Three days after Millie's visit, Poppy and Joe landed in Cairo. Living in Hurst Green, Lancashire, Poppy was used to a calm environment. Although she had travelled extensively with her parents, she felt anxious this time.

Cairo was the most crowded Egyptian city. Poppy couldn't help being shocked by the obstreperous city.

Thirty minutes after catching a cab, they arrived at their hotel. It looked small but cosy, just off the Corniche on the main road.

‘’Ahlan wa sahlan! (welcome)’’ Said joyfully the doorman before opening the main door and guiding them in.

The interior had an ancient Egyptian traditional feel with tent fabrics hanging on the walls. They carved the windowsills with latticework. A lot of framed ethnic tapestry and canopic jars completed the decor.

Clean and charming, Uncle Joe chose well.

The doorman approached with their luggage and gave them a big smile. Poppy noticed his name tag, ALI. She smiled back. "Shrukan Ali (Thank you Ali)".

He nodded. "You're welcome, little lady. After you have checked in, I will take your bags to your bedroom." He then turned around and swiftly ran back outside to help the other guests that have just pulled out in front of the hotel.

Poppy turned to her uncle and joked, "Not bad, but the brochure looked better, don't you think?"

Joe smiled. "yes, I know, but we cannot afford better sweetheart. Just imagine that you are at the Four Seasons!" and he winked at her.

She let out a chuckle. "Sure Uncle Joe!"

She suddenly felt a chill and look to her left; a man in a brown suit standing behind a giant plant was staring right at her.

She shuddered and got closer to her uncle. Why is he staring at us?

She grabbed his hand then glanced in his direction but saw no one; where did he go?

Joe gently squeezed her hand and smiled at her.

She let out a sigh of relief and smiled back; oh well, I must have imagined it.

"Hmmm, what is that amazing smell?" asked Poppy while standing in the reception queue.

"I am glad you like it," responded a woman in a gentle voice.

They turned around to be greeted by a smiling lady. "Hello, I am Hanane, your host. Welcome to the Cleopatra Hotel! You don't need to queue. The agency who organised your trip did your check-in." And she handed them two keys.

She added, "I can confirm that you have chosen our silver package, which is the most popular, by the way."

"Brilliant," said Joe

She smiled. "We have a meet and greet for our guests in the dining room in an hour. Just a way of breaking the ice, as you say in the UK. Our guides will also be there and will introduce themselves to you."

She batted her eyelashes at Joe before pointing at the back of the hotel. "I hope I will see you there. The dining room has a terrace overlooking our beautiful garden. It is the best part of the hotel. Sit there if you prefer to eat outside. All the other guests should be here shortly. Now, please, follow me!"

She then guided them to the first floor, where their room was located. It was mid-sized with two twin beds with a bedside table on each side, a shower room, a built-in wardrobe, a set of drawers and a table.

"Oh, thank God," said Poppy after spotting an air conditioner unit in the top corner of the room.

August was a scorching time in Cairo, and the average temperature could reach 34 degrees Celsius.

Poppy dropped her crossbody bag on the bed and started looking around while her uncle chatted with Hanane.

Wow, she wasn't lying about the garden, it's beautiful. I was worried when uncle Joe said that our room might be overlooking the streets of Cairo. This view is so much better.

She turned around and realised that her uncle had not moved; he was staring at Hanane.

And Tristan met his Iseult.

Hanane had a blunt-cut bob with bangs that brought attention to her big brown eyes. With her olive skin, she looked like an Egyptian princess. No wonder she captivated him.

The hotel host finally took her leave, with Joe still staring at the door after she left.

Poppy let out a fake cough. He jumped, turned around and found Poppy observing him with half a smile and her arms crossed.

"I don't know what is worse, watching you stare at her like a lion stalking his prey or her, pretending that she has not noticed."

"Poppy, my beloved niece, shut up!" Joe responded, pretending to be upset.

She burst out laughing and tossed him the air conditioning remote control, and they turned it on.

Poppy stood in front of the unit, arms open, "God bless whoever invented you," she said to the unit.

Joe stood next to her and said, "I agree." While also enjoying the blast of cool air gently grazing his skin.

Poppy then walked to her bed and lay down.

"Do we have time for a nap?" she asked her uncle.

He smiled, went to his bed, lay down and said, "Who cares? Let's just have our nap. If we wake up on time, we woke up. If we don't, then we don't."

Poppy let out a sigh of relief. "In that case, have a nice nap, uncle."

‘’ Thank you. You too, darling.’’ He responded in a sleepy voice.