Page 8 of Fe
He took the medal from Fen with a sigh. “I had no idea that was in there.”
“It was in a wooden box. No key but I was able to get inside without damaging it. If you’d like to come tomorrow, I’ll bring the box and the rest of the things.”
The man put the medal in his pocket, turned and started to walk away.
Fen frowned. “I don’t even get a thanks?”
He’d said it quietly, but the man turned. “What?”
“I didn’t have to give it you,” Fen said. “I bought it fair and square. Legally, it’s mine. I could have kept it. Sold it. I know it’s worth a lot of money. But I gave it back to you. You could have at least said thank you. It’s rude not to.”
Charles rushed up behind him, flapping his arms, looking like a bellowing dragon. “Fen! How dare you speak to a customer like that. Apologise at once.”
“He’s not a customer,” Fen said.
There was a moment’s pause before the man spoke. “I’d like to buy the blue kintsugi globe.”
When he took out his wallet, Fen scowled.
“Now I am a customer.” He offered Fen an American Express credit card.
“I’ll take that.” Charles stepped forward. He had what passed for his version of a smile on his face. Fen had always wondered if he’d looked up how to smile in a self-help book.
“I want Fen to handle the sale.”
Charles backed off, but hissed, “Apologise, Fen!” under his breath as he passed.
The silence stretched and stretched.
“Fen!” Charles snapped.
Fen exhaled. He kept his voice low. “I’m so sorry for pointing out you seemed rather ungrateful for my offer to return the items I paid for. You must have saidthank youso quietly that I missed it. I’m sorry my hearing isn’t more acute. I clearly need to go and have it tested.”
The guy gaped at him, then gave a loud laugh. “Take the card.”
Fen plucked it from his fingers. Then he had to get the globe out of the locked cabinet and carry it over to the desk while still holding the credit card. He was relieved when he and the globe made it to the counter in one piece.
“Are you sure you want it?” Fen asked. “It’s broken.”
He could almost hear Charles grinding his teeth behind him.
“And repaired, as you explained. Yes, I still want it. Beauty in imperfection. I did listen to what you said.”
Fen lowered his voice even further. “Are you trying to do me a favour because the wordsorryisn’t in your vocabulary? I don’t get commission.”
“I’m buying it because I like it. You’re right. It’s a lesson in not being quick to judge. I know better.”
Now Fen wished he’d not mentioned commission. He wished he’d not said any of it, but that ship had sailed, disappeared over the horizon, fallen off the edge of the world.
“Make sure you don’t drop it.” Fen was talking to himself but the man let out a low chuckle.
“Do they usually let you loose on the public?”
“Hopefully, never again.” Fen carefully wrapped the globe in bubble wrap, putting on far too much tape.Have fun opening that, dickhead!He put it in aWinn Brothers Antique Dealers and Restorerspaper carrier, then turned the card reader and pushed it across the counter. “If you could check the amount and insert your card, please sir.”
Fen admired the long fingers and manicured nails. Even though Fen did his best to protect his hands, his fingernails weren’t tidy. Those Cartier cufflinks, currently dazzling him, probably cost as much as the globe. He kept his eyes down. He’d been rude. He knew he had. He’d been in the right at first, well, at least held the moral high ground, except now he looked petty and mean-spirited.
“Thank you,” Fen said when the guy turned the card reader around. “Sorry if I was rude. Your grandfather was very brave. I looked up why he was awarded the medal.” He risked looking up to see the man staring at him in a way that made Fen’s gaydarzing.You’re gay. At least, I think you are.
