Page 44 of Fiendish Delights
‘How many other low elves are you inviting to this grand gala?’
‘I don’t know many low elves.’
‘There you go then.’
‘Perhaps we both need to widen our experiences and attitudes.’
I considered that. Yeah, he was right. ‘I’m prepared to try if you will.’
He grinned. ‘Done. Whether we’re twenty-one or eighty-one, we can always learn to be better.’
My spider’s silk addiction meant I had no earthly hope of ever getting close to eighty-one but there was no point saying that out loud. Especially not to Hugo.
‘I’m sorry about the fungus rumour,’ I said. ‘It wasn’t something I planned. I’m not your nemesis any more, and I wasn’t being mean. Not that that’s any excuse. I shouldn’t have done it.’
‘Daisy,’ Hugo said, in an odd tone, ‘we are long past the nemesis time of our relationship.’ He hesitated. ‘I appreciate theapology but, given our friendship is relatively new, I’m not sure it’s enough.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘You’d prefer grovelling?’
‘Do you know how to grovel?’
‘As you’ve pointed out, I should widen my experiences.’
The corners of his mouth turned up. ‘How about you owe me a favour instead? To be delivered in the time and manner of my choosing?’
Whoa. Agree to owe a high elf a favour? Any favour? That was a big ask; in fact, that was a huge ask.
‘Nothing that will go against your morals. Nothing that will hurt anyone. Just…’ he grinned ‘…something someday that will please me.’
‘That sounds incredibly dodgy,’ Otis piped up from the back.
‘He’s not wrong.’ I eyed Hugo.
‘And I thought you were starting to trust me.’ Hugo sighed in a melodramatic fashion. ‘If you’re afraid, you only need to say so. I’ll withdraw the suggestion.’
‘I’m not afraid.’ I sniffed. ‘Fine. I, Daisy Carter, owe you a favour.’
A slow, delighted smile spread across his face. His tongue darted out and I was certain that he was literally licking his lips in anticipation.
Uh-oh.
Chapter
Fourteen
My mother insisted on inviting Hugo in for a cup of tea. Minutes later, that became a meal. Then my father suggested that he stay for the night. ‘We’ve got the space. You can take the spare room at the back. Unless you and Daisy would rather share a bed?—’
‘No!’ My protest was loud enough to echo around the living room.
Hester and Otis, who by now had introduced themselves to my somewhat bemused parents instead of hiding away like last time, giggled.
Hugo smiled genially. ‘I should get home,’ he said. ‘But dinner before I go would be wonderful.’
My mum and dad beamed. ‘Brilliant,’ Mum said. ‘I’m so glad that you finally have some elf friends, Daisy. It’s good to spend time amongst your own kind. She was adopted, you know, Hugo. We’re human.’
I loved my mum very much but she was truly a fan of stating the obvious.
Hugo nodded. ‘I’m aware.’
