Page 23 of A Miracle on Hope Street
‘Of course I’m not!’ she tells me with a beaming smile. ‘You’re Anthony Ryans’ daughter. Anthony was the most charitable, thoughtful, kind and empathetic person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and you’re like him in so many ways, so this comes as no surprise to me at all.’
I scratch my head and look around me.
‘So, you don’t think I’ve lost the plot?’ I ask Gloria.
‘I think you’re perfect for the challenge in every way,’ she tells me. ‘Your dad would be absolutely over the moon to think that those less well-off can get the good of that beautiful home he made and all the warmth that seeps from its walls, even if it’s just for one day. Go for it, girl! I can’t imagine anyone else who is more capable of this than you.’
My heart soars and I smile back at Gloria. Then I laugh. I cover my mouth with my hand and I laugh like a nervous schoolgirl.
‘I’m so excited,’ I tell her.
‘I know you are,’ she says, nodding her head and smiling at me in return. ‘This is what you’re good at.’
‘Well, I was going to ask you one other question,’ I say to her and, as always, she is all ears.
‘Go on.’
‘I kind of need a helper,’ I explain. ‘Someone to have my back on the day and to just be a general hand at serving and waiting, not to mention entertaining the guests.’
Gloria shakes her head in apology.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry, baby girl, but I’m going to Richard’s parents for dinner. We go there every year and his mother would finally pop her clogs if we didn’t show and we don’t want that, do we?’
She raises an eyebrow then rolls her eyes with a smile.
‘No, no that’s not what I meant,’ I explain, dropping my voice to a whisper. ‘I know you always go to your in-laws and I’d never try to change your plans, Glo. I was actually thinking of asking Suzi, you know, seeing as she’s from New York and I remember you told me she couldn’t afford to go home for Christmas. Do you think she’d be interested in spending Christmas at mine? I could even pay her if need be?’
We both glance over at Suzi who is taking an order from some new customers who have just arrived into the café.
‘Ah, I see! Suzi,’ says Gloria, somewhat relieved not to be in my firing line, but disappointed too. She thinks for a moment, then her face changes like she has had the best idea ever.
‘Would she do it?’ I ask her.
‘I’m afraid that’s a no-no also, darling.’
‘Oh . . . ’
‘Yes, Suzi has decided to join her sister in London for the Christmas holidays and I’m so delighted for her,’ says Gloria. ‘I’m so happy for her, but sorry for you that she won’t be able to help you.’
I watch Suzi glide around the café, thrilled to bits for her that she won’t be spending Christmas alone and now wondering if I am biting off more than I can chew. Who the hell else is there to help with my big dinner plans for the lonely?
‘You could always ask Michael,’ suggests Gloria, eyeing the waiter whose face is now scrunched into a puzzle as he stares at the newspaper on the counter. ‘He’s thinking of a crossword answer, I can tell.’
‘Gosh no,’ I say a little too quickly.
‘Why on earth not? He’s one of my greatest finds – he’d be perfect. And I don’t think he has any other plans for Christmas. He might be glad of the company.’
I think of our history on Hope Street and how Gloria obviously doesn’t know.
‘Is he going to be on his own at Christmas?’
‘I’m afraid so,’ says Gloria. ‘I invited him to come with us but he was having none of it. His pride is huge, but maybe you could get past that if you try? He would be perfect and such an asset to your whole plan.’
I feel a little sorry for Michael now that I know his background of being homeless, but I don’t want to divulge this to Gloria. It’s not my business to tell his story and I’m not sure what she knows about his past life.
‘Is hedefinitelyon his own for Christmas?’ I ask Gloria. ‘I don’t really know him very well at all and I’m not sure he likes me. I don’t want him to think I’m in pity of him or anything.’
Gloria shrugs and then gets up from the table. I get up too, realising that I’ve probably taken up more of her time than she may have been planning to give.
