Page 24 of The Day After Christmas
Felicity forced herself not to look away. ‘When I’m bored, I binge eat. Not so illegal but then again, a bit more punishing on the waistline.’
Charlie smiled weakly. ‘I’ll try that next time.’
‘Next time?’
‘Next time I’m bored.’
‘Right.’
His brow crinkled. ‘I do like to burn stuff too. My mum always said I was a pyromaniac even when I was a kid. Maybe I’ll try that.’
Felicity tried to hide her shock. ‘I mean, I was thinking something more like knitting?’
Charlie guffawed.
‘Or crochet,’ she went on. ‘Crochet’s ever so popular these days. Or cross-stitch, how about some nice wholesome cross-stitch?’
‘Is that what you do?’ said Charlie, taking a step closer to her.
Felicity’s turn to laugh out loud. ‘God, no. I’m crap at all that stuff. My friend Sophie is the crafter of the group. I can’t do anything like that even remotely competently.’
Charlie lifted one eyebrow, his dark eyes flashing. ‘So, what do you do when you’re bored?’ If he wasn’t ten years her junior, she would have sworn he was flirting.
Felicity took a small step backwards. ‘I told you. I binge eat. And I watchDie Hard. Or, you know,Die Hard 2,Die Hard3 – better known as Die Hard with a Vengeance – or Live Free or Die Hard… heck, evenA Good Day to Die Hardif I’m really desperate.’
‘There are other films, you know,’ said Charlie. ‘You don’t have to watch old movies all the time.’
‘I’m aware. And also, ouch.’
Charlie chuckled softly. ‘So long as you know.’
‘But do these modern contrivances have Bruce Willis in a vest? That’s the crucial question,’ said Felicity.
‘Who’s Bruce Willis?’
‘Thanks for making me feel like a dinosaur, yet again.’
‘No problem.’
Felicity softened. ‘Look, Charlie, you’re working out your punishment, you’ve been honest about what you did. You’ll get no judgement here, okay? Just enjoy being around the animals. They are loving having you around.’
Charlie’s eyes widened slightly at her words.
‘Sorry. Did I say something wrong?’ said Felicity gently, putting a hand on his arm.
Charlie blinked at her. ‘I’m sure you’ll find this hard to believe, but no one has ever said anything like that to me before.’ He shrugged. ‘They don’t say much to me at all, to be honest. Not since I was like thirteen or fourteen. I became invisible at that point.’
Felicity felt tears spring to her eyes and blinked them back hastily. ‘Actually, I know exactly what you mean,’ she said.
Charlie’s eyes were like two dinner plates now. ‘Really?’
Felicity nodded. ‘You don’t got an exclusive on crap childhoods, I’m afraid,’ she said, with a half-smile.
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Charlie’s forehead crinkled, which somehow made him even more attractive.
‘Anyway, this is not about me,’ said Felicity, waving a hand. ‘The point is, the animals like you. And they are excellent judges of character, trust me.’
Charlie moved a little closer. ‘And you?’ he said, eyes soft.
