Page 2 of Things We Need to Say (Second Chance Love Stories #2)

‘Yes, I’d heard. I’m very happy for her.’

‘Are you?’ Susie frowned.

‘Of course I am. I don’t like what she did to Alex and me, or tried to do, but she was very unhappy and I’m glad that life is going well for her now.’

‘Oh, right, okay.’ Susie’s frown deepened as though she couldn’t understand.

‘Well, Susie, it’s lovely to see you, but...’

‘Actually, I was wondering...’ Susie paused. ‘Are you and Jay still working together?’

‘He’s my business partner, yes.’

‘And is he here today?’

‘Yes, working hard in the kitchen.’

‘Perhaps I could go and see him?’

Liz stayed Susie with a hand on her arm. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea. You can see how many people we’re catering for and you know what a perfectionist Jay is, so I think it would be better not to disturb him.’

‘Yes, I can see that but—’

‘Tell you what.’ Liz interrupted her. ‘Why don’t I let him know you’re here and then if he has a moment he can come and see you?’

‘Oh, yes, that would be good.’

* * *

Emma watched as Susie approached Liz and flung her arms around her as though they were long-lost friends.

Her stomach churned at the sight of Susie and she moved a little closer so that she was in hearing distance of their conversation.

She’d always been nervous of the woman. And even though Susie had been the one to end her and Jay’s relationship, Emma still saw her as a danger as she had witnessed how heartbroken Jay had been when Susie had cheated and dumped him.

He had been so in love with her and who could blame him?

Susie was perfect. Tall, exquisite bone structure and long dark hair that hung down her back like a shining curtain.

As much as Emma wanted to get away and not listen in, she couldn’t help herself.

She had to know what Susie wanted. She gasped as she heard the other woman mention Jay and that she wanted to see him.

How would Jay react to that? As a five-foot-four Plain Jane, Emma knew she was no competition for the glamorous model, and that was without the fact that she’d always wondered, deep down, if she was Jay’s rebound relationship.

Yes, they had been going out for eighteen months now and he told her he loved her, but, if Susie offered herself to Jay on a plate, Emma genuinely didn’t know who he would choose.

The last thing she felt she could cope with right now was losing Jay.

* * *

As Liz broke away from Susie, she spotted Emma handing out the canapés.

Although Emma was smiling, Liz could tell worry lurked beneath.

Had she seen Susie? And worse, had she overheard their conversation?

Liz headed over to her, took the nearly empty silver platter and handed it to another passing server.

‘Can you take this back to the kitchen, please?’

Emma looked startled. ‘Liz? Is everything okay?’

‘That’s what I was about to ask you.’

‘Everything’s fine,’ Emma said. But Liz could see that she was blinking back tears.

‘Did you see Susie?’

Emma nodded.

‘And did you hear what she said?’

‘Yes,’ Emma whispered.

‘Let’s go somewhere a little quieter.’ Liz led Emma out of the main ballroom and into the study, where Lord Weatherton had let them store their belongings.

When they’d catered for Lucinda’s engagement party, it had been summer and the theme had been an Edwardian garden-party.

But as it was now the middle of February, they’d been given the run of the ground floor for the event, and Liz was glad there was somewhere quiet they could go.

Emma sat down on one of the comfortable Chesterfield sofas.

‘Just because Susie wants to see Jay doesn’t mean he’d be interested in her.’

‘Why not? She’s gorgeous.’

‘So are you.’

Emma laughed, but it lacked warmth. ‘Not compared to a model.’

‘I used to think that when Nikki was around. But it’s not all about looks. It’s how you are together. Susie always wanted to have things her way, just like Nikki, but that’s not how successful relationships work. That’s not how you and Jay work.’

‘He was in love with her once.’

‘He was infatuated with her. But they weren’t compatible — not like you and him. He can see that now. He’d never go back to her.’

‘Wouldn’t he?’

‘No! Of course he wouldn’t. Susie’s a fake and you’re the genuine article.’

‘You said you’d tell him she was here.’

‘I only said that to stop her from going into the kitchen. There’s no way I’m telling him.’

‘Why not?’ Emma asked.

‘Why would I? He doesn’t need Susie in his life again.’

‘But surely that’s his decision to make? And if he does choose her, at least I’ll know one way or another.’

‘Oh, Em. He’s not going to choose her.’

‘Then there’s no harm in telling him, is there?’

‘If that’s what you want.’

Emma nodded. ‘I do.’

‘Okay, I will. If only to prove to you that it’s you he wants. But, Emma, I have to ask. Is everything okay between you two? It’s not like you to have these doubts.’

Emma sighed. ‘Oh, I don’t know. My head’s a mess. We are in a rut — we’re both so busy that we barely see each other. But I think we can work it out. Or at least we could if there’s no one else to put a spanner in the works.’

‘We have been really busy. Maybe he’s been working too hard.’ Liz felt a pang of guilt. ‘Perhaps I’ll suggest he takes some holiday. Would that help?’

‘That would be lovely, but I’ve no chance of getting any time off work.’

‘How is the job going?’ Liz asked.

‘That’s the other problem. Work is just awful.’ And to Liz’s surprise, Emma burst into tears.