Page 51 of A Merry Irish Christmas
Evan asked after her family as they walked to the O’Sullivans’ house, carrying bags of wine and gifts. ‘They’re having a greattime. Mum sends her love. Oh, and she said not to be too hard on Max for talking you into the house swap. It’s not his fault we all got our wires crossed and you’re lumbered with me. She said if you want to blame anyone, blame her.’
‘There’s no way it’s her fault either. Anyway, I haven’t managed to get hold of Max yet, strangely enough. I think he’s avoiding me.’
‘Very strange,’ Mary said sarcastically, pushing the doorbell. ‘I can’t imagine why.’
‘Mary!’ Carmel O’Sullivan greeted them with a warm smile as she opened the door. ‘Happy Christmas! Come in, come in.’ She waved them into the hall. She was wearing an apron over a black lace dress, her face perfectly made up and her hair styled in a glossy bouffant.
As soon as they stepped inside, they were greeted by the delicious aroma of roasting turkey, and Mary was instantly soothed. It felt like proper Christmas. She needed this and she was grateful to Evan for letting her persuade him to come. She hoped he wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.
‘And who’s this handsome fella you’ve brought with you?’ Carmel turned to Evan.
‘Someone we’ve never seen before in our lives anyway, that’s for sure,’ her husband said, stepping out of the living room. ‘Howdy, stranger.’ He extended a hand to Evan. ‘You must be new around these parts?’ He sounded like he was in a bad Western.
Mary suppressed a giggle as Evan and Sean shook hands. She’d forgotten to tell Carmel that there was no need to pretend they didn’t recognise him. It was a good job because it turned out they were the hammiest pair of actors.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Charlie emerged from the kitchen and came to stand between his grandparents. His jawdropped, his eyes as wide as dinner plates, as he gaped at Evan in silent awe.
‘Nana,’ he hissed, tugging on Carmel’s sleeve as he found his voice. ‘It’s—’ He pointed at Evan.
‘Ssh, pet.’ She reached a hand down and patted his head. ‘Remember what we talked about,’ she said to him in an undertone.
‘It’s okay, Carmel,’ Mary said, smiling. ‘You don’t have to do that any more.’
‘Sorry? Do what?’ she asked, the picture of innocence.
‘Pretend you don’t know who he is.’
‘Oh, really? Well, that’s a relief,’ she said, her features relaxing. ‘Sean was gutted we weren’t going to be able to watchE.T.’
‘Don’t let on I was the only one!’ her husband said with a laugh.
The news came just in time as Charlie shouted, ‘But, Nana, it’s SPIDER-MAN!’ his clear five-year-old voice ringing out like a bell.
‘Yes, isn’t that exciting? Peter Parker come for Christmas dinner in our house – imagine that!’
‘No, Nana!’ Charlie shook his head vigorously. ‘You’re not supposed to know his real name.’
‘Oops, sorry!’ Carmel clapped a hand to her mouth.
‘No harm done. It’s Evan, actually,’ Evan said, giving Charlie a wink. Charlie beamed back at him, utterly enchanted, and Mary’s heart melted a little bit more.
‘It’s lovely to meet you.’ Carmel shook Evan’s hand. ‘Well, come on through.’ When Sean had taken their coats and they’d handed over their gift bags, she ushered them into the living room, where Charlie’s parents – Hilary and James – were sitting on the floor surrounded by the pieces of a complicated-looking train set.
‘This is Evan,’ Carmel said as they jumped up to meet him, seemingly glad of the excuse to abandon the assembly instructions. ‘We don’t have to pretend we don’t know who he is,’ she added.
‘Great! I guess that means we can watchE.T.,’ James said.
‘And this must be Chuckles,’ Evan said, bending down to pet the chonky tabby that had come to investigate and was weaving between his legs.
‘Look at that, he’s taken to you already,’ Carmel said as Chuckles flipped onto his back so Evan could rub his belly.
Nice move, Chuckles.
‘Anything I can help you with?’ Mary asked Carmel when everyone had been introduced.
‘I could do with a hand in the kitchen if you wouldn’t mind.’
‘Sure.’ She glanced at Evan, who looked slightly panicked. She didn’t want to abandon him, but she couldn’t very well refuse to help Carmel.
