sprinted across the pavement to stop him, her feet slithering on the ice. âWaitââ
Her grandfather was still chatting. âIâve been watching the shares of Zaccarelli Leisure. Theyâre soaring. You picked a winner there, Evie. At least your job is safe.â
No. No, it wasnât safe. Her entire existence was balancing on a knife edge.
Evie had a sudden urge to confess that the manager had tried it on with her, but stopped herself in time. She didnât want to upset her grandfather. And she also had a sneaking worry that he might somehow get on a train, find his way to London and deal with Carlos Bellini personally. Despite his eighty-six years, her grandfather was a real man.
âMy job isâ¦itâsâ¦well, itâs great,â she said firmly. âReally good.â
âGoing to any Christmas parties? Iâm sure youâll be able to have your pick of men if you do! And you wonât be able to make it through the Christmas season without singing The Twelve Days of Christmas at the top of your voice. You know you always love doing that.â
âNo parties planned. And Iâm not quite ready to meet another man yet, Grandpa.â Dragging the bag behind her, Evie slithered towards the van. As she let go of it, the top gaped open and her tiny silver Christmas tree tumbled into the snow and slush. âDonât worry about me. Iâm fine.â A lump in her throat, she stared at her Christmas tree, which was now lyingin a puddle. Her whole life felt as though it was sinking into a puddle.
âDonât hang around, Evie. Iâm not getting any younger. Next year I want to be bouncing a great-grandchild on my knee.â
What? âIâll do my best, Grandpa.â Wondering how on earth she was going to fulfil that particular wish when she couldnât find a man who wanted to talk to her, let alone sleep with her, Evie forced out a cheery goodbye and dropped the phone back in her pocket.
As she retrieved the dripping Christmas tree, the man drove off, showering her with slush.
It was snowing steadily and Evie was just wondering whether it was worth wading through the contents of the bag to find her umbrella when her phone rang again.
âWhy am I suddenly the most popular person in the world?â Looking at the number flashing on her phone, she groaned. Oh, no. âTina? I know Iâm late, but Iâveââ she flinched as her boss gave her a sharp lecture ââyes, I know Salvatorio Zaccarelli is arriving tomorrow andâyes, I know itâs important because heâs looking at the way the hotel is run and weâre all under scrutiny. Yes, I know I was lucky you gave me another chance with this job when you could have fired meââ She gritted her teeth as she listened. âIâyes, the Penthouse will be perfect, I promiseâIâm lucky that Carlos wants me to do the job personallyâI do know Mr Zaccarelli is the most important guest we ever haveâI know he doesnât suffer fools and wonât tolerate anything less than perfectionââ the guy was obviously a cold, heartless pig ââI feel the same way,â Evie lied, making a mental note not to be anywhere near the scary, ruthless tycoon when he arrived at the hotel. The way she was feeling at the moment, sheâd probably punch him. That was one âmeet and greetâ that was not going to happen. If she saw him coming she was going to dive for cover.
Tina was still talking and Evie slithered her way towards the bus stop, the rubbish bag banging against her legs, her clothes soaked through. Snow landed on her hair and water dripped down her neck. ââFestive? Sparkling? Yes, Iâm going to decorate the Christmas treeâIâll be there ever so soon, but I just need toââ she broke off; I just need to find somewhere to sleep tonight when I come off my shift at midnight
BWWM Club, Shifter Club, Lionel Law