Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli Read Free Book Online Page A

Bedouins,’ Felicity answered calmly. ‘I haven’t seen anyone else.’
    ‘Well, if you see Ibrahim, please remind him that I want him to come to my office before he no doubt disappears again.’
    ‘Not likely.’ Felicity said, once the King was safely out of earshot. ‘I’m staying well out of their way today and so are you.’ She smiled at her sister. ‘We’re off to the spa for the morning!’
    It wasn’t quite as simple as that. Felicity hadn’t left Azizah for any length of time with Rina the nanny, and spent ages explaining to her about how her stored breast milk was to be used. She was still rather tense when she and Georgie climbed into the limousine.
    ‘She’ll be fine,’ Georgie soothed. ‘Rina seems wonderful with her.’
    ‘I know.’ Felicity admitted. ‘I’m going to have to get used to leaving her—there are so many functions and I’m also thinking of going back to work! Just occasionally,’ Felicity said, seeing Georgie’s eyes widen. ‘Midwifery is what I love, it’s who I am, and I don’t ever want to lose that. Rina is lovely and everything but Azizah doesn’t seem to relax with her.’ Georgie knew what was coming. They’d had this conversation so many times before and she tried to divert it.
    ‘Maybe she needs a little more time—just her and Rina,’ Georgie attempted. ‘You do hover a bit. Rina seems wonderful, you just don’t give her a chance. It’s good you’re out this morning.’
    But Felicity would not relent. ‘I want Azizah to growup with family.’ She looked at Georgie. ‘I want to be with my family too. Mum’s considering it, but I know she’d jump if you were here too. Please, Georgie, say you’ll seriously think about it.’
    And it would be so easy to say yes, because she missed her sister and niece too. So very easy to give up trying to get her holistic healing business off the ground and just sink into the luxurious lifestyle her sister was offering.
    Too easy.
    Felicity had always looked out for her, had always looked after her through difficult times. The reason Felicity had first come to Zaraq had been to pay off the loan she had taken out to pay for Georgie’s rehab, and though the offer was tempting, there was a need in Georgie to go it alone, to prove to herself she could get by without her big sister’s help.
    ‘Let’s talk about it another time.’ Georgie said as the car headed off and she craned her neck for a glimpse as the palace gates slid open.
    ‘What are you looking at?’
    ‘Just the view.’ Georgie smiled. ‘I can’t believe I’m staying in a palace.’
    ‘You could live in a palace.’ Felicity pushed, but Georgie just gave a noncommittal smile, her mind elsewhere.
    It wasn’t the palace, she had been trying to get a glimpse of.
    It had been Ibrahim.
    It was always Ibrahim, not that she could admit it toher sister. And he stayed on her mind as they arrived in Zaraqua and an external glass elevator propelled them to the forty-second floor of a skyscraper, and Georgie remembered that she didn’t like heights.
    ‘Ibrahim’s work!’ Felicity said to Georgie’s pale face as they shot skyward. ‘He designed this lift.’
    ‘Then remind me to tell him I hate him!’ Georgie shivered. ‘And tell me when I can open my eyes.’
    ‘Now.’
    They stepped into spa heaven. The lights were dimmed and the air fragrant as they were led to a changing room that was twice the size of Georgie’s small flat at home. ‘I want to try everything …’ Georgie said as she changed into a gown, her mind exploding with ideas for her fledgling business back home. ‘Is there a menu?’
    ‘It’s all sorted,’ Felicity said. ‘We’re here for the Hamman Ritual and there isn’t a single decision you have to make. It’s absolute bliss.’
    It was.
    Through dimmed rooms lit with candles they were led, and as Georgie’s eyes adjusted she saw the tadelakt wall with its intricate tiling.
    ‘It’s so hot,’ Georgie