Page 45 of Emma
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“She’s a bright kid. Before she told me she was my sister, I was telling Vanessa that she reminded me of myself when I was in school. Quiet, but academic and with her head screwed on. She was out of the situation at home much earlier than I was, but part of me is glad about that. The rest of me just wishes I’d known.”
“Any idea why you didn’t know?” Ellie tilted her head. “It’s a pretty big secret for anyone to keep.”
“Turns out my parents left the area a while ago now. They’re in Yorkshire. Freya was born there, where they didn’t know anyone, so I guess I was less likely to hear it via whispers and rumours.” Emma scoffed. “The locals never did like my parents…or any of my family for that matter.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not. I never liked my parents either. And now? I just hate them even more. I spent so many years wishing I’d never been their kid.” She winced, immediately catching herself. “Sorry. That was inappropriate and insensitive.”
Ellie’s gaze didn’t waver. “My personal life and my job are separate, Emma. You’re also entitled to feel the way you do.”
“I know, but still…” Emma stood, needing to shift the weight from her shoulders. “Would you let me know when they want tosee me? I’m happy to meet with Freya’s social worker as soon as possible, really. I’d rather know what our fate is than sit around wondering.”
“Of course. I’ll drop you an email as soon as I’ve spoken to them.”
“Thanks, Ellie.” Emma turned, reaching for the door, then hesitated. She glanced back over her shoulder, hoping Ellie wouldn’t dismiss her because of what she was about to say. “You doing okay and that?”
“I’m okay. Life moves on, and I have no choice but to move on with it.”
Emma regarded her with a genuine smile. “You know where me and Vanessa are if you ever want to drink wine or coffee or whatever.”
“And the same goes for you.” Ellie powered up her computer, her expression measured but kind. Emma saw the cracks now and then, but she knew how Ellie felt about discussing her personal life around school. “Don’t let this linger in your mind. We’ll all figure it out between us.”
“I won’t.” Emma wasn’t sure she could keep to her word, but she would try to remain calm about what was to come. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
Emma stepped out of Ellie’s office and closed the door. Thankful to be alone in the corridor, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She had work to do and kids to teach, and then she would discuss today with her wife.
You have people in your corner. That’s what matters.
Vanessa leaned against her desk,scanning the last few pages of a personal statement one of her Year 12 students had leftbehind in a previous class this morning. She was smart, articulate, and full of the kind of potential Vanessa loved to nurture. Still, her eyes drifted from the page, her focus pulled in another direction entirely.
She hadn’t heard from Emma in nearly half an hour, and the message she’d sent—the one about being summoned to Ellie’s office—had Vanessa mildly panicked. She wasn’t worried about Emma’s performance or professionalism, Emma was exceptional at her job, but there was something about the unknown that made Vanessa restless.
The moment her classroom door opened, Vanessa looked up.
Emma stepped inside, her shoulders slightly sagged despite her straight posture. Vanessa noted how her jaw was tight, and those flushed cheeks were not from the cold or from exertion. It was emotion. Vanessa recognised it instantly.
She closed the folder and set it aside. “What happened?”
Emma crossed the room without a word and collapsed into one of the chairs in the front row, her bag slipping off her shoulder with a thud. She didn’t look at Vanessa right away; she just stared down at her hands, twisting her fingers together, her thumb brushing over her wedding ring like it was the only thing she had left.
Vanessa pushed off her desk, pulled out a seat, and sat beside her wife. “Baby?”
“It was about Freya,” Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Okay.” Vanessa exhaled as she reached out and rested a hand on Emma’s knee. “Talk to me.”
“She’s not being moved. At least not yet.” Emma puffed out her cheeks, her eyes wide. “A social worker called Ellie this morning and asked to set up a meeting with me.”
“That’s…something,” Vanessa said, mindfulandcareful not to sound too hopeful. “Did they say why?”
“No.” Emma shook her head. “Ellie said she didn’t get the impression I was going to be asked to leave or that Freya was being taken out of my classes. Apparently, the social worker was really positive about meeting me.”
Vanessa searched Emma’s face. “And that’s good news, right?”
Emma shrugged. “I don’t know what it is, babe. It feels like I’m being tested. Like I’m one wrong word away from messing it all up.” Emma scoffed. “I even offered to hand in my resignation.”
