Page 96 of The Night Before Christmas
‘Sleeping with his ex?’
‘Yes.’
‘No.’
‘Really?’
‘Definitely not. The man is absolutely and entirely in love with you.’
Felicity felt her cheeks grow hot. ‘It’s not been long, let’s not get carried away.’
‘I’m telling you. He’s a smitten kitten, pardon the pun.’
‘I don’t know if I can. That was dreadful.’
‘Ha. God it really was, wasn’t it? I can only apologise.’
‘But you should have seen her though. She’s like a statue. Honestly. Like someone’s carved her from a block of marble.’
‘And just as cold, by all accounts.’
‘Well, yes, that too. To be honest I think this whole Erika thing might be the last straw. Sometimes the universe just isn’t on your side, is it? Star crossed lovers and all that? They’ve got history. All that time on the plane to realise how perfect they are for each other.’
‘You don’t really think he’d do that?’
‘I hope not. They seemed awfully close. I mean, they’ve definitely been in touch since they broke up. This is not out of the blue or anything. I’m sure of it.’
Sophie turned awkwardly in the booth to face her friend. ‘You’ve been in touch with Adam.’
‘That’s different.’
‘Is it?’ Sophie patted her hand. ‘The thing with love is–’
‘Here we go. Is this where you tell me to stop being such a cynical old witch?’ Felicity grinned.
‘No, I’m serious. This is where I tell you that you can’t love someone without trusting them. The two go together, I’m afraid. Like salt and pepper.’
‘Or Soph and Marcus.’
‘Hmm, not the best example I can think of but okay. Yes. Like us.’
‘I know you’re right. But it’s so scary.’
‘That, my darling, is the point.’
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
And then,at last, it was time for James to come home.
She had received a somewhat curt text, outlining his plans for his journey home, one solitary ‘X’ at the end. But he had asked to see her so that was potentially encouraging. Or terrifying.
On the upside, he had offered to bring a takeaway.
On the downside, he hadn’t asked her what she wanted.
So, when he arrived at 7pm sharp with her very favourite pizza and beer combo, Felicity let her shoulders drop an inch or two. She was so relieved to see his face that she had to swallow down the tears that sprang to her eyes.
‘Hello. Or should I say,Konnichi wa? I looked that up earlier. Are you impressed?’
