Chapter Twelve

Robin returned with the trees – and Raven – at around four-ish. No sooner had they walked through the front door carrying one of them than Evie grabbed Raven by the arm and said, ‘You’re coming to the shops with me. And before you say a word, Roland’s taking us.’

‘Oh!’ Raven exclaimed, allowing herself to be led away as Robin struggled with the tree.

Evie glanced over her shoulder. ‘Sorry, Robin but Dad will give you a hand. Oh. Speak of the devil. Thanks for doing this. See you soon.’

John took Raven’s place and as Evie dashed out of the door, she saw Robin shake his head and laugh. He was such a nice boy. Why couldn’t Raven fall for him? Not that Roland wasn’t nice. But there was a little too much of his biological dad in him. He’d either be a serial killer or an Italian gigolo; Evie was convinced of that. Even his own sister, Juniper agreed her baby brother had the potential to be one or the other. He was a person with strong passions and, very occasionally, a temper to match. Again, just like his biological father. His adoptive father Peter, was the complete opposite and had helped to keep Roland’s temper in check over the years. But there was something about Roland that gave him an air of danger … or excitement, if seen from Raven’s perspective.

‘Have you told Mum about this?’ Raven asked as they walked towards Roland.

‘About what? Your crush on Roland?’ Evie whispered. ‘Of course not.’

Raven stopped in her tracks, her face the colour of mulled wine. ‘What?’ She looked more terrified than annoyed. ‘I … I don’t have a crush on … anyone,’ she hissed between clenched teeth.

Evie turned back to face her. ‘Oh sorry. My mistake. I don’t know why I said that. It was just a joke.’ Evie hadn’t been thinking. She wouldn’t have embarrassed Raven for the world. It had just slipped out.

‘It wasn’t funny.’

‘You’re right. I’m really sorry. Forget I said it. What did you mean? Oh. I suppose you meant, have I told your mum about Christmas? The answer to that is no. Have you spoken to her?’

Raven visibly relaxed but she didn’t take her gaze from Roland as she and Evie continued walking towards him. The sun had set ten minutes or so before and the twilight was fading fast as it did at this time of year. Roland was leaning against the lamp post beside the bridge and beneath the spotlight of the lamp’s golden glow, he looked as if he were in a scene from a movie. His black hair gleamed and his olive skin took on an even warmer hue. He was breathtakingly handsome, there was no doubt about that. If Evie had been Raven’s age, or even slightly older, she would have fallen for him herself.

‘No,’ Raven said. ‘We’ve exchanged a few texts but nothing more than the ‘I hope you’re having fun. Wish you were here,’ sort of thing. I did tell her yesterday that Zachary Thorn was supposed to be popping in sometime but I think she thought I was joking, otherwise she would have called right away. I’m kinda thinking you’d rather I don’t tell her. Am I right?’

Evie grinned. The awkward moment was gone and Raven hadn’t had a tantrum. This was a good sign. ‘You’re spot on, Raven. We’re going to wait until she arrives.’

Raven laughed and the sound tugged at Evie’s heart. It was a sound they hadn’t heard much of, from Raven and yet she had a beautiful laugh. Melodic, warm and infectious. Evie joined in and Roland began to laugh seconds before they reached him.

‘What’s so funny?’ he asked.

‘Life,’ Evie replied. ‘Just life, Roland. Thanks for taking us shopping. And for everything else you’ve done today. How will we ever be able to repay you?’

‘I’m sure I’ll be able to think of a way,’ he said, in that sexy young voice. ‘Not that you need to repay me. I like helping you, Evangeline. You must know that.’

He fell into step with them and moved as close as he possibly could to Evie. She coughed and made sure she put some distance between them, maintaining it all the way to the car park. Once there, she quickly climbed into the back, despite the evident disappointment on Roland’s face.

As he drove out of the car park and past the row of cottages, Evie stared out of the window admiring the festive foliage of the wreaths hanging on the doors and the myriad of twinkling lights around the windows. The length of lights between the lamp posts flickered on, thanks to the automatic timer, throwing rainbows of colour along the road and pavement which had finally dried out, save for a few puddles here and there, after a day of sunshine. The sky was clear and there was no sign of rain. More importantly, there was no sign of snow, in spite of Jessie constantly declaring it was on the way.

Evie hoped for another gloriously sunny day tomorrow. Especially as the Thorn party were arriving. If the harpy Felicia didn’t want to go in the cart, at least she could walk across the bridge without getting drenched. Hmmm. Perhaps a brief but heavy shower of rain just as Felicia arrived might not be so bad.

Evie grinned at that prospect and hummed to the Christmassy pop song playing on the radio as Roland stopped the car to let old Mason Riley cross the road. He lived next door to Jane Dorset and he constantly asked Jane if she fancied a toy boy. He was in his early seventies and considered himself a bit of a catch. He was carrying his fishing rod and basket and had probably been out in Michaelmas Bay whiling away a few hours with nothing much to show for it except that contented expression he always wore. He was in a world of his own most of the time but he briefly acknowledged Roland’s consideration by giving a friendly wave with one slim hand. He’d been a concert pianist before he retired.

Whilst they waited for Mason to amble across, Raven asked Roland where he planned to spend Christmas Eve but Evie didn’t hear his response; she was too busy staring out the window.

Was that Darren? Evie twisted around in her seat to peer out the back as Roland drove away. It was. She’d recognise him anywhere, especially in that dark green mac he always wore. What was he doing home at four in the afternoon on a work day? But more importantly, who was the woman putting on her coat and following him out of his cottage? The cottage he shared with Evie’s best friend, Juniper.

 Oh my God! Had Juniper been right? Was Darren ‘doing a Nigel’ on her and seeing someone else behind her back?

Evie stared at them as they walked towards the car park. She hadn’t noticed his car was there but then she wouldn’t have been looking for it. Darren clearly hadn’t spotted them either. They were in Juniper’s car so he would have recognised it immediately if he had.

When Roland turned into the road leading to Michaelmas Bay, Evie could no longer see Darren and the woman so she stared at Roland’s head as he leant against the seatback in front of her. He hadn’t said anything so he obviously hadn’t seen what she had. Should she mention it?

Knowing Roland, he’d turn the car around and go and find out who the woman was and what Darren was doing at home with her in the afternoon.

Was that such a bad idea?

Yes. Juniper would hate to be humiliated by her younger brother confronting her boyfriend. Evie had to keep quiet. She could ask Darren herself next time she saw him. Not in a confrontational way. More in a conversational, jokey way. Something along the lines of, ‘What were you doing home so early the other day and who was the woman? Anything I need to tell Juniper?’ That would put him on notice and if there was something going on, he would surely have the decency to admit it to Juniper. Wouldn’t he?

Evie didn’t feel quite so cheerful now. Why were some men such utter bastards?

Although perhaps she shouldn’t hang Darren just yet. There may be a perfectly innocent explanation.

Evie spent the entire shopping trip trying to think of one.

She failed. But they did manage to get everything on the shopping list.

She should be grateful for that, at least.