Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20130422 | When the Scottish Refugee Council assigns Debs to act as mentor to a Somali refugee called Abdi, the two are drawn into an awkward friendship. They must meet once a month in a different part of Glasgow so that the newly widowed Debs can open Abdi's eyes to her beloved city and its people.
As they gradually get to know each other their stories are revealed. And while Debs helps Abdi come to terms with his new life in Scotland, he teaches her about the importance of family - and of laying ghosts to rest.
All Abdi has brought with him is his four-year-old daughter, Rebecca, who lives in a silence no one can reach. Until, one day, little Rebecca starts talking. And they realise why she stopped.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Debs volunteers for the mentoring scheme and is paired with Abdi, a Somali asylum seeker. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 02 | 20130423 | According to her mentor's contract, once a month for a year Debs' must find a suitable place to show to Abdi, a Somalian asylum seeker newly arrived from a refugee camp in Kenya.
As she begins to reveal the Scottish culture and its people to him, they embark upon a tentative friendship.
First up, is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, which has painful memories for the newly widowed Debs.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Debs takes Abdi to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery to introduce him to Glasgow's culture. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 03 | 20130424 | Debs takes Abdi to Loch Lomond and is surprised when his little daughter Rebecca comes too. Though he can't explain to her why he is late and stressed, Abdi is enchanted by the loch which banishes the unpleasantness he has encountered earlier in the day.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Debs takes Abdi to Loch Lomond and is surprised when his little daughter Rebecca comes too Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 04 | 20130425 | Abdi is unable to face the events of his last day at the refugee camp in Dadaab - but the first day is seared on his mind.
And, now he is no longer an asylum seeker but has been granted refugee status, he and Debs take on the Glasgow housing authorities.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi cannot face his last day at the refugee camp, but the first day is seared on his mind Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 05 | 20130426 | Abdi introduces Debs to his neighbour Mrs Coutts - and little Rebecca, blossoming in the warmth of the burgeoning friendships all around her, gives them a thrilling surprise.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi introduces Debs to Mrs Coutts, and little Rebecca gives them a thrilling surprise. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 06 | 20130429 | Abdi and Debs have had their first awkward disagreement when he asks for her help to educate his silent daughter and she panics about the extent to which this little family are becoming dependent on her.
But when Abdi returns to his flat to face a crisis, she is the first person he turns to and she responds immediately.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi and Debs have had their first disagreement but she is the one he turns to in a crisis Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 07 | 20130430 | Abdi has some good news so he takes Debs to a traditional Glasgow pub to celebrate. But his encounter with the Scottish police has prompted more memories of his time at the Kenyan refugee camp at Dadaab.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi has some good news so he takes Debs to a traditional Glasgow pub to celebrate. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 08 | 20130501 | Debs and Abdi have been happily painting his new flat with Rebecca and things are looking positive for the newly settled family. But then Abdi's first day at work sparks off a devastating flashback to his last day in Dadaab.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi's first day at work sparks a devastating flashback to his last day in Dadaab. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 09 | 20130502 | Four year-old Rebecca has been staying with Debs while Abdi recovers in hospital from the dramatic trauma of his flashback. But finally it's time for the little girl to go and visit her beloved father.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Debs looks after Rebecca, while Abdi recovers in hospital from the trauma of his flashback Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 10 | 20130503 | Debs has been overburdened by her grief at losing her husband. Now Abdi shows her how to let it go. And, in return, Debs makes a startling discovery about his family's last day in Dadaab.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi shows Debs how to cope with her overwhelming grief at the loss of her husband. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 11 | 20130506 | After making a startling discovery, Debs starts looking in to what happened to Abdi's wife Azira in those last few moments in Dadaab - and she resolves to go to Kenya to see if she can pick up the trail.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
After making a startling discovery, Debs starts looking into what happened in Dadaab. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 12 | 20130507 | Abdi has invited a former drug addict to his flat and Debs is horrified at the unsuitable influence on Rebecca. After a fierce argument, she leaves for Dadaab without telling him where she is going or why.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi and Debs have a fierce argument, when he invites a former drug addict to his flat. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 13 | 20130508 | Unbeknown to Abdi, Debs is in Dadaab searching for news of his wife Azira. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 14 | 20130509 | Back home in Glasgow for Christmas, Debs still can't get Dadaab out of her mind. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 15 | 20130510 | Abdi is preparing for Christmas Day and has no idea that Debs has astonishing news for him. When she tells him, he must decide whether it's a cause for celebration or further devastating heartache.
Read by Maureen Beattie and Jude Akuwidike.
Abridged and produced by Jane Marshall
Abdi is preparing for Christmas Day and has no idea that Debs has astonishing news for him Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |