Page 78 of A Merry Irish Christmas
‘When did she tell you this?’
‘This morning. We had a Zoom.’
‘Anyway, no, I won’t be going.’ His girlfriend would be there, so of course she couldn’t go.
‘Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?’
‘No. There are a few things I could go to, but I don’t think I have the energy. I’ll see how I feel, but I’ll probably just have a quiet night in.’ She was considering binge-watchingSpider-Man– because apparently she was a masochist.
‘Well, I left something in your apartment for Evan. Did you find it?’
‘That present under the tree? Yes. Why did you leave it here? You could have left it in his apartment.’
‘I meant to. But I’d already given back the keys to his place when I realised I still had it in my bag. And I was near yours, so I decided it’d be safest to leave it there. Would you go over to his place at some stage and give it to him for me?’
‘Okay. I’ll leave it with Arnold.’
‘No, you need to hand it to Evan yourself.’
‘Why?’
‘Because. You’ll see when you give it to him.’
‘Fine. I’ll go over later in the week.’
‘You should go tomorrow night when he’s having his party. That way you know he’ll be in. It starts at eight. Here, I’ll send you the address, in case you don’t have it.’
Mary sighed as her phone pinged with a message. ‘Okay, Mum. I’ll see what I can do.’
27
The streets were packed with revellers spilling out of bars and restaurants as Mary made her way to Evan’s apartment the following night. Clusters of friends walked arm in arm, heading out to party the night away, and the city was a cacophony of high-spirited laughter, honking horns and occasional bursts of loud, thumping bass from passing cars.
When she reached Evan’s place, she stood outside and took a deep breath, gazing up at the lighted windows. This was pathetic. She shouldn’t have come. She’d look like such a loser having no party to go to on New Year’s Eve. Still, she’d have to answer to her mother if she didn’t go through with it. As she stepped up to the door, a smartly uniformed man opened it for her.
‘You must be Arnold,’ she said, turning to him.
‘Yes, ma’am.’ He tipped his hat. Then he did a double take. ‘Wait. That accent! Are you Sheena’s girl?’
She smiled. ‘Yes. I’m Mary.’ She held out her hand.
‘Very pleased to meet you,’ he said, pumping her hand enthusiastically. ‘Say hello to your mom for me.’
‘I will.’
‘You’re here to see Evan?’
‘Um… yes. I just have to give him something from my mum.’
He beamed. ‘Well, he’ll be real glad to see you. Go on up.’ He waved her through and gave her directions to Evan’s apartment.
Mary walked over to the bank of lifts. She doubted Evan would be glad to see her. Still, she just had to give him the gift and then she’d be on her way. Five minutes of embarrassment and then she’d never have to see him again.
The sounds of partying drifted out from behind every door as she stepped out of the lift and walked down the hall to Evan’s apartment. She took a deep breath and rang the bell, her mouth dry and her heart skittering nervously as the door swung open and the noise level increased. She felt a mixture of relief and disappointment that it wasn’t Evan standing in the doorway.
‘Hi.’ A solidly built man about her own age with thick dark hair and a friendly smile greeted her. Behind him the room was full of people drinking and talking. ‘Come on in,’ he said, looking at her curiously as he waved her inside.
‘I’m not staying,’ she said as she stepped into the living room. ‘I mean, I’m not here for the party. I just wanted to give Evan this.’ She held out the gift-wrapped parcel from her mother.
