Page 28 of The Night Before Christmas
Felicity couldn’t help but wonder how he knew all this. More importantly, who else he might have been here with, and whether that was an appropriate question if this was genuinely not a date. She was also wondering whether she was going tohave to ask about a vegetarian option amongst all these piles of meat, when a very smart waiter arrived and presented her with her own individual hot water crust vegetable pie that was golden and glossy and looked like something out of a cartoon.
Felicity looked up at James, delighted.
‘Did you tell them I was a vegetarian?’
Because I think I love you.
‘I may have.’
‘Thank you.’
‘My pleasure.’
They stared at each other, faces flushed, eyes bright, until they were interrupted by the arrival of a waiter who began to serve James his choice of roast venison and potatoes from a silver dish.
‘Please tell me you’re also going to have some pie,’ said Felicity.
He laughed. ‘You’re right. It’s got to be done.’ He turned to the waiter. ‘A small piece of the steak pie too, please.’
‘Very good, sir.’
When the waiter had gone, they looked at each other for another long moment, grinning like idiots, and then down at their plates, which were piled high with food.
‘Shall we?’ said James.
‘Yes please,’ said Felicity, diving in. And then, ‘This is incredible,’ through a mouthful of pastry.
‘I know, right? I’ve always wanted to come here,’ said James, sawing at an enormous slice of venison with a knife that was patently not up to the task.
So… he hasn’t been before.
‘Apparently the desserts are bloody fantastic too so make sure you save some room. If that’s, you know, even possible.’
‘It’s okay, there’s a different stomach for dessert.’
James laughed at that. ‘I like a lady who can appreciate her food.’
Felicity wondered if that was a back-handed compliment but decided not to overanalyse.
There was a pause.
‘Do you know something?’ said James, after a few moments of happy munching silence. ‘I still can’t get over how incredible you were with Holly and Gennie that night. I meant what I said. It was all you. You were amazing. You saved their lives.’
Felicity paused with her fork in mid-air. A chunk of carrot dropped back to her plate, flicking a bit of gravy at her face, which she chose to ignore.
‘It was a team effort. You were the one who found her in the first place.’
‘I know but still, seeing you whisk her away like that. Take charge. It was… just brilliant. Like watching a superhero at work.’
‘Oh, stop it,’ said Felicity, waving her fork at him, but feeling her cheeks burn. ‘It most definitely was not. It’s my job, anyway, isn’t it? Although to be fair it feels more like a life obsession some days!’
‘It was pretty damn sexy too. You taking charge and all that.’
Felicity nearly choked on her food. Which was definitely not sexy.
‘I thought you said this wasn’t a date, Mr Penguin Man,’ she managed eventually, with a giggle.
‘I know, I know, I’m sorry. I’m just telling it like it is.’
