Page 83 of Merrily Ever After
‘I’ve just remembered,’ said Merry suddenly. ‘You were worried about your dad that day in the market. You said he has dementia. How is he? Is this the care home you were talking about? Is that why you’re here?’
‘Um …’ Emily’s mouth went dry.Funny story, he’s ‘our dad’, as it turns out …
This was the perfect opening. She’d read stories on the internet about long-lost siblings reuniting, but now it was her in the hot seat, she wasn’t sure what to say. Or how to say it. Or even whether she should say it at all.
‘Yes, his name’s Ray,’ Emily said deliberately, watching Merry’s face for a flicker of recognition. She could hear the tremor in her own voice. ‘I moved him in not long after I met you. It’s such a relief to know he’s being cared for.’
‘I can imagine,’ Merry replied warmly. ‘I’m no expert at residential homes, but this one seems nice. Does your dad like it?’
Merry hadn’t reacted to Ray’s name at all, Emily noticed. What was her story? Who didshethink her father was?
‘He seems happy.’ Emily gave a brittle laugh. ‘Actually, it turns out he has been keeping one or two secrets, which I’ve only just found out about.’
‘Nothing too shocking, I hope? Gosh, please forget I said that, it was intrusive, I’m sorry.’ Merry looked appalled at her own question.
‘No need to apologise.’ Emily swallowed, meeting Merry’s gaze. This was it. This was her chance. Perspiration prickled under her arms, and she could scarcely peel her tongue from the roof of her mouth. ‘I don’t mind talking about him because … well, the thing is when I moved him in, I found a tin—’
‘Emily! There you are!’ said a voice from behind.
She almost jumped out of her skin when Will appeared beside her.
‘Will!’ she gasped. ‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’
‘Whoops.’ He pulled a face. ‘Not quite the effect I was going for.’
She couldn’t help smiling at him. His timing was terrible, but she couldn’t deny how good it was to be near him again. He had occupied her thoughts almost as much as Merry this week; between the two of them, she’d hardly slept a wink.
‘You do look a bit hot and bothered,’ Merry said, sounding concerned. ‘Can I get you some water?’
Emily took a deep breath. ‘No thank you, I’m fine. Just caught off guard.’
‘Hello again,’ Will said to Merry. ‘Having fun?’
‘You two have met?’ Emily gave Will a challenging look.And yet he hadn’t given her the heads-up?
‘Your boyfriend kindly helped me unload my car,’ Merry explained.
‘Oh, he’s not my …’ She coughed. ‘We’re just friends.’
‘That’s not what you said last night,’ he remarked suggestively, arching an eyebrow.
Emily looked at Merry and shook her head, laughing. ‘Sorry about him, he suffers from delusions.’
Merry grinned and folded her arms, clearly enjoying the banter. ‘Now I don’t know who to believe.’
‘Me definitely.’ Will picked up one of the candles and inhaled. ‘Nice. Merry, if you need help loading up at the end of the afternoon, I’m your man.’
‘You’re very sweet,’ said Merry, laughing. ‘But don’t let me monopolise you, you were looking for Emily?’
‘Yes, I was, can I borrow you, Em?’ His blue eyes bore into hers, suddenly serious.
Her heart skipped at the shortening of her name. It implied an intimacy that they didn’t share. At least not yet.
‘Um. Can it wait?’ she asked, she flicked her eyes discreetly towards Merry, trying to convey she was in the middle of something.
He pulled a face. ‘Not really, there’s no time to lose. And you won’t want to miss this, I promise.’ He took her hand, holding it firmly in his. ‘Excuse us, I’ll bring her back.’
Merry looked at Emily and smirked. ‘Now there’s an offer.’
