard when we call is Ruby Auntie has pretty hair, and Ruby Auntie likes hot chocolate, and Ruby Auntie always wears red. They are enchanted with you. They don’t warm up to strangers easily. You should be flattered.”
“Jasmine, too,” Ayesha said. “She said I absolutely had to meet the woman who made my brother watchLove, Actually. I’m going to need all your secrets.”
Ruby laughed while Rashid turned a cute shade of pink. “He didn’t love everything Christmassy we did together. He wasnota fan of Christmas shopping.”
“Who is?” Hakim said. “I don’t understand how you could work in a Christmas store. You must have nerves of steel.”
“I love it there, but I’m also glad the season is done.” She told them a bit about the store and what they sold there.
“We’re planning to visit the Winter Market tomorrow evening,” Farida said. “It looks like one we went to in Hamburg a few years ago. Have you ever been to the European holiday markets?”
Ruby shook her head. “I’ve always wanted to. I hope to go after I move to London.”
Hakim nodded. “We’re staying in the north now, but you must come visit us in London when we’re there next. I understand you’re intending to change careers to the hotel industry?”
Ruby nodded. “Yes, my long-term goal is to open a country inn, but first I need to get some hotel experience.”
Hakim smiled widely. “Well, meeting this family has been lucky for you, because we should be able to help you with that. Let’s leave business talk for later, though. Maybe you and Ayesha can find time in the next few days to meet alone? She can tell you all about the opportunities in the Hakim Group that are available, if you’re interested.”
Ayesha nodded. “Yes, let’s talk alone. Send me your CV… sorry, résumé. Are you free tomorrow afternoon for a coffee?”
“Oh, my goodness, that would be fantastic! Yes, I’m free. Thank you!” Ruby beamed. This was going so well. She grabbed Rashid’s hand under the table and squeezed it with excitement.
“No, Ruby, thank you,” Farida said. “I don’t think you realize the gift you’ve given this family. We weren’t sure we’d see the girls smiling much this season. They’ve been through a lot, and so has Jasmine. It’s been such a joy to hear excitement in their voices again. We’re happy to repay your kindness to our family. Now, tell me more about the ballet. I can’t believe Rashid is thinking of going again!”
Ruby grinned. She was more than happy to put the business talk aside and spend the evening getting to know this delightful family.
RUBY MET AYESHA ATa quiet coffee shop in the East End the next afternoon, and maybe because it was that weird time between Christmas and New Year’s, they were pretty much the only two people in the dark wood-paneled café. After Ruby ordered a London fog and Ayesha a flat white, they slid into a booth. Ruby was dressed to impress again—in her Topshop suit with a red camisole underneath—because even in her power suit, she needed her good-luck color.
Ayesha was in all black again—this time a short skirt and black sweater with opaque black tights, along with a gorgeous felted coat with a wide shawl lapel. Ruby couldn’t resist—she immediately asked Ayesha where the coat was from.
“Oh, there’s this little boutique on High Street. Very snooty. It’s fantastic.” She told Ruby more about the store. Ruby liked Ayesha. In fact, after their big dinner yesterday, she was struck by how much Ayesha reminded Ruby of her cousin Marley, except Ayesha was much more extroverted. She was actually like a mix of Marley and Shayne. Ayesha would get along fabulously with Ruby’s Toronto friends.
“I think my friend Shayne did a photo shoot there. He’s a fashion photographer based here in Toronto.”
“Oh, how cool! Rashid told me you have eclectic friends.”
“Yeah, I met them all through my cousin Marley. She’s a fashion stylist—she got me the job at Reid’s but left to go freelance a few months ago. Her partner is an actor in LA. He’s in a big superhero movie coming out next year. And Shayne, that’s my photographer friend, his partner is a daytime talk show host here in Toronto. And of course, you know Nadim and Reena. Reena and Marley are actually cousins, too—on Marley’s dad’s side.”
Ayesha grinned. “Yes, I’ve known Nadimforever… I still can’t believe he’s a responsible family man now. I adore it for him, though. I hope to get to know Reena better.” She took a sip of her coffee. “You’re so well connected in this city. It’s surprising that you would pack up and leave. Do you have employment lined up in London yet?”
That was exactly what Rashid had said last month—he said it made Ruby seem irresponsible and impulsive. Ruby shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve applied to several boutiques, and even had phone interviews at a few. Most said they’d like to see me in person when I get there. I have extensive experience in luxury retail all over the country and excellent references from several stores.”
“But selling luxury goods isn’t what you want to do, correct?”
Ruby nodded. “My mother—sorry, I meanmygoal is to one day purchase a property in the UK. England or Scotland. I’ve always dreamed of running an inn or small hotel in the country. Maybe with a little restaurant or tea house.”
Ayesha tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face. With that expression, she resembled her brother so much—much more than Jasmine did. “It’s funny. I heard you wanted your own country inn, but after meeting you, I find it surprising. The countryside doesn’t match your personality.”
Ruby frowned. “Really?” Ruby had always thought her entire personalitywasthe English countryside. She drank tea more than water. She had all the BBC adaptations of Jane Austen novels memorized. She loved chintz wallpaper. So what if she hung out with photographers and TV stars. That didn’t mean her lifelong dream was wrong for her.
Ayesha laughed. “Ah, what do I know. I never would have imagined my brother enjoying the ballet. Or that he’d love living in a city like Toronto.”
Ruby squeezed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
