Page 2 of The Day After Christmas
‘Of course it is. Look. I’m right here with you.’
She wasn’t. Of course she wasn’t.Felicity tucked her legs underneath her with a sigh, and attempted to focus, cursing overly emotional Past Felicity from New Year’s Eve who had agreed to this fiasco in the first place.
‘Right here with me, are you?’
‘Sorry. Yes. I’m back in the room. Look. See? Teal or rose, wasn’t it?’
Bex gave a little trill of annoyance. ‘I’m askingyou.’
‘Right. Yes. So you are. Well… teal then.’
‘I was thinking rose.’
‘Rose then.’
‘Do you think? I’m just not sure it’ll go with the dress.’
Felicity rubbed her temples. ‘When’s Sophie getting here?’
‘I’ve no idea. She was meant to be here at 10am sharp. I do hope she makes it in time for the lunch with my mother.’
Felicity looked at her watch before she could help herself. 10.25am. This was the longest morning in the history of the universe.Hurry up, Sophie.
‘How’s it going in here?’ A deep voice made her heart do a little backflip.
Standing in the doorway of the lounge was her Penguin Man, James. Now known as PM or J for short, unless she was cross with him. Ridiculously handsome James with his sky-blue eyes and his unruly hair and his penchant for dressing as a giant penguin for parties. Not inthatway you understand. There are groups for that sort of thing.
At the sight of him, Felicity couldn’t help the smile that lit up her face. He sauntered over and flopped down into the oversized armchair next to hers, stretching out his long legs and running a hand through his messy blond hair.
‘I’m not sure you wanted to do that,’ muttered Felicity under her breath. She pulled her own auburn hair back into a ponytail with one hand, a sure sign that she was stressed. ‘Run. For heaven’s sake, run.’
But it was too late. Bex homed in like a missile. ‘Ah. Perfect timing, James. You’ll do.’
‘Well, thanks. I’m very flattered.’
‘Teal or rose?’ said Bex, perching on the arm of the sofa, so she could wave her laptop screen in his face.
‘Say what now?’ said James, brows crinkling.
‘Teal or rose? It’s a perfectly simple question.’
‘I… erm… teal, I guess?’ James glanced over at Felicity.
‘Teal it is. That’s settled then.’ Bex looked triumphant.
‘Hey, hold on a moment,’ said Felicity. ‘When I said teal, you said rose.’
‘Did I? I don’t think so, darling. Anyway,someoneneeds to make a decision. It might as well be him.’
‘I don’t even know what teal is,’ said James with a grin.
‘It’s that one there, darling, the bluey-greeny colour. How can you not know that?’
‘Er, because I’m a bloke?’
‘You really should educate yourself.’
‘And yet somehow you’d trust my judgement over Felicity’s?’
