Page 48 of Emma
Carmen’s expression shifted from defensive to conflicted, but her arms remained crossed, her lips pressed together.
“I’m not saying you don’t have a right to be protective,” Vanessa continued more calmly. “But I’m asking you to be fair. Emma didn’t ask for any of this either, and yet she’s doing everything she can to put Freya first.”
Silence.
The very kind Vanessa hated.
Eventually, Carmen said, “When will she be back?”
Vanessa turned her watch towards herself. “Probably in the next half hour.”
The tension in the air faded a little when Carmen held up her hands. “I didn’t come here to start a war. I just want to understand what’s happening before things go too far.”
Vanessa nodded, recognising the subtle shift in Carmen’s tone. “Then if you’d like to come in, you’re welcome to wait for her.”
Carmen frowned. “Oh, I…”
“If you want to speak to Emma, I’m not going to send you away only for you to come back tomorrow and catch her offguard again,” Vanessa said, stepping aside. “Come in, have a seat, and I’ll make us some tea.”
After a brief hesitation, Carmen stepped inside, her posture still tense as she moved through the hallway and into the living room. Vanessa closed the door behind her, keeping calm even though her heart raced. She followed Carmen into the living room and gestured towards the armchair.
Carmen sat down and looked up at Vanessa. “If this is an inconvenient time for you, I can come back.”
“I’ll put the kettle on, and I’ll text Emma to let her know you’re here.” Vanessa strolled into the kitchen and closed the door over, immediately bringing her phone to her ear once she’d taken it off speakerphone. “Did you get all of that?”
“Is that who I think it is?” Lauren asked.
“Yes. She’s just shown up demanding to speak to Emma.”
Lauren scoffed. “I know she’s probably only doing the right thing for Freya, but she needs to lose the attitude.”
“She’s scared. We all are.” Vanessa rested back against the counter as she flicked the kettle on. “But I should go so I can at least warn Emma that she’s here. I’ll tell her to call you over the weekend, okay?”
“Okay. Bye, Mum. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
The moment the call ended, Vanessa pulled up her message thread with Emma.
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that Carmen is here. She’s Freya’s caregiver. At least, that’s how she introduced herself. She wants to speak to you and I didn’t want to turn her away. Come home when you’re ready, but be prepared. She’s not very happy with how this has all gone so far. I love you, and I’ll be right by your side x
Vanessa hit send, then braced her hands against the counter for a moment. Once she had calmed her racing thoughts and her thundering heartbeat, she reached for two cups and prepared the tea. It was the only thing she felt capable of doing right now. Considering she had been a teacher for over thirty years, Vanessa felt completely out of her depth. She could feel the storm brewing, and she knew the moment Emma walked through the door, everything would change once again.
Emma stepped inside the house,immediately sensing an awful tension, even with the living room door closed. Yes, she could hear conversation from the living room, but it wasn’t casual or warm. No, it seemed…careful. It seemed…laced with fear.
She closed the front door quietly behind her and slipped off her shoes. She was in two minds as to whether she should take her coat off, but then she shook her head and scoffed inwardly. This was Emma’s home. She lived here with her wife. Of course she was taking her fucking coat off. Nobody, Carmen included, would make her feel uncomfortable in the place she lived and loved.
Still, as she opened the living room door, her heart raced erratically.
Vanessa looked up from where she was perched on the arm of the couch, offering Emma one of her small, reassuring smiles. “Hi, baby.”
“Hey.”
And then Emma’s eyes landed on her.Carmen. She was seated in the armchair, her back ramrod straight and her hands folded in her lap. She turned at the sound of Emma entering, her eyes ablaze with…protectiveness? Fear? Perhaps it was justthe need to understand. Whatever it was, it sent a shiver down Emma’s spine. This wasnotgoing to go well.
“You’re Emma,” Carmen said, her voice clipped.
Emma nodded and somehow managed a smile. “Yes.”
