‘You can’t expect me to…’ Gideon said.
With the door slightly ajar, I peeked through the gap to see him pacing up and down.
‘That’s easy for you to say…’ He stopped still. ‘I know I’ve had plenty of time but…’
Listening to him try and get a word in, my heart went out to Gideon. I knew he’d said his bosses were forever breathing down his neck, but from what I could hear their attitude bordered on bullying. After all the hours he’d put in of late, I hated the fact they expected more. I closed my eyes as guilt enveloped me. I hated the fact that I hadn’t believed him when he’d said he’d been working late.
‘I’ll do it in the new year.’ Grimacing, Gideon fast pulled the phone away from his ear, making it clear the caller had raised their voice. Gideon put the receiver back to his ear. ‘I get that. I just don’t know what else to say.’ Looking pained, he ran a hand through his hair. ‘Look, I’ve got to go. I’ll speak to you in a few days.’
Secretly cheering Gideon on for sticking up for himself, I raced back to my position at the counter before he caught me spying. I flicked the radio back on. ‘Everything okay?’ I asked, playing innocent as Gideon re-entered the room.
‘Sorry?’ He pulled himself together. ‘Er, yes. I’m fine.’
He didn’t look fine. He looked ashen.
‘It’s that report I mentioned,’ he said, still half distracted. ‘Like I said, they wanted it sooner rather than later.’
CHAPTER30
Iturned the car radio on, hoping a few Christmas tunes would bring forth Gideon’s Christmas spirit.
He reached for the off switch and silenced it again.
To hide my dismay, I turned my attention to what was going on outside the vehicle and while Gideon frowned at the road ahead, I stared out of the side window.
I stole a glance at him. Should I have gone with his suggestion that I spend the holidays alone in the flat? Gideon’s work call had left his mood far from festive. While I might not have had a fridge full of treats to enjoy, lounging on the sofa, watching a Christmas special on TV, with nothing but a chip sandwich to eat, seemed way more fun.
I sighed, realising how selfish I was being. I’d heard for myself how awful Gideon’s boss had been and for all I knew, Gideon could have been threatened with the sack over the expected report. Under that circumstance, it was no wonder he was brooding. I would be too. I reached over and stroked his arm. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
Gideon hands tightened around the steering wheel. ‘I’ve told you. Everything’s fine.’
My phone bleeped in a welcome diversion and pulling it from my bag, I couldn’t help but smile at the photo Joyce had sent through. Its accompanying text said:
Ready for dinner. Edible food at last!
Grinning into the camera, she looked radiant in her burgundy ankle-length chiffon dress and while Richard appeared less comfortable, he cut a dashing figure in his black suit and tie. It was good to know Joyce was having fun. She deserved it. I sighed. I’d have put money on Erin having a better time than me too, despite having to prepare for her interview.
Gideon put a hand on my knee. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just concentrating on the road. Once we’re settled on the train and I’m finally distraction free, I promise I’ll cheer up.’
I nodded, appreciating the reassurance.
I was relieved to see the train already in when we got to the station. Our Christmas Eve might not have got off to the best start, but with a bit of luck everyone else’s excitement would be contagious, and Gideon would soon relax into the festive spirit.
Grabbing my tote bag and climbing out of the car, I shuddered. Having thought it cold when we’d left the flat, the air temperature seemed to have plummeted. As I moved to the rear of the vehicle, I looked up at the sky as I walked and more interested in the blanket of cloud above than what was happening on the ground, I suddenly tripped. Noticing my bootlace was undone, I crouched down in the darkness to retie it. ‘Could you get my rucksack too, please,’ I called out to Gideon.
He slammed the boot lid shut and the bleep from his central locking system sounded. ‘I’ll meet you on there,’ he said, heading off.
At last following in Gideon’s footsteps, I had no idea as to where our seats were. So I climbed aboard the first section of train I came to. Scanning the masses, I looked up and down the aisle in search of Gideon. With him nowhere in sight, I squeezed past luggage that fellow passengers had left in the aisle, and apologising as I went, I moved through to the next carriage.
My shoulders slumped with relief as I finally, spotted Gideon. ‘There you are.’ By the time I reached him, our bags were already squashed into the overhead storage rack, and he’d settled himself in.
‘We were lucky,’ he said, indicating our table section. ‘The couple of teens that were here went back to their parents.’
I narrowed my eyes as I lowered myself into the seat opposite Gideon. ‘Did they jump? Or were they pushed?’
‘A bit of both,’ the heavily pregnant lady in an adjacent seat replied.
Gideon frowned, while I bit down on my lips trying to hide my amusement.
