Evie did want to hear any gossip going about Jed, although she still wasn’t so sure that she was going to deal with it well. ‘Hmm. What’s the gossip?’
‘He’s been working his way through Humanities. Reliable rumour has it that he shagged Kaye Jones during the summer.’ Kaye was an RS teacher. ‘Which makes sense, because last year he slept with half of Languages. I’m going to be prepared if he moves on to Science next year.’ Anita taught chemistry. She was doing her teaching degree on the job and had started working at the school a year before Evie, so she was Evie’s go-to woman for gossip.
‘You’re engaged,’ Evie said. ‘You don’t need to be prepared. Why didn’t youtellme about all the others?’
‘He was your new boyfriend and you seemed so loved up, I didn’t want to upset you, and I hoped he’d turned over a new leaf.’
Evie nodded. Not upsetting her hadn’t worked out, but fair enough. And, if she was honest, the worst thing about it all was feeling sostupid. Jed had seemedperfecton paper. The good news was that imagining him sleeping his way through half the female staff under fifty pissed her off more than it made her sad. The bad news was that she wascrapat choosing the right man.
‘You know what you need to do,’ Anita said, still scoffing carrot and walnut cake. ‘You need to turn up to the staff party with agorgeousman. Someone from outside school.’
Evie shook her head. ‘Nope. I need to avoid men for a bit. Re-group.’ Why was it that Dan had popped into her head at the mention of a gorgeous man? Maybe it was the fact that she’d been massively humiliated this morning that had made her think of him. After they’d kissed last Christmas – and it hadn’t been just any old kiss, it had been a big one, which could have led to a lot more if they hadn’t been on her doorstep with Mrs Bird watching – he’d effectively run a mile; she hadn’t seen him once since. Which was almost worse, really, because it sounded like Jed was just a bastard, who did this to lots of women, whereas Dan was not a bastard. He had just obviously wanted to make it very clear by avoiding her that the kiss had been an aberration.
Ormaybe he’d just been very busy. Everyone knew that junior doctors were run off their feet. Maybe he hadn’t regretted the kiss. Maybe something might happen this Christmas with him. Maybe at his parents’ Christmas party again. Maybe it would turn out to be a blessing in disguise that she’d found out about Jed now. Seven years until their mistletoe pact deadline. You never knew.
‘Evie? Are you alright?’ Anita asked.
‘Yep. Let’s get some more coffee.’
* * *
A couple of weeks later, Evie was at Sasha’s parents’ Christmas party, sitting on a sofa, cuddling her new baby sister, when Dan – wearing a Christmas jumper and jeans – plonked himself down next to her.
‘Hi, Dan,’ she said, ridiculously pleased to see him. She actually had very sudden full-on butterflies. She hadn’t seen him since The Kiss; she knew from Sasha that he was so busy with work that he’d only been home a couple of times during the year, both times just for the day. Good job she’d worn her new dress. ‘How are you? Liking your jumper.’
‘I’m good, thanks. I’ve come straight from work. The jumper was for the benefit of the kids. I’m working on a paediatric ward at the moment.’ He jiggled Santa’s eyebrows and ears, and Evie nodded, impressed. It was agreatjumper. ‘Way more to the point, how are you? I can’t believe Sasha didn’t tell me. There was no need for our pact, was there? You were worrying you wouldn’t be in a relationship by the time you were thirty and now look at you. Congratulations. What’s her name?’
‘Her name is Autumn and she’s my baby sister and I amtotallygoing to need that pact. No way are you off the hook so lightly.’ Even though Evie knew it was just banter, she felt a little thrill that he’d remembered.
‘She’s… Oh. Wow. Well, congratulations again. And I still can’t believe no-one told me. Goes to show I’ve been far too busy this year. Autumn’s a pretty name.’
‘Yes, and not a surprise. My mum likes a name that tells everyone when you were born.’
‘Oh.Is that why you’re called Eve?’
‘Yep.’
‘And how did I never know that either? Well, wow again. Autumn’s so cute. And very sound asleep. Where’s your mum?’
‘Dancing.’ Evie indicated with her head. Dan followed her eyes towards where her mum was dancing with someone Evie didn’t recognise at all, and then looked back at her, his eyebrows raised. ‘Yep. Jack from your parents’ party last year is Autumn’s father but he basically scarpered within days of my mum doing her pregnancy test. And then hereallyscarpered. Changed jobs and everything so that he could move back to London. And keeps saying that he’d like to meet his daughter but hasn’t got round to it.’
‘Nice.’
‘Yeah, but you know, Autumniscute, and perfect and adorable, and my mum wouldn’t have things any other way. And nor would I. I almost can’t remember before Autumn was born.’ Which was true, but if Evie had children herself, she was definitely going to be aiming for a conventional relationship first. It felt like it would be a lot easier, a lot calmer, a lot more ordered. For a start, how would her mum have managed without Evie around now? In fact, howhadshe managed when Evie was little?
‘So how’s she doing? Is she managing to carry on with her millinery around looking after Autumn? Are you living nearby now?’
‘Yep. I’m teaching at a school in Cirencester, and I’m living at home with Mum and Autumn. Mum’s fine for money because Husband Three was loaded, and she made a lot of extra hats while she was pregnant so she’d have a bit of leeway now, for Christmas, and she should be up and running in the new year before all the Cheltenham festival requests come in.’
‘So is Autumn a good sleeper?’
‘No. But luckily I’m a truly excellent sleeper so she hardly ever wakes me up.’
‘Your mum’s lucky to have you.’
‘No.’ Evie shook her head. ‘I’m just as lucky to have her. And Autumn. Honestly, I’m loving our expanded family unit.’ Although right at this moment she did have serious pins and needles in her arm. ‘I’ve been looking after her all day as a little break for my mum and she’s just a delight. I mean, hard work, but delightful.’
‘Why don’t I hold her while you dance? Or just go and chat to some other people? Give you a little break of your own?’
