Christmas Evie Read online

  CHRISTMAS EVIE

  NICOLA MAY

  It’s two days before Christmas and Evie Harris finds herself both manless and jobless. After a chance encounter with handsome Greg (and egged on by her toy-boy-eating friend, Bea) she agrees to work at a homeless shelter on Christmas Day.

  Striking up an unlikely friendship with homeless Yves, Evie begins an unwitting journey of spiritual awakening, all set against the sparkling winter backdrop of London.

  A New Year’s Eve revelation is on its way … but will it leave Evie with a happy heart, or will she allow the pre-Christmas past to dictate her future?

  For Philip

  You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.

  Teilhard de Chardin

  Prologue

  ‘So you decide today of all days to tell me you’re shagging that moth-eaten, bag of fleas you call a secretary? How bloody cliché.’

  ‘I couldn’t keep it in any longer.’

  ‘Well, that’s obvious!’

  ‘The guilt was tearing me apart.’

  ‘Oh, my heart bleeds for you, Darren. I’m so pleased you’ve relieved yourself of that terrible burden – thanks for that.’

  ‘It just … well, it just sort of happened.’

  ‘How long has it been going on?’ Evie’s voice had taken on an animalistic growl. ‘In fact, don’t answer that, I don’t actually care.’ She stormed towards the kitchen door and let out a tumultuous sneeze.

  ‘Bless you.’

  Evie swung around. ‘Don’t you fucking bless me, you conniving little shit.’ She put on an affected voice. ‘“Oh, Evie, I really must stay over here, there, everywhere. Accounts to sort, juniors to fire.” No, Darren. Staff to undress, more like!’ Tears were now streaming down her cheeks. ‘Just fuck off. Pack a bag and fuck off.’

  Darren reappeared in what seemed like seconds with a large black suitcase on wheels.

  ‘Oh, you’ve already packed – silly me. As if you really would have thrown this one on me the day before Christmas Eve with no place to go. Not Darren Connors. He would always make sure number one was all right.’

  Darren sighed and ran his hands through his blond floppy fringe.

  ‘Evie, shit happens. There wasn’t a day we weren’t arguing lately. I think if we’re being honest, we both knew we were on borrowed time. ‘

  Evie blew her nose loudly. ‘But I never thought you’d be unfaithful,’ she whispered, suddenly feeling too full of cold and too upset to fight.

  ‘Oh, Evie.’ Darren went to put his hand on her shoulder.

  ‘Don’t “oh, Evie” me. Just go, Darren. I mean, what else is there to say, really?’

  The lanky, clean-shaven blond shrugged, picked up his mail from the side, and shoved it in his pocket.

  ‘So where are you going to live? ’Cos you’re sure as hell not coming back here.’ Evie sniffed loudly. ‘Actually, don’t answer that either. I really don’t want to know.’

  Darren guiltily bit his lip.

  ‘How do you think I’m going to be able to afford this place on my own?’ Evie’s voice had risen an octave. ‘I’ve just lost my bloody job – or had that slipped your tiny mind?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Evie, I know the timing’s not great, but you always fall on your feet – and anyway, I’m not your bloody meal ticket.’

  Evie gasped, then remained open-mouthed as her boyfriend of two years carried on briskly, ‘Look, I’ve left a month’s rent in the pot, thought that’ll give you time to sort yourself out. Get a lodger, maybe? I’ll come and fetch the rest of my things after Christmas.’

  Overwhelmed with emotion, Evie’s face contorted and she threw a massive fake smile. ‘How very thoughtful of you, dear.’ Then, gritting her teeth in anger, said, ‘I hope Santa falls down the chimney and squashes you both to death.’

  With that, she watched the man, formerly known as her lover, drag his cheating carcass and bulging case down the front path – and out of her life forever.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

  Nicola May

  Chapter One

  ‘Yes, I did say sherry.’ Evie looked at the young barman in front of her and added impatiently. ‘Blue bottle Bristol Cream if you’ve got it. With ice, thanks.’

  She raised her hand as she saw Bea approaching through the Christmas revellers. From the outside looking in, they were a strange pair – Bea, five foot ten, with gangly limbs and long, dark hair, and Evie, five foot four, with her blonde curls and curvy hourglass figure.

  They had become thick as thieves at a previous job – mainly due to Evie nervously covering up Bea’s scandalous relationship with the CEO of a rival company, which (as most affairs do) ended in a sea of tears.

  ‘You look like shit, Evie.’

  Evie’s blonde curls were more unruly than usual and her nose was red from blowing it.

  ‘Good evening to you too, dear friend.’ Evie managed a smile. ‘It’s this bloody cold. I need medicine.’

  ‘Lucky they’ve got it here then.’ Bea pointed to the sweet brown syrup sloshing around in her friend’s glass.

  ‘Anyone would think I was a freak for liking sherry.’

  ‘Or maybe eighty-five.’ Bea winked at the barman, who gave her a wry smile. She always had a penchant for men younger than herself. Evie only wished she had half the man-eating qualities as her friend.

  They both laughed.

  ‘Well, at least you’re smiling,’ Evie said to her friend.

  ‘I can’t believe the dick, to be honest.’

  ‘Tell me about it, Bea. But the sad thing is, I wasn’t surprised.’

  ‘Yeah, I know. It hasn’t been a bed of roses, but I did think you’d work it through. How are you feeling after sleeping on it, anyway?’

  ‘Hmm. Well, I cried when he told me last night, but I haven’t cried since. If I’m true to myself I think I lost that loving feeling weeks ago. We rarely had sex, and when we did I could tell his mind was elsewhere. I guess I didn’t want to face the fact that I had another failed relationship on my hands.’

  ‘Oh, Evie.’

  ‘And I’ve literally got no money. Well, apart from a month’s pay and the money Darren the Dickhead left me for rent. Most of which I intend to spend over Christmas to drown my sorrows.’

  ‘I’m here for you, you know that.’

  ‘I could sell my camera.’

  ‘You, my friend, are not doing that. You know how much you love your photography – it keeps you sane. And there is work out there. In fact, I’m going to make sure we get you a new job and a new knob before January’s out.’

  Evie nearly spat her sherry out. ‘What are you like? That is hilarious. But look at me: thirty-two and single on Christmas Eve. Unemployed and living in rented accommodation I can’t afford. I mean, it can’t get much worse, can it?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure it could.’ A deep voice broke in between them.

  ‘Sorry?’ Bea made a questioning face at the stranger now in front of them.

  ‘It could get worse.’

  The interloper was around six foot, in his early forties, with blue eyes with crinkly lines around them, a wide-mouthed smile, cropped dark hair, and a small heart-shaped birthmark on his cheek. He noticed Evie staring at it.

  ‘I’ve found it’s been more of a talking point rather than an avoidance point with th
e ladies.’ His crinkly eyes were endearing and Evie felt herself turn as red as the Christmas lights flashing behind the bar.

  ‘I … er …’

  He laughed. ‘I’m Greg and I’m slightly drunk, hence the bold interruption.’

  ‘I’m Evie, also slightly drunk, and this is Bea, soon to be as drunk as the both of us. What did you mean, it could get worse? I’ve just been jilted. I need my mood lightening, thanks.’

  ‘Well, it could get worse because rather than be sat in a cosy house with plentiful alcohol and your roast turkey tomorrow, you could come and help me at the homeless shelter I manage. We’re a man down.’

  ‘What makes you think that I’m such a saddo that I wouldn’t have plans on Christmas Day?’

  ‘These big flappy ears of mine, which couldn’t help hearing your tale of woe, that’s what. But I’m not completely heartless: I am truly sorry to hear about your predicament.’ He gently placed his hand on Evie’s shoulder.

  ‘Well unfortunately for you,’ she said, ‘I do have plans.’

  Bea took in Greg’s handsome features and calm demeanour. He would be a perfect distraction for her pretty friend. And actually, she could tell that Evie was already quite taken with him.

  ‘You don’t any more, Evie. There’s no room at my dining table from this very minute. My … er … Auntie Flo's turkey has just escaped from the kitchen. She and Uncle Pete are having to come to me now.’

  ‘Great!’ Evie and Greg uttered in unison, with totally different connotations.

  Evie downed her sherry and slammed the glass on to the bar. ‘OK. OK. I’ll do it.’ She turned her head to the side and smiled up at the handsome stranger.

  ‘You will?’ Greg was buoyant.

  ‘I’ve always thought about giving up my time on Christmas Day to help others less fortunate than myself.’

  ‘Have you?’ Bea screwed up her face.

  ‘I have, as a matter of fact, Beatrice Stewart. I’ve just always been too selfish to go through with it.’

  ‘Well, that’s marvellous, then.’ Greg drained his glass. ‘You can feel good about yourself too – and you need that sort of uplift at this moment, for sure.’

  ‘Just tell me where and when I need to be. But wherever it is, I’m bringing a bottle of sherry.’

  Chapter Two

  ‘Are you any good at stuffing?’

  ‘Obviously not good enough or my boyfriend Darren wouldn’t have run off with his secretary.’

  Greg put his hands on his hips. His comic apron with a corkscrew hanging from his crotch’s position couldn’t help but make Evie smile.

  ‘I’m not saying sorry, because positive thoughts create positive happenings.’

  ‘My boyfriend – or should I say ex-boyfriend – just walked out on me. If you expect me to be a jovial Mrs Santa bloody Claus then you’re barking down the wrong chimney, mister.’

  ‘You’re very beautiful when you’re angry.’ Greg laughed and placed a Christmas hat on her head.

  Evie smirked and pulled her blonde curls out from under it.

  ‘That’s better. Now come on, Goldilocks, let’s get these tables laid. We have many homeless bears to feed.’

  By midday, the other volunteers had all sprung into action and the Church Hall was full of Christmas Day hope. Paper chains hung from the ceiling, and children from a local primary school had created a huge sparkly mural which hung behind the food station. A huge Christmas tree in the corner was laden with donated tinsel and baubles, and a mass of presents awaited the homeless folk of East London. A hairdressing bay had been set up and even a chiropodist was here for the day. Evie was deeply touched by how many people were kind enough to give up their own special day to help others.

  The buzz of the community spirit was overwhelming and it made her realise what a shallow existence she had been living with Darren. If she could have felt half the love she could feel around her now, she would, without fail, have been happy.

  ‘I can’t believe how kind everyone is.’ Evie took the final gift out of the huge box Greg had handed her. ‘It’s embarrassing to admit that I’ve never done anything so charitable in my whole life. To tell you the truth, I don’t really like Christmas Day. All that fake joviality, usually ending in a hungover row about what to watch on television. I should have done this before.’

  ‘Hmm. You might not want to do it again once we get to the end of the day.’ Greg raised his eyebrows.

  Evie looked him up and down. She usually liked men in their thirties, but at forty-two he was very handsome and she loved the little heart-shaped birthmark on his right cheek. She had a secret urge to kiss it.

  She looked up at him and then quite spontaneously did so!

  ‘Happy Christmas, Greg, and thank you so much.’

  Greg put his hand to his cheek. ‘That was nice, but thank you for what, exactly?’

  ‘Stopping me from moping about all day in complete misery. Aitchoo!’

  ‘Bless you.’ He took his hand away from his cheek and placed it gently under her chin.

  ‘A pleasure,’ he said. ‘Right, let’s make it a magical day for everyone, eh?’

  ‘Yes, let’s.’ Evie smiled. ‘Do you mind if I take some photos?’

  ‘No, of course not. That’d be great. In fact, if you don’t mind, we could use them for the website. Make it look fun, and it’ll stop me from trawling bars to find last-minute waif and stray volunteers.’

  ‘Oi!’

  ‘Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course. I’m convinced it’s the way forward.’ He winked and went to unlock the front door.

  By six p.m. Evie’s feet were killing her. She had never worked so hard in her life. Serving food, playing games, giving out presents, chatting to everyone. She’d had a misapprehension that homeless people might all be alcoholics or drug addicts – and to be honest, she had been slightly afraid. But so many of them had the saddest tales to tell and were genuinely lovely people. If you didn’t have the support of family and friends, she had learned how easy it was to fall into dire straits.

  She was delighted at just how many poignant photos she had managed to take, and couldn’t wait to get home and pick out the best ones for the website.

  Greg noticed her sit down quietly in the corner, take off her shoes, and rub her feet.

  ‘Hey. How’s it going? I told you it would be hard work.’

  ‘You weren’t wrong, but I’ve loved it.’

  ‘Good. Now head off if you like. The night shift will come on at eight but it’s fine – we’ve got plenty of helpers if you really are knackered.’

  ‘No bloody way! I’ll be here until at least eight, mister.’

  ‘That’s the spirit, Evie. I might even allow you a quick sherry.’

  Evie took a deep breath. This would be the perfect time to be bold and ask what she had been wanting to ask for most of the day. Greg seemed such a good man, a million miles away from Duplicitous Darren. And he was really rather sexy, too. He had smelled so delicious when she had kissed his cheek, and she could imagine just how dreamy it would be to kiss those beautiful, full lips of his. Even when he touched her shoulder she had felt a little spark of electricity.

  If truth be told, she had wanted to split up with Darren months ago but because her job was insecure she had stupidly held on. And for what? Darren wasn’t worth it. She had simply been wasting time, and she was determined not to miss her chance here. Too often in life she had held back and not said or done what she had thought was right at that moment in time.

  Oh, to be more like Bea with her ‘Only regret the things you don’t do’ mantra. So it was with the thought of Bea’s words of a new knob that she boldly sprang into action.

  ‘So … um … Greg, what time are you here until? I wondered if you –’

  Just then, a petite, elfin-featured girl, who must have been no older than twenty-five, ran full pelt at Greg and wrapped her legs around him.

  ‘You made it.’ He swung her around. ‘Happy Christm
as, Shell.’

  ‘Happy Christmas! The journey was a breeze, actually.’

  ‘Folks OK?’

  ‘Good as gold, I have presents in the car for you from them.’

  Evie felt her heart sink. She has known this man for only a few hours, but already could already feel his warmth and kindness. She had even felt there could be a connection between them.

  ‘Evie, Michelle, Michelle, Evie.’

  ‘Lovely to meet you, Evie.’ The girl jumped down and shook her hand lightly. ‘Saint Greg here said he had managed to rope another unsuspecting helper in. I’m on the night shift for my sins.’

  Evie smiled. You couldn’t help but like this bubbly girl, with her joy and effervescence of life. She could see why Greg was with her. Suddenly, without warning, tears pricked Evie’s eyes. ‘Right, best get clearing up that wrapping paper,’ she said chokily, and shot off to the other end of the hall and through the door there.

  An ambulance whizzed by, blue lights a-flashing as she sat on the steps of the church hall, and felt sad for the poor person in trouble today of all days. She took deep breaths to compose herself, then shivered as the December evening air engulfed her coatless body.

  Tears began to run down her cheeks. ‘What a bloody mess,’ she said out loud.

  ‘Here.’ A heavy, slightly musky-smelling coat was draped over her shoulders as a man joined her on the steps and lit an equally musky-smelling pipe. ‘There is a solution to everything in life apart from death, you know.’

  Evie reached for a tissue in her apron and blew her nose loudly. She couldn’t speak for tears, so without looking up she nodded as the man continued.

  ‘So, let me guess – the big drama is that the tall man with the Santa hat and heart-shaped birthmark is in love with someone other than you – correct?’ Evie could detect a posh accent. ‘I’m Yves by the way, Yves with a Y.’

  ‘Evie – Evie with an E.’ She wiped her eyes and turned to face her companion.

  ‘Ah, she speaks with humour as well as weeps.’

  ‘Yves and Evie. That’s quite a coincidence.’

  ‘Nothing in this world is a coincidence, Evie with an E, eh? My mum was French, my birthday was yesterday, my dad had a sense of humour – go figure.’