Page 21 of Emma
“Okay. Well, I’m just heading into nursery to pick Daisy up, so I’ll talk to you at the end of the week.”
Vanessa ended the call and set her phone face down on the coffee table, then turned to Emma and brushed her knuckles across her cheek. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Emma nodded, her eyes flicking between Vanessa and the phone as if she was still processing. “I’m…glad she called.”
“Me too,” Vanessa dipped her head and kissed Emma. “It’s not quite fixed, but it’s a start.”
Vanessa knew it would take time for Emma and Lauren to work things out between them, but she had faith in her daughter. When she was in the wrong, she admitted it. Vanessa just hoped it wouldn’t take too long. Whenever Emma had fallen out with Lauren, she always seemed so down on herself. After the lasttwelve months, they all knew that life was too short to stay mad at each other.
The doorbell startled them both, and as Vanessa’s stomach growled, Emma looked back at her with a slow smile spreading on her lips. “That’ll be the takeaway.” Emma urged Vanessa off her lap and stood up. “You get the plates while I get the door. We’ll eat under the blanket and watch something completely mindless.”
Vanessa leaned in to steal one more kiss. “Perfect.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Thank God it’s Friday.
Emma blew out a breath as she shoved another bag of balls into the already precariously filled cupboard, quickly slamming the door shut before the entire pile avalanched down on her. God, she wished people would stack things in a sensible way. It wasn’t hard, and it made everyone’s life simpler if they weren’t terrified of opening the equipment cupboard door.
Emma loved her job, mostly because the chaos meant the day went by quicker, but today had drained her battery. All she wanted now was the familiar weight of her hoodie and the comfort of her slippers. She’d never been one to head out partying at the weekend, hangovers were a waste of the following day, and this afternoon she was grateful for that outlook. She would prefer to enjoy a bottle of wine at home with her wife. Vanessa had already asked this morning if they had to make any plans this weekend. Emma had practically shouted ‘no’ over her shoulder as she rushed out the door, exhilarated at the thought of doing absolutely nothing with the woman she loved. Nothing involving a bra, anyway. Or a face of makeup.
As she walked down the corridor towards the main P.E. office, she pulled her phone from her pocket, half-expecting amessage. But the screen was blank. No word from Vanessa yet. She was probably tied up with a student again. Emma had learnt just how devoted Vanessa was a while ago now. It used to frustrate Emma, the way Vanessa gave so much of herself, but now it just reminded her of how lucky she was to share her life with someone so unwavering when it came to her students’ futures.
I’m about to finish. Have you left yet?
She sent the message and kept her phone in her hand, stepping into the office where two of her colleagues were still picking at the remains of their late lunch. The room smelled of microwaved pasta and the typical exhaustion that came with the end of the school week.
It was Becky’s birthday, and everyone was heading out this evening. There would be drinks, most likely karaoke, and a lot of blurry selfies. But in Emma’s mind, she was already at home, her bra flung somewhere across the room as her body sank effortlessly into their couch.
“Right, I’m off home. Have a great night, and I’ll see you all on Monday for the gossip.”
Tom swivelled in his chair to face her. “Oh, come on. You’reseriouslystaying in tonight?”
“I’m seriously staying in,” Emma replied as she leaned against the doorframe. She’d already picked up her rucksack, and now it was dangling loosely from one hand. Every muscle in her body ached from today’s four back-to-back lessons. She missed her classroom lessons with the older students. The ones she could actually sit down and talk to. While Emma enjoyed being active—it came with the job—spending a few hours a week inside the classroom had always been a nice pause from the sports field on a rainy day. “Whatever happens, take pictures and videos!”
Sammy snorted from across the room. “You mean like the video we took of you falling over in the street a few months ago?”
“I slipped on someone’s disgusting kebab that they’d dropped!”
“Sure.” Sammy grinned as she powered off her computer. “You were drunk. Own it.”
Emma hadn’t been. Two beers didn’t count. But this wasn’t a fight worth having. Not this afternoon. “Whatever you say. I’m leaving. See you Monday.”
She turned and headed out, her footsteps echoing in the near-empty corridor. Outside, the wind wasn’t as intense as it had been earlier, the air cool but not unpleasant as she pushed through the double doors and rounded the corner. Her phone pinged in her hand.
I’ve just got home now. I thought you had netball practice with the year 9 girls after school?
Thathadbeen the plan. But half the team was down with a stomach bug.
Cancelled. Too many off sick. I’ll be home soon. I love you x
Emma smiled. She loved these small moments between them, the ones people often took for granted. It had been a simple work-related conversation, but Emma felt blessed to be able to have them with her wife.
She crossed the grounds towards the car park, noticing how still the area had become. Most of the kids were long gone, and soon, Emma would be on her way to the peace and quiet she’d craved all week long.
In the distance, she spotted Freya walking alone.Again.
Every time she bumped into Freya, Emma was reminded of her own childhood over and over again. Though Emma could bet that Freya’s parents loved her a lot more than her own had. For a start, Freya had the correct uniform and one of the latest trendyrucksacks. Emma was lucky if she even got breakfast and a glass of orange juice before she travelled to school each day.
