Short Story - The Impressions (5)

the impressions. Part five. That's the first thing, he said. Ask Julie that evening us. The friends sat around the kitchen table drinking some wine. You look tired, charming, just what you want to hear from an ex boyfriend. I'm sure that's why he's aid and the douche bag, isn't it? Said Paula. Yes, but I think he meant it nicely, said Felicity, pouring herself 1/3 glass of wine. She waas a little bit drunk. He sounded genuinely worried about me. Anyway, We're having a coffee tomorrow morning before work. I think he feels bad about what happened between us. Before Julie and Paller looked at each other, it had not. Bina nisi job dealing with Felicity's breakdown over aid on the year before. They did not want toe have to go through that again. When I hear the word genuinely before a verb, said Julie. I know the person using it doesn't believe it themselves. He isn't worried about you. He's just putting you down again. How could you be? So why don't you tell us about that man who brought you home the other night? Interrupted Paula, anxious to change the topic. Here, have some more wine Cheers ST Felicity, who was mawr than a little bit drunk. By now, you'll never believe this. The next morning on the bus to work, Felicity wore dark glasses to hide the circles under her eyes. The tablets had got her headache under control, but her stomach was still complaining bitterly about the remains of the wine. Unexpectedly, Julie and Paula had believed her about Frederick tumble on the rest of the impressions. Why not make sense to me? There are all sorts of things going on that we don't understand, said Paula. I know this because my granny was a spirit medium. Our family parties were always a bit, well special, I'll say, said Julie, who had known Paula since primary school. You had eight generations. They're singing songs around the Christmas tree and the are humans. Felicity shook her head. Those two girls were full of surprises, but if they believed her, maybe others would, too. When Felicity arrived at the cafe in Garlic Hill, Aidan was already waiting for her with a coffee and cross aunt in front of him. She ordered herself a large cappuccino on, told Aidan about her job at the bank while she sipped it it. So I do hope they don't sell that lovely old building and move outside London to somewhere awful like Milton Keane's, she said. But what about you? How long have you been working for the Historical Buildings Association? She asked about six months. It's very interesting inspecting all these buildings instead of just teaching students about architecture as I waas when we first met. And you wouldn't believe what the owners will sometimes offer you in order to get a favorable report. What do you mean? The last thing most people want is toe have their building listed. It limits what they're able to do with it. So sometimes they try and influence the person who writes the report. He leaned forward between you and me, Felicity. Your bank directors were very unhappy when I told them why I was visiting yesterday. But as I explained to them, it's a very nice piece of architecture. Oh, that's wonderful. So you recommend it be listed? Well, I don't know yet. I really need to speak to Frederick Tumble, the person who sent in the application. Felicity swallowed hard. That might be a little difficult. She began after she had finished her explanation aid and sat back in his chair with a strange look on his face into resting. He said finally, Well, I can see this building is very important to you. So much so that you invent this extra ordinary story to try to influence my report. But honestly, I haven't invented interrupted Felicity. Aidan held up her hand. No, don't worry, Felicity. You were always very imaginative. That's what I found find so attractive about you. He leaned forward and touched the back of her hand with his finger. You know, I've missed seeing you, but perhaps this report gives us an opportunity to come to a little arrangement of fun arrangement. Felicity felt a little sick. Are you suggesting I think you know what I'm suggesting. Hi, I karash a waiter going past their table, tripped and dropped his tray of coffee and cakes onto Aidan's lap aid and howled and chaos broke out as he began shouting and swearing while the waiter tried toe, wipe the cakes off his jacket. Come on, said a voice in Felicity's Here. It was smudge who had been secretly listening to their conversation from the neighbouring table. Let's get out of here before the way to realize is, I tripped him. Once outside, they ran down Watling Street until they got to the entrance to the bank. Despite everything, Felicity found herself laughing. I know what he wanted, Miss Appleby said. Smudge Mr Tumble would never allow it. Thanks much o his face. When Felicity, Who are you talking to? Demanded Tricia, who was standing next to the security guard and telling him off for something coming in late for work, talking to yourself and laughing like a crazy person, you better get up to your desk. There's a lot going on this morning when Aidan appeared in front of her desk an hour later, his suit still covered in coffee and cakes smears Felicity put on her most poised expression. You just had to say No, he hissed. ID her. You didn't have to trip that waiter. But hear this. There will be consequences. And with that, he turned around and marched into the boardroom