Page 20 of Emma

Emma reached out, one arm still snug around Vanessa’s waist, and lifted the phone. She turned the screen towards Vanessa. “It’s…Lauren.”

Vanessa’s stomach tightened. She’d never ignored a call from her daughter, not once in all of Lauren’s life, but right now? Right now, she didn’t want anything coming between her and Emma. Still…she took the phone and answered. “Hello?”

“Mum, I’m sorry.” Lauren sniffled down the line. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I am. I’m so sorry.”

Vanessa’s heart clenched, but she held firm. “I’m not sure I’m the one you should be directing your apology at, Lauren. What you said to Emma was downright disgusting.”

“I-I know.”

“You’re finding it hard to cope, and you know I’llalwaysbe there to lend a hand when I can, but I do have a life too, Lauren. Given the last twelve months, I have more of a life now than I ever did before. You have to understand that.”

“I do, and I’m proud of you for getting out there and doing the things that make you happy.”

The weight that had been pressing down on Vanessa’s chest lifted a little, but the sting of their conversation earlier still lingered. Vanessa wasn’t ready to let it slide just yet. “When is Rob home?”

“In a few days.”

“And you’re going to speak to him? Explain how being left to parent alone isn’t acceptable?”

“I… Yes. I’ll have to. I love Daisy more than anything, but I’m not sure I can maintain the running around for much longer. I was less stressed when I was working full-time.”

Vanessa lifted a shoulder. “Then Rob has to make some decisions. I’m sure it won’t be the end of the world if he explainsto his office that flying out of the country every other week for weeks on end isn’t an option anymore.”

“I’m worried he’ll lose his job.”

Vanessa frowned. Lauren had never been worried about Rob’s job in the past. Had something happened that neither she nor Emma knew about? “Surely it won’t come to that. He’s high up in the company now. They clearly value him if they’ve promoted him twice in two years.”

“He was offered a permanent position in a different office. It wouldn’t mean travelling around anymore. Well, not out of the country, anyway.”

“Oh.” Vanessa glanced at Emma, who was quietly listening, her palm slowly stroking Vanessa’s thigh. “Why didn’t he take it?”

“Because I told him he couldn’t.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes at Emma, noting how confused her wife seemed, too. “Why?”

“Because the position they offered him was in America. The main office.”

Emma’s hand tensed slightly against Vanessa’s thigh. She wasn’t sure which of them had stiffened first. “O-oh.”

“I don’t want to move out of England. I don’t want to be so far away from you and Emma. It’s just… It’s not an option for me. For us.”

Vanessa nodded slowly. She would hate to know Lauren and Daisy were so far away, but if it was beneficial to them as a family, then Vanessa could be on board with it. “Is that why Rob has been travelling more often lately?”

“Yeah. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than us moving over to the States.” Lauren sighed. “This is where my life is. It’s where it’ll always be. But…I’m going to speak to him when he’s home the middle of next week. Until then, I’ll manage. We always do, right?”

“I can help you with Daisy, sweetheart.”

“The full-time nursery position is staying in place. It’s easier for everyone. Then you don’t have to rush out of work two days a week, and it’ll give me more time to myself.”

“Is it financially possible?” Vanessa hoped it was. If it meant Lauren struggled, then she would insist on letting the full-time place go.

“Oh, yeah. Rob agreed as soon as I mentioned it. He pays Daisy’s fees anyway.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“Would you tell Emma I’ll call her tomorrow? I think she needs a little bit of space from me after the things I said to her today.” Lauren cleared her throat when her voice broke. “I just hope she doesn’t hate me.”

“She’s sitting right next to me.” Vanessa lowered her hand and covered Emma’s. Her wife gave her a small, forgiving smile. “She doesn’t hate you. Neither of us do. But we do want to be on the same page from now on, okay?”