6

 

Eva was up, bathed, and dressed the following morning without help, and appeared for breakfast. It was far easier than she’d imagined it would be. The hardest part had been going from bath to floor to chair, but the handles her father had installed in the downstairs bathroom had helped her manage alone. Yes, she’d been terrified, but the panic attack she’d half been expecting hadn’t materialized. Perhaps because she was doing this herself and had been able to control the level of water in the bath and length of time she’d been in it.

She even allowed herself a small smile at the victory. She’d never need help in the bathroom again. And the grins on her family’s face when she told them, made her want to grin as well.

Her mother looked at her. “To what do we owe this honor?” she teased. “I haven’t had to come in and drag you out of bed yet.”

“I have plans,” she said quietly. The look between her parents and Felicity didn’t go unmissed. “What?”

“Nothing,” Felicity said quickly. “Just nice to see you up and almost happy. Whatever did Matthew say to you yesterday?”

Her cheeks burned. “What makes you think he said anything?”

“Just wondered. He said he’d seen you and you’d gone for coffee, that’s all. Gone out for coffee, in the rain, I might add.”

“I had an umbrella.” Eva tried to appear nonchalant. “Do you and he talk about me often?”

Felicity laughed. “Yeah, he’s always asking about you.” She nodded at Eva’s hands. “What are those?”

“He bought me gloves so I don’t get sore hands pushing the wheels on this thing.”

“Neat. Let me see.” Felicity leaned toward her.

Eva held out her hands as her sister grabbed them, turning them over. “What do you think?”

“These are way cool. Why didn’t we think of this?”

“Harry said his gran is in a chair so he knows this kind of stuff.”

“Harry?”

Eva grinned at the confusion crossing her sister’s face. “That’s Matthew’s real name. Says it’s what his friends call him.”

Felicity elbowed her. “Friends, is it? More than friends? Has he kissed you?”

Eva’s face burned, and she looked down.

“He has, hasn’t he?” Felicity lifted Eva’s head and gazed at her. “Tell me.”

“Just my hand, but…”

Felicity squealed. “Tell me more.”

Eva shrugged. “Nothing more to say. Except he’s taking me to the tree lighting this afternoon. And he did say he might be over this morning at some point.”

“You dark horse you.” She hugged Eva tightly and jumped up. “This calls for bacon. Anyone else want some?”

Dad grinned. “Why not? You do the bacon, and I’ll do the eggs.”

Eva sat back in her chair, watching the others.

Felicity tossed her the bread. “Don’t just sit there, make the toast.”

Eva pushed the chair over to the side. “It’s not going to make things hard for you at work, is it? Me seeing Harry?”

“Don’t see why it should. After all, I work with a Matthew, and you’re dating a Harry.”

“Not dating…” she objected. “We’re just friends and…”

“Psst!” Felicity grinned. “You’re up, dressed, and I can smell that fancy bubble bath I gave you for your birthday. You never use that just for us, so I reckon it must be for someone else.” She grabbed her phone as it rang and dashed into the hall to answer it.

Eva sighed and shoved more bread into the toaster. She’d never hear the end of it now. She could hear Felicity getting irate on the phone and listened to the heavy footsteps returning. “What’s up?”

“That was April. We’ve got problems at work. The head makeup woman has walked out over this issue with Matthew, and no one else will touch him, in case he decides to sue.” She looked at Eva. “Please…you are a great makeup artist. You’ve worked with this stuff before. You know what to do. Please, help out at least just until the panto is finished if you don’t want a permanent job. April says she’ll give you the going hourly rate for a makeup artist, and you’ll only have to do Matthew.”

Eva hesitated.

“I’ll drive you there and back. Unless Matthew does. You won’t get wet, well, not unless it’s pouring between here and the car, because the theatre has an underground car park for staff, and we need you. Please. And no, she doesn’t know you two know each other. Not yet anyway.”

“OK. As it’s Harry. However, there is one condition.”

“Name it.”

“I want to use my own makeup set. I’ll need new brushes, pads, the works. Stuff I know he won’t come out in a rash with or that’s had other makeup on it in the past.”

“I don’t see why your own brushes and so on should be a problem. We already have the hypoallergenic makeup, and it makes sense to use new brushes as well. Let me call April back and ask. Can you get it in town?”

Eva nodded. “Yeah.”

“Watch the bacon while I ring her.” She picked up her phone and moved over to the side of the room.

Eva rolled her eyes. “As well as the toast?”

Dad laughed. “Your mother keeps telling me all women can multitask.” He paused. “You’ve got the twinkle back in your eyes, Eva. Is it the thought of going back to work or working with a certain actor?”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “It’s like I’m slowly waking from a dream or walking from a pitch dark room into bright sunshine. It’s almost too much to take in all at once.”

“Little steps, Evie,” he said as the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.”

Felicity put down her phone. “April says buy what you need and give her the receipt when you go in later. I’ll take you shopping, and we have to be in work by one thirty. It’ll be a tight schedule this afty. Matthew finishes the show at four-thirty, has to be changed and in town for the tree lighting at five, and then back on stage at seven thirty.”

“We’ll manage.” A familiar voice spoke from the doorway. “Though I don’t much fancy the idea of someone changing me. I’d rather do that myself, thank you.”

Eva turned. “Harry…”

Harry moved over to the chair and squeezed her shoulder in greeting. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“We’re just about to eat, but I’m sure there’s enough if…” She looked at her father.

“Your dad already asked me on the doorstep if I was hungry and I never turn down bacon,” Harry said. He sat next to her, shrugging his coat over the back of the chair. “How are you this morning?”

“Doing OK. I just got offered a job. And I accepted.”

His eyes clouded for an instant, then he smiled. “That’s great. Doing what?”

She tilted her head. “Makeup at one of the local theatres. Haven’t signed anything yet, but I start this afternoon.”

“Is this going to mean you can’t come to the tree lighting with me?” His face fell.

He looked so comical, Eva almost told him. “Not at all. I said I’d come, and I will.” She put the toast in the toast rack and then looked at him critically. “You look dreadful. Looks like you got in a fight. Your makeup person will have her work cut out this afty.”

Harry sighed. “I know. She refused point blank to use the new stuff again. And then insisted using on several layers of the stuff that makes me itch. I seriously might have to quit at this rate. Or wear a mask and shades or something.” He looked at Felicity. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t complain, but something needs to be done. I can’t go on like this much longer.”

“April has the whole situation in hand,” Felicity told him. “It will be sorted by this afternoon, I promise.”

“Good.”

Her parents joined them at the table, and Dad said grace.

Harry smiled as he picked up his coffee. “This looks wonderful, thank you.” He glanced at Eva. “So what would you like to do this morning?”

Before she could answer, Felicity winked at her. “Actually, we’re going shopping for Eva’s new makeup kit. You’re welcome to come and push her around if you want.”

Harry choked on his coffee. “Push her around?”

Felicity laughed. “Yeah, if you want. And tell her where to go. You started something yesterday when you took her out. There’s going to be no stopping our Eva now.”

“I am here,” Eva said, shaking her head. “And I know where I need to go, thank you.”

He looked at Eva and smiled. “I’d like that. I need to do some shopping as well.”

“Then it’s settled,” Felicity said. “We can all go to town together.”

 

~*~

 

Despite the fear that occasionally ran through her like a river of ice, Eva had to admit she enjoyed the couple of hours they spent in town. She balanced the basket on her lap while she chose makeup brushes, removal pads and mirrors. Had Harry guessed where she’d be working or was he in a world of his own? He did seem a little distracted.

Eva picked out a case to keep all her things in and then looked at her sister. “OK, Fi, I’m done.”

“OK, shall we go and pay?”

“Not yet.” Harry spoke up from his position behind the chair. “I need to get something for my parents.”

“For Christmas?”

“Yeah.” He tightened the scarf around his neck. “I normally give them vouchers, but as I won’t see them this year, I want it to be something slightly more personal.”

“Why won’t you see them?”

“I’m working. I only get Christmas Day off and as they live in Scotland, it’s too far to travel in a day.”

“Why can’t they come to you instead?”

“I’m living in a hotel,” he said, rolling his eyes, in that cute way that made her shiver. “That’s not very practical or family oriented. Christmas to me is church first thing, Mum roasting the turkey and all the trimmings, opening presents around the tree, watching Queen’s speech…” He broke off, hiding the look of sadness in his eyes. “Not dinner in a packed restaurant and everyone sitting on the floor in a small hotel room.”

“Fair enough. Going back to the shopping issue, what sort of thing is your mum in to? Books, puzzles, knitting…”

“She likes reading, perfume, jewelry. Umm…”

Eva grinned. “We should introduce you to Tels. She’s an author from church, and she might even do you an autographed copy of her latest book. Or you could get your mum a bottle of her favorite scent and a necklace. That’s what I was thinking of getting mine.”

Harry smiled. “And Dad?”

“I never know what to buy my dad, never mind anyone else’s.” She paused. “But I was thinking I might buy him aftershave, along with cufflinks or a watch this year. Just stick with the cologne and bling theme.”

Harry laughed. “Sounds good to me. Hey, we could get matching parental presents.”

Eva shook her head. “Cheating more like. Steals my lines, steals my ideas.”

Harry leaned over the wheelchair. “Steals your kisses too,” he whispered, quickly and lightly kissing her on the mouth.

Eva sat stunned as Harry straightened, her lips tingling with his touch. Had he really just kissed her? Had Fi noticed? Had anyone else in the store noticed?

“Perfume and aftershave is this way,” Felicity said, glancing back at them. “And jewelry is on the second floor.”

Eva nodded, blushing as Harry winked at her.

“Did I miss something?” Felicity asked.

Harry grinned. “Nothing much. So where do we go?”

Half an hour later, Eva held the bags on the way out of the store, a plan formulating in her mind.

Harry glanced at his watch. “I have to run. I need to get to the bank before I’m due at the theatre. Can I leave my shopping with you and pick it up later? I don’t want to risk leaving it unattended in my dressing room. Not that I’m expecting it to get nicked, but it’s been known to happen in the past in other theatres.”

Eva nodded. “Sure. We’ll take it back to ours.”

Harry kissed her hand, his touch warm and shooting straight through her. “Have fun in your new job. See you at the tree.” He vanished into the crowds.

Eva looked up at Felicity as she began pushing her. “We should find out where his parents live. Maybe ask them to Christmas dinner at ours. At least that way he’d see them.”

Felicity nodded. “Good idea. I’ll run it past Mum and Dad later and see what I can do.”

“He has a brother as well.”

“The more the merrier. Let’s take this shopping home quick, or we’ll be late for work. And that won’t be a good first impression for you.”

 

~*~

 

Butterflies flew amuck in Eva’s stomach as Felicity pushed her down the hallways towards the general manager’s office.

“The theatre has been in her family for a hundred years and as well as running it, April also does acting and directing.” Felicity filled in Eve as they reached the door. She knocked and opened it. “April, this is Eva, my sister and our new makeup artist. Eva, this is April Kincaid, general manager and all around good person.”

April Kincaid grinned as she got to her feet. Green eyes sparkled and her long red hair was tied back in a ponytail. “Nice to meet you, Eva. Not sure what your sister’s after, but must be something big to flatter me like that.”

“Hello, Miss Kincaid.” Eva shook her hand.

“Call me April. Fi tells me you’re good at what you do. She also emailed me your CV and I’m impressed. Your previous employer gave you a glowing reference, and said they were sorry to see you leave.”

Eva smiled faintly. “I only left because of the chair. I didn’t think I could do it, but—” She broke off.

“You’ll do fine. Let’s go and meet the rest of the crew, and then I’ll take you to Matthew.”

The makeup and backstage team were assembled in the crew room. Most of them stood when April pushed the chair inside, but a couple remained seated.

“Guys, this is Eva Anderson. She’s joining us from today as Matthew’s personal assistant. She’ll be solely responsible for him and no one else. Eva, this is Trudi, Rose, Vera, Sandi, and Hilda, the makeup team. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew later.”

“Hi.” Eva smiled.

Some of the girls nodded. One just glowered.

“As you know,” April continued, “Matthew has had issues with allergies. Eva has lots of experience with these things and has worked with the hypoallergenic stuff before, which is why she’ll be doing his makeup from now on.”

“You could just have asked one of us.” Hilda said, from where she sat slumped on an overstuffed sofa.

“I did.” April’s voice took on a no nonsense tone. “You all refused.”

“Only because he’s fussy, moans all the time, and is impossible to work with.”

Eva couldn’t believe her ears. That wasn’t the Harry she knew. Surely he hadn’t made that much of a fuss, even if the makeup was giving him grief. Mind you, she knew only too well how temperamental some actors could be, and yes, some did throw hissy fits at the least little thing—coffee too cold or not sweet enough, or no tissues in the dressing room, or too much eye shadow.

“Excuse me?” April stood, hands on hips, with her gaze fixed on the blonde woman. “Say that again.”

Eva glanced up. Had she missed something?

“I said, he deserves her. She can’t do makeup sat in a wheelchair. You only employed her because she’s Miss Anderson’s sister. It’s blatant nepotism.”

Eva’s face burned and she looked down, wishing she could run from the room. If they thought that now, what would they say once they knew she and Harry were friends?

April pointed to the door. “My office. Now.” She glared at the others as Hilda stormed out. “Do any of the rest of you feel the same way? Because I can easily fire you, too. Eva is more than qualified for this job and that is what I’ve employed her on.”

No one said anything.

“Good. The rest of you go and do some work. Fi, try to find someone to replace Hilda.”

Eva looked down at her hands as her sister left the room. This was why she hadn’t wanted to work again.

April turned to her. “I am really sorry.”

“It’s OK.”

“No, it’s not OK. I won’t have anyone discriminated against in my theatre. If I didn’t think you were capable of doing the job, you wouldn’t be here.”

Eva nodded. “OK.”

April pushed Eva down the corridor. “Matthew is a pussy cat really. He’s like any actor—he has his moments, likes things done a certain way, but then, don’t we all? Be polite and he’ll treat you with respect.” She knocked on the door.

Something fell inside and then the door opened. Harry stood there, in costume, minus the wig. “Hi…” His voice dried up. “Eva?”

April grinned. “I’m assuming you two know each other.”

Harry nodded. “Yes, yes we do.”

“That makes my job a lot easier. Eva is your new personal makeup assistant. She’s only doing your makeup, no one else.”

“Eva, you dark horse,” Harry grinned. “You said a new job. You didn’t say it was here.”

“You didn’t ask.”

Harry opened the door properly. “Come on in.”

April pushed the chair inside. “We’ll do the paperwork after curtain up.” She smiled and headed out, shutting the door behind her.

Eva looked at Harry. “I warn you now. I’m a right bossy cow if you don’t keep still.”

Harry nodded. “When I filmed Peter’s Betrayal, I was in the makeup chair for eight hours a day, with a three thirty AM wake up call. So I know all about keeping still. This is a picnic compared with that.” He lowered the chair and sat in it.

Eva put the bag on the table. She fitted the hairnet over his head and looked over the makeup. “OK, let’s do this. Lie back for me.”

Harry tipped the chair back, so his head was almost in her lap. “I should suggest to April that we get a dentist chair for you.”

“That might be easier. Or a bed.”

“Nah, I’d fall asleep.” He winced as she started work.

“Am I hurting you?” Concern filled her.

“It’s just a little sore, that’s all.” He winked. “I need a mirror on the ceiling so I can see what you’re doing.”

Eva passed him the hand mirror she’d bought that morning. “Better?”

“Much.” He blew kisses at her before angling the mirror to watch her.

Goosebumps tracked down her spine, and the hair rose on the back of her neck. Why was working on him so different to anyone else? Of course she knew why, just hadn’t expected it to make her feel this way. Normally when she worked, there wasn’t the feeling of intimacy that this position produced.

After about ten minutes, she glanced up from the eye shadow. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the dastardliest pirate of all?”

Harry’s eyes glinted, and she realized too late what she’d done.

“Oh, no, don’t you dare,” she told him.

“Too late, sweetheart,” he drawled. “I be a’ stealing that line and the mirror.”

“Men,” she sighed.

Harry laughed. “Pirates, actually. We steal things. It’s in the job description.”

“OK. Sit up for me.” She fitted his wig and smiled. “You’re done.”

He looked in the mirror and smiled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I can touch you up at the interval if needed.”

“Oh err, missus,” Harry laughed. He tossed his long locks over his shoulder as he stood. “This be my favorite pirate look, arrrr Jim lad.”

Eva shook her head. “Wrong show.”

He grinned and headed out as the curtain bell rang.

Eva tided up and made her way back to April’s office. The door was open and April waved at her.

“Come on in. How did the new makeup go?”

“It went OK.” She negotiated her way across to the desk. “Hopefully, it does the trick.”

“Good. Here’s the paperwork for you to read and sign.”

As she read, voices came over the speaker system. Eva looked up. “Is that the panto?”

April leaned back in her chair. “Yes. That way I can keep tabs on what’s happening on stage.”

Smee’s voice came over loud and clear. “I say, Captain, you look very dashing this morning. Did you use a smoothing iron on your clothes again?”

“Thank you, Smee,” Harry replied. “I do my best.” The audience laughed. “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the dastardliest pirate of all?”

“You are, Captain.”

“Thank you, Smee. Here, catch.”

A loud smash came over the speakers, followed by the audience laughing. “Ooops, missed,” Smee said.

“That’s seven years bad luck, Smee,” Harry said without missing a beat. He broke into song. “Scrubbing the desks with a toothbrush, and ne’er a smoothing iron in sight.”

Eva winced. “I think that was my mirror.”

April mimicked her gaze. “That man does love adlibbing. The mirror will be replaced, don’t worry.”

Eva nodded. “Thank you.” She finished signing the papers and went to find Felicity for the coffee she’d promised her.

Harry appeared at the end of the performance, guilt written all over his face. “I’m so sorry about your mirror. I’ll buy you another one.”

“Yeah, you will. How’s your face feeling?”

“It doesn’t itch.”

“Good. Let’s get this stuff off and head out to the tree lighting. Fi said she’d drive us.” Eva shot him a smile. She was exhausted, but loved every minute of being back at work. And was looking forward to the tree lighting and carols.