Page 89 of The Day After Christmas
‘They’ll be here,’ said Andrea, in her weird, slightly chipper voice that she only used when she knew Harry was coming to visit.
‘They’d better hurry,’ muttered Felicity. ‘Maybe it’s too cold. Maybe they’re all hibernating.’ And then a thought struck her and it struck her so hard and fast that cold ice ran down her spine. She edged away from Andrea, slowly.
‘Just got to go and check something,’ she said hastily, and then turned and ran before Andrea could even reply.
Felicity burst into the staff room where Charlie and James were obediently laying out cups and investigating the ancient urn they’d borrowed from Charlie’s dad to see why it wasn’t boiling yet. Which basically involved tapping the light on the front and frowning.
Charlie’s face lit up when she came in.
‘Morning, Charlie.’
‘Morning yourself,’ he said with a wink, and James threw him a look.
‘Er, James, can I borrow you a second?’
James raised his eyebrows but obediently followed her. ‘Come here,’ said Felicity and dragged him by his shirt into the cat room.
‘I really don’t think we have time for this, Felicity,’ he said suggestively.
She shook her head. ‘Honestly. What do you think I am?’
‘Insatiable?’
‘Stop it. Look. I’ve got a major problem.’
‘What is it?’
‘Ooh, I feel sick.’
‘Tell me.’
‘Just give me a minute, I think I might throw up…’
James moved to stand beside her and rubbed her back. ‘Please tell me what’s going on.’
Felicity took three deep breaths, then gritted her teeth. Waves of nausea and embarrassment washed over her. ‘Don’t be mad, okay?’
‘With you? How could I ever be mad with you?’
‘You haven’t heard what I’m going to say yet.’
‘Well, try me.’
‘Oh, James. Help. I’ve forgotten to actually send out any invitations. No one knows this is happening. I’m such an idiot.’
Pins and needles were creeping into her fingers and up her arms and Felicity wondered if she might be having a panic attack. James, however, just threw back his head and laughed.
‘Keep your voice down,’ hissed Felicity, trying to shake the pins and needles out of her hands.
‘Sorry,’ said James, still laughing.
‘It’snotfunny,’ she said firmly.
‘It is a bit.’
Felicity peered at him. ‘Okay, it is a bit. Or it will be later I’m sure, but right now, stop laughing and do something.’
James put his hands on her shoulders and looked her square in the eye. ‘Don’t throw up on me please.’
