Page 35 of A Merry Irish Christmas
‘Are you seriously saying there isn’t enough food for both of us?’
‘Don’t blame your mom. She thought I was going to be here on my own.’
‘Oh, come on! Mum doesn’t do individual portions.’
‘I suppose we could make it stretch if you insist on staying.’
‘Wow, that’s so generous of you.’
‘I know.’
‘There’s no turkey or ham? Stuffing?’
He shook his head. ‘I wasn’t going to cook a full Christmas dinner just for myself. Anyway, I already had all that at Thanksgiving.’
At least she’d still get a traditional Christmas dinner at Carmel’s. But it was a pity there wouldn’t be any leftovers in the house. Leftover sandwiches were her favourite Christmas food.
‘I’m more into the sandwiches the next day anyway,’ Evan said, as if he’d read her mind.
‘Well, I’m sure Carmel will give us some leftovers if we ask her,’ she said, buttoning her coat. ‘I’ll get some things to bring to their house tomorrow while I’m in Dingle.’ She gave him a sly smile. ‘If you don’t want to come shopping with me, I guess you’ll have to turn up with your arms swinging. That’ll be embarrassing for you.’
‘My arms swinging?’ He laughed, eyebrows raised questioningly.
‘It means turning up empty-handed, and it’s not done around these parts.’
‘Well, maybe I shouldn’t go over for dinner after all, then?’
‘Don’t be like that. It was very nice of them to invite us and you’ve already accepted. It’d be rude to back out now, especially when Carmel’s already made your personalised place setting.’ She chewed her lip thoughtfully. ‘Tell you what. I’ll get the O’Sullivans something from both of us if you agree to share all the food.’
He gave a resigned sigh. ‘Okay. Deal.’
13
Dingle was full of Christmas cheer, bustling with revellers and last-minute shoppers. Lighted decorations strung across the streets twinkled overhead, and the pubs and restaurants were festooned with fairy lights and garlands. Festive music drifted from bars, mingling in the crisp air with carol singers accompanied by the jingling of coins in collection buckets. It felt warm and comforting despite the cold, and made Mary miss her family all the more. She paused to listen to a choir, trying to get into the festive spirit, and tossed a five-euro note into their bucket before moving on.
Maybe buying a present for Evan wouldn’t be so hard after all, she thought as she strolled along the brightly lit streets, checking out the shop windows. He was American, after all, and there were plenty of shops here aimed at the tourist market. She smiled mischievously as she stopped in front of a big souvenir shop, taking in the window display. She could get him a leprechaun hat and a shillelagh – perfect! It’d serve him right for being such a grouse, not to mention his stereotyped ideas about Ireland.
Then her gaze drifted to the wool shop next door, her eyesfalling on a beautiful Aran jumper in a charcoal grey colour. She couldn’t help picturing Evan in it, and she knew it would suit him. She could see him wearing it on a snowy winter day in Vermont, sitting by a roaring fire in an upmarket bed and breakfast. Perhaps she should take her mother’s advice and get him a proper present. It was Christmas after all – season of goodwill to all men, even Evan Prentice. Just because he was being hostile to her, she didn’t have to sink to his level. She’d be the bigger person and do something nice for him anyway.
She felt better as she entered the shop, pleased with her decision. There was no getting away from it – she was her mother’s daughter, and being mean or spiteful was never going to sit right with her. Besides, maybe the jumper would remind Evan of her and he’d think fondly of her whenever he wore it. Not that she cared about him liking her, of course…
The sales assistant made small talk with Mary as she gift-wrapped the sweater. ‘Did you hear Evan Prentice is staying somewhere around here?’ she asked, snipping a length of ribbon.
‘Really?’ Mary gave her an excited smile. ‘Have you seen him?’
‘No, afraid not. He seems to be keeping himself to himself. Which is understandable. I suppose he’s come here to get a bit of peace, the poor thing.’
Mary hummed noncommittally in reply.
‘He’s had a time of it, hasn’t he?’ the woman continued. ‘It must be awful with reporters chasing you around all the time.’
Mary just nodded. Evan’s break-up with his girlfriend was obviously bigger news than she’d realised. Maybe he was justified being so paranoid. She decided to do some more googling of him when she got home. She bought champagne and flowers to bring to the O’Sullivans tomorrow, along with some small gifts – a set of handmade soaps, some Christmas tealight holders made by alocal potter, a crystal tree decoration, and a jigsaw and selection box for their grandson Charlie.
When she’d finished her shopping, she went for a walk along the seafront. She passed Abbie and Aifric’s little kiosk, all shut up now, with a sign saying they’d be open again in the second week of January. Seabirds swooped and hovered over the water as she followed the curve of the bay around to her brother Aidan’s restaurant. It was in a spectacular location on the seafront, with glass walls and a wide terrace with outdoor seating making the most of its views. To the side, there was a separate entrance to the flat above where Aidan and Bo lived, with the new door her father was so taken with. She had to admit itwaslovely.
A wave of loneliness engulfed her as she cupped her hands and peered in the restaurant windows. Christmas Eve lunch service was one of Aidan’s busiest times of the year, and the place would usually be buzzing by now. It was sad to see it dark and empty, but she was touched that he’d put her before business and closed it so that he could go to New York. The Christmas decorations were tasteful and pretty, and she imagined how inviting it would be when the hundreds of fairy lights strung around the ceiling were lit and the place was full of steamy warmth, delicious aromas, the clatter of glasses and crockery, and the buzz of conversation as friends and families celebrated together. She could see Aidan weaving between the tables chatting to happy customers and receiving compliments on the food with his megawatt smile.
She turned away, feeling more desolate than she had since she’d first come home to an empty house. She missed her family so much and was more reluctant than ever to return to her grumpy housemate who didn’t want her there. Not ready to deal with Evan’s hostility again just yet, she decided to put off going back a little longer and treat herself to lunch in a café.
