Page 99 of Just Do It
‘I see. And what would that be?’
He gave another smooth laugh but I’d tucked my hands safely on my lap this time. ‘So impatient.’
‘I’m an archaeologist, Friedrich. Patience is not something I lack.’
He chuckled again. I hadn’t meant it to be funny, merely a fact but Friedrich appeared determined to prove his earlier statement of my wittiness correct.
‘So?’ I pressed.
‘I have a question to ask although I think, I hope, that I already know the answer.’
‘I see. Then you’d better ask it.’
I had to wait until the server had arrived with, and opened, the bottle in a low key manner, none of that unnecessary flourishment here. After he’d poured and retreated, Friedrich advising that we’d order shortly, I was put out of my misery. Temporarily.
‘I’d like you to be part of the dig.’
I snorted the champagne, sending bubbles down my throat, up my nose and, if the result was anything to go by, into my tear ducts. I grabbed at the napkin and did my best to mop up the aftermath, but not before I caught a glimpse of my dinner companion’s hint of disapproval. Not obvious to the untrained eye but mine had been honed over several years and some lessons are hard to forget. Unlike other people who would remain nameless, he was less forgiving of accidents and, by the hasty scan of the restaurant he made under his lashes, was far more bothered about what others thought than he pretended to be.
‘Are you alright?’
‘Yes. Sorry. Went down the wrong way.’
‘I took you by surprise. Perhaps I should have waited until you put the glass down.’ He flashed a brief smile but I knew exactly what he was thinking and why.
‘Yes, you did rather.’
Friedrich laid a hand on his chest. ‘My apologies. But you were so eager to hear.’
I bit back the smile. Good old Friedrich. Things were never his fault. I hadn’t seen it at the time, even though Colette had delicately tried to explain when she had been blamed yet again for any awkward evenings together. Now the picture was crystal clear I ignored the jibe and sipped my drink. If he was expecting me to agree, he had a long wait.
‘So, what do you think?’
‘About what?’
His smile was a little too tight but I guessed he was trying. ‘Joining me on the dig.’
‘I’m not sure I can really leave the museum for that amount of time, especially now that you’ve accepted Bella’s application. She’ll be a real asset to the team.’
‘Yes, I hope so.’
‘She will,’ I repeated, unwavering in my support for her.
‘Well, it was really your recommendation that swung that decision.’
I stayed silent. Friedrich was clearly unaware that Bella had confessed all to me. But we all made mistakes and I knew for certain she’d learned from it. I admired her for being able to put that experience behind her and not let it hold her back. I’m not sure I’d have been able to at her age. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to at this age if I was honest, but that was a question for another day.
‘I’m sure Inis will be able to find someone to take your place for the summer.’
I levelled my gaze at him and slowly raised one eyebrow. Friedrich could be obtuse at times but it appeared this was not one of those times.
‘Not that I mean you’re easy to replace!’ The words rushed out. ‘What I meant is that I don’t think Inis would want to stand in the path of your career.’
‘No, I know she wouldn’t, but, and I don’t mean to be blunt, Friedrich…’ I did actually, but I wanted at least the appearance of politeness. ‘But at this stage, taking part in another dig, although interesting, won’t especially further my career. And we both know that I was up for the leadership of that particular dig which, obviously, would have been a different case.’
‘What if we split it?’
‘I don’t understand.’
