Page 56 of The Day After Christmas
‘I was just about to feed them,’ she said almost guiltily as Felicity entered the room.
‘You’re the boss, do what you want,’ Felicity replied with a shrug. ‘Oh, that’s right, you did.’
‘I have no idea what you are trying to say.’
‘Really? So, you think having sex with my long-lost father is perfectly acceptable, do you?’
Andrea just laughed. ‘Don’t mince your words, Felicity. Don’t sugar the pill.’
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to say it quite like that.’
‘Yes, you did.’ Andrea popped the little gaggle of puppies back in the box and turned to prepare their milk.
‘I just don’t get why it has to be him, that’s all. You know what he did to me. You knew what this might do to me. You must have.’
Andrea’s face grew serious.
‘I’d end it right now if that was what you wanted, Felicity.’
‘Oh yeah, right.’
‘I would. I mean it. Just say the word. You are…’ Her voice tailed off.
‘I am, what?’ said Felicity, an edge to her voice she didn’t seem to be able to stop.
‘You’re like my daughter,’ said Andrea.
‘Oh my God.’
‘No, no, shit, I didn’t mean because I’m… seeing your dad.’ Andrea’s face was ashen. ‘Damn, I’m making this so much worse.’
Felicity was practically snarling by now, she was so cross.
‘Hear me out, okay?’ said Andrea. ‘I meant you… you’re the closest thing I have to a family. You feel like my daughter. And so you come first. If you want me to finish it with Harry, I’ll do it.’
Felicity only stared at her.
‘I’ll do it right now if you want,’ Andrea went on, picking up her phone.
Felicity took it out of her hands.
‘Don’t be daft. I don’t expect you to do that.’
Andrea’s shoulders dropped two inches. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, of course,’ said Felicity with a sigh. ‘I just wish you’d asked me first.’
‘I meant to. I should have. It just…’
‘Happened?’ finished Felicity. ‘Sure it did.’
‘Honestly. I wasn’t expecting it at all. But you’re right, I should have asked.’
‘Or ideally just not kissed my long-lost father in the first place.’
‘That too.’
There was a pause.
