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He smiles at me ‘Want to watch it in the next room while we eat?’

My first reaction is to refuse food

‘I have Chak-Chak,’ he says with a wickedly irin

Oh, deep fried little logs of unleavened dough topped with hot honey syrup It’s been a long time since I had some Come to think of it, I ound up at the dinner and hardly ate any of it ‘In that case, okay,’ I agree with a happy grin

‘I’ to have a bowl of zharkoye too Want one?’ he offers

‘Who made it?’

‘Irina brought it in thisShe makes it at her home’

Homemade beef stew The ulti a storht,’ I concur, ‘but only a little for me’

He uncurls himself and pulls me up with him

‘Are you cold? Do you want so to wear?’ he asks

‘I’ll wear your shirt,’ I say, going to his discarded shirt and slipping h the oversized sleeves It s it close to my body

Noah rolls up the shag rug and slings it over one shoulder We go through to the next reception rooarden Noah unrolls the carpet in front of the doors Taking the cushions from the couches, he throws them on the carpet

‘Do you want some blankets?’

‘No, I’m not cold,’ I reply

‘Fine Wait here for oes out of the door

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