Page 61 of Tis the Season
‘A perfect bean on the inside makes for a perfect bean out,’ Lexi said. ‘That’s what I say.’ She waved a dismissive hand. ‘There’ll be none of this crying all the time and sleepless nights business.’ Lexi wrinkled her nose and again turned to her husband. ‘About that food…’
Jake sprung into action. ‘Yes, sorry.’ Opening their cool box, he produced two large jars and unscrewing their lids, placed both in front of his wife.
The rest of us looked on in horror as Lexi took a gherkin from one and dipped it into the chocolate spread contained in the other.
My jaw dropped and I put a hand up to my chest as she stuffed the gherkin into her mouth.
Lexi was clearly in gourmet heaven, and as she savoured the taste, Alex tried not to gag.
I wondered if, like Richard, she had no palate, or if she was simply experiencing some weird pregnancy craving. Regardless, as she chomped on her snack, the pickled gherkin sounded way better than it looked.
‘Can you pass me the squirty cream?’ Lexi asked her husband.
Alex quickly looked away.
‘I think we’ll join you,’ Martha said.
Brian almost choked.
His wife rolled her eyes. ‘I was referring to our sandwiches.’
Relieved, Brian retrieved their rucksack from the storage rack above his head and pulling out a tin foiled parcel, handed it to her.
Gideon huffed. ‘We could have eaten too if someone hadn’t forgotten their bag.’
Unable to believe he’d just said that, I glowered at his selfishness. ‘Think yourself lucky. I don’t even have clean knickers.’
Julia leaned into Gideon. ‘I’m beginning to see what you mean.’
Having clearly overheard, Martha and Lexi gasped, while I looked from Julia to my boyfriend.
‘Gideon, what’s she talking about?’ I asked, as he shifted in his seat.
As if I hadn’t spoken, Julia patted his arm. ‘How does avocado, grilled halloumi and a smoky chipotle sauce sound?’
‘Bloody awful,’ Brian said.
Julia got to her feet and grabbed her travel bag. Sticking her nose in the air, she ignored Brian’s quip and headed for an alternative table. ‘There’s more than enough here for two,’ she said, making it clear Alex and I were not invited.
I scoffed, pitying the woman her confidence. Hungry or not, no way was Gideon about to accept her offer. I folded my arms and with a smug smile, looked forward to seeing Julia dine alone.
Gideon rose from his seat.
My eyes widened and my smile vanished. ‘What are you doing?’
He shrugged. ‘What can I say? I’m hungry.’
I shot forward in my seat, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I watched him go. Wondering how he could humiliate me in front of everyone like that, I wanted nothing more than to take Julia’s smoky chipotle sauce and rub it in Gideon’s face. Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I again tried to maintain a sense of decorum. Heat coursed through my veins and determined to control my anger, I swallowed hard. It didn’t work; I still wanted to kill Gideon. ‘Excuse me please,’ I said to Alex, working hard to control my tone.
Alex’s face turned pallid as I picked up my knitting needles and stood up.
‘Don’t worry,’ I said, stuffing them into my tote bag. ‘I’m only going to find the buffet cart.’
As Alex manoeuvred himself out of my way, he paused to glare at Gideon and Julia. But I didn’t want Alex’s sympathy, I just wanted to get away before I did something to get me arrested.
Stepping out onto the aisle, tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Unable to bring myself to look at anyone, I simply stared straight ahead and holding my breath, walked away.
CHAPTER33
