Page 16 of Emma
Emma exhaled, stepping away and pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the patio doors. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Are you okay? You sound a little bit down.”
“Yeah, fine. I called in to see Lauren, but well…I don’t know why I bothered. I’ll meet you at home, okay?”
There was a pause, then Vanessa’s sigh filtered down the line. “No. Stay there. I’m coming over.”
Emma lowered her voice as she said, “I wouldn’t if I were you. She’s in a foul mood.”
“Tough. I’ll be there in ten minutes. I love you.”
The call disconnected, leaving Emma alone with Lauren again. She didn’t know what to say. She was still too stunned by Lauren’s opinion of her to figure it out, so she returned to her seat and waited quietly for Vanessa to arrive. She didn’t know what was coming, but the feeling low in her belly said Emma should brace herself for more of what had just happened.
“Your mum is on her way over.”
Lauren simply shrugged. “Whatever.”
Calmly exiting her car,Vanessa paused at the kerb, her eyes fixed on the familiar front of Lauren’s house. The crisp autumnal air was fresh against her face, but it did nothing to shock the tension out of her body. She inhaled deeply, as though she was preparing for a battle she’d fought a thousand times before. Whatever this was, itwouldpass. It always did. Lauren would eventually simmer down, apologise, and they’d pick up the pieces like they had so many times before.
She slid her phone into the side of her handbag as she adjusted the strap on her shoulder and made her way up the garden path. As she fished for her spare key in the inside pocket and turned it in the lock, the quiet immediately unnerved her. While she was thankful there was no shouting, it was the kind of silence that Vanessa hated. Heavy and uncertain. As though something huge was about to blow up.
“Hello?”
“In the living room, babe.” Emma’s voice floated down the hallway. “Though it feels more like a morgue at the minute.”
Vanessa closed the front door behind her, the click of the lock sounding louder than it usually did. She exhaled a deep breath, already feeling the drain of walking into a house full of atmosphere. She didn’t have the energy for this today.
As she passed the dining table, she let her bag drop to the top of it and moved towards the living room. She paused in the doorway, the room gloomy despite the late sunlight pouring in through the windows. Emma sat slumped on the couch, her expression a mixture of frustration and anger.
“Why the long faces?”
Emma looked up, seemingly less than impressed. “Seriously, I wouldn’t bother. I’m only sitting here because you told me you were coming over. I’d have been at home otherwise.”
Vanessa nodded and stepped further into the room until she stood in front of the television. She folded her arms across her chest, waiting expectantly forsomethingfrom Lauren. But nothing came. Lauren looked through her. “What’s up with you now?”
“Go home. I can’t be arsed with either of you.”
Vanessa’s brows rose. It wasn’t often Lauren spoke to her like that, and she certainly wouldn’t do it again. “If you’re going to speak to me like that, at least have the decency to look me in the eye!”
Lauren stood from the couch slowly and stopped in front of Vanessa, her eyes blazing with sarcasm as she smirked. “Go. Home.”
“Fine.” Vanessa reached out and took Emma’s hand, her grip firm as she helped her to her feet. “I’ll be there to pick Daisy up tomorrow at the usual time. Three-thirty. Let me know what time you’ll be picking her up from our place.”
Lauren turned and left the room, her voice trailing behind her as she said, “No, you won’t. She’s full-time in nursery now, all week. They had a place for her when I asked last week, so you don’t have to worry about looking after your granddaughter anymore.”
Those words slammed into Vanessa like a gale force wind. She frowned, her heart aching in her chest as she turned to Emma and lowered her voice. “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know, babe, but I can’t stay in this house for a moment longer. I’m sick and fucking tired of her attitude, and I’m going to get pissed off real quick.” Emma looked down, her voice cracking as though she was holding something much deeper back. “She’s pushing my buttons hard today.”
“She’s angry withme, not you.”
“No, no, she’s directing her anger for me towards you. Trust me.” Emma swallowed and shook her head. “She claims I walk around as though I’m untouched by life. I just… I can’t. Not right now.”
Vanessa’s heart plummeted rapidly. She took in Emma’s features. The glossy eyes and the slight tremble of her lip. That look… It was devastation. Not frustration, irritation, or anything else. It was heartbreak.
“That’s not true. I swear it’s not. I just… I try to be upbeat after everything that happened last year. To make the most of every day. If it comes across as anything else, I’msosorry.” Emma sniffled and lifted Vanessa’s hand, kissing the back of it carefully. “I know how hard life was for you, but I’m just so happy you’re still here. That you’re alive, and you’re okay.”
“Don’t you ever explain yourself to me again.” Vanessa wrapped a hand around the back of Emma’s neck and leaned in, pressing their foreheads together. “I love you, I’m proud of how you’ve dealt with the last twelve months, and I wouldn’teverwant you to change. All of you is perfect to me.”
