Page 31 of Emma
Emma’s heart broke at the honesty in Kelsey’s voice. “No. Don’t worry about anything other than your behaviour. The school provides everything you need.” That wasn’t entirely true, there were always little expenses, but Emma didn’t want Kelsey to be held back by the fear of not having enough. She wanted to give her something to look forward to. And the schooldidmake exceptions for those students who had less than others. “Don’t let yourself down and lose the position, okay?”
“Okay.” Kelsey lowered the stack of cones to an empty space inside the massive sports cupboard. She brushed her hands down the front of her P.E. shorts and turned back to Emma. “And, um…miss?”
Emma smiled as she took her keys from her pocket to lock the cupboard. There had been a spate of footballs mysteriously disappearing before the summer. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry for being naughty. I promise to try harder.”
The simple apology hit Emma in a way she hadn’t expected. It was raw and real, and for the first time, Emma could say it had been a pleasure to be in Kelsey’s company. “I know. I believe in you.”
“Do you really?” Kelsey’s eyes widened. “Honestly, miss?”
“Of course. You can do anything you put your mind to. I promise you that.”
“Thanks, miss.”
Emma winked as she nodded towards the changing rooms. “Go. Get changed and enjoy lunch. I’ll speak to Mr Spader during my own lunch break.”
Kelsey turned for the changing rooms, a spring in her step as Emma watched her go. Kelsey wasn’t beyond saving. Far from it. With time and support, she could find her way.
Emma leaned back against the wall in the corridor, exhaling a deep breath as she watched the door close behind Kelsey. It felt like she had accomplished something today. Something small, but significant. Now, if she could just figure out the truth about Freya, then maybe things could return to normal. At least, that’s what Emma was hoping for.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Emma crackedher knuckles as her laptop came to life. While she’d slept better last night, she’d also woken with a determination raging throughout her. Today, one way or another, she would have answers. It didn’t matter that contacting her mum meant reopening old wounds. It didn’t matter that whatever she found would likely cut deeper than anything she’d faced in the past. What mattered was finally knowing. Knowing whether Freya was her family…knowing whether she could have had a better life if Emma had been around for her.
You didn’t know. You can’t pin this on yourself!
She opened tab after tab, pulling up social media platforms she rarely bothered with. Emma was usually too busy getting lost in her wife’s eyes, too content in her quiet life to care about online drama. But not today. Today was an exception.
She typed her mum’s name into the search bar. The first profile that popped up was unmistakable. Jane was smiling in that ‘my life is amazing’ way, her hair styled immaculately, always playing the part of someone she wasn’t. Emma clicked on the profile, her pulse pounding in her ears, and zoomed in on the photo.
Her breath caught. Itwasher mum. But the man her mum was kissing in the picturewasn’ther dad. Her mouth ran dry.No fucking way!She blinked, then squinted as she dragged the laptop closer, as if bringing it nearer would somehow change the truth.
She knew that man.
That…was her uncle. Her dad’s brother.
Everything within Emma recoiled. Her first instinct was to laugh, but this wasn’t funny. It was disgusting.My God. She has no shame at all.
She turned quickly in her chair. “Babe, you’re not gonna believe this!” Her eyes darted to the kitchen, where Vanessa was moving about with ease. Emma wished she could be doing the very same thing, but she feared she’d fall down if she dared to stand up. “Mum isn’t seeing Dad anymore. Not judging by her profile picture, anyway.”
“Oh.” Vanessa crossed the room and placed a glass of fresh orange juice on the table. “Maybe she’s doing better and looking after herself.”
Emma shook her head, still plagued with disbelief. “Vanessa, she’s shagging my dad’s brother.”
Vanessa froze. “I’m sorry, what?”
Emma leaned back in her chair, that disbelief slowly giving way to utter disgust. She shouldn’t be surprised, her mum had a name for herself around the town at one time, but…her uncle? Really? “Mm.”
“You’re not serious.”
“Oh, I am. I’m real serious.” She turned the laptop towards Vanessa, letting the screen speak for itself. “That man is my uncle. That woman is my mother. And I…I just fucking can’t with any of them.”
Vanessa’s eyes softened as she reached across the table and took Emma’s hand. “God, I wish you didn’t even have to look her up. This has to be a lot for you to take in. I’m sorry.”
Emma’s gaze flickered to the screen again. “Me too.”
“Maybe there’s another way we can do this,” Vanessa said as she squeezed Emma’s hand. “A way that doesn’t involve you reaching out to her at all.”
