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Pacing around her flat, Felicity realized she couldn’t take the suspense anymore. She’d have to return, as soon as possible, and assist in coming up with a solution. She’d done everything she’d needed to do in London, including a few loads of laundry, a vigorous re-packing of her valise, and a quick scan through her email for any important messages. It’d been relatively uneventful, considering the disaster awaiting her back with Fallon and Cyn, but there was one last step she’d been putting off with dread. Felicity picked up her mobile and dialled her boss.
“Nathan?” Felicity said into her mobile, hearing what sounded like vigorous chewing on the other end of the line. “Are you there?”
“Felicity!” In the background, there was a loud crash.
Felicity winced. “Are you busy?”
Felicity hated lying to Nathan, but this had gone on for much too long. Her gut clenched. She felt horrible. He’d been such a good friend and boss. She knew she’d never find another working relationship like this one. He’d turned into such an important part of her life. And to make matters worse, she was a horrible liar. Felicity was always honest, because when she lied you could read it on her face like a bloody book. And her voice wasn’t much better; it always seemed to betray her emotions.
“No, just finishing lunch,” Nathan said, sounding worried. “I’m so glad you called, I really need to ask you to do something for me.”
“Listen, Nathan, I need to head back to the Aran Islands. The story’s not quite done and I need to check out a few more sources. I was thinking of returning later today or tomorrow, if it’s all right with you.”
Nathan was quiet before his tone turned serious. “Felicity, I’m really worried about Cyn. I’ve been calling and calling her, and it goes right to voicemail every time. She always calls me back... eventually. Is she okay?”
“Remember I told you that she met someone?” Felicity cringed, waiting to hear a muttered curse in response. When one didn’t come, she took a deep breath before continuing. “I think they’re just spending so much time together she forgot to call you.”
“Listen, I have a bad feeling about this, okay? This is completely unlike her. You’re her best friend, you must know that. I care for her so deeply. I’m not sure I could bear it if something happened...”
“I know how fishy it sounds,” Felicity said, closing her eyes to block out the lie. “But it’s the truth. And as soon as I get back, I’ll make sure to check on her first thing, okay?”
“It doesn’t seem like something she would do. She always does the walk of shame and comes home. I’ve never seen her stick around,” Nathan said.
Felicity sighed. This painful charade was taking much, much too long. And she couldn’t keep stalling him. He was completely right about Cyn. Felicity knew he would never believe her if he pressed for more detail. Damn. This has really become a fuck of a muddle.
“I know,” she said, in the most soothing voice she could manage. “But I’ll see her really soon. She’s with the right type of guy, okay? You know I wouldn’t let her be with anyone who disrespected her.” She steeled herself for Nathan’s inevitable angry reply, but surprisingly, the line stayed silent.
“Nathan?” she said, hoping they hadn’t been disconnected.
He sighed, sounding dejected. “I’m here. Just please, please let her know I need to speak with her, okay? It’s quite important.”
“I understand. I’m going to look at travel arrangements, and I’ll talk to you soon. Call me if anything comes up, okay?”
“Okay. Be safe, Felicity. And I’m calling Pier House if I don’t hear from you in twenty-four hours, d’you understand?” His tone was stern, but Felicity knew it was only out of concern.
“Sounds good, Nathan. Cheers.”
Felicity had tried to muster as much pep as she could, but after he hung up without returning her sentiment, she knew she’d done a piss-poor job. It’ll be all right. We’ll think of something. Strangely, her stomach lurched. She’d been rather nauseous lately and every time the sickly sweet smell from the bakery near her flat wafted past it made her want to yak. It was probably stress from the dishonest web she’d spun.
