Page 97 of The Day After Christmas
Andrea cleared her throat noisily. ‘So, the thing is that the other day I was having a chat with James and he said why don’t you both go to Guernsey too?’
‘The other day? Didn’t you just find out about this on Saturday?’
Andrea took a small step backwards. ‘I did. That’s right.’
Felicity drew in her breath, trying not to scream and frighten the puppies.
‘You did just find out about this plan on Saturday, right?’
‘Yes…’
‘There’s no way you three have been in cahoots about this all along, is there?’
‘Definitely not.’ Andrea’s usually ruddy face was a little pale, she thought.
‘That’s good then. Excuse me while I just step outside for a moment.’
Felicity ran to the front door and stuck her head outside, taking a few gulps of air and mouthing a few choice swear words into the universe. Then she closed the door and made her way back along the hall, heart thumping in the top of her head, making her feel woozy. Andrea was waiting outside the puppy room for her. Looking contrite, as well she might.
‘I feel like a total idiot,’ said Felicity.
‘It’s not like we didn’t tell you.’
‘Isn’t it?’
‘It’s more like we made some preparations ahead of time.’
‘I don’t know if you’re expecting me to be grateful for that.’
‘Not exactly, just trying to explain. So you don’t feel like we’re just abandoning you.’
‘I’m used to it by now.’
‘Can you at least let me say what I need to say?’
Felicity crossed her arms. ‘This ought to be good.’
Andrea ran a hand down her face. Her hair was coming out of her plait all over the place so she looked even more like Crazy Animal Lady than usual. Felicity resisted the urge to pat it down.
She took a deep breath before speaking. ‘I’m not sure how to put this.’
‘Try,’ said Felicity, a little more sharply than she’d intended.
‘It’s just, I guess we know Guernsey is sensitive for you, you know? So… the thing is… we didn’t want to just spring this whole thing on you in case you weren’t up for it. We thought maybe you might need to come round to the idea slowly.’
Felicity and Andrea were still moving as they talked. They arrived at Marmaduke’s pen and Felicity picked the elderly ginger tom up and cuddled him to her chest. He instantly beganpurring like a freight train and she found herself wondering if James would tolerate just one more addition to their little cat collection at home.
She looked up at Andrea. ‘And what’s the idea exactly? You know, the one you’veallbeen talking about without me even though it massively involves me.’
Andrea looked abashed. A rare moment for her. ‘That we all move to Guernsey. Me, you, your father, James, and the animals. There, I said it.’
‘Not, all moving in together, surely? Like some pseudo-family? Cos that’s just weird.’
‘God, no. Nothing like that. Harry and I, we’ll move into the donkey place or whatever, and you and James… you can find somewhere to suit you. James works from home so he can work from anywhere anyway, and you can be my official donkey carer.’
Felicity’s heart started to beat faster, but she wasn’t sure if it was with excitement, fear or fury. ‘I don’t know any more about caring for donkeys than you do.’
Andrea, on the other hand, was pure excitement. ‘I’ve already looked it up, there’s a donkey welfare course we can do and everything. And Valerie’s happy to stick around and volunteer for a bit. She can teach us. She just can’t cope with the place anymore, wants a bungalow by the sea.’
