Page 106 of Last Christmas in London

‘I always wondered why you never just asked,’ she mumbled, sighing as she couldn’t find the item she was looking for and standing up from the sofa.

I was stunned into open-mouthed silence. Pim seemed to have got in the frequent habit of surprising me of late.

‘I – I mean, only if you can. I wouldn’t want…’ I stuttered nervously and Pim made a ‘pish’ sound as she entered her bedroom.

‘You’re always putting other people first, Evie. What do you actually want in life?’ she asked, reappearing moments later with a well-thumbed Filofax and a Savoy notepad. ‘You,’ she said. ‘No one else, you.’

‘Me?’ I was dumbstruck. ‘I suppose… I want to stay in London.’

Pim smiled. ‘Then let me make some calls.’ She retook her seat and opened her Filofax with a flourish only she was capable of. ‘I meant it at the show when I said I wouldn’t be in this industry without help,’ she said, flicking through her contacts pages. ‘Let me help you for once.’

I exhaled slowly, releasing all the tension I had unknowingly built up inside me, sinking back into the armchair, unable to resist smiling from ear to ear.

For weeks, I’d been bracing myself for polite detachment from Pim, for a clean break from my long-held role. But our relationship had changed in the last few weeks, as the detach-ment naturally began, and was cemented at her live show.

We moved from employer and assistant to something more mutual and respectful. The sort of relationship that doesn’t need a contract. And sitting there, watching her already halfway into problem-solving mode on my behalf, I knew I was being sent off with her legitimate best wishes and not just a store-bought leaving card (that I’d already purchased for her).

Gerald could clearly sense glee from the other room and reappeared. His tiny tuft of a tail was wagging as he bounded over to me, his leash in his mouth, as he insisted I take him outside; his beady black eyes beaming.

‘Go for a walk.’ Pim appeared suddenly irritated again. ‘I’ve got phone calls to make.’

I said nothing but stood and claimed the leash from Gerald.

‘We’ll talk when you get back.’ Pim had a mischievous look of ambition and determination fixed across her face.

‘Thank you,’ I said, but immediately her expression returned to that of revulsion.

‘Christ, don’t thank me yet! I might stick you with an absolute – Dick! How are you?’

I don’t care what she says, she planned that exchange.

In the nearby Victoria Embankment Park, I walked Gerald and retrieved my phone. Opening the TikTok app, I styled the camera above my head and began recording.

‘Happy Assistmas, everyone!’ I said into the camera cheerfully. ‘I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and isn’t too hungover? I’m currently walking Gerald. Gerald, come here!’ I called back the fluffy Chow Chow and he performed a little dressage trot to my side as I crouched down. ‘We’re going to get some fresh coffee in a minute and head back to the hotel for a little bit of post-Christmas planning.’ I smiled, careful not to say too much in case Elijah was still watching my TikToks. Given his constant emailing about the late work on the treatments, I more than suspected he was.

‘I know I haven’t posted much over Christmas but, honestly, I have been having the best time. I’ve had amazing experiences, made incredible memories, and, best of all, I got to reconnect with the city I love best. I’m this close,’ I said, creating a tiny gap between my thumb and forefinger, ‘to buying an I Heart London T-shirt. But my dignity remains.’ I smiled at the thought of Simon and his lack of dignity in attempting to date me. ‘But barely.’

I winked at the camera and paused.

I could end it there. Keep it light, keep it vague. But as I watched Gerald sniff at the frosty grass beside me, I realised I didn’t want to.

I hit ‘Record’ again.

‘And you know what? I think I’ve changed my mind about something.’ I adjusted the camera, so London’s skyline framed me perfectly in the background. ‘At the start of December I thought this would be my last Christmas in London. That this was a farewell tour, one final Assistmas before I moved on to whatever’s next. But… maybe I was wrong. Maybe this isn’t the last.’

I hesitated, saying the words felt like a spark catching fire.

‘Maybe this is the first of many.’

I grinned, letting the moment breathe before ending the video. Screw Elijah, I was done making decisions based on what other people wanted.

I winked at the camera and shut it down, deciding to leave editing for later – after I saw Simon and updated him. The thought sent a rush of warmth through me. Before I could overthink it, I pulled out my phone again, my thumb hovering over Simon’s name in my recent calls. I couldn’t wait; I wanted to fill him in immediately.

I pressed the green ‘Call’ button. He answered almost instantly. ‘Miss me already?’

His voice was light, teasing, but I could hear the hope underneath it.

‘Actually, yes,’ I admitted, pacing along the path. ‘And I was wondering, would you like to go on another date?’