Chapter 22
‘Fran,couldyougiveus a moment?’
Sarah looked up from her pile of dirty dishes. The muscles in Felix’s face were taut, his words spat from between pursed lips. Sarah pushed her shoulders back. Hattie must have spoken to him about her allegation. If he couldn’t admit what he’d done, it wasn’t her fault.
‘Felix, I’m in the middle of making a Bakewell tart. I can’t up and leave it now.’
‘Just one minute, I promise.’
‘OK. But if that burns, you’re making another one for me.’
‘Deal.’
Fran removed her apron and wandered out of the kitchen. Once the door closed, Felix turned on Sarah. ‘How dare you!’
‘How dare I do what? Speak the truth?’
‘I explained what happened. I told you it was an accident. Do you know what happens to guys falsely accused of sexual harassment?’
‘Do you have any idea what happens to women who are victims of it?’
Felix scrubbed a hand through his hair. His eyes fell to the floor, but not before Sarah noticed them filling with tears. ‘I do. Far more than you. Crying wolf does nothing to help actual victims.’
‘Crying wolf, was I?’
‘Oh, for God’s sake. Here, put these on.’ Felix pulled his headphones from his bag and handed them to Sarah.
‘This isn’t the time to impose your music on me.’
‘I’m not asking you to listen to music. Just put them on.’
‘No.’
‘Fine. Have it your way. I’m going to leave these here,’ said Felix, laying his headphones on the counter. ‘If you change your mind, put them on and you’ll understand what I meant.’
‘Yeah, well, even if you couldn’t hear me, you would’ve seen the steam.’
Colour flooded to Felix's face, but the way his fists bunched told Sarah it wasn’t through embarrassment. ‘Steam? STEAM? My God, what planet are you on? Have you had a single hot shower since you got here? Where would the steam be coming from? Oh yeah, from your ARSE! And just for your information, the shower lock doesn’t work. Never has, never will.’
Felix stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Sarah staring at the space where he’d stood. Though she hated to admit it, part of her was now questioning her version of events. Wiping her hands on a tea towel, she reached across and grabbed the headphones. As soon as she placed them over her ears, the world around her fell silent. Sarah turned back to the dishes, staring into the water, a creeping sensation that she’d made a huge mistake causing her own cheeks to burn. Sarah jumped as someone touched her back. She pulled off the headphones and turned around.
‘I’ve been nattering away to you since I came in and you haven’t heard a word of it, have you?’
‘Sorry, Fran. I didn’t realise you were back.’
‘I heard what happened. Let me get this Bakewell out of the oven, then you and me need to have a little chat.’
With Fran’s latest creation cooling on a rack, she opened the door and ushered Sarah outside. They sat on a step, each nursing a cup of tea from Fran’s pot.
‘Right, love. I know what happened this morning must have been very embarrassing, and I understand why you might have got the wrong end of the stick, but you’re way off the mark accusing Felix like that.’
‘But isn’t it important women speak up when things like this happen?’
‘Things like what? An honest mistake?’
‘I didn’t know that. I barely know Felix from Adam.’
‘Fair point. I understand where you were coming from, but I think embarrassment has clouded your judgement?’
