Humbug Read Online Free PDF Page B

often he smiled—that it was strange to see him unsmiling.
    “I’m not like you,” he said now. “I don’t want to work all the hours God sends. I want to spend time with Tim, and with the rest of my family and friends. My job’s just part of the picture.”
    “I’m sorry,” I repeated miserably. “I really didn’t know about your brother. If I had…” I stopped, unsure how to finish that sentence, unsure what I would have done if I’d known.
    “The reason you didn’t know,” Rob said tightly, “is because you didn’t care. You don’t care about anything except work.”
    I winced and protested, “That’s not fair.” But the truth was, his words made my gut churn with a sick sort of recognition.
    “It’s entirely fair,” Rob went on. “I told you and Marley all about my personal situation that day and you didn’t even do me the courtesy of listening to me, did you?” He shook his head. “You know, it’s true what everyone says about you. You really are a dick. I can’t believe I used to defend you.”
    I couldn’t think of a word I could say to defend myself, and in the face of my pathetic silence, he gave another disbelieving laugh and looked away, gazing unseeingly across the street. I hated that laugh. It was bitter and angry and disappointed and it made me realise that Rob thought I was a shitty person. Worse, he clearly wasn’t the only one.
    It’s true what everyone says about you…
    That hurt more than it probably should have, and it felt unfair besides. I wasn’t such a bad guy, was I?
    I took a deep breath. “Look,” I said, “I know I’m not Mr. Touchy-Feely, but I’m not such a bad guy either.”
    Rob turned back to me. “You reckon?” he said, and his usually warm brown gaze froze me. “Do you even know what your nickname in the office is?”
    “No,” I whispered.
    “Skinflint.”
    “Skinflint,” I repeated faintly.
    “Quin Flint—skin flint,” he explained, emphasising the obvious rhyme. “Not exactly subtle, I know, but I can’t argue with its accuracy. Haven’t you noticed that no one comes to ask you for anything if they can possibly help it? If you’re given an expenses claim to approve you always question it—it’s as though you think we’re asking for money out of your own pocket! You’re as bad with leave requests. You make people feel like they’re asking for this huge favour, instead of taking time off that they’re entitled to. Do you think I wanted to speak to you this morning about leaving early? The only reason I did was because Marley wasn’t there.” He was furious, his dark eyes sparking with temper, and all I could do was stand there. I couldn’t deny anything he’d said. Eventually, I looked away, feeling wretched.
    I can’t believe I used to defend you.
    For some reason, the worst part was knowing that perhaps Rob hadn’t completely hated me till today.
    The silence between us stretched uncomfortably but I didn’t know how to break it.
    In the end, it was Rob who did, sighing heavily, then saying in a flat tone, “I should go. I need to get back to take Tim to his party.”
    Reluctantly, I returned my gaze to him. He was watching me with the weirdest look on his face. Like maybe he felt as shitty about all this as I did. He certainly didn’t look as though he’d enjoyed saying his piece.
    “Okay,” I mumbled. “Well, I hope you have a good Christmas with your family.”
    “Thanks,” he said, his dark gaze oddly bleak. “Same to you.” And with that, he turned on his heel and trudged away, shoulders hunched against the cold.

Chapter Five
    S kinflint.
    Quin Flint, Skinflint.
    Haven’t you noticed that no one comes to ask you for anything if they can possibly help it?
    The words circled in my head as I walked home, my hands thrust deep in my pockets against the cold.
    …it’s as though you think we’re asking for money out of your own pocket or something…
    Was I really that unpopular with my colleagues?
    I told