‘Edward, how’s the book going?’
‘That’s why I’m calling, actually.’
‘Don’t tell me Eve isn’t up to it? She can be very capricious. Don’t worry, I will be looking at it closely in case she’s missed things.’
Edward laughed. ‘No I’m actually calling to say she’s amazing and this book is a testament to her skills.’ He paused knowing Serena needed flattery first. ‘It’s clear she learned from a master.’
‘You’re too kind,’ she cooed.
‘I don’t want anyone else working on my books at Henshaw and Carlson now,’ he said.
‘But I look after you, Edward.’ She sounded miffed now. Not the impact he was after.
‘I know you do, but she can stay on my books can’t she? With you?’ He hoped that was enough to keep Serena happy but also for her to see that Eve really was exceptional and he didn’t want to lose her input into his novels.
‘Darling, if you want Eve to stay on your books under me, then it shall be. I won’t let her go anywhere. Consider her chained to you for as long as you keep writing.’
‘You’re fantastic, Serena, thank you.’
He heard her start to say something but he quickly interjected. ‘I have to press on, Serena, but have a lovely Christmas. See you in the new year hopefully.’
He hung up from the call and gave himself a mental pat on the back. Eve would be thrilled when she learned he had ensured she would stay on as his editor. It really was an ideal situation for all of them.
30
Eve adjusted Flora’s woollen hat as Edward and Myles came inside, Jimmi firmly in Myles’s arms.
‘He doesn’t like the snow,’ he said to Eve. ‘And he gets scared at night.’
‘Maybe he needs little snowshoes and a tiny dog torch,’ Eve said patting the dog’s head.
‘Can dogs wear shoes?’ asked Flora.
‘They can but I don’t think they find them very comfortable,’ Eve replied.
‘Go and put Jimmi in the laundry with his bed and then we can head off,’ said Edward.
‘I’ve never been to a night market. It’s so exciting,’ said Flora. She patted her little purple purse that was strung across her body. ‘I have ten pounds to spend. That’s the most money I’ve ever had. I could buy the whole market.’
Eve smiled at the child, as she felt Edward’s hand on her back. ‘You set?’ he asked.
She nodded.
Soon they were in the car on their way to the Christmas market. It was a cold but clear night and there was a hum around Crossbourne as they arrived.
‘Is it usually this busy?’ she asked Edward as he finally found somewhere to park the car.
‘I have no idea. I’ve never been,’ he said.
‘Never been?’ Eve was shocked. How could you not visit a Christmas market this close to your house? She didn’t understand why people didn’t love Christmas and all the trimmings. Even if you weren’t remotely religious, there was something nice about a holiday where you got to give people presents and eat lots of delicious food.
‘Why not?’ she asked as she felt Flora’s mitten-clad hand slip into hers.
‘I don’t know. I think I became so caught up in what was happening at Cranberry that I couldn’t leave the place. I hated to be there, but I couldn’t leave in case something happened.’
Eve nodded. ‘I understand. But that’s over now, right?’
Edward looked ahead. ‘Hopefully.’
