“I’m home, babe.” I announce after an especially long day at work.
Silence. No reply from my wife. But then I hear bare footsteps patter from the bedroom opposite mine, and a chirpy, youthful voice.
“She’s still at work Uncle Jay, they were short staffed and she’s doing the full day now.”
*So, another evening with my wife’s niece, Safi*
“Oh right. So we’ll have to sort dinner again, then.” I said with a sigh. “Day off today, Safi?”
Safi came to stay with us around 6 months ago from Egypt, studying Economics and Politics at one of the UK’s top Universities. My wife and I were more than happy to share our home. Her mother – my sister in law – was very hospitable when we went to visit last year, and her and my wife are very close. She wasn’t too comfortable with her eldest daughter going off to a western country and living among strangers, no matter how prestigious the University is. So naturally, my wife provided a solution best for everyone. Safi would live with us during term time to allow her to settle in to the country, at least for the first year of study. My sister in law was overjoyed, bless her, and Safi has been a perfectly pleasant guest since.