Page 42 of Forget me Knot
Grinning, I watch him poking about, making sure the doors are still locked and then, with a firm nod, he heads back upstairs.
In my element, I select flowers for the bouquet, but my mind races. This is happening so fast, but I know it’s for the best. Emily will be safe with Sam and George’s family, and maybe she’ll even find some happiness there.
I create a beautiful arrangement of chrysanthemums, roses and forget-me-nots, symbolising gratitude, love, and remembrance. It feels appropriate for the situation. I take a moment to admire the bouquet before heading back upstairs with it.
Jack has already whipped up a simple but delicious breakfast—scrambled eggs, toast, and beans. Emily’s sitting at the table, her nerves evident in the way she taps her fingers against her mug.
“That looks lovely,” Jack says, nodding toward the bouquet as I place it on the kitchen counter. He hands me a plate of food with a smile that makes my heart do a little flip.
“Thanks,” I reply with a slow smile. “This looks good. Gardens and kitchens are your thing.”
He grins, pleased with the compliment.
Emily takes a deep breath, her eyes flicking between us as if trying to gauge our mood. “You both are really kind,” she says softly. “Thank you for doing this for me.”
“It’s no trouble,” Jack says, sitting down and digging into his breakfast. “We want you to be safe and happy.”
We eat in companionable silence, the tension from earlier easing a bit. After breakfast, we settle Emily in the living room to watch some mindless morning TV. It’s a good distraction for her, helping to pass the time until Sam arrives. I shower first, and then Jack follows me.
Snickering at him when he walks into my room with a pink towel slung around his waist again, I shake my head. “You need to get some stuff here.”
“No shit. I’ve used up the spare clothes I carry around in my car.”
“You carry around spare clothes?” I ask, wrinkling my nose.
“In cases of dirt or water. Or both.”
“Ah, okay. That makes sense.” The air sparks with electricity, but I still don’t ask about the future. I’m too fucking scared this will all come crashing down. But at some point, I’m going to have to take the plunge.
Before either of us can say another word, his phone buzzes with a text from Sam.
“Sam just finished his shift. He’ll be here soon,” he mutters.
“Okay. I’ll tell Emily.”
Leaving Jack behind in the bedroom, I sit next to Emily on the couch. “Are you ready? Sam will be here soon.”
“Yeah, I don’t have much.” She indicates the backpack.
Fifteen minutes later, we hear a car pull up outside. Jack checks through the window. “It’s Sam.”
I take a deep breath and turn to Emily. “Ready?”
She nods, clutching her backpack straps tightly. “As I’ll ever be.”
Scooping up the flowers, we head downstairs, and I lock up the shop. Sam greets our little group as we pile into his car.
“Morning, all,” he says, his eyes scanning our little group. “Everyone set?”
I hold up the bouquet. “All set. This is for your mum.”
Sam’s eyes soften as he looks at the flowers. “She’ll love that, thanks, Lily.”
As we drive through Keeley, I feel a mix of emotions. Relief that Emily will be safe, worry about what the future holds, and a strange sense of anticipation.
Emily’s quiet next to me. Jack and Sam are in the front, and I catch Sam glancing at me in the rearview mirror more than once.
“So,” Sam says, breaking the silence. “Mum’s excited to meet you all. Especially you, Emily.”
