He’d had a tricky conversation with his ex. Felix could hardly believe that she’d agreed to almost all his demands. He’d promised her a financial retainer from the company on top of their divorce settlement. All she had to do was step away from the board and any involvement in the business. He’d also offered to buy her a house in a country of her choice. At length, and after much dragging him over the coals, she’d accepted. It didn’t surprise him. Adrienne had always been out for herself. But he was sad that after an initial show of concern, she hadn’t insisted on any extra time with Lucas.
After the call, he’d felt ten kilos lighter, but as he grippedthe steering wheel with white knuckles, something nagged at his gut. Would Thea even see him? Listen to what he had to say? She’d already asked him to leave twice. What did he think would be different this time?
The imposing facade of The Five Bob loomed in the distance like a rock in the middle of a churning sea. Surely it would be a good idea for him to pause, re-group, and plan what he’d say to Thea when he saw her? Perhaps take a steadying drink to calm his raging nerves.
He glanced at the clock on the dash. Four-thirty p.m. Felix’s mind ticked over. Who would he run into behind the bar at the pub? He hoped for Daphne, the friendly, young bartender who he’d met on his first-ever visit months ago. She was always polite and, as far as he knew, didn’t bear him any grudges.
Felix didn’t relish the idea of bumping into Amber. He still regretted the way he’d treated her last year. He should have respected her decision to stay at the pub. But her being behind the bar was a better option than Daniel. It wasn’t likely he’d be working, though. He’d be too busy off somewhere, polishing his hair or his new halo.
With a sigh, Felix pulled into the car park, and after shutting off the engine, he wandered into The Five Bob. The smell of last night’s wood smoke clung to the air, and when his gaze adjusted to the gloom of the old coaching inn, it fell on Daniel and Josh chatting at the bar. They both turned and stared at him as if King Charles III had just arrived on rollerblades.
They each held a beer in their hands. Josh looked like he’d been wrestling cattle all day. His hair was mussed, and he wore muddy jeans. Felix snickered to himself. It was a look that ran in the family, apparently. Daniel looked like his usual sleek and put-together self.
Felix hesitated in the doorway, the chill of early spring at his back and the warm hug of the pub’s cosy air on his face.
“Well, this is a sight I never thought I’d see,” said Daniel.
Felix puffed out a breath and stepped inside the pub. “I know. Don’t rub it in.”
Daniel leaned over the bar, looking around Felix’s body theatrically. “Well, I can’t see you brought any hatchets to bury, so I assume you haven’t come waving a white flag of peace?”
Josh laughed, not unkindly. “Back off a bit, Daniel. Felix, you look like you need a drink.”
He nodded once and walked to the bar. Daniel raked his eyes over Felix’s face and scowled.
“What’s happened? Conscience caught up with you? Can I get you a cock-sucking-cowboy to soothe your troubles?”
His smirk was infuriating, and as Felix stood under his old nemesis’s scrutiny, he thought back to Thea’s “Coktail” bar at the dinner dance. She’d served cock-sucking-cowboys that night, too. No doubt Daniel’s idea. Damn, it all felt so long ago. So much had happened since that night.
“Anything with alcohol will do,” Felix murmured.
Josh pulled a stool out from where it nestled under the solid wooden slab of the bar. “So, to what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Dutch courage.”
“You, Felix Walsh, overlord of the dark side, need Dutch courage?” Daniel reached under the bar and brought out a glass.
Felix bristled at Daniel’s words. “People rarely see mockery as clever, and I’d rather you kept your inane comments to yourself.” With a heavy sigh, he brought his fingers to his temples.
“Steady on, old-timer. I’m only joking.” Daniel reached behind the bar and decanted a nip of brandy, handing it to Felix. He tipped it back in one, placing the glass on the bar top with a clunk.
“Are you okay?” asked Josh.
“Not really. I think I’m getting a bad dose of karma. I know I’ve been a dick to a lot of people, particularly you two, but I can assure you, I’m living in my own personal hell right now.”
Daniel shook his head. “Felix Walsh, feeling sorry for himself? I’m not sure if I like it. It’s actually terrifying. Like those wind-up monkeys with cymbals.”
At that moment, two women came in from the back entrance and chatted at the bar, reading over the wine menu.
“Damn, customers,” muttered Daniel. “Hold that thought, I’ll be back in a mo.”
“Where’s Amber?” asked Felix as Daniel moved away. As far as he remembered, she was the one who did most of the work around The Five Bob.
Daniel grinned, and if Felix wasn’t mistaken, his cheeks reddened. “She’s upstairs, pampering. It’s Wednesday. We have a date night.” With a wink, he went to serve the ladies. Thea had told Felix about the new leaf Daniel had turned over, but he’d been sceptical. Perhaps Mr. Cunningham had indeed mended his ways.
When Daniel disappeared, Josh turned to him. “What’s going on?”
Felix drummed his fingers on the bar, wrestling with what to say. He found Thea’s brother intimidating. He might not like the idea of Felix lusting after his sister. But maybe he could get some insight from him. An inside track on Thea’s usual thought processes. “Fuck it. I’m just going to be honest with you. I mean, the last time you saw me, you were holding ice to my testicles.”
