Page 58 of Things We Need to Say (Second Chance Love Stories #2)

‘Will I do?’

Betty walked into the kitchen wearing a cream blouse and lilac two-piece suit.

‘You look lovely, Betty,’ Emma said.

‘Well, I wouldn’t want to show Jay up.’

‘You could never do that,’ Emma replied. ‘Besides, it’s your eightieth birthday party so you can wear whatever you want. And say whatever you want, too.’

‘I don’t know about that, going to a posh place like Diva’s.’

‘It’s the function room, Betty. It’s been hired for you and Jay is making all your favourite foods. Everyone is going to be there to celebrate you.’

Betty pulled at the sleeves of her jacket. ‘Can’t say I much like being the centre of attention.’

‘You’ll be all right once you get there and you’re surrounded by all your friends and family. And until you’re comfortable, I’ll be right by your side.’

Betty smiled. ‘You’re a good girl. Our Jay’s lucky to have you.’

‘That’s what I keep telling him.’ Emma grinned back and took Betty’s arm. ‘Now come on, that’s our taxi outside bibbing its horn.’

As they moved through the London traffic, Emma contemplated the last six months.

Her and Jay’s relationship had gone from strength to strength, now that they understood each other better.

And while he was still very much focused on work, thriving at running the business alone, they made sure they spent their time off together doing fun things.

Shortly after the competition, Jay had been approached by Lord Weatherton.

‘I’m not going to beat around the bush and I know that you’re busy holding the fort for Liz at the moment, but my contacts tell me you have a hankering to have your own restaurant.’

‘That’s the dream, yes, but it won’t be for a while yet.’

‘Well, that’s okay, I’m prepared to wait.’

Jay frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

Lord Weatherton grinned at him. ‘Well, I’m sure you know how much I like my food.’

‘Your feedback is always much appreciated.’ Jay tried to be diplomatic.

‘Well, then. I took a shine to Liz and her catering, and since then I’ve taken a shine to you too. Especially since you won the regional competition.’

‘Well, thanks, but I still don’t understand.’

‘I want to back you. Your talent and my money and business experience. I don’t see how we could fail.’

‘But I...’ Jay was at a loss for words.

‘I won’t pressure you, though. I know you’ve got your hands full at the moment, and you will have until Liz can come back to work and you can get things in order for her to take over again. But when you’re ready, come and see me, and we’ll talk about what can be done.’

‘Thank you,’ was all Jay could say.

Emma smiled to herself. Jay had been astounded by the offer and hardly able to take it all in, but it had given him the confidence he’d needed to start planning his future.

The best bit, though, as far as Emma was concerned, was that he talked his ideas through with her and valued her opinion.

No longer was she on the outside looking in.

Another massive change to Emma’s life was her friendship with Heather.

After dusting herself off, Heather had found a job in an elderly persons’ care home.

Despite how she had been at the hotel, it turned out that she loved caring for the elderly, and she had soon developed a rapport with the residents.

And when Betty had announced she was going to look for a lodger and someone who could also help around the house, Emma had thought she knew the perfect person.

She’d introduced Heather to Betty, and the pair of them had become instant friends, as she’d known they would.

Heather was a different person to the one Emma had first met at the Rosemont, and she had blossomed under Betty’s care. Likewise, Betty had told Emma that she couldn’t imagine living on her own again.

The taxi arrived at Diva’s and Emma helped Betty out of the car. Betty looked at the front of the restaurant nervously.

‘Lovely. It looks posh, though.’

‘Fit for the queen you are.’ Emma smiled and took Betty’s arm. ‘Come on now. Time to meet your fans.’

Although it wasn’t a surprise party, Jay had asked everyone to arrive early so that Betty could make a proper entrance with her guests already in situ.

Heather was the first to greet her at the doors to the function room and, as she led them inside, cheers rang out for Betty.

And then Jay was standing in front of them with a big grin on his face and Betty visibly relaxed.

As Emma had predicted, it wasn’t long before she found her stride and revelled in being the centre of attention.

Smiling, Emma left her to it. Jay’s mum stopped to talk to her.

‘I know I’ve said it to you before,’ Mary said warmly. ‘But I’m really glad you’re in Jay’s life.’

‘I’m glad I am too.’

‘Everything’s changed so much since you got back together. He’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him and I can’t tell you what it means to have him back in my life too.’

‘There was always something missing when you were estranged,’ Emma said. ‘And it’s so good to be part of your family.’

‘If you can stand our noisy lot.’

‘Oh, that’s not a problem at all,’ Emma replied, thinking of how quiet her own childhood had been and how she had always longed for the chaos of a happy family. Even if they weren’t blood-related, she was part of that now and they couldn’t have made her feel more welcome.

Over the last six months, Jay’s family had started to regularly drop round at Betty’s, and she and Jay cooked Sunday dinner for them all, which was a lot less stressful than that first time.

Even Jay was more relaxed around them. His relationship with his stepfather was never going to be easy, but at least they could bear to be in each other’s company, and the bond between Jay and his half-brothers was slowly developing.

‘And look at Heather,’ Mary continued. ‘Hovering over Mum like a mother hen.’

‘They’ve certainly hit it off,’ Emma said, pleased with herself for introducing them.

‘And I’m grateful that Mum isn’t living on her own anymore. It’s a real weight off my mind.’

‘I think everyone’s happy with the arrangement,’ Emma said. ‘And she’s good for Heather too, which makes it more of an equal relationship, while giving Betty her independence.’

Mary laughed. ‘And goodness knows, my mother needs her independence.’

‘It looks as though everything is coming right,’ Emma said, although she couldn’t help thinking about the fly in the ointment. Nick.

Although the police had charged him with assault, he’d pleaded not guilty and in the next few weeks she was going to have to give evidence against him.

She was dreading it, but she knew she’d have the courage to do it because Jay would be by her side.

Her management-trainee contract at the Rosemont was almost at an end and while she had thoroughly enjoyed working at the hotel, and had learned so much, the spirit of Nick still remained and often made her uneasy.

After the investigation he’d been sacked and, although he was officially not allowed to come anywhere near her, she was constantly looking over her shoulder, wondering if he might show up.

Recently she’d begun to contemplate whether she should change jobs at the end of her contract so she wasn’t living in fear of him.

Liz joined Emma and Mary, carrying baby Isabel on her hip. Isabel had grown so much over these last few months and Emma absolutely adored her. Both she and Jay had been thrilled when Liz and Alex had asked them to be godparents.

‘It’s a lovely party,’ Liz said. ‘And Betty’s in her element.’

‘She is now, yes.’ Emma smiled. ‘Looking at her, you wouldn’t believe how nervous she was earlier. She thought that Diva’s was far too posh for her and told me she didn’t like being the centre of attention.’

Liz burst out laughing. ‘Well, I think she’s got over her fears.’

‘Looks that way. She puts on a big front about how nothing fazes her, but she took quite a knock when she found out about her illness. Underneath she’s a lot more vulnerable than she makes out.’

‘She’s lucky though, she’s got all her family supporting her. As well as Heather.’

Liz had been shocked when Emma had told her about her growing friendship with her former boss, and even more surprised when Emma had suggested that Heather move in with Betty.

‘You were spot on that day at Lord Weatherton’s when you told me the key to understanding her behaviour was finding out what her insecurity was.’

‘And it’s down to your perseverance that her life has changed.’

‘She deserves some happiness,’ Emma said. ‘She’s had it really tough.’

Liz nodded. ‘And what about you? Are you happy? You and Jay?’

‘We are,’ Emma said. ‘Couldn’t be happier.’

‘I’m pleased for you,’ Liz said and smiled.

‘What?’ Emma asked. ‘You’re hiding something, Elizabeth Sinclaire. I can always tell.’

Liz laughed. ‘Purely your imagination. I’m not hiding anything. Listen, Alex and I can’t stay long as we need to get this little one to bed or life won’t be worth living tomorrow. But I know that Alex wanted to have a word with you before we leave.’

‘Oh, yes, what about?’

‘I’ll let him explain,’ Liz said as Alex joined them.

Emma smiled at Alex. ‘Sounds mysterious.’

‘I’ll just go and say my goodbyes to everyone,’ Liz said.

When she’d gone, Alex said, ‘I know your contract at the Rosemont is coming to an end shortly.’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘And Liz told me you’ve felt a little bit uncomfortable since Nick.’

‘I have, yes. I’ve loved working there, but I’m still nervous around the place.’

‘I can see why you’d feel like that. The thing is, we’ve got a management position coming up at the Grange and we were wondering if you’d be interested in it.’

Emma was speechless. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, I know when we’ve spoken about working with us before, you said you preferred to go your own way, but I think you’ve learned so much at the Rosemont that we’d be offering you the job based on your skills and experience, rather than because we know you.’

‘Oh, I see. And what makes you say I’ve learned a lot at the Rosemont?’

‘Ah, well.’ Alex couldn’t quite look her in the eye. ‘I had a word with Faye — and she couldn’t sing your praises highly enough.’

‘You spoke to Faye?’

‘Yes.’

‘And she wants to get rid of me, does she?’

‘Quite the contrary. In fact, she was miffed about me headhunting you. But she thinks a fresh start might be good for you.’

‘Oh, right.’ Emma was once more lost for words at Faye’s thoughtfulness.

‘In fact, if you do agree to work for us I think I’ll have to watch out for her poaching you back further down the line. So what do you think?’

‘I’m a bit shocked, to be honest,’ Emma said. ‘But I am interested.’

‘Great.’ Alex grinned. ‘Why don’t you give me a ring next week and we can fix a date for you to come and have a look around the hotel, and meet some of the staff? We can take it from there.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Emma said.

Liz came back over to them. ‘Well, you’re both smiling, so that must be a good sign.’

‘Let’s just say we’re working on it.’ Alex gave Emma a wink.

‘That’s good timing because I think Betty is about to give a speech.’

Betty stood up from the chair she’d been sitting in, while Jay tapped the side of a wine glass with a fork.

‘So much for the woman who didn’t want to be the centre of attention,’ Emma whispered as the room hushed. Liz chuckled.

Betty thanked everyone for coming and said that she was delighted so many people had turned up to share her eightieth birthday with her.

‘My family and friends mean everything to me, so it’s wonderful that you’re all here tonight. And while this may be my eightieth birthday, I still feel like I’m in my twenties and I have plenty of things to do before I pop my clogs, so I’m planning on sticking around for a good while yet.’

Everyone laughed, and then began to sing as a birthday cake was brought into the room. Betty blew out the candles and as the cake was taken away she looked towards Jay, who called once more for hush. ‘Over to you, Jay.’

The colour rose in Jay’s cheeks as he cleared his throat. ‘As you all know, I’d much rather be hiding back in the kitchen than taking centre stage, but tonight is a very special night and I’m hoping to make it even more special.’ He looked over to Emma.

‘Em? Could you come and join me, please?’

Puzzled, Emma looked to Liz and Alex, who were both smiling.

‘You knew about this, didn’t you?’

Liz said nothing, but pushed her gently forward. Hesitantly Emma made her way towards Jay, and felt her face flush with embarrassment as everyone’s eyes landed on her. Jay held out his hand and drew her to him.

‘Emma, you know I’m not big on romantic gestures, but tonight I wanted to show you how much you I love you.’ He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small box and went down on one knee before opening the box. ‘Emma Taylor, will you marry me?’

Emma looked at Jay in disbelief and saw love shining in his eyes.

All her life she’d felt second best, but not tonight. Tonight she knew she was truly loved, and knew exactly where she belonged. She wanted to hang on to this feeling for ever.

Without hesitation she answered with a smile that lit up her face.

‘Yes, Jay, I’d be absolutely honoured to become your wife.’

THE END