“I’m much obliged to you, miss,” Francis said, and she smiled at him before closing the door.
Francis set off into the gardens alone, and by now he had a fair idea of where he was going. Past the orange trees and the flowers, through the manicured bushes and mosaic paths, until he came upon a cat to guide him, straight to the oblong fishpond.
He looked about for Hasim but couldn’t spot him yet. There were plenty of cats, and it looked like they’d been fed already. The dishes on the ground had been licked clean, and each cat was washing their faces with their paws.
Francis decided he’d wait for a moment. Hopefully Hasim wasn’t too far away. He sat down on the raised edge of the fishpond and immediately gained a cat in his lap.
“Hello, there,” Francis murmured, stroking the silky greycat. She purred and butted her head against his hand, then turned around and swished her bottom and tail in his face.
“Oh, I say,” Francis said, moving her tail from his eyes. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”
Eventually she settled down, gripping onto his knees with her claws while Francis tickled under her chin. Another cat rubbed up against his leg, meowing plaintively.
“I can see you’ve been fed already,” Francis replied, smiling. “What a life, eh?”
The cat meowed again.
Despite sitting in the sunshine, Francis didn’t want to move just yet. He tilted his head away from the sun’s glare and was pleased for the turban shielding him.
Then a familiar voice greeted him.
“Günaydin!Good morning.”
Francis looked up to see Hasim approaching. He was barefoot, wearing pastel blue and lavender robes and matching turban, and with a little kitten tucked into his chest.
“Good morning!” Francis replied, then yelped when the grey cat shot off. “Ouch.”
“Apologies.” Hasim sat down beside Francis. “Are you injured?”
“Oh, gosh, no,” Francis said. “Just surprised. Why do they fly off like that?”
Hasim shrugged, smiling. “Cats. No explanation other than, cats.”
“I see.” Francis smiled at him, exhilarated and nervous all at the same time. Luckily the small kitten Hasim was cradling against him provided a useful distraction. “Is this the same little fellow from the other day?”
“Yes,” Hasim said. “Much better today.”
“He probably missed you yesterday after I stole you away,” Francis said, then immediately felt himself blushing. Hehad to resist the urge to pull the veil over his face to hide. He cleared his throat. “Not to be a spoilsport, but I fear I must remove myself from the sun.”
“Ay,” Hasim said, like he’d just remembered. “Come.”
They got up and sought the shade under an avenue of cherry blossom trees, Hasim leading the way to a small pavilion made of stone. Underneath its canopy was one stone bench, just big enough for two.
“God bless all these pavilions, Hasim,” Francis said, and sighed in relief.
It was cool in here and provided a panoramic view of the cats playing on the mosaic path and darting in and out of the bushes.
“Would you like some tea?” Hasim offered. “Refreshments?”
Francis noted they were quite alone out here, unlike the busier pavilions. It would give them ample opportunity to talk.
“Maybe later?” he said, looking at Hasim. “May we talk a little first?”
Hasim nodded. “Of course.”
“Splendid,” Francis said, then fell silent. He thought Hasim might begin, but he’d fallen silent too.
As the moment dragged on, Francis caught Hasim’s eye, and they both chuckled.
