Epilogue
‘I’m hungry,’ said Barney, shifting from foot to foot in the queue.
‘You’re always hungry,’ said Jeannie, with a grandmotherly smile.
She came to stand next to him and put her arm around him.
‘Just think, when we get in there, you can choose whatever you like.’ Noah’s mother was still a little starstruck and kept looking round at the Christmas decorations – and I actually saw her pinching herself at one point last night over dinner in the Palm Court restaurant.
Jeannie was possibly one of the nicest women on the planet. Today she was sporting the Tiffany starfish earrings to match the necklace Noah had bought her last year.
‘I expect a blue box, every year now,’ she declared this morning … after she’d finished crying.
Noah had arranged for the whole family to stay at The Plaza on Christmas Eve.
His sister, Rachel and her husband, John, their two kids, Barney and Oscar, as well as his mum and his dad, Ronnie.
We’d arrived at his parents’ house, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, three days ago.
Luckily for us, Noah’s team wasn’t scheduled to play on Boxing Day, although we would be catching a flight home this evening as he was playing on the 27th.
I touched the little Christmas-tree earrings dangling from my ears that had been in my stocking this morning, along with a pair of felt Elf slippers with bells on – Jeannie had seen the infamous reel – and the cutest gloves with tiny ice skaters embroidered on each one, along with chocolates and smellies.
To be honest, I cried, too, because I really hadn’t expected to be enveloped by her warmth and made an instant part of the family.
I looked at them all now, Noah’s dad engaged in an earnest conversation with Oscar.
Rachel, another new designer handbag resplendent on her arm – orange this time.
She kept stroking it when she didn’t think anyone was looking as she stood with her mom, their arms linked.
Their love for one another was palpable and they made spending time together for the holidays look easy.
I squeezed Noah’s hand, and he looked down at me.
‘You okay?’
I nodded. How could I not be? These people, who completely embraced Christmas, had also completely embraced me.
This was what Christmas looked like. My mum would have been happy for me. I’d learned that I needed to learn to live and know Mum wouldn’t have wanted me to stagnate and never move on from the point at which she died. Yeah, she would definitely be happy for me.
‘You do realise that if we ever split up, I’m still coming for Christmas with your mom, dad and sister.’
Noah sighed. ‘Yeah. I got that memo. Mom loves you.’
‘I know,’ I said smugly.
He tugged on one of my curls. ‘Good job I do, too. I’m not planning on letting you go anytime soon.’
‘Just as well. I’m not planning on leaving. You’re far too rich…’ I stood on tiptoes and whispered in his ear, ‘and too good in the sack.’
‘Evie! Honey. How lovely to see you,’ Raoul, wearing a very swish Santa hat, grabbed me by the shoulders and kissed both my cheeks. ‘Welcome back.’
‘Hey, Raoul. How are you doing?’
‘Missing my favourite elf. Where you been?’ He looked at Noah. ‘I guess I’ve got you to blame.’
‘Sorry. This is a flying visit.’
‘No worries. You ready to come in?’ Raoul looked down at Noah’s nephews who were beside themselves at the prospect of a buffet and being able to help themselves to whatever they wanted.
Along with the rest of the people waiting to join in the famous buffet Christmas lunch at The Plaza, we entered the iconic restaurant. I looked around and there at a huge table was Mrs Evans, with Monty on her lap, waving his paw at us.
Noah and I went straight over to her.
‘Evie, my darling. Noah. Happy Christmas. Now, how have you been since I last saw you?’
We’d spent a blissful week in the summer at her house during the off-season.
‘All good,’ I said. ‘And thank you for the Christmas decoration.’ I beamed at her.
‘You should see the size of the tree Noah bought this year. Ridiculous.’ Despite rolling my eyes, Noah knew I absolutely loved it.
We’d had so much fun, and definitely of the X-rated variety, putting the tree up and celebrating afterwards, creating our very own Christmas tree-decorating tradition.
‘My pleasure, and thank you for the box of mince pies. Your friend Sophie is now taking orders, they’re so popular. I ordered a dozen boxes for the staff here. They were so pleased to hear you were coming back.’
‘I know. I had coffee with Angel and Carol yesterday.’ Coming back to The Plaza had felt like coming home, and to top it off, this morning I’d enjoyed some of the Sanderson family traditions.
My favourite was the Secret Santa, where we all had to buy each other a book.
Rachel had bought me a copy of Eloise, which was just perfect.
I’d bought Oscar a copy of one my favourite books, Jesus’s Christmas Party, the nativity story told from the point of an exasperated innkeeper.
Smiling to myself I recalled just how much of a kick I’d got out of reading it to him as he perched on my knee and roared with laughter as I brought the grumpy innkeeper to life.
That memory would live in my head for a long time, as well as all the others: everyone gathered around the tree in their dressing gowns, Oscar and Barney’s wide-eyed delight at seeing all the presents under the tree in mine and Noah’s suite, and the smile Jeannie gave her son when she opened her earrings.
The look Noah gave me when I gave him sky-diving tickets.
What I had yet to tell him was that they were for the indoor variety. I’d get round to that later.
As I was helping myself to a slice of beef Wellington and handing one to Noah, a lady sidled up to me. ‘Excuse me, you’re Evie Green, aren’t you?’
‘Yes,’ I said warily.
‘I just have to say a massive thank you.’ She paused and looked earnestly at me.
‘Because of You’ve Been Scammed, I found out that I was being conned.
My daughter’s been watching you on your TikTok thingy and warned me just in time.
Honestly, if she hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have believed her because the call came from my bank’s telephone number. How do they do that?’
‘They’re very clever I’m afraid. But I’m so pleased they didn’t catch you out.’
‘So am I. You’re doing a real service. If it weren’t for you, I might have lost a lot of money.’ Her face revealed the full extent of her horror. ‘Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and think “what if my daughter hadn’t been there?” I tell everyone to watch your channel.’
‘Oh, thank you. I’m so glad that you found out in time.’
‘You keep up the good work.’
‘I will.’ She walked away and I felt a glow of happiness.
‘I’m so proud of you, Evie Green,’ Noah said.
‘I’m quite proud of me, too. Do you know what? That might just have been one of the best Christmas presents ever.’
Noah laughed. ‘So, I won’t bother with Tiffany again next year, then?’
I eyed the diamond bracelet on my wrist that sparkled in the light.
‘Now, steady on,’ I teased. ‘I said “one of”.’ I leaned forward and kissed him. ‘Although you make quite a tasty package. I’d be happy with just you.’
‘Evie Green, I swear you’re getting positively mushy,’ said Noah.
‘Shh, don’t tell anyone,’ I said with a laugh and whispered in his ear. ‘But if you’re being competitive about it, I’d say you’re the best present ever.’