Page 94 of The Night Before Christmas
‘It’s you.’
‘It’s me.’
‘I thought you hated me.’
‘What? Why would I hate you? Don’t be daft.’
Felicity let out a long exhale of relief.
‘I was a bit cross with you, though,’ he continued.
‘I’m sorry. You weren’t meant to hear that. I mean, er, I’m sorry you had to hear it. It wasn’t my finest hour.’
‘You really upset her.’
‘Who?’
‘Who do you think?’
‘Well, she upset me too.’
‘I’m sure she did. She can be… spiky. I’m sorry about that. I had no idea she was just going to turn up out of the blue like that.’
‘No kidding. Is that who you were just on the phone to?’ The words were out before she could filter them.
‘Have you been stalking me again, Miss Brooks?’
‘Yikes. No, I just tried to call you a couple of times, and you were engaged.’
‘Yes, that is who I was on the phone to. We had some things to discuss.’
‘Some things?’
James sighed. ‘Yes, some things.’
Felicity waited.
Another sigh. ‘Erika’s dad passed away. She asked if I would go to the funeral. Her dad and I were always close, even after… everything. He was a wonderful man.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Felicity, meaning it.Bugger.Now she felt terrible. She felt particularly bad about her conversation with Andrea. Not as bad as Andrea probably would, mind. But still pretty bad.
No wonder Erika was so on edge.
‘Thanks. Yeah, it’s a shock, he wasn’t that old. So, we had to sort out the logistics. Looks like I’ll be away for a few days at least.’
‘You’ll be away?’
‘Yes, I knew him really well. I’ll need to be there anyway, so I said I’d help with the arrangements. He did loads for me, back in the day. I owe him that much.’
‘And you’ll be away for a few days? For a funeral? I mean, sorry that wasn’t very sympathetic, was it?’
‘It’s okay. Yes, it’ll be a few days at least. Well, maybe a couple of weeks. The funeral is in Japan.’
‘Oh.’
A couple of weeks?
She waited. No invitation was forthcoming.
