Promises Beyond The Veil Of Light ( PT 36 )

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Part Thirty Six

 

With fairy lights twinkling on a small tree in the corner of the room and the TV on with the sound turned low, It was Christmas morning and Evie had just put the receiver down after a long cheery conversation with Willowmina, it sounded like she was having a great time with so much going on. Mina had wished that Evie could be there with them and said she'd missed her, but Evie couldn't say exactly how she was really feeling, so put on her best joyous voice and pretended to laugh and smile saying she had loads planned and not to worry, just to continue having a happy time.

 

Now Evie sat in her living room in her white toweling dressing gown and white slippers sipping a mug of her favorite hot chocolate, it was a drink her mother had always given on Christmas morning to all the children upon waking, even Willowmina had taken a liking to the sweet tasting drink which pleased Evie.

 

Since Mina had gone to Cornwall Evie's life seemed to have taken a down turn, she missed her adopted daughter so much with all the happiness Mina bought to her home. Sleep also had not come easily to Evie, she'd been woken by disturbing dreams of Mina's late mother appearing, showing scenes of dark, ominous figures making their presence known as black silhouettes. She'd become afraid to sleep in case the shadows should get her with their long arms, huge hands and spindly fingers, but they always disappeared before reaching her, or anything bad happening. Evie had no idea why her late friend Nina would show herself in such a scary way, she always seemed a kind and gentle soul in life. Evie had no concept that this was Nina's way of warning her against Hirwin's advances and Nina's spirit had no idea how much she was scaring her friend.

 

The worse part about not sleeping properly was the stress it put on her waking life. Work pressure had become unbearable, Evie found it hard to keep eyes open at her desk, with moments of having her head down resting on the back of her hands, not realising she'd nodded off till someone came over and tapped her shoulder. Thinking straight had become a problem too, Evie started to forget appointments if she didn't write them down straight away. Her thoughts were constantly all over the place, it felt so unsettling that it affected her ability to work. Evie's boss had told her to relax during the holiday and come back ready and refreshed in the New Year, but Evie wasn't so sure she'd be able to rest, other than having cat naps. Watching a film on TV did take the mind off things for a while, but a good film wasn't going to solve the ongoing problems she was experiencing.

 

Thinking about Hirwin, Evie wondered if she should phone and ask him round for Christmas drinks. She hadn't seen him for nearly four days. He'd come round with a bottle of red wine, some pate and french stick and some flowers. They'd spent a glorious romantic evening chatting, with candles and incense burning, he'd told Evie about his sister Mila coming to stay for the holidays, and what a godsend she was to have around, taking over the running of the house and making sure everything was in order, while keeping his mother company too.

 

Whilst listening to classical sounds which Evie knew was Hirwin's favourite music with its emotions that stirred the passions, it felt to her that they were getting in the mood for love, but as soon as she cuddled closer and mentioned the idea of him staying over night, he suddenly didn't seem to want to hang around, which Evie thought was strange as they'd known each other for many years now. She viewed it to be a great opportunity having the flat to herself, and was of the opinion he'd jump at the chance for them to be together.

 

With all the confusion going on in her head and not really knowing where she stood, Evie had managed to get hold of Hirwin's home phone number from Pat a friend at work who frequented the same parties that Hirwin attended. Pat had told Evie that he was a strange man indeed and would find it hard to mingle with other people, usually he would leave a party early just as it was getting started, prefering a few individuals rather than a large gathering, which didn't surprise Evie at all knowing how he hated what he called, 'the noisy rabble of crowds.'

 

Now with his home number in her possession, Evie pondered that each time she'd tried giving him a ring, his sister Mila would then answer the phone saying he wasn't at home. Again It confused Evie because she'd asked Mila to let Hirwin know she'd rung, but he never bothered phoning back. He wasn't even at his office each time she called, it felt to Evie that he wasn't interested and was trying to avoid her which became even more upsetting.

 

So here she was alone. Evie wasn't one for sitting around moping or feeling sorry for herself, it just wasn't in her nature which made it hard to understand why she was missing Hirwin so much, having no idea of the potion she'd been given over such a long period of time and not realising that all her fears came from the magic he'd administered into her drinks.

 

Evie knew she had to snap out of the doldrums and ring her friend Pat from work. Perhaps I can go round to hers for the day! She thought browsing through the TV guide, turning page after page but not really concentrating on what she was looking at.

 

Evie never liked intruding on others at Christmas, knowing how most people had their own plans for the season, but these were desperate times and she knew her friend would say no if it wasn't possible, so Evie speculated there was nothing to loose.

 

Finishing her hot chocolate and standing up, she paused for a moment to collect herself. Evie stretched hating the idea of getting old with all its annoying aches and pains, but at least she was otherwise in good health, though she did worry about her looks disappearing and being left on the shelf, a feeling she'd not experienced until just lately.

 

The bathroom beckoned, so before she rang Pat it was time for a well earned refreshing shower. After washing out her mug, Evie entered the living room and turned off the TV. She then headed to her bathroom undressing as she went, one of the perks of living alone...or at least till Mina got back. Making sure she had her shampoo and conditioner to hand, Evie turned the shower on to get the temperature right. Stepping in she felt the water spray drift over her body, it was so refreshing massaging her scalp, washing away the doubts and fears of the morning. Feeling invigorated Evie maneuvered herself from the shower and began toweling down, then made sure to rub cream into her body, knowing how important it was to keep her skin soft.

 

Walking to the bedroom, it was time to dry the thick mass of hair she was so proud of. Taking a soft brush Evie set to work styling and drying till it was how she liked it curling under at the shoulders, then swept behind her diamond studded ears, showing off the rubies she so loved.

 

“There! That's better, now I feel myself again and ready for the day.” She uttered under her breath. Standing up and throwing the towel in the linen basket, Evie put on her dressing gown again and sauntered into the hallway. Picking up the telephone receiver she tapped in Pat's number, it rang only a couple of times before a voice answered, “hello!”

 

Evie tried to sound joyful as she spoke. “Hi Pat, it's Evie, merry Christmas.” She could hear the sound of children laughing in the background, it all sounded so much like her own Christmases from the past.

 

“Oh! Hi Evie, and a merry Christmas to you too. How's the holiday period your end?”

 

This was the moment Evie was dreading, she wondered how to approach the subject of coming over, but decided to just go ahead and ask. “Well! I was just wondering if there's any chance of coming round to yours for the day.” Evie paused biting her lip, speculating if she should continue, then decided to carry on. “Only I haven't got any plans and I'm pretty much on my own.”

 

There was a short gap in the conversation and Evie knew this was awkward for Pat. “Where's your son David? I thought you'd be spending Christmas with him and Mina.”

 

“Mina's gone down to Cornwall with her dad to spend it with a family. David couldn't make it, but I don't mind he had other plans.” Evie knew her son only too well, he loved to go skiing with his mates over the holiday period, she was just glad he was okay.

 

After much deliberation Pat agreed. “Of course you can come over, I'm sure I can make up another dinner for one more, we have a huge turkey which is more than enough to go round.”

 

Evie still felt she was intruding and couldn't help asking again to be certain. “Are you absolutely sure? Only I don't want to impose.”

 

Pat sounded positive this time. “Honestly it's fine, just so long as you don't mind mucking in? Only there's six children here and it's pretty noisy.”

 

“Not at all,” laughed Evie. “It sounds just what I need to cheer me up.” This wasn't going to be such a bad day after all.

 

To be continued...