Percy stopped in his tracks. He could do this. He could look his brother in the face and apologize for not being able to attend, even if he wasn't wholly sorry for it.
Bill's tone did not go without notice, however.
Lifting his chin, Percy swiveled around to look at his brother. Facing him head on was even worse than looking at his profile, and although Percy did his best to school his features, he had a feeling he'd failed miserably.
"I," he began, and inhaled deeply, willing himself to get on with it. "I don't know, Bill. The Minister's relying on me to oversee some very important business, and the deadline's approaching..." He pulled his mouth taut. "You needn't hold a plate on my account. If I go, it will be for the ceremony."
And he didn't think he could withstand that much, as horrible as it made him feel at the moment.