Page 11 of Five Gold Rings

‘Mr Caspar looks that way at lamb chops,’ she laughs.

‘Do I stare a lot? She’ll think I’m strange.’

‘She doesn’t think you’re strange. She’s always very complimentary about you. So maybe this is your chance…?’ she suggests.

‘Or not? That’s a terrible idea. Is that why you called me? The timing is off – you want me to swoop in when she’s vulnerable and just witnessed something completely awful and tell her I like her?’

‘YOU DO LIKE HER!’

‘Keep your voice down,’ I tell her, trying to peer through the door. ‘So why is she here?’

‘He bought her a ring. From here. It’s like the final punch, the fact he was cheating and going to propose. We were here sending out the last deliveries before closing up for Christmas. She came in to ask about the ring and she’s stayed. It’s all a bit of a mess. We’ve fed her alcohol and she’s a bit teary. Mr Caspar and I feel awful.’

My shoulders slump at how devastated she must be. I wasn’t keen on the shitbox boyfriend, but she was loyal to him and gave so much of herself to being with him. I also know what alcohol the Caspars would have fed her – it’s the rum in the back room and that stuff could strip paint. Mrs Caspar opens the door slightly and I can see Eve maniacally hoovering the shop. If anything, this does not feel like the moment to swoop in and declare feelings.

‘Even if this isn’t your moment, she needs a friend. Take care of her, take her out for the evening. Mr Caspar and I are far too old for all of that. Just keep her safe?’

I nod as she links arms with me and leads me through the door.

‘LOOK WHO I FOUND!’ she announces to the shop floor, a little unconvincingly, like I may have been hidden away in a cupboard. Mr Caspar’s confused frown tells me everything I need to know about his opinions on my outfit. Eve turns around, trying to smile, her face a shadow of what it normally looks like, and it makes my heart slump for her.

‘I see good news travels fast…’ she mumbles. ‘Is the costume for my benefit?’ she says calmly, looking me up and down.

‘Well, it is Christmas. I was headed to the North Pole for elf duties but, well, the Caspars rang so I came straight here instead. With my bells…’ I shimmy a little and immediately regret it.

‘What did Santa have to say about that?’ she asks.

‘He’s cool. You’re on the good list so he thought it more important I help you out… The children and gifts situation can wait.’

The smile she replies with is something I don’t recognise. It’s something she forces out and it breaks my heart because normally that smile lights up this place.

‘That’s if you need my help. If you’d rather be alone then that’s also fine. I can change, too. You don’t have to go around London with me dressed like this…’

We all stand there for a moment while she decides what she wants to do but she doesn’t say a word. She comes over and hugs me, nestling her head in my chest. I wrap my arms around her, to feel her body so sad against mine. Oh, Eve. Whilst you’re there I should tell you that I don’t usually smell like coconut or shimmer, that’s just the tanning oil I use for work. Mr Caspar issues a thumbs up behind her back, and I shake my head at him. As Eve holds on to me for that bit longer, he scampers away with Mrs Caspar to the back room, no doubt so they can spy on us through the curtains. My chest starts to feel damp with tears and I realise she’s crying. I have to think of something really nuanced and clever to break this ice now.

‘You’ve done a good job with the hoovering,’ I say. Smooth, like peanut butter.

‘I just needed to be somewhere else that wasn’t my flat, do something that wasn’t throwing stuff out of the window.’

‘You threw Chris out of a window?’ I say, confused. She lives in a flat. Is she on the run?

She gives a sad little laugh. ‘Of course not. Just his stuff. You think I could do that?’

‘I have no doubt. Adrenaline can make you super strong in the moment. Like parents who find they can lift cars to save their kids after a crash.’

I should stop talking about car crashes. She still clings on to me tightly.

‘I’m sorry, Eve. I really am.’

‘What has Mrs Caspar told you?’

‘Enough. They’re worried about you. I think they called me as back up. They’re closing soon.’

She glances over to the pendulum clocks on the wall and wipes at her face.

‘Oh. I… just didn’t know where else to be… I’m such a mess,’ she says, sobbing again, and I clutch her tightly. Please don’t cry. It’s breaking my heart.

‘I’m sorry he didn’t realise your worth.’

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