Page 18 of A Merry Irish Christmas
‘Nice to meet you too, Sheena.’ She was an attractive middle-aged woman with strawberry blonde hair tied up in a messy bun. ‘But don’t thank me because?—’
‘I thought there was no chance we’d get anywhere this late in the day,’ she continued, ‘but I thought what the hell, you never know, do you? So I put the house up on the site anyway. What you guys would call a Hail Mary pass, I think? And next thing I know, we’ve got an apartment big enough for the lot of us right bang slap in the centre of Manhattan! Just like that.’ She snapped her fingers. ‘I couldn’t believe it! It’s like a Christmas miracle! Mary – that’s my eldest – lives in New York and couldn’t get home for Christmas, so I decided we’d all go over there and surprise her. Lucky for us, you wanted to get away at the last minute too, so it couldn’t have worked out better for all of us. It just goes to show what can happen when you take a chance, doesn’t it?’
‘Um… yes, fantastic,’ Evan found himself saying.
‘I hope you’ll be happy in our house. The people around are very friendly, so if there’s anything at all you need, just ask one of the neighbours.’
‘Well, that’s the thing, Sheena,’ Evan began, spotting an opening. ‘I don’t want to socialise or see anyone, really, so?—’
‘Oh, no, don’t worry about that. Max explained to me that you don’t want anyone to know you’re there. That’s no problem. I’m just saying, people will be there if you need help with anything, but they’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want. And we’re used to movie stars in our neck of the woods. You know Ryan Furey is from Inch?’
‘No, I didn’t know that.’
Sheena nodded. ‘He went to school with my kids. Used to go out with one of my daughters. So we don’t get starstruck by famous actors. We know you’re just regular people like the rest of us and you won’t have people harassing you, even if they do spot you.’
‘Great.’
‘It’s a pity we won’t get to meet you in person, but maybe some other time. You must come and visit. Max too. Max is lovely, isn’t he? You’re lucky to have him.’
‘Yeah, he’s a gem. Lucky me.’
‘It’s a pity that husband of his doesn’t take more time off work.’ Sheena paused and took a breath. ‘Anyway, let Max know what you’d like food-wise and I’ll have the house stocked up for you – and anything else you might need, so you won’t have to go out or see anyone if you don’t want to.’
‘Thanks, Sheena. That’s very thoughtful of you.’
‘It’s no bother. Max said I could give him a list of anything I wanted too and he’d do the same, but I might as well give it to you since I’m talking to you. Have you got a pen?’
‘Um, yes.’ Evan grabbed a pen and notepad from the desk. ‘Okay, go ahead.’ And then, instead of telling Sheena McBride that she and her family would under no circumstances be spending Christmas in his apartment, he found himself transcribing her shopping list.
‘Well, how did you get on?’ Max asked smugly when Evan finally emerged from the study, feeling like he’d been run over by a train. Bamboozled was the only word for it.
‘Fine. All sorted.’
‘Great. So, you want me to find somewhere closer to home for you?’
‘Nope. I’m going to Ireland.’
Max grinned unashamedly. ‘Oh, thank goodness. I’d hate to have let Sheena down.’
‘But I do have a shopping list for you.’ He handed Max the notepad.
‘Don’t look so glum. I’m sure you’ll have the best time! Ireland at Christmas – it’s so romantic! You’ll be dancing jigs down the pub with the quirky locals in no time.’
8
Back in her room, Mary wasn’t as tired as she’d expected to be. She got into her pyjamas, then sat on her bed with her laptop as she ate her sandwich and contemplated her situation while she waited for her mother to call. She was stuck here now, so she’d just have to get on with it. If she could just persuade Evan to let her stay, it mightn’t be so bad. At least she’d be in her family home with all her familiar things and close to her friends and neighbours. She could try to make it as normal a Dingle Christmas as possible. She’d still miss all the usual family activities of course, but she could keep up other traditions, like meeting up with the gang in the pub on Christmas Eve. If she could get Evan on side, they might even have a nice time together. They were both in the same boat, alone for the holidays in the middle of nowhere. The difference was Evan had put himself in that position deliberately, and she wondered why.
She was about to hit Google to see if it had any answers, when her mother called.
‘How did the ice-skating go?’ Mary asked her.
‘It was great. Bo had a ball! I wish you could have been there.’
‘Me too.’ Mary sighed.
‘I’m so sorry about the cock-up! Me and my big ideas.’ Sheena pursed her lips. ‘Now I still don’t get to give you a hug and it’s all my own fault.’
‘It was a good idea. It would have been lovely.’ Tears pricked Mary’s eyes. ‘I just can’t believe I’m missing Christmas with you guys.’
