Chapter 31

To his astonishment, Nuri’s mother was with them too. Then he had no further

chance to count bodies or reply to welcome waves, because they all gathered in

around him with hugs and slaps on the shoulder that were so enthusiastic Eddy

nearly lost his footing a couple of times.

“Eduardo!

You start celebration without us!”

“Our

cousin the lawyer, eh? Now I have to pay parking fines!”

“Jamal,

sit down, please.”

“Is

this where you two hide out on your dates?”

“Sadi,

mind your own business, not Nuri’s.”

“Jamal,

sit down.”

“Eduardo,

where you work club?”

“Adem,

you idiot. You make him sound like a Flintstone. He works ina club.”

“Idiot!

Uncle Sadi said idiot! Idiot!”

“Jamal,

sit down.”

“Mum,

you want coffee? I get coffee for us all.”

“I

want ice cream. You think I’ve come to an ice cream shop for coffee?” Mrs Emin

caught Eddy’s eye and smiled at him. “Family, eh?”

Eddy

was thrilled that he was back in Nuri’s family’s favours. He helped Lee take a