Page 38 of The Day After Christmas
‘No need,’ said James, already walking to the car.
It wasn’t until they were a mile down the road that they started cackling like a pair of old wives. ‘Puppies. Puppies indeed!’ said James when he was finally able to talk again.
‘It was like a horror film,’ said Felicity.
‘We didn’t even get to the basement. Has it got a basement?’
‘It has, as it goes. Goes right under the house.’
‘I knew it. That’s where the bodies are hidden.’
They both guffawed again.
‘Sorry,’ snorted Felicity. ‘It’s not funny, but seriously, why didn’t they mention it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘On the listing. Why didn’t they warn us? Everyone who’s seen it must have thought the same thing. Love that they didn’t even bother to mark the “Room of Doom” on there at all. No photos, nothing.’
‘Hah,’ said James. ‘“The Room of Doom”.’
That set them both off again. When they finally stopped giggling, James grew serious.
‘House-hunting is exhausting.’
‘You got that right.’
‘You know what we need? We need a break.’
‘What exactly did you have in mind, Mr Penguin Man?’
‘You’ll see.’
CHAPTER 20
And true to his word, she did in fact see, the very next week when James came home with an envelope.
Not just any envelope. An envelope containing two plane tickets to Guernsey, the tiny island off the south coast of Britain. Not just any island off the coast of Britain either, but an island that also happened to be Felicity’s childhood home.
When she opened it, Felicity squealed like a small child.
‘Guernsey! Really? Are you serious?’
‘I’m serious.’
‘And how did you swing this with Andrea? I never take a holiday. I mean, apart from that one time I did take a holiday of course.’
The previous year Felicity had thrown caution to the wind and set off for Guernsey on a solo mission to rediscover her roots. It had proved to be momentous in more ways than one.
James beamed at her reaction and her insides did a little jig. ‘It’s only a long weekend this time I’m afraid, but work’s all sorted. Andrea has Charlie coming in for extra shifts and I’ve got so much holiday left to take I’m constantly being nagged by HR. They practically cheered when I booked it.’
‘Ah, that’s nice,’ said Felicity absently, trying not to think about Charlie in his boxers.
‘What? Oh, no. No, it’s not because they want me to have time off. Not for my well-being or any of that stuff. Only to save on admin. It stops their precious system from sending them constant reminders.’
‘Ah.’ Felicity flung her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Still, who cares? We’re going to Guernsey. I’m so excited to show you around, you’re going to love it. Where are we staying?’
James’s cheeks grew a little bit rosy at that. ‘It’s a surprise,’ he said eventually. ‘Which means, I haven’t actually booked anywhere yet but it’s next on my list.’
