Driving Home for Christmas

by Emma Hannigan

  ‘You’re a genius! The only problem is that my portfolio will be gone if I sell them all. If I decide to try for art college in the future I won’t have anything left.’

  ‘You don’t have to sell the originals. Echo works for a printer. I can easily get him to make copies. He’d do it after hours. I reckon we could encourage him to omit telling his boss until you have enough cash to pay him.’

  ‘That’s hardly very hippie and tree-hugging of him.’

  ‘Nope, but his boss is a git.’

  Skye was so quick and capable it blew Pippa away. She’d grown up drinking herbal infusions, so when Pippa made her a double espresso, she became turbo-charged. They worked until four that morning, and when Pippa woke at just after seven Skye was at the computer again. ‘It’s almost ready to go live. Come and see,’ she said.

  Pippa was blown away by how well her drawings looked. The site was really simple to use, and although they hadn’t had time for much flash-player action, it was perfectly functional.

  Pippa had chosen fifty different looks, which could be mixed and matched, all suitable for Christmas. She’d included some ‘at home’ outfits with soft knits and cosy leggings right up to full-length evening gowns with matching stoles. She’d put a little image of an apple or pear, triangle or square shape beside each one to show which body shape it would suit best.

  ‘All you need to do now is tell people you’re out there,’ Skye said, stretching. ‘My eyes are literally crossing. I need to go out for a bit of fresh air. I’ve emailed my list of clients and put a link on Twitter and Facebook,’ she added, as an afterthought.

  ‘Thanks, Skye.’ Pippa hugged her. ‘I’ll pay you as soon as I can.’

  ‘No need, it’s my Christmas present to you.’

  ‘I can’t let you do that,’ Pippa protested.

  ‘You can. We’re friends and you’re in a pickle. Besides, you’ve had a terrible week so let’s just hope this marks the start of a whole new beginning for you.’

  ‘You’re a star. Thank you,’ Pippa said.

  ‘Okay, Pippa! This is it!’ Skye cried. ‘You’re officially live!’

  ‘Thank you so much,’ she said again as she hugged Skye. ‘All I can hope is that there are some people out there with a bit of money for Christmas clothes. I’m going to email everyone I know and tweet about it. I’ve my own Facebook page too, so that’ll get the ball rolling.’

  An email pinged through on Pippa’s laptop less than ten minutes later. ‘Oh, my God! It’s my first customer,’ she squealed. ‘There are three people asking questions now! One wants to buy the main-page sketch! How many people did you send the link to?’

  ‘Eh, with Facebook, Twitter and my own contacts around twenty thousand,’ Skye said easily.

  ‘Whaaat?’

  ‘I’ve been doing this on and off for quite a while so I know a few people.’ She shrugged.

  ‘Oh, my God!’ Pippa shrieked. ‘I’m going to call Lainey right now and ask her to call her friend in that PR place about putting a link on her work website for me too.’

  Lainey agreed straight away.

  ‘No problem at all, sis. I know Joanna has done stuff like this for other people before. I can’t see it being a problem.’

  ‘Cool, I’ve sent the link through so you can have a look and forward it to her.’

  ‘I’m just opening it this second,’ Lainey said. ‘Pippa, these sketches are brilliant. I love the whole feel of the site and I’m sending the link straight through to Joanna now.’

  When Pippa hung up, Skye suggested they go to see Echo about copies of the sketches. ‘I think they’ll sell brilliantly.’

  Pippa thanked her lucky stars that Skye had come to live with her when she had. Then she answered her emails. All five of them! For the first time in her life Pippa knew she was doing the right thing. Her family would approve. She was determined to make it work. She wanted everyone to be proud of her for once.

  20

  Lonely this Christmas

  Joey was growing increasingly frustrated as he lay in his hospital bed waiting to have it out with Sophia. It was lucky he wasn’t holding his breath: she’d only been in to see him for the odd moment over the last few days.

  He knew she was busy but it was plain to him that she had room in her life for just one person – and it wasn’t him. His conversation with Pippa the day before resounded in his head. He’d had an inkling his family didn’t like her, but Pippa had left him in no doubt as to her feelings towards Sophia.

  Later, when she arrived, looking gorgeous in skinny jeans, high black boots and a cropped jacket, he wondered if he had judged her too harshly. She was stunning.

  ‘Hi,’ she said, shuddering as she sat on the horrible brown plastic seat beside his bed. ‘This place gives me the heebie-jeebies. I don’t know why it has to be so disgusting.’

  ‘Hi,’ he said, a bit crestfallen that she hadn’t kissed him.

  ‘How are you today?’ she said, crossing her legs and jigging her foot. Her eyes darted around the ward.

  ‘I’m okay,’ he said. ‘I’ve felt better, though.’

  ‘What’s the story with the stubble?’ she asked, finally looking his way. ‘It doesn’t really suit you. I hate beards so you’d better get rid of it ASAP.’

  ‘In case it’s skipped your notice, I’m kind of incapacitated here,’ he said. ‘I’ve only been able to have bed baths over the last few days. The nurse said I can try an assisted shower tomorrow. They’ll fit me for some rubber coverings for the arm and leg casts this afternoon so I can—’

  ‘Okay, I get the picture,’ she interrupted. ‘Spare me the depressing details.’

  ‘Sophia,’ he began. ‘Clearly you’re very annoyed with me for having this accident.’ He expected her to jump in and tell him that wasn’t true.

  ‘Stop whining, Joey, please,’ she said, picking at her nails. ‘What do you want me to do? Come in here looking ecstatic? This isn’t really how I had it planned, you know.’

  ‘Well, it isn’t exactly fun for me either, believe it or not,’ he said, growing angrier by the second.

  ‘Right,’ she said. ‘So the thing is … I need to know what to do about Lanzarote. Have you spoken to the doctors about when they’re letting you out of here?’

  ‘Pardon?’

  ‘When are you getting out?’

  ‘Sophia, there’s no way I can go to Lanzarote for Christmas. End of. I can’t move, let alone get myself to the Canaries.’

  ‘Oh, so the world has to stop now, does it?’

  ‘Sophia,’ Joey began, ‘you’ve made it crystal clear that all of this is totally outside your plans. But accidents happen and this is the way I’ve been left. I didn’t do it on purpose and, believe me, there are a million places I’d rather be than here. But I have to stay where I am until at least the day after tomorrow. After that I’ll need to convalesce for quite a while. I’ll need physiotherapy and plenty of time to get back on my feet.’

  ‘Um, yeah. Why don’t you go and stay with your family? They like clucking around you. I’ll go to Lanzarote and we’ll see each other when I get back,’ Sophia said. ‘That way you’re looked after and I can get on with my training.’

  Joey didn’t speak or move for quite a while. Sophia rooted in her bag. ‘I’m trying to find the information on the Canaries,’ she explained. ‘I need to read the terms and conditions. With a bit of luck you’ll get your money back if we can prove you were too ill to travel.’

  ‘Is that it?’ he asked.

  ‘Mm?’ she said, looking up from the document.

  ‘Is that it?’ he said, louder. ‘You have no concern for me or how I’ll be? I can be offloaded to my parents and you can fly off for two weeks without so much as a second thought for me or us?’

  ‘What are you getting so excited about? Joey, you didn’t seriously expect me to sit around because you had an accident, did you? What do you want? That we both lose out on the racing season?’

  ‘Don’t you ca
re about me at all?’ Joey asked, and wished he hadn’t. ‘Actually, you don’t need to answer that. Can you leave your keys on the kitchen counter when you move your stuff out of my apartment?’

  ‘What? Why am I being punished now?’

  ‘I’ve tried to make excuses for your behaviour for months now. You’re rude to my family. You suit yourself all the time. You’re about as much fun to live with as a kick in the crotch.’

  ‘That knock to your head’s really confused you,’ she said. ‘But I’m not about sitting around to be insulted. By the time you come to your senses, it’ll be too late.’

  ‘Whatever you say,’ Joey said calmly.

  ‘Are you seriously telling me to move out?’ Sophia flared angrily. ‘I won’t come back, Joey. I don’t play games. If you do this now you won’t get me back.’

  ‘Is that a promise?’ Joey asked. ‘Just go away.’

  ‘You’re making a big mistake,’ she said.

  ‘No, I’m not,’ Joey shot back. ‘For the first time in a long time I’m finally making sense. You are without doubt the most selfish person I’ve ever come across.’

  ‘I don’t have to listen to this,’ she hissed, as Pippa walked into the ward and headed for Joey’s bed.

  ‘Is everything okay here?’ She looked from Joey to Sophia.

  ‘Your sap of a brother has just finished with me. You’re welcome to him. He’s a total dweeb, lying there feeling sorry for himself. Enjoy Christmas in your tumbledown old house,’ she snarled, and stalked away.

  ‘Screw you, Sophia,’ Pippa said.

  ‘Leave it, Pippa,’ Joey barked. The other people in his ward were staring at them, but that wasn’t what was bothering him: it was the realisation that Sophia could be so cold.

  ‘Hey,’ Pippa said. ‘She’s not worth it.’

  ‘I know, but it’s an awful kick in the balls to realise that your girlfriend doesn’t give a toss about you.’ Wiping the dampness from his eyes, Joey sighed. ‘Do me a favour and don’t say, “I told you so.”’

  Pippa sat on the chair beside his bed and grasped his hand.

  ‘It’s not like you to be so quiet,’ he said, turning his head to look at her.

  ‘You said not to say, “I told you so.”’

  ‘Was she that bad?’

  ‘Ah, no,’ Pippa said gently. ‘She was much worse than that.’

  Joey did his best to smile but he was feeling too awful.

  ‘Crap day, huh?’

  ‘Pretty much, but I’m getting good at those.’

  ‘Any news on when you’re breaking out of here?’ she asked.

  ‘Maybe the day after tomorrow. I think I’ll take Mum and Dad up on their offer of going to Huntersbrook. I can’t face being in the flat on my own.’

  ‘You won’t be able to look after yourself either,’ Pippa reasoned. ‘Go home and they can all make a big fuss of you. Besides, it’s nearly Christmas so Lainey and I will be around too. She’s bringing her friend Jules. I’m bringing Skye and maybe her cousin Echo.’

  ‘His name isn’t really Echo, is it?’ Joey asked.

  ‘Yeah, God love him. The parents are pretty out there by all accounts.’

  ‘I’ll call Huntersbrook in a while and tell Mum I’ll be home,’ he said. ‘If I’ve any chance at all of having a fun Christmas, it’ll be there.’

  ‘That’s the spirit,’ Pippa said. ‘Listen, I don’t want to do a Sophia on you now but I have to leave.’

  Joey had to laugh. ‘Jesus, Pippa, you drop some serious clangers at times.’

  ‘Sorry.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘I didn’t mean it to sound like that.’

  ‘No, you never do,’ he said. ‘Catch you later.’

  She leaned over and kissed him. ‘I’m kind of digging the beard thing. You look very rugged. I’d say you might pick up a hot-looking nurse if you play your cards right.’

  ‘See ya,’ he said, waving.

  So that was that, Joey thought.

  His phone buzzed and he looked at the screen: Clive.

  ‘How’s it going?’ his boss asked.

  ‘Pretty shit,’ Joey said. ‘How are things in the office?’

  ‘Busy, but we’ll get there. I intended dropping in today but it’s not looking good. I didn’t want you to think we’re not bothering,’ he said.

  ‘I don’t, Clive!’ Joey said, putting on his invincible work-man voice. ‘I got the plant and the fruit hamper. Thanks a million.’

  ‘That was the ladies. I must admit it wouldn’t have entered my head to send you a pot plant or a basket of fruit, but I’m glad you got it.’

  ‘The plant is good for blocking the view to the poor old fella with no teeth in the bed opposite. And I’ve eaten a couple of the apples, so I’m putting it all to good use.’

  ‘Good man,’ Clive said. ‘I’ll fly here but give me a call if you need anything. When are you getting out?’

  ‘Next day or so with a bit of luck,’ Joey said. ‘I’m going to shift myself down to Wicklow and stay with the folks for Christmas. I’d get stuck in the hallway in the apartment and left for dead otherwise,’ he joked.

  ‘Will Sophia join you?’ he asked.

  ‘Nah. We’ve decided to part company,’ Joey said, trying to sound as if it wasn’t important.

  ‘Sorry to hear that. I don’t think this’ll go down as one of the best weeks of your life, eh?’

  ‘No, I don’t suppose it will,’ Joey said. He looked at the yucca plant and the fruit, which had arrived that morning. All the staff at the company had signed the card, which meant Jemima had taken the trouble to go around to everyone and get them to do it. He was chuffed they’d made the effort but it highlighted how little Sophia had cared.

  ‘I would’ve preferred to tell you this in writing, but I think you need a bit of a boost right now,’ Clive said. ‘We only sent you the plant and healthy stuff to make sure you come out of there safely. We have to look after our new manager.’

  ‘What?’ Joey said. ‘Ouch. Sorry, Clive. I’ve just jerked my leg in the excitement.’

  ‘I’ve come from a partners’ meeting and as we won’t be seeing you for a few weeks I asked them to take a final vote on it so you should expect the paperwork in the next couple of days.’

  ‘Gosh, I’m made up!’ Joey said. ‘Thanks, Clive. That really is something worth celebrating once I can hold up a pint.’

  ‘I’ll keep you to that. And, as I said, lift the phone if I can do anything. I’ll chat to you over the next few days.’

  ‘Cheers, Clive. Talk to you soon.’

  The nurse came around and asked him if he needed any pain relief. As it made him kind of drowsy and stoned, he took some. Feck Sophia, he thought. She thought she was so amazing and such a catch. He almost wanted to phone her and tell her she’d picked the wrong time to be such a selfish bitch. He was about to move up the food chain at work. He’d find a much less cold and irritating girlfriend next time.

  As the drug flooded his system, Joey closed his eyes and settled in for a sleep.

  21

  Mistletoe and Wine

  It was six days before Christmas, and although she desperately wanted to feel jovial and lighthearted, Holly was dragging herself around. News of the local Christmas market had spread and she felt that a visit would be the perfect pick-me-up. She seemed to be stuck in one of those days where everything took ages and nothing was achieved.

  The phone rang. ‘Hello,’ she said, sounding a lot more cheerful than she felt.

  ‘Hi, Mum,’ Joey said.

  Holly heard sadness in his voice. ‘Hi, love. How are you today?’ she asked.

  ‘Mixed. I’ve just split up with Sophia.’

  ‘Oh, no!’ she said, because she felt she ought to. Inwardly she was doing a little dance. That girl had been a right madam, and although she wasn’t sure anyone would ever be good enough for her son, Sophia wasn’t even in the running.

  ‘These things happen. She wasn’t right for me and often it takes a bit of a crisis
to bring it all to a head,’ he said. ‘I know you weren’t mad about her, Mum, but I’m pretty gutted, I have to say.’

  ‘I’m sorry you’re hurting, pet,’ she said.

  ‘On the more positive side of things, Clive called and I’ve been promoted in work.’

  ‘That’s fantastic,’ she said. ‘Half the world is being made redundant and you’re being promoted – you must be doing something right.’

  ‘I suppose when you put it that way I’m not a total lamer. Anyway, if everything goes to plan I can escape from here tomorrow. If the offer still stands, I’d love to come home.’

  ‘Of course it does,’ she said. ‘Sadie and I have your room all ready. Dad and Scott moved a bed into the front room downstairs so you’ll be able to get in and out. Let us know what time and we’ll be there to pick you up.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum. I really appreciate that. At least someone loves me!’

  ‘We all love you. Don’t mind that Sophia pup. She’ll rue the day she let you go. She’ll never find another man like you.’

  ‘And you’re not a bit biased, of course,’ Joey said, sounding a lot more like himself.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, please God,’ she said, and hung up.

  Paddy was beside himself. He loved a bit of male company, and the fact that Joey was going to be fairly immobile meant he’d have the perfect fireside companion.

  Recently Holly had turned off as many radiators as she could, but when she inspected the room she and Sadie had set up for Joey it was like standing outside in the garden. She fetched a pair of pliers and turned the reluctant old nut at the side of the radiator until she heard the clunking of the pipes followed by water gurgling in to let her know it was working.

  Determined to find her Christmas spirit, she readied herself for the market. She didn’t have to spend much and it would be lovely to get out and see some of the locals. She fetched her good coat from the wardrobe. It was cashmere with a fur collar and she’d owned it for as long as she could recall. She always felt transformed when she wore it. The luxury of the soft material, so beautifully cut, gave her an instant pep in her step. She pulled on the matching fur hat, then added a bit of lipstick and decided she’d do nicely.