Page 115 of Things We Need to Say
‘Good.’
‘And what about you? What are you going to do?’
‘I’m going to get myself a job. Maybe not in management.’ Heather laughed. ‘I don’t think I’m very good at that. And something that doesn’t involve a lot of paperwork. I hate that.’
‘I had noticed.’
Heather’s smile faltered. ‘I know you think it was because I was lazy. But it’s actually because I’m dyslexic.’
‘Oh! Why didn’t you say something? I could have helped.’
‘I didn’t want your help, remember?’
‘Yes, okay, but I’m here to help now if you need me.’
‘Thanks,’ Heather said. ‘I’ll bear that in mind. But I need to get back on my feet through my own efforts.’
‘But you’ll stay in touch?’
‘Of course I will. I want to hear what happens with you and Jay.’
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jay couldn’t stop thinking about Emma. He didn’t want it to be over between them. Couldn’t stand the loneliness of only having her in his life as a friend.
These last weeks had made him realise just how much she had supported him and how much he’d taken that for granted. She had every right to walk away from him. But this had been a massive wake-up call and he wanted to do something to convince her that her actions had made a difference. That he had changed. Nan was right, he needed to fight for her. And if he tried to win her back and it failed, then he would accept that he had done his best and walk away, if that was what she wanted. The only problem was that he was no good at big romantic gestures. The only thing he knew how to do was to cook. Not that that had worked for him the last time he had tried it, he thought, remembering the night that Emma had moved out. What if he cooked for her at Diva’s, somewhere on more neutral ground than inviting her round to the flat. Maybe he could ask her as a thank you for all the help she had given him recently? At least then he might have a chance to tell her what was in his heart. Before he could change his mind, he rang her.
* * *
Emma was pondering what to wear after her shift. Jay had asked her to come over to Diva’s, and she had happily accepted. They needed to talk. Who knew what the outcome of this evening would be, but everyone was telling her that they needed to listen to each other. And maybe they were right. In their previous conversations, both she and Jay had been too busy trying to get across their own points of view to actually understand what the other was saying. So tonight she was goingto listen and, if she did walk away at the end of it, then it would be for the right reasons.
She checked her watch and realised she’d spent far too long faffing over what she was going to wear. If she didn’t hurry up, she was going to be very late.
* * *
Jay straightened the knives and forks on the table for the umpteenth time and stood back. He knew he was fussing, but he couldn’t help it. Tonight was so very important to him and the outcome could change the rest of his life. He checked his watch. Emma would be here soon. He went back into the kitchen to make sure that everything was ready, even though he’d planned tonight’s meal meticulously and knew that he’d done everything he needed to. At least for now. The toughest part would actually be when he was in front of Emma, speaking his truth. If she’d give him a second chance, he would prove to her that he truly loved her. That since she’d left him, his life had only been half worth living.
Jay checked his watch again. She was late. Emma was rarely late for anything.
A knot of fear tightened in his stomach. What if she wasn’t coming after all?
* * *
Emma locked her bedroom door behind her, conscious that she was going to be late. As she rushed through the kitchen, Nick stood up from one of the dining chairs and blocked her way. She had successfully managed to avoid him over the last few weeks, but it looked as though her luck had run out.
‘Hi, Emma. Long time no see.’ He smiled down at her and took a step towards her.
She took a step back.
‘Um, yes, Nick, hi. I’ve been very busy recently.’
‘So I’ve been hearing. Helping out your ex, I believe.’
‘And his business partner who’s my friend,’ she said defensively. Although why she felt the need to justify herself to him, she didn’t know. ‘I’m sorry, Nick, I’m just on my way out and I’m already late.’
‘Are you avoiding me, Emma?’
There was a sinister note in his voice that she’d never heard before and Emma suddenly felt afraid. She became uncomfortably aware of how empty the accommodation was. ‘I’m not avoiding you, Nick. But perhaps we could catch up another time. Like I said, I’m on my way out and I’m late, so if you could just let me pass?’
