There were trestle tables laid out, so Craig presumed that they were expected. Lek told him to sit down, gave him a beer and said:
“Wait.”
She was gone again, but her youngest brother, Ngat, 26, sat opposite him and beamed.
Food came as if from a caterer and everyone was having a good time. Lek returned about thirty minutes later, but by now, Craig was getting used to being without her and relying on her family to look after him. When she returned she said: “Ngat take good care of you? He tell me go away because he want to take care of you. I say:
‘OK, but only thirty minutes’. You not mind, eh? My family want to take care you. They like you. Say you have ‘jai dee’ – good heart.”
He could only smile, but he meant it. It was such a total y new experience.
Two hour
