When the doorbell rang, he opened the door and was shocked to find a grinning Miranda on his doorstep, accompanied by a man. “Hi, Mr. Yusra’s Dad!” she said before he could say a word. “Since you’ve been too busy to meet my dad, I brought him to you!”
Miranda’s father offered a hand with an embarrassed smile. “Paul Johnson.”
“Hâroon Scott,” he replied. “Nice to meet you.”
By the time the greetings were over, Miranda was gone. She’d slipped into the house past them.
“Miranda!” her father called, an embarassed flush spreading across his face. “I’m so sorry,” he apologized to Hâroon. “Sometimes she forgets her manners.”
“It’s fine.” He stepped back, holding the door open. “Come in.”
He led Paul into the den, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Miranda poked her head into the room. “Where’s Yussie?”
“Come here and sit down,” her father said at the same time Hâroon answered, “Getting dressed.”
Miranda trudged inside and dropped next to her father on the couch. As Paul scolded her about proper behavior when visiting people, Hâroon left the room.A few moments later, he returned with two cups of juice. As Paul thanked him and picked up his, Hâroon sat in one of the armchairs.
“Do you have any cookies?” Miranda asked.
Paul covered her mouth with a hand. “Ignore her. She doesn’t need cookies.”
(ARF, V3)