A few minutes later when Clara gathers everyone for dinner, she frowns when she re-enters the dining room.
"Anyone seen James? I can't find him."
Her eyes are on me and I know she's disappointed. James has always been my friend through thick and thin and logically I know she's right, that I should just forgive him and then we can move forward, but I'm too p*ssed off with him to even consider that right now. She leans over as she comes to sit beside me.
"You're being stubborn, Contius."
"Sorry, Delos," I reply, "but I'm not going to change anytime soon."
"I know, love," she smiles sadly at me, "but I don't want you to cut off your nose to spite your face."
I groan, "you sound like mother."
"Wise lady..."
At that moment, my mother walks in with a massive joint of pork for my brother to carve.
"Where's James?"