Page 91 of Emma
“I think I’m in love, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Vanessa stopped what she was doing and turned around. Dani Baldwin, the woman who was a serial dater, had fallen in love. That was just what she needed to hear this evening to remind her that life, even though it felt different at the moment, was just perfect around them. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
“Only because you hate inviting me out on my own. But I’ve told youmanytimes now that I don’t mind being the third wheel.”
“Mm.” Vanessa narrowed her eyes as she watched Dani across the room. She was forever winding Emma up about the past once she’d had a few drinks, and that was precisely why she didn’t invite Dani out when it was just the two of them. “I believe I stopped inviting you out because once you’ve got a glass of wine in you, you try to rile my wife up to the point that you’re taking your life into your own hands.”
“If you’re talking about last time, she thought it was funny!”
“Oh, I beg to differ. She didn’t find it funny as we were getting into bed and she asked me if I’dactuallyconsider having a threesome with you!”
Dani winked as she lifted a shoulder. “All I’m saying is that there are worse people you could invite into your marriage.”
“Let’s go before you get me into trouble.” Vanessa flipped the light switch and left her classroom. “But thank you for taking my mind off everything going on at the minute.”
They walked towards the back exit together, heels clicking in unison and echoing around the empty corridor. As they reachedthe doors, Dani stopped Vanessa with a hand on the arm. “How is Emma doing, really?”
Vanessa let out a breath. “Hopeful. Terrified. She cried last night reading Freya’s email for the millionth time and then laughed at something about pigeons mating on the TV five minutes later. She’s herself again, but for a little while, it wasn’t great.”
“Then I think she’s going to be absolutely fine on Friday.”
“I know. I just hope I am, too.”
They paused at the junction where their paths split. Dani always parked towards the back of the building, while Vanessa preferred the front entrance.
“Text me if you need anything, okay?”
“I will.” Vanessa squeezed Dani’s hand. “And thank you for not making me feel like my life has turned into a soap opera.”
“You wish.” Dani snorted. “You haven’t slapped anyone in the street, arguing over a parking space.That’sthe moment when it becomes a soap opera.”
They hugged one another before parting ways. Vanessa felt lighter having spoken with Dani, and now she was ready to get home, where Emma, Lauren, and Daisy would be waiting for her. She took her phone from the side of her bag and smiled at the name waiting on the screen.
Got the Coke Zero and the apple juice. Debating crisp flavours now. Save me from myself!
Vanessa typed as she walked.
Cheese and onion, and ready salted. Always a winner. Maybe throw in some prawn cocktail to be chaotic. Also, I hope you don’t mind but I told Dani. She’s very happy for you and promises not to say anything.
Three dots appeared, then came Emma’s reply.
Tell Dani we promise to resurface and enjoy our social life again soon! See you when you get home. I love you.
Vanessa smiled against the wind as she slipped her phone away. She could see it now. The front door, the lights on, the smell of home and something delicious in the oven. She could see Friday, too. Freya’s trainers on their hallway rug beside Emma’s, and the energy around the house.
Things were moving in the right direction, so she was allowed to be excited, but Vanessa knew she was also allowed to be scared. So long as she got it right, it didn’t matter which emotion won on the evening of it all.
She pulled her coat tighter and quickened her step. There were snacks to buy, a blanket to wash, and a corner of the sofa to set aside for a girl who’d decided she wanted to belong.
And in between all of that, there was Emma—her wife, her universe—waiting at home, ready to plan the most ordinary, extraordinary dinner they’d ever had.
The house wasquiet in that soft, late afternoon way Emma had come to love since she and Vanessa had gotten together. Daisy was curled up on the couch under a knitted blanket, her toy rabbit tucked beneath her chin, fast asleep after nursery. Lauren had said she’d been unusually clingy on the way home—her head heavy against Emma’s shoulder the moment Lauren had handed her over—and by the time they’d made it into the living room and sat down in front of the TV, Daisy hadn’t even touched the snack Emma had put in front of her. Now her cheeks were flushed pink, and her lips parted in little whistling breaths,too worn out to fight the drowsiness as she slept on the couch in the open-plan kitchen/diner.
Lauren had arrived half an hour ago with her daughter, bag dropped by the door, her laptop now open on the dining table. She was meant to be working on a presentation for work, but Emma had caught her staring into space more than once, sipping at her tea and chewing her lip as if the words on the screen refused to appear.
Emma had taken the seat opposite, her own mug untouched in front of her, those familiar nerves beginning to buzz under her skin. She wanted to tell Lauren the news and progress they’d made with Freya, but the words seemed stuck. Perhaps it was Emma’s knowledge of Lauren and her lack of optimism with most things in life…or maybe she just didn’t want to speak it out loud in case someone found a reason to steal the hope away from her.
The front door opened, and Vanessa stepped inside, her scarf pulled loose and her hair slightly frizzy from the damp air. She shrugged off her coat with a weary sigh and froze when she spotted Daisy on the couch. “Why is she asleep already?”
