Page 11 of The Day After Christmas
‘Hide under a duvet?’ said Felicity miserably.
‘Nope. We’re going shopping. Retail therapy is just what you need.’
‘Even worse.’
‘Where’s your sense of adventure?’
‘How is going shopping for clothes an adventure?’
‘Well, that’s exactly where you’re wrong, my friend. You’ll see.’
‘I seriously doubt that.’
An hour later and Felicity was laden down with Sophie’s bags of purchases, sitting on a chair in the changing room feeling like a long-suffering boyfriend.
‘How is this meant to be helping, exactly?’ she said, as Sophie came out of the cubicle and did the little back and forth wiggle-dance that only ever happens in a changing room.
‘Go and buy something,’ said Sophie with a laugh. ‘Retail therapy only works if you actually hand over some of that hard-earned cash.’
‘Are you forgetting I work for a charity? I neverhaveany cash.’
‘Oh, Fliss, stop being such a grump. You never spend anything on yourself.’
‘Sorry, just didn’t bank on seeing Adam today.’
‘Even more reason to treat yourself,’ said Sophie.
Sophie did another twirl and the pink-and-cream skirt she was trying on swirled out around her. ‘Also, sorry. I hadn’t thought. I should have asked you. How was that?’
‘Weird. Annoying.’
‘He’s still handsome though, eh?’
‘How can you say that, Soph? When I look at him now, all I see is his Big Fat Betrayal.’
‘Betrayal but also those dark eyes. That smile.’
‘Like Tom Cruise, I always thought. Combined with Dev Patel, we used to say.’ Felicity sighed inwardly.
‘Who?’
‘That handsome Asian actor?’
‘Ooh yes. I can see why you guys fancied Adam, I must say. Pearly white teeth too.’
‘Soph, you’re really not helping. Get that one.’
Sophie looked down. ‘Do you think?’
‘Yes, it suits you. Not the top though. Too plain.’
‘I do like the way it swirls.’
‘And then please can we get going? I need to go and lick my wounds in peace.’
Sophie nodded. ‘I just need to go to one more shop.’
Felicity let out a groan.
