Page 56 of Just Do It
I stayed silent.
‘Just because I’m not an academic doesn’t mean I don’t understand things.’ He turned back towards the wheel and started the engine. ‘In fact, I think I understand things pretty well.’
The rest of the journey was undertaken in a silence so thick I could have cut it with a spoon. Finn pulled in to the parking area for the mews and turned off the engine.
‘I’ll walk you to the door.’
‘You don’t need to do that.’
‘I’d rather.’ He got out before I could argue any further. Finn pushed the door closed after me and beeped the car locked before ramming his hands into his pockets. The short walk to my front door was again made in silence. The cobbles beneath our feet were shiny from the rain that had now stopped.
‘I’m sorry the evening turned sour.’
Finn shook his head. ‘These things happen. I am sorry you were upset though.’
‘I’m not really. Just surprised. I thought Bella might have told me she was having a meeting with him. She asked if we still saw each other earlier today.’
‘And what did you say?’
I tilted my head back to meet his eyes. ‘The truth. That we didn’t. And before you ask, or don’t ask, I prefer it that way. I thought it was a bit of a random question at the time but it certainly all makes sense now.’
‘But you wanted a place on the team?’
‘I’d rather perform self-mummification!’
Finn let out a bark of laughter before his features settled back into their previous serious expression.
‘That’s a hard no then?’
‘I know it probably seems petty to you. And it will be a great experience for Bella. Yes, I would have liked to have been told that she was meeting him, but then again perhaps she just thought it was a date.’
‘I’ve a feeling Bella is smarter than that.’
‘I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. But I have no desire to be working underneath Friedrich.’
‘So to speak.’
I gave Finn a look.
‘Sorry. Open door. My level of humour.’
Splats of rain began to bounce on the floor around us. ‘Do you want to come in?’
Finn shook his head. ‘No, thanks. It’s been a long day. Probably best if I get home.’
‘Right.’ Disappointment flooded through me but I did my best to keep any trace out of my voice. ‘Finn?’
‘Yes?’
‘I’ve never thought you, or your intelligence, is any less just because you don’t work in the same field as me and I’m sorry if I ever did anything that made it appear that way.’
‘OK.’
‘I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I didn’t want to give anyone an excuse to think I’m doing something that could be classed as “unprofessional”.’
‘Like seeing someone who isn’t an archaeologist?’
‘No!’ I replied, automatically reaching out and closing my hand around his arm. ‘Not at all! I just don’t want people thinking I’m not entirely dedicated to my work.’
