Chapter 49
When James came back on the Friday, something was different.
Off, you might even say. Felicity felt it as soon as he came in the door.
He looked tired, his handsome face a little drawn, so perhaps that was all it was but a sinking feeling appeared in her stomach and two days later, it still hadn’t left.
He didn’t even react when she told him what had gone down with Bex during the week.
Not even when she gently mentioned Adam had been in the house. This was peculiar.
‘Is everything all right?’ she attempted, as they sat in their favourite pub that Sunday.
It was their favourite partly because it didn’t just allow but positively welcomed dogs so there were always some ears to scritch, but also because their Sunday roast came with a pie on the side, “pie and slice” they called it, because everything is better with pastry.
Even the vegetarian version for Felicity was absolute heaven.
‘Why wouldn’t it be?’ said James.
‘I don’t know. You just seem a little bit off,’ she said, waving her fork around as if it would help her put her thoughts in order.
‘I’m just tired,’ was his reply, which wasn’t any comfort.
‘You always say that when you’re mad with me.’
‘No, I don’t. And surely I can also say it when I’m just tired?’
His tone was not reassuring.
‘You can of course, but…’ Felicity’s voice tailed off. She seemed to be making things worse. She resolved to try again later and they ate in strained silence for a few agonising moments. Then to her great relief, James spoke.
‘I was wondering if you might like to go away for Christmas this year,’ he said, suddenly.
He sounded a little nervous, but at least he was planning ahead.
You didn’t plan ahead if you were planning to dump someone, did you?
A whisper of relief ran down Felicity’s spine.
Don’t be paranoid. Everything’s fine, she told herself.
‘That could be really nice,’ she said. ‘Who would look after the cats though, it might be difficult for Sophie on Christmas Day?’
‘I’ve sorted that already,’ said James, and he went back to eating his pie in silence.
‘Okay… And where did you have in mind exactly?’
His turn to wave a fork. ‘Wherever you want. I was thinking somewhere lovely and festive. You know, really get us in the mood for Crimbo.’
He paused, then gave a grin and she burst out laughing. ‘You know I hate that word,’ she said, with a giggle.
‘Crimbo? It’s a classic. Right up there with holibobs, surely?’
Felicity made a horrified face and it was James’s turn to laugh. ‘No? You don’t like holibobs?’
She shook her head furiously. ‘People who say holibobs wear socks with crocs. It’s a known fact.’
He grimaced. ‘That should be a crime.’
‘I’m fairly sure it is in about thirty countries.’
‘Rightly so.’
‘Yup.’
Felicity allowed herself a small sigh of relief. Here was the James she knew and loved.
‘So not somewhere too Christmassy then,’ said James, trying to get the conversation back on track.
‘No. I don’t mind a little bit festive but I need to feel like I can opt out if I need to.’
‘Fair enough,’ said James with a nod. ‘Will you allow me to surprise you if I stick to those rules?’
‘If you like.’ A little rush of excitement went through her.
‘Okay, that’s settled.’ James went back to eating his food but she could have sworn his shoulders had dropped by a good eight inches.
It wasn’t like James to be nervous about anything.
This was all very peculiar but Felicity did the only thing she could do under the circumstances.
She went back to eating a Yorkshire pudding the size of her own head and pretended everything was absolutely fine.