Page 53 of Things We Need to Say (Second Chance Love Stories #2)

‘So what’s been going on in your life, then?’ Betty asked Jay when he called round to see her the following afternoon.

He and Emma had spent a productive morning interviewing Mia and Chen.

Thankfully they’d both been happy to come and work for him.

Chen had to give notice on his current job, but as Mia had been enjoying some time off after graduating she was happy to start the following week.

Emma had agreed to help out with the first functions, although considering Mia’s experience he doubted she would need help for long.

Still, it was good to know that someone was around to support her while she was getting used to running the front of house without Liz.

That meant that Jay could concentrate on the food.

Emma. His thoughts kept slipping back to her.

It had been great being with her today. It had been just like when they’d used to work together.

They’d always made a good team, but he’d had to keep reminding himself that they were just friends and that Emma had been there to help Liz out as much as she’d been helping him.

‘Hello, earth to Jay.’ His nan’s voice brought him out of his reverie.

‘Sorry, Nan. Well, actually there’s been a bit of a drama at my end. Liz had her baby last night.’

‘ What? ’ Betty banged the cup of tea she’d made for Jay down on the kitchen table and some of the liquid slopped over the top and into the saucer. ‘But she’s not due for ages yet.’

‘I know, but the baby obviously thought otherwise.’

She sat down beside him. ‘And are they both okay?’

Jay explained what had happened and Betty’s eyebrows almost rose into her hairline. ‘Flipping heck, that was a drama.’

‘It was scary. I’m going to the hospital in a bit. I don’t know if I’ll get to see the baby, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to take a quick peek. I just wanted to see how you were doing before I went.’

‘And as you can see, I’m fighting fit. I don’t much like taking these tablets, but they seem to be doing the trick.

Now, as it happens, I’ve just finished knitting a matinee jacket this morning.

I don’t suppose it will be any use to the poor little mite just yet, but I’ve got some pink wool in my bag, so I can get cracking on a smaller version straight away. ’

Jay laughed. ‘It’s nice to see you back to your normal self.’

‘Can’t keep me down for long, Jay, love. Now tell me, how’s young Emma?’

The smile slipped from his face. ‘Well, I was with her at the hospital last night and she’s been helping me out today, but I think she’s only doing it for Liz. I can’t say I blame her.’

‘Oh, Jay!’ Betty leaned over and gave him a hug. ‘If you’re still in love with her you have to fight for her. You’ll need to do something big to convince her that you made a mistake, but she really is the one for you.’

‘What kind of something big?’

Betty shook her head. ‘Now, that, son, is up to you.’

* * *

‘Oh, my word, Liz, she’s so tiny!’

When Emma had arrived on the ward, Liz had asked if she’d wheel her down to the baby unit so they could visit the baby together.

‘I know, but she’s a fighter. The nurses say she’s doing really well considering how prem she was.’

‘And she’s going to be all right?’

Liz shrugged, suddenly looking downcast. ‘I don’t know. It’s just a question of taking it one day at a time and hoping for the best. She could have problems further down the line, but we won’t know until they do tests and see how she develops.’

Emma’s heart went out to her friend and she tried to find the words to console her. ‘As you say, though, she’s a little fighter and we’ll all keep our fingers crossed for her. How’s Alex?’

Emma could see that Liz was welling up. ‘To be honest, I don’t think it’s really hit him yet. He’s still in shock. But he was dog-tired so I sent him home for a few hours’ sleep. I just hope he gets some.’

‘And what about you?’

‘I’m okay. Sore, but that’s inevitable. If all is well they’re going to send me home tomorrow. I’ll still be here most of the time until this little one is well enough to come home, but that won’t be for weeks.’

‘Like you say, all you can do is take it one day at a time.’

Liz smiled as she gazed at her baby. ‘Yes. I can’t tell you how much love I feel for her already. The mum hormones have really kicked in.’

‘You’re going to be a great mum. And Alex will be a great dad too.’

‘I hope so. It’s only what baby Isabel deserves.’

‘Oh, what a lovely name!’ Emma peered into the crib. ‘Yes, I think it suits her.’ She saw Liz yawn. ‘Shall we go back to the ward?’

Liz nodded. ‘I’ll come back later when Alex is here.’

When they were back on the ward, Emma handed over the bag of goodies she’d bought this afternoon, after she and Jay had finished their interviews.

‘Here’s a few bits for you and the baby.

’ She’d had a lovely time shopping for Babygros, bibs and cardigans, as well as some luxury items for Liz and a big box of chocolates.

‘Oh, Emma, thank you. There’s no need for that.’

‘It’s only a few bits. I bought the smallest Babygros I could find, but even they probably won’t fit her yet.’

‘No, but they are adorable, Emma, and hopefully she’ll soon grow into them. Thank you.’

‘My pleasure,’ Emma said.

‘So tell me, then, how are you and Jay?’

‘Good,’ Emma said. ‘We interviewed Chen and Mia this morning. Chen is happy to start as soon as he’s worked his notice and Mia can start next week. I’ve spoken to my manager and she’s agreed for me to take some leave so I can help her out in her early days.’

‘Oh, Em, that’s so good of you. Thank you. I know Jay was getting ready to take over, but not quite as soon as this. And I’m so glad you’ve made it up with each other.’

‘We’re not back together,’ Emma said hurriedly.

She didn’t want Liz to get the wrong idea.

‘We had a good talk last night and he understands that I’m not with Nick, or at least I think he does.

But we’ve agreed that we’re only going to be friends from now on.

Especially while I help out with the business until everyone’s up to speed. ’

‘But you still love each other, don’t you?’

‘It’s not as simple as that,’ Emma said.

Liz sighed. ‘I just wish you could see how perfect you are for each other.’

‘Really? Liz, I know you must have lots of hormones swimming around at the moment, but perfect? I don’t think so.’ She looked up as she saw Jay walking into the ward. ‘Talk of the devil.’

Emma waited until Jay had settled himself down in a plastic chair on the other side of the bed before getting up herself.

‘I’ll go now, if you don’t mind, Liz. It’s been a long day and I didn’t get much sleep last night.’

‘Oh, must you go so soon?’ Liz asked. Emma knew she was engineering for her and Jay to spend some more time together.

But the truth was, being with Jay was painful. It would be easy for them to slip back into a relationship, but she knew in the long term it would only cause her more pain.

* * *

‘Well, she couldn’t get away fast enough,’ Jay said when Emma was out of earshot.

‘Maybe that’s because she still has feelings for you,’ Liz replied.

‘She’s firmly put me in the friendship zone and that’s where she wants me to stay. Still, I suppose it’s about as much as I deserve.’

‘Don’t give up on her, Jay. You two will work it out, I’m sure you will.’

‘Don’t give up your day job. Relationship counselling’s not for you,’ Jay replied grimly.

‘Anyway, I’ve been to see Nan. She’s finished her first matinee jacket, but obviously it’s going to be too big so she’s starting on a miniature version today, in pink.

I hope you don’t mind gender colour stereotyping. ’

‘Not at all and I can’t wait to be able to dress her myself.’

‘I’m sure it won’t be long. Have you got a name yet?’

‘Isabel.’

Jay grinned. ‘That’s a beautiful name.’

‘It is, isn’t it?’ Liz said, unable to keep the answering smile off her face.

They chatted for a while, and Jay assured her that all she needed to do now was concentrate on her family and he’d take care of the rest.

‘Thanks, Jay. I’m so glad you’re my business partner, I don’t know what I’d do without you, especially at the moment.’

‘Well, that’s what partnership is all about, isn’t it?’

‘It is,’ Liz said. She grinned as she spotted Alex arriving with a large bag in his hand. ‘And talking about partnerships, don’t give up on Emma.’

Jay got up to leave. ‘I won’t. But I rather think she’s given up on me.’

* * *

Emma was hoping that she could sneak into her room unobserved when she got back to the hotel. She was so tired, she’d almost fallen asleep on the Tube on the way home. All she wanted was her bed and the oblivion of sleep. But as she walked into the living room, Nick accosted her.

‘Emma! There you are. Where have you been all day?’

She sighed as he cut off her escape route.

‘My friend had her baby last night. She was only twenty-eight weeks so it was all a bit frantic.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. They’re okay now?’

‘Hopefully, yes.’ She moved to one side, hoping he would let her pass, but he moved with her.

‘So, do you fancy wetting the baby’s head, then? I’ve got a bottle of wine in the fridge.’

‘No, I’m fine, thanks. I just want to go to bed. It was a long night last night and I’m shattered.’

He still didn’t move. ‘Are you sure? A glass of wine might help you sleep.’

‘I don’t think I’ll need any help, thanks.’

‘Oh, go on, just to be sociable.’

‘I really don’t feel like being sociable at the moment.

’ She took a deep breath. Knowing that she couldn’t keep avoiding him, and seeing as he didn’t seem to be taking no for an answer, it looked like she would have to spell it out to him.

‘And as I’ve told you before, I’m not interested in any kind of relationship. ’

‘I was just asking you for a drink, not a relationship.’ A hard note had entered his voice.

‘And I said I didn’t want one, so if you don’t mind I’d like you to let me pass so that I can go to my room.’

‘I was only being friendly.’

‘And if you are my friend, Nick, you’ll respect what I say when I tell you that I don’t want to be bombarded every time I step through the door.’

‘There’s no need to be like that.’ But he finally stepped aside and she was able to get to her room.

She locked the door firmly behind her. As she tried to slow her heartbeat back to its normal level, she thought that she would have welcomed a glass of wine. But she’d have to make do with the rather warm bottle of water in her bag.

She just hoped that her words to Nick had hit home and he’d finally leave her alone.