Page 50 of Every Christmas Eve
I stop what I’m doing and look him in the eye.
‘You can always get a second opinion from me, Edward,’ I tell him. ‘Always. Any time. Please know that.’
He stands up straight and puffs out his chest, looking much more like the old schoolmaster I’ve admired for so long.
‘I was hoping you’d say that, actually. Thank you, kindly. I’ll hurry along now,’ he says, his mouth quivering as he speaks. He clasps his hands together and gives a light bow in my direction. ‘The world is a better place for people like you, Lou Doherty. I’ll go for a walk by the lough and prepare my speech for later. Thank you.’
I watch as he makes his way through the shop and towards the coffee bar, where he says his goodbyes before fetching his coat and hat from the hooks by the door.
I can’t help but wonder what his plans are for Christmas Day. Surely he isn’t going to have dinner for one? Maybe hisson and his family will surprise him by coming back here since it’s his first without Agnes, but then New Zealand isn’t exactly around the corner, and I’m told they spent at least a month in Ireland last year around the time of her passing and the subsequent funeral.
I get on with my work for the next hour or so, glancing at my phone every few minutes and hoping I’ll hear of my own offspring’s plans for Christmas, even if my gut tells me to prepare for the inevitable. It’s Saturday, which means flights will be almost impossible to find, if not extortionately priced for Christmas, so as much as I’m holding on to the tiniest glimmer of hope, I’ve come to realise that Gracie’s final decision had probably been made a long time ago.
‘Penny for your thoughts?’ I hear. ‘That was a very deep sigh.’
Ben’s arrival with Ava, who is already at the coffee bar making up a drink for a customer and being very generous with the marshmallows on top, has gone completely unnoticed while I was lost in thoughts of Gracie on the other side of the Atlantic.
‘Sorry, I was miles away in my head,’ I tell him. ‘Literally. How are you? Is your mission impossible complete? You do look like the cat that got the cream.’
I do my best to ignore his sexy stubble, his woollen green jumper that shows off the definition of his arms, and his jeans that sit comfortably on his strong thighs.
‘All organised, signed and sealed,’ he says, his eyes dancing with excitement. ‘It’s a good one. Probably the bestpresent I’ve bought this year by far, but she’s my mother and she deserves it.’
I am deeply intrigued as well as impressed.
‘Cordelia was here earlier,’ I tell him. ‘What a surprise to see her home early!’
‘Yes, she nearly gave my mother a heart attack this morning when she called needing a lift from the airport. Of course, I had to go get her,’ he says. ‘But yes, it’s so good to have her home earlier than expected. We’re cruising along nicely with only four days to go.’
‘And the whole thing’s a complete sell-out, so now of course I’m wondering if my centrepiece displays are up to scratch,’ I say. ‘What do you think? I’ve gone for a church candle with white roses, pine cones and gold ribbon as well as a touch of greenery. And here’s one I made earlier.’
I hold up one of my finished pieces, watching as he breaks into a smile and nods his head.
‘Classy,’ he says, unexpectedly taking my breath away with a glance in my direction. ‘Last night was fun, even if you didn’t take us up on our movie night offer. I can easily recite every word of everyHome Alonemovie by now, yet I still want to watch one every Christmas.’
‘I remember how much you loved those movies,’ I tell him. ‘You’re a sucker for a classic.’
‘I suppose I am,’ he says, looking round to make sure he’s out of earshot. ‘Look, I’d love to treat you for all your hard work, Lou. And please say no if you feel any pressure.’
‘Don’t tell me, you’ve chartered a plane to jet me off to the Maldives?’
‘Not quite that, I’m afraid,’ he says, ‘but if you don’t have any plans this evening, I’d like to take you for dinner. As a business meeting too, of course. No such thing as a free lunch, as the saying goes. We can go over everything one more time.’
I’m distracted by some commotion up by the coffee dock, so I down tools to see what’s going on.
‘That would be lovely,’ I say to him with a hearty smile as I make my way to see what’s going on. ‘Let me just see if everything’s OK up here.’
Ben follows me towards the front door, where Ava, my mother, my grandmother and a few customers have made a circle around someone, totally blocking the entrance to Buds and Beans.
‘Crumb!’ I exclaim, recognising Beth Sullivan’s puppy before I even acknowledge the woman herself. ‘Sorry, Beth. How are you? Come in if you can get past your fan club.’
They disperse, some covering their mouths with their hands at the puppy’s cuteness.
‘I think it’s Crumb’s fan club rather than mine, but I completely understand,’ she coos. ‘I don’t blame anyone for marvelling at her cuteness. She’s the best girl in the whole world.’
She lifts the puppy up to her face and closes her eyes as she snuggles in.
‘I know if I ever need a crowd in here, I’ll invite you and Crumb to be the special guests,’ I tell her. I look behind me to see Ben watching on with a look of love in his eyes, which I imagine is for the puppy, or at least Ava’s reaction as she circles us.
