Page 53 of The Day After Christmas
‘Hmmmm,’ said James, his voice a low dangerous rumble. ‘He’d best watch himself.’
CHAPTER 27
They talked round and round the issue until Felicity’s stomach started to rumble.
‘Go on, you two, you’re still on holiday for one more day. Go get some food and we’ll resume this tomorrow,’ said Andrea.
‘But you’ve only got thirty days according to this letter,’ said Felicity. The letter in question was now soggy with sweat. She placed it carefully back down on the counter and hoped no one would notice.
‘Come on, you need to go. We’ll think of something,’ said Andrea, following them to the door. Felicity wondered vaguely who the “we” was in that sentence.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the man himself. As they walked to the door to leave, Harry held up a hand.
‘I forgot… er, something,’ he said, in a pathetic voice, trailing after them.
‘Oh, that’s fine, let me help you find it,’ said Andrea quickly, starting back down the corridor towards the staff room.
‘Hold on. What did you forget?’ said Felicity, eyebrows raised.
They both stopped short. Harry looked uncomfortable. ‘Erm… I forgot my bag. I just need to pop back and get it.’
Felicity could have sworn she saw a naughty glint in Andrea’s eye.
‘Did you have a bag?’ said Felicity. ‘I don’t remember a bag. Do you remember a bag?’ She turned to James, eyebrows raised.
James grinned and turned to Harry. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you.’
Felicity bit her lip.
Harry shifted from foot to foot. ‘It’s okay, don’t worry, I’ll… I can make my own way home.’
Felicity and James glanced at each other.
‘Honestly, it’s no trouble,’ said Felicity.
‘We’ll just wait here,’ said James.
Harry looked at Andrea for help.
‘Oh, just bugger off home, you two, it doesn’t take four people to retrieve a bag,’ snapped Andrea, her face flushing.
‘It doesn’t take two people either,’ retorted Felicity, but Harry and Andrea were already making their way back down the corridor. Surprisingly fast.
‘None of this was on my bingo card for today,’ said James.
Felicity let out a sigh. ‘Let’s go home.’
It wasn’t until they got back that Felicity remembered Le Manoir was up for sale. With all the excitement of the day it had completely slipped her mind. Perhaps she ought to tell Harry. Once she had forgiven him for banging her boss, that is.
For now she had the future of Animal Saviours to deal with. This place was her lifeblood. A home, in many ways. A pseudo-family. They had to find a way to save it.
‘Is there something you need to tell me?’ said James, as they got ready for bed, ignoring their half-unpacked suitcases, exhaustion sweeping over them both.
‘It’s been a long day,’ said Felicity, by way of an answer.
‘I know.’
‘Can we talk about it tomorrow?’
