Page 4 of Emma
“I wasn’t. Then I remembered Daisy started her first full day at nursery today, and I was a bit lost. I stood outside the place, not knowing what to do.”
Emma leaned against the counter, her arms folded loosely as she let out a laugh and shook her head. “You know, youcouldjust go home and have a rest. Put your feet up. Read a book. Anything that doesn’t involve going a mile a minute.”
“I don’t think I know what sitting down is anymore.” Lauren yawned as she dragged a tired hand through her hair. Her eyes were half-lidded—something Emma was used to seeing these days—her shoulders low with the constant fatigue Lauren lived with since Daisy had learned to walk. “I was hoping Mum would be home. Any idea what time she’s back?”
Emma inhaled a deep breath and held it for a moment. Today was supposed to be Vanessa’s day. A true day off. Emma had practically begged her to take a little time for herself, somehow managing to convince her to enjoy a rare treat of nails and a massage at the local spa. Vanessa needed it, and Emmaneededher to have it. “She’ll probably be home soon.”
“Okay, good. I just want to check in with her about having Daisy tomorrow all day so I can get some housework done.”
Emma’s heart free-fell into her stomach. That wasn’t going to work. They had plans. Plans Emmareallydidn’t want to give up. “Why tomorrow? Doesn’t it make sense to do the housework today while she’s in nursery until five?”
“I thought maybe I’d just potter about today. Have some time to myself and that.” Lauren shrugged. “I’d planned to getcracking tomorrow anyway, knowing Mum has the week off work, so…”
Emma pushed off the counter, moving the pan off the heat and sliding the bacon onto a sheet of kitchen roll. She cleared her throat, hoping to stay composed andnotsay something Lauren wouldn’t like. If she’d realised anything over the last year or so, it was that Lauren could fly off the handle at the slightest of comments. “We’re not around tomorrow. We’re heading out of town for the day for some time to ourselves. We’re doing a walking trail in The Lakes.”
Lauren snorted, almost dismissively. “You hate walking trails.”
“Used to,” Emma said, her gaze cast towards Lauren as she tried to read her. There was something hard to pin down in Lauren’s expression. A disinterest, maybe even irritation.Huh, she can stop with that right now!Emma beamed a smile, choosing to disregard whatever mood Lauren was trying to put on her. Nobody was bringing it down today. “But I quite enjoy them now. More so since everything happened last year. It’s nice to get out and connect with nature.”
“I’m sure she’ll just rearrange for later in the week.” Lauren waved a hand between them, brushing off Emma’s words as if her plans didn’t matter. “It’s only a walk.”
“Yeah. It’s only a walk,” Emma muttered as her shoulders slumped. She turned away, pretending to focus on tidying the counter, but deep down she ached with disappointment. She haddesperatelywanted this time with Vanessa. Just the two of them somewhere quiet without interruptions or obligations. “Just speak to her when she’s home and see what she says. I’m sure she’ll agree to take care of Daisy for you.” And she would—of course she would. Vanessa always did. “I’ll work on some lesson plans or something when I have a minute to.”
“Thanks, Em. You’re both amazing.”
Emma offered a half-smile over her shoulder, but the spark and excitement she’d felt earlier were gone. The walking trail had only been the start of her plan. She’d booked the little lake house late last night on a hopeful whim. It was the same place they’d visited before Vanessa’s surgery, when everything had felt fragile but full of love. It was going to be a surprise. A tiny escape. A moment to enjoy their marriage without everyone expecting something from them.
But now…there was no point mentioning it.
She plated up the toast, laying the bacon on top without even bothering to focus, then crossed the room and set it down in front of Lauren. Her own appetite had vanished the moment Lauren had dismissed Emma’s plans. “There you go. Have mine. I’m not that hungry anyway.”
The front door creaked open, followed by the familiar soothe of Vanessa’s voice. “Baby, are you home?”
“Yeah,” Emma called back, aware that she sounded flat. “In here.”
The door swung open, and Vanessa stepped inside, glowing from her morning pamper session. She grinned, her eyes bright and excited…just as Emma’s had been before Lauren had shit all over their week off. “Right, after that massage, I’m ready to take on the world.”
Emma didn’t quite match her enthusiasm, even though she wanted to. Her smile faded as she nodded subtly towards Lauren. “That’s nice,” she said, clearing the frustration from her voice. “But Lauren is here. She wants us to look after Daisy tomorrow.” Emma crossed the room slowly and kissed Vanessa on the cheek. The contact may have only been brief, but it still grounded Emma and reminded her that no matter what, Vanessa was hers. “We can do the hike during the next half term. It’s no big deal.”
Vanessa didn’t move further into the room. She remained in the doorway, her posture stiffening as the air shifted. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
Emma raised her hands as she took a step back. She wasn’t going to be the bridge between them. Not this time. She was sick and tired of everything being up in the air 24/7. “I’m not getting involved. You make the decision, and I’ll go with that.”
Vanessa looked between the two of them. “There’s no decision to be made. We have plans, and those plans willnotchange.” Calmly, Vanessa pulled out a chair at the table and sat directly facing Lauren. “Why do you need us to take care of Daisy tomorrow, sweetheart?”
Lauren’s brows drew together as if Vanessa shouldn’t even need to ask the question. “So I can sort the house out. It’s a tip, and if I fall over one more of Daisy’s toys, I swear?—”
“So, you could be doing that now instead of sitting here?”
Oh, shit.The tension in the air had just intensified. Emma winced and turned back towards the counter, suddenly very interested in wiping down an already clean surface. Her pulse quickened, but she wasn’t going to speak. This was mother and daughter territory. She knew when to stay in her lane, and right now was one of those times. “Anyone want coffee?” Emma offered as she chanced a look in the direction of the dining table. “Tea, maybe?”
Lauren shot up, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. “Can’t. Need to get home to do the cleaning sincemy motherdoesn’t want to look after her grandchild!”
Vanessa scoffed, her nostrils flaring as she stood up. “How dare you. Every moment I’m not working, I have Daisy for you. This is the first day of my week off, and you’re here asking me to take care of her again.” Her voice didn’t rise, but it held a sharpness that Emma was familiar with. Vanessa’s authority was showing, and as sexy as it was…now wasn’t the time for Emma toenjoy it. “I know you’re tired, love. I know you have things to do. But so do I.”
“I thinkmyneed to take care of the house andyourneed to go for a walk are two different things, Mum.”
That was it. Emma wasn’t doing this. “Look, your mum has been working her arse off since September. We barely get a minute to ourselves, and we just wanted one week together where we didn’t have to worry about taking care of anyone other than us.”
