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and I chopped the vegetables and made quiches.     The chickens have been roasted and cut into pieces, as many as we could divide them into.   I have little room in my cottage but my neighbours are keeping some of the prepared plates that I have covered with cloths to keep in cool places ready for the celebrations.
     
    All the villagers are helping with the preparation and the children from the school are moving any tables and chairs we can borrow for the older people to be comfortable.
     
    Mark arrives in the midst of our preparations and I hug him to me because I am so glad to see him.
     
    “How’s everyone at home?”   I ask him when I at last let him out of my arms.
     

“Great, thanks.” He replies giving me a roguish wink.
     
    “Meet my friends, Keith, he is the musical one and he’s brought his guitar.”
     
    “Here’s Jack, he is the cheeky one and he’ll make you laugh.”
     
    I shake hands with Keith.   We smile and he has a twinkle in his deep blue eyes.
     
    “Pleased to meet you.” He drawls in a soft Irish accent that immediately reminds me of my friend Ann.   Ann and I haven’t been in touch for some time and I remember that it is my turn to reply to her letter.
     
    I turn to shake hands with Jack who gives me a wolf whistle and a cheeky grin.
     
    I tell them that all the activity they can see around them is for them and that the whole little village has been invited to the welcome party, they look quite taken aback but they all grin and look pleased.   As they are young and healthy men, they have forgotten their arduous journey and are ready for the party.
     
     
     

Chapter 6
     
     
     
    It is now lunchtime and I have Mark and his mates sitting on my terrace overlooking the valley.   They are really impressed with the views and the blue sky and the warm sun.   Sahida is with us and the boys are very impressed with her as well.
     
    Taj is expected anytime and I am getting excited at the prospect of having Taj meet Mark and his friends.
     
    I hear a motor engine stop outside and I rush to the front door to meet Taj. He is in casual clothes and his handsome face is wreathed in smiles.
     
    “Mark, come and meet Taj.” I shout before Taj has the chance to get out of his car. I am so thrilled to have my nephew meet the man I adore.
     
    Mark rushes through the little living room from the terrace and stands shyly by me as Taj makes his way through the obstructive tables and chairs.
     
    “What’s all this?” He asks as he finds his way to the door.   “I thought it was an obstacle race.”
     
    Mark is a handsome boy, his thick hair is auburn in colour but the sun he has been travelling under has streaked it to all shades and any girl would pay pounds to have the highlights that shine there.   He is tall and he may have stopped growing now at his six feet two inches.
     
    He moves forward to shake Taj’s hand and he seems happily surprised at the strength of the handshake he receives in return.
     
    “Good to meet you”.   Mark smiles.
     
    “Good to meet you Mark, at last.” Taj replies in a warm tone of voice.
     
    The people are all out now ready for the party and Sahida and myself assemble the plates from various houses and the old people are settled in chairs.
     
    The boys are introduced and the villagers smile shyly and all shake them by the hand.    The party has begun.
     
    The food is delicious although we have made it ourselves. Some of it seems strange to the Nepalese but the plates are soon cleared and everyone seems satisfied.
     
    Keith brings out his guitar and he sings some folk songs.   Although they are Western songs, Taj and Sahida know them and begin to sing along with the boys and me.    The children know some of the words because I have taught them to them ready for this party.   The parents listen to the chorus and then they also sing some of the words.   
     
    Mark gets Sahida up to dance and Taj and I do the same.   In no time at